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Clearly determining the magnitude of fracture pressure is a crucial indicator for fracturing design. Traditional methods for predicting fracture pressure suffer from challenges such as difficulties in obtaining required data, low prediction accuracy, and local limitations in application. In light of these issues, the article proposes a fracture pressure prediction model based on reinforcement learning and XGBoost utilizing geophysical well logging data. Based on the relevance analysis, optimal input parameters, including DEPTH, DEN, AC, GR, CRL, and RT, are selected from geophysical well logging data. We have developed a framework for a fracture pressure prediction model based on XGBoost, wherein hyperparameters are fine-tuned using an improved Q-learning algorithm. The optimized XGBoost model for fracture pressure prediction attains outstanding performance metrics, including an R 2 value of 0.992, a root mean square error of 0.006%, and a mean absolute error of 0.539%. In direct comparison with grid search, Bayesian optimization, and ant colony optimization, the improved Q-learning algorithm emerges as the most effective optimization approach. The predictions generated by the proposed method exhibit remarkable consistency with fracture pressure data measured on-site. This approach successfully addresses the shortcomings encountered with traditional fracture pressure prediction methods, such as inadequate accuracy, demanding data prerequisites, and constrained applicability.

In contemporary education, the prevalence of the test-oriented education has led to a single, rigid learning assessment, as well as the neglecting of the personalized learning needs of learners. The rise of smart classroom and multimodal learning analytics provides a solution to this problem. In the smart classroom, learners interact with instructors, peers, technology, and learning aids through multisensory channels, generating a large amount of multimodal data. The collection and analysis of such data can be further supported with the help of key technologies in the smart classroom. To understand this analysis, the study models a multimodal learning analytics grounded in the smart classroom, based on the concepts and characteristics of multimodal learning analysis and smart classroom. By drawing on the analysis of existing models, this model is centered on a six-step multimodal learning analytics cycle that involves establishing goals, collecting data, processing data, analyzing data, providing feedback, and implementing interventions, and also includes key elements such as stakeholders, the technological environment of smart classroom, types of multimodal data, and collection devices. The study explores the specific elements and practical operational requirements of each step of the model, with a view to provide theoretical support for the development of a learning analytics system in the smart classroom at a later stage, providing more comprehensive and personalized assessment method for classroom teaching, and promoting the intelligent and personalized development of education.

To reveal the effects of milling methods on the physicochemical properties of rice flour and the qualities of fresh rice noodles, the rice was treated by dry, semi-dry, and wet milling methods and the resultant products were utilized to produce fresh rice noodles. The basic chemical components, the damaged starch rate, the size distribution, the morphology, the solubility and swelling power, and the pasting properties of the rice flour, as well as the texture, cooking, and sensory qualities of fresh rice noodles, were investigated. The obtained results suggested that the rice flour produced by drying methods with a 300 mesh had the highest damaged starch rate (17.55%) and solubility, smallest particle size, peak viscosity, final viscosity, and setback viscosity. By contrast, the rice flour produced from wet milling methods showed the lowest damaged starch rate (2.87%) and solubility, and the highest peak viscosity, final viscosity, and setback viscosity. Increasing the moisture content during the semi-dry milling treatment, the damaged starch rate of the rice flour decreased from 4.49% to 3.55%, and similar trend was observed for particle size distribution and solubility. Scanning electron microscopy suggested that the lower damaged starch rate, the more intact structure of the rice flour. The fresh rice noodles made from wet milling flour showed the best cooking qualities, and the cooking qualities of semi-dry milled flour-made and semi-soaking milled flour-made fresh noodles were close to those of wet milled flour-made fresh rice noodles while the rice flour produced from dry milled method was not suitable for making fresh rice noodles. The semi-dry and semi-soaking milled rice flour can replace the wet milled rice flour for the preparation of rice noodles during the practical production process. The findings in this study may assist the revolution for the traditional production of rice noodles.

Purposes In this study, a functional resonance imaging adaptation (fMRIa) experiment was conducted to examine the multi-level adaptation mechanism in 16 ROIs of the human brain cortex. Methods Random dot stereograms were defined by horizontal binocular disparity as visual stimuli. And six different adaptation conditions were designed to separate different adaptation sources. Adaptation strengthes were measured as changes in the BOLD signal between adaptation and test periods. Findings ANOVA results show that both the dorsal and ventral pathways exhibit advanced adaptation effects to shape attributes. Additionally, adaptations to average disparity information in the V7 and IPS regions along the dorsal visual pathway exist, indicating that low-level disparity computations in these regions are used to precisely encode the depth structure of 3D shapes, while the ventral pathway is used for shape classification. Conclusions These evidences validate the multi-evel adaptation for stereo-curvature aftereffects. The findings can provide guidance for optimizing the construction of stereoscopic scenes in virtual reality.

Abstract In response to the issues of low merging success rates and poor safety in the on-ramp merging scenario within autonomous driving, we propose an on-ramp merging model for unmanned vehicles based on the Multi-Agent Proximal Policy Optimization (MAPPO) algorithm. Firstly, we introduce an Action-Mask (AM) to prevent the sampling of invalid actions during merging, thus enhancing safety by ensuring only valid actions are considered. Secondly, we incorporate noise advantage values to encourage unmanned vehicles to thoroughly explore the environment and avoid being trapped in local optimal solutions. Experimental results demonstrate that the AM-MAPPO algorithm model improves both safety and traffic efficiency.

Microglial inflammatory response is a pathological process frequently found in patients with depression and in animal models, which is believed to be closely related to depression. The potential mechanisms of inducing microglial inflammatory response by depression includes the direct or indirect regulation of glucocorticoid level changes after activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the effect of intestinal microbial metabolites through immune and neural pathways in the brain-gut axis, and the direct activation of damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in microglia.

To address the issue of large data flow of 5G channel for differential protection of distribution lines， a 5G-based scheme for differential protection for distribution lines considering data flow control is proposed. This scheme optimizes transmission strategy， streamlines data formats， and boosts message efficiency by focusing on the transmission frequency， message content， and message types of differential protection data. Furthermore， it enhances the data synchronization scheme for differential protection and refines the logic for saturation discrimination of current transformer （CT）， significantly reducing data flow without compromising the performance of differential protection. Through experiments， the scheme’s viability for practical applications has been confirmed， offering valuable insights for the real-world deployment of 5G-enabled differential protection for distribution networks.

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of serum magnesium (Mg) levels on prognostic outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI). A cohort comprising 91 patients with NSCLC with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations received EGFR-TKI therapy. Assessments of liver and kidney function and electrolyte levels were conducted before treatment initiation and after completing two cycles of EGFR-TKI therapy. Data on variables such as age, gender, presence of distant metastasis, smoking history, other therapeutic interventions, and the specific TKI used were collected for analysis. Cox regression analysis revealed that patients with higher Mg levels prior to EGFR-TKI therapy had significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Elevated Mg levels remained predictive of PFS and OS after two cycles of EGFR-TKI therapy. Multiple regression analysis confirmed these findings. Additionally, it was observed that smokers might represent a unique population, demonstrating a correlation between OS and Mg levels. Our findings indicate that serum Mg level is a prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC undergoing EGFR-TKI therapy. This may provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms of EGFR-TKI therapy related to electrolyte balance.

