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Streptococcus oralis, belonging to the viridans group streptococci (VGS), has been considered a member of normal flora mainly inhabiting the oral cavity. However, more recently, there has been growing recognition of its role as a causative agent in various life-threatening infectious diseases such as infective endocarditis (IE) and meningitis. Additionally, the differences in the prevalence, clinical features, and prognosis of opportunistic infections between S. oralis and other VGS species have been addressed. Particularly the predominance of S. oralis in IE has drawn critical attention. In potentially fatal infections, clinical neglect of S. oralis as an instigating agent might significantly impede early diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, to date, the infectious diseases associated with S. oralis have not yet been comprehensively described. Therefore, this review will give an overview of infectious diseases caused by S. oralis to uncover its hidden role as an opportunistic pathogen.

Abstract Background Recent studies have indicated that microRNA (miRNA) expression in tumour tissues has prognostic significance in Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) patients. This study explored the possible prognostic value of miRNAs for TSCC based on published research. Methods A comprehensive literature search of multiple databases was conducted according to predefined eligibility criteria. Data were extracted from the included studies by two researchers, and HR results were determined based on Kaplan‒Meier curves according to the Tierney method. The Newcastle‒Ottawa Scale (NOS) and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) pro-GDT were applied to assess the quality of all studies. Publication bias was estimated by funnel plot, Egger’s rank correlation test and sensitivity analysis. Results Eleven studies (891patients) were included, of which 6 reported up-regulated miRNAs and 7 mentioned down-regulated miRNAs. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) from the prognostic indicator overall survival (OS) was 1.34 (1.25–1.44), p

Abstract Patients with bladder cancer (BLCA) still show high recurrence after surgery and chemotherapy. Hesperetin (HE), as a natural compound, has attracted researchers’ attention due to its low toxicity and easy access. However, the inhibitory effect of HE on BLCA remains unknown. The hub genes and enrichment pathways regulated by HE in the treatment of BLCA were predicted by network pharmacology. The molecular docking of HE and hub proteins was visualized. Colony and CCK8 assays were used to test cell proliferation, and BLCA migration was confirmed by transwell and wound healing assays. In addition, the occurrence of apoptosis and ferroptosis was demonstrated by Hoechst staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ROS (reactive oxygen species) assay. Western Blotting was performed to validate the hub proteins, target functions and pathways. SRC, PIK3R1 and MAPK1 were identified as hub targets for HE in BLCA, involving the PI3k/AKT pathway. Furthermore, HE inhibited the proliferation and migration of BLCA cells. The MMP2/MMP9 proteins were significantly inhibited by HE. The increased expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 indicated that HE could promote BLCA cell apoptosis. In addition, Hoechst staining revealed concentrated and illuminated apoptotic nuclei. The activation of ROS and the decline of GPX4 expression suggested that HE might induce ferroptosis as an anti-BLCA process. Shrunk mitochondria and apoptotic bodies were observed in BLCA cells treated with HE, with reduced or absent mitochondrial cristae. We propose for the first time that HE could inhibit the proliferation and migration of BLCA cells and promote apoptosis and ferroptosis. HE may act by targeting proteins such as SRC, PIK3R1 and MAPK1 and the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Abstract A representative class of kagome materials, AV3Sb5 (A = K, Rb, Cs), hosts several unconventional phases such as superconductivity, $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$ Z 2 non-trivial topological states, and electronic nematic states. These can often coexist with intertwined charge-density wave states. Recently, the discovery of the isostructural titanium-based single-crystals, ATi3Bi5 (A = K, Rb, Cs), which exhibit similar multiple exotic states but without the concomitant charge-density wave, has opened an opportunity to disentangle these complex states in kagome lattices. Here, we combine high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations to investigate the low-lying electronic structure of RbTi3Bi5. We demonstrate the coexistence of flat bands and several non-trivial states, including type-II Dirac nodal lines and $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$ Z 2 non-trivial topological surface states. Our findings also provide evidence for rotational symmetry breaking in RbTi3Bi5, suggesting a directionality to the electronic structure and the possible emergence of pure electronic nematicity in this family of kagome compounds.

