Search Results (586)

Electromigration (EM), current-driven atomic diffusion in interconnect metals, critically threatens integrated circuit (IC) reliability via void-induced open circuits and hillock-induced short circuits. This review examines EM’s physical mechanisms, influencing factors, and advanced models, synthesizing seven primary determinants: current density, temperature, material properties, microstructure, geometry, pulsed current, and mechanical stress. It dissects the coupled contributions of electron wind force (dominant EM driver), thermomigration (TM), and stress migration (SM). The review assesses four foundational modeling frameworks: Black’s model, Blech’s criterion, atomic flux divergence (AFD), and Korhonen’s theory. Despite advances in multi-physics simulation and statistical EM analysis, achieving predictive full-chip assessment remains computationally challenging. Emerging research prioritizes the following: (i) model order reduction methods and machine-learning solvers for verification of EM in billion-scale interconnect networks; and (ii) physics-informed routing optimization to inherently eliminate EM violations during physical design. Both are crucial for addressing reliability barriers in IC technologies and 3D heterogeneous integration. Full article

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder with heterogeneous molecular underpinnings that remain poorly resolved by conventional single-omics approaches, limiting biomarker discovery and mechanistic insights. To address this gap, we applied an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven multi-omics framework to an open access dataset comprising plasma proteomics, post-translational modifications (PTMs), and metabolomics to systematically dissect SCZ pathophysiology. In a cohort of 104 individuals, comparative analysis of 17 machine learning models revealed that multi-omics integration significantly enhanced classification performance, reaching a maximum AUC of 0.9727 (95% CI: 0.8889–1.000) using LightGBMXT, compared to 0.9636 (95% CI: 0.8636–1.0000) with CNNBiLSTM for proteomics alone. Interpretable feature prioritization identified carbamylation at immunoglobulin-constant region sites IGKC_K20 and IGHG1_K8, alongside oxidation of coagulation factor F10 at residue M8, as key discriminative molecular events. Functional analyses identified significantly enriched pathways including complement activation, platelet signaling, and gut microbiota-associated metabolism. Protein interaction networks further implicated coagulation factors F2, F10, and PLG, as well as complement regulators CFI and C9, as central molecular hubs. The clustering of these molecules highlights a potential axis linking immune activation, blood coagulation, and tissue homeostasis, biological domains increasingly recognized in psychiatric disorders. These results implicate immune–thrombotic dysregulation as a critical component of SCZ pathology, with PTMs of immune proteins serving as quantifiable disease indicators. Our work delineates a robust computational strategy for multi-omics integration into psychiatric research, offering biomarker candidates that warrant further validation for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Full article

Fat embolism is a critical medical emergency often resulting from long bone fractures or amputations, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a key regulator of innate immunity, is activated by reactive oxygen species and tissue damage, contributing to inflammatory responses. This study examines the role of NLRP3 in fat embolism-induced ARDS and evaluates the therapeutic potential of MCC950, a selective NLRP3 antagonist. Fat embolism was induced by fatty micelle injection into the tail vein of Sprague Dawley rats. Pulmonary injury was assessed through lung weight gain as an edema indicator, NLRP3 expression via Western blot, and IL-1β levels using ELISA. Histological damage and macrophage infiltration were evaluated with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Fat embolism significantly increased pulmonary NLRP3 expression, lipid peroxidation, IL-1β release, and macrophage infiltration within four hours, accompanied by severe pulmonary edema. NLRP3 was localized in type I alveolar cells, co-localizing with aquaporin 5. Administration of MCC950 significantly reduced inflammatory responses, lipid peroxidation, pulmonary edema, and histological damage, while attenuating MAPK cascade phosphorylation of ERK and Raf. These findings suggest that NLRP3 plays a critical role in fat embolism-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome, and its inhibition by MCC950 may offer a promising therapeutic approach. Full article

The genotoxin colibactin, a complex secondary metabolite, targets eukaryotic cell cycle machinery and contributes to neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) XM, which produces this genotoxin, is an agent of poultry diseases with zoonotic potential. In this study, we confirmed that clbF was necessary for the APEC XM strain to produce colibactin, but it did not affect the growth, adhesion, or invasion of cells. Deletion of clbF substantially diminished both virulence and systemic dissemination, but it also changed the gene expression of the antiserum survival factor, adherence and invasion, iron acquisition genes, and the secretion system. In conclusion, clbF is necessary for the synthesis of the genotoxin colibactin and affects the development of APEC meningitis in mice. Full article

