Low-cost and efficient strategy for brown algal hydrolysis: Combination of alginate lyase and cellulase.

Brown algae are rich in biostimulants that not only stimulate the overall development and growth of plants but also have great beneficial effects on the whole soil-plant system. However, alginate, the major component of brown algae, is comparatively difficult to degrade. The cost of preparing alginate oligosaccharides (AOSs) is still too high to produce seaweed fertilizer. In this work, the marine bacterium Vibrio sp. B1Z05 is found to be capable of efficient alginate depolymerization and harbors an extended pathway for alginate metabolism. The B1Z05 extracellular cell-free supernatant exhibited great potential for AOS production at low cost, which, together with cellulase, can efficiently hydrolyze seaweed. The brown algal hydrolysis rates were significantly greater than those of the commercial alginate lyase product CE201, and the obtained seaweed extracts were rich in phytohormones. This work provides a low-cost but efficient strategy for the sustainable production of desirable AOSs and seaweed fertilizer.

Regional integration policies and urban green innovation: Fresh evidence from urban agglomeration expansion.

Climate change is a non-traditional security crisis affecting the global economy and diplomatic progress. In order to curtail carbon emissions and alleviate the perils of climate change at their roots, urban green innovation (UGI) has emerged as a pivotal technological solution. Using the expansion of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration in China as a case study, this paper develops a quasi-experimental model to analyze the effects of regional integration policies on UGI. The main findings are: (1) Regional integration policies significantly enhance UGI and their impact is more pronounced with the expansion of urban agglomerations; (2) Regional integration policies contribute to the advancement of exploitative green innovation while tending to diminish exploratory green innovation; (3) The green innovation effects (GIEs) created by the expansion of regional integration policies are largely influenced by governmental mechanisms on environmental governance as well as residents' green preferences. Based on these findings, recommendations are put forward to promote UGI from the perspective of policy implementation.

A review of machine learning applications in life cycle assessment studies.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a foundational method for quantitative assessment of sustainability. Increasing data availability and rapid development of machine learning (ML) approaches offer new opportunities to advance LCA. Here, we review current progress and knowledge gaps in applying ML techniques to support LCA, and identify future research directions for LCAs to better harness the power of ML. This review analyzes forty studies reporting quantitative assessment with a combination of LCA and ML methods. We found that ML approaches have been used for generating life cycle inventories, computing characterization factors, estimating life cycle impacts, and supporting life cycle interpretation. Most of the reviewed studies employed a single ML method, with artificial neural networks (ANNs) as the most frequently applied approach. Both supervised and unsupervised ML techniques were used in LCA studies. For studies using supervised ML, training datasets were derived from diverse sources, such as literature, lab experiments, existing databases, and model simulations. Over 70 % of these reviewed studies trained ML models with less than 1500 sample datasets. Although these reviewed studies showed that ML approaches help improve prediction accuracy, pattern discovery and computational efficiency, multiple areas deserve further research. First, continuous data collection and compilation is needed to support more reliable ML and LCA modeling. Second, future studies should report sufficient details regarding the selection criteria for ML models and present model uncertainty analysis. Third, incorporating deep learning models into LCA holds promise to further improve life cycle inventory and impact assessment. Finally, the complexity of current environmental challenges calls for interdisciplinary collaborative research to achieve deep integration of ML into LCA to support sustainable development.

Revealing disparities in different types of park visits based on cellphone signaling data in Guangzhou, China.

Urban parks play a crucial role in promoting the urban ecological environment and the health and well-being of dwellers. However, existing research on park visits and drivers has largely ignored the classification of parks. Using the four-level park system in Guangzhou as a case, this study first measured park visits based on cellphone signaling data. Then, the independent and interactive influences of driving factors on the visits of four types of parks were investigated and compared comprehensively based on the geographical detector model. The factor detector model preliminarily distinguished the functional and role differences of various park types. Nature and urban parks are more functional, and community and pocket parks mainly provide nearby residents with convenient relaxation spaces. The interaction detector further revealed the disparities in park visit drivers between four types of parks. The most significant finding is that nearby recreational facility is the key to the use of natural and urban parks, while the determining factor for the visits of community and pocket parks is the surrounding population. Based on these findings, the study recommends tailored strategies for each type of park, to promote effective management and increased utilization. In particular, the study highlights the importance of understanding the differences between park types and developing customized strategies to maximize the benefits of urban parks and foster a healthy and sustainable urban environment.

p-Cresol-Enabled Nickel-Catalyzed Intermolecular Redox-Economical Coupling of Allyl Alcohols with Alkynes through oxa-Nickelacycle.