Objective In order to improve train operational efficiency, it is necessary to monitor metro traction power consumption and establish a relevant energy consumption model for prediction analysis of metro traction power consumption. Method The basic principles of grey prediction model and BP (backpropagation) neural network are introduced. Taking the traction daily electricity consumption data for a typical metro station in Tianjin in June 2021 as example, the grey correlation analysis method is used to select the influencing factors with high correlation to the daily traction power consumption of metro. Based on the GM (1,1) grey prediction model, the short-term traction daily power consumption is predicted. The selected influencing factors with high correlation, the short-term traction daily power consumption predicted by GM (1,1) grey model, and the adjacent historical traction daily power consumption data are used as input for training in BP neural network model to establish the GM-BP grey neural network model. The required short-term metro traction daily power consumption prediction data is generated. Result & Conclusion Compared with conventional GM (1,1) grey prediction model and BP neural network model, the prediction error of short-term traction daily power consumption predicted by the GM-BP grey neural network model shows significant improvement, and can be used as effective metro traction power consumption data for short-term prediction data analysis.

Steel slag shield powder (shield powder for short)/rubber composites were prepared by rubber industry formulations based on the research results of preparing steel slag based shield powder by utilizing an ultra-fine vertical mill and steel slag. The mineral composition, chemical composition, particle size distribution, structural composition, microstructure, and thermal stability of the shield powder/rubber composite material were tested, and the relevant mechanisms of using the shield powder in rubber industry formulations were explained at the microscopic level. The results show that the shield powder has good compatibility with the rubber matrix when the proportion of shield powder replacing carbon black is 5%-10%(mass fraction, the same as below).The tensile strength of shield powder/rubber composites is 16.16-17.06 MPa, which is higher than 15 MPa. The tensile elongation is 619.8%-668.21%, which is higher than 350%. The abrasion is 130-196 mm3, which is less than 200 mm3.All values meet the requirements of national standards. When the replacing proportion is 5%, the vulcanization time of the shield powder/rubber composites is shortened and the vulcanization rate index is increased. When the shield powder/rubber composites burn, SiO2 in the shi eld powder reacts with sulfur radicals, Fe, Zn, and Al, creating the Si-Mg flame retardant system, Si-Al flame retardant system, and Si-Fe smoke-extinguishing body. Furthermore, the shield powder and the rubber system are linked to create a dense carbon layer, which inhibits the partial heat transfer and the flame spread.

[Objective] Ammonia is acknowledged as an efficient hydrogen storage medium, having the potential of being a substitute for fossil fuels in achieving the vision of a “carbon-free future”. Due to its stable liquid-state attributes in storage and transport, establishing a transmission system integrating green ammonia and product oil using in-service product oil pipelines is of important significance for fostering a green ammonia industry chain. [Methods] This paper began with a comprehensive introduction to background information,including the production capacity distribution of green ammonia in China, the pros and cons of different transportation modes, and the potentiality of integrating liquid ammonia transmission into in-service product oil pipelines. Then the adaptability of the system in integrating liquid ammonia transmission was analyzed from six dimensions: properties of transmission mediums, long-distance pipeline structure, pipes and equipment, pipeline transmission technology, hydraulic calculation method, and safety considerations related to operational pressure and fow rates. Considering the coupling characteristics of green ammonia and product oil during transportation, a conceptual plan was outlined for establishing green ammonia and product oil integrated transmission systems based on the supply and demand patterns of “westeast ammonia transmission” and “north-south ammonia transmission”. [Results] As the production capacity of green ammonia continuously expands, pipelines have emerged as the preferred mode for long-distance transportation. Moreover, given the underutilized transmission capacity of existing product oil pipelines, notable potential exists in integrating liquid ammonia transmission into these pipelines to enhance economic benefits. Theoretically, current product oil pipelines bear striking resemblance to existing long-distance liquid ammonia pipeline systems, so they are capable of meeting specific requirements for liquid ammonia transport when offered with technological or equipment upgrades. Therefore, under the premise of implementing rational pressure and flow rate control strategies, the system integrating liquid ammonia transmission into operational product oil pipelines exhibits robust adaptability, necessitating further experimental validation of their feasibility. This paper envisioned the potential of these integrated systems across four key aspects: planning for green ammonia and product oil integrated transmission systems, optimization through collaboration of multiple transportation modes, defining operational boundaries for liquid ammonia pipeline transmission, and optimization of pipeline transmission batches. [Conclusion] The study outcomes can serve as a valuable reference for promoting the healthy development of the green ammonia industry and enhancing the safety and economic efficiency of green ammonia and product oil integrated transmission systems.

Objective: To determine the inhibitory effects of pachymic acid on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells and elucidate its underlying mechanism. Methods: CCK-8, wound healing, Transwell, Western blot, tube formation, and immunofluorescence assays were carried out to measure the effects of various concentrations of pachymic acid on LUAD cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis as well as autophagy. Subsequently, molecular docking technology was used to detect the potential targeted binding association between pachymic acid and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). Moreover, PTP1B was overexpressed in A549 cells to detect the specific mechanisms of pachymic acid. Results: Pachymic acid suppressed LUAD cell viability, metastasis as well as angiogenesis while inducing cell autophagy. It also targeted PTP1B and lowered PTP1B expression. However, PTP1B overexpression reversed the effects of pachymic acid on metastasis, angiogenesis, and autophagy as well as the expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin in LUAD cells. Conclusions: Pachymic acid inhibits metastasis and angiogenesis, and promotes autophagy in LUAD cells by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via targeting PTP1B.

In order to identify the differences in flavor among different grades of stir-fried Pixian broad bean paste, solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS), GC-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS), principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and odor activity value (OAV) were applied to determine the key flavor compounds. The results showed that SPME-GC-MS identified 88 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including 15 aldehydes, 11 alcohols, 17 esters, 13 ketones, 5 acids, 5 olefins, 6 alkanes, 7 heterocycles, 2 phenols, 7 ethers and other compounds. Among them, 34 were common to all samples. A total of 57 compounds were identified by GC-IMS, and 16 key flavor compounds with variable importance in the projection (VIP) values > 1 were identified by OPLS-DA. According to their OAV values, ethyl butyrate contributed to the apple-like aroma of super grade Pixian broad bean paste, and isovaleraldehyde contributed to its malty aroma; ethyl isovalerate contributed to the fruity aroma of first grade Pixian broad bean paste, and 3-methylthiopropionaldehyde was responsible for its roasted potato-like and soy sauce-like aroma; ethyl isbutyric acid contributed to the fruity aroma of second grade Pixian broad bean paste, and isovaleraldehyde and isobutyraldehyde were responsible for its malty aroma. Finally, it was determined that the overall aroma characteristics of stir-fried Pixian broad bean paste were fruity, wine-like, malty, sour, herbaceous, cocoa-like, almond-like and soy sauce-like. These results can serve as references for determining the aroma characteristics of stir-fried Pixian bean paste in the future, and provide a basis for the early design of sensory descriptors for quantitative descriptive analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of thymosin α1 combined with XELOX in improving immune function and reducing serum tumor markers in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) after radical surgery. A total of 180 patients who underwent radical surgery for CRC were divided into two groups: an observation group (n = 94) receiving thymosin α1 in combination with XELOX and a control group (n = 86) receiving XELOX alone. Immune function, inflammatory factor levels, serum tumor markers, and quality of life were assessed before and after treatment. Adverse reactions and recurrence rates were compared between the two groups in 1 and 3 years. Following therapy, there was a notable increase in the levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD4+/CD8+ in all cohorts, particularly in the observation cohort, when compared to pre-therapy levels. Conversely, CD8+ levels decreased across all cohorts, especially in the observation cohort. Additionally, there was an increase in the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ in the observation cohort, compared to both pre-therapy and control cohort levels, while IL-6 levels decreased. The presence of CEA, CA242, and CA724 reduced significantly across all cohorts following post-therapy, particularly in the observation cohort. Post-therapy, there was a significant increase in the scoring for role, cognitive, social, emotional, and somatic functions in all cohorts, with the most significant improvement observed in the observation cohort. There were no significant differences in the incidence of side effects across cohorts, while neutropenia events were significantly lower in the observation cohort (32.98%) compared to the control cohort (48.84%). The 12-month recurrence rate showed no statistical significance across cohorts, while the observation cohort had a significantly lower three-year recurrence rate (24.47%) compared to the control cohort (59.30%). Thymosin α1 combined with XELOX is effective in improving immune function, reducing serum tumor markers, and minimizing recurrence in CRC patients after radical surgery. This combination therapy may be a promising new direction for the treatment of CRC.

