Cell adhesion plays pivotal roles in the morphogenesis of multicellular organisms.Epithelial cells form several types of cell-to-cell adhesion,including zonula occludens(tight junctions),zonula adhaerens(adherens junc...Cell adhesion plays pivotal roles in the morphogenesis of multicellular organisms.Epithelial cells form several types of cell-to-cell adhesion,including zonula occludens(tight junctions),zonula adhaerens(adherens junctions),and macula adhaerens(desmosomes).Although these adhesion complexes are basically observed only in epithelial cells,cadherins,which are the major cell adhesion molecules of adherens junctions,are expressed in both epithelial and non-epithelial tissues,including neural tissues(Kawauchi,2012).The cadherin superfamily consists of more than 100 members,but classic cadherins.展开更多
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 hi...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.展开更多
γ-Secretase,called“the proteasome of the membrane,”is a membrane-embedded protease complex that cleaves 150+peptide substrates with central roles in biology and medicine,including amyloid precursor protein and the ...γ-Secretase,called“the proteasome of the membrane,”is a membrane-embedded protease complex that cleaves 150+peptide substrates with central roles in biology and medicine,including amyloid precursor protein and the Notch family of cell-surface receptors.Mutations inγ-secretase and amyloid precursor protein lead to early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease.γ-Secretase has thus served as a critical drug target for treating familial Alzheimer’s disease and the more common late-onset Alzheimer’s disease as well.However,critical gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms of processive proteolysis of substrates,the effects of familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations,and allosteric modulation of substrate cleavage byγ-secretase.In this review,we focus on recent studies of structural dynamic mechanisms ofγ-secretase.Different mechanisms,including the“Fit-Stay-Trim,”“Sliding-Unwinding,”and“Tilting-Unwinding,”have been proposed for substrate proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein byγ-secretase based on all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.While an incorrect registry of the Notch1 substrate was identified in the cryo-electron microscopy structure of Notch1-boundγ-secretase,molecular dynamics simulations on a resolved model of Notch1-boundγ-secretase that was reconstructed using the amyloid precursor protein-boundγ-secretase as a template successfully capturedγ-secretase activation for proper cleavages of both wildtype and mutant Notch,being consistent with biochemical experimental findings.The approach could be potentially applied to decipher the processing mechanisms of various substrates byγ-secretase.In addition,controversy over the effects of familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations,particularly the issue of whether they stabilize or destabilizeγ-secretase-substrate complexes,is discussed.Finally,an outlook is provided for future studies ofγ-secretase,including pathways of substrate binding and product release,effects of modulators on familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations of theγ-secretase-substrate complexes.Comprehensive understanding of the functional mechanisms ofγ-secretase will greatly facilitate the rational design of effective drug molecules for treating familial Alzheimer’s disease and perhaps Alzheimer’s disease in general.展开更多
Atomic-scale doping strategies and structure design play pivotal roles in tailoring the electronic structure and physicochemical property of electromagnetic wave absorption(EMWA)materials.However,the relationship betw...Atomic-scale doping strategies and structure design play pivotal roles in tailoring the electronic structure and physicochemical property of electromagnetic wave absorption(EMWA)materials.However,the relationship between configuration and electromagnetic(EM)loss mechanism has remained elusive.Herein,drawing inspiration from the DNA transcription process,we report the successful synthesis of novel in situ Mn/N co-doped helical carbon nanotubes with ultrabroad EMWA capability.Theoretical calculation and EM simulation confirm that the orbital coupling and spin polarization of the Mn–N4–C configuration,along with cross polarization generated by the helical structure,endow the helical converters with enhanced EM loss.As a result,HMC-8 demonstrates outstanding EMWA performance,achieving a minimum reflection loss of−63.13 dB at an ultralow thickness of 1.29 mm.Through precise tuning of the graphite domain size,HMC-7 achieves an effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)of 6.08 GHz at 2.02 mm thickness.Furthermore,constructing macroscale gradient metamaterials enables an ultrabroadband EAB of 12.16 GHz at a thickness of only 5.00 mm,with the maximum radar cross section reduction value reaching 36.4 dB m2.This innovative approach not only advances the understanding of metal–nonmetal co-doping but also realizes broadband EMWA,thus contributing to the development of EMWA mechanisms and applications.展开更多
BACKGROUND Skeletal muscle alterations(SMAs)are being increasingly recognized in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)and appear to be associated with deleterious outcomes in the...BACKGROUND Skeletal muscle alterations(SMAs)are being increasingly recognized in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)and appear to be associated with deleterious outcomes in these patients.However,their actual prevalence and pathophysiology remain to be elucidated.AIM To determine the prevalence of SMAs and to assess the significance of circulating myokines as biomarkers in patients with MASLD.METHODS Skeletal muscle strength and muscle mass were measured in a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 62 patients fulfilling MASLD criteria,recruited from the outpatient clinics of a tertiary level hospital.The degree of fibrosis and liver steatosis was studied using abdominal ultrasound and transitional elastography.Anthropometric and metabolic characteristics as well as serum levels of different myokines were also determined in the MASLD cohort.Statistical analysis was performed comparing results according to liver fibrosis and steatosis.RESULTS No significant differences were found in both skeletal muscle strength and skeletal muscle mass in patients with MASLD between different stages of liver fibrosis.Interestingly,serum levels of fibroblast growth factor-21(FGF21)were significantly higher in patients with MASLD with advanced hepatic fibrosis(F3-F4)than in those with lower fibrosis stages(F0-F2)(197.49±198.27 pg/mL vs 95.62±83.67 pg/mL;P=0.049).In addition,patients with MASLD with severe hepatosteatosis(S3)exhibited significantly higher serum levels of irisin(1116.87±1161.86 pg/mL)than those with lower grades(S1-S2)(385.21±375.98 pg/mL;P=0.001).CONCLUSION SMAs were uncommon in the patients with MASLD studied.Higher serum levels of irisin and FGF21 were detected in patients with advanced liver steatosis and fibrosis,respectively,with potential implications as biomarkers.展开更多
In this study,a comprehensive analysis of microstructural features,morphology,crystal structures,and interface structures of long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)structures in a non-equilibrium Mg_(97)Zn_(1)Y_(16)Ca_(0.4...In this study,a comprehensive analysis of microstructural features,morphology,crystal structures,and interface structures of long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)structures in a non-equilibrium Mg_(97)Zn_(1)Y_(16)Ca_(0.4)alloy cast in a steel mold was carried out.The addition of Ca element plays an important role in the refinement of LPSO structure.The result reveals new poly-types including 20H F2F2F4,60R(F2F3F3)_(3),and 66H F2F3F3F2(F6)_(4)featuring a 6-Mg structure,alongside the prevalent 18R and 14H LPSO structures.The incoherent interface between 20H and the Mg matrix is split into two dislocation arrays,leading to the formation of a segment of 60R_(1).Moreover,the superstructure 116L,designated as(F2)_(18)F4,is formed through the ordered distribution of F4 stacking faults in 18R.展开更多