Biofilms account for a great deal of infectious diseases and contribute significantly to antimicrobial resistance. Efflux pumps confer antimicrobial resistance to microorganisms and involve multiple processes of biofilm formation. Efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) are attracting considerable attention as a biofilm inhibition strategy. The regulatory functions of efflux pumps in biofilm formation such as mediating adherence, quorum sensing (QS) systems, and the expression of biofilm-associated genes have been increasingly identified. The versatile properties confer efflux pumps both positive and negative effects on biofilm formation. Furthermore, the expression and function of efflux pumps in biofilm formation are species-specific. Therefore, this review aims to detail the double-edged sword role of efflux pumps in biofilm formation to provide potential inhibition targets and give an overview of the effects of EPIs on biofilm formation.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) has become an important hub for technological innovation and economic development in China. With the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technology talents, it is essential to develop educational cooperation within the GBA to develop a talent pool that can meet the changing needs in the region. This paper focuses on the development of dynamic demand for AI talents and proposes a strategic planning framework for educational cooperation in the GBA. We use the research idea of common attributes and key chain clustering-factor association selection-analysis of the driving force and subordination among factors-the key characteristics of AI talents. Using collinear analysis of citations and grounded theory methods, an operational definition of the influencing factors of AI talent literacy characteristics is constructed. Using the Interpretative Structural Modeling(ISM) and MICMAC (Matrice d’Impacts Croises-Multipication Applique A Classement), analyze and identify the driving force and subordination of the influencing factors of key traits of talents, and present the combined effect of multi-level factors of key traits of talents. Combined with the educational differences and complementary advantages in the GBA, five strategies and seven implementation suggestions for the GBA's AI talent education cooperation plan are formulated to establish a collaborative ecosystem that promotes the growth and integration of AI in the GBA.

Abstract Background A new two-piece abutment design consisting of an upper prosthetic component and tissue-level base has been introduced; however, the biomechanical behavior of such a design has not been documented. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a two-piece abutment design on the stress in the implant components and surrounding bone, as well as its influence on microgap formation. Methods To simulate the implant models in the mandibular left first molar area, we established nine experimental groups that included three bone qualities (type II, III, and IV) and three implant–abutment designs (internal bone level, tissue level, and a two-piece design). After the screw was preloaded, the maximum occlusal (600 N) and masticatory (225 N) forces were established. Finite element analysis was performed to analyze the maximum and minimum principal stresses on the peri-implant bone; the von Mises stresses in the implants, abutments, bases, and screws, and the microgaps at the implant–abutment, implant–base, and base–abutment interfaces. Results For all three loading methods, the two-piece abutment design and bone-level connection exhibited similarities in the maximum and minimum principal stresses in the peri-implant bone. The von Mises stresses in both screws and bases were greater for the two-piece design than for the other connection types. The smallest microgap was detected in the tissue-level connection; the largest was observed at the implant–base interface in the two-piece design. Conclusions The present study found no evidence that the abutment design exerts a significant effect on peri-implant bone stress. However, the mechanical effects associated with the base and screws should be noted when using a two-piece abutment design. The two-piece abutment design also had no advantage in eliminating the microgap.