The AlSi10Mg alloy samples were successfully prepared by laser powder bed fusion（LPBF）. The effects of three kinds of heat treatment process，namely 130 ℃/4 h aging treatment，236 ℃/10 h annealing treatment，and 540 ℃/1 h solid solution treatment on the microstructure of the AlSi10Mg samples were investigated. After heat treatment，the evolution of coefficient of thermal expansion（CTE） and thermal conductivity of the AlSi10Mg alloy in the temperature range from room temperature to 400 ℃ was examined. The results show that spherical Si particles are precipitated within the aluminum matrix，while the complete network-like eutectic silicon structure is retained after aging treatment. After annealing，the network-like silicon structure is disappeared completely，and spherical Si particles are uniformly distributed within the matrix. After solution treatment，large blocky Si particles with the sizes from 1 μm to 3 μm appear. The thermal properties of the AlSi10Mg alloy have been improved significantly after heat treatment compared to the as-printed state. In particular，the CTE of alloy subjected to annealing is 1.64×10−5 ℃−1 to 2.1×10−5 ℃−1 within the temperature range from room temperature to 400 ℃，the average thermal conductivity is 179.6 W·m−1·K−1，the performance is superior to ageing and solution treatments.

AIM: To report three cases of viral keratitis caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).METHODS: Slit lamp, intraocular pressure, corneal fluorescence staining, anterior segment photography, in vivo confocal microscopy(IVCM), and routine fundus screening were performed in the three confirmed patients. Treatment involved Ganciclovir, artificial tears and glucocorticoid eye drops.RESULTS: Three patients with SARS-CoV-2 keratitis(SCK)recovered well after standard treatment.CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 keratitis typically presents as corneal subepithelial infiltration and can result in a decrease in corneal subepithelial nerve fiber density and an increase in dendritic cells(DC). Antiviral therapy in combination with glucocorticoid has proven to be effective.

AbstractThe liver is an important and multifunctional human organ. Early and accurate diagnosis of a liver tumor can save lives. Computed Tomography (CT) images provide comprehensive information for liver tumor diagnosis using feature extraction techniques. These extracted features help classify liver tumors using Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) methods. For this research, twelve 1hundred CT images were acquired from the Radiology Department of Nishter Medical University & Hospital. The noise was removed using Gabor Filter after converting CT images into grayscale. Image quality was enhanced by adopting Histogram Equalization (HE), and finally, the Image’s edges and boundaries were improved using a smoothening and sharpening algorithm. Preprocessed images were forwarded to extract six features: Histogram, Run-length, Co-occurrence, Autogressive, Gradient, and Wavelet Transform. A major focus of this research is to evaluate that ML methods produced good accuracy using already extracted features while DL Algorithms could not produce better results. Firstly, ML methods such as Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Boost, and Support Vector Machine (SVM) are deployed using an already extracted feature list containing all six features. It was observed that DT, RF, Boost, and SVM produced 96.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, and 98.0% classification accuracy. After that, DL Algorithms such as Neural Networks (NN), Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM), Bi-Directional Long Short Term Memory (Bi-LSTM), and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) were deployed. The results showed that NN, LSTM, Bi-LSTM, and CNN produced 50.0%, 53.0%, 54.0%, and 54.0% accuracy respectively. To validate the major focus of this research, finally, Pre-trained DL Algorithms such as Residual Network 50 (Resnet50), Visual Geometry Group 16 (VGG16) and LSTM + CNN were deployed. Results showed that Resnet50, VGG16, and LSTM + CNN attained 78.0%, 88.0%, and 97.0% accuracy respectively. Hence, ML methods performed better using already extracted features, while DL Algorithms could not produce promising results on these extracted features.

[Objective] The Ten Tributaries Basin, an important part of Yellow River Jizi Bay, exhibits a sensitive and fragile ecological environment. Investigating the alterations in land use and identifying the driving forces behind these changes are essential for fostering high-quality development within the Yellow River Basin, which holds significant ecological implications. [Methods] Employing remote sensing images from the years 1986, 2000, 2010 and 2020, This study analyzed the land use changes in the Ten Tributaries Basin using the spatial analysis via ArcMap 10.8 and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). [Results] The results showed a gradual expansion in forestland, construction land, and cultivated land over the periods studied, while unused land, grassland, and water bodies demonstrated a reduction trend. By 2020, forestland had emerged as the predominant land category, covering an area of 6 308.43 km2, accounting for 59.99% of the total area. The highest comprehensive dynamic attitude was observed between 2010 and 2020 at 1.59%, indicating the most substantial changes in land use during this period. The plain area, with its relatively flat terrain, witnessed expansions in cultivated land and construction land. In contrast, due to ecological management policies and projects, the sandstorm area saw a transformation of unused land into forestland and grassland, especially evident in the eastern sandstorm area. A small proportion transformed into photovoltaic power generation areas in the central sandstorm area. In the hilly area, the primary shift was from unused land to forestland, although a minimal conversion from forestland to industrial and mining area occurred in the southeastern hilly area due to the region’s advanced industrial and mining activities. Water bodies within the Tributaries Basin decreased by 75.81 km2, whereas the cultivated land along the coast increased significantly, except in the northern plain area. Land use change was mainly driven by socio-economic factors, agricultural productivity, topographical conditions, and policy initiatives. [Conclusion] Over the past 35 years, the Ten Tributaries Basin has experienced considerable land use changes, with a notable positive shift in overall ecological conditions. The results of this study provide a scientific reference for policy-making entities in formulating ecological protection policies within the Yellow River Basin.

The coordinate equation of helical gear tooth profile modification and geometric algorithm of form grinding wheel dressing are established, and the section profile of grinding wheel after tooth profile modification is optimized. The coupling relation between machine position error and tooth profile error is obtained by the numerical simulation. A software for adjusting the precision of form grinding tooth profile is developed, and the forming sand profile and tooth profile precision adjustment parameters corresponding to the helical gear modification are calculated. Through the form grinding experiment of the modified helical gear, the correctness of sand contour trimming and the effectiveness of tooth profile adjustment are verified.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has been identified as a significant driver of tumorigenesis. However, its clinical significance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains largely unclear. In this study, RNA-Seq data from AML patients (bone marrow samples from 173 newly diagnosed AML patients) obtained from the TCGA database, and normal human RNA-Seq data (bone marrow samples from 70 healthy individuals) obtained from the GTEX database are downloaded for external validation and complementarity. The data analysis reveals that the AHR signaling pathway is activated in AML patients. Furthermore, there is a correlation between the expressions of AHR and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation genes. In vitro experiments show that enhancing AHR expression in AML cells increases mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and induces resistance to cytarabine. Conversely, reducing AHR expression in AML cells decreases cytarabine resistance. These findings deepen our understanding of the AHR signaling pathway’s involvement in AML.

