Nomogram for overall survival in ampullary adenocarcinoma using the surveillance,epidemiology,and end results database and external validation

BACKGROUND Ampullary adenocarcinoma is a rare malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract.Currently,only a few cases have been reported,resulting in limited information on survival.AIM To develop a dynamic nomogram using internal and external validation to predict survival in patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma.METHODS Data were sourced from the surveillance,epidemiology,and end results stat database.The patients in the database were randomized in a 7:3 ratio into training and validation groups.Using Cox regression univariate and multivariate analyses in the training group,we identified independent risk factors for overall survival and cancer-specific survival to develop the nomogram.The nomogram was validated with a cohort of patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of the Army Medical University.RESULTS For overall and cancer-specific survival,12(sex,age,race,lymph node ratio,tumor size,chemotherapy,surgical modality,T stage,tumor differentiation,brain metastasis,lung metastasis,and extension)and 6(age;surveillance,epidemiology,and end results stage;lymph node ratio;chemotherapy;surgical modality;and tumor differentiation)independent risk factors,respectively,were incorporated into the nomogram.The area under the curve values at 1,3,and 5 years,respectively,were 0.807,0.842,and 0.826 for overall survival and 0.816,0.835,and 0.841 for cancer-specific survival.The internal and external validation cohorts indicated good consistency of the nomogram.CONCLUSION The dynamic nomogram offers robust predictive efficacy for the overall and cancer-specific survival of ampullary adenocarcinoma.

Multi-omics analysis reveals the molecular regulatory network underlying the prevention of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum against LPS-induced salpingitis in laying hens

Background Salpingitis is one of the common diseases in laying hen production, which greatly decreases the economic outcome of laying hen farming. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was effective in preventing local or systemic inflammation, however rare studies were reported on its prevention against salpingitis. This study aimed to investigate the preventive molecular regulatory network of microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum(MLP) against salpingitis through multi-omics analysis, including microbiome, transcriptome and metabolome analyses.Results The results revealed that supplementation of MLP in diet significantly alleviated the inflammation and atrophy of uterus caused by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in hens(P < 0.05). The concentrations of plasma IL-2 and IL-10 in hens of MLP-LPS group were higher than those in hens of LPS-stimulation group(CN-LPS group)(P < 0.05). The expression levels of TLR2, MYD88, NF-κB, COX2, and TNF-α were significantly decreased in the hens fed diet supplemented with MLP and suffered with LPS stimulation(MLP-LPS group) compared with those in the hens of CN-LPS group(P < 0.05). Differentially expressed genes(DEGs) induced by MLP were involved in inflammation, reproduction, and calcium ion transport. At the genus level, the MLP supplementation significantly increased the abundance of Phascolarctobacterium, whereas decreased the abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas in LPS challenged hens(P < 0.05). The metabolites altered by dietary supplementation with MLP were mainly involved in galactose, uronic acid, histidine, pyruvate and primary bile acid metabolism. Dietary supplementation with MLP inversely regulates LPSinduced differential metabolites such as Lyso PA(24:0/0:0)(P < 0.05).Conclusions In summary, dietary supplementation with microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum prevented salpingitis by modulating the abundances of Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Phascolarctobacterium, Ruminococcus_torques_group and Eubacterium_hallii_group while downregulating the levels of plasma metabolites, p-tolyl sulfate, o-cresol and N-acetylhistamine and upregulating S-lactoylglutathione, simultaneously increasing the expressions of CPNE4, CNTN3 and ACAN genes in the uterus, and ultimately inhibiting oviducal inflammation.

