Non-selective hunting of waterbirds poses a significant challenge in biodiversity-rich areas such as Important Bird Areas (IBAs), where protected and game species congregate. Here, we present evidence from three conse...Non-selective hunting of waterbirds poses a significant challenge in biodiversity-rich areas such as Important Bird Areas (IBAs), where protected and game species congregate. Here, we present evidence from three consecutive hunting seasons spanning autumn 2021 to spring 2024 at a Natura 2000 site in western Poland, based on analyses of hunting bag photographs, local hunting records, and standardized bird monitoring data. We recorded 1331 hunted individuals from 14 species, 43% of which are protected under national or EU legislation. Among these was the Vulnerable Common Pochard (Aythya ferina), listed on the IUCN Red List. For nearly all species, harvest rates exceeded the sustainable thresholds defined by BirdLife International. Statistical comparisons between species' environmental abundance and their representation in hunting bags indicated no selectivity in shooting, pointing to indiscriminate hunting practices. Simultaneous waterbird monitoring (2018–2024) revealed steep declines in the local waterbird community and a marked decrease in Common Crane (Grus grus) numbers, with average autumn roost counts dropping from over 2000 individuals prior to hunting to 320 during hunting seasons. Although causality cannot be directly confirmed, these patterns suggest substantial disturbance effects. Our findings demonstrate the impracticality of selective hunting in species-rich wetland refuges and highlight the systematic killing of protected species. We recommend banning waterbird hunting in IBAs and implementing mandatory bird identification training and certification for hunters to reduce unintended impacts on vulnerable species.展开更多
Chronic,non-healing wounds represent a significant challenge for healthcare systems worldwide,often requiring significant human and financial resources.Chronic wounds arise from the complex interplay of underlying com...Chronic,non-healing wounds represent a significant challenge for healthcare systems worldwide,often requiring significant human and financial resources.Chronic wounds arise from the complex interplay of underlying comorbidities,such as diabetes or vascular diseases,lifestyle factors,and genetic risk profiles which may predispose extremities to local ischemia.Injuries are further exacerbated by bacterial colonization and the formation of biofilms.Infection,consequently,perpetuates a chronic inflammatory microenvironment,preventing the progression and completion of normal wound healing.The current standard of care(SOC)for chronic wounds involves surgical debridement along with localized wound irrigation,which requires inpatient care under general anesthesia.This could be followed by,if necessary,defect coverage via a reconstructive ladder utilizing wound debridement along with skin graft,local,or free flap techniques once the wound conditions are stabilized and adequate blood supply is restored.To promote physiological wound healing,a variety of approaches have been subjected to translational research.Beyond conventional wound healing drugs and devices that currently supplement treatments,cellular and immunotherapies have emerged as promising therapeutics that can behave as tailored therapies with cell-or molecule-specific wound healing properties.However,in contrast to the clinical omnipresence of chronic wound healing disorders,there remains a shortage of studies condensing the current body of evidence on cellular therapies and immunotherapies for chronic wounds.This review provides a comprehensive exploration of current therapies,experimental approaches,and translational studies,offering insights into their efficacy and limitations.Ultimately,we hope this line of research may serve as an evidence-based foundation to guide further experimental and translational approaches and optimize patient care long-term.展开更多
The fracture volume is gradually changed with the depletion of fracture pressure during the production process.However,there are few flowback models available so far that can estimate the fracture volume loss using pr...The fracture volume is gradually changed with the depletion of fracture pressure during the production process.However,there are few flowback models available so far that can estimate the fracture volume loss using pressure transient and rate transient data.The initial flowback involves producing back the fracturing fuid after hydraulic fracturing,while the second flowback involves producing back the preloading fluid injected into the parent wells before fracturing of child wells.The main objective of this research is to compare the initial and second flowback data to capture the changes in fracture volume after production and preload processes.Such a comparison is useful for evaluating well performance and optimizing frac-turing operations.We construct rate-normalized pressure(RNP)versus material balance time(MBT)diagnostic plots using both initial and second flowback data(FB;and FBs,respectively)of six multi-fractured horizontal wells completed in Niobrara and Codell formations in DJ Basin.In general,the slope of RNP plot during the FB,period is higher than that during the FB;period,indicating a potential loss of fracture volume from the FB;to the FB,period.We estimate the changes in effective fracture volume(Ver)by analyzing the changes in the RNP slope and total compressibility between these two flowback periods.Ver during FB,is in general 3%-45%lower than that during FB:.We also compare the drive mechanisms for the two flowback periods by calculating the compaction-drive index(CDI),hydrocarbon-drive index(HDI),and water-drive index(WDI).The dominant drive mechanism during both flowback periods is CDI,but its contribution is reduced by 16%in the FB,period.This drop is generally compensated by a relatively higher HDI during this period.The loss of effective fracture volume might be attributed to the pressure depletion in fractures,which occurs during the production period and can extend 800 days.展开更多
Switched systems play an imperative role in modeling many real industrial systems with abrupt changes.Due to possible exposure to unreliable and complex physical environments,switching dynamics may simultaneously face...Switched systems play an imperative role in modeling many real industrial systems with abrupt changes.Due to possible exposure to unreliable and complex physical environments,switching dynamics may simultaneously face multiple faults,including the unexpected controller disconnect,the temporary mismatch between subsystems and desired corresponding controllers,and the intermittent disordering of mode transitions.These commonly arising faults may result in severe and detrimental impacts on the reliability and convergence of the closed-loop solution,thereby bringing significant yet challenging issues to be tackled.This paper provides the first attempt to investigate the stabilization problem for a class of constrained switched linear systems with multiple faults under mode-dependent dwell time(MDT).From a set-theory perspective,we demonstrate a critical necessary and sufficient stability condition for switched systems without uncertainties.Moreover,the non-conservative stability criterion is further extended to the perturbed switched systems with rigorous proof.A switching communication network example verifies the validity of the theoretical result and demonstrates their advantages.展开更多
Patients in intensive care units(ICUs)require rapid critical decision making.Modern ICUs are data rich,where information streams from diverse sources.Machine learning(ML)and neural networks(NN)can leverage the rich da...Patients in intensive care units(ICUs)require rapid critical decision making.Modern ICUs are data rich,where information streams from diverse sources.Machine learning(ML)and neural networks(NN)can leverage the rich data for prognostication and clinical care.They can handle complex nonlinear relation-ships in medical data and have advantages over traditional predictive methods.A number of models are used:(1)Feedforward networks;and(2)Recurrent NN and convolutional NN to predict key outcomes such as mortality,length of stay in the ICU and the likelihood of complications.Current NN models exist in silos;their integration into clinical workflow requires greater transparency on data that are analyzed.Most models that are accurate enough for use in clinical care operate as‘black-boxes’in which the logic behind their decision making is opaque.Advan-ces have occurred to see through the opacity and peer into the processing of the black-box.In the near future ML is positioned to help in clinical decision making far beyond what is currently possible.Transparency is the first step toward vali-dation which is followed by clinical trust and adoption.In summary,NNs have the transformative ability to enhance predictive accuracy and improve patient management in ICUs.The concept should soon be turning into reality.展开更多
