Association between Exposure of Rare Earth Elements and Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer in Beijing

Objective The study aimed to investigate the impact of rare earth elements(REEs)exposure on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)by analyzing samples from spouses.Methods A total of 141 couples were included.Blood and follicular fluid from the wives and semen plasma from the husbands,were analyzed for REEs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).Spearman's correlation coefficients and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to assess correlations and compare REE concentrations among three types of samples,respectively.Logistic models were utilized to estimate the individual REE effect on IVF-ET outcomes,while BKMR and WQS models explored the mixture of REE interaction effects on IVF-ET outcomes.Results Higher La concentration in semen(median 0.089 ng/mL,P=0.03)was associated with a lower fertilization rate.However,this effect was not observed after artificial selection intervention through intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)(P=0.27).In semen,the REEs mixture did not exhibit any significant association with clinical pregnancy.Conclusion Our study revealed a potential association between high La exposure in semen and a decline in fertilization rate,but not clinical pregnancy rate.This is the first to report REEs concentrations in follicular fluid with La,Ce,Pr,and Nd found at significantly lower concentrations than in serum,suggesting that these four REEs may not accumulate in the female reproductive system.However,at the current exposure levels,mixed REEs exposure did not exhibit reproductive toxicity.

Three-Dimensional Multi-Phase Microscopic Simulation of Service Life of Recycled Large Aggregate Self-Compacting Concrete

Recycled large aggregate self-compacting concrete (RLA-SCC) within multiple weak areas. These weak areas have poor resistance to chloride ion erosion, which affects the service life of RLA-SCC in the marine environment. A three-dimensional multi-phase mesoscopic numerical model of RLA-SCC was established to simulate the chloride ions transportation in concrete. Experiments of RLA-SCC immersing in chloride solution were carried out to verify the simulation results. The effects of recycled large aggregate (RLA) content and RLA particle size on the service life of concrete were explored. The results indicate that the mesoscopic numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results. At the same depth, the closer to the surface of the RLA, the greater the chloride ion concentration. The service life of RLA-SCC in marine environment decreases with the increase of RLA content. Compared with the service life of 20% content, the service life of 25% and 30% content decreased by 20% and 42% respectively. Increasing the particle size of RLA can effectively improve the service life of RLA-SCC in chloride environment. Compared with the service life of 50 mm particle size, the service life of 70 mm and 90 mm increased by 61% and 163%, respectively. .

Mechanical reliable,NIR light-induced rapid self-healing hydrogel electrolyte towards flexible zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors with low-temperature adaptability and long service life

Hydrogel electrolytes hold great potential in flexible zinc ion supercapacitors(ZICs)due to their high conductivity,good safety,and flexibility.However,freezing of electrolytes at low temperature(subzero)leads to drastic reduction in ionic conductivity and mechanical properties that deteriorates the performance of flexible ZICs.Besides,the mechanical fracture during arbitrary deformations significantly prunes out the lifespan of the flexible device.Herein,a Zn^(2+)and Li^(+)co-doped,polypyrrole-dopamine decorated Sb_(2)S_(3)incorporated,and polyvinyl alcohol/poly(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)acrylamide)double-network hydrogel electrolyte is constructed with favorable mechanical reliability,anti-freezing,and self-healing ability.In addition,it delivers ultra-high ionic conductivity of 8.6 and 3.7 S m^(-1)at 20 and−30°C,respectively,and displays excellent mechanical properties to withstand tensile stress of 1.85 MPa with tensile elongation of 760%,together with fracture energy of 5.14 MJ m^(-3).Notably,the fractured hydrogel electrolyte can recover itself after only 90 s of infrared illumination,while regaining 83%of its tensile strain and almost 100%of its ionic conductivity during−30–60°C.Moreover,ZICs coupled with this hydrogel electrolyte not only show a wide voltage window(up to 2 V),but also provide high energy density of 230 Wh kg^(-1)at power density of 500 W kg^(-1)with a capacity retention of 86.7%after 20,000 cycles under 20°C.Furthermore,the ZICs are able to retain excellent capacity even under various mechanical deformation at−30°C.This contribution will open up new insights into design of advanced wearable flexible electronics with environmental adaptability and long-life span.

