The analysis of cetacean strandings can provide fundamental information about species diversity and composition in a particular region. The present study collected and analyzed cetacean strandings, bycatches and rescu...The analysis of cetacean strandings can provide fundamental information about species diversity and composition in a particular region. The present study collected and analyzed cetacean strandings, bycatches and rescues along the western coast of the Taiwan Strait, China, from 2010 to 2015. In total, 48 records, including 37 strandings, 8 bycatches and 3 rescues, involving 13 known species were collected. Among them, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins（Sousa chinensis） and finless porpoises（Neophocaena phocaenoides） were the most common species, consisting of 31.3% and 25%, respectively. Notably, 10 out of the 48（20.8%） records were collected from the Pingtan Island and included 3 species of Mysticeti and 4 species of Odontoceti. Finally, we compared the cetacean species composition between the western and eastern coasts of the Taiwan Strait; 31 cetacean species occurred in the Taiwan Strait, indicating a relatively high cetacean diversity in this region. Systematic field surveys are urgently needed to explore the cetacean species composition, population stock and the related habitat status in the Taiwan Strait, which may improve conservation management in the future.展开更多
Finless porpoises(FPs)serve as flagship species and key ecological indicators for assessing environmental quality.However,FPs are challenging to survey due to their elusive behavior and lack of distinctive features.St...Finless porpoises(FPs)serve as flagship species and key ecological indicators for assessing environmental quality.However,FPs are challenging to survey due to their elusive behavior and lack of distinctive features.Stranding and sighting events offer essential information on species diversity,distribution patterns,and potential threats.In this study,records from 1986 to 2023 were analyzed to assess the temporal and spatial distribution patterns of FP strandings and sightings in the Qiantang River Estuary,China.Results show an increase in the number of recorded events over time.Seasonal variations were evident,with a peak in strandings and sightings occurring in late winter.The frequency of records was higher during spring and moderate tides compared to neap tides,particularly in hydrologically normal years.Rapidly receding tides and sediment accumulation appear to restrict the activity space of FPs,thereby increasing the frequency of these events.Localized conditions associated with stranding and sighting events were classified into four categories:bifurcation zones,confluence zones,separation zones,and deep channels adjacent to concave banks.Deep channels,which are optimal for shipping,also elevate the risk of FP strandings.These findings offer valuable insights for the development and design of conservation strategies tailored to the needs of FPs in estuarine environments.展开更多
To tackle the issue of notch frequency and center frequency drift of the L(0,1)mode guided wave in ultra⁃sonic guided wave⁃based stress monitoring of prestressed steel strands,a method using higher⁃order mode plateau ...To tackle the issue of notch frequency and center frequency drift of the L(0,1)mode guided wave in ultra⁃sonic guided wave⁃based stress monitoring of prestressed steel strands,a method using higher⁃order mode plateau fre⁃quencies is adopted.First,the correlation between group velocity peaks and phase velocities at these plateau frequen⁃cies is analyzed.This analysis establishes a quantitative rela⁃tionship between phase velocity and stress in the steel strand,providing a theoretical foundation for stress monitor⁃ing.Then the two⁃dimensional Fourier transform is em⁃ployed to separate wave modes.Dynamic programming techniques are applied in the frequency⁃velocity domain to extract higher⁃order modes.By identifying the group veloc⁃ity peaks of these separated higher⁃order modes,the plateau frequencies of guided waves are determined,enabling indi⁃rect measurement of stress in the steel strand.To validate this method,finite element simulations are conducted under three scenarios.Results show that the higher⁃order modes of transient signals from three different positions can be ac⁃curately extracted,leading to successful cable stress moni⁃toring.This approach effectively circumvents the issue of guided wave frequency drift and improves stress monitoring accuracy.Consequently,it significantly improves the appli⁃cation of ultrasonic guided wave technology in structural health monitoring.展开更多