To investigate the parametric rolling motion of container ships navigating in head seas, this study utilizes the unsteady RANS approach combined with dynamic overlapping grid technology to simulate parametric roll in a container ship under the coupled motions of roll, pitch, and heave. Initially, the model was validated against experimental results, demonstrating good agreement and thus confirming the reliability of the computational method. Furthermore, the paper investigates the impacts of the initial roll angle, encounter frequency, and the addition of bilge keels on parametric rolling. The research findings indicate that the initial angles of rolling impact the duration needed to attain a steady roll condition, yet they have minimal effect on the amplitude post-stabilization. The likelihood of parametric rolling arises when the frequency of encounters doubles that of the ship’s inherent roll frequency. Furthermore, the likelihood of parametric rolling escalates when the wavelengths approach the length of the ship. Installing bilge keels markedly reduces the parametric rolling movement in vessels, and the occurrence of parametric rolling is also delayed.

In order to investigate the impact of marine propeller wake fields on sediment siltation in shallow water channels, this study employs the unsteady RANS approach and the Volume of Fluid model. A full-scale numerical self-propulsion test was conducted on a 50,000 DWT oil tanker under the influence of a free surface. The research includes forecasting the effect of propeller wakes on sediment redeposition following the dredging of the approach channel to Jiaxing Port in the China Sea. Initially, uncertainty research was carried out on the full-scale ship and propeller system, and the credibility of the computational results was quantified. The simulated results based on the sediment transport numerical model were then compared and validated against actual data from monitoring stations. The self-propulsion performance and the velocity distribution of the propeller wake were examined under three different propeller speeds. Scenarios simulated included no ship navigation, daily single-ship navigation, and daily two-ship navigation, evaluating the siltation distribution within the channel over one month. The results demonstrate that ship propeller wakes positively influence the reduction of channel sedimentation, with the maximum monthly siltation reduction reaching 0.108 m during single-ship tidal navigation and 0.11 m during two-ship tidal navigation.

Yaw bearings and slewing bearings in wind turbine systems, rotating support bearings in aerospace launch towers, and slew bearings in cranes and excavators all exhibit characteristics of low-speed reciprocating motion. Diagnosing faults in low-speed reciprocating motion bearings presents significant challenges: the impact forces from damage contact are minimal at low speeds, resulting in weak damage impact signals. Furthermore, the interference from deceleration and directional change impacts is substantial, and long signals covering multiple reciprocating cycles lack periodicity. To address these challenges, a method for diagnosing faults in low-speed reciprocating motion bearings is proposed. This method is based on modulation signal bispectrum （MSB） slice-wise overall averaging. The approach begins with signal resampling, which involves tracking zero-crossings in the rotational speed to resample vibration signals. Subsequently, it separates short signals from the resampled data based on encoder signals, forming a collection of short signals corresponding to individual reciprocating cycles. Each short signal undergoes MSB analysis to generate the MSB bicoherence slice spectrum. The optimal carrier frequency and its associated modulation signal slice spectrum are determined from the bicoherence slice spectrum. Finally, an overall average of the MSB modulation signal slice spectra from the short signal collection results in the overall averaging feature. Validation of the method using fault test data demonstrates its effectiveness in diagnosing faults in low-speed reciprocating motion bearings.

ObjectiveTo present the exploration and application of a prospective follow-up research method for acute infectious disease surveillance based on natural community populations， using COVID-19 infection as an example， and to provide a reference for improving the infectious disease surveillance and early warning system.MethodsA multi-stage probability proportional sampling method was employed to sample residents from all communities of 16 administrative districts in Shanghai， with households as the units. A cohort for acute infectious diseases based on natural community populations was established. The baseline survey was conducted for all cohort subjects， and COVID-19 antigen test kits were distributed. From December 21， 2022 to September 30， 2023， prospective follow-up monitoring of COVID-19 antigen and nucleic acid was carried out on the study subjects on a weekly basis. The baseline characteristics and follow-up information of the cohort subjects were described.ResultsThe cohort for acute infectious diseases included a total of 12 881 subjects， comprising 6 098 males （47.3%） and 6 783 females （52.7%）. The baseline survey revealed that 35.2% （4 540/12 881） of the subjects had a history of COVID-19 infection. During the follow-up period from December 21， 2022 to September 30， 2023， the average incidence density in the cohort was 0.61/person-year， with a higher incidence density in females （0.63/person-year） compared to males （0.59/person-year）. Individuals aged 60 and above （0.64/person-year） and those with underlying health conditions （0.67/person-year） had a higher incidence density. Healthcare workers showed a notably higher incidence density （0.84/person-year） than that in other occupational groups. As of September 30， 2023， a total of 340 subjects in the cohort experienced secondary infections， with a median interval of 170 days between the first and second infections.ConclusionThis study applies cohort study method to acute infectious disease surveillance， providing crucial data support for estimating infection rates and forecasting alerts for acute infectious diseases in the community. This method can be promoted and applied as a new approach for acute infectious disease surveillance.

Sarcasm is a sophisticated speech act that is intended to express contempt or ridicule on social communities such as Twitter. In recent years, the prevalence of sarcasm on the social media has become highly disruptive to sentiment analysis systems due to not only its tendency of polarity flipping but also usage of figurative language. It is observed that sarcastic texts often convey a humorous effect. Thus, determining the humor in texts can be pertinent to the successful detection of sarcasm, and vice versa. However, current works always regard sarcasm detection and humor identification as separate tasks. In this paper, we argue that these tasks should be treated as a joint, collaborative, effort, considering the semantic connections between sarcasm and humor expressed in texts. Enlightened by the multi-task learning strategy, we present a joint architecture that settles two highly pertinent tasks, sarcasm detection and humor identification. As the basic of deep neural networks, we learn both tasks jointly exploring weight sharing to capture the task-specific features for each task and task-cross features between the two tasks. Extensive experiments on real-world datasets demonstrate that our presented model consistently enhances both sarcasm detection and humor identification tasks consistently with the help of the strong semantic relationships, achieving much better performance than state-of-the-art baselines.

Objective To investigate the effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHC) on the proliferation capacity of human oral squamous carcinoma cells and its mechanism of action. Methods The viability and colony formation ability of CAL27 cells treated with different concentrations of dihydroartemisinin was measured by CCK-8 and colony formation assay. The expression of proteins related to proliferation and autophagy was determined by Western blot. Potential targets for DHA inhibition of the biological behavior of oral cancer were screened based on network pharmacology and bioinformatics. Measurement was conducted after the cells were cotreated with autophagy blocker 3-methyladenine and autophagy inducers rapamycin and dihydroartemisinin. Results Dihydroartemisinin significantly reduced the proliferation viability and clone formation ability of CAL27 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The PCNA expression level also decreased substantially. DHA suppressed oral cancer targets involving autophagy-related pathways. DHA intervention increased the expression of intracellular autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1 and LC3. After co-treatment of DHA combined with autophagy blocker, the proliferation viability and clone formation ability of CAL27 cells decreased. The expression of PCNA increased, and the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3 decreased. Conclusion Dihydroartemisinin could inhibit the proliferative capacity of oral squamous carcinoma cells in vitro, and its effect may be correlated with the induction of autophagy.