Dip2a regulates stress susceptibility in the basolateral amygdala

Dysregulation of neurotransmitter metabolism in the central nervous system contributes to mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post–traumatic stress disorder. Monoamines and amino acids are important types of neurotransmitters. Our previous results have shown that disco-interacting protein 2 homolog A(Dip2a) knockout mice exhibit brain development disorders and abnormal amino acid metabolism in serum. This suggests that DIP2A is involved in the metabolism of amino acid–associated neurotransmitters. Therefore, we performed targeted neurotransmitter metabolomics analysis and found that Dip2a deficiency caused abnormal metabolism of tryptophan and thyroxine in the basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. In addition, acute restraint stress induced a decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine in the basolateral amygdala. Additionally, Dip2a was abundantly expressed in excitatory neurons of the basolateral amygdala, and deletion of Dip2a in these neurons resulted in hopelessness-like behavior in the tail suspension test. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that DIP2A in the basolateral amygdala may be involved in the regulation of stress susceptibility. This provides critical evidence implicating a role of DIP2A in affective disorders.

Advances in cathode materials for Li-O_(2)batteries

Lithium-oxygen(Li-O_(2))batteries have attracted significant attention due to their ultra-high theoretical energy density.However,serious challenges,such as potential lag,low-rate capability,round-trip efficiency,and poor cycle stability,greatly limit their practical application.This review provides a comprehensive account of the development of Li-O_(2)batteries,elucidates the current discharge/charge mechanism,and highlights both the advantages and bottlenecks of this technology.In particular,recent research progress on various cathode materials,such as carbon-based materials,noble metals,and non-noble metals,for Li-O_(2)batteries is deeply reviewed,emphasizing the impact of design strategies,material structures,chemical compositions,and microphysical parameters on oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER)kinetics,as well as discharge products and overall battery performance.This review will also shed light on future research directions for oxygen electrode catalysts and material construction to facilitate the development of Li-O_(2)batteries with maximized electrochemical performance.

A layered multifunctional framework based on polyacrylonitrile and MOF derivatives for stable lithium metal anode

Composite Li metal anodes based on three-dimensional(3D) porous frameworks have been considered as an effective material for achieving stable Li metal batteries with high energy density.However,uneven Li deposition behavior still occurs at the top of 3D frameworks owing to the local accumulation of Li ions.To promote uniform Li deposition without top dendrite growth,herein,a layered multifunctional framework based on oxidation-treated polyacrylonitrile(OPAN) and metal-organic framework(MOF) derivatives was proposed for rationally regulating the distribution of Li ions flux,nucleation sites,and electrical conductivity.Profiting from these merits,the OPAN/carbon nano fiber-MOF(CMOF) composite framework demonstrated a reversible Li plating/stripping behavior for 500 cycles with a stable Coulombic efficiency of around 99.0% at the current density of 2 mA/cm~2.Besides,such a Li composite anode exhibited a superior cycle lifespan of over 1300 h under a low polarized voltage of 18 mV in symmetrical cells.When the Li composite anode was paired with LiFePO_(4)(LFP) cathode,the obtained full cell exhibited a stable cycling over 500 cycles.Moreover,the COMSOL Multiphysics simulation was conducted to reveal the effects on homogeneous Li ions distribution derived from the above-mentioned OPAN/CMOF framework and electrical insulation/conduction design.These electrochemical and simulated results shed light on the difficulties of designing stable and safe Li metal anode via optimizing the 3D frameworks.

The NAC transcription factor LuNAC61 negatively regulates fiber development in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Flax is a crucial fiber crop that exhibits excellent textile properties and serves as a model plant for investigating phloem fiber development. The regulation of multiple genes significantly influences fiber development, notably involving NAC(NAM, ATAF1/2, CUC2) transcription factors in forming the fiber secondary cell wall(SCW).Overexpression of LuNAC61 in flax resulted in sparse top meristematic zone leaves and significantly reduced stem cellulose content. Scanning electron microscopy and staining observations revealed a significant reduction in fiber bundles. β-Glucuronidase(GUS) staining analysis demonstrated high activity of the LuNAC61 promoter in the bast fibers of the flax stem. Additionally, several members of the LuPLATZ and LuCesA families exhibited significant coexpression with LuNAC61. Subcellular localization indicated the presence of LuPLATZ24 protein in the nucleus and cytoplasm, LuNAC61 protein exclusively in the nucleus, and LuCesA10 in the nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum. LuPLATZ24 positively regulates LuNAC61, whereas LuNAC61 negatively affects LuCesA10, suggesting the involvement of a metabolic network in regulating flax fiber development. In conclusion, this study provides a critical opportunity for a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the mechanisms governing flax fiber development and the potential use of biotechnology to enhance flax fiber yield.

