Performance of heavy metals in the intertidal zone surface sediments of the Yellow River Estuary under water-sediment regulation scheme.

This study investigates the distribution, sources, and ecological risks of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Hg) and metalloid (As) in surface sediments of the Yellow River Estuary intertidal zone during the 2023 water-sediment regulation scheme (WSRS) period (summer) and the non-WSRS period (autumn). The results revealed that metal accumulation in both periods was primarily controlled by the co-adsorption of organic matter and fine particles. Hydrodynamic enhancement during the WSRS period reduced metal accumulation through sediment flushing and dilution, whereas weakened flows in the non-WSRS period promoted metal buildup.

Direction-discriminable torsion sensor based on a helical taper long period fiber grating.

A torsion sensor, which is based on a helical taper long-period fiber grating (HTLPFG), has been proposed and experimentally verified. In this sensor, the torsional sensitivity was notably improved by raising the torsional angle of the taper. The torsion degree was achieved by setting the rotation amount of the rotatable clamp.

Hemodynamic modeling of aortic arch aneurysm treatment using the Castor™ branched stent graft: a virtual coil embolization simulation framework.

Introduction: Aortic arch aneurysm (AAA) refers to pathological dilation of the aortic arch, carrying high rupture risks under hypertensive conditions with critical mortality rates, thus remaining a key research focus. The Castor™ single-branched stent-graft effectively isolates the aneurysm from circulatory pressure and is clinically combined with coil embolization to enhance therapeutic outcomes. However, comprehensive hemodynamic analyses evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of this combined approach remain lacking.

Assembly and characterization of the first mitochondrial genome of Phyllanthaceae: a case study of the ornamental aquatic plant Phyllanthus fluitans.

Phyllanthus fluitans, a member of the Phyllanthaceae, is a unique free-floating aquatic species exhibiting considerable ornamental value. In this study, we assembled the mitochondrial genome of P. fluitans representing the first mitochondrial genome report of the Phyllanthaceae family.

Fibrous Pressure Sensor with Unique Resistance Increase under Partial Compression: Coaxial Wet-Spun TiO/Graphene/Thermoplastic Polyurethane Multi-Wall Multifunctional Fiber.

Fiber-shaped resistive pressure-sensitive sensors are rare. Although fibers are widely used in strain sensors owing to their structural advantages, developing fiber-shaped resistive pressure sensors is challenging. This challenge arises because the fiber acts as a series circuit along its axis, requiring increased resistance in the compressed region for a significant signal.

A study on structural imaging changes and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in individuals with white matter hyperintensities, combining imaging techniques with biomarker analysis.

Objective: To elucidate the association between serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels and structural brain alterations in individuals exhibiting white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), as well as to investigate the potential utility of serum NfL as a predictive biomarker for the progression of WMH.

Methods: A total of 151 subjects were included in the study, among whom 117 demonstrated the presence of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We assessed the relationship between changes in serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels and alterations in brain volume across three distinct groups.

Genome assembly and population genomic analysis reveal the genetic basis of popcorn evolution.

Popcorn, one of the world's most popular snack foods, represents the most ancient type of maize domesticated by humans. However, the genetic basis underlying popcorn evolution and kernel-popping traits remains largely unknown. In this study, we assembled a high-quality genome sequence of the popcorn landrace Strawberry Popcorn (SP) and conducted extensive population genomic analyses.

Multispectral radiation thermometry method based on a multi-branch convolutional model.

Multispectral temperature measurement is affected by unknown emissivity, and there is no algorithm that can ignore the influence of emissivity and be applicable to all materials. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a multispectral radiation thermometry method based on a multi-branch convolutional model. The core of this method is an improved multi-branch convolutional network model, which includes branches of inversion temperature, wavelength, voltage ratio, emissivity, and reference temperature.

Outage Performance of SWIPT-D2D-Based Hybrid Satellite-Terrestrial Networks.

This paper investigates the outage performance of simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT)-assisted device-to-device (D2D)-based hybrid satellite-terrestrial networks (HSTNs). In the considered system, an energy-constrained terrestrial user terminal (UT) harvests energy from the radio frequency (RF) signal of a terrestrial amplify-and-forward (AF) relay and utilizes the harvested energy to cooperate with the shadowed terrestrial Internet of Things (IoT) devices in a D2D communication. Both power splitting (PS)-based and time switching (TS)-based SWIPT-D2D schemes are adopted by the energy-constrained UT to obtain sustainable energy for transmitting information to the shadowed IoT device.

Morphological analysis of myocardial bridging leading to myocardial ischemia: myocardial coronary coupling.

Introduction: Myocardial bridge (MB) is a segment of an otherwise extramyocardial blood vessel that traverses the myocardium. This congenital condition typically lacks obvious clinical manifestations during adolescence. However, as individuals age, the accumulated myocardial pressure on the coronary arteries can lead to non-obstructive coronary ischemia, angina pectoris, and even heart failure.

The active mechanical characteristics of arterial smooth muscle during aneurysm remodeling.