Taking a widely contaminated yet abundant waste,such as poultry feathers,and extracting keratin from this struc-ture appears to be a real challenge whenever the preservation of the secondary structure of the protein i...Taking a widely contaminated yet abundant waste,such as poultry feathers,and extracting keratin from this struc-ture appears to be a real challenge whenever the preservation of the secondary structure of the protein is desired.This process would allow exploiting it in ways(e.g.,in the biomedicalfield)that are inspired by a structure that is primarily designed forflight,therefore capable specifically of withstandingflexure and lateral buckling,also with very low thicknesses.The preservation of the structure is based on disulfide crosslinks,and it is offered with pre-ference by some chemical treatments,mainly those based on ionic liquid and on a reduction process.However,the degree of preservation cannot always be precisely assessed;however,beyond chemical characterization,the forma-tion of homogeneous gels can also suggest that the process was successful in this sense.An extraction respectful of nature’s intentions,considering that the secondary structure builds up according to the very function of the feath-ers in the animal,can be deemed to be biomimetic.In particular,biomimetic extractions comply with the very characteristics the protein was designed for to serve in the specific environmental and mechanical situation in which it is inserted.This review tries to elucidate in which cases this aim is achieved and for which specific appli-cations a chicken feather keratin that has preserved its secondary structure can be suited.展开更多
Novel ordered intermetallic compounds have stimulated much interest.Ru–Al alloys are a prominent class of hightemperature structural materials,but the experimentally reported crystal structure of the intermetallic Ru...Novel ordered intermetallic compounds have stimulated much interest.Ru–Al alloys are a prominent class of hightemperature structural materials,but the experimentally reported crystal structure of the intermetallic Ru_(2)Al_(5) phase remains elusive and debatable.To resolve this controversy,we extensively explored the crystal structures of Ru_(2)Al_(5) using first-principles calculations combined with crystal structure prediction technique.Among the calculated x-ray diffraction patterns and lattice parameters of five candidate Ru2Al5structures,those of the orthorhombic Pmmn structure best aligned with recent experimental results.The structural stabilities of the five Ru_(2)Al_(5)structures were confirmed through formation energy,elastic constants,and phonon spectrum calculations.We also comprehensively analyzed the mechanical and electronic properties of the five candidates.This work can guide the exploration of novel ordered intermetallic compounds in Ru–Al alloys.展开更多
The optimization of civil engineering structures is critical for enhancing structural performance and material efficiency in engineering applications.Structural optimization approaches seek to determine the optimal de...The optimization of civil engineering structures is critical for enhancing structural performance and material efficiency in engineering applications.Structural optimization approaches seek to determine the optimal design,by considering material performance,cost,and structural safety.The design approaches aim to reduce the built environment’s energy use and carbon emissions.This comprehensive review examines optimization techniques,including size,shape,topology,and multi-objective approaches,by integrating these methodologies.The trends and advancements that contribute to developing more efficient,cost-effective,and reliable structural designs were identified.The review also discusses emerging technologies,such as machine learning applications with different optimization techniques.Optimization of truss,frame,tensegrity,reinforced concrete,origami,pantographic,and adaptive structures are covered and discussed.Optimization techniques are explained,including metaheuristics,genetic algorithm,particle swarm,ant-colony,harmony search algorithm,and their applications with mentioned structure types.Linear and non-linear structures,including geometric and material nonlinearity,are distinguished.The role of optimization in active structures,structural design,seismic design,form-finding,and structural control is taken into account,and the most recent techniques and advancements are mentioned.展开更多
Kinked rebar is a special type of steel material,which is installed in beam column nodes and frame beams.It effectively enhances the blast resilience,seismic collapse resistance,and progressive collapse resistance of ...Kinked rebar is a special type of steel material,which is installed in beam column nodes and frame beams.It effectively enhances the blast resilience,seismic collapse resistance,and progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete(RC)structures without imposing substantial cost burdens,thereby emerging as a focal point of recent research endeavors.On the basis of explaining the working principle of kinked rebars,this paper reviews the research status of kinked rebars at home and abroad from three core domains:the tensile mechanical properties of kinked rebars,beam column nodes with kinked rebars,and concrete frame structures with kinked rebars.The analysis underscores that the straightening process of kinked rebars does not compromise their ultimate strength but significantly bolsters structural ductility and enhances energy dissipation capabilities.In beam-column joints,the incorporation of kinked rebars facilitates the seamless transfer of plastic hinges,adhering to the design principle of“strong columns and weak beams.”In addition,kinked rebars can greatly improve the resistance of the beam;The seismic resistance,internal explosion resistance,and progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete frame structures with kinked rebar have significantly improved.Beyond its primary application,the principle of kinked rebar was extended to other applications of kinked materials such as corrugated steel plates and origami structures,and the stress characteristics of related components and structures were studied.Intriguingly,this paper also proposes the application of kinked rebars in bridge engineering,aiming to address the challenges of localized damage concentration and excessive residual displacement in RC bridge piers.The introduction of kinked rebars in piers is envisioned to mitigate these issues,with the paper outlining its advantages and feasibility,thereby offering valuable insights for future research on kinked reinforcement and seismic design strategies for bridges.展开更多
The Reliability-Based Design Optimization(RBDO)of complex engineering structures considering uncertainties has problems of being high-dimensional,highly nonlinear,and timeconsuming,which requires a significant amount ...The Reliability-Based Design Optimization(RBDO)of complex engineering structures considering uncertainties has problems of being high-dimensional,highly nonlinear,and timeconsuming,which requires a significant amount of sampling simulation computation.In this paper,a basis-adaptive Polynomial Chaos(PC)-Kriging surrogate model is proposed,in order to relieve the computational burden and enhance the predictive accuracy of a metamodel.The active learning basis-adaptive PC-Kriging model is combined with a quantile-based RBDO framework.Finally,five engineering cases have been implemented,including a benchmark RBDO problem,three high-dimensional explicit problems,and a high-dimensional implicit problem.Compared with Support Vector Regression(SVR),Kriging,and polynomial chaos expansion models,results show that the proposed basis-adaptive PC-Kriging model is more accurate and efficient for RBDO problems of complex engineering structures.展开更多
This study presents a generalized two-dimensional model for evaluating the stationary hygro-thermo-mechanical response of laminated shell structures made of advanced materials.It introduces a generalized kinematic mod...This study presents a generalized two-dimensional model for evaluating the stationary hygro-thermo-mechanical response of laminated shell structures made of advanced materials.It introduces a generalized kinematic model,enabling the assessment of arbitrary values of temperature variation and mass concentration variation for the unvaried configuration at the top and bottom surfaces.This is achieved through the Equivalent Layer-Wise description of the unknown field variable using higher-order polynomials and zigzag functions.In addition,an elastic foundation is modeled utilizing the Winkler-Pasternak theory.The fundamental equations,derived from the total free energy of the system,are solved analytically using Navier’s method.Then,the Fourier-based generalized differential quadrature numerical method is adopted to efficiently recover the through-the-thickness distribution of secondary variables in agreement with the hygro-thermal loading conditions.The formulation is applied in some examples of investigation where the response of panels of different curvature and lamination schemes is evaluated under external hygro-thermal fluxes and prescribed values of temperature and moisture concentration.In addition,this study investigates the effect of the hygro-thermal coupling due to Dufour and Soret effect.The present formulation is verified to be a valuable tool for reducing computational effort and determining the effect on the mechanical response of laminated structures in a thermal and hygrometric environment.展开更多
