Development and Experiment of Multi- functional Wood Dehumidification Dryer

A multi functional wood dehumidification dryer has been developed recently. The dryer can carry out air dehumidification by using only one refrigeration system, in which heat supplying and moisture air are exhausted by changing the position of several air dampers. In this paper, the work principles and characteristics of the dehumidification dryer are introduced, and the testing results about the thermal engineering performance of the dehumidification dryer, as well as the experiment results of drying several species of lumbers are expounded.

Service Function Chain Deployment Algorithm Based on Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning

Aiming at the rapid growth of network services,which leads to the problems of long service request processing time and high deployment cost in the deployment of network function virtualization service function chain(SFC)under 5G networks,this paper proposes a multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient optimization algorithm for SFC deployment(MADDPG-SD).Initially,an optimization model is devised to enhance the request acceptance rate,minimizing the latency and deploying the cost SFC is constructed for the network resource-constrained case.Subsequently,we model the dynamic problem as a Markov decision process(MDP),facilitating adaptation to the evolving states of network resources.Finally,by allocating SFCs to different agents and adopting a collaborative deployment strategy,each agent aims to maximize the request acceptance rate or minimize latency and costs.These agents learn strategies from historical data of virtual network functions in SFCs to guide server node selection,and achieve approximately optimal SFC deployment strategies through a cooperative framework of centralized training and distributed execution.Experimental simulation results indicate that the proposed method,while simultaneously meeting performance requirements and resource capacity constraints,has effectively increased the acceptance rate of requests compared to the comparative algorithms,reducing the end-to-end latency by 4.942%and the deployment cost by 8.045%.

Hypidone hydrochloride(YL-0919)ameliorates functional deficits after traumatic brain injury in mice by activating the sigma-1 receptor for antioxidation

Traumatic brain injury involves complex pathophysiological mechanisms,among which oxidative stress significantly contributes to the occurrence of secondary injury.In this study,we evaluated hypidone hydrochloride(YL-0919),a self-developed antidepressant with selective sigma-1 receptor agonist properties,and its associated mechanisms and targets in traumatic brain injury.Behavioral experiments to assess functional deficits were followed by assessment of neuronal damage through histological analyses and examination of blood-brain barrier permeability and brain edema.Next,we investigated the antioxidative effects of YL-0919 by assessing the levels of traditional markers of oxidative stress in vivo in mice and in vitro in HT22 cells.Finally,the targeted action of YL-0919 was verified by employing a sigma-1 receptor antagonist(BD-1047).Our findings demonstrated that YL-0919 markedly improved deficits in motor function and spatial cognition on day 3 post traumatic brain injury,while also decreasing neuronal mortality and reversing blood-brain barrier disruption and brain edema.Furthermore,YL-0919 effectively combated oxidative stress both in vivo and in vitro.The protective effects of YL-0919 were partially inhibited by BD-1047.These results indicated that YL-0919 relieved impairments in motor and spatial cognition by restraining oxidative stress,a neuroprotective effect that was partially reversed by the sigma-1 receptor antagonist BD-1047.YL-0919 may have potential as a new treatment for traumatic brain injury.

Hyperbolic Tangent Function-Based Protocols for Global/Semi-Global Finite-Time Consensus of Multi-Agent Systems

This paper investigates the problem of global/semi-global finite-time consensus for integrator-type multi-agent sys-tems.New hyperbolic tangent function-based protocols are pro-posed to achieve global and semi-global finite-time consensus for both single-integrator and double-integrator multi-agent systems with leaderless undirected and leader-following directed commu-nication topologies.These new protocols not only provide an explicit upper-bound estimate for the settling time,but also have a user-prescribed bounded control level.In addition,compared to some existing results based on the saturation function,the pro-posed approach considerably simplifies the protocol design and the stability analysis.Illustrative examples and an application demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed protocols.

Emerging insights into the function of very long chain fatty acids at cerebellar synapses

Very long chain-saturated and-polyunsaturated fatty acids(VLC-SFA and VLC-PUFA, respectively) are a functionally important class of fatty acids containing 28 carbons or more in their acyl chain. They are synthesized by the elongation of very long fatty acids-4(ELOVL4) enzyme, expressed mainly in the brain, retina, skin, testes, and meibomian gland, where these fatty acids are found(Agbaga et al., 2008). Further, these organs exhibit tissuespecific VLC-PUFA and VLC-SFA biosynthesis and incorporation into complex lipids for specific functions. In the brain, skin, and Meibomian glands, the ELOVL4 mainly makes VLC-SFA, which are incorporated into complex sphingolipids. In the retina, the ELOVL4 makes VLC-PUFA that are incorporated into phosphatidylcholine, that are critical for visual function, while in testes and sperm, the VLC-PUFA are incorporated into sphingolipids that are critical for fertility(Yeboah et al., 2021).