FUBP3 mediates the amyloid-β-induced neuronal NLRP3 expression

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by deposition of amyloid-β,which forms extracellular neuritic plaques,and accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau,which aggregates to form intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles,in the brain.The NLRP3 inflammasome may play a role in the transition from amyloid-βdeposition to tau phosphorylation and aggregation.Because NLRP3 is primarily found in brain microglia,and tau is predominantly located in neurons,it has been suggested that NLRP3 expressed by microglia indirectly triggers tau phosphorylation by upregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.Here,we found that neurons also express NLRP3 in vitro and in vivo,and that neuronal NLRP3 regulates tau phosphorylation.Using biochemical methods,we mapped the minimal NLRP3 promoter and identified FUBP3 as a transcription factor regulating NLRP3 expression in neurons.In primary neurons and the neuroblastoma cell line Neuro2A,FUBP3 is required for endogenous NLRP3 expression and tau phosphorylation only when amyloid-βis present.In the brains of aged wild-type mice and a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease,FUBP3 expression was markedly increased in cortical neurons.Transcriptome analysis suggested that FUBP3 plays a role in neuron-mediated immune responses.We also found that FUBP3 trimmed the 5′end of DNA fragments that it bound,implying that FUBP3 functions in stress-induced responses.These findings suggest that neuronal NLRP3 may be more directly involved in the amyloid-β-to–phospho-tau transition than microglial NLRP3,and that amyloid-βfundamentally alters the regulatory mechanism of NLRP3 expression in neurons.Given that FUBP3 was only expressed at low levels in young wild-type mice and was strongly upregulated in the brains of aged mice and Alzheimer's disease mice,FUBP3 could be a safe therapeutic target for preventing Alzheimer's disease progression.

Effects of different energy levels in low-protein diet on liver lipid metabolism in the late-phase laying hens through the gut-liver axis

Background The energy/protein imbalance in a low-protein diet induces lipid metabolism disorders in late-phase laying hens.Reducing energy levels in the low-protein diet to adjust the energy-to-protein ratio may improve fat deposition,but this also decreases the laying performance of hens.This study investigated the mechanism by which different energy levels in the low-protein diet influences liver lipid metabolism in late-phase laying hens through the enterohepatic axis to guide feed optimization and nutrition strategies.A total of 288 laying hens were randomly allocated to the normal-energy and normal-protein diet group(positive control:CK)or 1 of 3 groups:lowenergy and low-protein diet(LL),normal-energy and low-protein diet(NL),and high-energy and low-protein diet(HL)groups.The energy-to-protein ratios of the CK,LL,NL,and HL diets were 0.67,0.74,0.77,and 0.80,respectively.Results Compared with the CK group,egg quality deteriorated with increasing energy intake in late-phase laying hens fed low-protein diet.Hens fed LL,NL,and HL diets had significantly higher triglyceride,total cholesterol,acetylCo A carboxylase,and fatty acid synthase levels,but significantly lower hepatic lipase levels compared with the CK group.Liver transcriptome sequencing revealed that genes involved in fatty acid beta-oxidation(ACOX1,HADHA,EHHADH,and ACAA1)were downregulated,whereas genes related to fatty acid synthesis(SCD,FASN,and ACACA)were upregulated in LL group compared with the CK group.Comparison of the cecal microbiome showed that in hens fed an LL diet,Lactobacillus and Desulfovibrio were enriched,whereas riboflavin metabolism was suppressed.Cecal metabolites that were most significantly affected by the LL diet included several vitamins,such as riboflavin(vitamin B2),pantethine(vitamin B5 derivative),pyridoxine(vitamin B6),and 4-pyridoxic acid.Conclusion A lipid metabolism disorder due to deficiencies of vitamin B2 and pantethine originating from the metabolism of the cecal microbiome may be the underlying reason for fat accumulation in the liver of late-phase laying hens fed an LL diet.Based on the present study,we propose that targeting vitamin B2 and pantethine(vitamin B5 derivative)might be an effective strategy for improving lipid metabolism in late-phase laying hens fed a low-protein diet.

High glucose reduces Nrf2-dependent cRAGE release and enhances inflammasome-dependent IL-1βproduction in monocytes:the modulatory effects of EGCG

Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products(sRAGE)acts as a decoy sequestering of RAGE ligands,thus preventing the activation of the ligand-RAGE axis linking human diseases.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying sRAGE remain unclear.In this study,THP-1 monocytes were cultured in normal glucose(NG,5.5 mmol/L)and high glucose(HG,15 mmol/L)to investigate the effects of diabetesrelevant glucose concentrations on sRAGE and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)secretion.The modulatory effects of epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG)in response to HG challenge were also evaluated.HG enhanced intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation and RAGE expression.The secretion of sRAGE,including esRAGE and cRAGE,was reduced under HG conditions,together with the downregulation of a disintegrin and metallopeptidase 10(ADAM10)and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)nuclear translocation.Mechanistically,the HG effects were counteracted by siRAGE and exacerbated by siNrf2.Chromatin immunoprecipitation results showed that Nrf2 binding to the ADAM10 promoter and HG interfered with this binding.Our data reinforce the notion that RAGE and Nrf2 might be sRAGE-regulating factors.Under HG conditions,the treatment of EGCG reduced ROS generation and RAGE activation.EGCG-stimulated cRAGE release was likely caused by the upregulation of the Nrf2-ADAM10 pathway.EGCG inhibited HG-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation at least partly by stimulating sRAGE,thereby reducing IL-1βrelease.