Rice seedling blight,caused by various fungi,including Fusarium oxysporum,poses a severe threat to rice production.As awareness grows regarding the environmental and safety hazards associated with the application of f...Rice seedling blight,caused by various fungi,including Fusarium oxysporum,poses a severe threat to rice production.As awareness grows regarding the environmental and safety hazards associated with the application of fungicides for managing rice seedling blight,there has been a shift in focus towards biological control agents.In this study,we isolated biocontrol bacteria from paddy fields that significantly inhibited the growth of F.oxysporum in vitro and identified the strains as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens T40 and Bacillus pumilus T208.Additionally,our findings indicated that the combined application of these Bacillus strains in soil was more effective in reducing the incidence of rice seedling blight than their individual use.Analysis of 16S and internal transcribed spacer rRNA gene sequencing data revealed that the mixture of the T40 and T208 strains exhibited the lowest average clustering coefficients,which were negatively correlated with the biomass of F.oxysporum-inoculated rice seedlings.Furthermore,this mixture led to higher stochastic assembly(average|βNTI|<2)and reduced selection pressures on rice rhizosphere bacteria compared with individual strain applications.The mixture of the T40 and T208 strains also significantly increased the expression of defense-related genes.In conclusion,the mixture of the T40 and T208 strains effectively modulates microbial community structures,enhances microbial network stability,and boosts the resistance against rice seedling blight.Our study supports the development and utilization of biological resources for crop protection.展开更多
Inspired by nature's self-similar designs,novel honeycomb-spiderweb based self-similar hybrid cellular structures are proposed here for efficient energy absorption in impact applications.The energy absorption is e...Inspired by nature's self-similar designs,novel honeycomb-spiderweb based self-similar hybrid cellular structures are proposed here for efficient energy absorption in impact applications.The energy absorption is enhanced by optimizing the geometry and topology for a given mass.The proposed hybrid cellular structure is arrived after a thorough analysis of topologically enhanced self-similar structures.The optimized cell designs are rigorously tested considering dynamic loads involving crush and high-velocity bullet impact.Furthermore,the influence of thickness,radial connectivity,and order of patterning at the unit cell level are also investigated.The maximum crushing efficiency attained is found to be more than 95%,which is significantly higher than most existing traditional designs.Later on,the first and second-order hierarchical self-similar unit cell designs developed during crush analysis are used to prepare the cores for sandwich structures.Impact tests are performed on the developed sandwich structures using the standard 9-mm parabellum.The influence of multistaging on impact resistance is also investigated by maintaining a constant total thickness and mass of the sandwich structure.Moreover,in order to avoid layer-wise weak zones and hence,attain a uniform out-of-plane impact strength,off-setting the designs in each stage is proposed.The sandwich structures with first and second-order self-similar hybrid cores are observed to withstand impact velocities as high as 170 m/s and 270 m/s,respectively.展开更多
Skeletal muscles are essential for locomotion,posture,and metabolic regulation.To understand physiological processes,exercise adaptation,and muscle-related disorders,it is critical to understand the molecular pathways...Skeletal muscles are essential for locomotion,posture,and metabolic regulation.To understand physiological processes,exercise adaptation,and muscle-related disorders,it is critical to understand the molecular pathways that underlie skeletal muscle function.The process of muscle contra ction,orchestrated by a complex interplay of molecular events,is at the core of skeletal muscle function.Muscle contraction is initiated by an action potential and neuromuscular transmission requiring a neuromuscular junction.Within muscle fibers,calcium ions play a critical role in mediating the interaction between actin and myosin filaments that generate force.Regulation of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a key role in excitation-contraction coupling.The development and growth of skeletal muscle are regulated by a network of molecular pathways collectively known as myogenesis.Myogenic regulators coordinate the diffe rentiation of myoblasts into mature muscle fibers.Signaling pathways regulate muscle protein synthesis and hypertrophy in response to mechanical stimuli and nutrient availability.Seve ral muscle-related diseases,including congenital myasthenic disorders,sarcopenia,muscular dystrophies,and metabolic myopathies,are underpinned by dys regulated molecular pathways in skeletal muscle.Therapeutic interventions aimed at preserving muscle mass and function,enhancing regeneration,and improving metabolic health hold promise by targeting specific molecular pathways.Other molecular signaling pathways in skeletal muscle include the canonical Wnt signaling pathway,a critical regulator of myogenesis,muscle regeneration,and metabolic function,and the Hippo signaling pathway.In recent years,more details have been uncovered about the role of these two pathways during myogenesis and in developing and adult skeletal muscle fibers,and at the neuromuscular junction.In fact,research in the last few years now suggests that these two signaling pathways are interconnected and that they jointly control physiological and pathophysiological processes in muscle fibers.In this review,we will summarize and discuss the data on these two pathways,focusing on their concerted action next to their contribution to skeletal muscle biology.However,an in-depth discussion of the noncanonical Wnt pathway,the fibro/a dipogenic precursors,or the mechanosensory aspects of these pathways is not the focus of this review.展开更多
Three-dimensional ocean subsurface temperature and salinity structures(OST/OSS)in the South China Sea(SCS)play crucial roles in oceanic climate research and disaster mitigation.Traditionally,real-time OST and OSS are ...Three-dimensional ocean subsurface temperature and salinity structures(OST/OSS)in the South China Sea(SCS)play crucial roles in oceanic climate research and disaster mitigation.Traditionally,real-time OST and OSS are mainly obtained through in-situ ocean observations and simulation by ocean circulation models,which are usually challenging and costly.Recently,dynamical,statistical,or machine learning models have been proposed to invert the OST/OSS from sea surface information;however,these models mainly focused on the inversion of monthly OST and OSS.To address this issue,we apply clustering algorithms and employ a stacking strategy to ensemble three models(XGBoost,Random Forest,and LightGBM)to invert the real-time OST/OSS based on satellite-derived data and the Argo dataset.Subsequently,a fusion of temperature and salinity is employed to reconstruct OST and OSS.In the validation dataset,the depth-averaged Correlation(Corr)of the estimated OST(OSS)is 0.919(0.83),and the average Root-Mean-Square Error(RMSE)is0.639°C(0.087 psu),with a depth-averaged coefficient of determination(R~2)of 0.84(0.68).Notably,at the thermocline where the base models exhibit their maximum error,the stacking-based fusion model exhibited significant performance enhancement,with a maximum enhancement in OST and OSS inversion exceeding 10%.We further found that the estimated OST and OSS exhibit good agreement with the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model(HYCOM)data and BOA_Argo dataset during the passage of a mesoscale eddy.This study shows that the proposed model can effectively invert the real-time OST and OSS,potentially enhancing the understanding of multi-scale oceanic processes in the SCS.展开更多