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degeneration and intra-articular inflammation. Daurisoline (DAS) is an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Rhizoma Menispermi, whose antitumor and anti-inflammatory pharmacological effects have been demonstrated, but the effects of DAS on OA have rarely been researched. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential role of DAS in OA and its partial mechanism. Materials and methods The cytotoxicity of H2O2 and DAS toward chondrocytes was detected by the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Safranin O staining was used to detect chondrocyte phenotype changes. Cell apoptosis was measured by both flow cytometry and quantitative analysis of the protein levels of the apoptosis-related factors Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 by western blot. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to assess the expression of the autophagy-related proteins LC3, Beclin-1 and p62. In addition, key signal pathway targets and matrix-degrading indicators were measured by western blot. Results Our results indicated that H2O2 induced human chondrocyte apoptosis and activated autophagy in a dose-dependent manner. DAS treatment dose-dependently reversed the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase3) and the apoptosis rate induced by H2O2. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses showed that DAS decreased the H2O2-induced upregulation of the autophagy marker Beclin-1 and the LC3 II/LC3 I ratio and upregulated the p62 protein level. Mechanistically, DAS inhibited autophagy through the activation of the classical PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and protected chondrocytes from apoptosis. In addition, DAS alleviated the H2O2-induced degradation of type II collagen and the high expression of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) and MMP13. Conclusion Our research demonstrated that DAS alleviated chondrocyte autophagy caused by H2O2 through activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and protected chondrocytes from apoptosis and matrix degradation. In conclusion, these findings suggest that DAS may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for OA.

With the continuous increase in the number of buildings, the phenomenon of excessively high energy consumption becomes more and more serious. It is particularly important to reduce the energy consumption during the operation of the whole life cycle of the building. Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology is based on the relevant parameters of construction projects, and uses digital information simulation to establish building information models. It is one of the technical means of building energy consumption analysis and energy saving management, that can be explained as the main reason for stakeholders to guide energy and efficiency changes of the driving factor in buildings. We start co-occurrence statistics and type analysis based on the co-occurrence context analysis, construct the co-occurrence information that affects the values and barriers combination of BIM implementation for smart building energy and efficiency, and chose the expert database of the Green Construction and Intelligent Building Branch (GCIBB) of China Construction Association, that obtained 104 samples through modified snowball sampling, using exploratory factor analysis with factor load linear functions, and combined factor variance contribution rate weights. We created index function of the values and barriers combination of BIM implementation in smart building energy and efficiency, and classified and calculated the comprehensive score of each factor according to the ranking evaluation index, and mapped its practical significance. The results show that the 18 combined evaluation indicators proposed in this paper are suitable for evaluating the three elements of benefit, efficiency and quality of smart buildings, and can achieve continuous optimization of building energy consumption. The constructed multi-factor combination evaluation model, the extracted common factor variance cumulative contribution rate is greater than 80%.

Based on the blockchain + software defined network(SDN) technology, we explore and research a new smart energy networks IoT architecture model of distributed trust to solve the “stuck neck” problems such as bandwidth constraints and trust obstruction of the current centralized network architecture of smart energy networks. In order to achieve efficient data flow and sharing and co-governance. Based on the MTP-Argon2 hash function algorithm in the Itsuku PoW technical solution, we add computing power optimization and correction multi-objective optimization operations, and use the network control right separation technology of the FS-Open Security SDN model to establish local database access policies and storage credentials. The traditional hardware devices are separated from the centralized network architecture of the smart energy network into a hybrid network architecture model of distributed trust. The results show that the distributed trust hybrid network architecture model achieves low latency and circumvents network bandwidth limitations, reflecting the energy efficiency gain and security stability of the model, as well as network load robustness.

In this work, Fe85-xSi9.6Al5.4Snx (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) Soft magnetic powder cores (SMPCs) were prepared by Sn doping, and the effects of the doping on the microstructures and soft magnetic properties were systematically investigated. With the increase of Sn content, the dislocation density of SMPCs decreases from 0.53 × 1014 m−2 to 0.29 × 1014 m−2, so does the degree of lattice distortion and the residual stress. These changes optimize the soft magnetic properties of Fe85-xSi9.6Al5.4Snx SMPCs. Based our experiments, the effects of the crystal grain size, grain orientation, and magnetic domain motion on the magnetic properties are also discussed. At last, the best soft magnetic performance was obtained, when Sn doped with 0.8 wt.%. Fe85-xSi9.6Al5.4Snx SMPCs designed by Sn doping have excellent soft magnetic properties, which expands their application advantages in the field of power electronics, the composition design also provides an effective method for the optimization of soft magnetic properties of FeSiAl SMPCs.