Fluid-chemical modeling of the near-cathode sheath formation process in a high current broken in DC air circuit breaker

When the contacts of a medium-voltage DC air circuit breaker(DCCB) are separated, the energy distribution of the arc is determined by the formation process of the near-electrode sheath. Therefore, the voltage drop through the near-electrode sheath is an important means to build up the arc voltage, which directly determines the current-limiting performance of the DCCB. A numerical model to describe the near-electrode sheath formation process can provide insight into the physical mechanism of the arc formation, and thus provide a method for arc energy regulation. In this work, we establish a two-dimensional axisymmetric time-varying model of a medium-voltage DCCB arc when interrupted by high current based on a fluid-chemical model involving 16 kinds of species and 46 collision reactions. The transient distributions of electron number density, positive and negative ion number density, net space charge density, axial electric field, axial potential between electrodes, and near-cathode sheath are obtained from the numerical model. The computational results show that the electron density in the arc column increases, then decreases, and then stabilizes during the near-cathode sheath formation process, and the arc column's diameter gradually becomes wider. The 11.14 V–12.33 V drops along the17 μm space charge layer away from the cathode(65.5 k V/m–72.5 k V/m) when the current varies from 20 k A–80 k A.The homogeneous external magnetic field has little effect on the distribution of particles in the near-cathode sheath core,but the electron number density at the near-cathode sheath periphery can increase as the magnetic field increases and the homogeneous external magnetic field will lead to arc diffusion. The validity of the numerical model can be proven by comparison with the experiment.

Tuning the crystalline and electronic structure of ZrO_(2)via oxygen vacancies and nano-structuring for polysulfides conversion in lithium-sulfur batteries

The recent emergence of tetragonal phases zirconium dioxide(ZrO_(2))with vacancies has generated significant interest as a highly efficient and stable electrocatalyst with potential applications in trapping polysulfides and facilitating rapid conversion in lithium-sulfur batteries(LSBs).However,the reduction of ZrO_(2)is challenging,even under strong reducing atmospheres at high temperatures and pressures.Consequently,the limited presence of oxygen vacancies results in insufficient active sites and reaction interfaces,thereby hindering practical implementation.Herein,we successfully introduced abundant oxygen vacancies into ZrO_(2)at the nanoscale with the help of carbon nanotubes(CNTs-OH)through hydrogen-etching at lower temperatures and pressures.The introduced oxygen vacancies on ZrO_(2-x)/CNTs-OH can effectively rearrange charge distribution,enhance sulfiphilicity and increase active sites,contributing to high ionic and electronic transfer kinetics,strong binding energy and low redox barriers between polysulfides and ZrO_(2-x).These findings have been experimentally validated and supported by theory calculations.As a result,LSBs assembled with the ZrO_(2-x)/CNTs-OH modified separators demonstrate excellent rate performance,superior cycling stability,and ultra-high sulfur utilization.Especially,at high sulfur loading of 6 mg cm^(-2),the area capacity is still up to 6.3 mA h cm^(-2).This work provides valuable insights into the structural and functional optimization of electrocatalysts for batteries.

Optimized scheduling of integrated energy systems for low carbon economy considering carbon transaction costs