As prestressed concrete(PC)structures age,long-termeffects,e.g.,creep,shrinkage,and prestress losses,compromise their structural performance.Strengthening these aged PC beams has become a crucial matter.One effective ...As prestressed concrete(PC)structures age,long-termeffects,e.g.,creep,shrinkage,and prestress losses,compromise their structural performance.Strengthening these aged PC beams has become a crucial matter.One effective solution is to use externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer(FRP)sheets;however,limited research has been done on aged PC beams using the FRP,especially for beams with unbonded prestressing strands(UPC beams).Therefore,this research investigates the flexural strengthening efficacy of external FRP sheets on aged UPC beams with unbonded tendons.Aging minimally affected the failure modes of UPC beams,with nonstrengthened beams showing flexural failure via rebar yielding and concrete crushing,and FRP-strengthened beams failing due to FRP debonding and tensile reinforcement yielding,though tendons in the aged beams did not yield due to prestress losses,unlike the new beams.The U-wrap anchor curbed widespread debonding,leading to tensile reinforcement yielding and FRP rupture.Aging hastened crack growth and stiffness loss,increasing deflections and reducing load resistance,but FRP reinforcement mitigated these effects,enhancing cracking resistance by 14%over the unstrengthened aged beams and 7%over the new beams while boosting ultimate resistance by 9%above the non-strengthened new beams.Compared to the new FRP-strengthened beams,the aged counterparts had lower cracking resistance,stiffness and capacity—showing 20%higher deflections,7–9%lower serviceability loads,7%–17%reduced ultimate strength and 17%less deformability—due to prestress losses and premature FRP debonding.展开更多
Crosstalk between the nervous system and cancer plays an important role in tumor metastasis yet is poorly understood.Recently,Padmanaban et al.demonstrated a novel mechanism for nerve-induced metastasis.Sensory nerve-...Crosstalk between the nervous system and cancer plays an important role in tumor metastasis yet is poorly understood.Recently,Padmanaban et al.demonstrated a novel mechanism for nerve-induced metastasis.Sensory nerve-derived substance P could induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells that overexpressed tachykinin receptors.Single-stranded RNAs(ssRNAs)leaking from dying cells subsequently interact with toll-like receptor 7(TLR7)on other cancer cells and finally promoted metastasis.This notable study displays a delicate loop between the nervous system and cancer and,more importantly,amplifies the conception of apoptosis-induced metastasis.Over the past years,a mass of breakthrough studies have proven the pivotal role of the nervous system in tumorigenesis and cancer progression thereby contributing to the creation of a new disciplinecancer neuroscience[1].Hanahan and Monje discussed in detail the interactions between the nervous system and tumors based on the theoretical framework of the cancer hallmarks,focused on nerve-mediated proliferation,angiogenesis,immune evasion,cell death resistance,and metastasis[2].展开更多
Background:Flexor tendon injuries in zones II–V are challenging because of the risk of adhesions and rupture.Although early passive mobilization limits rupture,it often compromises the functional recovery.Recent appr...Background:Flexor tendon injuries in zones II–V are challenging because of the risk of adhesions and rupture.Although early passive mobilization limits rupture,it often compromises the functional recovery.Recent approaches favor early active mobilization with strong,multi-stranded core sutures to enhance outcomes.This study evaluated early active mobilization after eight-strand core repair in a tertiary care setting.Methods:In this prospective study,143 tendons from 30 patients who underwent surgery were followed up.The injured tendons were repaired using an eight-strand cross-locked cruciate technique with a double-stranded 4-0 suture,providing the tensile strength of eight strands with the same number of suture passes as in traditional four-core repairs,thereby reducing operative time without increasing bulk.Early active mobilization was initiated on postoperative day 2.The patients underwent digitally supervised physiotherapy and were monitored using a dedicated WhatsApp group,which enabled real-time guidance and compliance monitoring.The outcomes were measured in terms of total active motion,grip strength,pinch strength,time to return to