Fast-charging technology is the inevitable trend for electric vehicles (EVs). Current EVs’ lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) cannot provide ultrafast power input due to the capacity fading and safety hazards of graphite anode at high rates. Lithium vanadate oxide (Li3VO4) has been widely studied as fast-charging anode material due to its high capacity and stability at high rates. However, its highly safe characteristic under fast-charging has not been studied. In this study, a fast-charging anode material is synthesized by inserting Li3VO4 in Ti3C2Tx MXene framework. The morphologies of Li3VO4/Ti3C2Tx electrode after cycling at different rates were studied to analyze the dendrites growth. Electrochemical testing results demonstrate that Li3VO4/Ti3C2Tx composite displays high capacities of 151.6 mA h g−1 at 5 C and 87.8 mA h g−1 at 10 C, which are much higher than that of commercial graphite anode (51.9 mA h g−1 at 5 C and 17.0 mA h g−1 at 10 C). Moreover, Li3VO4/Ti3C2Tx electrode does not generate Li dendrite at high rates (5 and 10 C) while commercial graphite electrode grows many Li dendrites under the same conditions, demonstrating fast-charging and high safety of Li3VO4/Ti3C2Tx composite. Our work inspires promising fast-charging anode material design for LIBs.

Renewable energy has weak feedforward and controlled characteristics, so the traditional industrial frequency protection does not work when renewable energy is sent out through AC transmission line. On the contrary, the traveling wave protection methods can judge the fault before the control system responds, which are one of the effective ways to solve the problem encountered in renewable power system. However, the existing traveling wave protection schemes are limited by the sampling rate, which makes it difficult to accurately identify the internal near-end fault and the internal remote-end fault. To solve this problem, the grid diagram of traveling wave in case of internal and external faults is analyzed at first. Then, the time difference between zero-mode and line-mode is used to judge the fault location. For the near-end fault and remote-end fault which are difficult to be accurately identified based on the time difference, the first reverse polarity traveling wave is used to identify the near-end fault and the polarity of the first two line-mode traveling waves is used to identify the remote-end fault. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can quickly identify internal and external faults. At the same time, the proposed scheme has good ability to withstand transient resistance.

In order to take full advantage of black wheat bran in the development of whole grain functional food, the crude polyphenols extracted from black wheat bran by ultrasonic-assisted method were purified, and the macroporous resin purification process was optimized to determine the optimal purification conditions. Moreover, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology were used to analyse the components of purified polyphenols in black wheat bran. The results indicated that when the concentration of sample solution was 1.20 mg/mL, and the concentration of elution solvent was 60%, with the injection flow rate of 1.50 mL/min, and the elution rate of 1.50 mL/min, the purification effect was better. The purity of polyphenols in black wheat bran before and after purification was 2.60%±0.28% and 14.27%±0.13%, respectively. The purity of polyphenols after purification was about 5.48 times of that before purification. Nine polyphenols contained probably in the purified black wheat bran were speculated. The above research showed that the macroporous resin purification process could purify the crude polyphenol extract of black wheat bran in an effective way, and maintain the diversity of polyphenols to some extent.

According to the requirement of the installation of 3D printing technology,after the completion of the verification of materials and processes,the permissible value test of specimen level additive manufacturing materials and the additive manufacturing part-level test are begun. Due to the process characteristics of additively manufactured parts,there is usually a difference in the mechanical properties of X-Y direction and Z direction,and there is a difference in the isotropic characteristics of the same sex in the design of traditional metal parts,so it is necessary to test its mechanical properties in simulating the real flight state. Taking the additive manufacturing gust lock bracket as an example,the maximum load state in the operation process of the aircraft is calculated,and the most typical load direction for tooling test scheme design is selected. Before the test starts,the engineering calculation and software simulation are carried out to predict the failure mode and failure load. The results show that the results of software simulation and engineering calculation are accurate and effective,and the mechanical properties of the additive manufacturing titanium alloy gust lock bracket are stable,which can withstand the test of extreme working conditions,and meet the installation requirements.

Post-myocardial infarction heart failure (HF) is a major public health concern. Previous studies have reported the critical role of immune response in HF pathogenesis. However, limited studies have reported predictive immune-associated biomarkers for HF. So we attempted to identify potential immune-related indicators for HF early diagnosis and therapy guidance. This study identified two potential immune-related hub genes (IRHGs), namely CXCR5 and FOS, using bioinformatic approaches. The expression levels of CXCR5 and FOS and their ability to predict long-term HF were analyzed. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the hub genes were enriched in immune system processes, including the interleukin-17 and nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathways, which are involved in the pathogenesis of HF. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that the Fos mRNA levels, but not the Cxcr5 mRNA levels, were downregulated in the mice of the HF group. This study successfully identified two IRHGs that were significantly and differentially expressed in the HF group and could predict long-term HF, providing novel insights for future studies on HF and developing novel therapeutic targets for HF.

This study intends to explore the influence of temperature and molar ratio on the competitive adsorption of CH4/O2/N2 gas in coal. It probed into the competitive adsorption characteristics of CH4/O2 and N2/O2 binary mixed gas in Xiaolongtan lignite of Yunnan under different temperatures (303.15~383.15 K)and pressures (0~480 kPa)through grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC)and molecular simulation methods. Results show that : ① Within the range of test temperature and pressure, temperature will inhibit the adsorption of CH4, O2 and N2 by coal, and the adsorption capacity of coal to three gases is CH4>O2>N2. ② The selectivity coefficient of CH4/O2 adsorption is basically independent of the gas molar ratio, and shows decrease with the increase of temperature. The adsorption selectivity of N2/O2 on coal under different molar ratios was not significantly related to temperature and molar ratio. ③ With the increase of adsorption capacity, the isosteric adsorption heat of any component in the binary mixed gas shows linear increase. Under the same adsorption capacity, larger molar ratio of CH4/O2 and N2/O2 would lead to lower adsorption heat. However, when the adsorption capacity of CH4 is less than 0.029 mmol / g, the isosteric adsorption heat of CH4 gas shows little correlation with the molar ratio. The research reveals the influence mechanism of competitive adsorption behavior of CH4 and air on low temperature oxidation of coal.

Abstract Background Reservoir bank collapse in loess areas may lead to the siltation of reservoir and bank retreat. Therefore, the study of reservoir bank collapse has practical significance. Almost of the bank collapse width prediction method were based on the classical graphical method which do not consider the process of bank collapse. But practice shows that this method can overestimate the width of bank collapse. Meanwhile, there are few studies specifically focused on the collapse of loess bank slopes. Methods To improve the prediction method of loss bank collapse width, the influence of water depth, dry density and bank slope angle on loess bank collapse was studied by physical modelling. The bank collapse width and the morphology of the bank slope were recorded during the experiment. Results The bank collapse width increases with the increase of water depth, increases with the increase of slope angle, and decreases with the increase of dry density. The modeling process shows that the loess bank collapse occurs firstly underwater, the erosion niche will be formed underwater, and then the above water slope is damaged. This process is repeated until the underwater accumulation slope reaches the stable state, and then bank collapse stops. After the bank collapse, the above water slope is polyline, while the underwater slope is curved. When the slope angle is less than 27°, the bank collapse will not occur, and when the slope angle is between 27° and 40°, the bank collapse type is abrasion type. When the slope angle is greater than 40°, the bank collapse type is dumping type or shear type. Based on this, the improved balanced alluvial accumulation approach was proposed, which considers the mechanical equilibrium of above water bank slope and the morphology of underwater slope. The new method can reflect the stage characteristics of loess bank collapse, which is more reasonable than the empirical graphical method. Conclusions The experimental results indicate that when predicting the width of loess bank collapse, it is necessary to combine the bank collapse width and process of bank collapse. The relevant conclusions have a certain role in exploring the mechanism of loess bank collapse and bank collapse prediction methods.

