Search Results (628)

Rydberg atoms play a crucial role in testing atomic structure theory, quantum computing and simulation. Measurements of transition frequencies from the $2^{1,3}S$ states to Rydberg ${}^{1,3}P$ states have reached a precision of several kHz, which poses significant challenges for theoretical calculations, since the accuracy of variational energy calculations decreases rapidly with increasing principal quantum number n. Recently the complex “triple” Hylleraas basis was employed to attain the ionization energy of helium $24{}^{1}P$ state with high accuracy. Different from it, we extended the correlated B-spline basis functions (C-BSBFs) to calculate the Rydberg states of helium. The nonrelativistic energies of $1snp$${}^{1,3}P$ states up to $n=27$ achieve at least 14 significant digits using a unified basis set, thereby greatly reducing the complexity of the optimization process. Results of geometric structure parameters and cusp conditions were presented as well. Both the global operator and direct calculation methods are employed and cross-checked for contact potentials. This C-BSBF method not only obtains high-accuracy energies across all studied levels but also confirms the effectiveness of the C-BSBFs in depicting long-range and short-range correlation effects, laying a solid foundation for future high-accuracy Rydberg-state calculations with relativistic and QED corrections included in helium atom and low-Z helium-like ions. Full article

Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with China being particularly affected because of its large population. Regulated cell death (RCD) mechanisms, including autophagy, apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, play complex roles in cancer development and progression. This review explores the dual roles of autophagy and apoptosis in cancer, highlighting their tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting functions. Autophagy can maintain genomic stability, induce apoptosis, and suppress protumor inflammation, but it may also support tumor cell survival and drug resistance. Apoptosis, while primarily tumor-suppressive, can paradoxically promote cancer progression in certain contexts. Other RCD mechanisms, such as necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, also exhibit dual roles in cancer, influencing tumor growth, metastasis, and immune responses. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted cancer therapies. This review provides insights into the intricate interplay between RCD mechanisms and cancer, emphasizing the need for context-dependent therapeutic strategies. Full article

The deformation characteristics of the surrounding rock in tunnel groups are considered critical for the design of support structures and the assurance of the long-term safety of deep-buried diversion tunnels. The deformation behavior of surrounding rock in tunnel groups was investigated to guide structural support design. Field tests and numerical simulations were performed to analyze the distribution of ground stress and the ground reaction curve under varying conditions, including rock type, tunnel spacing, and burial depth. A solid unit–structural unit coupled simulation approach was adopted to derive the two-liner support characteristic curve and to examine the propagation behavior of concrete cracks. The influences of surrounding rock strength, reinforcement ratio, and secondary lining thickness on the bearing capacity of the secondary lining were systematically evaluated. The following findings were obtained: (1) The tunnel group effect was found to be negligible when the spacing (D) was ≥65 m and the burial depth was 1600 m. (2) Both P_0.3 and P_max of the secondary lining increased linearly with reinforcement ratio and thickness. (3) For surrounding rock of grade III (IV), 95% u_lim and 90% u_lim were found to be optimal support timings, with secondary lining forces remaining well below the cracking stress during construction. (4) For surrounding rock of grade V in tunnels with a burial depth of 200 m, 90% u_lim is recommended as the initial support timing. Support timings for tunnels with burial depths between 400 m and 800 m are 40 cm, 50 cm, and 60 cm, respectively. Design parameters should be adjusted based on grouting effects and monitoring data. Additional reinforcement is recommended for tunnels with burial depths between 1000 m and 2000 m to improve bearing capacity, with measures to enhance impermeability and reduce external water pressure. These findings contribute to the safe and reliable design of support structures for deep-buried diversion tunnels, providing technical support for design optimization and long-term operation. Full article