work,postoperative pain,and complications.Results:Of the 30 patients,28(93.3%)had fair-to-excellent outcomes,whereas only 2(6.7%)had poor outcomes.Most patients(93.3%)returned to work within 12 weeks postoperatively.Four(13.3%)patients had complications,such as wound infection and skin necrosis.The patients showed significant changes in grip strength(45.2%)and pinch strength(70.7%)between weeks 8 and 12.No tendon ruptures were observed.Conclusion:The eight-core suturing technique used for flexor tendon repair withstood the forces of early active mobilization,which began on the second day after surgery,resulting in fair-to-excellent outcomes.It supports digitally supervised physiotherapy through app-based monitoring,enhancing patient compliance,and reducing reliance on in-person therapy sessions.This combination led to excellent functional recovery with minimal complications.展开更多
BACKGROUND Accurate preoperative T staging is essential for determining optimal treatment strategies in colorectal cancer(CRC).Low-keV virtual monoenergetic images(VMIs)have been shown to enhance lesion conspicuity.Th...BACKGROUND Accurate preoperative T staging is essential for determining optimal treatment strategies in colorectal cancer(CRC).Low-keV virtual monoenergetic images(VMIs)have been shown to enhance lesion conspicuity.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of dual-layer spectral computed tomography(CT)-derived VMIs,in combination with multiplanar reformation(MPR)and evaluation of peritumoral fat stranding(PFS),for improving the accuracy of T staging in CRC.AIM To assess the diagnostic performance of dual-layer spectral CT(DLSCT)VMIs,particularly at low energy levels,and their integration with personalized MPR for preoperative T staging of CRC.METHODS In this retrospective study,157 patients with pathologically confirmed CRC(mean age:63.5±12.1 years)underwent DLSCT within 1 week before surgery.VMIs ranging from 40 keV to 70 keV(at 10 keV intervals)and conventional polyenergetic images(PEIs)were reconstructed.Objective image quality parameters,including image noise,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR),were quantified,alongside subjective image quality scores using a 5-point Likert scale.Interobserver agreement was evaluated usingκstatistics.Taking histopathology as the reference standard,the diagnostic accuracy of T staging(T1-2 vs T3-4)was compared across PEIs and VMIs,both with and without MPR and PFS.RESULTS Low-keV VMIs(40-70 keV)demonstrated significantly higher SNR and CNR than PEIs(all P<0.001).Notably,40-keV VMIs achieved noise levels comparable to PEIs(8.17±3.63 vs 8.53±2.90;P=0.673).Subjective image quality peaked at 40-50 keV VMIs(Likert scores 4.85-4.88 vs 3.97 for PEIs;P<0.001),supported by excellent interobserver agreement(κ=0.812-0.913).The combination of 40-50 keV VMIs with MPR yielded the highest T staging accuracy(94.27%)compared to axial PEIs(70.7%),with a sensitivity and specificity of 83.87%and 96.83%,respectively(Youden index=0.81;P<0.05).While PFS enhanced staging accuracy on PEIs(up to 77.07%with MPR),it provided no significant additional benefit for VMIs.CONCLUSION DLSCT VMIs at 40-50 keV significantly enhanced image quality and improved preoperative T staging accuracy of CRC when combined with MPR.These findings underscored the clinical value of low-keV spectral imaging in tailoring individualized treatment strategies.展开更多
Coronaviruses are single-stranded,positive-sense RNA enveloped viruses that have posed a significant threat to human health over the past few decades,particularly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV...Coronaviruses are single-stranded,positive-sense RNA enveloped viruses that have posed a significant threat to human health over the past few decades,particularly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV),Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV),and SARS-CoV-2.These viruses have caused widespread infections and fatalities,with profound impacts on global economies,social life,and public health systems.Due to their broad host range in natural settings and the consequent high potential for zoonotic spillover events,a thorough investigation of the common viral mechanisms and the identification of druggable targets for pan-coronavirus antiviral development are of utmost importance.展开更多
