Adversarial multi-task underwater acoustic target recognition: Toward robustness against various influential factors.

Underwater acoustic target recognition based on passive sonar faces numerous challenges in practical maritime applications. One of the main challenges lies in the susceptibility of signal characteristics to diverse environmental conditions and data acquisition configurations, which can lead to instability in recognition systems. While significant efforts have been dedicated to addressing these influential factors in other domains of underwater acoustics, they are often neglected in the field of underwater acoustic target recognition. To overcome this limitation, this study designs auxiliary tasks that model influential factors (e.g., source range, water column depth, or wind speed) based on available annotations and adopts a multi-task framework to connect these factors to the recognition task. Furthermore, we integrate an adversarial learning mechanism into the multi-task framework to prompt the model to extract representations that are robust against influential factors. Through extensive experiments and analyses on the ShipsEar dataset, our proposed adversarial multi-task model demonstrates its capacity to effectively model the influential factors and achieve state-of-the-art performance on the 12-class recognition task.

Advancing robust underwater acoustic target recognition through multitask learning and multi-gate mixture of experts.

Underwater acoustic target recognition has emerged as a prominent research area within the field of underwater acoustics. However, the current availability of authentic underwater acoustic signal recordings remains limited, which hinders data-driven acoustic recognition models from learning robust patterns of targets from a limited set of intricate underwater signals, thereby compromising their stability in practical applications. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes a recognition framework called M3 (multitask, multi-gate, multi-expert) to enhance the model's ability to capture robust patterns by making it aware of the inherent properties of targets. In this framework, an auxiliary task that focuses on target properties, such as estimating target size, is designed. The auxiliary task then shares parameters with the recognition task to realize multitask learning. This paradigm allows the model to concentrate on shared information across tasks and identify robust patterns of targets in a regularized manner, thus, enhancing the model's generalization ability. Moreover, M3 incorporates multi-expert and multi-gate mechanisms, allowing for the allocation of distinct parameter spaces to various underwater signals. This enables the model to process intricate signal patterns in a fine-grained and differentiated manner. To evaluate the effectiveness of M3, extensive experiments were implemented on the ShipsEar underwater ship-radiated noise dataset. The results substantiate that M3 has the ability to outperform the most advanced single-task recognition models, thereby achieving the state-of-the-art performance.

Equivalent analysis model of a GaN LED used as a receiver.

In general, visible light communication (VLC) uses LEDs as transmitters. However, LEDs can serve as receivers to construct a simple duplex VLC system that uses only two LEDs instead of one LED and one photo-diode (PD). There is a lack of effective equivalent analysis models for characterizing and evaluating the inherent behavioral characteristics of LEDs used as receivers. This paper presents an equivalent analysis model for GaN LEDs as receivers. First, based on the proposed receiving equivalent circuit model, a third-order signal transmission mathematical analysis model is established, revealing the transmission relationship between the photocurrent and output voltage. Further research is conducted on the impact of parameter changes on the bandwidth, and the model can be simplified into a first-order low-pass mathematical analysis model under specific conditions, providing theoretical support for improving the bandwidth of LED receiving applications. The experimental results also confirm the theoretical predictions. This research result holds significant importance for revealing the intrinsic mechanisms and the improved optical communication performance of LEDs for effective reception.

Recent Advances in High-Rate Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation.

Recent advances in solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) have led to high evaporation rates that open promising avenues for practical utilization in freshwater production and industrial application for pollutant and nutrient concentration, and resource recovery. Breakthroughs in overcoming the theoretical limitation of 2D interfacial evaporation have allowed for developing systems with high evaporation rates. This study presents a comprehensive review of various evaporator designs that have achieved pure evaporation rates beyond 4 kg m-2 h-1, including structural and material designs allowing for rapid evaporation, passive 3D designs, and systems coupled with alternative energy sources of wind and joule heating. The operational mechanisms for each design are outlined together with discussion on the current benefits and areas for improvement. The overarching challenges encountered by SDIE concerning the feasibility of direct integration into contemporary practical settings are assessed, and issues relating to sustaining elevated evaporation rates under diverse environmental conditions are addressed.

Impacts of sulfamethoxazole stress on vegetable growth and rhizosphere bacteria and the corresponding mitigation mechanism.