Effect of Bogie Cavity End Wall Inclination on Flow Field and Aerodynamic Noise in the Bogie Region of High-Speed Trains

Combining the detached eddy simulation(DES)method and Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings(FW-H)equation,the effect of bogie cavity end wall inclination on the flow field and aerodynamic noise in the bogie region is numerically studied.First,the simulation is conducted based on a simplified cavity-bogie model,including five cases with different inclination angles of the front and rear walls of the cavity.By comparing and analyzing the flow field and acoustic results of the five cases,the influence of the regularity and mechanism of the bogie cavity end wall inclination on the flow field and the aerodynamic noise of the bogie region are revealed.Then,the noise reduction strategy determined by the results of the simplified cavity-bogie model is applied to a three-car marshaling train model to verify its effectiveness when applied to the real train.The results reveal that the forward inclination of the cavity front wall enlarges the influence area of shear vortex structures formed at the leading edge of the cavity and intensifies the interaction between the vortex structures and the front wheelset,frontmotor,and front gearbox,resulting in the increase of the aerodynamic noise generated by the bogie itself.The backward inclination of the cavity rear wall is conducive to guiding the vortex structures flow out of the cavity and weakening the interaction between the shear vortex structures and the cavity rear wall,leading to the reduction of the aerodynamic noise generated by the bogie cavity.Inclining the rear end wall of the foremost bogie cavity of the head car is a feasible aerodynamic noise reduction measure for high-speed trains.

End-of-Pregnancy Monitoring at CHUMEFJE through the Functional Investigation Centre (FIC) in 2022

Introduction: The end of pregnancy is a high-risk period for both mother and foetus. Rigorous monitoring can prevent complications before delivery. Materials and Method: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional observational study. It took place in the delivery room of the Teacher hospital Mother and Child of Jeanne Ebori Fondation from the 01 October 2020 to 01 October 2021. All patients followed at the Functional Investigation Centre (FIC) of the CHUMEFJE and who gave birth in that same hospital were included. Data were collected on the basis of pregnancy diaries, the fic register and delivery room registers. They were analysed using SPSS Statistical Software. Results: During the period of our study, 4086 parturients arrived in the delivery room. Of these, 150 were followed up at the FIC, giving a prevalence of 3.7%. The majority of parturients (48%) had only one prenatal contact. 6 (4%) patients underwent pelvic scans, and 4 (2.6%) presented with a narrowed pelvis. A vaginal delivery was performed in 80% of cases, and of the caesarean sections, 9 (30%) could be scheduled. The maternal prognosis was marred by one post-partum complication of hypertension, and newborns with poor adaptation to life outside the womb accounted for 3.3% of cases. Conclusion: The Functional Investigation Centre makes it possible to detect anomalies at the end of pregnancy with a view to better planning of delivery.

How to use the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results(SEER)data:research design and methodology

In the United States(US),the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results(SEER)program is the only comprehensive source of population-based information that includes stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis and patient survival data.This program aims to provide a database about cancer incidence and survival for studies of surveillance and the development of analytical and methodological tools in the cancer field.Currently,the SEER program covers approximately half of the total cancer patients in the US.A growing number of clinical studies have applied the SEER database in various aspects.However,the intrinsic features of the SEER database,such as the huge data volume and complexity of data types,have hindered its application.In this review,we provided a systematic overview of the commonly used methodologies and study designs for retrospective epidemiological research in order to illustrate the application of the SEER database.Therefore,the goal of this review is to assist researchers in the selection of appropriate methods and study designs for enhancing the robustness and reliability of clinical studies by mining the SEER database.

Exploration on the Optimization Strategy for the Layup of Composite Material Pressure Vessels Based on Advanced Algorithms