Many countries throughout the world have experienced large earthquakes,which cause building damage or collapse.After such earthquakes,structures must be inspected rapidly to judge whether they are safe to reoccupy.To ...Many countries throughout the world have experienced large earthquakes,which cause building damage or collapse.After such earthquakes,structures must be inspected rapidly to judge whether they are safe to reoccupy.To facilitate the inspection process,the authors previously developed a rapid building safety assessment system using sparse acceleration measurements for steel framed buildings.The proposed system modeled nonlinearity in the measurement data using a calibrated simplified lumped-mass model and convolutional neural networks(CNNs),based on which the buildinglevel damage index was estimated rapidly after earthquakes.The proposed system was validated for a nonlinear 3D numerical model of a five-story steel building,and later for a large-scale specimen of an 18-story building in Japan tested on the E-Defense shaking table.However,the applicability of the safety assessment system for reinforced concrete(RC)structures with complex hysteretic material nonlinearity has yet to be explored;the previous approach based on a simplified lumpedmass model with a Bouc-Wen hysteretic model does not accurately represent the inherent nonlinear behavior and resulting damage states of RC structures.This study extends the rapid building safety assessment system to low-rise RC moment resisting frame structures representing typical residential apartments in Japan.First,a safety classification for RC structures based on a damage index consistent with the current state of practice is defined.Then,a 3D nonlinear numerical model of a two-story moment frame structure is created.A simplified lumped-mass nonlinear model is developed and calibrated using the 3D model,incorporating the Takeda degradation model for the RC material nonlinearity.This model is used to simulate the seismic response and associated damage sensitive features(DSF)for random ground motion.The resulting database of responses is used to train a convolutional neural network(CNN)that performs rapid safety assessment.The developed system is validated using the 3D nonlinear analysis model subjected to historical earthquakes.The results indicate the applicability of the proposed system for RC structures following seismic events.展开更多
Mammals such as humans develop skeletal muscles composed of muscle fibers and connective tissue,which have mechanical properties that enable power output with three-dimensional motion when activated.Artificial muscle-...Mammals such as humans develop skeletal muscles composed of muscle fibers and connective tissue,which have mechanical properties that enable power output with three-dimensional motion when activated.Artificial muscle-like actuators developed to date,such as the McKibben artificial muscle,often focus sole contractile elements and have rarely addressed the contribution of flexible connective tissue that forms an integral part of the structure and morphology of biological muscle.Herein,we present a class of pneumatic muscle-like actuators,termed highly mimetic skeletal muscle(HimiSK)actuator,that consist of parallelly arranged contractile units in a flexible matrix inspired by ultrasonic measurements on skeletal muscle.The contractile units act as a muscle fiber to produce active shortening force,and the flexible matrix functions as connective tissue to generate passive deformation.The application of positive pressure to the contractile units can produce a linear contraction and force.In this actuator,we assign different flexible materials as contractile units and a flexible matrix,thus forming five mold actuators.These actuators feature three-dimensional motion on activation and present both intrinsic force-velocity and force-length characteristics that closely resebmle those of a biological muscle.High output and tetanic force produced by harder contractile units improve the maximum output force by up to about 41.3%and the tetanic force by up to about 168%.Moreover,high displacement and velocity can be generated by a softer flexible matrix,with the improvement of maximum displacement up to about 33.3%and velocity up to about 73%.The results demonstrate that contractile units play a crucial role in force generation,while the flexible matrix has a significant impact on force transmission and deformation;the final force,velocity,displacement,and three-dimensional motion results from the interplay of contractile units,fluid and flexible matrix.Our approach introduces a model of the presented HimiSK actuators to better understand the mechanical behaviors,force generation,and transmission in bioinspired soft actuators,and highlights the importance of using flexible connective tissue to form a structure and configuration similar to that of skeletal muscle,which has potential usefulness in the design of effective artificial muscle.展开更多
Optical multilayer thin film structures have been widely used in numerous photonic applications.However,existing inverse design methods have many drawbacks because they either fail to quickly adapt to different design...Optical multilayer thin film structures have been widely used in numerous photonic applications.However,existing inverse design methods have many drawbacks because they either fail to quickly adapt to different design targets,or are difficult to suit for different types of structures,e.g.,designing for different materials at each layer.These methods also cannot accommodate versatile design situations under different angles and polarizations.In addition,how to benefit practical fabrications and manufacturing has not been extensively considered yet.In this work,we introduce OptoGPT(Opto Generative Pretrained Transformer),a decoder-only transformer,to solve all these drawbacks and issues simultaneously.展开更多
BACKGROUND The relation between orthodontic treatment and temporomandibular disorders(TMDs)is under debate;the management of TMD during orthodontic treatment has always been a challenge.If TMD symptoms occur during or...BACKGROUND The relation between orthodontic treatment and temporomandibular disorders(TMDs)is under debate;the management of TMD during orthodontic treatment has always been a challenge.If TMD symptoms occur during orthodontic treatment,an immediate pause of orthodontic adjustments is recommended;the treatment can resume when the symptoms are managed and stabilized.CASE SUMMARY This case report presents a patient(26-year-old,female)with angle class I,skeletal class II and TMDs.The treatment was a hybrid of clear aligners,fixed appliances and temporary anchorage devices(TADs).After 3 mo resting and treatment on her TMD,the patient’s TMD symptom alleviated,but her anterior occlusion displayed deep overbite.Therefore,the fixed appliances with TAD were used to correct the anterior deep-bite and level maxillary and mandibular deep curves.After the levelling,the patient showed dual bite with centric relation and maximum intercuspation discrepancy on her occlusion.After careful examination of temporomandibular joints(TMJ)position,the stable bite splint and Invisible Mandibular Advancement appliance were used to reconstruct her occlusion.Eventually,the improved facial appearance and relatively stable occlusion were achieved.The 1-year follow-up records showed there was no obvious change in TMJ morphology,and her occlusion was stable.CONCLUSION TMD screening and monitoring is of great clinical importance in the TMD susceptible patients.Hybrid treatment with clear aligners and fixed appliances and TADs is an effective treatment modality for the complex cases.展开更多
基金funded by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP26290015 and JP21H02655(to TK)from Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science,and Technology of Japan(MEXT)。
文摘Cell adhesion plays pivotal roles in the morphogenesis of multicellular organisms.Epithelial cells form several types of cell-to-cell adhesion,including zonula occludens(tight junctions),zonula adhaerens(adherens junctions),and macula adhaerens(desmosomes).Although these adhesion complexes are basically observed only in epithelial cells,cadherins,which are the major cell adhesion molecules of adherens junctions,are expressed in both epithelial and non-epithelial tissues,including neural tissues(Kawauchi,2012).The cadherin superfamily consists of more than 100 members,but classic cadherins.