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs)integrated with Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs)present a transformative approach to environmental monitoring by enabling real-time,low power,wide-area,and high-resolution data collection.T...Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs)integrated with Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs)present a transformative approach to environmental monitoring by enabling real-time,low power,wide-area,and high-resolution data collection.This paper proposes a UAV-based WSN framework designed for efficient ecological data acquisition,including parameters such as temperature,humidity,various gases,detection of motion of a material,and safety features.The system leverages UAVs for dynamic deployment and data retrieval from distributed sensor nodes in remote or inaccessible areas,reducing the reliance on fixed infrastructure.Long Range Communication(LoRa)technology is also integrated with a WSN to enhance network coverage and adaptability issues.The proposed system covers vast areas through LoRa communication ensuring minimal energy consumption and cost-effective sensing capabilities.Field tests and simulation findings show how well the system captures spatiotemporal environmental fluctuations,making it an invaluable tool for monitoring climate change,ecological research,and disaster response.展开更多
MXene-based smart contact lenses demonstrate a cutting-edge advancement in wearable ophthalmic technology,combining real-time biosensing,therapeutic capabilities,and user comfort in a single platform.These devices tak...MXene-based smart contact lenses demonstrate a cutting-edge advancement in wearable ophthalmic technology,combining real-time biosensing,therapeutic capabilities,and user comfort in a single platform.These devices take the advantage of the exceptional electrical conductivity,mechanical flexibility,and biocompatibility of two-dimensional MXenes to enable noninvasive,tear-based monitoring of key physiological markers such as intraocular pressure and glucose levels.Recent developments focus on the integration of transparent MXene films into the conventional lens materials,allowing multifunctional performance including photothermal therapy,antimicrobial and anti-inflammation protection,and dehydration resistance.These innovations offer promising strategies for ocular disease management and eye protection.In addition to their multifunctionality,improvements in MXene synthesis and device engineering have enhanced the stability,transparency,and wearability of these lenses.Despite these advances,challenges remain in long-term biostability,scalable production,and integration with wireless communication systems.This review summarizes the current progress,key challenges,and future directions of MXene-based smart contact lenses,highlighting their transformative potential in next-generation digital healthcare and ophthalmic care.展开更多
Hydrophilicity is critical in Nafion membranes during fuel cell operation as insufficient membrane hydration leads to brittle behavior and a drop in proton conductivity.The incorporation of APTS(3-(aminopro pyl)trieth...Hydrophilicity is critical in Nafion membranes during fuel cell operation as insufficient membrane hydration leads to brittle behavior and a drop in proton conductivity.The incorporation of APTS(3-(aminopro pyl)triethoxysilane)into exfoliated graphene oxide(EGO)by covalent functionalization to be used as filler into Nafion membranes allows higher hydrophilicity for these membranes.This is associated with promoting hydroxyl,carbonyl,siloxane,silane,and amine groups within the EGO-APTS matrix.The incorporation of these materials as Fuel Cell MEAs leads to a significant reduction of the ohmic resistance measured at high frequency resistance(HFR)in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)experiments and achieves maximum power densities of 1.33 W cm^(-2)at 60℃ at 100%RH(APTS-EGO,0.2 wt%)and1.33 W cm^(-2)at 60℃ at 70%RH(APTS-EGO,0.3 wt%),which represents an improvement of 190%compared to the commercial Nafion 212 when utilizing low humidification conditions(70%).Moreover,the as-synthesized membrane utilizes lower Nafion ionomer mass,which,in conjunction with the excellent cell performance,has the potential to decrease the cost of the membrane from 87 to 80￡/W as well as a reduction of fluorinated compounds within the membrane.展开更多
Autophagy is well-known for delivering cargo materials to lysosomes for proteolytic digestion.Recently,autophagy has emerged as a key mechanism in unconventional protein secretion(UPS).This perspective introduces unco...Autophagy is well-known for delivering cargo materials to lysosomes for proteolytic digestion.Recently,autophagy has emerged as a key mechanism in unconventional protein secretion(UPS).This perspective introduces unconventional secretion pathways,focusing on secretory autophagy and its role in secreting protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative disorders.We also explore additional neuronal functions of secretory autophagy beyond the release of protein aggregates.We propose autophagosomes as transport organelles that deliver cargo material directly from the endoplasmatic reticulum(ER)to the plasma membrane rather than solely to lysosomes.展开更多
We present the discovery of TCP J07222683+6220548,a new ultracompact binary system of the AM CVn type.This system was first identified displaying aΔV=7.6 mag outburst on 2025-01-20.9416 UTC by the New Milky Way wide-...We present the discovery of TCP J07222683+6220548,a new ultracompact binary system of the AM CVn type.This system was first identified displaying aΔV=7.6 mag outburst on 2025-01-20.9416 UTC by the New Milky Way wide-field survey for transients and later independently detected by ASAS-SN and ZTF.The outburst peaked at V_(max)=12.45 and lasted for seven days,followed by a series of rebrightenings.No previous outbursts are found in archival data.Positive superhumps with a period of 0.032546±0.000084 day(46.87±0.12 minutes),barely detectable during the main outburst,became clearly visible during the first rebrightening that lasted from day 18 to day 24 after the initial outburst.No convincing change in the superhump period was detected.Dense time-series photometry follow-up by a pair of 0.5 m INASAN robotic telescopes,together with VSNET and AAVSO observers,was essential for identifying TCP J07222683+6220548 as an AM CVn system and triggering confirmation spectroscopy with the 2.5 m CMO SAI telescope.Some outbursting AM CVn systems lacking such detailed follow-up may remain unrecognized among the newly discovered cataclysmic variable candidates.展开更多
The sedimentary bed morphology modulated by the wake flow of a wall-mounted flexible aquatic vegetation blade across various structural aspect ratios(A_(R)=l/b,where l and b are the length and width of the blade,respe...The sedimentary bed morphology modulated by the wake flow of a wall-mounted flexible aquatic vegetation blade across various structural aspect ratios(A_(R)=l/b,where l and b are the length and width of the blade,respectively)and incoming flow velocities was experimentally investigated in a water channel.A surface scanner was implemented to quantify bed topography,and a tomographic particle image velocimetry system was used to characterize the three-dimensional wake flows.The results showed that due to the deflection of incoming flow,the velocity magnitude increased at the lateral sides of the blade,thereby producing distinctive symmetric scour holes in these regions.The normalized morphology profiles of the sedimentary bed,which were extracted along the streamwise direction at the location of the maximum erosion depth,exhibited a self-similar pattern that closely followed a sinusoidal wave profile.The level of velocity magnitude enhancement was highly correlated to the postures of the flexible blade.At a given flow velocity,the blade with lower aspect ratios exhibited less significant deformation,causing more significant near-bed velocity enhancement in the wake deflection zone and therefore leading to higher erosion volumes.Further investigation indicated that when the blade underwent slight deformation,the larger velocity enhancement close to the bed can be attributed to more significant flow deflection effects at the lateral sides of the blade and stronger flow mixing with high momentum flows away from the bed.Supported with measurements,a basic formula was established to quantify the shear stress acting on the sedimentary bed as a function of incoming flow velocity and blade aspect ratio.展开更多