An intermolecular redox-economical coupling reaction of allyl alcohols with alkynes, catalyzed by Ni-Brønsted acid cocatalysis, has been developed. This method allows for the synthesis of a diverse range of γ,δ-unsaturated ketones with yields ranging from 40% to 94%, while maintaining excellent compatibility with various functional groups. The transformation of the resulting product demonstrates the significant practical value of this method. Further mechanistic investigations have revealed that the reaction proceeds through the formation of an oxa-nickelacycle intermediate.

In vitro assessment of antimicrobial potential of low molecular weight chitosan and its ability to mechanically reinforce and control endogenous proteolytic activity of dentine.

AIMS: Chitosan-based biomaterials exhibit several properties of biological interest for endodontic treatment. Herein, a low molecular weight chitosan (CH) solution was tested for its antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and effects on dentine structure. METHODOLOGY: The root canal of 27 extracted uniradicular teeth were biomechanically prepared, inoculated with a suspension of E. faecalis and randomly assigned to be irrigated with either 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), 0.2% CH or sterile ultrapure water (W). Bacteriologic samples were collected from root canals and quantified for of E. faecalis colony-forming units (CFUs). The effectiveness of CH over E. faecalis biofilms was further measured using the MBEC Assay®. Additionally, dentine beams and dentine powder were obtained, respectively, from crowns and roots of 20 extracted third molars. Dentine samples were treated or not with 17% EDTA and immersed in either CH or W for 1 min. The effects of CH on dentine structure were evaluated by assessment of the modulus of elasticity, endogenous proteolytic activity and biochemical modifications. RESULTS: The number of E. faecalis CFUs was significantly lower for samples irrigated with CH and NaClO. No significant differences were found between CH and NaClO treatments. Higher modulus of elasticity and lower proteolytic activity were reported for dentine CH-treated specimens. Chemical interaction between CH and dentine was observed for samples treated or not with EDTA. CONCLUSIONS: Present findings suggest that CH could be used as an irrigant during root canal treatment with the triple benefit of reducing bacterial activity, mechanically reinforcing dentine and inhibiting dentine proteolytic activity.

Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Invasive Surgery Skill Based on a Custom Training Simulator.

PURPOSE: Qualitative and quantitative assessment of interventional performance is a vital component in the evaluation of endovascular surgery skill training. We established a custom simulator with qualitative and quantitative metrics for endovascular performance training. METHODS: The simulator included an in vitro silicone phantom, mock circulation loop, visual module, force-sensing module, and custom software for image and force data postprocessing. Two tasks to deliver the guidewire to the target location of the carotid artery were conducted by the expert (n=4), novice (n=6), and test (n=4) groups. Seven features with significant differences extracted from the expert and novice groups were applied for qualitative assessment using the support vector machine (SVM) and quantitative assessment using the Mahalanobis distance (MD). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in kinematic and force data between experts and novices during the intervention procedure. The median value of finished time for task 1 was 26.88 seconds for experts and 63.36 seconds for novices. The maximum speed for experts and novices was 32.79 and 7.43 cm/s, respectively. Moreover, the classified results depicted that the accuracy of qualitative assessment for task 1 and task 2 was 96.67% and 90%, respectively. As for the quantitative data, the residents had higher scores than individuals majored in biomedical engineering at 2 tasks (70.06±5.30 vs 41.81±6.58 for task 1, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed endovascular intervention skill training simulator provides qualitative and quantitative metrics on intervention performance skills and may be a useful tool in future interventional surgical training. CLINICAL IMPACT: This simulator comprised an in-vitro silicone phantom, mock circulation loop, visual module, force-sensing module, and custom software for image and force data post-processing. Seven interventional performance features were used for qualitative assessment using the support vector machine and quantitative assessment using the Mahalanobis Distance. From the observations, we conclude that this endovascular intervention skill training simulator provides qualitative and quantitative metrics on intervention performance and may be a useful tool in future surgical training.

Cost-effectiveness of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarct in China.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular therapy administered within 24 hours has been shown to improve outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke with large infarction, but the data on its cost-effectiveness are limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarction in China, the largest low- and middle-income country. METHODS: A short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model were used to analyze the cost-effectiveness of endovascular therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke with large infarction. Outcomes, transition probability, and cost data were obtained from a recent clinical trial and published literature. The benefit of endovascular therapy was assessed by the cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained in the short and long term. Deterministic one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Compared with medical management alone, endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarction was found to be cost-effective from the fourth year onward and during a lifetime. In the long term, endovascular therapy yielded a lifetime gain of 1.33 QALYs at an additional cost of ¥73 900 (US$ 11 400), resulting in an incremental cost of ¥55 500 (US$ 8530) per QALY gained. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that endovascular therapy was cost-effective in 99.5% of the simulation runs at a willingness-to-pay threshold of ¥243 000 (3 × gross domestic product per capita of China in 2021) per QALY gained. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke with large infarction could be cost-effective in China.