Transfer matrix method for free and forced vibrations of multi-level functionally graded material stepped beams with different boundary conditions

Functionally graded materials(FGMs)are a novel class of composite materials that have attracted significant attention in the field of engineering due to their unique mechanical properties.This study aims to explore the dynamic behaviors of an FGM stepped beam with different boundary conditions based on an efficient solving method.Under the assumptions of the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory,the governing differential equations of an individual FGM beam are derived with Hamilton’s principle and decoupled via the separation-of-variable approach.Then,the free and forced vibrations of the FGM stepped beam are solved with the transfer matrix method(TMM).Two models,i.e.,a three-level FGM stepped beam and a five-level FGM stepped beam,are considered,and their natural frequencies and mode shapes are presented.To demonstrate the validity of the method in this paper,the simulation results by ABAQUS are also given.On this basis,the detailed parametric analyses on the frequencies and dynamic responses of the three-level FGM stepped beam are carried out.The results show the accuracy and efficiency of the TMM.

Exact solution for thermal vibration of multi-directional functionally graded porous plates submerged in fluid medium

An analytical method for analyzing the thermal vibration of multi-directional functionally graded porous rectangular plates in fluid media with novel porosity patterns is developed in this study.Mechanical properties of MFG porous plates change according to the length,width,and thickness directions for various materials and the porosity distribution which can be widely applied in many fields of engineering and defence technology.Especially,new porous rules that depend on spatial coordinates and grading indexes are proposed in the present work.Applying Hamilton's principle and the refined higher-order shear deformation plate theory,the governing equation of motion of an MFG porous rectangular plate in a fluid medium(the fluid-plate system)is obtained.The fluid velocity potential is derived from the boundary conditions of the fluid-plate system and is used to compute the extra mass.The GalerkinVlasov solution is used to solve and give natural frequencies of MFG porous plates with various boundary conditions in a fluid medium.The validity and reliability of the suggested method are confirmed by comparing numerical results of the present work with those from available works in the literature.The effects of different parameters on the thermal vibration response of MFG porous rectangular plates are studied in detail.These findings demonstrate that the behavior of the structure within a liquid medium differs significantly from that within a vacuum medium.Thereby,they offer appropriate operational approaches for the structure when employed in various mediums.

The complex role of protocadherin-19 in brain function:a focus on the oxytocin system

Mutations in the protocadherin-19(PCDH19)gene(Xq22.1)cause the X-linked syndrome known as developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 9(DEE9,OMIM#300088)(Dibbens et al.,2008).DEE9 is characterized by early-onset clustering epilepsy associated with intellectual disability ranging from mild to profound,autism spectrum disorder,and other neuropsychiatric features including schizophrenia,anxiety,attentiondeficit/hyperactivity,and obsessive or aggressive behaviors.While seizures may become less frequent in adolescence,psychiatric comorbidities persist and often worsen with age(Dibbens et al.,2008;Kolc et al.,2020).

Neuropeptide cholecystokinin:a key neuromodulator for hippocampal functions

Spatial memory is crucial for survival within external surroundings and wild environments.The hippocampus,a critical hub for spatial learning and memory formation,has received extensive investigations on how neuromodulators shape its functions(Teixeira et al.,2018;Zhang et al.,2024).However,the landscape of neuromodulations in the hippocampal system remains poorly understood because most studies focus on classical monoamine neuromodulators,such as acetylcholine,serotonin,dopamine,and noradrenaline.The neuropeptides,comprising the most abundant neuromodulators in the central nervous system,play a pivotal role in neural information processing in the hippocampal system.Cholecystokinin(CCK),one of the most abundant neuropeptides,has been implicated in regulating various physiological and neurobiological statuses(Chen et al.,2019).CCK-A receptor(CCK-AR)and CCK-B receptors(CCK-BR)are two key receptors mediating the biological functions of CCK,both of which belong to class-A sevenfold transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors(Nishimura et al.,2015).CCK-AR preferentially reacts to sulfated CCK,whereas CCK-BR binds both CCK and gastrin with similar affinities(Ding et al.,2022).The expression patterns of CCK-AR and CCK-BR are distinct,implying that CCK has various functions in target regions.For instance,CCK-AR is widely expressed in the GI and brain subregions and is hence implicated in the control of digestive function and satiety regulation.Conversely,CCK-BR is abundantly and widely distributed in the central nervous system,which majorly regulates anxiety,learning,and memory(Ding et al.,2022).However,the roles of endogenous CCK and CCK receptors in regulating hippocampal function at electrophysiological and behavioral levels have received less attention.

