Explicitly diverse visual question generation.

Visual question generation involves the generation of meaningful questions about an image. Although we have made significant progress in automatically generating a single high-quality question related to an image, existing methods often ignore the diversity and interpretability of generated questions, which are important for various daily tasks that require clear question sources. In this paper, we propose an explicitly diverse visual question generation model that aims to generate diverse questions based on interpretable question sources.

Effects of salt ions and pH on deamidated soybean protein hydrogels formation: Molecular structure, thermal aggregation and network.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of environmental factors (salt ions and pH) on the thermal gelation process of deamidated soy protein isolate (DSPI). The results indicated that with increasing salt ion concentration, DSPI assembled into larger aggregates, which were more prone to aggregation in thermal reactions, ultimately forming a gel network with higher viscoelasticity. The strength enhancement of ion-induced gel networks followed the order from highest to lowest: Ca > Mg > Na.

Reducing the bitterness of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides from soybean protein by NADES-driven Maillard reaction.

Soybean peptide (SP) exhibits significant angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibitory (ACEI) activity, however, its strong bitterness restricts its use in food industry. This study aimed to reduce the bitterness of SP by natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES)-driven Maillard reaction (MR). Results showed that both the mixtures of Glucose-NADES and the Glucose-Xylose-NADES formed the hydrogen bonds and shown good thermal stability analyzed by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Automated measurement of cardiothoracic ratio based on semantic segmentation integration model using deep learning.

The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of the semantic segmentation model in predicting cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) and heart enlargement and compare its consistency with the reference standard. A total of 650 consecutive chest radiographs from our center and 756 public datasets were retrospectively included to develop a segmentation model. Three semantic segmentation models were used to segment the heart and lungs.

Facile Synthesis of Functional Polytrithiocarbonates from Multicomponent Tandem Polymerizations of CS, Thiols, and Alkyl Halides.

Polytrithiocarbonates have attracted significant attention recently because of their good thermal stability, light refractivity, crystallinity, and mechanical properties; however, the exploration of their structures and functionalities has been limited by their synthetic approaches. Multicomponent polymerization featuring simple monomers, mild conditions, diversified product structures, and high efficiency could provide a powerful and versatile tool to synthesize various polytrithiocarbonates from commercially available monomers. Herein, a robust and efficient multicomponent tandem polymerization (MCTP) of CS, dithiols, and alkyl halides was developed in DMF with KCO at room temperature in air to synthesize 12 polytrithiocarbonates with diversified and systematically tuned structures, high molecular weights (s up to 37900 g/mol), and high yields (up to 93%).

Berberine promotes primordial follicle activation and increases ovulated oocyte quantity in aged mice.

Background: Primordial follicle activation is vital for the reproduction of women with advanced age and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). But there is a lack of effective and safe therapeutic options to activate their primordial follicles in vivo. Berberine (BBR) possesses multiple pharmacological properties, but its impact on primordial follicle activation remains unclear.

A feasible approach to chromophores removal and color reduction in industrial lignin via deep eutectic solvent/isopropanol treatment.

The dark coloration of industrial lignin significantly limits its potential for applications in high-value products. This work reported a practical strategy for lignin color reduction through the synergistic treatment of acidic deep eutectic solvent and isopropanol (DES-IPA). The results showed that the DES-IPA treatment could effectively remove the p-coumarate units and methoxy groups in lignin.

Structural characterization of two poly-galacturonic acids: the important basis to elucidate spherical conformation of pectin from submicroparticles in chrysanthemum tea infusion.

Pectin exhibits potential as an excellent food additive for its processing properties and biological activities, but its application is hindered because of complex and unclear structure. Water-insoluble and water-soluble poly-galacturonic acids, hydrolyzed from the spherical pectin from submicroparticles in chrysanthemum tea infusion, were characterized for obtaining the detail structural information. The water-insoluble poly-galacturonic acid was a crystal which constructed by hydrogen bonds and long linear chains comprised of α-1,4-glycosidic bonds and galacturonic acid residues.

Infant Fecal Fermentation Metabolites of Osteopontin and 2'-Fucosyllactose Support Intestinal Barrier Function.

