Search Results (358)

With the advancement in deep-space exploration, the injection technology using xenon as a working fluid in electric propulsion systems has emerged as a key area of interest. To delve into the gas-liquid dynamics of the liquid xenon injection process and the influence of gravity on this mechanism, this investigation employs a VOF two-phase flow model coupled with the Lee model to elucidate the characteristics of the two-phase flow during microgravity conditions. The findings uncover that in the absence of gravitational forces, gas-liquid stratification does not occur during the filling process. Consequently, this leads to an even distribution of gas and liquid within the tank, which in turn prolongs the filling duration in orbiting scenarios. Full article

Polyphenols are compounds derived from plant-based food possessing numerous biological activities, including inhibiting oxidative stress, suppressing inflammation, and regulating gut microbiota. In this study, we investigated the effects of quinic acid, a phenolic acid from millet, on the regulation of gut microbiota and intestinal inflammation and further discussed the possible mechanism. The results showed that quinic acid could improve the microbiota composition of the feces of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by in vitro anaerobic fermentation by increasing the abundance of beneficial genera including Bifidobacterium, Weissella, etc., and decreasing that of harmful genera like Escherichia-Shigella. Quinic acid treatment could alleviate the symptoms of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, maintain the intestinal barrier, down-regulate the expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β and TNF-α, and inhibit the activation of the MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, quinic acid also improved the diversity of gut microbiota in mice with colitis. Furthermore, pseudo-germ-free colitis mice proved that the effect of quinic acid on intestinal inflammation was diminished after removing most gut microbiota by antibiotic treatment, suggesting that gut microbiota play important roles during the regulation of colitis by quinic acid. In a word, our study verified the regulatory effects of quinic acid on intestinal inflammation, depending on gut microbiota regulation and NF-κB signaling suppression. Full article

Global changes, such as atmospheric nitrogen deposition, can facilitate alien plant invasions, which are often attributed to the increase in soil nitrogen availability. However, few studies have considered the effects of global change-driven alterations in soil nitrogen forms, especially under conditions with interspecific competition. In this study, we first determined the differences in growth, biomass allocation, and photosynthesis under different nitrogen forms and addition levels between three noxious invasive species (Xanthium strumarium, Ambrosia trifida, and Bidens frondosa) and their respective related natives grown with and without interspecific competition and then assessed the interspecific difference in nitrogen form preference using the ¹⁵N labeling technique. Interspecific competition significantly decreased the positive responses of growth to nitrogen addition for all three natives, while increasing the responses for all three invaders, particularly under nitrate addition. When grown in competition, all invaders showed significant growth advantages over their related natives in most cases, and responded more positively to the addition of nitrate relative to ammonium, while the natives responded more positively to ammonium addition. These findings indicate that the invaders prefer nitrate, while the natives prefer ammonium. Consistently, the growth advantages are more pronounced for the invaders under nitrate relative to ammonium addition, indicating that nitrate-rich habitats may be more vulnerable to the invaders. When grown in monoculture, however, the growth advantage of the invaders became smaller or even disappeared. Nitrogen form preference also disappeared in Siegesbeckia glabrescens (native) and Bidens frondosa (invasive). Interestingly, the native plant Xanthium sibiricum showed significantly higher total biomass than its invasive congener under ammonium addition in both mixed and monoculture conditions. Our ¹⁵N labeling experiment showed that all six species preferred nitrate over ammonium, although this was not significant for two natives (S. glabrescens and X. sibiricum), which is not completely consistent with the results from our nitrogen addition experiment. Our results indicate that global change-driven alterations in soil nitrogen forms, particularly the shift from ammonium to nitrate, may facilitate alien plant invasions. Planting patterns significantly affect the responses of invasive and native species to nitrogen forms and addition levels, with mixed-culture experiments providing better insights into the invasiveness of alien species. Full article

