Liver transcriptome and physiological analyses preliminarily revealed the adaptation mechanisms of Amur grayling (Thymallus arcticus grubei, Dybowski, 1869) fry for dietary lipid nutrition.

The Amur grayling (Thymallus arcticus grubei Dybowski, 1869), a species of potentially economic and research value, is renowned for its tender meat, exquisite flavor, and high nutritional contents. This study was conducted to investigate the physiological adaptation mechanisms to dietary lipids in Amur grayling fry (with average initial weight 4.64±0.03 g). This study involved a 56-day feeding trial with diets containing varying lipid levels (9.07%, 12.17%, 15.26%, 18.09%, 21.16%, and 24.07%, designated as GL1 through GL6, respectively) to explore the impact of dietary lipids on growth performance, intestinal digestion, liver antioxidative function, and transcriptomic profiles. Results showed that The group receiving 18% dietary lipid exhibited a markedly higher weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate compared to other groups, alongside a reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR), except in comparison to the 15% lipid group. Activities of lipase in pancreatic secretion and amylase in stomach mucosa peaked in the 18% lipid treatment group, indicating enhanced digestive efficiency. The liver of fish in this group also showed increased activities of antioxidative enzymes and higher levels of glutathione and total antioxidative capacity, along with reduced malondialdehyde content compared to the 9% and 24% lipid treatments. Additionally, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were highest in the 18% group. Transcriptomic analysis revealed four significant metabolic pathways affected: Cholesterol metabolism, Fat digestion and absorption, PPAR signaling, and Fatty acid degradation, involving key genes such as Lipase, Lipoprotein lipase, Fatty acid-binding protein, and Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I. These findings suggest that the liver of Amur grayling employs adaptive mechanisms to manage excessive dietary lipids. Quadratic regression analysis determined the optimal dietary lipid levels to be 16.62% and 16.52%, based on WGR and FCR, respectively. The optimal dietary lipid level for juvenile Amur grayling appears to be around 18%, as evidenced by improved growth performance, digestive function, balanced serum lipid profile, and enhanced liver antioxidative capacity. Exceeding this lipid threshold triggers both adaptive and potentially detrimental liver responses.

Study of the Dielectric and Corona Resistance Properties of PI Films Modified with Fluorene Moiety/Aluminum Sec-Butoxide.

With the policy tilt and increased investment in research and development in the world, new energy vehicle technology continues to progress and the drive motor power density continues to improve, which puts forward higher requirements for the comprehensive performance of the core insulating material enameled wire enamel for drive motors. Polyimide (PI) has excellent electrical insulation properties, and heat resistance is often used to drive the motor winding insulation. To further improve the corona resistance and insulating properties of PI wire enamel varnish, in this paper, firstly, fluorene groups with a rigid conjugated structure were introduced into the molecular chain of the PI film by molecular structure modulation, and then uniformly dispersed alumina nanoclusters (AOCs) were introduced into the PI matrix by using an in situ growth process to inhibit the migration of high-energy electrons. The quantum size effect of the alumina nanoclusters was exploited to synergistically enhance the suppression and scattering of energetic moving electrons by PI-based composite films. The results show that the breakdown field strength of the PI-based composite film (MPI/1.0 vol% AOC) reaches 672.2 kV/mm, and the corona resistance life reaches 7.9 min, which are, respectively, 1.55 and 2.19 times higher than those of the initial PI film. A PI-based composite film with excellent insulating and corona resistance properties was obtained.

Causal relationships between peripheral immune cells and Alzheimer's disease: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research suggests that peripheral immune cells may play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our study aims to determine if the composition of peripheral immune cells directly contributes to the occurrence of AD. METHODS: We utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to examine the association between peripheral immune cells and AD.The primary analysis method used was the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, and we also conducted analyses using MR Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode methods to ensure the accuracy of the results.Heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy were evaluated using Cochran's Q statistics and the MR Egger intercept, respectively. RESULTS: The study found a significant correlation between increased IgD + CD24- AC cells (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.03, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.01-1.06, P = 0.0172), increased CD4 + %leukocyte (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.02-1.14, P = 0.0086), and increased CD4 + CD8dim AC cells (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01-1.11, P = 0.0218), with an increased susceptibility to AD. Conversely, an increase in EM DN (CD4-CD8-) %T cells (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.92-0.99, P = 0.0164) and an increase in DN (CD4-CD8-) AC cells (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.88-0.99, P = 0.0145) were associated with a protective effect against AD. CONCLUSION: Our findings establish a causal link between peripheral immune cells and AD. This study is the first to examine the relationship between peripheral immune cells and AD using MR, offering valuable insights for early diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Improvements in the Magnesium Ion Transport Properties of Graphene/CNT-Wrapped TiO2 -B Nanoflowers by Nickel Doping.