基金supported by the Innovative Research Group Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(T2121004)Key Programme(52235007)National Outstanding Youth Foundation of China(52325504).
文摘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.
基金supported in part by Award 2121063 from National Science Foundation(to YM)AG66986 from the National Institutes of Health(to MSW).
文摘γ-Secretase,called“the proteasome of the membrane,”is a membrane-embedded protease complex that cleaves 150+peptide substrates with central roles in biology and medicine,including amyloid precursor protein and the Notch family of cell-surface receptors.Mutations inγ-secretase and amyloid precursor protein lead to early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease.γ-Secretase has thus served as a critical drug target for treating familial Alzheimer’s disease and the more common late-onset Alzheimer’s disease as well.However,critical gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms of processive proteolysis of substrates,the effects of familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations,and allosteric modulation of substrate cleavage byγ-secretase.In this review,we focus on recent studies of structural dynamic mechanisms ofγ-secretase.Different mechanisms,including the“Fit-Stay-Trim,”“Sliding-Unwinding,”and“Tilting-Unwinding,”have been proposed for substrate proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein byγ-secretase based on all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.While an incorrect registry of the Notch1 substrate was identified in the cryo-electron microscopy structure of Notch1-boundγ-secretase,molecular dynamics simulations on a resolved model of Notch1-boundγ-secretase that was reconstructed using the amyloid precursor protein-boundγ-secretase as a template successfully capturedγ-secretase activation for proper cleavages of both wildtype and mutant Notch,being consistent with biochemical experimental findings.The approach could be potentially applied to decipher the processing mechanisms of various substrates byγ-secretase.In addition,controversy over the effects of familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations,particularly the issue of whether they stabilize or destabilizeγ-secretase-substrate complexes,is discussed.Finally,an outlook is provided for future studies ofγ-secretase,including pathways of substrate binding and product release,effects of modulators on familial Alzheimer’s disease mutations of theγ-secretase-substrate complexes.Comprehensive understanding of the functional mechanisms ofγ-secretase will greatly facilitate the rational design of effective drug molecules for treating familial Alzheimer’s disease and perhaps Alzheimer’s disease in general.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(22265021)the Aeronautical Science Foundation of China(2020Z056056003)Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation(20232BAB212004).
文摘Atomic-scale doping strategies and structure design play pivotal roles in tailoring the electronic structure and physicochemical property of electromagnetic wave absorption(EMWA)materials.However,the relationship between configuration and electromagnetic(EM)loss mechanism has remained elusive.Herein,drawing inspiration from the DNA transcription process,we report the successful synthesis of novel in situ Mn/N co-doped helical carbon nanotubes with ultrabroad EMWA capability.Theoretical calculation and EM simulation confirm that the orbital coupling and spin polarization of the Mn–N4–C configuration,along with cross polarization generated by the helical structure,endow the helical converters with enhanced EM loss.As a result,HMC-8 demonstrates outstanding EMWA performance,achieving a minimum reflection loss of−63.13 dB at an ultralow thickness of 1.29 mm.Through precise tuning of the graphite domain size,HMC-7 achieves an effective absorption bandwidth(EAB)of 6.08 GHz at 2.02 mm thickness.Furthermore,constructing macroscale gradient metamaterials enables an ultrabroadband EAB of 12.16 GHz at a thickness of only 5.00 mm,with the maximum radar cross section reduction value reaching 36.4 dB m2.This innovative approach not only advances the understanding of metal–nonmetal co-doping but also realizes broadband EMWA,thus contributing to the development of EMWA mechanisms and applications.
文摘BACKGROUND Skeletal muscle alterations(SMAs)are being increasingly recognized in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)and appear to be associated with deleterious outcomes in these patients.However,their actual prevalence and pathophysiology remain to be elucidated.AIM To determine the prevalence of SMAs and to assess the significance of circulating myokines as biomarkers in patients with MASLD.METHODS Skeletal muscle strength and muscle mass were measured in a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 62 patients fulfilling MASLD criteria,recruited from the outpatient clinics of a tertiary level hospital.The degree of fibrosis and liver steatosis was studied using abdominal ultrasound and transitional elastography.Anthropometric and metabolic characteristics as well as serum levels of different myokines were also determined in the MASLD cohort.Statistical analysis was performed comparing results according to liver fibrosis and steatosis.RESULTS No significant differences were found in both skeletal muscle strength and skeletal muscle mass in patients with MASLD between different stages of liver fibrosis.Interestingly,serum levels of fibroblast growth factor-21(FGF21)were significantly higher in patients with MASLD with advanced hepatic fibrosis(F3-F4)than in those with lower fibrosis stages(F0-F2)(197.49±198.27 pg/mL vs 95.62±83.67 pg/mL;P=0.049).In addition,patients with MASLD with severe hepatosteatosis(S3)exhibited significantly higher serum levels of irisin(1116.87±1161.86 pg/mL)than those with lower grades(S1-S2)(385.21±375.98 pg/mL;P=0.001).CONCLUSION SMAs were uncommon in the patients with MASLD studied.Higher serum levels of irisin and FGF21 were detected in patients with advanced liver steatosis and fibrosis,respectively,with potential implications as biomarkers.
基金supported by the open research fund of Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory(No.2022SLABFN08)Guangxi Science and Technology Base and Talents Special Project(Nos.Guike AD20297034 and AD21220053)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51801214 and 52171021)the Research Start-up Funding from Guangxi University of Science and Technology(No.03200150)the Middle-aged and Young Teachers’Basic Ability Promotion Project of Guangxi(No.2022KY0329)。
文摘In this study,a comprehensive analysis of microstructural features,morphology,crystal structures,and interface structures of long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)structures in a non-equilibrium Mg_(97)Zn_(1)Y_(16)Ca_(0.4)alloy cast in a steel mold was carried out.The addition of Ca element plays an important role in the refinement of LPSO structure.The result reveals new poly-types including 20H F2F2F4,60R(F2F3F3)_(3),and 66H F2F3F3F2(F6)_(4)featuring a 6-Mg structure,alongside the prevalent 18R and 14H LPSO structures.The incoherent interface between 20H and the Mg matrix is split into two dislocation arrays,leading to the formation of a segment of 60R_(1).Moreover,the superstructure 116L,designated as(F2)_(18)F4,is formed through the ordered distribution of F4 stacking faults in 18R.