Al1.5(CoxFe6-x)6Cr high-entropy alloy (HEA) soft magnetic powder cores (SMPCs) were designed and prepared via gas atomization and insulation, and the effects of the Co/Fe ratio on their phase formation, microstructure evolution, and soft magnetic properties were systematically investigated. An increase in Co content promoted the precipitation of the B2 phase from the body-centered cubic (BCC) matrix, and the content of the B2 phase was greater than that of the BCC phase at x = 4, thus replacing the BCC phase as the matrix, which contributed to the optimization of the soft magnetic properties of the AlCoFeCr HEA. The SMPC composed of the BCC single phase exhibits the lowest eddy current loss (Pe) of 55.1 mW/cm3 (@100 kHz, 50 mT), excellent direct current (DC) bias performance of 80.6 % at 100 Oe, and high stable effective permeability (μe) of 49.9 up to 1 MHz. The association of magnetic domains, grain size, and particle size with Hc variation was analyzed, providing guidelines for subsequent studies to obtain HEAs with good soft magnetic properties. By comprehensively and systematically comparing the microstructural differences of diverse matrix-phase HEAs and SMPCs, the specific application of this HEA system under high-temperature conditions can be expanded.

Abstract Fundamental understanding and control of the electronic structure evolution in rare‐earth nickelates is a fascinating and meaningful issue, as well as being helpful to understand the mechanism of recently discovered superconductivity. Here the dimensionality effect on the ground electronic state in high‐quality (NdNiO3) m/(SrTiO3)1 superlattices is systematically studied through transport and soft X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. The metal‐to‐insulator transition temperature decreases with the thickness of the NdNiO3 slab decreasing from bulk to 7 unit cells, then increases gradually as m further reduces to 1 unit cell. Spectral evidence demonstrates that the stabilization of insulating phase can be attributed to the increase of the charge‐transfer energy between O 2p and Ni 3d bands. The prominent multiplet feature on the Ni L3 edge develops with the decrease of NdNiO3 slab thickness, suggesting the strengthening of the charge disproportionate state under the dimensional confinement. This work provides convincing evidence that dimensionality is an effective knob to modulate the charge‐transfer energy and thus the collective ground state in nickelates.

The typical characters of the electronic structure of magnetic kagome materials remain elusive. Here, the authors observe a Dirac cone, a flat band and a saddle point near the Fermi energy in ferromagnetic kagome material YMn6Sn6.

Frustrated kagome magnets host both fermionic and bosonic excitations, but evidence of their interplay has been elusive. Here, the authors report a pronounced renormalization of electron bands near the Fermi surface due to the coupling with a flat phonon band in a kagome paramagnet, CoSn.

The understanding of kagome bands, which are characterized by Dirac-like bands capped by a flat band, remains largely elusive. Here, Liu et al. report the observation of a flat band and Dirac bands as ideal features of kagome bands in CoSn, revealing orbital-selective character.

Water uptake facilitates the initiation of seed germination. It is presumed that aquaporin (AQP)-mediated water inflow contributes to seed germination, but the genetic evidence is still lacking. This study aimed at genome-wide identification of ZmAQPs and further determined the physiological functions. Following a comprehensive search, a total of 41 ZmAQPs were identified according to the latest genome database. Through bioinformatic approaches, the physicochemical characteristics, phylogenetic relationships, and structural features of ZmAQPs were analyzed. The gene expression analysis of 20 high-resolution and multi-tissues samples showed that ZmAQPs had distinct spatiotemporal and tissue-specific expression profiles during seed germination and early seedling development. We then focused on the aquaporin of maize tonoplast intrinsic protein 3 (ZmTIP3), which is specifically expressed in germinating seed. A mutant zmtip3-1 with disruption of the ZmTIP3-1 gene showed shorter shoot and root length, and decreased seedling dry weight compared with the control (W22). The result revealed that ZmTIP3-1 improved the absolute content of seed protein and promoted storage reserves mobilization, suggesting that ZmTIP3 may be a positive regulator of seed vigor. This work provides valuable clues for understanding the function and possible regulatory mechanism of ZmAQPs in seed germination and seedling growth.