Understanding the differential impacts of emission sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on formaldehyde (HCHO) levels is pivotal to effectively mitigating key photochemical radical precursors, thereby enhancing the regulation of atmospheric oxidation capacity (AOC) and ozone formation. This investigation systematically selected and analyzed year-long VOC measurements across three urban zones in Shenzhen, China. Photochemical age correction methods were implemented to develop the initial concentrations of VOCs before source apportionment; then Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) modeling resolved six primary sources: solvent usage (28.6–47.9%), vehicle exhaust (24.2–31.2%), biogenic emission (13.8–18.1%), natural gas (8.5–16.3%), gasoline evaporation (3.2–8.9%), and biomass burning (0.3–2.4%). A machine learning (ML) framework incorporating Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) was subsequently applied to evaluate the influence of six emission sources on HCHO concentrations while accounting for reaction time adjustments. This machine learning-driven nonlinear analysis demonstrated that vehicle exhaust nearly always emerged as the primary anthropogenic contributor in diverse functional zones and different seasons, with gasoline evaporation as another key contributor, while the traditional reactivity metric method, ozone formation potential (OFP), tended to underestimate the role of the two sources. This study highlights the primacy of strengthening emission reduction of transportation sectors to mitigate HCHO pollution in megacities. Full article

Anoplophora glabripennis, is one of the most devastating wood borers of many broad leaf trees. Our previous results indicated that antennae of A. glabripennis showed electroantennogram (EAG) responses to several host plant volatiles. However, the quantities of active compounds necessary to trigger an EAG response remains unclear. To relate EAG responses with quantities of active molecules, we quantified the level of molecular triggering in the EAG response of A. glabripennis by a series of procedures. First, we used the EAG apparatus to measure EAG responses of A. glabripennis to five concentrations of eight chemicals and obtained dose–response curves. Second, volatiles released after blowing air over filter paper loaded with volatiles for different numbers of times (purging) were collected by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and quantified by gas chromatography (GC), so we obtained the quantity of chemical released from each purge; the minimum number of molecules in each purge in the EAG was calculated by the molar mass for different compounds. For instance, the number of molecules of (Z)-3-hexenol reaching the female antennal segment in EAG was 8.68 × 10⁸ at 0.01 ng/μL concentration, and 1.39 × 10⁵ at 0.01 mV potential value. Finally, by comparing sensilla numbers on tested antennal segments with the entire antennae, the minimum number of molecules, or molecular flow, of tested compounds required to elicit an electrophysiological response from two antennae of ALB could be estimated either at a minimum concentration (2.49 × 10⁸ at 0.01 ng/μL concentration of (Z)-3-Hexenol, for female) or at a minimum potentiometric response value (3.99 × 10⁴ at 0.01 mV potential value). Full article

Projections indicate that the global urban population is anticipated to reach 67.2% by 2050, accompanied by a threefold increase in urban built-up areas worldwide. Urbanization has profoundly transformed Earth’s natural environment, notably characterized by the drastic reduction and fragmentation of wildlife habitats. These changes contribute to local species extinction, leading to biodiversity loss and profoundly impacting ecological processes and regional sustainable development. However, within urban settings, certain ‘generalist’ species demonstrate survival capabilities contingent upon phenotypic plasticity. The co-evolution of gut microbiota with their hosts emerges as a key driver of this phenotypic plasticity. The presence of diverse gut microbiota constitutes a crucial adaptive mechanism essential for enabling hosts to adjust to rapid environmental shifts. This review comprehensively explores amniote gut microbial changes in the context of urbanization, examining potential drivers of these changes (including diet and environmental pollutants) and their potential consequences for host health (such as physiology, metabolism, immune function, and susceptibility to infectious and non-infectious diseases). Ultimately, the implications of the gut microbiome are highlighted for elucidating key issues in ecology and evolution. This understanding is expected to enhance our comprehension of species adaptation in the Anthropocene. Full article