基金The National Natural Science Foundation for Young Scholars of China under contract No.41506164the foundation of the State Oceanic Administration of China under contract No.201105011+3 种基金the Natural Science Foundation for Young Scholars of Fujian Province under contract No.2017J05062China-ASEAN maritime cooperation fund under contract No.HX150702the foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China under contract No.1070413701307the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation,Hong Kong(OPCFHK)under contract No.MM03_1617
文摘The analysis of cetacean strandings can provide fundamental information about species diversity and composition in a particular region. The present study collected and analyzed cetacean strandings, bycatches and rescues along the western coast of the Taiwan Strait, China, from 2010 to 2015. In total, 48 records, including 37 strandings, 8 bycatches and 3 rescues, involving 13 known species were collected. Among them, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins（Sousa chinensis） and finless porpoises（Neophocaena phocaenoides） were the most common species, consisting of 31.3% and 25%, respectively. Notably, 10 out of the 48（20.8%） records were collected from the Pingtan Island and included 3 species of Mysticeti and 4 species of Odontoceti. Finally, we compared the cetacean species composition between the western and eastern coasts of the Taiwan Strait; 31 cetacean species occurred in the Taiwan Strait, indicating a relatively high cetacean diversity in this region. Systematic field surveys are urgently needed to explore the cetacean species composition, population stock and the related habitat status in the Taiwan Strait, which may improve conservation management in the future.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 42176214 and 42176170the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos LZJWZ22E090002 and LZJWY22E090006the Key Program of the President of the Zhejiang Institute of Hydraulics and Estuaries under contract No.ZIHE21Z001.
文摘Finless porpoises(FPs)serve as flagship species and key ecological indicators for assessing environmental quality.However,FPs are challenging to survey due to their elusive behavior and lack of distinctive features.Stranding and sighting events offer essential information on species diversity,distribution patterns,and potential threats.In this study,records from 1986 to 2023 were analyzed to assess the temporal and spatial distribution patterns of FP strandings and sightings in the Qiantang River Estuary,China.Results show an increase in the number of recorded events over time.Seasonal variations were evident,with a peak in strandings and sightings occurring in late winter.The frequency of records was higher during spring and moderate tides compared to neap tides,particularly in hydrologically normal years.Rapidly receding tides and sediment accumulation appear to restrict the activity space of FPs,thereby increasing the frequency of these events.Localized conditions associated with stranding and sighting events were classified into four categories:bifurcation zones,confluence zones,separation zones,and deep channels adjacent to concave banks.Deep channels,which are optimal for shipping,also elevate the risk of FP strandings.These findings offer valuable insights for the development and design of conservation strategies tailored to the needs of FPs in estuarine environments.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52278303).
文摘To tackle the issue of notch frequency and center frequency drift of the L(0,1)mode guided wave in ultra⁃sonic guided wave⁃based stress monitoring of prestressed steel strands,a method using higher⁃order mode plateau fre⁃quencies is adopted.First,the correlation between group velocity peaks and phase velocities at these plateau frequen⁃cies is analyzed.This analysis establishes a quantitative rela⁃tionship between phase velocity and stress in the steel strand,providing a theoretical foundation for stress monitor⁃ing.Then the two⁃dimensional Fourier transform is em⁃ployed to separate wave modes.Dynamic programming techniques are applied in the frequency⁃velocity domain to extract higher⁃order modes.By identifying the group veloc⁃ity peaks of these separated higher⁃order modes,the plateau frequencies of guided waves are determined,enabling indi⁃rect measurement of stress in the steel strand.To validate this method,finite element simulations are conducted under three scenarios.Results show that the higher⁃order modes of transient signals from three different positions can be ac⁃curately extracted,leading to successful cable stress moni⁃toring.This approach effectively circumvents the issue of guided wave frequency drift and improves stress monitoring accuracy.Consequently,it significantly improves the appli⁃cation of ultrasonic guided wave technology in structural health monitoring.