文摘Taking a widely contaminated yet abundant waste,such as poultry feathers,and extracting keratin from this struc-ture appears to be a real challenge whenever the preservation of the secondary structure of the protein is desired.This process would allow exploiting it in ways(e.g.,in the biomedicalfield)that are inspired by a structure that is primarily designed forflight,therefore capable specifically of withstandingflexure and lateral buckling,also with very low thicknesses.The preservation of the structure is based on disulfide crosslinks,and it is offered with pre-ference by some chemical treatments,mainly those based on ionic liquid and on a reduction process.However,the degree of preservation cannot always be precisely assessed;however,beyond chemical characterization,the forma-tion of homogeneous gels can also suggest that the process was successful in this sense.An extraction respectful of nature’s intentions,considering that the secondary structure builds up according to the very function of the feath-ers in the animal,can be deemed to be biomimetic.In particular,biomimetic extractions comply with the very characteristics the protein was designed for to serve in the specific environmental and mechanical situation in which it is inserted.This review tries to elucidate in which cases this aim is achieved and for which specific appli-cations a chicken feather keratin that has preserved its secondary structure can be suited.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11965005 and 11964026)the Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province,China(Grant Nos.2023-JC-YB-021 and 2022JM-035)+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universitiesthe 111 Project(Grant No.B17035)。
文摘Novel ordered intermetallic compounds have stimulated much interest.Ru–Al alloys are a prominent class of hightemperature structural materials,but the experimentally reported crystal structure of the intermetallic Ru_(2)Al_(5) phase remains elusive and debatable.To resolve this controversy,we extensively explored the crystal structures of Ru_(2)Al_(5) using first-principles calculations combined with crystal structure prediction technique.Among the calculated x-ray diffraction patterns and lattice parameters of five candidate Ru2Al5structures,those of the orthorhombic Pmmn structure best aligned with recent experimental results.The structural stabilities of the five Ru_(2)Al_(5)structures were confirmed through formation energy,elastic constants,and phonon spectrum calculations.We also comprehensively analyzed the mechanical and electronic properties of the five candidates.This work can guide the exploration of novel ordered intermetallic compounds in Ru–Al alloys.
文摘The optimization of civil engineering structures is critical for enhancing structural performance and material efficiency in engineering applications.Structural optimization approaches seek to determine the optimal design,by considering material performance,cost,and structural safety.The design approaches aim to reduce the built environment’s energy use and carbon emissions.This comprehensive review examines optimization techniques,including size,shape,topology,and multi-objective approaches,by integrating these methodologies.The trends and advancements that contribute to developing more efficient,cost-effective,and reliable structural designs were identified.The review also discusses emerging technologies,such as machine learning applications with different optimization techniques.Optimization of truss,frame,tensegrity,reinforced concrete,origami,pantographic,and adaptive structures are covered and discussed.Optimization techniques are explained,including metaheuristics,genetic algorithm,particle swarm,ant-colony,harmony search algorithm,and their applications with mentioned structure types.Linear and non-linear structures,including geometric and material nonlinearity,are distinguished.The role of optimization in active structures,structural design,seismic design,form-finding,and structural control is taken into account,and the most recent techniques and advancements are mentioned.
基金supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.LTGG23E080001Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Urban Infrastructure under Grant No.IUI2022-ZD-01.
文摘Kinked rebar is a special type of steel material,which is installed in beam column nodes and frame beams.It effectively enhances the blast resilience,seismic collapse resistance,and progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete(RC)structures without imposing substantial cost burdens,thereby emerging as a focal point of recent research endeavors.On the basis of explaining the working principle of kinked rebars,this paper reviews the research status of kinked rebars at home and abroad from three core domains:the tensile mechanical properties of kinked rebars,beam column nodes with kinked rebars,and concrete frame structures with kinked rebars.The analysis underscores that the straightening process of kinked rebars does not compromise their ultimate strength but significantly bolsters structural ductility and enhances energy dissipation capabilities.In beam-column joints,the incorporation of kinked rebars facilitates the seamless transfer of plastic hinges,adhering to the design principle of“strong columns and weak beams.”In addition,kinked rebars can greatly improve the resistance of the beam;The seismic resistance,internal explosion resistance,and progressive collapse resistance of reinforced concrete frame structures with kinked rebar have significantly improved.Beyond its primary application,the principle of kinked rebar was extended to other applications of kinked materials such as corrugated steel plates and origami structures,and the stress characteristics of related components and structures were studied.Intriguingly,this paper also proposes the application of kinked rebars in bridge engineering,aiming to address the challenges of localized damage concentration and excessive residual displacement in RC bridge piers.The introduction of kinked rebars in piers is envisioned to mitigate these issues,with the paper outlining its advantages and feasibility,thereby offering valuable insights for future research on kinked reinforcement and seismic design strategies for bridges.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFB1715000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52375073)。
文摘The Reliability-Based Design Optimization(RBDO)of complex engineering structures considering uncertainties has problems of being high-dimensional,highly nonlinear,and timeconsuming,which requires a significant amount of sampling simulation computation.In this paper,a basis-adaptive Polynomial Chaos(PC)-Kriging surrogate model is proposed,in order to relieve the computational burden and enhance the predictive accuracy of a metamodel.The active learning basis-adaptive PC-Kriging model is combined with a quantile-based RBDO framework.Finally,five engineering cases have been implemented,including a benchmark RBDO problem,three high-dimensional explicit problems,and a high-dimensional implicit problem.Compared with Support Vector Regression(SVR),Kriging,and polynomial chaos expansion models,results show that the proposed basis-adaptive PC-Kriging model is more accurate and efficient for RBDO problems of complex engineering structures.
基金funded by the Project PNRR M4C2—Innovation grant DIRECT:Digital twIns foR EmergenCy supporT—CUP F83C22000740001.