Corrigendum: MicroRNA-502-3p regulates GABAergic synapse function in hippocampal neurons

There is an error in the name of the cell line in the abstract of the published paper“MicroRNA-502-3p regulates GABAergic synapse function in hippocampal neurons”published on pages 2698-2707,Issue 12,Volume 19 of Neural Regeneration Research(Sharma et al.,2024),because of oversight during final proof checking.The correct description should be“human-GABA receptor A-α1/β2/γ2L human embryonic kidney(HEK)recombinant cell line.”The authors apologize for any inconvenience this correction may cause for readers and editors of Neural Regeneration Research.

Chondroitinase ABC combined with Schwann cell transplantation enhances restoration of neural connection and functional recovery following acute and chronic spinal cord injury

Schwann cell transplantation is considered one of the most promising cell-based therapy to repair injured spinal cord due to its unique growth-promoting and myelin-forming properties.A the Food and Drug Administration-approved Phase I clinical trial has been conducted to evaluate the safety of transplanted human autologous Schwann cells to treat patients with spinal cord injury.A major challenge for Schwann cell transplantation is that grafted Schwann cells are confined within the lesion cavity,and they do not migrate into the host environment due to the inhibitory barrier formed by injury-induced glial scar,thus limiting axonal reentry into the host spinal cord.Here we introduce a combinatorial strategy by suppressing the inhibitory extracellular environment with injection of lentivirus-mediated transfection of chondroitinase ABC gene at the rostral and caudal borders of the lesion site and simultaneously leveraging the repair capacity of transplanted Schwann cells in adult rats following a mid-thoracic contusive spinal cord injury.We report that when the glial scar was degraded by chondroitinase ABC at the rostral and caudal lesion borders,Schwann cells migrated for considerable distances in both rostral and caudal directions.Such Schwann cell migration led to enhanced axonal regrowth,including the serotonergic and dopaminergic axons originating from supraspinal regions,and promoted recovery of locomotor and urinary bladder functions.Importantly,the Schwann cell survival and axonal regrowth persisted up to 6 months after the injury,even when treatment was delayed for 3 months to mimic chronic spinal cord injury.These findings collectively show promising evidence for a combinatorial strategy with chondroitinase ABC and Schwann cells in promoting remodeling and recovery of function following spinal cord injury.

Movement Function Assessment Based on Human Pose Estimation from Multi-View

Human pose estimation is a basic and critical task in the field of computer vision that involves determining the position(or spatial coordinates)of the joints of the human body in a given image or video.It is widely used in motion analysis,medical evaluation,and behavior monitoring.In this paper,the authors propose a method for multi-view human pose estimation.Two image sensors were placed orthogonally with respect to each other to capture the pose of the subject as they moved,and this yielded accurate and comprehensive results of three-dimensional(3D)motion reconstruction that helped capture their multi-directional poses.Following this,we propose a method based on 3D pose estimation to assess the similarity of the features of motion of patients with motor dysfunction by comparing differences between their range of motion and that of normal subjects.We converted these differences into Fugl–Meyer assessment(FMA)scores in order to quantify them.Finally,we implemented the proposed method in the Unity framework,and built a Virtual Reality platform that provides users with human–computer interaction to make the task more enjoyable for them and ensure their active participation in the assessment process.The goal is to provide a suitable means of assessing movement disorders without requiring the immediate supervision of a physician.

Emerging role of A-kinase anchoring protein 5 signaling in reward circuit function

There is a strong evidence supporting the hypothesis of synaptic dysfunction as a major contributor to neural circuit and network disruption underlying emotional and mood dysregulation in psychiatric disorders(Simmons et al.,2024).Diverse sets of distinct molecular signaling pathways converge on the synapse to regulate synaptogenesis,synaptic function,and synaptic plasticity in brain regions and circuits through complex interactions organized by numerous multivalent protein scaffolds,including the family of proteins known as A-kinase anchoring proteins(AKAPs).

Resting-state brain network remodeling after different nerve reconstruction surgeries:a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in brachial plexus injury rats

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.