Magnesium-ion batteries are widely studied for its environmentally friendly, low-cost, and high volumetric energy density. In this work, the solvothermal method is used to prepare titanium dioxide bronze (TiO2 -B) nanoflowers with different nickel (Ni) doping concentrations for use in magnesium ion batteries as cathode materials. As Ni doping enhances the electrical conductivity of TiO2 -B and promotes magnesium ion diffusion, the band gap of TiO2 -B host material can be significantly reduced, and as Ni content increases, diffusion contributes more to capacity. According to the electrochemical test, TiO2 -B exhibits excellent electrochemical performance when the Ni element doping content is 2 at% and it is coated with reduced graphene oxide@carbon nanotube (RGO@CNT). At a current density of 100 mA g-1 , NT-2/RGO@CNT discharge specific capacity is as high as 167.5 mAh g-1 , which is 2.36 times of the specific discharge capacity of pure TiO2 -B. It is a very valuable research material for magnesium ion battery cathode materials.

Improvements in the Electrochemical Performance of Sodium Manganese Oxides by Ti Doping for Aqueous Mg-Ion Batteries.

In recent times, the research on cathode materials for aqueous rechargeable magnesium ion battery has gained significant attention. The focus is on enhancing high-rate performance and cycle stability, which has become the primary research goal. Manganese oxide and its derived Na-Mn-O system have been considered as one of the most promising electrode materials due to its low cost, non-toxicity and stable spatial structure. This work uses hydrothermal method to prepare titanium gradient doped nano sodium manganese oxides, and uses freeze-drying technology to prepare magnesium ion battery cathode materials with high tap density. At the initial current density of 50 mA g-1 , the NMTO-5 material exhibits a high reversible capacity of 231.0 mAh g-1 , even at a current density of 1000 mA g-1 , there is still 122.1 mAh g-1 . It is worth noting that after 180 cycles of charging and discharging at a gradually increasing current density such as 50-1000 mA g-1 , it can still return to the original level after returning to 50 mA g-1 . Excellent electrochemical performance and capacity stability show that NMTO-5 material is a promising electrode material.

Resection for malignant tumors in the elbow and individualized reconstruction under assistance of 3D printing technology: A case report.

RATIONALE: With a high failure rate and multiple postoperative complications, the resection for tumors in the elbow and reconstruction present a formidable challenge to orthopedic surgeons. The maturation of 3-dimension (3D) printing technology has facilitated the preoperative design, intraoperative navigation, and reconstruction of bone defects in patients with complex malignant tumors of the elbow joint. In order to improve prognosis, we explored a method of tumor resection and elbow reconstruction aided by 3D printing technology in this research. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient underwent nephrectomy for clear cell carcinoma of the left kidney 3 years ago. Six months ago, the patient presented with limited movement and lateral tenderness in the right elbow joint. The tumor puncture biopsy demonstrated renal clear cell carcinoma metastasis. DIAGNOSES: Renal clear cell carcinoma with distal humerus bone metastasis. INTERVENTIONS: Thin-layer CT scan data of the patient was acquired, and a 3D reconstruction of both upper limb bones and joints was conducted, followed by a simulation of diseased tissue excision. According to the model, individualized osteotomy guidelines and elbow prostheses were designed and manufactured. Then, prior to the completion of the actual operation, a simulation of the preoperative phase was performed. OUTCOMES: The operation was completed without incident. At the 1-, 3-, and 6-month postoperative examinations, both the position and mobility of the prosthesis were found to be satisfactory, and no complications were observed. The hospital for special surgery score and mayo elbow performance score scores increased in comparison to the preoperative period. LESSONS: For patients with complex tumors in the elbow joint, 3D printing technology may assist in the precise excision of the tumor and provide an individualized elbow joint prosthesis that is more precise and effective than traditional surgery. It can accomplish a satisfactory treatment effect for patients when combined with early postoperative scientific rehabilitation training, so it is a method worth promoting.