ReRAM-based DNN accelerators have emerged as a promising solution to mitigate the von Neumann bottleneck. While prior research has introduced tools for simulating the hardware behavior of ReRAM’s non-linear characteristics, there remains a notable gap in high-level design automation tools capable of efficiently deploying DNN models onto ReRAM-based accelerators with simultaneous optimization of execution time and memory usage. In this paper, we propose a neural network compiler built on the open-source TVM framework to address this challenge. The compiler incorporates both layer fusion and model partitioning techniques to enhance data storage efficiency. The core contribution of our work is an algorithm that determines the optimal mapping strategy by jointly considering layer fusion and model partitioning under hardware resource constraints. Experimental evaluations demonstrate that the proposed compiler adapts effectively to varying hardware resource limitations, enabling efficient storage optimization and supporting early-stage design space exploration. Full article

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant global health burden, driven by the emergence of drug-resistant strains and the limited efficacy of current antiviral therapies. A promising strategy for therapeutic intervention involves targeting the NS3 protease, a viral enzyme essential for replication. In this study, we present the first computational model specifically designed to identify NS3 protease inhibitory peptides (NS3IPs). Using amino acid composition (AAC) and K-spaced amino acid pair composition (CKSAAP) features, we developed machine learning classifiers based on support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF), achieving accuracies of 98.85% and 97.83%, respectively, validated through 5-fold cross-validation and independent testing. To support the accessibility of the strategy, we implemented a web-based tool, iDNS3IP, which enables real-time prediction of NS3IPs. In addition, we performed feature space analyses using PCA, t-SNE, and LDA based on AAindex descriptors. The resulting visualizations showed a distinguishable clustering between NS3IPs and non-inhibitory peptides, suggesting that inhibitory activity may correlate with characteristic physicochemical patterns. This study provides a reliable and interpretable platform to assist in the discovery of therapeutic peptides and supports continued research into peptide-based antiviral strategies for drug-resistant HCV. To enhance its flexibility, the iDNS3IP web tool also incorporates a BLAST-based similarity search function, enabling users to evaluate inhibitory candidates from both predictive and homology-based perspectives. Full article

Background/Objectives: Panoramic radiography (PANO) is widely utilized for routine dental examinations, as a single PANO image captures most anatomical structures and clinical findings, enabling an initial assessment of overall dental health. Dentists rely on PANO images to enhance clinical diagnosis and inform treatment planning. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), the integration of clinical data and AI-driven analysis presents significant potential for supporting medical applications. Methods: The proposed method focuses on the segmentation and localization of impacted third molars in PANO images, incorporating Sobel edge detection and enhancement methods to improve feature extraction. A convolutional neural network (CNN) was subsequently trained to develop an automated impacted tooth detection system. Results: Experimental results demonstrated that the trained CNN achieved an accuracy of 84.48% without image preprocessing and enhancement. Following the application of the proposed preprocessing and enhancement methods, the detection accuracy improved significantly to 98.66%. This substantial increase confirmed the effectiveness of the image preprocessing and enhancement strategies proposed in this study. Compared to existing methods, which achieve approximately 90% accuracy, the proposed approach represents a notable improvement. Furthermore, the entire process, from inputting a raw PANO image to completing the detection, takes only 4.4 s. Conclusions: This system serves as a clinical decision support system for dentists and medical professionals, allowing them to focus more effectively on patient care and treatment planning. Full article

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) under construction are required to meet the stringent safety standards of operational facilities while also facing the heightened risk characteristics of construction projects. The combination of dense worker populations and generally low safety awareness presents serious challenges for ensuring construction safety. To address this, the present study proposes a BN–Game–SD multi-algorithm fusion model that systematically examines the evolution of behavioral risks from both group and individual perspectives. First, a behavioral indicator system was constructed using Bayesian Networks (BNs) to identify key risk factors. Then, a dynamic payoff matrix game model was introduced to analyze the incentive mechanisms between individuals and groups. Finally, a BN–Game–SD model was developed to capture the dynamic evolution of worker behaviors in NPP construction. Simulation results reveal that, under fixed probabilities of safety strategy selection, clear thresholds exist in group resistance to individual behavioral deviation and vice versa. Applied to a real NPP construction site, the model helped achieve a 10.39% reduction in safety violations. This study provides a theoretical foundation for promoting self-organized safety behavior evolution in nuclear enterprises and presents an innovative methodological framework for safety management in nuclear engineering. Full article