Grass carp is an economically important cultured species in China. Triploid embryo production is widely applied in aquaculture to achieve reproductive sterility, improve somatic growth, and reduce ecological risks associated with uncontrolled breeding. In this study, a simple cold shock method for inducing triploid grass carp was developed. The triploid induction rate of 71.73 ± 5.00% was achieved by applying a cold treatment at 4 °C for 12 min, starting 2 min after artificial fertilization. Flow cytometry and karyotype analysis revealed that triploid individuals exhibited a 1.5-fold increase in DNA content compared to diploid counterparts, with a chromosomal composition of 3n = 72 (33m + 36sm + 3st). Additionally, embryonic transcriptome analysis demonstrated that, in the cold shock-induced embryos, genes associated with abnormal mesoderm and dorsal–ventral axis formation, zygotic genome activation (ZGA), and anti-apoptosis were downregulated, whereas pro-apoptotic genes were upregulated, which may contribute to the higher abnormal mortality observed during embryonic development. Overall, this study demonstrates optimized conditions for inducing triploidy in grass carp via cold shock and provides insights into the transcriptomic changes that take place in cold shock-induced embryos, which could inform future grass carp genetic breeding programs. Full article

Clostridioides difficile is a leading pathogen involved in healthcare-associated diarrhea. With its increasing incidence, mortality, and antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies to address the infection and prevent its recurrence. Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD) is a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diarrhea, but its main active ingredient is not known. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the biological activity of berberine (BER) and baicalein (BAI), key components of GQD, against C. difficile. Time–kill curves and scanning electron microscopy were employed to assess their effects on C. difficile growth, while Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbnent Assay (ELISA) and cytotoxicity assays were used to examine their impact on toxin production. We also employed Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) to examine how BER and BAI influenced the expression of toxin-associated genes. At sub-inhibitory concentrations, these compounds exerted antibacterial activity against C. difficile by disrupting the integrity of the cell membrane and cell wall. Furthermore, BER and BAI also suppressed toxin production, demonstrating effects comparable to those of vancomycin. This suppression likely resulted from their bactericidal activity and the inhibition of toxin gene expression. This study not only highlights the potential application of GQD in treating C. difficile infections but also offers promising options for developing drugs targeting the growth and virulence of this pathogen. C. difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of severe diarrhea, and its treatment remains challenging due to limited drug options and its high recurrence rate. BAI and BER, the main active components of the traditional Chinese medicinal formula GQD, inhibited the growth of C. difficile by disrupting its cellular structure and significantly reduced the production of toxins associated with disease severity. Furthermore, the effects of BAI and BER on C. difficile were comparable to those of conventional antibiotics, suggesting that these compounds could be potential alternative therapies for CDI. This study not only highlights the therapeutic potential of GQD in treating CDI but also provides a replicable research strategy for the development of novel anti-CDI agents. Full article

Anomaly detection methods for industrial control networks using multivariate time series usually adopt deep learning-based prediction models. However, most of the existing anomaly detection research only focuses on evaluating detection performance and rarely explains why data is marked as abnormal and which physical components have been attacked. Yet, in many scenarios, it is necessary to explain the decision-making process of detection. To address this concern, we propose an interpretable method for an anomaly detection model based on gradient optimization, which can perform batch interpretation of data without affecting model performance. Our method transforms the interpretation of anomalous features into solving an optimization problem in a normal “reference” state. In the selection of important features, we adopt the method of multiplying the absolute gradient by the input to measure the independent effects of different dimensions of data. At the same time, we use KSG mutual information estimation and multivariate cross-correlation to evaluate the relationship and mutual influence between different dimensional data within the same sliding window. By accumulating gradient changes, the interpreter can identify the attacked features. Comparative experiments were conducted on the SWAT and WADI datasets, demonstrating that our method can effectively identify the physical components that have experienced anomalies and their changing trends. Full article