Antibiotics are an important pharmaceutical class excessively used by humans. Its presence in the soil can impact plant growth and induce antibiotic resistance. This research studies the effect of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on plant growth, rhizosphere bacteria composition, and resistance genes. Two sets of vegetables (basil, cilantro, and spinach) were treated separately with water and SMX solution. The plant growth data and soil samples were collected and analyzed. The results revealed that SMX increased spinach leaf length (34.0%) while having no significant impacts on basil and cilantro. On the other hand, SMX improved the bacterial diversity in all samples. The shifts in the abundance of plant growth-promoting bacteria could indirectly affect vegetable stem and leaf length. SMX also significantly increased the abundance of resistance genes Sul1 and Sul2. A further study into the correlation between bacteria highlights the importance of Shingomonas and Alfipia for inhibiting the spread of key resistance gene hosts, namely, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, and Agrobacterium. This research provides insight into SMX's impact on vegetable growth and microbial diversity. It also points out important microbial interactions that could potentially be utilized to mitigate ARG proliferation.

Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for single and double segment lumbar disc herniation with sciatic scoliosis in adults: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Sciatic scoliosis can be seen in patients with lumbar disc herniation. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is a common surgical method for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. The difference between single-segment lumbar disc herniation and double-segment lumbar disc herniation with Sciatic Scoliosis in adults after PELD needs further study. The aim of this study was to compare the imaging features of single-segment and double-segment lumbar disc herniation with Sciatic Scoliosis in adults and to further explore the clinical outcomes of functional improvement and scoliosis imaging parameters of the two groups after PELD. METHODS: Adult patients with lumbar disc herniation with sciatic scoliosis who received PELD from January 2019 to June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the number of operative segments, the patients were divided into a single-segment group and a double-segment group. Perioperative parameters were observed and compared between the two groups. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores (JOA) and imaging parameters of the two groups were recorded and compared before the operation and during the follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients with single segments and 21 patients with double segments were included in this study. During the follow-up, the VAS score, ODI index and JOA score of the two groups were significantly improved as compared with those before the operation(P < 0. 05). Ninety-two point five percent of single-segment patients and 90.5% of double segment patients returned to normal scoliosis within 12 months after the operation. The operation time, number of intraoperative fluoroscopy times and the amount of intraoperative blood loss in single-segment patients were better than those in double-segment group(P < 0. 05). At the last follow-up, the AVT, CBD and SVA in the double-segment group were 5.2 ± 2.3, 5.1 ± 1.0 and 12.2 ± 3.0 mm, respectively, which were higher than those in the single-segment group (1.9 ± 0.4, 1.1 ± 1.6 and 3.9 ± 2.1 mm) (P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: PELD is an effective treatment for single-segment and double-segment lumbar disc herniation with Sciatic scoliosis. Double-segment patients can enjoy similar clinical efficacy to single-segment patients, avoiding complications caused by decompression, fusion, and internal fixation. Scoliosis was corrected spontaneously within 12 months after operation, and the sagittal curve was significantly improved in both groups. The improvement of coronal and sagittal balance in double -segment patients may take longer.

Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling for optimal dosage prediction of olaparib when co-administered with CYP3A4 modulators and in patients with hepatic/renal impairment.

This study aimed to develop a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to predict the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and trough concentration (Ctrough) at steady-state of olaparib (OLA) in Caucasian, Japanese and Chinese. Furthermore, the PBPK model was combined with mean and 95% confidence interval to predict optimal dosing regimens of OLA when co-administered with CYP3A4 modulators and administered to patients with hepatic/renal impairment. The dosing regimens were determined based on safety and efficacy PK threshold Cmax (< 12,500 ng/mL) and Ctrough (772-2500 ng/mL). The population PBPK model for OLA was successfully developed and validated, demonstrating good consistency with clinically observed data. The ratios of predicted to observed values for Cmax and Ctrough fell within the range of 0.5 to 2.0. When OLA was co-administered with a strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor, the recommended dosing regimens should be reduced to 100 mg BID and 150 mg BID, respectively. Additionally, the PBPK model also suggested that OLA could be not recommended with a strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducer. For patients with moderate hepatic and renal impairment, the dosing regimens of OLA were recommended to be reduced to 200 mg BID and 150 mg BID, respectively. In cases of severe hepatic and renal impairment, the PBPK model suggested a dosing regimen of 100 mg BID for OLA. Overall, this present PBPK model can determine the optimal dosing regimens for various clinical scenarios involving OLA.