In order to explore the difference in flavor among yak leg meat roasted at different temperatures, sensory evaluation, gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS), relative odor activity value (ROAV), partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and principal component analysis (PCA) were used in this study. The results showed that the samples roasted at 240 ℃ for 7 min had the highest (E) sensory evaluation score. A total of 82 compounds were identified by GC-IMS, including 15 aldehydes, 12 alcohols, 24 lipids, 14 ketones, 7 heterocycles, 3 olefins, and 7 other compounds. The total amount of these compounds in sample E (240 ℃) was the highest, followed by samples D (180 ℃) and C (120 ℃). The total amount of these compounds in sample F (300 ℃) was lower than that in sample E (240 ℃). The key flavor compounds of roasted yak meat were ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate, 4-methylguaiacol, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, 5-nonanone, ethyl salicylate, 1-propanol, (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal, 1-penten-3-one, (E)-2-heptenal, linalyl acetate, butanol-D, methional-M, 2-ethyl-6-methylpyrazine, 4-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-4-decenal, 2,4-heptadienal, 2-phenylethanol, and ethyl butyrate. Sample E had roasted meat-like, fatty, flowery and fruity aromas, which was the best among these five samples. The flavor of samples C and D was lower than that of sample E, having nutty, toasty, sweet and smoked aromas.

Due to climate change, extreme heat stress events have become more frequent, adversely affecting rice yield and grain quality. The accumulation and translocation of dry matter and nitrogen substances are essential for rice yield and grain quality. To assess the impact of high temperature stress (HTS) at the early panicle initiation (EPI) stage on the accumulation, transportation, and distribution of dry matter and nitrogen substances in various organs of rice, as well as the resulting effects on rice yield and grain quality, pot experiments were conducted using an indica rice cultivar Yangdao 6 (YD6) and a japonica rice cultivar Jinxiangyu 1 (JXY1) under both normal temperature (32 ºC / 26 ºC) and high temperature (38 ºC / 29 ºC) conditions. The results indicated that exposure to HTS at the EPI stage significantly decreased rice yield by reducing spikelet number per panicle, grain-filling rate, and grain weight. However, it improved the nutritional quality of rice grains by increasing protein and amylose contents. The reduction in nitrogen and dry matter accumulation accounted for the changes in spikelet number per panicle, grain-filling rate, and grain size. Under HTS, the decrease in nitrogen accumulation accompanied by the reduction in dry matter may be due to the down-regulation of leaf net photosynthesis and senescence, as evidenced by the decrease in nitrogen content. Furthermore, the decrease in sink size limited the translocation of dry matter and nitrogen substances to grains, which was closely related to the reduction in grain weight and the deterioration of grain quality. These findings significantly contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of HTS on grain yield and quality formation from the perspective of dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and translocation. Further efforts are needed to improve the adaptability of rice varieties to climate change in the near future.

[Objective] The characteristics of sand-driving wind and sand-transporting potential are the key indexes for evaluating the regional wind energy environment. The change characteristics of the wind regime and transport potential of sand-driving wind in the Northeast Bayan Wendur Desert were analyzed, the dynamic wind characteristics and the intensity of the wind energy activity near the ground were revealed, and the regional wind energy environment was evaluated, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the study of sand movement and scientific options for sand movement prevention and control. [Methods] Wind data were acquired from a meteorological station on the northeast edge of the Bayan Wendur Desert from 2017 to 2021, and the characteristics of the sand-driving wind and sediment transport potential in the region were analyzed. [Results] ① The annual average frequency of sand-driving wind was 43.70%, and the average sand-driving wind speed was 7.57 m/s, both of which were the highest in spring. The sand-driving winds in different seasons and the annual average were mainly westerly (W, WSW, SW) and southerly (S, SSE, SE). ② The annual average sediment transport potential (DP) was 68.36 VU. The composite sediment transport potential (RDP) was 29.39 VU. The wind direction variability index (RDP/DP) was 0.43. The composite sediment transport potential direction (RDD) was 91.33°. The DP and RDP in spring were significantly greater than in other seasons. ③ The influence of the average wind speed on the sediment transport potential in the study area was greater than the frequency of the wind speed. The intensity of sand movement was mainly determined by wind speed. [Conclusion] The northeast edge of the Bayan Wendur Desert generally belongs to a low wind energy environment. The surface sand material is transported eastward throughout the year. Spring is the most important period of wind and sand activity. June is the key period for the construction of artificial protective forests and aerial-seeding afforestation for sand control. We recommend that the direction of planting protective forest shelterbelts and for aerial seeding of forest seeds be perpendicular to the direction of sand transport potential so as to block the continuous eastward movement of sand.

The fatigue crack initiation and short crack propagation behavior of a 3rd generation powder superalloy with the different microstructures were studied by in-situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation. The effects of microstructures at the wheel rim (coarse grain structure), wheel centre (fine grain structure), and grain transition zone (gradient grain tructure) of the dual performance powder turbine disk on the fatigue short crack propagation were investigated. The results show that, the crack prefers to nucleate from the first hardening phase at the notch. The gradient microstructure exhibits the multiple cracking at the grain boundaries. For the specimens with the gradient microstructure, the short crack growth behavior at room temperature is significantly affected by the microstructures, and the fatigue crack growth rate shows the large fluctuation. At the lower stress intensity factor range, the crack propagation rate of the coarse grains is higher than that of the fine grains. With the increase of stress intensity factor range, the crack propagation rate of the fine grains is increased faster and finally higher than that of the coarse grains, which mainly attributes to the competition mechanism of the long slip path, the enhanced slip reversibility, the few grain boundary barriers, and the reduced discontinuity.

Objective The Carboniferous system of the Ounan Depression in the eastern Qaidam Basin is a key area for oil and gas exploration in new regions and strata. Drilling and outcrops reveal significant differences in the sedimentary characteristics of the Upper Carboniferous strata across the plane. Previous research, mainly based on outcrop and drilling data, has focused on longitudinal sedimentary evolution and the overall sedimentary background, leaving the distribution characteristics of sedimentary facies unclear. This uncertainty affects the deployment of oil and gas exploration in the Upper Carboniferous of the eastern Qaidam Basin. Methods The article focuses on the Upper Carboniferous strata of the Ounan Depression. It predicts the distribution characteristics of sedimentary facies under the guidance of sedimentary model theory using a limited amount of drilling data and 2D seismic data. Utilizing 2D seismic data from the Ounan Depression, it also conducts a detailed study of the internal structure and external geometric features of seismic reflections using seismic facies identification technology. Results The comprehensive study identifies six types of seismic facies within the Upper Carboniferous of the Ounan Depression: parallel sheet, sub-parallel sheet, mounded, wedge-shaped, oblique foreset, and chaotic. A planar assemblage map of the seismic facies was developed. By integrating regional geological data, outcrops, well logs, and seismic data, and under the guidance of seismic sedimentology and continental shelf sedimentation theory, the relationship between seismic facies and sedimentary facies in the Upper Carboniferous of the Ounan Depression was established, and the distribution characteristics of sedimentary facies in the study area were predicted. Conclusion The results indicate significant differences between the seismic facies in the western and eastern regions of the Ounan Depression. Overall, the western part exhibits lower frequency and more continuous phases compared to the eastern region; the western region also has greater monolayer thickness and a more stable sedimentary environment. From east to west, the Ounan Depression develops a sequential fluvial-delta plain sedimentary system, delta front sedimentary system, and prodelta–deep water shelf sedimentary system. Significance The research findings provide a scientific basis for predicting favorable reservoir distribution areas and deploying exploration targets for Carboniferous oil and gas exploration in the eastern region of the Qaidam Basin.