TriboElectric NanoGenerators(TENGs),introduced in 2012 by Wang et al.,have revolutionized the way we harvest energy,converting mechanical energy into electrical power with remarkable efficiency.Since their inception,T...TriboElectric NanoGenerators(TENGs),introduced in 2012 by Wang et al.,have revolutionized the way we harvest energy,converting mechanical energy into electrical power with remarkable efficiency.Since their inception,TENGs have unlocked innumerable applications,driving a surge in innovative research and development.This study utilizes the Scopus database to conduct a bibliographic analysis,highlighting the diverse applications,influential authors,and citation patterns that define the TENG landscape.Through the use of MATLAB and VOSviewer,we provide a visually compelling analysis that not only shows the integration of artificial intelligence in scientific literature but also explores the challenges and future potential of TENG technology.The document concludes by discussing TENGs challenges and the promising paths for their future applications.展开更多
BACKGROUND Sex is one of the known factors influencing the risk of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection and the natural course of the disease.AIM To evaluate sex-related differences in the characteristics and outcomes of d...BACKGROUND Sex is one of the known factors influencing the risk of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection and the natural course of the disease.AIM To evaluate sex-related differences in the characteristics and outcomes of direct-acting antiviral(DAA)treatment in HCV-infected patients.METHODS The study included consecutive 9457 women and 9529 men,treated with DAA for chronic HCV infection from July 2015 to the end of 2023 whose data were collected in the nationwide multicenter retrospective Epiter-2 project.Women were divided into pre-menopausal(15-44 years),menopausal(45-55 years)and post-menopausal(>55 years)and compared with age-matched men.RESULTS Regardless of age,women had a significantly lower body mass index,prevalence of genotype 3 infection and proportion of cirrhosis compared to men.Psychiatric disorders(except depression),hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus co-infections,as well as alcohol and drug addiction,were significantly less common in women than in men in all age groups.The sustained virologic response was significantly higher in women compared to men in each age group and amounted to 98.4%and 96.6%,respectively(P<0.001).Independent predictors of treatment failure in women were genotype 3 infection,cirrhosis and postmenopausal age.Mild adverse events were reported significantly more often by women,regardless of age with the highest percentage in the postmenopausal group.CONCLUSION DAA treatment is more effective in women than in men,regardless of age,but in postmenopausal women,the effectiveness is relatively the lowest.展开更多
Distinct brain remodeling has been found after different nerve reconstruction strategies,including motor representation of the affected limb.However,differences among reconstruction strategies at the brain network lev...Distinct brain remodeling has been found after different nerve reconstruction strategies,including motor representation of the affected limb.However,differences among reconstruction strategies at the brain network level have not been elucidated.This study aimed to explore intranetwork changes related to altered peripheral neural pathways after different nerve reconstruction surgeries,including nerve repair,endto-end nerve transfer,and end-to-side nerve transfer.Sprague–Dawley rats underwent complete left brachial plexus transection and were divided into four equal groups of eight:no nerve repair,grafted nerve repair,phrenic nerve end-to-end transfer,and end-to-side transfer with a graft sutured to the anterior upper trunk.Resting-state brain functional magnetic resonance imaging was obtained 7 months after surgery.The independent component analysis algorithm was utilized to identify group-level network components of interest and extract resting-state functional connectivity values of each voxel within the component.Alterations in intra-network resting-state functional connectivity were compared among the groups.Target muscle reinnervation was assessed by behavioral observation(elbow flexion)and electromyography.The results showed that alterations in the sensorimotor and interoception networks were mostly related to changes in the peripheral neural pathway.Nerve repair was related to enhanced connectivity within the sensorimotor network,while end-to-side nerve transfer might be more beneficial for restoring control over the affected limb by the original motor representation.The thalamic-cortical pathway was enhanced within the interoception network after nerve repair and end-to-end nerve transfer.Brain areas related to cognition and emotion were enhanced after end-to-side nerve transfer.Our study revealed important brain networks related to different nerve reconstructions.These networks may be potential targets for enhancing motor recovery.展开更多
Objective:Intimate partner violence(IPV)among people living with the human immune deficiency virus(PLHIV)poses a significant threat to efforts to reduce the spread of human immune deficiency virus(HIV)and achieve the ...Objective:Intimate partner violence(IPV)among people living with the human immune deficiency virus(PLHIV)poses a significant threat to efforts to reduce the spread of human immune deficiency virus(HIV)and achieve the sustainable development goals.In Ghana,scholarly research on the forms and prevalence of IPV is available,however knowledge of the prevalence of IPV among PLHIV is limited.To understand the prevalence of IPV among PLHIV and the intersectional factors that contribute to it,this study examined the overall prevalence of IPV among PLHIV and the associated sociodemographic factors across ten regions of Ghana.Methods:We administered face-to-face survey questionnaires to 661 randomly selected antiretroviral therapy(ART)clients using Research Electronic Data Capture tools.We used descriptive statistics(mean,standard deviation,minimum,and maximum),pairwise correlation,and multivariate regression analysis to look at the data.Results:The clients of ART experienced various forms of IPV,including sexual,physical,emotional,and economic violence and controlling behaviour.The overall prevalence of IPV among PLHIV was 27.5%.This result,although on par with the global IPV average(27%),is 1.5%higher than the national rate(26%).The Upper West Region had the highest prevalence in all the categories of IPV analysed,followed by Oti Region in second place and the Upper East Region in third,except for the prevalence of sexual violence,where Greater Accra Region ranks second.In specific regions of Ghana,sociodemographic factors shaped by patriarchal and economic considerations contribute to a higher prevalence of IPV among people living with HIV.Conclusion:The findings have implications for developing policies and interventions that address the specific factors associated with HIV-induced IPV in different regions of Ghana.These interventions should also include screening PLHIV receiving ART for their IPV status regardless of gender and deploying culturally appropriate education at the community level to foster empathy towards intimate partners living with HIV.展开更多
Background:To date,there is no effective cure for the highly malignant brain tumor glioblastoma(GBM).GBM is the most common,aggressive central nervous system tumor(CNS).It commonly originates in glial cells such as mi...Background:To date,there is no effective cure for the highly malignant brain tumor glioblastoma(GBM).GBM is the most common,aggressive central nervous system tumor(CNS).It commonly originates in glial cells such as microglia,oligodendroglia,astrocytes,or subpopulations of cancer stem cells(CSCs).Glucose plays an important role in the,which energy metabolism of normal and cancer cells,but cancer cells exhibit an increased demand for glucose is required for their differentiation and proliferation.The main aim of this study is to explore the anti-cancer efficacy of the ketogenic diet against GBM.Also,this research focuses on the identification of the catalytic action of zinc in epigenetic modulators such as oxyresveratrol and ensures the combinatorial effect in the treatment of GBM.Method:In this study,we have evaluated various parameters to understand the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment groups through in vivo experiments against aggressive brain tumors.Intracerebroventricular experiments were performed to induce the tumor in the animals and estimate the tumor burden and proliferative index.Followed by the Morris water maze,an open field test,and rota rod was performed to evaluate the memory and motor coordination.To understand the glucose,and ketone level modification before and after treatment,the level of glucose and ketone was analyzed.Moreover,the zinc level is assessed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy.Results:The results suggested that the ketogenic diet has an anti-cancer efficacy against C6-induced GBM cell lines.Also,it exerts a synergistic effect with the epigenetic modulator,oxyresveratrol,and zinc against GBM cell lines.Moreover,the treatment groups improved memory and motor coordination and modified the glucose and ketone levels to reduce the tumor burden and Ki-67 proliferative index.Conclusion:This study revealed the therapeutic effect of the ketogenic diet along with its combination such as oxyresveratrol and zinc against the C6-induced GBM in the Wistar rats.Also,it improved memory and motor coordination and reduced tumor growth.It also modified the glucose and ketone levels in the tumor-induced animal and supported to diminish the tumor burden.展开更多