Social function scores and influencing factors in patients with residual depressive symptoms

BACKGROUND At present,the influencing factors of social function in patients with residual depressive symptoms are still unclear.Residual depressive symptoms are highly harmful,leading to low mood in patients,affecting work and interpersonal communication,increasing the risk of recurrence,and adding to the burden on families.Studying the influencing factors of their social function is of great significance.AIM To explore the social function score and its influencing factors in patients with residual depressive symptoms.METHODS This observational study surveyed patients with residual depressive symptoms(case group)and healthy patients undergoing physical examinations(control group).Participants were admitted between January 2022 and December 2023.Social functioning was assessed using the Sheehan Disability Scale(SDS),and scores were compared between groups.Factors influencing SDS scores in patients with residual depressive symptoms were analyzed by applying multiple linear regression while using the receiver operating characteristic curve,and these RESULTS The SDS scores of the 158 patients with depressive symptoms were 11.48±3.26.Compared with the control group,the SDS scores and all items in the case group were higher.SDS scores were higher in patients with relapse,discon-tinuous medication,drug therapy alone,severe somatic symptoms,obvious residual symptoms,and anxiety scores≥8.Disease history,medication compliance,therapy method,and residual symptoms correlated positively with SDS scores(r=0.354,0.414,0.602,and 0.456,respectively).Independent influencing factors included disease history,medication compliance,therapy method,somatic symptoms,residual symptoms,and anxiety scores(P<0.05).The areas under the curve for predicting social functional impairment using these factors were 0.713,0.559,0.684,0.729,0.668,and 0.628,respectively,with sensitivities of 79.2%,61.8%,76.8%,81.7%,63.6%,and 65.5%and specificities of 83.3%,87.5%,82.6%,83.3%,86.7%,and 92.1%,respectively.CONCLUSION The social function scores of patients with residual symptoms of depression are high.They are affected by disease history,medication compliance,therapy method,degree of somatic symptoms,residual symptoms,and anxiety.

3D Printing of Tough Hydrogel Scaffolds with Functional Surface Structures for Tissue Regeneration

Hydrogel scaffolds have numerous potential applications in the tissue engineering field.However,tough hydrogel scaffolds implanted in vivo are seldom reported because it is difficult to balance biocompatibility and high mechanical properties.Inspired by Chinese ramen,we propose a universal fabricating method(printing-P,training-T,cross-linking-C,PTC&PCT)for tough hydrogel scaffolds to fill this gap.First,3D printing fabricates a hydrogel scaffold with desired structures(P).Then,the scaffold could have extraordinarily high mechanical properties and functional surface structure by cycle mechanical training with salting-out assistance(T).Finally,the training results are fixed by photo-cross-linking processing(C).The tough gelatin hydrogel scaffolds exhibit excellent tensile strength of 6.66 MPa(622-fold untreated)and have excellent biocompatibility.Furthermore,this scaffold possesses functional surface structures from nanometer to micron to millimeter,which can efficiently induce directional cell growth.Interestingly,this strategy can produce bionic human tissue with mechanical properties of 10 kPa-10 MPa by changing the type of salt,and many hydrogels,such as gelatin and silk,could be improved with PTC or PCT strategies.Animal experiments show that this scaffold can effectively promote the new generation of muscle fibers,blood vessels,and nerves within 4 weeks,prompting the rapid regeneration of large-volume muscle loss injuries.

Near-infrared brain functional characteristics of mild cognitive impairment with sleep disorders

BACKGROUND Mild cognitive impairment(MCI)has a high risk of progression to Alzheimer’s disease.The disease is often accompanied by sleep disorders,and whether sleep disorders have an effect on brain function in patients with MCI is unclear.AIM To explore the near-infrared brain function characteristics of MCI with sleep disorders.METHODS A total of 120 patients with MCI(MCI group)and 50 healthy subjects(control group)were selected.All subjects underwent the functional near-infrared spec-troscopy test.Collect baseline data,Mini-Mental State Examination,Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale,fatigue severity scale(FSS)score,sleep parameter,and oxyhemoglobin(Oxy-Hb)concentration and peak time of functional near-infrared spectroscopy test during the task period.The relationship between Oxy-RESULTS Compared with the control group,the FSS score of the MCI group was higher(t=11.310),and the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index,sleep time,sleep efficiency,nocturnal sleep disturbance,and daytime dysfunction were higher(Z=-10.518,-10.368,-9.035,-10.661,-10.088).Subjective sleep quality and total sleep time scores were lower(Z=-11.592,-9.924).The sleep efficiency of the MCI group was lower,and the awakening frequency,rem sleep latency period,total sleep time,and oxygen desaturation index were higher(t=5.969,5.829,2.887,3.003,5.937).The Oxy-Hb concentration at T0,T1,and T2 in the MCI group was lower(t=14.940,11.280,5.721),and the peak time was higher(t=18.800,13.350,9.827).In MCI patients,the concentration of Oxy-Hb during T0 was negatively correlated with the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index,sleep time,total sleep time,and sleep efficiency(r=-0.611,-0.388,-0.563,-0.356).It was positively correlated with sleep efficiency and total sleep time(r=0.754,0.650),and negatively correlated with oxygen desaturation index(r=-0.561)and FSS score(r=-0.526).All comparisons were P<0.05.CONCLUSION Patients with MCI and sleep disorders have lower near-infrared brain function than normal people,which is related to sleep quality.Clinically,a comprehensive assessment of the near-infrared brain function of patients should be carried out to guide targeted treatment and improve curative effect.