The presented case report describes an incredibly rare instance of an intramedullary bronchial cyst located in the thoracic spinal canal on the dorsal side of the spinal cord, which was observed in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia. A 29-year-old man presented with back pain for half a month, along with numbness and pain below the chest and ribs for 1 week. Hypersensitivity was present in the inferior plane of the long xiphoid process in the nervous system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed intramedullary cystic lesions in the vertebral body plane of the third to the fourth thoracic vertebra. There was no recurrence during the 6-month postoperative follow-up period. The histopathological findings were consistent with bronchogenic cysts. Cystic lesions were eliminated through the posterior median approach. After the cyst ruptured during surgery, gel liquid was seen, and the majority of the cyst walls were removed. One week after the surgery, the hypersensitivity fully subsided. Six months following surgery, an updated MRI revealed no recurrence. Intramedullary bronchogenic cysts on the dorsal side of the thoracic spine are extremely uncommon. Diagnosis requires histopathological evidence, and it is challenging to diagnose before surgery. Prompt surgical resection is recommended in case of positive diagnosis.

Implant infection is one of the most common and serious complications in orthopedics, and it is also an important reason for the failure of implant surgery. When bacteria form a biofilm on the implant surface, it is extremely difficult to be eliminated and attracts more bacteria and fungi. A large number of studies have shown that the use of surface modification technology can effectively reduce the adhesion and accumulation of pathogenic bacteria, thereby preventing peri-implant infection. The formation process of bacterial biofilm on the surface of orthopedic implants and the antibacterial mechanism of metal antibacterial agents were first analyzed. Then, some of the most widely used metal-based inorganic antibacterial coatings at home and abroad and their related preparation processes were reviewed, the problems and improvement methods in the application of these coatings were also discussed, and the development direction of inorganic antibacterial coatings in the future was prospected, such as synergistic antibacterial coatings and bone-promoting antibacterial coatings.

People not only face the increasing depletion of primary resources, but also the difficult disposal of solid waste caused by consumption of primary resources. On the basis of fully investigating properties of steel slag, the steel slag-based functional filler has been researched and developed according to the characteristics of steel slag. It has been used in the fields of rubber, coatings and plastics, hoping to realize the cross-industry ecological chain and high value-added utilization of steel slag, which has great economic value and important practical significance. Steel slag-based functional filler has the characteristics of strong adsorption, small particle size, and good compatibility with organic systems. Therefore, it is potential to be widely used in rubber conveyor belts, steel structure anti-rust coatings, architectural exterior wall coatings, man-made composite panels and other fields. In this paper, the characteristics of steel slag and the preparation principle of steel slag-based functional fillers were firstly briefly introduced, and then, the situation of steel slag-based functional fillers used as rubber fillers, paint pigments, and plastic fillers was specifically analyzed. Secondly, the characteristics of steel slag-based functional fillers used in rubber composite materials, building exterior wall primers, building exterior wall coatings, and PVC micro-foamed sheets were pointed out respectively in detail. Then, the application limitations of current steel slag-based functional fillers were reviewed. Eventually, it was proposed to optimize the performance of steel slag-based functional fillers and develop multi-solid waste-based synergistic composite functional fillers, which will be the main development directions of steel slag-based functional fillers in the future.

【Objective】 Saline soil needs reinforcement in constructing channels. The objective of this paper is to investigate the engineering characteristics of a new material used to reinforce saline soil to resolve issues such as dissolution, erosion and water wastage in west Jilin province. 【Method】 A house-made frost-crack resistant agent was used in the study. It was mixed with the soil at ratios ranging from 20% to 45%, with soil water content varying from 14% to 20%. The hydraulic and mechanical properties of each sample were measured using unconfined compressive strength test, freeze-thaw test, and permeability test, from which we determined the optimal mixing ratio. The ABAQUS software was then used to analyze the stress and displacement of a 2 m U-shaped channel under different operating conditions. 【Result】 The optimal material ratio was 40% with the soil moisture being 16%. Its strength was 14.91 MPa at the optimal age of 28 days. The specimens lost less than 5% of its quality after undergoing more than 200 indoor freeze-thaw cycles; its hydraulic conductivity was 1×10-7 cm/s. The numerical simulations revealed that the 2 m U-shaped channel experienced a maximum principal stress of 87.4 kPa and maximum displacement of 0.08 mm under a two-point lifting of the bottom force. Under full water operating conditions, the maximum principal stress was 94.32 kPa, and the maximum displacement was 2.85 mm. Considering the effect of frost heave, the maximum principal stress was 312 kPa, and the maximum displacement was 17 mm. 【Conclusion】 Under the test conditions, the optimal agent ratio was 40%. This ratio reduced the displacement deformation of the U-shaped channel and improved its stability. These findings provide guidance for constructing U-shaped channels in saline soils in western Jilin province and regions with similar environments.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the caries prevention effect of different fluoride application frequencies in 3-year-old children with active caries.MethodsA total of 337 3-year-old children with dental caries from 12 kindergartens in Changning District of Shanghai were divided into three groups： group 1 received fluoride application once every three months， group 2 received fluoride application once every six months， and the control group received no fluoride application. At baseline， parents completed a questionnaire survey， and oral examinations were conducted at baseline， 7 months， and 16 months after the fluoride intervention to assess the incidence of new dental caries， new dmft， and new dmfs of children. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between fluoride application and new dental caries， with new dental caries as the dependent variable and local fluoride application， child's gender， age in months， parents' highest education level， frequency of sugary intake （desserts， candies， sweet beverages）， age of toothbrushing initiation， frequency of daily toothbrushing， use of fluoride toothpaste， parental assistance in child’s toothbrushing， and daily use of dental floss as the independent variables.ResultsThere were no significant differences in baseline general conditions and oral health behaviors among group 1 （121 cases）， group 2 （123 cases） and the control group （93 cases） （all P>0.05）. After 16 months' intervention， three children were lost to follow-up due to transferring schools. The new caries rates of group 1 （120 cases）， group 2 （121 cases） and the control group （93 cases） were 5.83%， 24.79% and 52.69%， respectively. The incidence of new caries was significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2 and the control group （P