Assessment of right ventricular structure and systolic function in amateur marathon runners using three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Prolonged high-intensity endurance exercise has been reported to have adverse effects on the heart, which are further correlated with exercise dose. However, its effect on the right ventricle (RV) of amateur runners is unknown. This study aimed was to evaluate the early right ventricular structure and systolic function of amateur marathon runners by three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE), and to further analyze the correlation between relevant parameters and the amount of training. A total of 30 amateur marathon runners (marathon group) and 27 healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled. Conventional echocardiography combined with 3D-STE was performed in all subjects, and the marathon group was screened by echocardiography a week before a marathon (V1), within 1 h post-marathon (V2), and 4 days post-marathon (V3). RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and RV end-diastolic volume (EDV) increased significantly in the marathon group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). RV GLS was significantly decreased in the marathon group within 1 h post-marathon (V1: - 26.2 ± 2.5% vs V2: - 23.0 ± 1.6% vs V3: - 25.6 ± 2.6%, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in RV ejection fraction (RVEF) (P > 0.05). The results of the correlation analysis showed that RV EDV and RV end-systolic volume (ESV) were positively correlated with the average training volume (P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that average training volume was an independent predictor of RV EDV in amateur marathoners (ß = 0.642, P < 0.001). The systolic function of the RV was enhanced in amateur marathon runners in the early stage, manifested by an increase in RV EDV. After a long period of high-intensity endurance exercise, RV systolic function will temporarily be reduced. 3D-STE can identify this subclinical change with high sensitivity and provide valuable information to assess the structure and function of RV in amateur marathon runners.

Assessment of causal associations among gut microbiota, metabolites, and celiac disease: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Background: A growing number of studies have implicated that gut microbial abundance and metabolite concentration alterations are associated with celiac disease (CD). However, the causal relationship underlying these associations is unclear. Here, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) to reveal the causal effect of gut microbiota and metabolites on CD. Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary-level data for gut microbiota, metabolites, and CD were extracted from published GWASs. Causal bacterial taxa and metabolites for CD were determined by two-sample MR analyses. The robustness of the results was assessed with sensitivity analyses. Finally, reverse causality was investigated with a reverse MR analysis. Results: Genetically, increased genus Bifidobacterium was potentially associated with higher CD risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.447, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.054-1.988, p = 0.022) while phylum Lentisphaerae (OR = 0.798, 95% CI: 0.648-0.983, p = 0.034) and genus Coprobacter (OR = 0.683, 95% CI: 0.531-0.880, p = 0.003) were related to lower CD risk. Moreover, there were suggestive associations between CD and the following seven metabolites: 1-oleoylglycerophosphoethanolamine, 1-palmitoylglycerophosphoethanolamine, 1,6-anhydroglucose, phenylacetylglutamine, tryptophan betaine, 10-undecenoate, and tyrosine. Sensitivity analyses deemed the results reliable without pleiotropy. Conclusion: We investigated the causal relationships between gut microbiota, metabolites, and CD with two-sample MR. Our findings suggest several novel potential therapeutic targets for CD treatment. Further understanding of the underlying mechanism may provide insights into CD pathogenesis.

Invasiveness assessment by artificial intelligence against intraoperative frozen section for pulmonary nodules ≤ 3 cm.

PURPOSE: To investigate the performance of an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for assessing the malignancy and invasiveness of pulmonary nodules in a multicenter cohort. METHODS: A previously developed deep learning system based on a 3D convolutional neural network was used to predict tumor malignancy and invasiveness. Dataset of pulmonary nodules no more than 3 cm was integrated with CT images and pathologic information. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the performance of the system. RESULTS: A total of 466 resected pulmonary nodules were included in this study. The areas under the curves (AUCs) of the deep learning system in the prediction of malignancy as compared with pathological reports were 0.80, 0.80, and 0.75 for all, subcentimeter, and solid nodules, respectively. Additionally, the AUC in the AI-assisted prediction of invasive adenocarcinoma (IA) among subsolid lesions (n = 184) was 0.88. Most malignancies that were misdiagnosed by the AI system as benign diseases with a diameter measuring greater than 1 cm (26/250, 10.4%) presented as solid nodules (19/26, 73.1%) on CT. In an exploratory analysis involving nodules underwent intraoperative pathologic examination, the concordance rate in identifying IA between the AI model and frozen section examination was 0.69, with a sensitivity of 0.50 and specificity of 0.97. CONCLUSION: The deep learning system can discriminate malignant diseases for pulmonary nodules measuring no more than 3 cm. The AI model has a high positive predictive value for invasive adenocarcinoma with respect to intraoperative frozen section examination, which might help determine the individualized surgical strategy.