Introduction: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a common vascular disease characterized by progressive expansion and remodeling of the aortic wall. However, with the gradual expansion of blood vessels, the walls of blood vessels cannot withstand the tension and rupture, jeopardizing people's health.

Methods: The aim of the experiment was to establish an abdominal aortic aneurysm model in rats by applying porcine pancreatic elastase externally, to measure the diameter and thickness of blood vessels as well as hemodynamics using animal ultrasound, to measure the active contraction of blood vessels, the rate of contraction, and the contraction stress using vascular mechanics equipment, and to observe the pathological changes in the process of AAA growth using vascular pathological staining.

Effect of mild-to-moderate COVID‑19 on the incidence and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis in patients with hip fracture: a retrospective study.

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the effect of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 on the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with hip fractures. Hip fractures are common in the elderly, and previous research has shown that they accounted for 58.3% of traumatic fractures in older inpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

Multispectral radiometric thermometry inversion algorithm using multisource information fusion.

This paper proposes a multispectral temperature measurement method integrating multiple information sources to address inaccuracies in target temperature measurements in multispectral thermometry when emissivity is unknown. This algorithm leverages convolutional neural networks for image recognition to convert one-dimensional voltage data into two-dimensional voltage spectral images. To enhance accuracy, it combines emissivity trend inversion with emissivity constraint algorithms.

Lightweight detection model for safe wear at worksites using GPD-YOLOv8 algorithm.

To address the significantly elevated safety risks associated with construction workers' improper use of helmets and reflective clothing, we propose an enhanced YOLOv8 model tailored for safety wear detection. Firstly, this study introduces the P2 detection layer within the YOLOv8 architecture, which substantially enriches semantic feature representation. Additionally, a lightweight Ghost module is integrated to replace the original backbone of YOLOv8, thereby reducing the parameter count and computational burden.

Perioperative ultrasound screening of lower extremity veins is effective in the prevention of fatal pulmonary embolism in orthopedic patients.

Patients at high risk of deep vein thrombosis are recommended to undergo lower-extremity ultrasonography to screen for pulmonary embolism (PE); however, there are few reports on whether this can effectively reduce the occurrence of fatal pulmonary embolism (FPE). This study aimed to assess the risk factors associated with PE and to investigate whether perioperative ultrasound screening of lower extremity veins in orthopedic patients can effectively reduce the incidence of FPE. We enrolled 137 patients with PE who underwent orthopedic surgery between 2013 and 2020.

Hemodynamic characteristics of vertebrobasilar artery fenestration combined with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia: a study based on magnetic resonance angiography.

Purpose: This study delves into the hemodynamic characteristics of Vertebrobasilar Artery Fenestration (VBAF) combined with Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia (VBD) using Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA). By summarizing the hemodynamic features and identifying high-risk populations, we aim to provide insights for clinical treatment.

Methods: Utilizing MRA images as a foundation, arterial three-dimensional geometric models were constructed.

Engineering the Substrate Specificity of UDP-Glycosyltransferases for Synthesizing Triterpenoid Glycosides with a Linear Trisaccharide as Aided by Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction.

Triterpenoids have wide applications in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. The glycosylation of triterpenoids catalyzed by UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) is a crucial method for producing valuable derivatives with enhanced functions. However, only a few UDP-glucosyltransferases have been reported to synthesize the rare triterpenoids with linear-chain trisaccharide at C3-OH.

Augmenting fibronectin levels in injured adult CNS promotes axon regeneration in vivo.

In an attempt to repair injured central nervous system (CNS) nerves/tracts, immune cells are recruited into the injury site, but endogenous response in adult mammals is insufficient for promoting regeneration of severed axons. Here, we found that a portion of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) CNS projection neurons that survive after optic nerve crush (ONC) injury are enriched for and upregulate fibronectin (Fn)-interacting integrins Itga5 and ItgaV, and that Fn promotes long-term survival and long-distance axon regeneration of a portion of axotomized adult RGCs in culture. We then show that, Fn is developmentally downregulated in the axonal tracts of optic nerve and spinal cord, but injury-activated macrophages/microglia upregulate Fn while axon regeneration-promoting zymosan augments their recruitment (and thereby increases Fn levels) in the injured optic nerve.

Environmental Dyeing and Functionalization of Silk Fabrics with Natural Dye Extracted from Lac.

Most traditional synthetic dyes and functional reagents used in silk fabrics are not biodegradable and lack green environmental protection. Natural dyes have attracted more and more attention because of their coloring, functionalization effects, and environmental benefits. In this study, natural dyes were extracted from lac and used for coloring and functionalization in silk fabrics without any other harmful dyes.

The alteration of the structure and macroscopic mechanical response of porcine patellar tendon by elastase digestion.

The treatment of patellar tendon injury has always been an unsolved problem, and mechanical characterization is very important for its repair and reconstruction. Elastin is a contributor to mechanics, but it is not clear how it affects the elasticity, viscoelastic properties, and structure of patellar tendon. The patellar tendons from six fresh adult experimental pigs were used in this study and they were made into 77 samples.