Accurate identification of land use conflicts is an important prerequisite for the rational allocation of land resources and optimizing the production–living–ecological space pattern. Previous studies used suitability assessment and landscape pattern indices to identify land use conflicts. However, research on land use conflict identification from the perspective of ecological security is insufficient and not conducive to regional ecological, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Based on ecological security, this study takes Shandong Province as an example and comprehensively evaluates the importance of ecosystem service function and environmental sensitivity. It identifies the ecological source, and extracts ecological corridors with a minimum cumulative resistance model from which ecological security patterns are constructed. It identifies land use conflicts through spatial overlay analysis of arable land and construction land. The results show that: (1) Shandong Province has formed an ecological security pattern of “two ecological barriers, two belts, and eight cores” with an area of 15,987 km2. (2) The level of arable land–ecological space conflict is low, at 39.76%. The proportions of serious and moderate conflicts are 13.44% and 26.97%, respectively, distributed primarily on the Jiaodong Peninsula and the low hill areas of Ludong. (3) Construction land–ecological space conflict is reasonably stable and controllable, at 76.39%, occurring mainly around urban construction land, with serious and moderate conflict concentrated in the eastern coastal areas, mainly between rural settlements and ecologically safe space in the region. This study has important theoretical and practical reference values for identifying land use conflicts, protecting regional ecological security, and optimizing land use patterns.

We construct a public dataset for WiFi-based Activity Recognition named WiAR with sixteen activities operated by ten volunteers in three indoor environments. It aims to provide public signal data for researchers to reduce the cost of collected signal data and conveniently evaluate the performance of WiFi-based human activity recognition in different domains. First, we introduce the basic knowledge of WiFi signals regarding RSSI, CSI, and wireless hardware. Second, we explain the characteristics of WiAR dataset in terms of activities types, data format, data acquisition ways, and influence factors. Third, the proposed framework can estimate the quality of the shared signal data provided by other peers. Finally, we select and use five classification algorithms and two deep learning algorithms to evaluate the performance of WiAR dataset on human activity recognition. The results show that the accuracy of WiAR dataset is higher than 80% using machine learning algorithms and 90% using deep learning algorithms in different indoor environments.

This study aims to investigate the influence of adding Lonicera japonica (L. japonica) and Radix Puerariae crude extracts and their mixture to the diet of finishing pigs on their fecal microbes and nutrient apparent digestibility. A total of 72 healthy Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred barrows without significant differences in body weight (93 ± 2 kg) were selected and randomly divided into four groups (18 in each group). Three replicate pens per group (six pigs per pen) were used, and two pigs were evaluated for each pen. The groups were fed the following diets: control group (CON), basic diet; chlorogenic acid group (CGA group), basic diet + 1 kg/ton L. japonica crude extract; Pueraria flavonoid group (PF group), basic diet + 1 kg/ton Radix Puerariae crude extract; and mix group (Mix group), basic diet + 0.5 kg/ton L. japonica crude extract + 0.5 kg/ton Radix Puerariae crude extract. The following results were obtained: (1) At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Spirochaetes, Proteobacteria, Fibrobaeteres, and Kiritimatiellaeota were the main components of the fecal microbiota (top 5); the relative abundance of bacteria from phyla Firmicutes significantly increased in the Mix group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Treponema_2, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, uncultured_bacterium_f_Lachnospiraceae, uncultured_bacterium_f_Prevotellaceae, and Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group were the main components of the fecal microbiota (top 5); the relative abundance of bacteria from genus Lactobacillus significantly increased in the Mix group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Chao1 and Ace counts were significantly higher in group CGA than in the CON group and group Mix (p < 0.05). The alpha and beta diversities and the relative abundance of fecal microbes were higher in all test groups than in the CON group. (2) The protein digestibility was significantly higher in the CGA and PF groups than in the CON group, and the TP digestibility was significantly higher in the CGA than in the CON and Mix groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Lonicera japonica and Radix Puerariae crude extract supplementation in the diet significantly changed fecal microbiota and improved the protein and TP digestibility of finishing pigs.

