Principle, structure and application progress of the forest landscape model FireBGCv2.

Forest landscape model can quantitatively simulate the spatiotemporal variations in forest structure and function at the landscape scale based on traditional field survey data and mathematical models, providing a reference for the formulation of scientific forest management strategies. FireBGCv2 is one of the representative models currently used in the research area of forest landscape changes. It can simulate ecological processes at various scales, including trees scale (tree growth, establishment, and mortality), stand scale (carbon and nitrogen pools, fuel treatment, decomposition), site scale (resource competition and species phenology), and landscape scale (seed dispersal and wildfire disturbances), and the effects of those processes on forest landscape structure and function.

Effect of N/Ar Ratio on Wear Behavior of Multi-Element Nitride Coatings on AISI H13 Tool Steel.

In this study, multi-element nitride coatings composed of (Ti, Cr, Cu, Al, Si)N were synthesized on H13 tool steel using cathodic arc deposition (CAD) technology. The N/Ar flow ratio varied from 0 to 2 as the experimental parameter, and two targets, Ti-Cr-Cu and Al-Si alloys, were utilized simultaneously. The impact of the gas flow ratio on the coatings' abrasion properties was investigated, focusing on aspects, such as chemical composition, adhesion, hardness, and wear behavior.

Bouncing of Leidenfrost steel balls on water surface.

A steel ball with a density higher than that of water can bounce on a water surface when heated to a temperature well above the Leidenfrost point. In this letter, an experiment is conducted where heated steel balls are released onto a water surface. The heated steel ball descends into the liquid, thus causing the liquid to evaporate and form a vapor cushion with an upward force that lifts the steel ball.

Ovarian function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: Pathogenesis, drug application and prospective therapies.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which multiple organs are damaged that prevails in fertile women. Currently, glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants are widely used to treat SLE patients. However, ovarian dysfunction occurs following the use of these drugs in women with SLE.

Enhancing the Cooling Efficiency of Aluminum-Filled Epoxy Resin Rapid Tool by Changing Inner Surface Roughness of Cooling Channels.

In low-pressure wax injection molding, cooling time refers to the period during which the molten plastic inside the mold solidifies and cools down to a temperature where it can be safely ejected without deformation. However, cooling efficiency for the mass production of injection-molded wax patterns is crucial. This work aims to investigate the impact of varying surface roughness on the inner walls of the cooling channel on the cooling efficiency of an aluminum-filled epoxy resin rapid tool.

How mesenchymal stem cells transform into adipocytes: Overview of the current understanding of adipogenic differentiation.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are stem/progenitor cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. The transformation of multipotent MSCs to adipocytes mainly involves two subsequent steps from MSCs to preadipocytes and further preadipocytes into adipocytes, in which the process MSCs are precisely controlled to commit to the adipogenic lineage and then mature into adipocytes. Previous studies have shown that the master transcription factors C/enhancer-binding protein alpha and peroxisome proliferation activator receptor gamma play vital roles in adipogenesis.

The body mass index and the risk of ectopic pregnancy: a 5-year retrospective case-control study.

Purpose: Acknowledging the associated risk factors may have a positive impact on reducing the incidence of ectopic pregnancy (EP). In recent years, body mass index (BMI) has been mentioned in research. However, few studies are available and controversial on the relationship between EP and BMI.

Rotary Friction Welding of Dissimilar Polymer Rods Containing Metal Powder.

Three-dimensional printing is widely used for manufacturing a variety of functional components. However, the 3D printing machine substantially limits the size of the functional components. Rotary friction welding (RFW) is a possible solution to this problem.

Experimentation and Numerical Modeling of Peak Temperature in the Weld Joint during Rotary Friction Welding of Dissimilar Plastic Rods.

Rotary friction welding (RFW) could result in lower welding temperature, energy consumption, or environmental effects as compared with fusion welding processes. RFW is a green manufacturing technology with little environmental pollution in the field of joining methods. Thus, RFW is widely employed to manufacture green products.

Mechanical Performance and Microstructural Evolution of Rotary Friction Welding of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and Polycarbonate Rods.

Rotary friction welding (RFW) is a green manufacturing technology with environmental pollution in the field of joining methods. In practice, the welding quality of the friction-welded parts was affected by the peak temperature in the weld joint during the RFW of dissimilar plastic rods. In industry, polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) are two commonly used plastics in consumer products.

Revision of the subgenus Stegana (Steganina) from China, with assessment of species delimitation using DNA barcodes (Diptera, Drosophilidae).

