Immunogenicity and safety of HepE Hecolin® in chronic hepatitis B patients at clinically stable stage: An open-label study in China.

Acute hepatitis E infection could induce severe outcomes among chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Between 2016 and 2017, an open-label study was conducted to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of hepatitis E vaccine (HepE) in CHB patients, using healthy adults as parallel controls in China. Eligible participants who were aged ≥30 y were enrolled in the study.

Vehicle Target Detection of Autonomous Driving Vehicles in Foggy Environments Based on an Improved YOLOX Network.

To address the problems that exist in the target detection of vehicle-mounted visual sensors in foggy environments, a vehicle target detection method based on an improved YOLOX network is proposed. Firstly, to address the issue of vehicle target feature loss in foggy traffic scene images, specific characteristics of fog-affected imagery are integrated into the network training process. This not only augments the training data but also improves the robustness of the network in foggy environments.

GFA-Net: Geometry-Focused Attention Network for Six Degrees of Freedom Object Pose Estimation.

Six degrees of freedom (6-DoF) object pose estimation is essential for robotic grasping and autonomous driving. While estimating pose from a single RGB image is highly desirable for real-world applications, it presents significant challenges. Many approaches incorporate supplementary information, such as depth data, to derive valuable geometric characteristics.

Novel Design on Knee Exoskeleton with Compliant Actuator for Post-Stroke Rehabilitation.

Knee joint disorders pose a significant and growing challenge to global healthcare systems. Recent advancements in robotics, sensing technologies, and artificial intelligence have driven the development of robot-assisted therapies, reducing the physical burden on therapists and improving rehabilitation outcomes. This study presents a novel knee exoskeleton designed for safe and adaptive rehabilitation, specifically targeting bed-bound stroke patients to enable early intervention.

Focusing on Cracks with Instance Normalization Wavelet Layer.

Automatic crack detection is challenging, owing to the complex and thin topologies, diversity, and background noises of cracks. Inspired by the wavelet theory, we present an instance normalization wavelet (INW) layer and embed the layer into the deep model for segmentation. The proposed layer employs prior knowledge in the wavelets to capture the crack features and filter the high-frequency noises simultaneously, accelerating the convergence of model training.

Gold-Mercury-Platinum Alloy for Light-Enhanced Electrochemical Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide.

In this study, a simple and easy synthesis strategy to realize the modification of AuHgPt nanoalloy materials on the surface of ITO glass at room temperature is presented. Gold nanoparticles as templates were obtained by electrochemical deposition, mercury was introduced as an intermediate to form an amalgam, and then a galvanic replacement reaction was utilized to successfully prepare gold-mercury-platinum (AuHgPt) nanoalloys. The obtained alloys were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques.

Preparation of Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensors and Analysis of the Doping of Epinephrine in Equine Blood.

In this paper, a novel molecularly imprinted polymer membrane modified glassy carbon electrode for electrochemical sensors (MIP-OH-MWCNTs-GCE) for epinephrine (EP) was successfully prepared by a gel-sol method using an optimized functional monomer oligosilsesquioxane-AlO sol-ITO composite sol (ITO-POSS-AlO). Hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (OH-MWCNTs) were introduced during the modification of the electrodes, and the electrochemical behavior of EP on the molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors was probed by the differential pulse velocity (DPV) method. The experimental conditions were optimized.

Independent and Combined Associations of Physical Activity in Different Domains and Inflammatory Diet with Type 2 Diabetes: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objective: This study aims to explore the independent and combined associations of physical activity (PA) in different domains and inflammatory diet with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Data from 8736 American adults from the NHANES 2007-2016 were used. PA in different domains was assessed using the self-reported Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and dietary inflammatory index was estimated based on 24 h dietary recalls.

Effects of Long-Term Fasting on Gut Microbiota, Serum Metabolome, and Their Association in Male Adults.

Background: Long-term fasting demonstrates greater therapeutic potential and broader application prospects in extreme environments than intermittent fasting.

Method: This pilot study of 10-day complete fasting (CF), with a small sample size of 13 volunteers, aimed to investigate the time-series impacts on gut microbiome, serum metabolome, and their interrelationships with biochemical indices.

Results: The results show CF significantly affected gut microbiota diversity, composition, and interspecies interactions, characterized by an expansion of the Proteobacteria phylum (about six-fold) and a decrease in Bacteroidetes (about 50%) and Firmicutes (about 34%) populations.

Discriminating Mung Bean Origins Using Pattern Recognition Methods: A Comparative Study of Raman and NIR Spectroscopy.

The feasibility of the two methodologies was confirmed to compare the results of determining mung bean origins using Raman and Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Spectra from mung beans collected in Baicheng City, Jilin Province; Dorbod Mongol Autonomous, Tailai County, Heilongjiang Province; and Sishui County, Shandong Province, China, were analyzed. We established a traceability model using Principal Component Analysis combined with the K-nearest neighbor method to compare the efficacy of these methods in discriminating the origins of the mung beans.

Impact of Long-Term Cold Storage on the Physicochemical Properties, Volatile Composition, and Sensory Attributes of Dried Jujube ( Mill.).

Grey jujube ( Mill. cv. Huizao), a prominent cultivar from Xinjiang, China, is well known for its high nutritional value and medicinal benefits.

Ultrasonic Microfluidic Method Used for siHSP47 Loaded in Human Embryonic Kidney Cell-Derived Exosomes for Inhibiting TGF-β1 Induced Fibroblast Differentiation and Migration.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and devastating lung disorder. In response to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), normal lung cells proliferate and differentiate into myofibroblasts, which are instrumental in promoting disease progression. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) has been demonstrated to alleviate IPF by blocking collagen synthesis and secretion.