Serum proteomics identifies S100A11 and MMP9 as novel biomarkers for predicting the early efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory disorder, and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an important therapy. However, SLIT exhibits a wide range of fluctuations and lacks objective monitoring indicators. Therefore, exploring biomarkers for early prediction of the efficacy of SLIT is urgently needed. METHODS: We recruited two independent cohorts. In the discovery cohort, house dust mite (HDM) -induced AR patients underwent SLIT for at least 1 year, and were categorized into response and no response groups based on early efficacy. Serum proteomics was conducted to detect variations in protein expression levels between the two groups. The candidate proteins were confirmed in the validation cohort with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and their predictive values and levels of change before and after treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: Serum proteomics identified a total of 113 differential proteins between the two groups, including 41 proteins upregulated and 72 downregulated in the no response group than the response group. The top 5 up- and down-regulated proteins were selected for further validation, and ELISA results revealed that serum CCL14, LTA4H, S100A11 and MMP9 levels were significantly elevated, and TGFBI and MASP1 were decreased in the response group than those in the no response group(P < 0.05). Moreover, receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that serum S100A11 and MMP9 exhibited greater ability in predicting the early effectiveness of SLIT (AUC > 0.7, P < 0.05). Furthermore, these two biomarkers exhibited significant reductions 1 year after SLIT, particularly in those patients who responded positively to the treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum S100A11 and MMP9 have the potential to serve as biomarkers for early prediction of the effectiveness of SLIT and monitoring the therapeutic effects. The circulating proteomic alterations might contribute to guiding treatment and understanding the mechanism of SLIT in AR patients.

Innovative all-organic dielectric composite for dielectric capacitor with great energy storage performance based on thermodynamic compatibility.

In modern electronics and power systems, good-performance dielectric capacitors have an essential function. Polymer-based dielectrics are widely used in the field of dielectric capacitors because of their large dielectric constant, flexibility, low density, and ease of processing. At present, ferroelectric polymers suffer from low breakdown field strength and high dielectric losses. How to improve the performance of dielectric materials in capacitors is still a promising research. This paper chooses the ferroelectric polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) that worked as the matrix, and the linear polymers polyimide, cyanoethyl pullulan (CR-S), polyethersulfone, and cyanoethylated cellulose served as fillers. This all-organic dielectric composite produced as films working in electrostatic energy storage devices is prepared by using a casting method. Analyzing the test results, the composite film exhibited excellent electrical properties when the CR-S doping content was 5 wt. %. The organic composite dielectric based on CR-S/PVDF has a breakdown field strength of 450 MV/m, a discharge energy storage density (Ue) of 10.3 J/cm3, a high dielectric constant of 10.9, and a low dielectric loss of 0.004 at 1 kHz, which is a significant improvement compared with other dielectric composites. This all-organic dielectric composite strategy offers a new approach to achieve better-performance dielectric energy storage materials.

Novel lipidomes profile and clinical phenotype identified in pneumoconiosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Pneumoconiosis is a group of occupational lung diseases caused by the inhalation of mineral dust in the lungs, leading to lung dysfunction. Patients with pneumoconiosis are usually accompanied by weight loss, which suggests a lipid metabolism disorder. Recent progress in lipidomics uncovered detailed lipid profiles that play important roles in respiratory diseases, such as asthma, lung cancer and lung injury. The purpose of this study was to shed light on the different expression of lipidome between pneumoconiosis and healthy, hoping to bring new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of pneumoconiosis. METHODOLOGY: This non-matching case-control study was performed among 96 subjects (48 outpatients with male pneumoconiosis and 48 healthy volunteers), data of clinical phenotypes were recorded, and plasma biochemistry (lipidomic profiles) was tested for both pneumoconiosis patients and healthy controls. A total of 426 species in 11 lipid classes were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-QqQ-MS) for the cases and controls. We also analyzed the correlation of lipid profiles with clinical phenomes from pneumoconiosis patients by expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) model to evaluate trans-nodules between lipidomic profiles and clinical phenomes. All visually re-checked data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools (t-test or one-way ANOVA test) on SPSS. RESULTS: Compared with healthy people, 26 significantly increased (> 1.5-fold) and 30 decreased lipid elements (< 2/threefold) in patients with pneumoconiosis were identified (P values all < 0.05). The majority of those elevated lipid elements were phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), and the minority were free fatty acids (FFAs), while phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPCs) declined in pneumoconiosis. Clinical trans-omics analyses demonstrated that phenomes in pneumoconiosis connections with multiple lipids, which showed that pH, lung function, mediastinal lymph node calcification, and complication were highly correlated with lipid elements. Furthermore, up-regulated PE was corresponded to pH, smoking history and mediastinal lymph node calcification. PC was corresponded to dust exposure history, BMI and mediastinal lymph node calcification. CONCLUSION: We found altered lipid panels between male pneumoconiosis patients and healthy people by qualitatively and quantitatively measured plasma lipidomic profiles. The trans-omic analysis between clinical phenomes and lipidomes might have the potential to uncover the heterogeneity of lipid metabolism of pneumoconiosis patients and to screen out clinically significant phenome-based lipid panels.