Background/Objectives: Common carotid artery dissection (CCAD) can result in severe neurological sequelae; however, its diagnosis may be challenging due to consciousness disturbance and aphasia. The objective of this article is to propose a new imaging feature to assist in the identification of CCAD. Methods: This retrospective case series enrolled 139 patients with discharge diagnoses of aortic dissection who underwent carotid ultrasound during admission over a period of three years. Results: Among these patients, 23 had type A aortic dissection, and 113 had type B aortic dissection or related conditions. Notably, among the 23 patients with type A aortic dissection, eight had associated common carotid artery dissection (CCAD), and a total of nine CCAD events were identified. Meanwhile, a B-mode ultrasound revealed six double lumens with intimal flaps and three intramural thrombi. The ‘train-line’ pattern in ultrasonography was discerned by detecting a hypoechoic thickened wall, which was characterized by a margin formed by two parallel linear reflections in close proximity. This distinctive “train-line” pattern was identified in three intimal flaps and two intramural thrombi. Conclusions: While double lumens and intramural thrombus are prevalent findings, the latter may be misinterpreted as atherosclerotic plaque. The “train-line” pattern may aid in distinguishing intramural thrombus from atheromatous plaque, offering an additional diagnostic tool alongside the identification of double lumens with intimal flaps. Full article

This study implemented an innovative system that trains a speech recognition model based on the DeepSpeech2 architecture using Python for voice control of a robot on the LabVIEW platform. First, a speech recognition model based on the DeepSpeech2 architecture was trained using a large speech dataset, enabling it to accurately transcribe voice commands. Then, this model was integrated with the LabVIEW graphical user interface and the myRIO controller. By leveraging LabVIEW’s graphical programming environment, the system processed voice commands, translated them into control signals, and directed the robot’s movements accordingly. Experimental results demonstrate that the system not only accurately recognizes various voice commands, but also controls the robot’s behavior in real time, showing high practicality and reliability. This study addresses the limitations inherent in conventional voice control methods, demonstrates the potential of integrating deep learning technology with industrial control platforms, and presents a novel approach for robotic voice control. Full article

Background: The Jinwu pig is a novel breed created by crossbreeding Jinhua and Duroc pigs, displaying superior meat quality, strong adaptability to coarse feed, high production performance, and a rapid growth rate. However, research on its reproductive traits and genomic characteristics has not been systematically reported. Methods: In this study, we investigated the genetic basis of reproductive traits in Jinwu pigs us-ing a genome-wide association study. We analyzed 2831 breeding records from 516 Jinwu sows to evaluate the effects of fixed factors (farrowing season, parity, and mated boar) on six reproductive traits: the total number of births (TNB), number born alive (NBA), number of healthy offspring produced (NHOP), weak litter size (WLS), number of stillbirths (NS), and number of mummies (NM). Results: A total of 771 genome-wide significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and ten potential candidate genes associated with pig reproductive traits were identified: VOPP1, PGAM2, TNS3, LRFN5, ORC1, CC2D1B, ZFYYE9, TUT4, DCN, and FEZF1. TT-genotype-carrier individuals of the pleiotropic SNP rs326174997 exhibited significantly higher TNB, NBA, and NHOP trait-related phenotypic values. Conclusions: These findings provide a foundation for the reproductive breeding of Jinwu pigs and offer new insights into molecular genetic breeding in pigs. Full article

Chronic wound healing is a significant challenge in diabetes. Puerarin is an active compound extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Pueraria lobata. Puerarin has been used in the treatment of diabetes and derives benefits from its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and pro-angiogenesis properties, but its efficacy is hampered by poor water solubility and bioavailability. In this study, we designed a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–borax–puerarin (BP) hydrogel system that self-assembled via boronic ester bonds. The BP hydrogel exhibited exceptional physical characteristics, including adaptability, injectability, plasticity, self-healing capabilities, and robust compressive strength, as well as good biocompatibility. In the chronic wound diabetic rats model, the BP hydrogel significantly accelerated wound healing, as evidenced by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, as well as Masson and picrosirius red (PSR) staining. RNA–sequencing and multiple immunohistochemistry (mIHC) analyses revealed that the BP hydrogel exerts a therapeutic effect by modulating macrophage polarization, promoting angiogenesis, and regulating collagen remodeling. Our findings suggest that the BP hydrogel represents a promising wound dressing and holds great potential for clinical applications in acute and chronic wound management. Full article

