Interpreting the Additive Components of Multi-Species Distributional Aggregation: II. Species-Level Insights.

The conspecific encounter index can be further decomposed into two components, which represent two ecological processes.

Investigation of Smoking Cessation Status and Its Influencing Factors in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease with high prevalence, high mortality and high costs across the globe. Small airways are major sites contributing to airway resistance and the small airway disorder (SAD) is frequently implicated in early-stage COPD. Smoking is recognized as the leading cause of COPD and SAD.

Enhanced risk assessment framework integrating distribution dynamics, genetically inferred populations, and morphological traits of lizards.

Assessing the threat status of species in response to global change is critical for biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts. However, current frameworks, even the IUCN Red List, often neglect critical factors such as genetic diversity and the impacts of climate and land-use changes, hindering effective conservation planning. To address these limitations, we developed an enhanced extinction risk assessment framework using lizards as a model.

Simulation study on catalytic oxidation of low concentration mine gas in an oxidation device.

Anthropogenic emissions of non-CO greenhouse gases, such as low-concentration coal mine methane (cCH < 30 vol%), have a significant impact on global warming. The main component of coal mine methane is methane (CH), which is both a greenhouse gas and a high-quality clean energy gas. To study the combustion and heat transfer reactions of low-concentration coal mine methane in a catalytic oxidation device, a numerical simulation approach was employed to establish a model of the catalytic oxidation device that includes periodic boundary conditions, methane combustion mechanisms, and turbulent-laminar flow characteristics.

Infrared nanosensors of piconewton to micronewton forces.

Mechanical force is an essential feature for many physical and biological processes, and remote measurement of mechanical signals with high sensitivity and spatial resolution is needed for diverse applications, including robotics, biophysics, energy storage and medicine. Nanoscale luminescent force sensors excel at measuring piconewton forces, whereas larger sensors have proven powerful in probing micronewton forces. However, large gaps remain in the force magnitudes that can be probed remotely from subsurface or interfacial sites, and no individual, non-invasive sensor is capable of measuring over the large dynamic range needed to understand many systems.

A novel therapeutic strategy for leukopenia: Miltefosine activates the Ras/MEK/ERK pathway to promote neutrophil differentiation.

Leukopenia, marked by diminished white blood cell (WBC) counts, presents significant challenges in the management of hematological malignancies and immunocompromised patients. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of miltefosine (MFS), a phospholipid analogue, for treating leukopenia. In vitro studies using HL60 and NB4 cells revealed that MFS effectively promoted neutrophil differentiation and function, evidenced by the upregulation of surface markers CD11b, CD11c, CD14, and CD15, as well as enhanced bactericidal activity assessed through the NBT reduction assay.

Surgical intervention for patients with fibrinopurulent pleural empyema and acute respiratory failure: a case report.

Background: Fibrinopurulent thorax is a rare condition that can lead to respiratory failure. Fibroblastic decortication surgery has been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic empyema in previous studies. However, there is limited evidence supporting surgical intervention for fibrinopurulent thorax in cases of respiratory failure.

Bronchial artery pseudoaneurysm presenting with hemoptysis and hemothorax after pulmonary lobectomy: a case report and literature review.

Background: Bronchial artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare vascular disorder, and cases of bronchial pseudoaneurysms reported after lung surgery are even rarer. The number of reported cases is very limited due to the unclear pathogenesis, lack of diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines, and nonspecific clinical manifestations.

Case Presentation: The paper reports a case of a patient with primary lung adenocarcinoma who developed hemoptysis, chest and back pain, and right hemothorax after lobectomy.

Rational Development of a Lipid Droplets and Hypochlorous Acid In-Sequence Responsive Fluorescent Probe for Accurate Imaging of Atherosclerotic Plaques.

To answer the call for effective and timely intervention in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the development of fluorescent probes that can precisely identify atherosclerotic plaques, the root cause of various fatal CVDs, is highly desirable but remains a great challenge. Herein, by integrating bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl and phenothiazine into the coumarin matrix, a robust fluorescent probe, NOR1, has been developed. NOR1 responds sequentially to lipid droplets (LDs) and HClO via fluorescence turn-on and ratiometric readouts, respectively, with a fast response rate (within 70 s for LDs and 80 s for HClO), excellent sensitivity (detection limit: 0.

Direct Observation of Morphological and Chemical Changes during the Oxidation of Model Inorganic Ligand-Capped Particles.

Functionalization and volatilization are competing reactions during the oxidation of carbonaceous materials and are important processes in many different areas of science and technology. Here, we present a combined ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) and grazing incidence X-ray scattering (GIXS) investigation of the oxidation of oleic acid ligands surrounding NaYF nanoparticles (NPs) deposited onto SiO/Si substrates. While APXPS monitors the evolution of the oxidation products, GIXS provides insight into the morphology of the ligands and particles before and after the oxidation.

Unlocking academic achievement of nursing master's students: ethical leadership, teacher-student relationship and growth mindset - a cross-sectional survey study.