In this work, the effect of the annealing process (heating rate (HR) and holding time (HT)) on microstructure and magnetic properties of FeSiBPCNbCu nanocrystalline soft magnetic powder cores (NPCs) are systematically studied. NPCs annealed under the HR of 100 K/min and HT of 30 min exhibit a finely uniform nanocrystalline structure with a concentrated grain size distribution and a small average grain size of 18.71 nm and show a modified magnetic domain structure where the domain walls move easily with the changes in the external magnetic field. The optimized microstructure leads to outstanding soft magnetic properties, including the low coercivity of 10.5 A/m (50 mT, 500 kHz), low core loss of 751 mW/cm3 (50 mT, 500 kHz), and highly effective permeability of 64.7 (100 kHz). We believe that the annealing process regulation can contribute to the industrial production of high-performance NPCs, which can meet the performance requirements of high-end electronic components such as molding chokes used in power supplies, mobile phones, and other terminal equipment.

Recently, using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to collect information from distributed sensors has become one of the hotspots in the Internet of Things (IoT) research. However, previous studies on the UAV-assisted data acquisition systems focused mainly on shortening the acquisition time, reducing the energy consumption, and increasing the amount of collected data, but it lacked the optimization of data freshness. Moreover, we hope that UAVs can perform long-term data collection tasks in dynamic scenarios within a constantly changing age of information (AoI) and within their own power levels. Therefore, we aim to maximize the quality of service (QoS) based on the freshness of data, while considering the endurance of the UAVs. Since our scenario is not an inertial order decision process with uniform time slots, we first transform the optimization problem into a semi-Markov decision process (SMDP) through modeling, and then we propose a hierarchical deep Q-network (DQN)-based path-planning algorithm to learn the optimal strategy. The simulation results show that the algorithm is better than the benchmark algorithm, and the tradeoff between the system QoS and the safe power state can be achieved by adjusting the parameter βe.

The large intrinsic anomalous Hall effect (AHE) in magnetic Weyl semimetals is expected but rarely verified experimentally. Here, Wang et al. report large intrinsic AHE with linear dependence on magnetization in a half-metallic ferromagnet Co3Sn2S2 single crystal with Kagome lattice of Co atoms, arising dominantly from the Weyl fermions.

Recently discovered Z_{2} topological kagome metals AV_{3}Sb_{5} (A=K, Rb, and Cs) exhibit charge-density-wave (CDW) phases and novel superconducting paring states providing a versatile platform for studying the interplay between electron correlation and quantum orders. Here we directly visualize CDW-induced bands renormalization and energy gaps in RbV_{3}Sb_{5} using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy pointing to the key role of tuning van Hove singularities to the Fermi energy in mechanisms of ordering phases. Near the CDW transition temperature, the bands around the Brillouin zone (BZ) boundary are shifted to high-binding energy, forming an M-shaped band with singularities near the Fermi energy. The Fermi surfaces are partially gapped, and the electronic states on the residual ones should be possibly dedicated to the superconductivity. Our findings are significant in understanding CDW formation and its associated superconductivity.