Bombax ceiba is an important medicinal and ornamental tree widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas. However, its seeds lose viability rapidly after harvest, which has created hurdles in large-scale propagation. Here, we describe the development of a rapid and efficient de novo organogenesis system for Bombax ceiba, incorporating both indirect and direct regeneration pathways. The optimal basal medium used throughout the protocol was ½ MS supplemented with 30 g/L glucose, with all cultures maintained at 26–28 °C. For the indirect pathway, callus was induced from both ends of each hypocotyl on basal medium supplemented with 0.2 mg·L⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BA) under dark conditions. The induced calluses were subsequently differentiated into adventitious shoots on basal media containing 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), 0.15 mg·L⁻¹ Kinetin (KIN), and 1 mg·L⁻¹ 6-BA under a 16 h photoperiod, resulting in a callus induction rate of 140% and a differentiation rate of 51%. For the direct regeneration pathway, shoot buds cultured on medium with 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ IBA and 1 mg·L⁻¹ 6-BA achieved a 100% sprouting rate with a regeneration coefficient of approximately 3.2. The regenerated adventitious shoots rooted successfully on medium supplemented with 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ Naphthylacetic acid (NAA) and were acclimatized under greenhouse conditions to produce viable plantlets. This regeneration system efficiently utilizes sterile seedling explants, is not limited by seasonal or environmental factors, and significantly improves the propagation efficiency of Bombax ceiba. These optimized micropropagation methods also provide a robust platform for future genetic transformation studies using hypocotyls and shoot buds as explants. Full article

Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) has attracted widespread attention in recent years due to its momentous physiological functions. Microbial fermentation is the major method in CoQ₁₀ industrial production, and Rhodobacter sphaeroides is the main strain for the production of CoQ₁₀ by fermentation. Optimization of the culture medium is a popular solution to improve the metabolite production. Culture medium is the material basis for microbial growth and product synthesis, of which inorganic salts are a key ingredient. Uniform design (UD), artificial neural network (ANN), and genetic algorithm (GA) are the main research methods. Through uniform design (UD) and artificial neural network/genetic algorithm (ANN-GA) progressive optimization, an optimal formulation of the inorganic salts in fermentation medium was obtained (g·L⁻¹): MgSO₄ 12, NaCl 2.5, FeSO₄ 1.6, KH₂PO₄ 0.8, MnSO₄ 0.1, CaCl₂ 0.1. Ultimately, the fermentation yield of CoQ₁₀ could reach 255.36 mg·L⁻¹. ANN-GA exhibited a superior prediction capability compared to UD. Compared to UD, the optimization results of ANN-GA had a smaller relative error (ANN-GA 1.23%; UD 3.01%) and a higher increase rate in the fermentation level of CoQ₁₀ (ANN-GA 4.1%; UD 2.04%). R. sphaeroides had a high demand for Mg²⁺. Full article

Nuclear receptors are proteins located in the nucleus that are involved in gene transcription and play an important role in regulating metabolism and inflammation. Systemic metabolic abnormalities and chronic inflammation in diabetic patients are associated with gene expression and activity of bile acid metabolism, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, energy expenditure, and inflammation regulated by nuclear receptors. As a major metabolic organ, the nuclear receptor regulation signal of the liver is the key to regulating the dialog between the liver and other organs. In this review, we discuss the newly discovered role of hepatic nuclear receptor signaling in diabetes metabolism and inflammation and focus on recent advances in drug research targeting nuclear receptors in diabetes, including the use of traditional Chinese medicine. Full article

Longshan Lilium lancifolium is a well-known medicinal and edible lily and has been registered as a geographical indicator in China. Polyploidization confers many advantages in lily production; however, characteristics of Longshan L. lancifolium improved by polyploidization have not been reported. Here, polyploidization was induced in regenerated Longshan L. lancifolium shoots using colchicine, and the mutant plantlets were characterized by morphological observation, flow cytometry, and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker technology. The optimal medium for inducing shoot regeneration was Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 0.2 mg/L of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.4 mg/L of thidiazuron (TDZ). The greatest mutation induction effect was obtained after soaking the regenerated shoots in 0.10% colchicine for 48 h, for an 80.00% frequency of morphological variants. Forty-one mutant plantlets were subjected to flow cytometry, identifying one homozygous polyploid, ‘JD-12’, and one chimeric polyploid, ‘JD-37’. Additionally, 68 chromosomes were found in the ‘JD-12’ root tip cells. Compared with the control, both the tissue-cultured and field-generated ‘JD-12’ plantlets presented a slight decrease in plant height, a darker green leaf color, a rougher leaf surface, and a larger bulblet diameter; furthermore, the upper epidermal and guard cells of ‘JD-12’ were much larger with a significantly lower stomatal density. The ISSR marker detection indicated a genetic variation rate of 6.10% in ‘JD-12’. These results provide a basis for lily polyploidization breeding and the cultivation of superior Longshan L. lancifolium via shoot regeneration. Full article