In this study, we investigated the effects of infant fecal fermentation-derived metabolites of digested osteopontin (OPN) and 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), either individually or in combination, on intestinal barrier function using a Caco-2/HT-29 coculture cell model. Our results suggested that the OPN/2'-FL (1:36-1:3) cofermentation metabolites improved epithelial barrier integrity by supporting the mRNA and protein expression of occludin, claudin-1, claudin-2, ZO-1, and ZO-2. All of the OPN/2'-FL treatments decreased the production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, while the OPN/2'-FL ratio increased IL-10 production by inhibiting activation of the MyD88/IκB-α/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Interplay of chain dynamics and ion transport on mechanical behavior and conductivity in ionogels.

Understanding the interplay among the mechanical behavior, ionic conductivity and chain dynamics of ionogels is essential for designing flexible conductors that exhibit both high conductivity and excellent mechanical properties. In this study, ionogels were synthesized the radical polymerization of ,'-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) and methacrylic acid (MAAc) monomers in the presence of ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethane sulfonate ([EMIM][OTf]). By varying the mass content of ionic liquid within ionogels, we investigated the mechanical behavior and ionic conductivity at the macroscopic scale using tensile, rheological testing and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, as well as the dynamic behavior of chain segments and ions within the network at the microscopic scale using broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (BDS) over a broad temperature range.

Half-integer topological defects paired via string micelles in polar liquids.

Ferroelectric nematic (N) liquid crystals present a compelling platform for exploring topological defects in polar fields, while their structural properties can be significantly altered by ionic doping. In this study, we demonstrate that doping the ferroelectric nematic material RM734 with cationic polymers enables the formation of polymeric micelles that connect pairs of half-integer topological defects. Polarizing optical microscopy reveals that these string defects exhibit butterfly textures, featured with a 2D polarization field divided by Néel-type kink walls into domains exhibiting either uniform polarization or negative splay and bend deformations.

Effective Hydrogel Vascular Patch Dual-Loaded with Cycloastragenol Nanostructured Lipid Carriers and Doxycycline for Repairing Extravascular Injury in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) plays a crucial role in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the clinic, but the aneurysm remains in the patient's body after surgery, continuing to pose a risk of progression. Cycloastragenol (CAG) is proven to be an effective anti-AAA drug, and its vascular protective effects can be further improved when the hydrophobic CAG is encapsulated into nano-sized formulations to enhance its bioavailability. In this context, this study developed an extravascular patch hydrogel loaded with CAG nanostructured lipid carriers and a hydrophilic drug of doxycycline hydrochloride (DOX).

The relationship between blood lipids and endometriosis: a cross-sectional study from NHANES (1999-2006) and a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: Observational studies suggest a link between blood lipid levels and endometriosis risk, but clinical evidence is limited and causality has not been established. This study aims to clarify this relationship using NHANES data (1999-2006) and bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods: We analyzed NHANES data to explore the relationship between blood lipids and endometriosis risk using multivariable logistic regression, nonlinear testing, and trend analysis.

Self-Adaptive Zwitterionic Polysilazane Coatings with Mechanical Robustness, High Transparency, and Broad-Spectrum Antiadhesion Properties.

Antiadhesive coatings have been extensively studied owing to their wide applications in biology, environment, and energy. However, developing a mechanically robust coating with broad-spectrum antiadhesion properties remains challenging. Herein, a novel strategy for preparing hard yet flexible and self-adaptive zwitterionic polysilazane coatings with broad-spectrum antiadhesion properties (anti-biofouling, anti-liquid adhesion, and anti-scaling) is proposed.

Hole-Transport-Layer-Free Organic Solar Cells with Enhanced Efficiency Upon Halogenated Solvent Treatment.

Typical PEDOT:PSS hole-transporting layers frequently present some issues, including mismatched energy levels, high acidity, severe hygroscopicity, etc., all of which significantly weaken device performance. Herein, an approach of halogenated solvent treatment to modulate the physical properties of indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates is employed.

Revealing an unprecedented diversity of episymbiotic Saccharibacteria in a high-quality genome collection.