文摘This study presents a generalized two-dimensional model for evaluating the stationary hygro-thermo-mechanical response of laminated shell structures made of advanced materials.It introduces a generalized kinematic model,enabling the assessment of arbitrary values of temperature variation and mass concentration variation for the unvaried configuration at the top and bottom surfaces.This is achieved through the Equivalent Layer-Wise description of the unknown field variable using higher-order polynomials and zigzag functions.In addition,an elastic foundation is modeled utilizing the Winkler-Pasternak theory.The fundamental equations,derived from the total free energy of the system,are solved analytically using Navier’s method.Then,the Fourier-based generalized differential quadrature numerical method is adopted to efficiently recover the through-the-thickness distribution of secondary variables in agreement with the hygro-thermal loading conditions.The formulation is applied in some examples of investigation where the response of panels of different curvature and lamination schemes is evaluated under external hygro-thermal fluxes and prescribed values of temperature and moisture concentration.In addition,this study investigates the effect of the hygro-thermal coupling due to Dufour and Soret effect.The present formulation is verified to be a valuable tool for reducing computational effort and determining the effect on the mechanical response of laminated structures in a thermal and hygrometric environment.
基金supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation,China(Grant No.LQ24C010007)Zhejiang Science and Technology Major Program on Rice New Variety Breeding,China(Grant No.2021C02063)+4 种基金the Agricultural Sciences and Technologies Innovation Program,China(Grant No.CAAS-CSCB-202301)the Key Projects of Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation,China(Grant No.LZ23C130002)the Youth Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(Grant No.Y2023QC22)the Joint Open Competitive Project of the Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory and China National Seed Company Limited(Grant Nos.B23YQ1514 and B23CQ15EP)the External Cooperation Projects of Biotechnology Research Institute,Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences,China(Grant No.DWHZ2024-07).
文摘Rice seedling blight,caused by various fungi,including Fusarium oxysporum,poses a severe threat to rice production.As awareness grows regarding the environmental and safety hazards associated with the application of fungicides for managing rice seedling blight,there has been a shift in focus towards biological control agents.In this study,we isolated biocontrol bacteria from paddy fields that significantly inhibited the growth of F.oxysporum in vitro and identified the strains as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens T40 and Bacillus pumilus T208.Additionally,our findings indicated that the combined application of these Bacillus strains in soil was more effective in reducing the incidence of rice seedling blight than their individual use.Analysis of 16S and internal transcribed spacer rRNA gene sequencing data revealed that the mixture of the T40 and T208 strains exhibited the lowest average clustering coefficients,which were negatively correlated with the biomass of F.oxysporum-inoculated rice seedlings.Furthermore,this mixture led to higher stochastic assembly(average|βNTI|<2)and reduced selection pressures on rice rhizosphere bacteria compared with individual strain applications.The mixture of the T40 and T208 strains also significantly increased the expression of defense-related genes.In conclusion,the mixture of the T40 and T208 strains effectively modulates microbial community structures,enhances microbial network stability,and boosts the resistance against rice seedling blight.Our study supports the development and utilization of biological resources for crop protection.
基金the Science and Engineering Research Board(SERB),Department of Science and Technology,India,for funding this research through grant number SRG/2019/001581。
文摘Inspired by nature's self-similar designs,novel honeycomb-spiderweb based self-similar hybrid cellular structures are proposed here for efficient energy absorption in impact applications.The energy absorption is enhanced by optimizing the geometry and topology for a given mass.The proposed hybrid cellular structure is arrived after a thorough analysis of topologically enhanced self-similar structures.The optimized cell designs are rigorously tested considering dynamic loads involving crush and high-velocity bullet impact.Furthermore,the influence of thickness,radial connectivity,and order of patterning at the unit cell level are also investigated.The maximum crushing efficiency attained is found to be more than 95%,which is significantly higher than most existing traditional designs.Later on,the first and second-order hierarchical self-similar unit cell designs developed during crush analysis are used to prepare the cores for sandwich structures.Impact tests are performed on the developed sandwich structures using the standard 9-mm parabellum.The influence of multistaging on impact resistance is also investigated by maintaining a constant total thickness and mass of the sandwich structure.Moreover,in order to avoid layer-wise weak zones and hence,attain a uniform out-of-plane impact strength,off-setting the designs in each stage is proposed.The sandwich structures with first and second-order self-similar hybrid cores are observed to withstand impact velocities as high as 170 m/s and 270 m/s,respectively.
基金supported by the German Research Council(Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft,HA3309/3-1/2,HA3309/6-1,HA3309/7-1)。
文摘Skeletal muscles are essential for locomotion,posture,and metabolic regulation.To understand physiological processes,exercise adaptation,and muscle-related disorders,it is critical to understand the molecular pathways that underlie skeletal muscle function.The process of muscle contra ction,orchestrated by a complex interplay of molecular events,is at the core of skeletal muscle function.Muscle contraction is initiated by an action potential and neuromuscular transmission requiring a neuromuscular junction.Within muscle fibers,calcium ions play a critical role in mediating the interaction between actin and myosin filaments that generate force.Regulation of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a key role in excitation-contraction coupling.The development and growth of skeletal muscle are regulated by a network of molecular pathways collectively known as myogenesis.Myogenic regulators coordinate the diffe rentiation of myoblasts into mature muscle fibers.Signaling pathways regulate muscle protein synthesis and hypertrophy in response to mechanical stimuli and nutrient availability.Seve ral muscle-related diseases,including congenital myasthenic disorders,sarcopenia,muscular dystrophies,and metabolic myopathies,are underpinned by dys regulated molecular pathways in skeletal muscle.Therapeutic interventions aimed at preserving muscle mass and function,enhancing regeneration,and improving metabolic health hold promise by targeting specific molecular pathways.Other molecular signaling pathways in skeletal muscle include the canonical Wnt signaling pathway,a critical regulator of myogenesis,muscle regeneration,and metabolic function,and the Hippo signaling pathway.In recent years,more details have been uncovered about the role of these two pathways during myogenesis and in developing and adult skeletal muscle fibers,and at the neuromuscular junction.In fact,research in the last few years now suggests that these two signaling pathways are interconnected and that they jointly control physiological and pathophysiological processes in muscle fibers.In this review,we will summarize and discuss the data on these two pathways,focusing on their concerted action next to their contribution to skeletal muscle biology.However,an in-depth discussion of the noncanonical Wnt pathway,the fibro/a dipogenic precursors,or the mechanosensory aspects of these pathways is not the focus of this review.