Elafibranor:A promising therapeutic approach for liver fibrosis and gut barrier dysfunction in alcohol-associated liver disease

This article discusses the recent study written by Koizumi et al.Alcohol-associated liver disease(ALD)is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality,which is driven by complex mechanisms,including lipid accumulation,apoptosis,and inflammatory responses exacerbated by gut barrier dysfunction.The study explored the therapeutic potential of elafibranor,a dual peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor alpha/delta agonist.In clinical trials,elafibranor has shown promise for the treatment of other liver conditions;however,its effects on ALD remain unclear.The authors’findings indicate that elafibranor significantly reduced liver fibrosis and enhanced gut barrier integrity in patients with ALD.These positive effects of elafibranor are mediated through multiple pathways.Elafibranor promotes lipid metabolism,reduces oxidative stress,and inhibits inflammatory responses by restoring gut barrier function.Specifically,it improves hepatocyte function by enhancing autophagic and antioxidant capacity,and it mitigates inflammation by suppressing the lipopolysaccharide/toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.These findings indicate that elafibranor has promising clinical applications.In addition,the study highlights elafibranor’s potential as a therapeutic agent for liver diseases,particularly ALD.This article underscores the importance of understanding the mechanistic pathways underlying ALD and suggests directions for future research aimed at elucidating the benefits and limitations of elafibranor.

Enhancement of motor functional recovery in thoracic spinal cord injury: voluntary wheel running versus forced treadmill exercise

Spinal cord injury necessitates effective rehabilitation strategies, with exercise therapies showing promise in promoting recovery. This study investigated the impact of rehabilitation exercise on functional recovery and morphological changes following thoracic contusive spinal cord injury. After a 7-day recovery period after spinal cord injury, mice were assigned to either a trained group(10 weeks of voluntary running wheel or forced treadmill exercise) or an untrained group. Bi-weekly assessments revealed that the exercise-trained group, particularly the voluntary wheel exercise subgroup, displayed significantly improved locomotor recovery, more plasticity of dopaminergic and serotonin modulation compared with the untrained group. Additionally, exercise interventions led to gait pattern restoration and enhanced transcranial magnetic motor-evoked potentials. Despite consistent injury areas across groups, exercise training promoted terminal innervation of descending axons. In summary, voluntary wheel exercise shows promise for enhancing outcomes after thoracic contusive spinal cord injury, emphasizing the role of exercise modality in promoting recovery and morphological changes in spinal cord injuries. Our findings will influence future strategies for rehabilitation exercises, restoring functional movement after spinal cord injury.

Pharmacological targeting cGAS/STING/NF-κB axis by tryptanthrin induces microglia polarization toward M2 phenotype and promotes functional recovery in a mouse model of spinal cord injury

The M1/M2 phenotypic shift of microglia after spinal cord injury plays an important role in the regulation of neuroinflammation during the secondary injury phase of spinal cord injury.Regulation of shifting microglia polarization from M1(neurotoxic and proinflammatory type)to M2(neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory type)after spinal cord injury appears to be crucial.Tryptanthrin possesses an anti-inflammatory biological function.However,its roles and the underlying molecular mechanisms in spinal cord injury remain unknown.In this study,we found that tryptanthrin inhibited microglia-derived inflammation by promoting polarization to the M2 phenotype in vitro.Tryptanthrin promoted M2 polarization through inactivating the cGAS/STING/NF-κB pathway.Additionally,we found that targeting the cGAS/STING/NF-κB pathway with tryptanthrin shifted microglia from the M1 to M2 phenotype after spinal cord injury,inhibited neuronal loss,and promoted tissue repair and functional recovery in a mouse model of spinal cord injury.Finally,using a conditional co-culture system,we found that microglia treated with tryptanthrin suppressed endoplasmic reticulum stress-related neuronal apoptosis.Taken together,these results suggest that by targeting the cGAS/STING/NF-κB axis,tryptanthrin attenuates microglia-derived neuroinflammation and promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury through shifting microglia polarization to the M2 phenotype.