Effect of different titration methods on right heart function and prognosis in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common disease in intensive critical care(ICU), and the use of positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP) during mechanical ventilation can increase the right heart afterload and eventually cause right heart dysfunction. For these factors causing acute cor pulmonale(ACP), especially inappropriate mechanical ventilation settings, it is important to explore the effect of PEEP on right heart function. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of three titration methods on right heart function and prognosis in patients with ARDS. METHODS: Observational, prospective study in which ARDS patients were enrolled into three distinct PEEP-titration strategies groups: guide, transpulmonary pressure-oriented and driving pressure-oriented. Prognostic indicators, right heart systolic and diastolic echocardiographic function indices, ventilatory parameters, blood gas analysis results, and respiratory mechanics Monitoring indices were collated and analyzed statistically by STATA 15 software. RESULTS: A total of 62 ARDS patients were enrolled into guide (G) group (n=40) for whom titrated PEEP values were 9±2cm H2O, driving pressure-oriented (DPO) group (n=12) with titrated PEEP values of 10±2cm H2O and transpulmonary pressure-oriented (TPO) group (n=10) with titrated PEEP values of 12±3cm H2O. Values were significantly higher for TPO than for G (p=0.616) or DPO (p=0.011). Compliance was significantly increased after 72 h in the TPO and DPO groups compared with the G group (p<0.001). Mean airway pressure at end-inspiratory obstruction (p=0.047), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE, p<0.001) and right ventricular area change fraction (RVFAC, p=0.049) were all higher in the TPO and DPO groups than in the G group. E/A indices were significantly better in the TPO group than in the G or DPO groups (p=0.046). No significant differences in 28 day mortality were found among the three groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that lung compliance and transpulmonary pressure-oriented PEEP titration method was negatively correlated to the increase in right ventricular systolic dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Transpulmonary pressure-oriented PEEP titration improves oxygenation and pulmonary function and causes less right heart strain when compared to other PEEP-titration methods during mechanical ventilation of ARDS patients.

Fate of sulfamerazine by synchronous adsorption and photocatalysis dependent on natural organic matter properties.

Natural organic matter (NOM) can impede the removal of organic micro-pollutants (OMPs) through several mechanisms, including inner filter effect, competition with the target OMP, and radical scavenging, during synchronous adsorption/photocatalysis of multi-functional composites. In this study, the fate and inhibitory mechanisms of sulfamerazine (SMZ, a model OMP) that occurred in presence of seven different NOM samples (i.e. three standard NOM surrogates, a river water sample, a carbon filter effluent and two different sand filter effluents) during the adsorption/photocatalysis by a composite of Bi2O3-TiO2 supported on powdered activated carbon (Bi2O3-TiO2/PAC, abbreviated as BTP) when exposed to visible light irradiation were revealed. The results indicated that adsorption played a greater attribution than photocatalysis on SMZ removal. The primary impediment to the adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of SMZ was attributed to the presence of terrestrial-derived, humic-like NOM fractions with high aromaticity. The adsorption efficacy of SMZ was weakened by the absorption of NOM and its degradation products onto the BTP surface. The inner filter effect, competition between NOM and SMZ, and radical scavenging were responsible for the reduced photocatalysis of SMZ. In the cases of real water matrices, the presence of inorganic anion and co-existed NOM reduced the removal of SMZ. In summary, the findings of this work offer a comprehensive comprehension of the impact of NOM fractions on photocatalysis, emphasizing the necessity to examine the interplay between NOM and background inorganic constituents in the degradation of OMP via adsorption/photocatalysis.

Noncontact Conjunctiva: A Better Mitomycin C Application Site for Trabeculectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Bleb scarring is the most important complication of trabeculectomy. Changing the application position of mitomycin C (MMC) during trabeculectomy might affect the surgery outcome. Our aim is to compare the effectiveness and safety of intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering in two different application sites of mitomycin in trabeculectomy. METHODS: This retrospective trial compared the surgical outcomes of 177 eyes that underwent trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C. In 70 eyes, an MMC-soaked sponge was applied under the scleral flap without touching Tenon's capsule. In 107 eyes, an MMC-soaked sponge was applied under the scleral flap covered by Tenon's capsule. Outcome measures were the IOP, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), success rates, and incidence of complications. RESULTS: Within both groups, a highly significant IOP reduction was seen during follow-up. The effectiveness in reducing IOP and the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were similar between the two groups. Thin-walled blebs and postoperative hypotony were seen more often when MMC-soaked sponges were applied under the scleral flap covered by Tenon's capsule (P = 0.008 and P = 0.012, respectively). There was no significant difference in BCVA or other complications in either group. CONCLUSION: Since the effectiveness of IOP reduction was similar between both groups and with a low incidence of thin-walled blebs and hypotony, the subscleral application without touching Tenon's capsule seems to be the safer application site of MMC during trabeculectomy.