Cost-Sensitive YOLOv5 for Detecting Surface Defects of Industrial Products.

Owing to the remarkable development of deep learning algorithms, defect detection techniques based on deep neural networks have been extensively applied in industrial production. Most existing surface defect detection models assign equal costs to the classification errors among different defect categories but do not strictly distinguish them. However, various errors can generate a great discrepancy in decision risk or classification costs and then produce a cost-sensitive issue that is crucial to the manufacturing process. To address this engineering challenge, we propose a novel supervised classification cost-sensitive learning method (SCCS) and apply it to improve YOLOv5 as CS-YOLOv5, where the classification loss function of object detection was reconstructed according to a new cost-sensitive learning criterion explained by a label-cost vector selection method. In this way, the classification risk information from a cost matrix is directly introduced into the detection model and fully exploited in training. As a result, the developed approach can make low-risk classification decisions for defect detection. It is applicable for direct cost-sensitive learning based on a cost matrix to implement detection tasks. Using two datasets of a painting surface and a hot-rolled steel strip surface, our CS-YOLOv5 model outperforms the original version with respect to cost under different positive classes, coefficients, and weight ratios, but also maintains effective detection performance measured by mAP and F1 scores.

Merging Platinum Single Atoms to Achieve Ultrahigh Mass Activity and Low Hydrogen Production Cost.

Single atom catalysts (SACs) with isolated active sites exhibit the highest reported mass activity for hydrogen evolution catalysis, which is crucial for practical applications. Here, we demonstrate that ultrahigh mass activity can also be achieved by rationally merging the isolated platinum (Pt) active sites in SAC. The catalyst was obtained by the thermodynamically driven diffusing and merging phosphorus-doped carbon (PC) supported Pt single atoms (Pt1@PC) into Pt nanoclusters (PtM@PC). X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis revealed that the merged nanoclusters exhibit much stronger interactions with the support than the traditional method, enabling more efficient electron transfer. The optimized PtM@PC exhibited an order of magnitude higher mass activity (12.7 A mgPt-1) than Pt1@PC (0.9 A mgPt-1) at an overpotential of 10 mV in acidic media, which is the highest record to date, far exceeding reports for other outstanding SACs. Theoretical study revealed that the collective active sites in PtM@PC exhibit both favorable hydrogen binding energy and fast reaction kinetics, leading to the significantly enhanced mass activity. Despite its low Pt content (2.2 wt %), a low hydrogen production cost of ∼3 USD kg-1 was finally achieved in the full-water splitting at a laboratory scale.

Spatially explicit carbon emissions by remote sensing and social sensing.

Scientific simulation of carbon emissions is an important prerequisite for achieving low-carbon green development and carbon peak and carbon neutralization. This study proposed a carbon emissions spatialization method based on nighttime light (NTL) remote sensing and municipal electricity social sensing. First, the economics-energy comprehensive index (EECI) was proposed by integrating the NTL and municipal electricity consumption (EC) data. Second, the carbon emissions were spatialized at a fine scale based on NTL, EC, and EECI, respectively. Finally, the geographical detector model was applied to quantify the influencing factors on carbon emissions from the perspectives of individuals and interactions. Results show that combining remote sensing and social sensing data helps depict carbon emissions accurately. The factor analysis found that GDP and population were the basis of carbon emissions, while the secondary industry and urbanization rate were the direct factors. This study is expected to provide constructive suggestions and methods for emission reduction, carbon peak, and carbon neutrality in high-density cities in China.

Programmable Acoustic Delay-Line Enabled Low-Cost Photoacoustic Tomography System.