A total of 58 (eight known and 50 new) species of the subgenus Stegana (Steganina) from China were surveyed and (re)described: S. (S.) bacilla Chen & Aotsuka, 2004, S.

Effects of Rotational Speed on Joint Characteristics of Green Joining Technique of Dissimilar Polymeric Rods Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing Technology.

Friction welding (FW) FW of dissimilar polymer rods is capable of manufacturing green products swiftly and economically. In this study, a green manufacturing technique of joining dissimilar polymer rods was proposed, and the effects of rotational speed on the joint characteristics of friction-welded dissimilar polymer rods fabricated by the fused deposition modeling process were investigated experimentally. The shore surface hardness test, impact test, three-point bending test, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis were carried out on the weld joints.

Single-cell RNA sequencing to decipher the immunogenicity of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222 and mRNA-1273 vaccines in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Objectives: To investigate the differences between the vector vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) and mRNA-based vaccine mRNA-1273 (Moderna) in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD), and to explore the cell-cell interactions between high and low anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels in patients with rheumatic arthritis (RA) using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Methods: From September 16 to December 10, 2021, we consecutively enrolled 445 participants (389 patients with AIRD and 56 healthy controls), of whom 236 were immunized with AZD1222 and 209 with mRNA-1273. The serum IgG antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain was quantified by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay at 4-6 weeks after vaccination.

Inhibition of GSDMD Activates Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation and Promotes Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

The precise control of cardiomyocyte viability is imperative to combat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R), in which apoptosis and pyroptosis putatively contribute to the process. Recent researches indicated that GSDMD is involved in I/R as an executive protein of pyroptosis. However, its effect on other forms of cell death is unclear.

Phenothiazine and semi-cyanine based colorimetric and fluorescent probes for detection of sulfites in solutions and in living cells.

Four hemicyanine probes for selectively detecting sulfites (HSO /SO ) have been constructed by the condensation reaction of 7-substituted (CN, Br, H and OH) phenothiazine aldehyde with 1-ethyl-2,3,3-trimethylindolium iodide. All four probes show a fast and sensitive response to HSO /SO a Michael addition, with a detection limit lower than 40 nM based on monitoring their UV/vis absorption changes. Although all four probes display an increase in fluorescence when responding to HSO /SO , the increment is larger for the probe with an electron-withdrawing group than the probe with an electron-donating group, except for Br.

De Novo Synthesis of Orthogonally-Protected C2-Fluoro Digitoxoses and Cymaroses: Development and Application for the Synthesis of Fluorinated Digoxin.

Inspired by Roush's pioneering work on rare sugars, we have developed a scalable, stereoselective, de novo synthesis of orthogonally protected C2-fluoro digitoxose and cymarose, utilizing Sharpless kinetic resolution and organocatalytic fluorination as key steps. The utility of this strategy is demonstrated by the synthesis of a fluorinated analogue of digoxin, which indicates the fluorine on the sugar ring may have a significant impact on biological activity.

Effectiveness of joint 3 + 1 malaria strategy along China-Myanmar cross border areas.

Background: Cross-border malaria in Laiza City of Myanmar seriously affected Yingjiang County of China and compromised reaching the goal of malaria elimination by 2020. Since 2017, a pilot project on 3 + 1 strategy of joint cross-border malaria prevention and control was carried out for building a malaria buffer in these border areas. Here, 3 were the three preventive lines in China where different focalized approaches of malaria elimination were applied and + 1 was a defined border area in Myanmar where the integrated measures of malaria control were adopted.

Network Pharmacology Exploration Reveals Anti-Apoptosis as a Common Therapeutic Mechanism for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Treated with Blueberry Leaf Polyphenols.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. The aim of this study is to elucidate the multi-target mechanism of polyphenols in blueberry leaves (PBL) on NAFLD by network pharmacology and to validate its results via biological experiments. Twenty constituents in PBL were preliminarily determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Cryptic diversity in the subgenus (Diptera, Drosophilidae, ).

Phylogenetic relationships of the subgenus were reconstructed based on two mitochondrial genes ( and ). The results revealed the paraphyly of and supported high levels of cryptic diversity within this subgenus. By integrating morphological characteristics and molecular evidence, we identified 17 new species as members of : .

Regioselective benzoyloxylative dearomatization of naphthols by benzoyl peroxide under catalyst-free conditions.

A direct regioselective benzoyloxylative dearomatization of both α- and β-naphthols by benzoyl peroxide under an air atmosphere, and radical inhibitor- and catalyst-free conditions at room temperature is described. The methodology provides a new efficient strategy for the construction of α-ketol derivatives bearing an oxo-quaternary carbon center from naphthols with good to excellent yields.