In order to clarify the feasibility of constructing a gas storage reservoir through synergistic injection and production in the target reservoir, micro-displacement experiments and multi-cycle injection–production experiments were conducted. These experiments investigated the displacement characteristics and the factors affecting storage capacity during the multi-cycle injection–production process for converting the target reservoir into a gas storage facility. Microscopic displacement experiments have shown that the remaining oil is primarily distributed in the dead pores and tiny pores of the core in the form of micro-bead chains and films. The oil displacement efficiency of water flooding followed by gas flooding is 18.61% higher than that of gas flooding alone, indicating that the transition from water flooding to gas flooding can further reduce the liquid saturation and increase the storage capacity space by 2.17%. Single-tube long-core displacement experiments indicate that, during the collaborative construction of a gas storage facility, the overall oil displacement efficiency without a depletion process is approximately 24% higher than that with a depletion process. This suggests that depletion production is detrimental to enhancing oil recovery and expanding the capacity of the gas storage facility. During the cyclic injection–production stage, the crude oil recovery rate increases by 1% to 4%. As the number of cycles increases, the incremental oil displacement efficiency in each stage gradually decreases, and so does the increase in cumulative oil displacement efficiency. Better capacity expansion effects are achieved when gas is produced simultaneously from both ends. Parallel double-tube long-core displacement experiments demonstrate that, when the permeability is the same, the oil displacement efficiencies during the gas flooding stage and the cyclic injection–production stage are essentially identical. When there is a permeability contrast, the oil displacement efficiency of the high-permeability core is 9.56% higher than that of the low-permeability core. The ratio of the oil displacement efficiency between the high-permeability end and the low-permeability end is positively correlated with the permeability contrast; the greater the permeability contrast, the larger the ratio. The research findings can provide a reference for enhancing oil recovery and expanding the capacity of the target reservoir when it is converted into a gas storage facility. Full article

This study employs synchrotron polychromatic X-ray microdiffraction (micro-XRD) to resolve the dynamic interplay between deformation mechanisms and stress redistribution in a commercial Mg-3Al-1Zn (AZ31) alloy under uniaxial tension. Submicron-resolution mapping across 13 incremental load steps (12–73 MPa) reveals sequential activation of deformation modes: basal slip initiates at 46 MPa, followed by tensile twinning at 64 MPa, and non-basal slip accommodation during twin propagation at 68 MPa. Key findings include accelerated parent grain rotation (up to 0.275° basal plane tilt) between 43–46 MPa, stress relaxation in parent grains coinciding with twin nucleation, and a ~35 MPa stress reversal within twins. The critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) ratio of twinning to basal slip is experimentally determined as 1.8, with orientation-dependent variations attributed to parent grain crystallography. These results provide unprecedented insights into microscale deformation pathways, critical for optimizing magnesium alloy formability and performance in lightweight applications. Full article

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO₂) Brayton cycle has emerged as a hot topic of research in the energy field. Among its key components, the sCO₂ compressor has received significant attention. In particular, axial-flow sCO₂ compressors are increasingly being investigated as power systems advance toward high power scaling. This paper reviews global research progress in this field. As for performance characteristics, currently, sCO₂ axial-flow compressors are mostly designed with large mass flow rates (>100 kg/s), near-critical inlet conditions, multistage configurations with relatively low stage pressure ratios (1.1–1.2), and high isentropic efficiencies (87–93%). As for internal flow characteristics, although similarity laws remain applicable to sCO₂ turbomachinery, the flow dynamics are strongly influenced by abrupt variations in thermophysical properties (e.g., viscosities, sound speeds, and isentropic exponents). High Reynolds numbers reduce frictional losses and enhance flow stability against separation but increase sensitivity to wall roughness. The locally reduced sound speed may induce shock waves and choke, while drastic variation in the isentropic exponent makes the multistage matching difficult and disperses normalized performance curves. Additionally, the quantitative impact of a near-critical phase change remains insufficiently understood. As for the experimental investigation, so far, it has been publicly shown that only the University of Notre Dame has conducted an axial-flow compressor experimental test, for the first stage of a 10 MW sCO₂ multistage axial-flow compressor. Although the measured efficiency is higher than that of all known sCO₂ centrifugal compressors, the inlet conditions evidently deviate from the critical point, limiting the applicability of the results to sCO₂ power cycles. As for design and optimization, conventional design methodologies for axial-flow compressors require adaptations to incorporate real-gas property correction models, re-evaluations of maximum diffusion (e.g., the DF parameter) for sCO₂ applications, and the intensification of structural constraints due to the high pressure and density of sCO₂. In conclusion, further research should focus on two aspects. The first is to carry out more fundamental cascade experiments and numerical simulations to reveal the complex mechanisms for the near-critical, transonic, and two-phase flow within the sCO₂ axial-flow compressor. The second is to develop loss models and design a space suitable for sCO₂ multistage axial-flow compressors, thus improving the design tools for high-efficiency and wide-margin sCO₂ axial-flow compressors. Full article

