High-Sensitivity Differential Sensor for Characterizing Complex Permittivity of Liquids Based on LC Resonators.

This paper proposes a high-sensitivity microstrip differential sensor for measuring the complex permittivity of liquids. The prototype of the differential sensor was formed by cascading two LC resonators on a microstrip transmission line based on stepped impedance. A strong electric field was found to be distributed in the circular patch of the LC resonator; therefore, a cylindrical micropore was set in the center of the circular LC resonator to measure the dielectric sample, which maximized the disturbance of the dielectric sample on the sensor. By optimizing the size of the circular LC resonator, a high-sensitivity sensor circuit was designed and manufactured. The complex permittivity of the test sample was calculated by measuring the transmission coefficient of different molar concentrations of ethanol-water solutions. The experimental results show that the designed differential sensor can accurately measure the complex permittivity of liquid materials with an average sensitivity of 0.76%.

A novel integrated urban flood risk assessment approach based on one-two dimensional coupled hydrodynamic model and improved projection pursuit method.

Urban flood risk assessment is a complex task, as it requires extensive knowledge about hydrological features of the catchment, hydraulic characteristics of the drainage network and social characteristics of residential areas. How to accurately and efficiently quantify regional risk has always been a challenge in this field. To solve the problem, this study is developed to propose a novel integrated urban flood risk assessment approach based on one-two dimensional coupled hydrodynamic model and improved projection pursuit method. Two open source software like urban storm flood management model (SWMM) and TELEMAC-2D are introduced to build the one-two coupling hydrodynamic model through proprietary programming, which can accurately simulate urban inundation process. Based on the simulation results of hydrodynamic model and literature review, a set of urban flood risk assessment index system containing physical mechanism and statistical mechanism related index is established, including a total of 12 indicators covering three dimensions like hazard factor, exposure factor and vulnerability factor. Then an Improved Projection Pursuit (IPP) method coupling k-means clustering algorithm is proposed to determine the index weight. The novel integrated urban flood risk assessment approach is implemented in Suyu district, China. The results demonstrate that the accuracy and efficiency of evaluation urban flood risk assessment are greatly improved by the integrated approach. In conclusion, this research offers a novel methodology for urban flood risk assessment and contributes to decision-making in environmental management.

Deficiency of SIAH1 promotes the formation of filopodia by increasing the accumulation of FASN in liver cancer.

It has been shown that the formation of filopodia is a key step in tumor cell metastasis, but there is limited research regarding its mechanism. In this study, we demonstrated that fatty acid synthase (FASN) promoted filopodia formation in liver cancer cells by regulating fascin actin-bundling protein 1 (FSCN1), a marker protein for filopodia. Mechanistically, on the one hand, the accumulation of FASN is caused by the enhanced deubiquitination of FASN mediated by UCHL5 (ubiquitin c-terminal hydrolase L5). In this pathway, low expression of SIAH1 (Seven in absentia homolog 1) can decrease the ubiquitination and degradation of ADRM1 (adhesion regulating molecule 1) thereby increasing its protein level, which will recruit and activate the deubiquitination enzyme UCHL5, leading to FASN undergo deubiquitination and escape from proteasomal degradation. On the other hand, the accumulation of FASN is related to its weakened ubiquitination, where SIAH1 directly acts as a ubiquitin ligase toward FASN, and low expression of SIAH1 reduces the ubiquitination and degradation of FASN. Both the two pathways are involved in the regulation of FASN in liver cancer. Our results reveal a novel mechanism for FASN accumulation due to the low expression of SIAH1 in human liver cancer and suggest an important role of FASN in filopodia formation in liver cancer cells.

A novel integrated Urban flood risk assessment approach coupling GeoDetector-Dematel and clustering method.