This study aims to explore the influence of the laying angle on the pressure shell structure made of composite materials under the condition of a fixed shape. By using a composite material composed of a mixture of T800 carbon fiber and AG80 epoxy resin to design pressure vessels, this material combination can significantly improve the interlaminar shear strength and heat resistance. The article elaborates on the basic concepts and failure criteria of composite materials, such as the maximum stress criterion, the maximum strain criterion, the Tsai-Hill criterion, etc. With the help of the APDL parametric modeling language, the arc-shaped, parabolic, elliptical, and fitting curve-shaped pressure vessel models are accurately constructed, and the material property settings and mesh division are completed. Subsequently, APDL is used for static analysis, and the genetic algorithm toolbox built into Matlab is combined to carry out optimization calculations to determine the optimal laying angle. The research results show that the equivalent stress corresponding to the optimal laying angle of the arc-shaped pressure vessel is 5.3685e+08 Pa, the elliptical one is 5.1969e+08 Pa, the parabolic one is 5.8692e+08 Pa, and the fitting curve-shaped one is 5.36862e+08 Pa. Among them, the stress distribution of the fitting curve-shaped pressure vessel is relatively more uniform, with a deformation of 0.568E−03 m, a minimum equivalent stress value of 0.261E+09 Pa, a maximum equivalent stress value of 0.537E+09 Pa, and a ratio of 0.48, which conforms to the equivalent stress criterion. In addition, the fitting curve of this model can adapt to various models and has higher practical value. However, the stress distribution of the elliptical and parabolic pressure vessels is uneven, and their applicability is poor. In the future, further exploration can be conducted on the application of the fitting curve model in composite materials to optimize the design of pressure vessels. This study provides important theoretical support and practical guidance for the design of composite material pressure vessels.

Investigation of Student Nurses’Attitudes towards End-of-Life Care and Their Influencing Factors

Background: This cross-sectional investigative study aimed to determine student nurses’ attitudes towards end-of-life care. Methods: This study used a descriptive research design with stratified sampling to survey student nurses enrolled in one of four nursing colleges in China from January 2023 to December 2023. Student nurses’ general demographic and prior related information, attitudes towards death and attitudes towards end-of-life care were determined using a general information questionnaire, the Death Attitude Profile—Revised scale and the Professional End-of-Life Attitude Scale (PEAS), respectively. Results: The total PEAS score was 122.91 ± 16.123. Significant differences were noted in the attitude towards end-of-life care scores according to sources of end-of-life care knowledge (P Conclusions: Student nurses lacked an optimistic attitude towards end-of-life care, which was influenced by differences in the sources of end-of-life care knowledge.

Research on Optimizing the Hidden Layer Structure of ANN-Based Model and Its Application in Predicting End-Quench Curves of Steels

In this paper, a method of optimizing the number of hidden layer neurons has been put forward. This optimizing method is suitable for three layers B-p network. The purpose of this optimizing method is to reduce the predicting errors when the model is used as predicting model. As an example of application, a predicting model of steel end-quench curves has been designed by using this optimizing method. The result shows that the optimization of ANN hidden layer architecture has an effect on reducing predicting errors.

On the Problem of All Equal Positive Odd Number Solutions of the Dissemination of the Ends' Guess

The thesis is concerned with the problem of the dissemination of the Ends’ guess and offers the formula of all equal positive odd number solutions.

China's English Learners' Verbal Phrase Acquisition Research Based on the Corpus——“at last”and“in the end”as an Example

This study is a comparative research based on corpus. This article compares China's English learners with English na?tive speakers about the use of "at last" and "in the end" from three aspects: frequency of use, location, semantic prosody. The study shows that the use of the two words are greatly different between China's English learners and English native speakers. In addition, this study discusses about causes of obvious differences and teaching enlightenments.

The Alienated Plot in The End of the Road

The End of the Road is John Barth's second novel, and it is the first novel that brought abortion to the focus of public attention, which proves to be a huge success. This paper intends to study the alienation in The End of the Road based on the alienation as a literary style and the alienation embodied in the literary context. Through the analysis of the alienated plot, the paper aims to emphasize the internal cause for the end of the different character's road.

Features of Phenological Phases of Blackberry in the Conditions of the Samarkand Region

The article presents data on the study of phenological phases of blackberries in the Samarkand region in 2022-2023. The influence of differing in weather conditions, especially at the beginning and end of the growing season, on the timing of onset and duration of the main phenophases of the plant is analyzed. The objects of the study were 4 varieties of different genetic and ecological-geographical origin of foreign selection: Brazos, Jumbo, Thornfree and Karaka Black. Phenological observations were carried out according to the classical methodology developed for this crop in Russia. The timing of all phenophases was significantly dependent on the temperature conditions of the growing season: in the year with a higher sum of average daily temperatures, the corresponding phenophases occurred earlier. According to preliminary data, the climatic indicators of the vegetation period of this region allow for the cultivation of blackberries of the main morphological groups (erect, semi-erect, trailing) and different ripening periods.