Water and heat exchange responses to flooding and local storm events in the hyporheic zone driven by a meandering bend.

The hyporheic zone, i.e. the groundwater-surface water interface within riverine/riparian ecosystems, plays a key role in water transport, energy flow and biogeochemical cycling at watershed scales. Water and heat exchange are fundamental processes regulating biogeochemical cycles in the hyporheic zones. To improve the understanding of hyporheic flow and heat transport in meandering streams, high-resolution measurements of water level and temperature, combined with a 3-D coupled model of flow and heat transport in the hyporheic zone of a meandering bend, were carried out during a summer flood season. Results show the distinct spatio-temporal variations of hyporheic water and heat exchange. Flooding events (the incoming flood water generated by the upstream rainfall) and local rainstorm events (the storm or rainfall occurring over the local study area) are major drivers for the coupled processes. Incoming flooding from the upper stream increases the hyporheic water and heat exchange in the riverbed and inner bank leading to the longer intra-meander residence times, and warms the riverbed and riverbanks due to the post-rainfall thermal recovery. Local rainstorm event increases hyporheic water and heat exchange flux both laterally and vertically and cools down the riverbed and riverbanks. The water exchange and thermal regimes in the intra-meander seems more driven by the local exchange flows, while the counterparts in the outer bank are dominated by the regional groundwater flow. The temperatures in the inner banks are 1 to 3 °C higher than those in the outer banks, indicating the better hydrological connectivity between river water and groundwater in the intra-meander. The meander apex is a hot spot for hyporheic water and heat exchange. The results highlight the close coupling among river morphology, hyporheic flow, and thermal heterogeneity in a meander system.

[Application of nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation comfort technique during tooth extraction of elderly hypertensive patients under electrocardiographic monitoring].

PURPOSE: To investigate the application value of nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation comfort technique during tooth extraction in elderly patients with hypertension under electrocardiographic(ECG) monitoring. METHODS: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, sixty elderly patients (over 65 years old) with hypertension for tooth extraction were randomly divided into 2 groups: the experimental group(nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation combined with ECG monitoring group, n=30) and the control group (routine ECG monitoring group, n=30). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) at T0 (baseline values before surgery), T1 (on local anesthesia), T2 (during operation) and T3(5 minutes after operation) were recorded. SPSS 25.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in MAP and HR at each time point in the experimental group(P＞0.05). There was no significant difference in MAP and HR at T0 and T3 time points in the control group(P＞0.05). At other time points, MAP and HR were significantly different (P＜0.05). There was no significant differences in MAP and HR between the two groups at T0 and T3(P＞0.05). MAP and HR at T1 and T2 in the experimental group were significantly less than those in the control group(P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation comfort technology can stabilize patients' emotions and maintain stable blood pressure and heart rate in elderly patients with hypertension during tooth extraction, thus improving the safety of tooth extraction.

Ultrasound-assisted H2O2 directional-modification of powdered activated carbon for the enhanced adsorption of secondary effluent organic matter from printing and dyeing processes.

The physicochemical properties of powdered activated carbon (PAC) are important factors affecting its adsorption performance, which is also related to the characteristics of target organic pollutants. In this study, the key indicators affecting the adsorption performance of PAC were identified, and the physicochemical properties of PACs were modified by hydrogen peroxide and/or ultrasound in a targeted manner to improve the adsorption performance. The results indicated the adsorption properties of printing and dyeing secondary effluent organic matter (EfOM) in terms of CODcr and UV absorbance at 254 nm (UV254) positively correlated with mesoporous volume, average pore size and acid group content of PAC. After modification, the mesoporous volume and average pore size of PAC increased, and the number of acidic groups increased, thus enhancing the adsorption efficiency. EfOM removal characteristics showed that PAC preferentially adsorbed unsaturated bonds or aromatic compounds, tryptophan-like proteins, soluble microbial metabolites and low molecular weight fractions below 1 kDa. In addition, the relative contents of specific surface area, pore volume and oxygen-containing functional groups (O-CO, C-OH, CO/O-C-O) of PAC decreased after adsorption, indicating that EfOM adsorption was a physical and chemical process, including pore filling, hydrophobic interaction and chemical bond force interaction. In general, PACs with larger mesoporous volume, average pore size and abundant acid groups possessed good adsorption performance towards EfOM.

Phosphorus acquisition strategies of wheat are related to biochar types added in cadmium-contaminated soil: Evidence from soil zymography and root morphology.