Coconut(Cocos nucifera L.)is a key tropical economic tree valued for its fruit flavor,particularly 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline(2AP),a vital aroma metabolite.To enhance high-aromatic coconut breeding efforts,it is essential t...Coconut(Cocos nucifera L.)is a key tropical economic tree valued for its fruit flavor,particularly 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline(2AP),a vital aroma metabolite.To enhance high-aromatic coconut breeding efforts,it is essential to deeply understand the hereditary factors governing the production of 2AP.In this study,a genome-wide association analysis identifies 32 loci that exhibit significant associations with 2AP content based on single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)variations from 168 aromatic coconut germplasm resources.Transcriptome analysis then pinpoints 22 candidate genes near significant loci involved in 2AP metabolism.Proteins encoded by these genes are involved in amino acid metabolism,glycolysis,and secondary metabolism.Among these,Asparagine synthetase coding gene ASN1,Gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase coding gene GSH1,and UbiA prenyltransferase coding gene UBIA are enriched in the linkage region constructed by significant locus Chr04_61490504.In particular,the SNP mutation of CnASN1 leads to amino acid changes in the functional region of the coding protein,potentially resulting in differences in 2AP content among haplotype populations.Identifying variations in related candidate genes,particularly the gene CnASN1,provides molecular markers closely associated with 2AP synthesis for coconut breeding and offers further insights into the metabolic mechanisms of 2AP.展开更多
Background With the global expansion of aquaculture and the increasing demand for fish meal,identifying appropriate and sustainable alternative protein sources for aquafeeds has become essential.Single-cell protein(SC...Background With the global expansion of aquaculture and the increasing demand for fish meal,identifying appropriate and sustainable alternative protein sources for aquafeeds has become essential.Single-cell protein(SCP),derived from methanotrophic bacteria,presents a promising alternative by converting methane into protein,potentially addressing both the need for alternative protein sources and reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of SCP inclusion(0%,25%,50%,and 75%fish meal replacement)on the health,gene expression,and gut microbiome of yellowtail kingfish(YTK,Seriola lalandi)following a 35-day growth trial.Results The study found that SCP inclusion at the highest level of fishmeal replacement(75%)induced a mild inflammatory response in the hindgut of the fish.However,micromorphological assessments of the hindgut,serum biochemistry,and gene expression analyses revealed no significant detrimental effects from SCP replacement.Notably,there were indications of improved lipid digestibility with SCP.Furthermore,SCP inclusion significantly enhanced microbial richness and altered the composition of the gut microbiome,introducing beneficial bacterial taxa that may contribute to improved gut health and resilience.Conclusions This study highlights SCP as a viable and sustainable alternative to fish meal in YTK diets.The findings suggest that SCP can be included in YTK diets without adverse health effects at moderate levels and may even offer benefits in terms of lipid digestibility and gut microbiome diversity.These results contribute to the advancement of more sustainable aquaculture practices.展开更多
Renewable energy storage technologies are critical for transitioning to sustainable energy systems,with salt caverns playing a significant role in large-scale solutions.In water-soluble mining of low-grade salt format...Renewable energy storage technologies are critical for transitioning to sustainable energy systems,with salt caverns playing a significant role in large-scale solutions.In water-soluble mining of low-grade salt formations,insoluble impurities and interlayers detach during salt dissolution and accumulate as sediment at the cavern base,thereby reducing the storage capacity and economic viability of salt cavern gas storage(SCGS).This study investigates sediment formation mechanisms,void distribution,and voidage in the Huai'an low-grade salt mine,introducing a novel self-developed physical simulation device for two butted-well horizontal(TWH)caverns that replicates compressed air injection and brine discharge.Experiments comparing“one injection and one discharge”and“two injections and one discharge”modes revealed that(1)compressed air effectively displaces brine from sediment voids,(2)a 0.5 MPa injection pressure corresponds to a 10.3 MPa operational lower limit in practice,aligning with field data,and(3)sediment voidage is approximately 46%,validated via air-brine interface theory.The“two injections and one discharge”mode outperformed in both discharge volume and rate.Additionally,a mathematical model for brine displacement via compressed air was established.These results provide foundational insights for optimizing compressed air energy storage(CAES)in low-grade salt mines,advancing their role in renewable energy integration.展开更多
Brain tumors present significant challenges in medical diagnosis and treatment,where early detection is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality rates.This research introduces a novel deep learning model,the Progr...Brain tumors present significant challenges in medical diagnosis and treatment,where early detection is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality rates.This research introduces a novel deep learning model,the Progressive Layered U-Net(PLU-Net),designed to improve brain tumor segmentation accuracy from Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)scans.The PLU-Net extends the standard U-Net architecture by incorporating progressive layering,attention mechanisms,and multi-scale data augmentation.The progressive layering involves a cascaded structure that refines segmentation masks across multiple stages,allowing the model to capture features at different scales and resolutions.Attention gates within the convolutional layers selectively focus on relevant features while suppressing irrelevant ones,enhancing the model's ability to delineate tumor boundaries.Additionally,multi-scale data augmentation techniques increase the diversity of training data and boost the model's generalization capabilities.Evaluated on the BraTS 2021 dataset,the PLU-Net achieved state-of-the-art performance with a dice coefficient of 0.91,specificity of 0.92,sensitivity of 0.89,Hausdorff95 of 2.5,outperforming other modified U-Net architectures in segmentation accuracy.These results underscore the effectiveness of the PLU-Net in improving brain tumor segmentation from MRI scans,supporting clinicians in early diagnosis,treatment planning,and the development of new therapies.展开更多
文摘Non-selective hunting of waterbirds poses a significant challenge in biodiversity-rich areas such as Important Bird Areas (IBAs), where protected and game species congregate. Here, we present evidence from three consecutive hunting seasons spanning autumn 2021 to spring 2024 at a Natura 2000 site in western Poland, based on analyses of hunting bag photographs, local hunting records, and standardized bird monitoring data. We recorded 1331 hunted individuals from 14 species, 43% of which are protected under national or EU legislation. Among these was the Vulnerable Common Pochard (Aythya ferina), listed on the IUCN Red List. For nearly all species, harvest rates exceeded the sustainable thresholds defined by BirdLife International. Statistical comparisons between species' environmental abundance and their representation in hunting bags indicated no selectivity in shooting, pointing to indiscriminate hunting practices. Simultaneous waterbird monitoring (2018–2024) revealed steep declines in the local waterbird community and a marked decrease in Common Crane (Grus grus) numbers, with average autumn roost counts dropping from over 2000 individuals prior to hunting to 320 during hunting seasons. Although causality cannot be directly confirmed, these patterns suggest substantial disturbance effects. Our findings demonstrate the impracticality of selective hunting in species-rich wetland refuges and highlight the systematic killing of protected species. We recommend banning waterbird hunting in IBAs and implementing mandatory bird identification training and certification for hunters to reduce unintended impacts on vulnerable species.