基金support by the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam for this research,under grant no.B2023-MBS-02.
文摘As prestressed concrete(PC)structures age,long-termeffects,e.g.,creep,shrinkage,and prestress losses,compromise their structural performance.Strengthening these aged PC beams has become a crucial matter.One effective solution is to use externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer(FRP)sheets;however,limited research has been done on aged PC beams using the FRP,especially for beams with unbonded prestressing strands(UPC beams).Therefore,this research investigates the flexural strengthening efficacy of external FRP sheets on aged UPC beams with unbonded tendons.Aging minimally affected the failure modes of UPC beams,with nonstrengthened beams showing flexural failure via rebar yielding and concrete crushing,and FRP-strengthened beams failing due to FRP debonding and tensile reinforcement yielding,though tendons in the aged beams did not yield due to prestress losses,unlike the new beams.The U-wrap anchor curbed widespread debonding,leading to tensile reinforcement yielding and FRP rupture.Aging hastened crack growth and stiffness loss,increasing deflections and reducing load resistance,but FRP reinforcement mitigated these effects,enhancing cracking resistance by 14%over the unstrengthened aged beams and 7%over the new beams while boosting ultimate resistance by 9%above the non-strengthened new beams.Compared to the new FRP-strengthened beams,the aged counterparts had lower cracking resistance,stiffness and capacity—showing 20%higher deflections,7–9%lower serviceability loads,7%–17%reduced ultimate strength and 17%less deformability—due to prestress losses and premature FRP debonding.
文摘Crosstalk between the nervous system and cancer plays an important role in tumor metastasis yet is poorly understood.Recently,Padmanaban et al.demonstrated a novel mechanism for nerve-induced metastasis.Sensory nerve-derived substance P could induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells that overexpressed tachykinin receptors.Single-stranded RNAs(ssRNAs)leaking from dying cells subsequently interact with toll-like receptor 7(TLR7)on other cancer cells and finally promoted metastasis.This notable study displays a delicate loop between the nervous system and cancer and,more importantly,amplifies the conception of apoptosis-induced metastasis.Over the past years,a mass of breakthrough studies have proven the pivotal role of the nervous system in tumorigenesis and cancer progression thereby contributing to the creation of a new disciplinecancer neuroscience[1].Hanahan and Monje discussed in detail the interactions between the nervous system and tumors based on the theoretical framework of the cancer hallmarks,focused on nerve-mediated proliferation,angiogenesis,immune evasion,cell death resistance,and metastasis[2].
文摘Background:Flexor tendon injuries in zones II–V are challenging because of the risk of adhesions and rupture.Although early passive mobilization limits rupture,it often compromises the functional recovery.Recent approaches favor early active mobilization with strong,multi-stranded core sutures to enhance outcomes.This study evaluated early active mobilization after eight-strand core repair in a tertiary care setting.Methods:In this prospective study,143 tendons from 30 patients who underwent surgery were followed up.The injured tendons were repaired using an eight-strand cross-locked cruciate technique with a double-stranded 4-0 suture,providing the tensile strength of eight strands with the same number of suture passes as in traditional four-core repairs,thereby reducing operative time without increasing bulk.Early active mobilization was initiated on postoperative day 2.The patients underwent digitally supervised physiotherapy and were monitored using a dedicated WhatsApp group,which enabled real-time guidance and compliance monitoring.The outcomes were measured in terms of total active motion,grip strength,pinch strength,time to return to work,postoperative pain,and complications.Results:Of the 30 patients,28(93.3%)had fair-to-excellent outcomes,whereas only 2(6.7%)had poor outcomes.Most patients(93.3%)returned to work within 12 weeks postoperatively.Four(13.3%)patients had complications,such as wound infection and skin necrosis.The patients showed significant changes in grip strength(45.2%)and pinch strength(70.7%)between weeks 8 and 12.No tendon ruptures were observed.Conclusion:The eight-core suturing technique used for flexor tendon repair withstood the forces of early active mobilization,which began on the second day after surgery,resulting in fair-to-excellent outcomes.It supports digitally supervised physiotherapy through app-based monitoring,enhancing patient compliance,and reducing reliance on in-person therapy sessions.This combination led to excellent functional recovery with minimal complications.