Rapid charge separation and transfer is the key scientific problem in photocatalysis. The construction of S-scheme heterojunction is one of the effective strategies to promote charge separation and maintain the strong redox properties. Herein, the NiO, K_0.2WO₃, and NiWO₄ ternary double S-scheme K_0.2WO₃/NiO/NiWO₄ heterojunction (W/NiO) was created by a one-step molten salt method. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) diffuse reflectance spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, photoelectrochemistry tests, and other analyses revealed that the double S-scheme heterostructure broadened the spectral response range of NiO and promoted its separation of photocarriers. Compared with pristine NiO, the modified double S-scheme heterojunction enhanced the surface adsorption of water molecules and the accumulation of intermediate product of HCOO⁻, and optimized the CO₂ reduction system, realizing the improved CO yield of 373 μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ in Ru(byp)₃²⁺/ethanolamine of CO₂ reduction system. This study indicates that double S-scheme heterojunction could facilitate efficient photogenerated charge transfer and separation, thereby achieving high activity and selectivity for CO₂ photoreduction. Our work provides a reference for the one-step construction of double S-scheme heterojunction. Full article

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the elderly, and it is characterized by oxidative stress, lipid dysregulation, and dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). A hallmark of AMD is the presence of drusen, extracellular deposits rich in lipids, proteins, and cellular debris, which are secreted by the RPE. These deposits impair RPE function, promote chronic inflammation, and accelerate disease progression. Despite advancements in understanding AMD pathogenesis, therapeutic strategies targeting lipid dysregulation and oxidative damage in RPE cells remain limited. This study evaluated the effects of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), on free fatty acid (FFA)-induced damage in ARPE-19 cells, a widely used in vitro model of RPE dysfunction. FFA treatment induced lipid droplet accumulation, oxidative stress, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), which are processes implicated in AMD progression. Liraglutide significantly reduced lipid droplet accumulation, mitigated oxidative stress, and suppressed EMT, as demonstrated by high-content imaging, immunocytochemistry, and molecular assays. Mechanistic analyses revealed that liraglutide activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), enhancing lipophagy and restoring lipid homeostasis. Furthermore, liraglutide influenced exosome secretion, altering paracrine signaling and reducing EMT markers in neighboring cells. These findings underscore liraglutide’s potential to address critical mechanisms underlying AMD pathogenesis, including lipid dysregulation, oxidative stress, and EMT. This study provides foundational evidence supporting the development of GLP-1 receptor agonists as targeted therapies for AMD. Full article

This paper presents an advanced dielectric engineering approach utilizing a composition-dependent hafnium zirconium oxide (Hf_1-xZr_xO₂) superlattice (SL) structure for Si nanosheet gate-all-around field-effect transistors (Si NSGAAFETs). The dielectric (DE) properties of solid solution (SS) and SL Hf_1-xZr_xO₂ capacitors were systematically characterized through capacitance-voltage (C-V) and polarization-voltage (P-V) measurements under varying annealing conditions. A high dielectric constant (k-value) of 59 was achieved in SL-Hf_0.3Zr_0.7O₂, leading to a substantial reduction in equivalent oxide thickness (EOT). Furthermore, the SL-Hf_0.3Zr_0.7O₂ dielectric was integrated into Si NSGAAFETs, with the interfacial layer (IL) further optimized via NH₃ plasma treatment. The resulting devices exhibited superior electrical performance, including an enhanced ON-OFF current ratio (I_ON/I_OFF) reaching 10⁷, an increased drive current, and significantly reduced gate leakage. These results highlight the potential of SL-Hf_0.3Zr_0.7O₂ as a high-k dielectric solution for overcoming EOT scaling challenges in advanced CMOS technology and enabling further innovation in next-generation logic applications. Full article