基金supported by grants from the German Research Foundation (DFG)
文摘Chronic,non-healing wounds represent a significant challenge for healthcare systems worldwide,often requiring significant human and financial resources.Chronic wounds arise from the complex interplay of underlying comorbidities,such as diabetes or vascular diseases,lifestyle factors,and genetic risk profiles which may predispose extremities to local ischemia.Injuries are further exacerbated by bacterial colonization and the formation of biofilms.Infection,consequently,perpetuates a chronic inflammatory microenvironment,preventing the progression and completion of normal wound healing.The current standard of care(SOC)for chronic wounds involves surgical debridement along with localized wound irrigation,which requires inpatient care under general anesthesia.This could be followed by,if necessary,defect coverage via a reconstructive ladder utilizing wound debridement along with skin graft,local,or free flap techniques once the wound conditions are stabilized and adequate blood supply is restored.To promote physiological wound healing,a variety of approaches have been subjected to translational research.Beyond conventional wound healing drugs and devices that currently supplement treatments,cellular and immunotherapies have emerged as promising therapeutics that can behave as tailored therapies with cell-or molecule-specific wound healing properties.However,in contrast to the clinical omnipresence of chronic wound healing disorders,there remains a shortage of studies condensing the current body of evidence on cellular therapies and immunotherapies for chronic wounds.This review provides a comprehensive exploration of current therapies,experimental approaches,and translational studies,offering insights into their efficacy and limitations.Ultimately,we hope this line of research may serve as an evidence-based foundation to guide further experimental and translational approaches and optimize patient care long-term.
文摘The fracture volume is gradually changed with the depletion of fracture pressure during the production process.However,there are few flowback models available so far that can estimate the fracture volume loss using pressure transient and rate transient data.The initial flowback involves producing back the fracturing fuid after hydraulic fracturing,while the second flowback involves producing back the preloading fluid injected into the parent wells before fracturing of child wells.The main objective of this research is to compare the initial and second flowback data to capture the changes in fracture volume after production and preload processes.Such a comparison is useful for evaluating well performance and optimizing frac-turing operations.We construct rate-normalized pressure(RNP)versus material balance time(MBT)diagnostic plots using both initial and second flowback data(FB;and FBs,respectively)of six multi-fractured horizontal wells completed in Niobrara and Codell formations in DJ Basin.In general,the slope of RNP plot during the FB,period is higher than that during the FB;period,indicating a potential loss of fracture volume from the FB;to the FB,period.We estimate the changes in effective fracture volume(Ver)by analyzing the changes in the RNP slope and total compressibility between these two flowback periods.Ver during FB,is in general 3%-45%lower than that during FB:.We also compare the drive mechanisms for the two flowback periods by calculating the compaction-drive index(CDI),hydrocarbon-drive index(HDI),and water-drive index(WDI).The dominant drive mechanism during both flowback periods is CDI,but its contribution is reduced by 16%in the FB,period.This drop is generally compensated by a relatively higher HDI during this period.The loss of effective fracture volume might be attributed to the pressure depletion in fractures,which occurs during the production period and can extend 800 days.
基金supported in part by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 62303403Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China under Grants LR25F030004 and LQ24F030022。
文摘Switched systems play an imperative role in modeling many real industrial systems with abrupt changes.Due to possible exposure to unreliable and complex physical environments,switching dynamics may simultaneously face multiple faults,including the unexpected controller disconnect,the temporary mismatch between subsystems and desired corresponding controllers,and the intermittent disordering of mode transitions.These commonly arising faults may result in severe and detrimental impacts on the reliability and convergence of the closed-loop solution,thereby bringing significant yet challenging issues to be tackled.This paper provides the first attempt to investigate the stabilization problem for a class of constrained switched linear systems with multiple faults under mode-dependent dwell time(MDT).From a set-theory perspective,we demonstrate a critical necessary and sufficient stability condition for switched systems without uncertainties.Moreover,the non-conservative stability criterion is further extended to the perturbed switched systems with rigorous proof.A switching communication network example verifies the validity of the theoretical result and demonstrates their advantages.
文摘Patients in intensive care units(ICUs)require rapid critical decision making.Modern ICUs are data rich,where information streams from diverse sources.Machine learning(ML)and neural networks(NN)can leverage the rich data for prognostication and clinical care.They can handle complex nonlinear relation-ships in medical data and have advantages over traditional predictive methods.A number of models are used:(1)Feedforward networks;and(2)Recurrent NN and convolutional NN to predict key outcomes such as mortality,length of stay in the ICU and the likelihood of complications.Current NN models exist in silos;their integration into clinical workflow requires greater transparency on data that are analyzed.Most models that are accurate enough for use in clinical care operate as‘black-boxes’in which the logic behind their decision making is opaque.Advan-ces have occurred to see through the opacity and peer into the processing of the black-box.In the near future ML is positioned to help in clinical decision making far beyond what is currently possible.Transparency is the first step toward vali-dation which is followed by clinical trust and adoption.In summary,NNs have the transformative ability to enhance predictive accuracy and improve patient management in ICUs.The concept should soon be turning into reality.