A Self-Healing PVA-Linked Phytic Acid Hydrogel-Based Electrolyte for High-Performance Flexible Supercapacitors.

Flexible supercapacitors can be ideal flexible power sources for wearable electronics due to their ultra-high power density and high cycle life. In daily applications, wearable devices will inevitably cause damage or short circuit during bending, stretching, and compression. Therefore, it is necessary to develop proper energy storage devices to meet the requirements of various wearable electronic devices. Herein, Poly(vinyl alcohol) linked various content of phytic acid (PVA-PAx) hydrogels are synthesized with high transparency and high toughness by a one-step freeze-thaw method. The effects of different raw material ratios and agents on the ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of the hydrogel electrolyte are investigated. The PVA-PA21% with 2 M H2SO4 solution (PVA-PA21%-2 M H2SO4) shows a high ionic conductivity of 62.75 mS cm-1. Based on this, flexible supercapacitors fabricated with PVA-PA21%-2 M H2SO4 hydrogel present a high specific capacitance at 1 A g-1 after bending at 90° (64.8 F g-1) and for 30 times (67.3 F g-1), respectively. Moreover, the device shows energy densities of 13.5 Wh kg-1 and 14.0 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 300 W kg-1 after bending at 90° and for 30 times during 10,000 cycles. It provides inspiration for the design and development of electrolytes for related energy electrochemical devices.

Total Flavonoids in Premna Fulva Craib Alleviates Brain Neurological Impairment and Influences Nrf2 and HO-1 Expressions in Rats with Ischemia-Reperfusion.

Total flavonoids in Premna fulva Craib (TFPFC) are a kind of flavonoid compound synthesized via photosynthesis extracted from Premna fulva Craib, which possess a strong anti-oxidative effect. Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion refers to the body's damage mainly caused by oxidative stress. This study aims to investigate the alleviating effect of TFPFC on brain neurological impairment and its influences on Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expressions in rats with Ischemia-Reperfusion. The rat model of Ischemia-Reperfusion was established, and rats were treated with TFPFC or normal saline. At 24 h after reperfusion, the neurological score, volume of cerebral infarction and cerebral water content were analyzed in different groups. The influences of TFPFC treatment on the proliferative activity and apoptosis of oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) neural stem cells were detected via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. Moreover, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured to evaluate the oxidative stress effect. The influences of TFPFC treatment on the protein and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. The TFPFC treatment alleviated the neurological impairment in rats after Ischemia-Reperfusion and reduced the volume of cerebral infarction and cerebral edema status in rats with Ischemia-Reperfusion. TFPFC increased the proliferative activity of OGD/R neural stem cells and decreased damage and apoptosis. In addition, the TFPFC treatment reduced the MDA level, improved the SOD activity, and up-regulated the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1. The TFPFC treatment may improve oxidative damage and protect the nervous system through the up-regulation of expressions of transcription factors Nrf2 and HO-1.

Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Explore the Mechanism of Kangxian Decoction for Epilepsy.

Purpose: Kangxian decoction (KXD) has been used in clinical practice to treat epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to explore the active components of KXD and clarify its antiepileptic mechanism through network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: The components of KXD were collected from the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM) database and the literature was searched. Then, active ingredients were screened by SwissADME and potential targets were predicted by the SwissTargetPrediction database. Epilepsy-related differentially expressed genes were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. A component-target-pathway network was constructed with Cytoscape. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and protein‒protein interaction network analysis revealed the potential mechanism and critical targets. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and box plots in microarray data validated the good diagnostic value and significant differential expression of these critical genes. Molecular docking verified the association between active ingredients and essential target proteins. Results: In our study, we screened the important compounds of KXD for epilepsy, including quercetin, baicalin, kaempferol, yohimbine, geissoschizine methyl ether, baicalein, etc. KXD may exert its therapeutic effect on epilepsy through the following targets: PTGS2, MMP9, CXCL8, ERBB2, and ARG1, acting on the following pathways: neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, arachidonic acid metabolism, IL-17, TNF, NF-kappa B, and MAPK signaling pathways. The molecular docking results showed that the active ingredients in KXD exhibited good binding ability to the key targets. Conclusion: In this study, we explored the possibility that KXD for epilepsy may act on multiple targets through multiple active ingredients, involving neurotransmitters and neuroinflammatory pathways, providing a theoretical basis for subsequent clinical and experimental studies that will help develop effective new drugs to treat epilepsy.