With the introduction of the“dual carbon”goal and the continuous promotion of low-carbon development,the integrated energy system(IES)has gradually become an effective way to save energy and reduce emissions.This study proposes a low-carbon economic optimization scheduling model for an IES that considers carbon trading costs.With the goal of minimizing the total operating cost of the IES and considering the transferable and curtailable characteristics of the electric and thermal flexible loads,an optimal scheduling model of the IES that considers the cost of carbon trading and flexible loads on the user side was established.The role of flexible loads in improving the economy of an energy system was investigated using examples,and the rationality and effectiveness of the study were verified through a comparative analysis of different scenarios.The results showed that the total cost of the system in different scenarios was reduced by 18.04%,9.1%,3.35%,and 7.03%,respectively,whereas the total carbon emissions of the system were reduced by 65.28%,20.63%,3.85%,and 18.03%,respectively,when the carbon trading cost and demand-side flexible electric and thermal load responses were considered simultaneously.Flexible electrical and thermal loads did not have the same impact on the system performance.In the analyzed case,the total cost and carbon emissions of the system when only the flexible electrical load response was considered were lower than those when only the flexible thermal load response was taken into account.Photovoltaics have an excess of carbon trading credits and can profit from selling them,whereas other devices have an excess of carbon trading and need to buy carbon credits.

Surface-neutralization engineered NiCo-LDH/phosphate hetero-sheets toward robust oxygen evolution reaction

Developing highly active oxygen evolution reaction(OER)electrocatalysts with robust durability is essential in producing high-purity hydrogen through water electrolysis.Layered double hydroxide(LDH)based catalysts have demonstrated efficient catalytic performance toward the relatively sluggish OER.By considering the promotion effect of phosphate(Pi)on proton transfer,herein,a facile phosphate acid(PA)surface-neutralization strategy is developed to in-situ construct NiCo-LDH/NiCoPi hetero-sheets toward OER catalysis.OER activity of NiCoLDH is significantly boosted due to the proton promotion effect and the electronic modulation effect of NiCoPi.As a result,the facilely prepared NiCo-LDH/NiCoPi catalyst displays superior OER catalytic activity with a low overpotential of 300 mV to deliver 100 mA cm^(-2)OER and a Tafel slope of 73 mV dec^(-1).Furthermore,no visible activity decay is detected after a 200-h continuous OER operation.The present work,therefore,provides a promising strategy to exploit robust OER electrocatalysts for commercial water electrolysers.

Overexpression of TRPV1 activates autophagy in human lens epithelial cells under hyperosmotic stress through Ca^(2+)-dependent AMPK/mTOR pathway

●AIM:To explore whether autophagy functions as a cellular adaptation mechanism in lens epithelial cells(LECs)under hyperosmotic stress.●METHODS:LECs were treated with hyperosmotic stress at the concentration of 270,300,400,500,or 600 mOsm for 6,12,18,24h in vitro.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was employed for the mRNA expression of autophagyrelated genes,while Western blotting detected the targeted protein expression.The transfection of stub-RFP-sens-GFPLC3 autophagy-related double fluorescence lentivirus was conducted to detect the level of autophagy flux.Scanning electron microscopy was used to detect the existence of autolysosome.Short interfering RNA of autophagy-related gene(ATG)7,transient receptor potential vanilloid(TRPV)1 overexpression plasmid,related agonists and inhibitors were employed to their influence on autophagy related pathway.Flow cytometry was employed to test the apoptosis and intracellular Ca^(2+)level.Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by JC-1 staining.The cell counting kit-8 assay was used to calculate the cellular viability.The wound healing assay was used to evaluate the wound closure rate.GraphPad 6.0 software was utilized to evaluate the data.●RESULTS:The hyperosmotic stress activated autophagy in a pressure-and time-dependent manner in LECs.Beclin 1 protein expression and conversion of LC3B II to LC3B I increased,whereas sequestosome-1(SQSTM1)protein expression decreased.Transient Ca^(2+)influx was stimulated caused by hyperosmotic stress,levels of mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)phosphorylation decreased,and the level of AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)phosphorylation increased in the early stage.Based on this evidence,autophagy activation through the Ca^(2+)-dependent AMPK/mTOR pathway might represent an adaptation process in LECs under hyperosmotic stress.Hyperosmotic stress decreased cellular viability and accelerated apoptosis in LECs and cellular migration decreased.Inhibition of autophagy by ATG7 knockdown had similar results.TRPV1 overexpression increased autophagy and might be crucial in the occurrence of autophagy promoted by hyperosmotic stress.●CONCLUSION:A combination of hyperosmotic stress and autophagy inhibition may be a promising approach to decrease the number of LECs in the capsular bag and pave the way for improving prevention of posterior capsular opacification and capsular fibrosis.