Microfibrillar-associated protein 2 (MFAP2) is a small glycoprotein that is involved in vascular development and metabolic disease. The present study aims to explore the regulatory role of MFAP2 in the development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), including the underlying mechanisms. MFAP2 expression and its association with the progression of OSCC are explored using bioinformatics. MFAP2 expression in OSCC tissues is detected by immunohistochemical staining. SCC15 cell migration, invasion, apoptosis, proliferation, and viability are detected by wound healing, Transwell, flow cytometry, colony formation, and cell counting kit-8 assays. An in vivo experiment is used to detect tumor formation. Western blot analysis is used to determine MFAP2’s regulatory role in autophagy and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. MFAP2 is highly expressed in SCC15 cells and OSCC tissues, which correlates positively with the poor prognosis of patients with OSCCs. Functionally, MFAP2 promotes oncogenic autophagy to increase cell invasion, migration, and proliferation but inhibits apoptosis in SCC15 cells and promotes tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, MFAP2 upregulates autophagy and Wnt/β-catenin signaling to stimulate OSCC development. Intriguingly, regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling dependent on autophagy contributes to the malignant behaviors of SCC15 cells. MFAP2 could serve as a novel biomarker for OSCC and could affect OSCC tumorigenesis and development via autophagic regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

The current solutions for pose estimation problems using coplanar feature points (PnP problems) can be divided into non-iterative and iterative solutions. The accuracy, stability, and efficiency of iterative methods are unsatisfactory. Therefore, non-iterative methods have become more popular. However, the non-iterative methods only consider the correspondence of the feature points with their 2D projections. They ignore the constraints formed between feature points. This results in lower pose estimation accuracy and stability. In this work, we proposed an accurate and stable pose estimation method considering the line constraints between every two feature points. Our method has two steps. In the first step, we solved the pose non-iteratively, considering the correspondence of the 3D feature points with their 2D projections and the line constraints formed by every two feature points. In the second step, the pose was refined by minimizing the re-projection errors with one iteration, further improving accuracy and stability. Simulation and actual experiment results show that our method’s accuracy, stability, and computational efficiency are better than the other existing pose estimation methods. In the -45° to +45° measuring range, the maximum angle measurement error is no more than 0.039°, and the average angle measurement error is no more than 0.016°. In the 0 mm to 30 mm measuring range, the maximum displacement measurement error is no more than 0.049 mm, and the average displacement measurement error is no more than 0.012 mm. Compared to other current pose estimation methods, our method is the most efficient based on guaranteeing measurement accuracy and stability. Keywords:

【Background and Objective】 Flood control is a primary task in water conservancy hubs, especially hydropower stations. Many hydropower projects in western China are characterized by high water head, large discharge, and narrow river valleys. Ensuring smooth energy dissipation during discharge is crucial to their safe operation. Stepped spillways have become a popular flood discharge structure due to its high energy dissipation rate and ability to effectively reduce the size of downstream damping. One challenge to the stepped spillways operated in large single-width flow conditions is the cavitation erosion it could create. Extensive efforts have been made to understand the flow pattern and enhance the performance of stepped spillways by improving their design. Among the various stepped spillways proposed, the aerated candy-type stepped spillway appears to be superior in mitigating cavitation erosion. However, there is limited research on the optimal height and position of the aerator. This paper aims to bridge this technology gap. 【Method】 Nine different stepped spillway configurations with varying aerator positions were numerically simulated to calculate the velocity vectors, spillway surface characteristics, and aeration consistency. These results were used to evaluate the hydraulic performance of each configuration. 【Result】 It was found that the sigma (σ) value of the aerated candy-type stepped spillway significantly influenced the performance of the spillway. The closer the aerator was positioned to the downstream end, the higher and more stable the energy dissipation rate of the stepped spillway would be, and less impact of the σ is. A smaller σ resulted in more cavities in front of the aerator, while a larger σ generated more cavities behind the aerator. The vertical plane of the lifting step resulted in a concentrated aeration flow and demonstrated the advantage of cavities after the aeration barrier. Aerator proximity to the downstream end led to higher aeration concentration; higher aeration thresholds resulted in increased aeration concentration. 【Conclusion】 Numerical simulations revealed that location of the aerator and sigma value of the candy-type stepped spillway have significant impacts on performance of the spillway.

Solar thermal catalytic reduction technology is an important and emerging technical route for carbon dioxide utilization, and different catalysts can realize the conversion of CO_2 to CO, CH_4, HCOOH, MeOH and synthetic gas. During the conversion process, the condition of light-induced hot-electron, as well as the heating system in a certain thermal environment is also affected by photo-thermal conversion efficiency, material selectivity, and system structure and working parameters, which directly determines the overall conversion efficiency. This article analyzes the scientific and technological issues, challenges, and needs relating to thermal-driven CO_2 catalytic conversion. The reaction thermodynamics and dynamic mechanisms of CO_2 thermochemical conversion, as well as major progress in the development of new reactors and materials, are systematically summarized. It is pointed out that considering the matching energy spectrum characteristics and light combining thermal catalysts could achieve a high conversion rate and high selectivity under low energy input conditions. CO_2 hydrogenation to C_1+ and C_2+ fuels production can effectively expand the scale of solar photo-thermal coupling utilization, and making it in line with the chemical industry has important research values and broad application prospects.

Malignant melanoma (MM) is characterized by rapid growth, frequent metastasis, and high mortality. Targeted therapy for MM is still a research hotspot due to the increasing understanding of the hippo pathway. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) in MM tumorigenesis. Based on the database analysis, we found that the median mRNA expression of TAZ (5.4) was found to be similar to that of YAP (5.5) in 473 human melanoma specimens. However, in 63 MM cell lines, the median expression of TAZ (10.8) was expressed at a higher level than that of YAP (9.5), which was then validated in A375. TAZ down-regulation by siRNA decreased the migration (72%) and invasion (74%) abilities of A375. Furthermore, the down-regulation of TAZ inhibited the proliferation of A375 without affecting apoptosis. We subsequently blocked hippo signaling with verteporfin and found that verteporfin application decreased the number of migrating (63%) and invading (69%) cells, respectively. We further found that Cyr61 declined following TAZ down-regulation. Moreover, TAZ negatively correlates with melanoma patient’s overall survival. Our data proved that TAZ contributed to MM metastasis, which might be a potential therapeutic target in the future.

Abstract Background The aquaporin (AQP) family of proteins has been implicated in the proliferation and growth of gliomas. Expression of AQP8 is higher in human glioma tissues than in normal brain tissues and is positively correlated with the pathological grade of glioma, suggesting that this protein is also involved in the proliferation and growth of glioma. However, the mechanism by which AQP8 promotes the proliferation and growth of glioma remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism and role of abnormal AQP8 expression in glioma development. Methods The dCas9-SAM and CRISPR/Cas9 techniques were used to construct viruses with overexpressed and knocked down AQP8, respectively, and infect A172 and U251 cell lines. The effects of AQP8 on the proliferation and growth of glioma and its mechanism via the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were observed using cell clone, transwell, flow cytometry, Hoechst, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. A nude mouse tumor model was also established. Results Overexpression of AQP8 resulted in an increased number of cell clones and cell proliferation, enhanced cell invasion and migration, decreased apoptosis and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression, and increased phosphorylated serine/threonine protein kinase (p-AKT) expression and ROS level, whereas the AQP8 knockdown groups showed opposite results. In the animal experiments, the AQP8 overexpression group had higher tumor volume and weight, whereas the AQP8 knockdown group had lower tumor volume and weight compared with those parameters measured in the control group. Conclusions Our results preliminary suggest that AQP8 overexpression alters the ROS/PTEN/AKT signaling pathway, promoting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gliomas. Therefore, AQP8 may be a potential therapeutic target in gliomas.