Oncidium has an important market value, with important high-grade cut orchids and potted flowers on the flower market. In the Oncidium cut flowers production industry, there is a common phenomenon that the development of vegetative buds disrupts the normal generation cycle of the inflorescence induction, so-called “bud jumping”. In this study, vegetative bud differentiation and flower bud differentiation were divided into three stages, namely, the initial stage of differentiation, the leaf primordial/flower primordial differentiation stage, and the late stage of leaf bud/flower bud differentiation, as observed by paraffin sectioning. Secondly, we analyzed the differences between the vegetative buds of “bud jumping” plants and the flower buds of normal flowering plants by transcriptome sequencing. The transcriptome analysis results revealed significant differences among plant signaling pathways, particularly in gibberellins, auxins, and cytokinins, which play important roles in this phenomenon’s formation. In conjunction with the transcriptome analysis, the researchers conducted field experiments by applying plant growth regulators on the newborn pseudobulb of young Oncidium plants measuring approximately 49 mm in length. The results showed that the treatment groups of 100 mg/L of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and 100 mg/L GA₃ + 10 mg/L 6-Benziladenine (6-BA) exhibited the highest rate of flower bud differentiation instead of the least “bud jumping” phenomenon, and the “bud jumping” phenomenon was significantly reduced under 25 mg/L, 50 mg/L, and 75 mg/L 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA) treatments. The application of exogenous gibberellins, cytokinins, and auxins can effectively reduce the occurrence of “bud jumping”. Full article

With the increasing prominence of the energy crisis and environmental problems, microgrid technology has received widespread attention as an important technical means to improve the stability and reliability of new energy access. Focusing on the latest development of microgrid operation control technology, this paper combs and summarizes the related research at home and abroad, including the key technologies of microgrid optimization operation, power prediction and virtual synchronous active support control technology, and points out their advantages and limitations. First, this review describes the concept and structure of microgrids, including components such as distributed power sources, energy storage devices, energy conversion devices and loads. Then, the microgrid optimization operation technologies are analyzed in detail, including energy management optimization algorithms for efficient use of energy and cost reduction. Focusing on microgrid power forecasting techniques, including wind energy and PV power forecasting and load forecasting, the contributions and impacts of different power forecasting methods are summarized. Furthermore, the inverter control strategies and the stability mechanism of the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) active support control technology are investigated. Finally, synthesizing domestic and international microgrid development experience, this review summarizes the current state-of-the-art technologies, analyzes the advantages and limitations of these key technologies (including optimization scheduling, power prediction and VSG-based active support control) and highlights the necessity of their continuous improvement to provide a solid foundation for promoting the widespread application and sustainable development of microgrid technology. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hepatic clearance is important in determining clinical drug administration strategies. Achieving accurate hepatic clearance predictions through in vitro-to-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) relies on appropriate model selection, which is a critical step. Although numerous models have been developed to estimate drug dosage, some may fail to predict liver drug clearance owing to inappropriate hepatic clearance models during IVIVE. To address this limitation, an in silico-based model selection approach for optimizing hepatic clearance predictions was introduced in a previous study. The current study extends this strategy by verifying the accuracy of the selected models using ex situ experimental data, particularly for drugs whose model choices are influenced by protein binding. Methods: Commonly prescribed drugs were classified according to their hepatic extraction ratios and protein-binding properties. Building on previous studies that employed multinomial logistic regression analysis for model selection, a three-phase classification method was implemented to identify five representative drugs: diazepam, diclofenac, rosuvastatin, fluoxetine, and tolbutamide. Subsequently, an isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) system was used to evaluate the accuracy of the in silico method. Results: As the unbound fraction increased for diazepam and diclofenac, the most suitable predictive model shifted from the initially preferred well-stirred model (WSM) to the modified well-stirred model (MWSM). For rosuvastatin, the MWSM provided a more accurate prediction. These three capacity-limited, binding-sensitive drugs conformed to the outcomes predicted by the multinomial logistic regression analysis. Fluoxetine was best described by the WSM, which is consistent with its flow-limited classification. For tolbutamide, a representative capacity-limited, binding-insensitive drug, no significant differences were observed among the various models. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the accuracy of an in silico-based model selection approach for predicting liver metabolism and highlight its potential for guiding dosage adjustments. Furthermore, the IPRL system serves as a practical tool for validating the accuracy of the results derived from this approach. Full article

A series of problems, such as material damage and charge trap, can be caused when GaN HEMT power devices are subjected to high field stress in the off-state. The reliability of GaN HEMT power devices affects the safe operation of the entire power electronic system and seriously threatens the stability of the equipment. Therefore, it is particularly important to study the damage mechanism of GaN HEMT power devices under high field conditions. This work studies the degradation of Cascode GaN HEMT power devices under off-state high-field stress and analyzes the related damage mechanism. It is found that the high field stress in the off-state will generate a positive charge trap in the oxide layer of the MOS device in the cascade structure. Moreover, defects occur in the barrier layer and buffer layer of GaN HEMT devices, and the threshold voltage of Cascode GaN HEMT power devices is negatively shifted, and the transconductance is reduced. This study provides an important theoretical basis for the reliability of GaN HEMT power devices in complex and harsh environments. Full article