文摘Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs)integrated with Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs)present a transformative approach to environmental monitoring by enabling real-time,low power,wide-area,and high-resolution data collection.This paper proposes a UAV-based WSN framework designed for efficient ecological data acquisition,including parameters such as temperature,humidity,various gases,detection of motion of a material,and safety features.The system leverages UAVs for dynamic deployment and data retrieval from distributed sensor nodes in remote or inaccessible areas,reducing the reliance on fixed infrastructure.Long Range Communication(LoRa)technology is also integrated with a WSN to enhance network coverage and adaptability issues.The proposed system covers vast areas through LoRa communication ensuring minimal energy consumption and cost-effective sensing capabilities.Field tests and simulation findings show how well the system captures spatiotemporal environmental fluctuations,making it an invaluable tool for monitoring climate change,ecological research,and disaster response.
文摘MXene-based smart contact lenses demonstrate a cutting-edge advancement in wearable ophthalmic technology,combining real-time biosensing,therapeutic capabilities,and user comfort in a single platform.These devices take the advantage of the exceptional electrical conductivity,mechanical flexibility,and biocompatibility of two-dimensional MXenes to enable noninvasive,tear-based monitoring of key physiological markers such as intraocular pressure and glucose levels.Recent developments focus on the integration of transparent MXene films into the conventional lens materials,allowing multifunctional performance including photothermal therapy,antimicrobial and anti-inflammation protection,and dehydration resistance.These innovations offer promising strategies for ocular disease management and eye protection.In addition to their multifunctionality,improvements in MXene synthesis and device engineering have enhanced the stability,transparency,and wearability of these lenses.Despite these advances,challenges remain in long-term biostability,scalable production,and integration with wireless communication systems.This review summarizes the current progress,key challenges,and future directions of MXene-based smart contact lenses,highlighting their transformative potential in next-generation digital healthcare and ophthalmic care.
基金financially supported by the UK Research Council EPRSC EP/W03395X/1the Program grant SynHiSel EP/V047078/1the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Hub(H_(2)FC SUPERGEN)EP/P024807/1。
文摘Hydrophilicity is critical in Nafion membranes during fuel cell operation as insufficient membrane hydration leads to brittle behavior and a drop in proton conductivity.The incorporation of APTS(3-(aminopro pyl)triethoxysilane)into exfoliated graphene oxide(EGO)by covalent functionalization to be used as filler into Nafion membranes allows higher hydrophilicity for these membranes.This is associated with promoting hydroxyl,carbonyl,siloxane,silane,and amine groups within the EGO-APTS matrix.The incorporation of these materials as Fuel Cell MEAs leads to a significant reduction of the ohmic resistance measured at high frequency resistance(HFR)in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)experiments and achieves maximum power densities of 1.33 W cm^(-2)at 60℃ at 100%RH(APTS-EGO,0.2 wt%)and1.33 W cm^(-2)at 60℃ at 70%RH(APTS-EGO,0.3 wt%),which represents an improvement of 190%compared to the commercial Nafion 212 when utilizing low humidification conditions(70%).Moreover,the as-synthesized membrane utilizes lower Nafion ionomer mass,which,in conjunction with the excellent cell performance,has the potential to decrease the cost of the membrane from 87 to 80￡/W as well as a reduction of fluorinated compounds within the membrane.
基金supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft(DFG,German Research Foundation)grant LU 2347/3-1(to PL).
文摘Autophagy is well-known for delivering cargo materials to lysosomes for proteolytic digestion.Recently,autophagy has emerged as a key mechanism in unconventional protein secretion(UPS).This perspective introduces unconventional secretion pathways,focusing on secretory autophagy and its role in secreting protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative disorders.We also explore additional neuronal functions of secretory autophagy beyond the release of protein aggregates.We propose autophagosomes as transport organelles that deliver cargo material directly from the endoplasmatic reticulum(ER)to the plasma membrane rather than solely to lysosomes.
基金support of the Foundation for the Development of Theoretical Physics and Mathematics BASIS(project 24-2-1-6-1)supported by the UKRI Science and Technology Facilities Council and is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh(grant ST/N002512/1)and Queen’s University Belfast(grant ST/N002520/1)within the LSST:UK Science Consortium+4 种基金supported by the National Science Foundation under grants No.AST-1440341 and AST-2034437primarily funded to search for near earth asteroids through NASA grants NN12AR55G,80NSSC18K0284,and80NSSC18K1575partially funded by Kepler/K2 grant J1944/80NSSC19K0112 and HST GO-15889STFC grants ST/T000198/1 and ST/S006109/1made use of the Astrophysics Data System,funded by NASA under Cooperative Agreement 80NSSC21M00561。
文摘We present the discovery of TCP J07222683+6220548,a new ultracompact binary system of the AM CVn type.This system was first identified displaying aΔV=7.6 mag outburst on 2025-01-20.9416 UTC by the New Milky Way wide-field survey for transients and later independently detected by ASAS-SN and ZTF.The outburst peaked at V_(max)=12.45 and lasted for seven days,followed by a series of rebrightenings.No previous outbursts are found in archival data.Positive superhumps with a period of 0.032546±0.000084 day(46.87±0.12 minutes),barely detectable during the main outburst,became clearly visible during the first rebrightening that lasted from day 18 to day 24 after the initial outburst.No convincing change in the superhump period was detected.Dense time-series photometry follow-up by a pair of 0.5 m INASAN robotic telescopes,together with VSNET and AAVSO observers,was essential for identifying TCP J07222683+6220548 as an AM CVn system and triggering confirmation spectroscopy with the 2.5 m CMO SAI telescope.Some outbursting AM CVn systems lacking such detailed follow-up may remain unrecognized among the newly discovered cataclysmic variable candidates.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No.2327916.
文摘The sedimentary bed morphology modulated by the wake flow of a wall-mounted flexible aquatic vegetation blade across various structural aspect ratios(A_(R)=l/b,where l and b are the length and width of the blade,respectively)and incoming flow velocities was experimentally investigated in a water channel.A surface scanner was implemented to quantify bed topography,and a tomographic particle image velocimetry system was used to characterize the three-dimensional wake flows.The results showed that due to the deflection of incoming flow,the velocity magnitude increased at the lateral sides of the blade,thereby producing distinctive symmetric scour holes in these regions.The normalized morphology profiles of the sedimentary bed,which were extracted along the streamwise direction at the location of the maximum erosion depth,exhibited a self-similar pattern that closely followed a sinusoidal wave profile.The level of velocity magnitude enhancement was highly correlated to the postures of the flexible blade.At a given flow velocity,the blade with lower aspect ratios exhibited less significant deformation,causing more significant near-bed velocity enhancement in the wake deflection zone and therefore leading to higher erosion volumes.Further investigation indicated that when the blade underwent slight deformation,the larger velocity enhancement close to the bed can be attributed to more significant flow deflection effects at the lateral sides of the blade and stronger flow mixing with high momentum flows away from the bed.Supported with measurements,a basic formula was established to quantify the shear stress acting on the sedimentary bed as a function of incoming flow velocity and blade aspect ratio.