Assessment of a Multimodal Strategy for Information and Collection of Advance Directives in a Comprehensive Cancer Center:Description of the Study Protocol

Background:Information on the possibility of drawing up Advance Directives(AD)is a necessity,and represents a major medical,ethical,and legal challenge.The difficulties are numerous,both organizational and cultural,and this is also true in the context of oncology,where ADs(and more broadly,advanced palliative care)are of critical importance.As an eminently sensitive subject,dealing with ADs(and therefore with end-of-life issues)requires both societal and medical/health-care acculturation.An institutional approach has therefore been developed,to deploy information tools,training professionals,and formalize the collection of AD.Such an approach cannot be implemented without an assessment not only of its objective results but also above all of its psychological effects,on both users(patients,family caregivers)and professionals.Methods:This longitudinal study,based on a mixed-method,interdisciplinary approach,will assess the impact of this information dissemination on AD,in terms of both potential positive and negative effects,using validated measurement methods.Thus,this study follows the 5 criteria of the RE-AIM model,designed to analyze the interest and impact of a device intended for users of the healthcare system;we will use a mixed methodology,relying on both a quantitative component(counting the number of people benefiting from the scheme,and those requesting support in drawing up their DA...,administering questionnaires),as well as a qualitative component(focus groups)which will enable us to study the subjective experiences of users,their relatives and the professionals involved in the scheme.Results:The results of this study will make it possible to determine the effects of this system of assistance in the drafting of ADs,which is currently being promoted by the legislator,but which is struggling to be implemented.

Advanced glycation end-product expression is upregulated in the gastrointestinal tract of type 2 diabetic rats

AIM:To investigate changes in advanced glycation end products(AGEs) and their receptor(RAGE) expression in the gastrointestinal(GI) tract in type 2 diabetic rats.METHODS:Eight inherited type 2 diabetic rats GotoKakizak(GK) and ten age-matched normal rats were used in the study.From 18 wk of age,the body weight and blood glucose were measured every week and 2 wk respectively.When the rats reached 32 wk,twocentimeter segments of esophagus,duodenum,jejunum,ileum,and colon were excised and the wet weight was measured.The segments were fixed in 10% formalin,embedded in paraffin and five micron sections were cut.The layer thickness was measured in Hematoxylin and Eosin-stained slides.AGE [N epsilon-(carboxymethyl) lysine and N epsilon-(carboxyethyl)lysine] and RAGE were detected by immunohistochemistry staining and image analysis was done using Sigmascan Pro 4.0 image analysis software.RESULTS:The blood glucose concentration(mmol/L) at 18 wk age was highest in the GK group(8.88 ± 1.87 vs 6.90 ± 0.43,P < 0.001),a difference that continued to exist until the end of the experiment.The wet weight per unit length(mg/cm) increased in esophagus,jejunum and colon from the normal to the GK group(60.64 ± 9.96 vs 68.56 ± 11.69,P < 0.05 for esophagus; 87.01 ± 9.35 vs 105.29 ± 15.45,P < 0.01 for jejunum; 91.37 ± 7.25 vs 97.28 ± 10.90,P < 0.05 for colon).Histologically,the layer thickness of the GItract was higher for esophagus,jejunum and colon in the GK group [full thickness(μm):575.37 ± 69.22 vs 753.20 ± 150.41,P < 0.01 for esophagus; 813.51 ± 44.44 vs 884.81 ± 45.31,P < 0.05 for jejunum; 467.12 ± 65.92 vs 572.26 ± 93.60,P < 0.05 for colon].In esophagus,the AGE and RAGE mainly distributed in striated muscle cells and squamous epithelial cells.The AGE distribution was much stronger in the GK group compared to the normal group both in the striated muscle layer and mucosa layer(immuno-positive area/ total measuring area %:4.52 ± 0.89 vs 10.96 ± 1.34,P < 0.01 for muscle; 8.90 ± 2.62 vs 22.45 ± 1.26,P < 0.01 for mucosa).No visible difference was found for RAGE distribution between the two groups.In the intestine AGE and RAGE distributed in epithelial cells of villi and crypt.RAGE was also found in neurons in the myenteric and submucosal plexus.The intensity of AGE staining in mucosa of all segments and RAGE staining in neurons in all segments were strongest in the diabetes group.Significant difference for AGE was found in the epithelial cells of villi and crypt in duodenum(immunopositive area/total measuring area %:13.37 ± 3.51 vs 37.48 ± 8.43,P < 0.05 for villi; 0.38 ± 0.12 vs 1.87 ± 0.53,P < 0.05 for crypt) and for RAGE in neurons of all segments(e.g.,for jejunum:no staining neurons% 0 vs 0,mild 36.0 ± 5.2 vs 28.7 ± 3.5,moderate 53.2 ± 4.8 vs 55.8 ± 5.4,strong 10.7 ± 1.1 vs 15.4 ± 2.0,P < 0.05).In the colon,RAGE was primarily found in neurons in the myenteric and submucosal plexus.It was stronger in the diabetes group than in the normal group(no staining neurons% 6.2 ± 0.2 vs 0.3 ± 0.04,mild 14.9 ± 2.1 vs 17.6 ± 1.5,moderate 53.1 ± 4.6 vs 44.7 ± 4.4,strong 25.6 ± 18 vs 43.6 ± 4.0,P < 0.05).In the rectum,RAGE was primarily found in the mucosa epithelial cells.CONCLUSION:The AGE and RAGE expression was upregulated in the GI tract of GK diabetic rats and may contribute to GI dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients.