Efficient simultaneous removal of diesel particulate matter and hydrocarbons from diesel exhaust gas at low temperatures over Cu–CeO_(2)/Al_(2)O_(3) coupling with dielectric barrier discharge plasma

Diesel particulate matter(DPM)and hydrocarbons(HCs)emitted from diesel engines have a negative affect on air quality and human health.Catalysts for oxidative removal of DPM and HCs are currently used universally but their low removal efficiency at low temperatures is a problem.In this study,Cu-doped CeO_(2) loaded on Al_(2)O_(3) coupled with plasma was used to enhance low-temperature oxidation of DPM and HCs.Removals of DPM and HCs at 200℃ using the catalyst were as high as 90%with plasma but below 30%without plasma.Operando plasma diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy coupled with mass spectrometry was conducted to reveal the functional mechanism of the oxygen species in the DPM oxidation process.It was found that Cu-CeO_(2) can promote the formation of adsorbed oxygen(M^(+)-O_(2)^(-))and terminal oxygen(M=O),which can react with DPM to form carbonates that are easily converted to gaseous CO_(2).Our results provide a practical plasma catalysis technology to obtain simultaneous removals of DPM and HCs at low temperatures.M+O-2Diesel particulate matter(DPM)and hydrocarbons(HCs)emitted from diesel engines have a negative affect on air quality and human health.Catalysts for oxidative removal of DPM and HCs are currently used universally but their low removal efficiency at low temperatures is a problem.In this study,Cu-doped CeO_(2) loaded on Al_(2)O_(3) coupled with plasma was used to enhance low-temperature oxidation of DPM and HCs.Removals of DPM and HCs at 200°C using the catalyst were as high as 90%with plasma but below 30%without plasma.Operando plasma diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy coupled with mass spectrometry was conducted to reveal the functional mechanism of the oxygen species in the DPM oxidation process.It was found that Cu–CeO_(2) can promote the formation of adsorbed oxygen(–)and terminal oxygen(M=O),which can react with DPM to form carbonates that are easily converted to gaseous CO_(2).Our results provide a practical plasma catalysis technology to obtain simultaneous removals of DPM and HCs at low temperatures.

Salicylic acid positively regulates maize defenses against lepidopteran insects

In response to insect attack,plants use intricate signaling pathways,including phytohormones,such as jasmonate(JA),ethylene(ET),and salicylic acid(SA),to activate defenses.Maize(Zea mays)is one of the most important staple food crops around the world.Previous studies have shown that the JA and ET signaling play important roles in maize defense against insects,but little is known about whether and how SA regulates maize resistance to insect herbivores.In this study,we ectopically expressed the NahG(salicylate hydroxylase)gene in maize plants(NahG maize)to block the accumulation of SA.It was found that compared with the wild-type(WT)maize,the NahG-maize exhibited decreased resistance to the generalist insects Spodoptera litura and Spodoptera frugiperda and the specialist Mythimna separata,and the compromised resistance in the NahG maize was associated with decreased levels of defensive metabolites benzoxazinoids(Bxs)and chlorogenic acid(CA).Quantification of simulated S.litura feedinginduced JA,JA-isoleucine conjugate(JA-Ile),and ET in the WT and NahG maize indicated that SA does not regulate JA or JA-Ile,but positively controls ET.We provide evidence suggesting that the SA pathway does not crosstalk with the JA or the ET signaling in regulating the accumulation of Bxs and CA.Transcriptome analysis revealed that the bHLH,ERF,and WRKY transcription factors might be involved in SAregulated defenses.This study uncovers a novel and important phytohormone pathway in maize defense against lepidopterous larvae.

Numerical Analysis of Perforation during Hydraulic Fracture Initiation Based on Continuous-Discontinuous Element Method

Perforation is a pivotal technique employed to establish main flow channels within the reservoir formation at the outset of hydraulic fracturing operations.Optimizing perforation designs is critical for augmenting the efficacy of hydraulic fracturing and boosting oil or gas production.In this study,we employ a hybrid finite-discrete element method,known as the continuous–discontinuous element method(CDEM),to simulate the initiation of post-perforation hydraulic fractures and to derive enhanced design parameters.The model incorporates the four most prevalent perforation geometries,as delineated in an engineering technical report.Real-world perforations deviate from the ideal cylindrical shape,exhibiting variable cross-sectional profiles that typically manifest as an initial constriction followed by an expansion,a feature consistent across all four perforation types.Our simulations take into account variations in perforation hole geometries,cross-sectional diameters,and perforation lengths.The findings show that perforations generated by the 39g DP3 HMX perforating bullet yield the lowest breakdown pressure,which inversely correlates with increases in sectional diameter and perforation length.Moreover,this study reveals the relationship between breakdown pressure and fracture degree,providing valuable insights for engineers and designers to refine perforation strategies.