Background/Aims: Patients with diabetes mellitus have a higher risk of dental implant failure. One major cause is high-glucose induced oxidative stress. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a naturally occurring compound and dietary supplement, has been established as a potent antioxidant that is a strong scavenger of free radicals. However, few studies have yet investigated the effect of ALA on osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts cultured with high glucose medium. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ALA on the osteoblastic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells under high glucose condition. Methods: MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into 4 groups including normal glucose (5.5 mM) group (control), high glucose (25.5 mM) group, high glucose + 0.1 mM ALA group, and high glucose + 0.2 mM ALA group. The proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of cells were evaluated by MTT assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, alizarin red staining and real time-polymerase chain reaction. High-glucose induced oxidative damage was also assessed by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Western blots were performed to examine the role of PI3K/Akt pathway. Results: The proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells were significantly decreased by the ROS induced by high-glucose. All observed oxidative damage and osteogenic dysfunction induced were inhibited by ALA. Moreover, the PI3K/Akt pathway was activated by ALA. Conclusions: We demonstrate that ALA may attenuate high-glucose mediated MC3T3-E1 cells dysfunction through antioxidant effect and modulation of PI3K/Akt pathway.

Thermosetting organic resins are widely applied as insulating coatings for soft magnetic powder cores (SMPCs) because of their high electrical resistivity. However, their poor thermal stability and thermal decomposition lead to a decrease in electrical resistivity, thus limiting the annealing temperature of SMPCs. The large amount of internal stress generated by soft magnetic composites during pressing must be mitigated at high temperatures; therefore, it is especially important to find organic resins with excellent thermal stabilities. In this study, we prepared SMPCs using poly-silicon-containing arylacetylene resin, an organic resin resistant to high temperatures, as an insulating layer. With 2 wt % PSA as an insulating layer and annealed at 700 °C for 1 h, the FeSiAl SMPCs achieved the best magnetic properties, including the lowest core loss of 184 mW/cm3 (measured at 0.1 T and 50 kHz) and highest permeability of 96.

Prognostics, such as remaining useful life (RUL) prediction, is a crucial task in condition-based maintenance. A major challenge in data-driven prognostics is the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient number of samples of failure progression. However, for traditional machine learning methods and deep neural networks, enough training data is a prerequisite to train good prediction models. In this work, we proposed a transfer learning algorithm based on Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (BLSTM) recurrent neural networks for RUL estimation, in which the models can be first trained on different but related datasets and then fine-tuned by the target dataset. Extensive experimental results show that transfer learning can in general improve the prediction models on the dataset with a small number of samples. There is one exception that when transferring from multi-type operating conditions to single operating conditions, transfer learning led to a worse result.

The original version of this Article incorrectly omitted an affiliation of Hongming Weng: “Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100190, Beijing, China” This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.

Currently gear fault diagnosis is mainly based on vibration signals with a few studies on acoustic signal analysis. However, vibration signal acquisition is limited by its contact measuring while traditional acoustic-based gear fault diagnosis relies heavily on prior knowledge of signal processing techniques and diagnostic expertise. In this paper, a novel deep learning-based gear fault diagnosis method is proposed based on sound signal analysis. By establishing an end-to-end convolutional neural network (CNN), the time and frequency domain signals can be fed into the model as raw signals without feature engineering. Moreover, multi-channel information from different microphones can also be fused by CNN channels without using an extra fusion algorithm. Our experiment results show that our method achieved much better performance on gear fault diagnosis compared with other traditional gear fault diagnosis methods involving feature engineering. A publicly available sound signal dataset for gear fault diagnosis is also released and can be downloaded as instructed in the conclusion section.