Biochar application for the remediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils may result in a relative deficiency of phosphorus (P) due to the disruption of soil nutrient balance. However, the P acquisition strategies of plants in such situation are still unclear. In this study, analyses on soil zymography and root morphology were combined for the first time to investigate the effects of pristine and P-modified biochars from apple tree branches on the P acquisition strategies of wheat under Cd stress. The results show that the application of pristine biochar exacerbated the soil's relative P deficiency. Wheat was forced to improve foraging for P by forming longer and thinner roots (average diameter 0.284 mm) as well as releasing more phosphatase to promote P mobilization in the soil. Moreover, bioavailable Cd affected the P acquisition strategies of wheat through stimulating the release of phosphatase from roots. The P-modified biochar maintained high levels of Olsen-P (>100 mg kg-1) in the soil over time by slow release, avoiding the creation of relative P deficiency in the soil; and increased the average root diameter (0.338 mm) and growth performance index, which promoted shoot growth (length and biomass). Furthermore, the P-modified biochar reduced DTPA-extracted Cd concentration in soils by 79.8 % (pristine biochar by 26.9 %), and decreased the Cd translocation factor from root to shoot as well as Cd concentration in the shoots. Therefore, P-modified biochar has a great potential to regulate the soil element balance (carbon, nitrogen, and P), promote wheat growth, and remediate the Cd-contaminated soil.

Underwater-art: Expanding information perspectives with text templates for underwater acoustic target recognition.

Underwater acoustic target recognition is an intractable task due to the complex acoustic source characteristics and sound propagation patterns. Limited by insufficient data and narrow information perspective, recognition models based on deep learning seem far from satisfactory in practical underwater scenarios. Although underwater acoustic signals are severely influenced by distance, channel depth, or other factors, annotations of relevant information are often nonuniform, incomplete, and hard to use. In this work, the proposal is to implement underwater acoustic recognition based on templates made up of rich relevant information (UART). The templates are designed to integrate relevant information from different perspectives into descriptive natural language. UART adopts an audio-spectrogram-text trimodal contrastive learning framework, which endows UART with the ability to guide the learning of acoustic representations by descriptive natural language. These experiments reveal that UART has better recognition capability and generalization performance than traditional paradigms. Furthermore, the pretrained UART model could provide superior prior knowledge for the recognition model in the scenario without any auxiliary annotation.

Evaluation of the learning curve of laser peripheral iridectomy: the 20th case reaches the turning point.

AIM: To explore the learning curve for ophthalmologists at the start of laser peripheral iridectomy (LPI) training. METHODS: The learning curve of 4 doctor groups without previous LPI experience was studied. Three main parameters of LPI were reviewed: total energy, argon energy and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) energy. Procedures were evaluated in cohorts of 20 cases to identify the turning points of the three variables. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of age or eye among the 4 doctor groups. There were stable trends on the learning curve for the Doctor A and C groups regarding total energy and argon energy. In addition, the turning points on the learning curve were determined after the 20th procedure for the Doctor B and D groups regarding total energy and argon energy. Moreover, the Nd:YAG energy was relatively stable since the first procedure. CONCLUSION: It requires approximately 20 procedures for a beginner to reach a turning point on the learning curve regarding LPI. It can serve as a point of reference or guideline for training beginners to perform LPI.

Geniposide attenuates spermatogenic dysfunction via inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress in male mice.

BACKGROUND: Spermatogenesis dysfunction is common in clinically infertile patients. Geniposide (GP) is one of the important active ingredients extracted from Eucommia ulmoides. However, the protective effect and mechanism of GP in the treatment of spermatogenic dysfunction is not known yet. METHODS: After cyclophosphamide-induced spermatogenic dysfunction was established in male mice, we gavaged GP for 4 weeks to evaluate spermatogenic function and anti-apoptotic effects by fertility, testicular weight, sperm quality, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress), comet assay and serum testosterone level. RESULTS: GP can improve the damage of fertility and reproductive organs induced by cyclophosphamide and increase the number and activity of sperm. In comet assay, it was found that GP administration could alleviate sperm DNA damage induced by cyclophosphamide. In addition, GP treatment can significantly reduce ThT fluorescence intensity and improve endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by cyclophosphamide. Besides, TUNEL staining and WB showed that GP could inhibit the excessive apoptosis of cells and protect testis. (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The protective effect of Geniposide on cyclophosphamide-induced spermatogenic dysfunction in mice is related to the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Characteristics of the Ciliary Body in Healthy Chinese Subjects Evaluated by Radial and Transverse Imaging of Ultrasound Biometric Microscopy.