基金supported by the government of the Republic of Korea(MSIT)and the National Research Foundation(NRF)of Korea(2022R1A2C1003900,2023K2A9A 1A01098512(FY2023)).
文摘TriboElectric NanoGenerators(TENGs),introduced in 2012 by Wang et al.,have revolutionized the way we harvest energy,converting mechanical energy into electrical power with remarkable efficiency.Since their inception,TENGs have unlocked innumerable applications,driving a surge in innovative research and development.This study utilizes the Scopus database to conduct a bibliographic analysis,highlighting the diverse applications,influential authors,and citation patterns that define the TENG landscape.Through the use of MATLAB and VOSviewer,we provide a visually compelling analysis that not only shows the integration of artificial intelligence in scientific literature but also explores the challenges and future potential of TENG technology.The document concludes by discussing TENGs challenges and the promising paths for their future applications.
文摘BACKGROUND Sex is one of the known factors influencing the risk of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection and the natural course of the disease.AIM To evaluate sex-related differences in the characteristics and outcomes of direct-acting antiviral(DAA)treatment in HCV-infected patients.METHODS The study included consecutive 9457 women and 9529 men,treated with DAA for chronic HCV infection from July 2015 to the end of 2023 whose data were collected in the nationwide multicenter retrospective Epiter-2 project.Women were divided into pre-menopausal(15-44 years),menopausal(45-55 years)and post-menopausal(>55 years)and compared with age-matched men.RESULTS Regardless of age,women had a significantly lower body mass index,prevalence of genotype 3 infection and proportion of cirrhosis compared to men.Psychiatric disorders(except depression),hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus co-infections,as well as alcohol and drug addiction,were significantly less common in women than in men in all age groups.The sustained virologic response was significantly higher in women compared to men in each age group and amounted to 98.4%and 96.6%,respectively(P<0.001).Independent predictors of treatment failure in women were genotype 3 infection,cirrhosis and postmenopausal age.Mild adverse events were reported significantly more often by women,regardless of age with the highest percentage in the postmenopausal group.CONCLUSION DAA treatment is more effective in women than in men,regardless of age,but in postmenopausal women,the effectiveness is relatively the lowest.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.81871836(to MZ),82172554(to XH),and 81802249(to XH),81902301(to JW)the National Key R&D Program of China,Nos.2018YFC2001600(to JX)and 2018YFC2001604(to JX)+3 种基金Shanghai Rising Star Program,No.19QA1409000(to MZ)Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning,No.2018YQ02(to MZ)Shanghai Youth Top Talent Development PlanShanghai“Rising Stars of Medical Talent”Youth Development Program,No.RY411.19.01.10(to XH)。
文摘Distinct brain remodeling has been found after different nerve reconstruction strategies,including motor representation of the affected limb.However,differences among reconstruction strategies at the brain network level have not been elucidated.This study aimed to explore intranetwork changes related to altered peripheral neural pathways after different nerve reconstruction surgeries,including nerve repair,endto-end nerve transfer,and end-to-side nerve transfer.Sprague–Dawley rats underwent complete left brachial plexus transection and were divided into four equal groups of eight:no nerve repair,grafted nerve repair,phrenic nerve end-to-end transfer,and end-to-side transfer with a graft sutured to the anterior upper trunk.Resting-state brain functional magnetic resonance imaging was obtained 7 months after surgery.The independent component analysis algorithm was utilized to identify group-level network components of interest and extract resting-state functional connectivity values of each voxel within the component.Alterations in intra-network resting-state functional connectivity were compared among the groups.Target muscle reinnervation was assessed by behavioral observation(elbow flexion)and electromyography.The results showed that alterations in the sensorimotor and interoception networks were mostly related to changes in the peripheral neural pathway.Nerve repair was related to enhanced connectivity within the sensorimotor network,while end-to-side nerve transfer might be more beneficial for restoring control over the affected limb by the original motor representation.The thalamic-cortical pathway was enhanced within the interoception network after nerve repair and end-to-end nerve transfer.Brain areas related to cognition and emotion were enhanced after end-to-side nerve transfer.Our study revealed important brain networks related to different nerve reconstructions.These networks may be potential targets for enhancing motor recovery.
基金supported by the Christian Health Association of Ghana under Global Fund New Funding Model 3(NFM 3)HIV/TB Community Systems Strengthening programme(CSS)。
文摘Objective:Intimate partner violence(IPV)among people living with the human immune deficiency virus(PLHIV)poses a significant threat to efforts to reduce the spread of human immune deficiency virus(HIV)and achieve the sustainable development goals.In Ghana,scholarly research on the forms and prevalence of IPV is available,however knowledge of the prevalence of IPV among PLHIV is limited.To understand the prevalence of IPV among PLHIV and the intersectional factors that contribute to it,this study examined the overall prevalence of IPV among PLHIV and the associated sociodemographic factors across ten regions of Ghana.Methods:We administered face-to-face survey questionnaires to 661 randomly selected antiretroviral therapy(ART)clients using Research Electronic Data Capture tools.We used descriptive statistics(mean,standard deviation,minimum,and maximum),pairwise correlation,and multivariate regression analysis to look at the data.Results:The clients of ART experienced various forms of IPV,including sexual,physical,emotional,and economic violence and controlling behaviour.The overall prevalence of IPV among PLHIV was 27.5%.This result,although on par with the global IPV average(27%),is 1.5%higher than the national rate(26%).The Upper West Region had the highest prevalence in all the categories of IPV analysed,followed by Oti Region in second place and the Upper East Region in third,except for the prevalence of sexual violence,where Greater Accra Region ranks second.In specific regions of Ghana,sociodemographic factors shaped by patriarchal and economic considerations contribute to a higher prevalence of IPV among people living with HIV.Conclusion:The findings have implications for developing policies and interventions that address the specific factors associated with HIV-induced IPV in different regions of Ghana.These interventions should also include screening PLHIV receiving ART for their IPV status regardless of gender and deploying culturally appropriate education at the community level to foster empathy towards intimate partners living with HIV.