Background: Academic achievement is a critical indicator of teaching quality. There has been limited exploration into the mechanisms underlying academic achievements among nursing master's students. This study investigated the relationship between ethical leadership and academic achievements, focusing on how the teacher-student relationship and growth mindset mediate this relationship.

A nitrogen-metabolism inhibitor NmrA regulates conidial production, melanin synthesis and virulence in phytopathogenic fungus .

NmrA homologs have been reported as conserved regulators of the nitrogen metabolite repression (NMR) in various fungi. Here, we identified a NmrA homolog in and reported its functions in nitrogen utilization, growth and development, and pathogenesis. VdNmrA interacts with AreA protein and regulates the expression of a typical NCR target, the formamidase gene.

Friction Behaviors and Wear Mechanisms of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites for Bridge Cable.

Carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites (CFRP) demonstrate superior wear resistance and fatigue durability, which are anticipated to markedly enhance the service life of structures under complex conditions. In the present paper, the friction behaviors and wear mechanisms of CFRP under different applied loads, sliding speeds, service temperatures, and water lubrication were studied and analyzed in detail. The results indicated that the tribological properties of CFRP were predominantly influenced by the applied loads, as the tangential displacement generated significant shear stress at the interface of the friction pair.

The genetic diversity of genogroup I noroviruses causing acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in Beijing between 2014 and 2023.

Background: In the past decade, we have continuously conducted sporadic monitoring and outbreak detection of norovirus (NoV), which causes human acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in the capital of China. Accumulated data have shown that genogroup I (GI) NoVs not only cause sporadic cases but also cannot be ignored during outbreaks. This study aimed to update the genetic diversity of GI NoVs in the capital of China from 2014 to 2023.

Terahertz Spectroscopy in Assessing Temperature-Shock Effects on Citrus.

Rapid assessment of physiological status is a precondition for addressing biological stress in trees so that they may recover. Environmental stress can cause water deficit in plants, while terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is sensitive to changes in aqueous solutions within organisms. This has given the THz sensor a competitive edge for evaluating plant phenotypes, especially under similar environmental stress, if there are existing differences in the corresponding THz information.

Preparation, Structural Characterization, and Hypoglycemic Activity of Dietary Fiber from Sea Buckthorn Pomace.

Sea buckthorn pomace is often discarded as a by-product during the sea buckthorn processing stage. Consequently, its richness in dietary fiber is usually overlooked. In this study, soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) were extracted from sea buckthorn pomace using ultrasound combined with the enzyme method.

Prolamin and prolamin-polysaccharide composite nanoparticles for oral drug and nutrient delivery systems: A review.

Prolamin-based nanoparticles, particularly those composed of prolamin-polysaccharide composites, have garnered significant interest as oral delivery systems in recent research. This review provides a thorough analysis of the current advancements in these composite nanoparticles with prolamins derived from various cereals, including maize, wheat, sorghum, and millet, with a focus on their applications in oral drug delivery. It discusses the mechanisms by which these composites enhance nanoparticle performance, especially in terms of stability.

Design of coiled-coil N-peptides against HIV-1 based on a CADD strategy.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has continued to endanger human health for decades and has a substantial impact on global health defence. Peptide-based fusion inhibitors, as an integral part of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART), are effective in preventing and controlling the AIDS epidemic. Nevertheless, the current market leader, Enfuvirtide, is facing numerous challenges in clinical application.

Unraveling the impact of tungsten disulfide quantum dots on human serum albumin conformational dynamics and fibrillation pathways: An integrated multi-spectroscopic, biochemical, and molecular docking investigation.

Herein, the intricate molecular interplay between human serum albumin (HSA) and tungsten disulfide quantum dots (WS QDs) was probed using spectroscopic techniques and sophisticated molecular simulation methods. Fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated that under physiological conditions, WS QDs forge a non-fluorescent ground-state complex with HSA, facilitated by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, ultimately resulting in the static quenching of the protein's intrinsic fluorescence. Complementary site competition experiments and molecular docking simulations reinforced a precise 1: 1 binding stoichiometry, predominantly targeting HSA's Site I.

Short-Wave Infrared Upconverting Nanoparticles.

Optical technologies enable real-time, noninvasive analysis of complex systems but are limited to discrete regions of the optical spectrum. While wavelengths in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) window (typically, 1700-3000 nm) should enable deep subsurface penetration and reduced photodamage, there are few luminescent probes that can be excited in this region. Here, we report the discovery of lanthanide-based upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) that efficiently convert 1740 or 1950 nm excitation to wavelengths compatible with conventional silicon detectors.

A bimetallic PtAu-modified carbon fiber electrochemical sensor for simultaneous and highly sensitive detection of catechol and hydroquinone in environmental water.

In this study, we report the development of a novel electrochemical sensor capable of the simultaneous detection of catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ) through differential pulse voltammetry. The sensor is constructed using carbon fiber (CF) that has been intricately modified with bimetallic PtAu nanoparticles. The fabrication process involves subjecting CF to ultrasound treatment in an acidic mixture, resulting in the formation of activated carbon fiber (ACF).