The topological nodal-line semimetal state, serving as a fertile ground for various topological quantum phases, where a topological insulator, Dirac semimetal, or Weyl semimetal can be realized when the certain protecting symmetry is broken, has only been experimentally studied in very few materials. In contrast to discrete nodes, nodal lines with rich topological configurations can lead to more unusual transport phenomena. Utilizing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations, here, we provide compelling evidence of nodal-line fermions in centrosymmetric semimetal TiB_{2} with a negligible spin-orbit coupling effect. With the band crossings just below the Fermi energy, two groups of Dirac nodal rings are clearly observed without any interference from other bands, one surrounding the Brillouin zone (BZ) corner in the horizontal mirror plane σ_{h} and the other surrounding the BZ center in the vertical mirror plane σ_{v}. The linear dispersions forming Dirac nodal rings are as wide as 2 eV. We further observe that the two groups of nodal rings link together along the Γ‐K direction, composing a nodal-link configuration. The simple electronic structure with Dirac nodal links mainly constituting the Fermi surfaces suggests TiB_{2} as a remarkable platform for studying and applying the novel physical properties related to nodal-line fermions.

Despite treatment with agents that enhance beta-cell function and insulin action, reduction in beta-cell mass is relentless in patients with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance is characterized by impaired signaling through the insulin/insulin receptor/insulin receptor substrate/PI-3K/Akt pathway, leading to elevation of negatively regulated substrates such as glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (Gsk-3beta). When elevated, this enzyme has antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties. In these studies, we designed experiments to determine the contribution of Gsk-3beta to regulation of beta-cell mass in two mouse models of insulin resistance. Mice lacking one allele of the insulin receptor (Ir+/-) exhibit insulin resistance and a doubling of beta-cell mass. Crossing these mice with those having haploinsufficiency for Gsk-3beta (Gsk-3beta+/-) reduced insulin resistance by augmenting whole-body glucose disposal, and significantly reduced beta-cell mass. In the second model, mice missing two alleles of the insulin receptor substrate 2 (Irs2-/-), like the Ir+/- mice, are insulin resistant, but develop profound beta-cell loss, resulting in early diabetes. We found that islets from these mice had a 4-fold elevation of Gsk-3beta activity associated with a marked reduction of beta-cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Irs2-/- mice crossed with Gsk-3beta+/- mice preserved beta-cell mass by reversing the negative effects on proliferation and apoptosis, preventing onset of diabetes. Previous studies had shown that islets of Irs2-/- mice had increased cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(kip1) that was limiting for beta-cell replication, and reduced Pdx1 levels associated with increased cell death. Preservation of beta-cell mass in Gsk-3beta+/- Irs2-/- mice was accompanied by suppressed p27(kip1) levels and increased Pdx1 levels. To separate peripheral versus beta-cell-specific effects of reduction of Gsk3beta activity on preservation of beta-cell mass, mice homozygous for a floxed Gsk-3beta allele (Gsk-3(F/F)) were then crossed with rat insulin promoter-Cre (RIP-Cre) mice to produce beta-cell-specific knockout of Gsk-3beta (betaGsk-3beta-/-). Like Gsk-3beta+/- mice, betaGsk-3beta-/- mice also prevented the diabetes of the Irs2-/- mice. The results of these studies now define a new, negatively regulated substrate of the insulin signaling pathway specifically within beta-cells that when elevated, can impair replication and increase apoptosis, resulting in loss of beta-cells and diabetes. These results thus form the rationale for developing agents to inhibit this enzyme in obese insulin-resistant individuals to preserve beta-cells and prevent diabetes onset.

Chiral liquid crystal (CLC) microcavity lasers have gotten a lot of interest because of their very sensitive response to external stimuli and ability to produce both whispering gallery mode (WGM) lasing and photonic band gap (PBG) lasing. In this work, we report a CLC microcavity laser based on Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). By introducing FRET, energy transfer of a WGM laser is achieved. And PBG laser emission with a tuning range of 584-696 nm is achieved by temperature modulation. By changing the pump position, a lasing mode switch between FRET of the WGM laser and FRET of the PBG laser can be achieved. The application of energy transfer in CLC microcavities has expanded the spectral range of PBG lasers. The WGM laser generated by energy transfer demonstrated a sensitivity of 2.17 nm 1C1 in a CLC microdroplet with a diameter of 22 mm. This work extends the application of CLC microcavities in the field of optical devices and sensing technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]