Urban flood risk assessment plays a crucial role in disaster prevention and mitigation. A scientifically accurate assessment and risk stratification method are of paramount importance for effective flood risk management. This study aims to propose a comprehensive urban flood risk assessment approach by coupling GeoDetector-Dematel and Clustering Method to enhance the accuracy of urban flood risk evaluation. Based on simulation results from hydraulic models and existing literature, the research established a set of urban flood risk assessment indicators comprising 10 metrics across two dimensions: hazard factors and vulnerability factors, among which vulnerability factors include exposure factors, sensitivity factors, and adaptability factors. Subsequently, the research introduced the GeoDetector-Dematel method to determine indicator weights, significantly enhancing the scientific rigor and precision of weight calculation. Finally, the research employed the K-means clustering method to risk zonation, providing a more scientifically rational depiction of the spatial distribution of urban flood risks. This novel comprehensive urban flood risk assessment method was applied in the Fangzhuang area of Beijing. The results demonstrated that this integrated approach effectively enhances the accuracy of urban flood risk assessment. In conclusion, this research offers a new methodology for urban flood risk assessment and contributes to decision-making in disaster prevention and control measures.

Single-cell RNA landscape of osteoimmune microenvironment in osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture and Kümmell's disease.

Background: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables specific analysis of cell populations at single-cell resolution; however, there is still a lack of single-cell-level studies to characterize the dynamic and complex interactions between osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) and Kümmell's disease (KD) in the osteoimmune microenvironment. In this study, we used scRNA-seq analysis to investigate the osteoimmune microenvironment and cellular composition in OVCFs and KD. Methods: ScRNA-seq was used to perform analysis of fractured vertebral bone tissues from one OVCF and one KD patients, and a total of 8,741 single cells were captured for single-cell transcriptomic analysis. The cellularity of human vertebral bone tissue was further analyzed using uniform manifold approximation and projection. Pseudo-time analysis and gene enrichment analysis revealed the biological function of cell fate and its counterparts. CellphoneDB was used to identify the interactions between bone cells and immune cells in the osteoimmune microenvironment of human vertebral bone tissue and their potential functions. Results: A cellular profile of the osteoimmune microenvironment of human vertebral bone tissue was established, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), pericytes, myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, endothelial cells (ECs), granulocytes, monocytes, T cells, B cells, plasma cells, mast cells, and early erythrocytes. MSCs play an immunoregulatory function and mediate osteogenic differentiation and cell proliferation. The differentiation trajectory of osteoclasts in human vertebral bone tissue was also revealed. In addition, ECs actively participate in inflammatory infiltration and coupling with bone cells. T and B cells actively participate in regulating bone homeostasis. Finally, by identifying the interaction of ligand-receptor pairs, we found that immune cells and osteoclasts have bidirectional regulatory characteristics, have the effects of regulating bone resorption by osteoclasts and promoting bone formation, and are essential for bone homeostasis. It is also highlighted that CD8-TEM cells and osteoclasts might crosstalk via CD160-TNFRSF14 ligand-receptor interaction. Conclusion: Our analysis reveals a differential landscape of molecular pathways, population composition, and cell-cell interactions during OVCF development into KD. OVCFs exhibit a higher osteogenic differentiation capacity, owing to abundant immune cells. Conversely, KD results in greater bone resorption than bone formation due to depletion of MSCs and a relatively suppressed immune system, and this immune imbalance eventually leads to vertebral avascular necrosis. The site of action between immune cells and osteoclasts is expected to be a new therapeutic target, and these results may accelerate mechanistic and functional studies of osteoimmune cell types and specific gene action in vertebral avascular necrosis and pathological bone loss diseases, paving the way for drug discovery.

Effects of running combined with muscular training of the abdominal core / Efeitos da corrida aliada ao treinamento muscular do centro abdominal / Efectos de la carrera combinada con el entrenamiento muscular del núcleo abdominal