基金Supported by Jiangsu Province 333 Talent Key Industry Field Talent Project,No.[2022]21Key Scientific Research Program of Jiangsu Provincial Health Committee,No.ZD2021059+2 种基金Nantong Key Laboratory Project,No.[2020]163The Project of Nantong City Health Committee,No.MS2023027Young Medical Talents Fund of Health and Family Planning Commission of Nantong,No.QA2019006 and No.QNZ2023027.
文摘BACKGROUND Accurate preoperative T staging is essential for determining optimal treatment strategies in colorectal cancer(CRC).Low-keV virtual monoenergetic images(VMIs)have been shown to enhance lesion conspicuity.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of dual-layer spectral computed tomography(CT)-derived VMIs,in combination with multiplanar reformation(MPR)and evaluation of peritumoral fat stranding(PFS),for improving the accuracy of T staging in CRC.AIM To assess the diagnostic performance of dual-layer spectral CT(DLSCT)VMIs,particularly at low energy levels,and their integration with personalized MPR for preoperative T staging of CRC.METHODS In this retrospective study,157 patients with pathologically confirmed CRC(mean age:63.5±12.1 years)underwent DLSCT within 1 week before surgery.VMIs ranging from 40 keV to 70 keV(at 10 keV intervals)and conventional polyenergetic images(PEIs)were reconstructed.Objective image quality parameters,including image noise,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR),were quantified,alongside subjective image quality scores using a 5-point Likert scale.Interobserver agreement was evaluated usingκstatistics.Taking histopathology as the reference standard,the diagnostic accuracy of T staging(T1-2 vs T3-4)was compared across PEIs and VMIs,both with and without MPR and PFS.RESULTS Low-keV VMIs(40-70 keV)demonstrated significantly higher SNR and CNR than PEIs(all P<0.001).Notably,40-keV VMIs achieved noise levels comparable to PEIs(8.17±3.63 vs 8.53±2.90;P=0.673).Subjective image quality peaked at 40-50 keV VMIs(Likert scores 4.85-4.88 vs 3.97 for PEIs;P<0.001),supported by excellent interobserver agreement(κ=0.812-0.913).The combination of 40-50 keV VMIs with MPR yielded the highest T staging accuracy(94.27%)compared to axial PEIs(70.7%),with a sensitivity and specificity of 83.87%and 96.83%,respectively(Youden index=0.81;P<0.05).While PFS enhanced staging accuracy on PEIs(up to 77.07%with MPR),it provided no significant additional benefit for VMIs.CONCLUSION DLSCT VMIs at 40-50 keV significantly enhanced image quality and improved preoperative T staging accuracy of CRC when combined with MPR.These findings underscored the clinical value of low-keV spectral imaging in tailoring individualized treatment strategies.
基金supported by the Key Research and Development Program,Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China(Nos.2023YFC2606500,2023YFE0206500).
文摘Coronaviruses are single-stranded,positive-sense RNA enveloped viruses that have posed a significant threat to human health over the past few decades,particularly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV),Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV),and SARS-CoV-2.These viruses have caused widespread infections and fatalities,with profound impacts on global economies,social life,and public health systems.Due to their broad host range in natural settings and the consequent high potential for zoonotic spillover events,a thorough investigation of the common viral mechanisms and the identification of druggable targets for pan-coronavirus antiviral development are of utmost importance.