Detection method of springback for linear guideway straightening using digital image correlation.

The guideway deformation control of the straightening process is the basic method to ensure straightening accuracy. The prediction of and compensation for springback in the straightening process of a guideway adopts mostly numerical analysis and finite element analysis methods instead of experimental methods because of the measuring difficulty of actual springback. In this paper, a method is proposed to detect bending deformation during the straightening process, which provides a reference for the relevant manufacturing processes. Digital image correlation measurement technology is adopted for the detection of bending springback, which can measure the full-field displacement distribution without contact and with high precision. The experimental results show that digital image related technology can very accurately detect the deformation of the guideway straightening stroke and bending springback deformation. This study can help to control bending deformation during the straightening process and ensure straightening accuracy, providing a reference for real-time monitoring of straightening force.

Age-related alterations in the nutritional quality of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus).

The biochemical composition of the muscle in Arctic graylings at three age stages was evaluated and compared. For conventional biochemical composition, there was no significant difference in the crude protein content among the three age stages, but the crude fat content in the 1 year old was significantly lower than that of the others (P < 0.05). For amino acids composition, there was no significant difference in the content of essential amino acids and delicious amino acids among the three age stages, but the essential amino acid index of the 2 year old was the highest (72.205), indicating that its essential amino acid composition was more suitable for human needs. For fatty acids composition, the content of monounsaturated fatty acids (2.759 mg/g) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (3.422 mg/g) of the 3 year old was significantly higher than that of the others (P < 0.05), and it also had relatively lowest atherogenicity index (0.419) and thrombogenicity index (0.179) and the highest hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio (2.404), indicating that its fatty acid composition was healthier and more beneficial to the prevention of human cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. For minerals composition, the contents of iron, zinc, and copper increased with age, while the contents of selenium and manganese decreased with age, with the highest selenium content in the 1 year old (1.522 mg/kg). The chromium, arsenic, lead, and cadmium contents were all lower than the Chinese national standard. In conclusion, the nutritional composition of Arctic graylings variated with age and consumers could select suitable Arctic graylings based on their nutritional needs. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This work analyzed the nutritional components in the muscle of Arctic graylings at different ages, which can provide an effective reference for consumers when purchasing Arctic graylings.

Hexachloropentadiene in Soil, Air, and Biota Around an Agrochemical Factory: Concentrations, Distribution, and Risk Evaluation.

Hexachloropentadiene (HCPD) is a highly toxic compound that is mainly used for preparation of organochlorine insecticides. To investigate HCPD contamination of the environment during pesticide processing, 153 air, soil, and biota samples were collected around an agrochemical factory in different seasons of 1 year and analyzed for HCPD. The HCPD concentrations were 0.01-12.7 ng/m3 (average 2.60 ng/m3) in the air samples and 0.14-51.5 ng/g (average 4.11 ng/g) in the soil samples. HCPD concentrations were highest within 1 km north of the production site, which was in the downwind direction of the factory and storage tanks, especially in autumn and winter. Soil-air exchange analysis showed that HCPD was deposited from air to soil with a flux of 0.003 to 0.20 ng/(m2 d) throughout the year. The dismantling of obsolete equipment accelerated the release of HCPD into the air and increased the amount of HCPD deposited in the soil. HPCD concentration ranges were 0.44-55.7 ng/g dry weight [d.w.] (average 22.2 ng/g d.w.) and 6.69-91.4 ng/g d.w. (average 26.2) in locally grown rice and wheat, respectively. The concentration range was 12.1-1596 ng/g lipid weight (average 560 ng/g lipid weight) in local organisms, except for chicken. In tissues from locally raised chicken, the HCPD concentrations decreased in the order of gizzard, liver, heart, and meat. HCPD was amplified through a short food chain (soil, Vigna unguiculata leaves, larvae of Pieris rapae, and chicken), and the bioaccumulation factor gradually increased over a range of 1.19-25.1 (mean 9.81).