基金jointly supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFC3104304)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41876011)+1 种基金the 2022 Research Program of Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City(SKJC-2022-01-001)the Hainan Province Science and Technology Special Fund(ZDYF2021SHFZ265)。
文摘Three-dimensional ocean subsurface temperature and salinity structures(OST/OSS)in the South China Sea(SCS)play crucial roles in oceanic climate research and disaster mitigation.Traditionally,real-time OST and OSS are mainly obtained through in-situ ocean observations and simulation by ocean circulation models,which are usually challenging and costly.Recently,dynamical,statistical,or machine learning models have been proposed to invert the OST/OSS from sea surface information;however,these models mainly focused on the inversion of monthly OST and OSS.To address this issue,we apply clustering algorithms and employ a stacking strategy to ensemble three models(XGBoost,Random Forest,and LightGBM)to invert the real-time OST/OSS based on satellite-derived data and the Argo dataset.Subsequently,a fusion of temperature and salinity is employed to reconstruct OST and OSS.In the validation dataset,the depth-averaged Correlation(Corr)of the estimated OST(OSS)is 0.919(0.83),and the average Root-Mean-Square Error(RMSE)is0.639°C(0.087 psu),with a depth-averaged coefficient of determination(R~2)of 0.84(0.68).Notably,at the thermocline where the base models exhibit their maximum error,the stacking-based fusion model exhibited significant performance enhancement,with a maximum enhancement in OST and OSS inversion exceeding 10%.We further found that the estimated OST and OSS exhibit good agreement with the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model(HYCOM)data and BOA_Argo dataset during the passage of a mesoscale eddy.This study shows that the proposed model can effectively invert the real-time OST and OSS,potentially enhancing the understanding of multi-scale oceanic processes in the SCS.
基金supported by a fellowship from Design Department of Taisei Corporation。
文摘Many countries throughout the world have experienced large earthquakes,which cause building damage or collapse.After such earthquakes,structures must be inspected rapidly to judge whether they are safe to reoccupy.To facilitate the inspection process,the authors previously developed a rapid building safety assessment system using sparse acceleration measurements for steel framed buildings.The proposed system modeled nonlinearity in the measurement data using a calibrated simplified lumped-mass model and convolutional neural networks(CNNs),based on which the buildinglevel damage index was estimated rapidly after earthquakes.The proposed system was validated for a nonlinear 3D numerical model of a five-story steel building,and later for a large-scale specimen of an 18-story building in Japan tested on the E-Defense shaking table.However,the applicability of the safety assessment system for reinforced concrete(RC)structures with complex hysteretic material nonlinearity has yet to be explored;the previous approach based on a simplified lumpedmass model with a Bouc-Wen hysteretic model does not accurately represent the inherent nonlinear behavior and resulting damage states of RC structures.This study extends the rapid building safety assessment system to low-rise RC moment resisting frame structures representing typical residential apartments in Japan.First,a safety classification for RC structures based on a damage index consistent with the current state of practice is defined.Then,a 3D nonlinear numerical model of a two-story moment frame structure is created.A simplified lumped-mass nonlinear model is developed and calibrated using the 3D model,incorporating the Takeda degradation model for the RC material nonlinearity.This model is used to simulate the seismic response and associated damage sensitive features(DSF)for random ground motion.The resulting database of responses is used to train a convolutional neural network(CNN)that performs rapid safety assessment.The developed system is validated using the 3D nonlinear analysis model subjected to historical earthquakes.The results indicate the applicability of the proposed system for RC structures following seismic events.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52075216,91948304,and 91848202).
文摘Mammals such as humans develop skeletal muscles composed of muscle fibers and connective tissue,which have mechanical properties that enable power output with three-dimensional motion when activated.Artificial muscle-like actuators developed to date,such as the McKibben artificial muscle,often focus sole contractile elements and have rarely addressed the contribution of flexible connective tissue that forms an integral part of the structure and morphology of biological muscle.Herein,we present a class of pneumatic muscle-like actuators,termed highly mimetic skeletal muscle(HimiSK)actuator,that consist of parallelly arranged contractile units in a flexible matrix inspired by ultrasonic measurements on skeletal muscle.The contractile units act as a muscle fiber to produce active shortening force,and the flexible matrix functions as connective tissue to generate passive deformation.The application of positive pressure to the contractile units can produce a linear contraction and force.In this actuator,we assign different flexible materials as contractile units and a flexible matrix,thus forming five mold actuators.These actuators feature three-dimensional motion on activation and present both intrinsic force-velocity and force-length characteristics that closely resebmle those of a biological muscle.High output and tetanic force produced by harder contractile units improve the maximum output force by up to about 41.3%and the tetanic force by up to about 168%.Moreover,high displacement and velocity can be generated by a softer flexible matrix,with the improvement of maximum displacement up to about 33.3%and velocity up to about 73%.The results demonstrate that contractile units play a crucial role in force generation,while the flexible matrix has a significant impact on force transmission and deformation;the final force,velocity,displacement,and three-dimensional motion results from the interplay of contractile units,fluid and flexible matrix.Our approach introduces a model of the presented HimiSK actuators to better understand the mechanical behaviors,force generation,and transmission in bioinspired soft actuators,and highlights the importance of using flexible connective tissue to form a structure and configuration similar to that of skeletal muscle,which has potential usefulness in the design of effective artificial muscle.
基金the National Science Foundation(PFI-008513 and FET-2309403)for the support of this work.
文摘Optical multilayer thin film structures have been widely used in numerous photonic applications.However,existing inverse design methods have many drawbacks because they either fail to quickly adapt to different design targets,or are difficult to suit for different types of structures,e.g.,designing for different materials at each layer.These methods also cannot accommodate versatile design situations under different angles and polarizations.In addition,how to benefit practical fabrications and manufacturing has not been extensively considered yet.In this work,we introduce OptoGPT(Opto Generative Pretrained Transformer),a decoder-only transformer,to solve all these drawbacks and issues simultaneously.
基金Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, No. SBK2021021787the Major Project of the Health Commission ofJiangsu Province, No. ZD2022025and the Key Project of the Nanjing Health Commission, No. ZKX20048.
文摘BACKGROUND The relation between orthodontic treatment and temporomandibular disorders(TMDs)is under debate;the management of TMD during orthodontic treatment has always been a challenge.If TMD symptoms occur during orthodontic treatment,an immediate pause of orthodontic adjustments is recommended;the treatment can resume when the symptoms are managed and stabilized.CASE SUMMARY This case report presents a patient(26-year-old,female)with angle class I,skeletal class II and TMDs.The treatment was a hybrid of clear aligners,fixed appliances and temporary anchorage devices(TADs).After 3 mo resting and treatment on her TMD,the patient’s TMD symptom alleviated,but her anterior occlusion displayed deep overbite.Therefore,the fixed appliances with TAD were used to correct the anterior deep-bite and level maxillary and mandibular deep curves.After the levelling,the patient showed dual bite with centric relation and maximum intercuspation discrepancy on her occlusion.After careful examination of temporomandibular joints(TMJ)position,the stable bite splint and Invisible Mandibular Advancement appliance were used to reconstruct her occlusion.Eventually,the improved facial appearance and relatively stable occlusion were achieved.The 1-year follow-up records showed there was no obvious change in TMJ morphology,and her occlusion was stable.CONCLUSION TMD screening and monitoring is of great clinical importance in the TMD susceptible patients.Hybrid treatment with clear aligners and fixed appliances and TADs is an effective treatment modality for the complex cases.