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a metabolic disorder for which no effective pharmacological treatments are currently available. Cistanoside F (Cis), a phenoxyethanol-derived compound, remains relatively unexplored in the context of lipid metabolism regulation, as well as its potential mechanisms and therapeutic applications in metabolic disorders. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of Cis in ameliorating the pathological manifestations of SO in C2C12 cells. Two classical adipogenic differentiation models using C2C12 cells were employed to quantitatively assess the ability of Cis to inhibit lipid droplet formation, utilizing Oil Red O staining coupled with high-content imaging analysis. Markers associated with adipogenic and myogenic differentiation were examined using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. Our experimental findings demonstrated that Cis significantly attenuated lipid droplet accumulation and promoted muscle protein synthesis via the modulation of PPARγ, ATGL, CPT1b, and UCP1 expression during lipogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. Cis significantly upregulated the phosphorylation and expression levels of key metabolic regulators, including p-AMPK/AMPK, p-ACC1/ACC1, and MHC. We identified a positive regulatory feedback mechanism between AMPK signaling and MHC expression in the adipogenic differentiation model, suggesting that Cis exerts its therapeutic effects through AMPK-dependent pathways. This is the first study to provide the first experimental evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of Cis for metabolic regulation, targeting adiposity reduction and muscle mass enhancement. Furthermore, Cis exhibited potent anti-inflammatory properties, as demonstrated by its ability to significantly downregulate proinflammatory mediators, including IL-6 and p-NF-κB/NF-κB, during adipogenic differentiation. These novel findings regarding the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Cis will form the basis for our subsequent in-depth mechanistic investigations. Full article

The Minghuazhen Formation in the Cangdong Sag of the Bohai Bay Basin is a key sedimentary unit for investigating regional provenance evolution, paleoclimate variations, and hydrocarbon potential in Eastern China. This study integrates mineralogical and geochemical analyses to explore sedimentary characteristics. Techniques include X-ray diffraction (XRD), major/trace element compositions, rare earth element (REE) distributions, and organic carbon content. XRD data and elemental ratios (e.g., Al/Ti, Zr/Sc) suggest a predominant felsic provenance, sourced from acidic magmatic rocks. The enrichment with light rare earth elements (LREE: La–Eu) and notable negative Eu anomalies in the REE patterns support the interpretation of a provenance from the Taihangshan and Yanshan Orogenic Belts. Geochemical proxies, such as the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) and trace element ratios (e.g., U/Th, V/Cr, Ni/Co), indicate a warm and humid depositional environment, characterized by predominantly oxic freshwater conditions. Organic geochemical parameters, including total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and C/N ratios, suggest that organic matter primarily originates from aquatic algae and plankton, with C/N values predominantly below 10 and a strong correlation between TOC and TN. The weak correlation between TOC and total carbon (TC) indicates that the organic carbon is mainly biological in origin rather than carbonate-derived. Although the warm and humid climate promoted the production of organic matter, the prevailing oxic conditions hindered its preservation, resulting in a relatively low hydrocarbon generation potential within the Minghuazhen Formation of the Cangdong Sag. These findings provide new insights into the sedimentary evolution and hydrocarbon potential of the Bohai Bay Basin. Full article