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is an emerging technology for biomedical imaging that combines the superiorities of high optical contrast and acoustic penetration. In the PAT system, more PA signals are preferred to be detected from full field of view to reconstruct the PA images with higher fidelity. However, the requirement for more PA signals' detection leads to more time consumption for single-channel scanning-based PAT system or higher cost of data acquisition (DAQ) module for an array-based PAT system. To address this issue, we proposed a programmable acoustic delay-line (PADL) module to reduce DAQ cost and accelerate imaging speed for PAT system. The module is based on bidirectional conversion between acoustic signals and electrical signals, including ultrasound transmission in between to provide sufficient time delay. The acoustic delay-line module achieves tens or hundreds of microseconds' delay for each channel and is controlled by a programmable control unit. In this work, it achieves to merge four inputs of PA signals into one output signal, which can be recovered into original four PA signals in the digital domain after DAQ. The imaging experiments of pencil leads embedded in agar phantom are conducted by the PAT system equipped with the proposed PADL module, which demonstrated its feasibility to reduce the cost of the PAT system. An in vivo study of human finger PAT imaging with delay-line module verified its feasibility for biomedical imaging applications.

Robust and low cost in-fiber acousto-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer and its application in a dual-wavelength laser.

A robust in-fiber tunable acousto-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a taper-shaped sandwich-like fiber structure is proposed and characterized experimentally, based on which tunable dual-wavelength lasers are demonstrated. The fiber structure was prepared by two-step etching methods, which could be used to fabricate either a symmetric structure for a continuous tuning dual-wavelength laser or an asymmetric structure for a switchable one. The proposed structure has advantages of low cost, low driving power, and robustness. The method for preparing the fiber structure is agile, which paves the way for its applications.

Assessment of coal mining land subsidence by using an innovative comprehensive weighted cloud model combined with a PSR conceptual model.

Research on land subsidence is a global topic. In recent years, the environmental problems caused by coal mining have received great attention. In particular, mining land subsidence caused damage to villages, buildings, farmland, etc., which seriously threatened the mining area's living environment and ecological environment. This study proposes a pressure-state-response concept model based on mining land subsidence to build an evaluation index system in coal mines. Based on this index system, given the uncertainty in the evaluation process, the cloud model is used to represent the index weight and comprehensive evaluation calculations, which fully consider the randomness and ambiguity in the evaluation process. The mining land subsidence of several mining areas in China was evaluated and classified into three grades (slight-medium-strong). The cloud model assessment results are compared with the result of the probability integration method and the actual situation. The assessment results of the cloud model are closer to the actual situation than the probability integration method. This shows that the established mining land subsidence evaluation method based on the cloud model in this study is reasonable and feasible. The mining width and height ratio, depth and height ratio, and coal seam dip angle affect mining land subsidence. Therefore, improving the mining method to deal with the goaf reasonably and optimizing the mining design to control the influence range of mining are essential measures to reduce mining land subsidence and protect the ecological environment of mining areas.

Proprioceptive and Clinical Outcomes after Remnant Preserved Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Assessment with Minimal Confounding Factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the proprioceptive and clinical function of the knee joint after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with various amounts of remnant preserved with as few confounding factors as possible. METHODS: This retrospective study included 46 patients who underwent ACLR with remnant preservation between March 2013 and February 2019. These patients had less than 6 months injury-to-surgery interval and no concomitant injuries. The researchers divided these subjects into two groups based on the length of the remnant preserved after ACLR, with group A defined as having more than 1/3 of the original length preserved and group B defined as less than 1/3 of the original length preserved. Clinical scores were obtained using the Lysholm knee scoring scale and the Tegner activity scale. The Lysholm score was calculated preoperatively, at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and at the last follow up. The Tegner score was calculated preoperatively, at 12 months postoperatively and at the last follow up. Anterior laxity was measured using the KT2000 arthrometer preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively. Proprioceptive function was evaluated through reproduction of passive positioning (RPP) and threshold to detection of passive motion (TDPM). Both RPP and TDPM were measured at the angle of 15° at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Unpaired t-tests were performed to investigate the difference in each parameters between the two groups. RESULTS: In the present study, 20 patients were classified into group A and 26 into group B. All patients were followed up for an average of 34.70 ± 12.79 months. All 46 patients were satisfied with the outcome of the surgery and no complications were reported at the end of the study. No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of the Lysholm score and anterior laxity by KT2000 at all time points. The Tegner score was significantly higher in group A at 12 months postoperatively and at the final follow-up. In addition, group A's RPP was significantly better than that of group B's when tested at the angles of 15° and 30° at 3 months postoperatively, and at the angle of 15° at 6 months postoperatively. Group A's TDPM was also significantly better than that of group B's at all three tested angles at 3 months postoperatively, and at the angle of 15° at 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Patients with ACLR with more than 1/3 of the original length preserved demonstrated a higher activity level 12 months postoperatively and better proprioceptive function at 15° of extension at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.