Reduction of the oxidative damage to H_(2)O_(2)-induced HepG2 cells via the Nrf2 signalling pathway by plant flavonoids Quercetin and Hyperoside

Hyperoside and quercetin are similar in molecular structures.In this study,the antioxidant regulatory targets of hyperoside and quercetin are mainly in the nuclear factor(erythroid-2-derived)-related factor 2(Nrf2)pathway predicted by network pharmacology.And the antioxidant effect and mechanism of hyperoside and quercetin were measured and compared in H_(2)O_(2)-induced Hep G2 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans.The findings indicated that quercetin was more effective than hyperoside in reducing oxidative damage,which was proved by improved cell viability,decreased reactive oxygen species(ROS)production,decreased cellular apoptosis,and alleviated mitochondrial damage.In addition,quercetin was more efficient than hyperoside in enhancing the expression of Nrf2-associated m RNAs,increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),and catalase(CAT),and reducing the cellular malondialdehyde(MDA)content.Quercetin was superior to hyperoside in prolonging the lifespan of worms,decreasing the accumulation of lipofuscin,inhibiting ROS production,and increasing the proportion of skn-1 in the nucleus.With the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385,we verified that quercetin and hyperoside primarily protected the cells against oxidative damage via the Nrf2 signalling pathway.Furthermore,molecular docking and dynamics simulations demonstrated that the quercetin-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)complex was more stable than the hyperoside-Keap1 complex.The stable structure of the complex might hinder the binding of Nrf2 and Keap1 to release Nrf2 and facilitate its entry into the nucleus to play an antioxidant role.Overall,quercetin had a better antioxidant than hyperoside.

Exploring the dynamic three-dimensional chromatin architecture and transcriptional landscape in goose liver tissues underlying metabolic adaptations induced by a high-fat diet

Background Goose, descendants of migratory ancestors, have undergone extensive selective breeding, resulting in their remarkable ability to accumulate fat in the liver and exhibit a high tolerance for significant energy intake. As a result, goose offers an excellent model for studying obesity, metabolic disorders, and liver diseases in mammals. Although the impact of the three-dimensional arrangement of chromatin within the cell nucleus on gene expression and transcriptional regulation is widely acknowledged, the precise functions of chromatin architecture reorganization during fat deposition in goose liver tissues still need to be fully comprehended.Results In this study, geese exhibited more pronounced changes in the liver index and triglyceride(TG) content following the consumption of the high-fat diet(HFD) than mice without significant signs of inflammation. Additionally, we performed comprehensive analyses on 10 goose liver tissues(5 HFD, 5 normal), including generating highresolution maps of chromatin architecture, conducting whole-genome gene expression profiling, and identifying H3K27ac peaks in the livers of geese and mice subjected to the HFD. Our results unveiled a multiscale restructuring of chromatin architecture, encompassing Compartment A/B, topologically associated domains, and interactions between promoters and enhancers. The dynamism of the three-dimensional genome architecture, prompted by the HFD, assumed a pivotal role in the transcriptional regulation of crucial genes. Furthermore, we identified genes that regulate chromatin conformation changes, contributing to the metabolic adaptation process of lipid deposition and hepatic fat changes in geese in response to excessive energy intake. Moreover, we conducted a cross-species analysis comparing geese and mice exposed to the HFD, revealing unique characteristics specific to the goose liver compared to a mouse. These chromatin conformation changes help elucidate the observed characteristics of fat deposition and hepatic fat regulation in geese under conditions of excessive energy intake.Conclusions We examined the dynamic modifications in three-dimensional chromatin architecture and gene expression induced by an HFD in goose liver tissues. We conducted a cross-species analysis comparing that of mice. Our results contribute significant insights into the chromatin architecture of goose liver tissues, offering a novel perspective for investigating mammal liver diseases.