ABSTRACT Introduction: Running has specific effects on different areas of the human body, and the sagittal angular variation of the hip, knee, and ankle joints is widely explored. In addition to accelerating body metabolism, it can also improve body shape. Recent studies have revealed that running can also improve athletes' muscular strength of the abdominal core. Objective: Explore the effects of running combined with muscle training on the abdominal center strength of athletes. Methods: It investigated the effects of 3 different running intensities on athletes' abdominal core muscle strength. Computerized kinematic motion capture technology was used to measure the impacts of running on 18 young volunteers. The sagittal planes of the hip, knee, and ankle joints were evaluated. Abdominal center muscle strength was assessed during running. Results: Running particularly affected the combined contraction rate of the tibial, gluteal, and soleus muscles. The correlation between speed, muscle activation, and joint angle was also analyzed. Conclusion: Athletes tend to adjust the angle and frequency of joint movements to reduce fatigue. It was noted can have the ability to control muscle strength in different regions of the abdominal core. The research results establish a theoretical basis for the effectiveness of abdominal core muscle strength performance in athletes. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: A corrida tem efeitos específicos em distintas áreas do corpo humano e a variação angular sagital das articulações do quadril, joelho e tornozelo são amplamente exploradas. Além de acelerar o metabolismo corporal, também pode melhorar a forma corporal e alguns estudos recentes revelaram que a corrida também pode melhorar a força muscular do centro abdominal dos atletas. Objetivo: Explorar os efeitos da corrida aliada ao treinamento muscular sobre a força do centro abdominal dos atletas. Métodos: Investigou-se os efeitos de 3 diferentes intensidades de corrida sobre a força muscular do centro abdominal dos atletas. Foi utilizada a tecnologia de captura de movimento cinemática computadorizada para medir os impactos da corrida sobre 18 jovens voluntários. Os planos sagitais das articulações do quadril, joelho e tornozelo foram avaliados. A força muscular do centro abdominal foi avaliada durante a corrida. Resultados: A corrida afetou particularmente o índice combinado de contração dos músculos tibial, glúteo e sóleo. A correlação entre velocidade, ativação muscular e ângulo articular também foi analisada. Conclusão: Os atletas tendem a ajustar o ângulo e a frequência de movimentos articulares para reduzir a fadiga. Notou-se que os atletas também tem a capacidade de controlar a força muscular em diferentes regiões do centro abdominal. Os resultados da pesquisa estabelecem uma base teórica para a eficácia do desempenho de força muscular do centro abdominal nos atletas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: Correr tiene efectos específicos en diferentes áreas del cuerpo humano y la variación angular sagital de las articulaciones de la cadera, la rodilla y el tobillo son ampliamente exploradas. Además de acelerar el metabolismo, también puede mejorar la forma del cuerpo y algunos estudios recientes revelaron que correr también puede mejorar la fuerza muscular del núcleo abdominal en los atletas. Objetivo: Explorar los efectos de la carrera combinada con el entrenamiento muscular en la fuerza del núcleo abdominal de los atletas. Métodos: Investigamos los efectos de 3 intensidades de carrera diferentes en la fuerza muscular del centro abdominal de los atletas. Se utilizó la tecnología de captura del movimiento cinemático por ordenador para medir los impactos de la carrera en 18 jóvenes voluntarios. Se evaluaron los planos sagitales de las articulaciones de la cadera, la rodilla y el tobillo. Se evaluó la fuerza muscular del núcleo abdominal durante la carrera. Resultados: Correr afectó especialmente a la tasa de contracción combinada de los músculos tibiales, glúteos y sóleo. También se analizó la correlación entre la velocidad, la activación muscular y el ángulo articular. Conclusión: Los deportistas tienden a ajustar el ángulo y la frecuencia de los movimientos articulares para reducir la fatiga. Se observó que los atletas también tienen la capacidad de controlar la fuerza muscular en diferentes regiones del núcleo abdominal. Los resultados de la investigación establecen una base teórica para la eficacia del rendimiento de la fuerza muscular del núcleo abdominal en los atletas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

A plate method for rapid screening of Ketogulonicigenium vulgare mutants for enhanced 2-keto-l-gulonic acid production

Abstract A new plate method was developed for rapid screening of Ketogulonicigenium vulgare mutants overproducing 2-keto-l-gulonic acid (2-KLG). The screening methodology took the advantage of the acidity caused by 2-KLG, which changes the color of bromothymol blue (pH indicator) from blue to yellow. Using the proposed method, a mutant, K. vulgare 65, was selected from 20,000 colonies produced by a strain subjected to spaceflight mutagenesis. When co-cultured with Bacillus megaterium 2980 in 20-L fermenters, K. vulgare 65 showed a high conversion rate (94.45%) of l-sorbose to 2-KLG. In contrast to the traditional screening method, this one significantly improved the frequency of obtaining positive mutants. The proposed plate screening method is cost-effective and easy to run and is thus useful for the isolation and screening of K. vulgare mutants overproducing 2-KLG.