Discovery of Radiolarian Fossils from the Aiketik Group at the Western End of the South Tianshan Mountains of Chinaand Its Implications

The Aiketik Group, distributed at the western end of the South TianshanMountains, China, is an important lithostratigraphic unit involved in the South Tianshan orogen. Itis separated from the adjacent rocks by faults. Generally, the geologists ascribed it to the UpperCarboniferous according to Pseudostaffella sp., Profusulinella sp. and Fusulinella sp. found fromthe limestone and sandy limestone of Aiketik. Our radiolarian fossils were obtained from the chertsamples collected from the Haladaok section located at the upper Tuoshihan River. The fossils mainlyinclude Albaillella undulata Deflandre, Albaillella paradoxa Deflandre, Albaillella sp. aff. A.paradoxa Deflandre, Albaillella sp. cf. A. deflandrei Gourmelon, Albaillella sp., Albaillellaexcelsa Ishiga, Kito and Imoto (?), Belowea variabilis (Ormiston et Lane), Callella cf. C.parvispinosa Won, Entactinia cf. E. tortispina Ormiston et Lane, Entactinia aff. E. tortispinaOrmiston et Lane, Entactinia variospina Won, Entactinia sp., Eostylodictya rota (Won),Latentifistula impella (Ormistone et Lane) (?), Latentifistula turgita Omiston et Lane,Latentifistulidae gen. et. sp. indet. and Polyentactinia cf. aranea Gourmelon. Among them,Albaillella excelsa Ishiga, Kito and Imoto (?) is a Late Permian species with some elementsuncertain as there is only one poorly-preserved fossil of this species found so far. And tworadiolarian assemblages can be identified from the other fossils. One is the early EarlyCarboniferous assemblage represented by Albaillella undulata Deflandre, Albaillella paradoxa andAlbaillella sp. cf. A. deflandrei Gourmelon. And the other is the late Early Carboniferousassemblage represented by Eostylodictya rota (Won). This is the first discovery of radiolarianfossils in the Aiketik Group, also the first discovery of Late Permian radiolarian fossils in theSouth Tianshan Mountains. Meanwhile, this is the current westernmost sampling site of radiolarianfossils in the South Tianshan Mountains.

The “Dead Universe” Theory: Natural Separation of Galaxies Driven by the Remnants of a Supermassive Dead Universe

This article explores the dead universe theory as a novel interpretation for the origin and evolution of the universe, suggesting that our cosmos may have originated from the remnants of a preceding universe. This perspective challenges the conventional Big Bang theory, particularly concerning dark matter, the expansion of the universe, and the interpretation of phenomena such as gravitational waves.

End Late Paleozoic tectonic stress field in the southern edge of Junggar Basin

This paper presents the end Late Paleozoic tectonic stress field in the southern edge of Junggar Basin by interpreting stress-response structures （dykes, folds, faults with slickenside and conjugate joints）. The direction of the maximum principal stress axes is interpreted to be NW-SE （about 325°）, and the accommodated motion among plates is assigned as the driving force of this tectonic stress field. The average value of the stress index Rt is about 2.09, which indicates a variation from strike-slip to compressive tectonic stress regime in the study area during the end Late Paleozoic period. The reconstruction of the tectonic field in the southern edge of Junggar Basin provides insights into the tectonic deformation processes around the southern Junggar Basin and contributes to the further understanding of basin evolution and tectonic settings during the culmination of the Paleo- zoic.