To address the issue of aflatoxin contamination, which poses a significant threat to food safety and human health, we have conducted extensive research. We have isolated a strain of Myroides odoratimimus (3J2MO) from the soil that exhibited remarkable efficiency in degrading various aflatoxin types, including AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, and AFM1. SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed the purity of the enzymes to be over 95%. Through fluorescence assays, we quantified the enzymatic activity, with an AFB1 degradation rate of 95% achieved at 37 °C and a pH of 8.0. Further analysis using HPLC-MS/MS identified the degradation intermediates, revealing the mechanisms of lactone ring cleavage and epoxy group hydrolysis. GO/COG/KEGG annotations provided insights into the functions of these enzymes, with peroxidase linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and helicase associated with ATP-dependent conformational changes. Helicase, on the other hand, hydrolyzes ATP, driving conformational changes in AFB1 and facilitating its breakdown into non-toxic metabolites. The potential industrial-scale application of this discovery could significantly mitigate aflatoxin-related economic losses while minimizing chemical residues in the food chain. Full article

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is crucial for occupant health and sustainable urban living. Given the significant time spent indoors in urban areas, maintaining IAQ mitigates health risks and enhances quality of life. This study evaluates the effectiveness of installing a UV air-cleaning device at the outlet of an existing air-conditioning system. The experiments involved measuring the colony-forming units (CFUs) of airborne microorganisms before and after the installation of the UV device. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in CFUs, confirming the device’s efficacy in improving IAQ. Using the UV air-cleaning device for 30 min could reduce bacterial concentration by more than 70.7%. Furthermore, using a model from the literature, the time required to achieve a 90% reduction in pollutant concentration was calculated, providing a quantitative measure of the device’s performance. Using the energy recovery ventilators only requires 25.3 to 49.6 min to achieve a 90% reduction, whereas configurations incorporating UV lamps can reach 90% reduction in 7.1 min. Based on these findings, recommendations for the optimal use of UV air-cleaning devices are proposed, offering valuable insights for future designs of air purification systems. Full article

The degenerate optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is demonstrated to generate high-power, broadband mid-infrared MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate (MgO:PPLN) femtosecond laser at 151 MHz, synchronously pumped by a commercial Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb:KGW oscillator at 1028 nm. The average power of the degenerate OPO centered at 2056 nm is as high as 740 mW, which is the highest output power from a reported 2 μm degenerate femtosecond OPO, pumped by a bulk solid-state laser. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) spectral bandwidth of the degenerate OPO is 87.4 nm, corresponding to a theoretical, Fourier-limited pulse duration of 51 fs. These remarkable results indicate that degenerate OPO is a great potential candidate technology for generating high-power and few-cycle femtosecond pulses around 2 μm. Such mid-infrared sources are well-suited for high harmonic generation, a pumping source for mid- to far-infrared OPO. Full article

Background: The association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and activities of daily living (ADL) disability remains unclear. Our study aimed to comprehensively explore the relationship between hsCRP concentrations and the risk of ADL disability, while also identifying potential modifiers of this association in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: We conducted a prospective study involving 16,342 participants aged 50 years and older (mean age: 64 ± 10 years) from the Health and Retirement Study. To investigate the longitudinal association between hsCRP and the risk of ADL disability, we employed Cox proportional hazard regression models, adjusting for a wide range of potential confounders. Subgroups analyses were further conducted to examine interactions across factors such as gender, age, body mass index, smoking status, and drinking status. Results: This study involved a follow-up of 125,858 person-years (median of 8 years; interquartile range: 4–12 years), revealing a total of 4579 incidents of ADL disability. The highest hsCRP concentration was significantly associated with ADL disability after adjustment for covariates (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.25; confidence interval [CI] = 1.14–1.36). The associations between hsCRP and the risk of ADL disability seemed to be somewhat stronger among individuals aged < 65 years and with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (both p for interaction < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings indicated that elevated hsCRP concentrations are associated with an increased risk of ADL disability in middle-aged and older adults. HsCRP appears to serve as a biomarker for ADL disability, particularly among individuals with obesity and middle-aged adults. Full article