Artificial intelligence for the detection of glaucoma with SD-OCT images:a systematic review and Meta-analysis

●AIM:To quantify the performance of artificial intelligence(AI)in detecting glaucoma with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT)images.●METHODS:Electronic databases including PubMed,Embase,Scopus,ScienceDirect,ProQuest and Cochrane Library were searched before May 31,2023 which adopted AI for glaucoma detection with SD-OCT images.All pieces of the literature were screened and extracted by two investigators.Meta-analysis,Meta-regression,subgroup,and publication of bias were conducted by Stata16.0.The risk of bias assessment was performed in Revman5.4 using the QUADAS-2 tool.●RESULTS:Twenty studies and 51 models were selected for systematic review and Meta-analysis.The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.91(95%CI:0.86–0.94,I2=94.67%),0.90(95%CI:0.87–0.92,I2=89.24%).The pooled positive likelihood ratio(PLR)and negative likelihood ratio(NLR)were 8.79(95%CI:6.93–11.15,I2=89.31%)and 0.11(95%CI:0.07–0.16,I2=95.25%).The pooled diagnostic odds ratio(DOR)and area under curve(AUC)were 83.58(95%CI:47.15–148.15,I2=100%)and 0.95(95%CI:0.93–0.97).There was no threshold effect(Spearman correlation coefficient=0.22,P>0.05).●CONCLUSION:There is a high accuracy for the detection of glaucoma with AI with SD-OCT images.The application of AI-based algorithms allows together with“doctor+artificial intelligence”to improve the diagnosis of glaucoma.

Co-variability Between the Broad Absorption Lines and Narrow Absorption Lines

We investigate the relationship between the variability of broad absorption lines(BALs)or narrow absorption lines(NALs)and that of continuum using a data set of two-epoch SDSS spectra containing 134 C IV NAL-BAL pairs.Our analysis reveals an anti-correlation between the fractional equivalent width(EW)variations in NALs(or BALs)and the fractional flux variations of the continuum,with Spearman rank correlation coefficients of r=-0.47(p=1E-08)and r=-0.58(p=1E-13),respectively.In addition,we find a positive correlation between the fractional EW variations in NALs and BALs(r=0.72,p=1E-22),and derive a regression equation ΔEW_(NAL)/<EW_(NAL)>=0.803ΔEW_(BAL)/<EW_(BAL)>+0.008,with an intrinsic scatter of 0.14.These results suggest that the variability in the ionizing continuum may play a significant role in the observed changes in C IV NALs and BALs,supporting the idea of photoionization-driven variability.The co-variability between C IV NALs and BALs may imply that they originate from outflows with similar physical conditions.

Bond-Slip Behavior of Steel Bar and Recycled Steel Fibre-Reinforced Concrete

Recycled steel fiber reinforced concrete is an innovative construction material that offers exceptional mechanical properties and durability.It is considered a sustainable material due to its low carbon footprint and environmental friendly characteristics.This study examines the key influencing factors that affect the behavior of this material,such as the steel fiber volume ratio,recycled aggregate replacement rate,concrete strength grade,anchorage length,and stirrup constraint.The study investigates the bond failure morphology,bond-slip,and bond strength constitutive relationship of steel fiber recycled concrete.The results show that the addition of steel fibers at 0.5%,1.0%,and 1.5%volume ratios can improve the ultimate bond strength of pull-out specimens by 9.05%,6.94%,and 5.52%,respectively.The replacement rate of recycled aggregate has minimal effect on the typical bond strength of pull-out specimens.However,the ultimate bond strengths of pull-out specimens with concrete strength grades C45 and C60 have improved compared to those with C30 grade.The specimens with longer anchorage lengths exhibit lower ultimate bond strength,with a reduction of 33.19%and 46.37%for anchorage lengths of 5D and 7D,respectively,compared to those without stirrups.Stirrup restraint of 1φ8 and 2φ8 improves the ultimate bond strength by 5.29%and 6.90%,respectively.Steel fibers have a significant effect on the behavior of concrete after it cracks,especially during the stable expansion stage,crack instability expansion stage,and failure stage.