Probabilistic Matrix Factorization for Data With Attributes Based on Finite Mixture Modeling.

Matrix factorization (MF) methods decompose a data matrix into a product of two-factor matrices (denoted as U and V ) which are with low ranks. In this article, we propose a generative latent variable model for the data matrix, in which each entry is assumed to be a Gaussian with mean to be the inner product of the corresponding columns of U and V . The prior of each column of U and V is assumed to be as a finite mixture of Gaussians. Further, we propose to model the attribute matrix with the data matrix jointly by considering them as conditional independence with respect to the factor matrix U , building upon previously defined model for the data matrix. Due to the intractability of the proposed models, we employ variational Bayes to infer the posteriors of the factor matrices and the clustering relationships, and to optimize for the model parameters. In our development, the posteriors and model parameters can be readily computed in closed forms, which is much more computationally efficient than existing sampling-based probabilistic MF models. Comprehensive experimental studies of the proposed methods on collaborative filtering and community detection tasks demonstrate that the proposed methods achieve the state-of-the-art performance against a great number of MF-based and non-MF-based algorithms.

Towards a Uniform Welding Quality: A Novel Weaving Welding Control Algorithm Based on Constant Heat Input.

The weaving welding process is a key method used to improve the welding quality in multi-layer and multi-pass welding processes using robots. However, the heat-input fluctuation in the weaving welding process restricts its development. In this paper, we developed a novel weaving welding control algorithm to maintain a constant weld heat input through velocity adaptive planning. First, the heat consumption during the weaving welding was modeled to describe the influence of weaving parameters on the weld heat input. Then, based on the obtained relationship between the weld heat input and the weaving parameters, a velocity-adaptive trajectory planning strategy was proposed by leveraging the transformation matrix derived from the relationship between the workpiece and the robot co-ordinate systems. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed strategy can compensate for the weaving parameters to maintain a constant heat input based on heat consumption and improve the quality of the robotic multi-layer and multi-pass welding process.

Quantitation improvement of underwater laser induced breakdown spectroscopy by using self-absorption correction based on plasma images.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a practical technique for in-situ detection, but self-absorption effect has been a big issue for quantitative applications of this technique. In presented work, a method was developed to correct self-absorption to improve the quantitation of underwater LIBS. We proposed "relative self-absorption coefficient" as the critical parameter to evaluate self-absorption, and the plasma image was employed as the reference to determine the coefficient value. Based on that, the LIBS detection was successfully corrected by the coefficient to realize quantitative analysis, and the "Dominant Factor-PLS" was used as assistance. The results indicated that our method greatly improved LIBS quantitation in practice. More importantly, the calibration curve was able to be established with high linearity (R2 = 0.9999) to cover a large concentration range (0-103 ppm). It is hoped that our method could be a contribution to developing LIBS as an analytical tool for field measurements.

Evaluation of qPCR reference genes for taimen (Hucho taimen) under heat stress.

As a powerful and attractive method for detecting gene expression, qRT-PCR has been broadly used in aquaculture research. Understanding the biology of taimen (Hucho taimen) has drawn increasing interest because of its ecological and economic value. Stable reference genes are required for the reliable quantification of gene expression, but such genes have not yet been optimized for taimen. In this study, the stability levels of 10 commonly used candidate reference genes were evaluated using geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder. The expression levels of the 10 genes were detected using 240 samples from 48 experimental groups consisting of 40 individuals treated under four heat-stress conditions (18, 20, 22, and 24 °C) for 24 h and 26 °C for 4, 24, 48, and 72 h. Six tissues (blood, heart, brain, gill, skin, and liver) were collected from each individual. Ribosomal protein S29 (RPS29) and ribosomal protein L19 (RPL19) were the most stable genes among all of the samples, whereas 28S ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA), attachment region binding protein (ARBP), and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) were the least stable. These results were verified by an expression analysis of taimen heat-stress genes (heat shock protein 60, hsp60, and heat shock protein 70, hsp70). In conclusion, RPS29 and RPL19 are the optimal reference genes for qRT-PCR analyses of taimen, irrespective of the tissue and experimental conditions. These results allow the reliable study of gene expression in taimen.