Genetic Variation in Wheat Root Transcriptome Responses to Salinity: A Comparative Study of Tolerant and Sensitive Genotypes.

Salt tolerance is a critical trait for plant survival and productivity in saline environments. Development of salt tolerant crops is a practical strategy for addressing soil salinity issues. In this study, RNA-Seq analysis was performed using two wheat cultivars with contrasting salt tolerance (Neixiang188, tolerant and Barra, sensitive) at 6 h and 24 h after salinity treatment to determine the genetic variations reflected in the RNA expression patterns and identify key genes associated with salt tolerance.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Different Colors of Soybean Seed Coats.

Soybean has outstanding nutritional and medicinal value because of its abundant protein, oil, and flavonoid contents. This crop has rich seed coat colors, such as yellow, green, black, brown, and red, as well as bicolor variants. However, there are limited reports on the synthesis of flavonoids in the soybean seed coats of different colors.

A Unique Expression Profile Responding to Powdery Mildew in Wild Emmer Wheat D430.

Powdery mildew, caused by f. sp. (), is a disease that seriously harms wheat production and occurs in all wheat-producing areas around the world.

Exploring the Binding Mechanism of ADGRG2 Through Metadynamics and Biochemical Analysis.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play essential roles in numerous physiological processes and are key targets for drug development. Among them, adhesion GPCRs (aGPCRs) stand out for their unique domain structures and diverse functions. ADGRG2 is a member of the aGPCR family and is involved in the regulation of various systems in the human body, including reproductive, nervous, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of HSP70 Gene Family Under High-Temperature Stress in Lettuce ( L.).

The heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) family plays an important role in the growth and development of lettuce and in the defense response to high-temperature stress; however, its bioinformatics analysis in lettuce has been extremely limited. Genome-wide bioinformatics analysis methods such as chromosome location, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, collinearity analysis, and promoter analysis were performed in the gene family, and the expression patterns in response to high-temperature stress were analyzed. The mechanism of in heat resistance in lettuce was studied by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and transient overexpression techniques.

Urinary Proteome Characterization of Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Hypertension is a multifactorial and complex disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors, and it has become one of the most serious public health challenges. This study aimed to investigate the changes in hypertension based on urinary proteome. The stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs) model was used to examined urinary proteome changes during the development of hypertension.

Study on Water Damage of Asphalt-Aggregate Based on Molecular Dynamics.

To investigate the water damage at the interface between emulsified asphalt and aggregate under the action of external water infiltration, firstly, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was used as an emulsifier to prepare emulsified asphalt in the laboratory, and its basic properties were tested. Then, based on molecular dynamics, an emulsified asphalt-aggregate interface model with different water contents was constructed to calculate the adhesion work of the emulsified asphalt-aggregate interface. The results show that the simulated values of emulsified asphalt density, cohesive energy density, and solubility are in good agreement with the experimental values.

Sustainable Materials and Structures Used in Pavement Engineering.

Sustainable materials and structures have become widely used in asphalt pavements to mitigate the resource crisis and achieve carbon neutrality [...

Effect of Stress Aging on Strength, Toughness and Corrosion Resistance of Al-10Zn-3Mg-3Cu Alloy.

The 7000 series aluminum alloy represented by Al-Zn-Mg-Cu has good strength and toughness and is widely used in the aerospace field. However, its high Zn content results in poor corrosion resistance, limiting its application in other fields. In order to achieve the synergistic improvement of both strength and corrosion resistance, this study examines the response of strength, toughness and corrosion resistance of a high-strength aluminum alloy tail frame under aging conditions with external stresses of 135 MPa, 270 MPa and 450 MPa.

W/WO/TiO Multilayer Film with Elevated Electrochromic and Capacitive Properties.

Electrochromic capacitors, which are capable of altering their appearances in line with their charged states, are drawing substantial attention from both academia and industry. Tungsten oxide is usually used as an electrochromic layer material for electrochromic devices, or as an active material for high-performance capacitor electrodes. Despite this, acceptable visual aesthetics in electrochromic capacitors have almost never been achieved using tungsten oxide, because, in its pure form, this compound only displays a onefold color modulation from transparent to blue.

Theoretical and Experimental Research on the Short-Range Structure in Gallium Melts Based on the Wulff Cluster Model.

In this paper, the short-range ordering structures of Ga melts has been investigated using the Wulff cluster model (WCM). The structures with a Wulff shape outside and crystal symmetry inside have been derived as the equivalent system to describe the short-range-order (SRO) distribution of the Ga melts. It is observed that the simulated HTXRD patterns of the Ga WCM are in excellent agreement with the experimental data at various temperatures (523 K, 623 K, and 723 K).

Research on a Low-Cost, Low-Waste Method for Surface Flatness Improvement of WAAM Components Based on Tungsten Inert Gas Arc Remelting (TIGAR).

Wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has fully empowered the design and manufacturing of metals with its unparalleled efficiency and flexibility. However, the process has relatively poor shape control capabilities, often requiring machining post-processing. This study explores a tungsten inert gas arc remelting (TIGAR) process to improve the surface flatness of WAAM components at a low cost and significantly reduce machining waste (up to 76%), which is crucial for the sustainable development of the process.

Interface Microstructure and Properties of 42CrMo/Cr5 Vacuum Billet Forged Composite Roll.

Composite roll produced through casting methods typically remain in the as-cast state after forming. During the preparation process, extended exposure to high temperatures often results in microstructural coarsening at the interface and surface layers, restricting their mechanical performance. To overcome this limitation, we developed a novel vacuum billet forging process for the fabrication of composite rolls.