文摘Background:To date,there is no effective cure for the highly malignant brain tumor glioblastoma(GBM).GBM is the most common,aggressive central nervous system tumor(CNS).It commonly originates in glial cells such as microglia,oligodendroglia,astrocytes,or subpopulations of cancer stem cells(CSCs).Glucose plays an important role in the,which energy metabolism of normal and cancer cells,but cancer cells exhibit an increased demand for glucose is required for their differentiation and proliferation.The main aim of this study is to explore the anti-cancer efficacy of the ketogenic diet against GBM.Also,this research focuses on the identification of the catalytic action of zinc in epigenetic modulators such as oxyresveratrol and ensures the combinatorial effect in the treatment of GBM.Method:In this study,we have evaluated various parameters to understand the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment groups through in vivo experiments against aggressive brain tumors.Intracerebroventricular experiments were performed to induce the tumor in the animals and estimate the tumor burden and proliferative index.Followed by the Morris water maze,an open field test,and rota rod was performed to evaluate the memory and motor coordination.To understand the glucose,and ketone level modification before and after treatment,the level of glucose and ketone was analyzed.Moreover,the zinc level is assessed using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy.Results:The results suggested that the ketogenic diet has an anti-cancer efficacy against C6-induced GBM cell lines.Also,it exerts a synergistic effect with the epigenetic modulator,oxyresveratrol,and zinc against GBM cell lines.Moreover,the treatment groups improved memory and motor coordination and modified the glucose and ketone levels to reduce the tumor burden and Ki-67 proliferative index.Conclusion:This study revealed the therapeutic effect of the ketogenic diet along with its combination such as oxyresveratrol and zinc against the C6-induced GBM in the Wistar rats.Also,it improved memory and motor coordination and reduced tumor growth.It also modified the glucose and ketone levels in the tumor-induced animal and supported to diminish the tumor burden.
基金supported by the Major Science and Technology Project of Hainan Province(ZDKJ2021012)National Natural Science Foundation of China(32071805)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFD2200700)。
文摘Coconut(Cocos nucifera L.)is a key tropical economic tree valued for its fruit flavor,particularly 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline(2AP),a vital aroma metabolite.To enhance high-aromatic coconut breeding efforts,it is essential to deeply understand the hereditary factors governing the production of 2AP.In this study,a genome-wide association analysis identifies 32 loci that exhibit significant associations with 2AP content based on single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)variations from 168 aromatic coconut germplasm resources.Transcriptome analysis then pinpoints 22 candidate genes near significant loci involved in 2AP metabolism.Proteins encoded by these genes are involved in amino acid metabolism,glycolysis,and secondary metabolism.Among these,Asparagine synthetase coding gene ASN1,Gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase coding gene GSH1,and UbiA prenyltransferase coding gene UBIA are enriched in the linkage region constructed by significant locus Chr04_61490504.In particular,the SNP mutation of CnASN1 leads to amino acid changes in the functional region of the coding protein,potentially resulting in differences in 2AP content among haplotype populations.Identifying variations in related candidate genes,particularly the gene CnASN1,provides molecular markers closely associated with 2AP synthesis for coconut breeding and offers further insights into the metabolic mechanisms of 2AP.
基金Fisheries Research Development Corporation,Grant/Award Number:2017-030.
文摘Background With the global expansion of aquaculture and the increasing demand for fish meal,identifying appropriate and sustainable alternative protein sources for aquafeeds has become essential.Single-cell protein(SCP),derived from methanotrophic bacteria,presents a promising alternative by converting methane into protein,potentially addressing both the need for alternative protein sources and reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of SCP inclusion(0%,25%,50%,and 75%fish meal replacement)on the health,gene expression,and gut microbiome of yellowtail kingfish(YTK,Seriola lalandi)following a 35-day growth trial.Results The study found that SCP inclusion at the highest level of fishmeal replacement(75%)induced a mild inflammatory response in the hindgut of the fish.However,micromorphological assessments of the hindgut,serum biochemistry,and gene expression analyses revealed no significant detrimental effects from SCP replacement.Notably,there were indications of improved lipid digestibility with SCP.Furthermore,SCP inclusion significantly enhanced microbial richness and altered the composition of the gut microbiome,introducing beneficial bacterial taxa that may contribute to improved gut health and resilience.Conclusions This study highlights SCP as a viable and sustainable alternative to fish meal in YTK diets.The findings suggest that SCP can be included in YTK diets without adverse health effects at moderate levels and may even offer benefits in terms of lipid digestibility and gut microbiome diversity.These results contribute to the advancement of more sustainable aquaculture practices.
基金financial support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2024YFB4007100)the Basic ForwardLooking Project of the Sinopec Science and Technology Department,“Research on the Long-Term Sealing Mechanism of Multi-layer Salt Cavern Hydrogen Storage”(No.P24197-4)。
文摘Renewable energy storage technologies are critical for transitioning to sustainable energy systems,with salt caverns playing a significant role in large-scale solutions.In water-soluble mining of low-grade salt formations,insoluble impurities and interlayers detach during salt dissolution and accumulate as sediment at the cavern base,thereby reducing the storage capacity and economic viability of salt cavern gas storage(SCGS).This study investigates sediment formation mechanisms,void distribution,and voidage in the Huai'an low-grade salt mine,introducing a novel self-developed physical simulation device for two butted-well horizontal(TWH)caverns that replicates compressed air injection and brine discharge.Experiments comparing“one injection and one discharge”and“two injections and one discharge”modes revealed that(1)compressed air effectively displaces brine from sediment voids,(2)a 0.5 MPa injection pressure corresponds to a 10.3 MPa operational lower limit in practice,aligning with field data,and(3)sediment voidage is approximately 46%,validated via air-brine interface theory.The“two injections and one discharge”mode outperformed in both discharge volume and rate.Additionally,a mathematical model for brine displacement via compressed air was established.These results provide foundational insights for optimizing compressed air energy storage(CAES)in low-grade salt mines,advancing their role in renewable energy integration.
文摘Brain tumors present significant challenges in medical diagnosis and treatment,where early detection is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality rates.This research introduces a novel deep learning model,the Progressive Layered U-Net(PLU-Net),designed to improve brain tumor segmentation accuracy from Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)scans.The PLU-Net extends the standard U-Net architecture by incorporating progressive layering,attention mechanisms,and multi-scale data augmentation.The progressive layering involves a cascaded structure that refines segmentation masks across multiple stages,allowing the model to capture features at different scales and resolutions.Attention gates within the convolutional layers selectively focus on relevant features while suppressing irrelevant ones,enhancing the model's ability to delineate tumor boundaries.Additionally,multi-scale data augmentation techniques increase the diversity of training data and boost the model's generalization capabilities.Evaluated on the BraTS 2021 dataset,the PLU-Net achieved state-of-the-art performance with a dice coefficient of 0.91,specificity of 0.92,sensitivity of 0.89,Hausdorff95 of 2.5,outperforming other modified U-Net architectures in segmentation accuracy.These results underscore the effectiveness of the PLU-Net in improving brain tumor segmentation from MRI scans,supporting clinicians in early diagnosis,treatment planning,and the development of new therapies.