Background: The imaging and analysis of the ciliary body (CB) are valuable in many potential clinical applications. This study aims to demonstrate the anatomy characteristics of CB using radial and transverse imaging of ultrasound biometric microscopy (UBM) in healthy Chinese subjects, and to explore the determining factors. Methods: Fifty-four eyes of 30 healthy Chinese subjects were evaluated. Clinical data, including age, body mass index (BMI), intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length (AL), and lens thickness (LT), were collected. Radial and transverse UBM measurements of the ciliary body were performed. Anterior chamber depth (ACD), ciliary sulcus diameter (CSD), ciliary process length (CPL), ciliary process density (CPD), ciliary process area (CPA), ciliary muscle area (CMA), ciliary body area (CBA), ciliary body thickness (CBT0, CBT1, and CBTmax), anterior placement of ciliary body (APCB), and trabecular-ciliary angle (TCA) of four (superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal) quadrants were measured. Results: The average CPL was 0.513 ± 0.074 mm, and the average CPA was 0.890 ± 0.141 mm2. CPL and CPA tended to be longer and larger in the superior quadrant (p < 0.001) than in the other three quadrants. Average CPL was significantly correlated with AL (r = 0.535, p < 0.001), ACD (r = 0.511, p < 0.001), and LT (r = −0.512, p < 0.001). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) scores were high for CPL (0.979), CPD (0.992), CPA (0.966), CMA (0.963), and CBA (0.951). Conclusions: In healthy Chinese subjects, CPL was greatest in the superior quadrant, followed by the inferior, temporal, and nasal quadrants, and CPA was largest in the superior quadrant, followed by the tempdoral, inferior, and nasal quadrants. Transverse UBM images can be used to measure the anatomy of the ciliary process with relatively good repeatability and reliability.

Efficient removal of Remazol Brilliant Blue R from water by a cellulose-based activated carbon.

Due to its wide application and high toxicity, Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) has become a fatal contaminate in aquatic environment. In this study, to remove RBBR, a cellulose-based activated carbon (CAC) was synthesized at 800 °C with a cellulose-based hydrocarbon (CHC) activated by NaOH. The CHC was synthesized by the hydrothermal method with microcrystalline cellulose and urea as raw materials. The CAC possessed great amounts of N and O-containing functional groups and had well-developed pore structure. The BET specific surface area of CAC reached up to 1872.30 m2/g. The maximum adsorption capacity of CAC on RBBR was 653.19 mg/g during which chemical adsorption was the dominant mechanism. Adsorption thermodynamics indicated that the adsorption of RBBR by CAC was exothermic and spontaneous. Regeneration adsorption and ion competition experiments showed that the material could be used repeatedly and had good anti-interference ability. In addition, the removal rates of RBBR by CAC in actual water bodies, including river water and artificial lake water, were above 99.40%. Therefore, the novel CAC shows great potential for the remediation of printing and dyeing wastewater.

The profile of gut microbiota and central carbon-related metabolites in primary angle-closure glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE: To explore the profile of gut microbiota and central carbon-related metabolites in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). METHODS: The fecal microbiotas of 30 PACG patients and 30 healthy participants were detected via 16S rRNA sequencing. Targeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to examine serum central carbon-related metabolites. The correlations among metabolites, microbiotas and clinical presentations were also explored. RESULTS: Although the α and ß diversity between the PACG and control groups did not show a significant difference, the distribution of Blautia and Fusicatenibacter decreased significantly in the PACG group. Functional annotations of microbiota enrichment showed that the most dominant pathway was related to host metabolism. In the PACG patients, seven central carbon metabolites, namely adenosine 5'-diphosphate, dGDP, phosphoenolpyruvic acid, d-ribulose 5-phosphate, d-xylulose 5-phosphate, glucuronic acid, and malonic acid, decreased significantly, whereas two metabolites, citric acid and isocitrate, increased obviously. The mean RNFL thickness was positively correlated with phosphoenolpyruvic acid, the VF-MD was positively correlated with glucuronic acid, and the abundance of Blautia was negatively associated with citric acid. CONCLUSION: Few species of gut microbiota were altered in the PACG patients compared to the healthy subjects. A distinct difference in the phenotype of the central carbon-related metabolites of PACG and their correlation with clinical presentations and microbiota suggests potential mechanisms of RGC impairment and novel intervention targets.