The episymbiotic Candidatus Saccharibacteria is the most studied lineage of candidate phyla radiation. Living an epiparasitic lifestyle, Saccharibacteria might be associated with human mucosal diseases by modulating the structure of the oral microbiome through interactions with host bacteria. However, the knowledge of Saccharibacterial genomic diversity and the potential underlying their adaptation to a wide range of habitats remains limited.

Development of a multi-functional naringin-loaded bioglass/carboxymethyl chitosan/silk fibroin porous scaffold for hemostasis and critical size bone regeneration.

Persistent bleeding and limited repair capacity greatly threaten patients with bone destruction. Designing inorganic-organic biomimetic scaffolds with quick hemostasis and osteogenesis functions will solve this problem. A novel degradable and naringin (NG) loaded porous scaffold (SCB-N) based on APTES-modified bioactive glass (ABG), carboxymethyl chitosan and silk fibroin is developed.

Efficient and facile biphasic pretreatment for corn stover fractionation with comprehensive utilization of cellulose, xylan and lignin.

Developing a mild and efficient pretreatment technique to fully utilize lignocellulosic biomass remains a challenge. In this work, a biphasic system with 2-phenoxyethanol (EPH) organic solvent and phosphotungstic acid (PTA) aqueous solution was employed to pretreat corn stover. The prominent synergistic effect between EPH and PTA was revealed to play a key role in the fractionation of corn stover.

Chiral π domain walls composed of twin half-integer surface disclinations in ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals.

Ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals are polar fluids characterized by microscopic orientational ordering and macroscopic spontaneous polarizations. Within these fluids, domain walls that separate regions of different polarizations are ubiquitous. We demonstrate that the π walls in films of the polar fluids consist of twin half-integer surface disclinations spaced horizontally, enclosing a subdomain where the polarization exhibits left- or right-handed π twists across the film.

Study on the effects of the shot peening intensity on the microstructure, friction and wear properties of high-strength steel.

The microstructure, hardness, residual stress, and friction and wear properties of 25CrNi2MoV steel with different particle diameters during shot peening strengthening were studied. Studies have shown that a grain refinement layer appeared on the surface of the material after shot peening. The shot peening intensity increased with increasing particle diameter; a greater shot peening intensity corresponded to a greater surface hardness of the material, the maximum hardness was 592 HV0.

Development of a novel diagnostic model to monitor the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease to hepatocellular carcinoma in females.

Background And Aims: The onset of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (MASLD-HCC) is insidious and exhibits sex-specific variations. Effective methods for monitoring MASLD-HCC progression in females have not yet been developed.

Methods: Transcriptomic data of female liver tissue samples were obtained from multiple public databases.

From Gene to Structure: Unraveling Genomic Dark Matter in . Accumulibacter.

" Accumulibacter" is a unique and pivotal genus of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms prevalent in wastewater treatment plants and plays mainstay roles in the global phosphorus cycle. However, the efforts to fully understand their genetic and metabolic characteristics are largely hindered by major limitations in existing sequence-based annotation methods. Here, we reported an integrated approach combining pangenome analysis, protein structure prediction and clustering, and meta-omic characterization, to uncover genetic and metabolic traits previously unexplored for .

Directly Grown Polyimide Covalent Organic Framework Films with High Electrochromic and Energy-Storage Performance.

Two dimensional covalent organic framework (2D COF) films based on triphenylamine are considered to be promising electrochromic and energy-storage materials owing to their interlayer π-π electron delocalization, one-dimensional (1D) nanopores, and stable chemical structures. Triphenylamine-based 2D COF electrochromic films, nevertheless, rarely exhibit transparency and high optical contrast, which severely limited the scope of their application. In this work, two directly grown triphenylamine-based polyimide 2D COF films, TAPA-PMDA and TAPA-NTCDA PI COF, were prepared through solvothermal technology.

Development and research status of intelligent ophthalmology in China.

This paper analyzes the current status, technological developments, academic exchange platforms, and future challenges and solutions in the field of intelligent ophthalmology (IO) in China. In terms of technology, significant progress has been made in various areas, including diabetic retinopathy, fundus image analysis, quality assessment of medical artificial intelligence products, clinical research methods, technical evaluation, and industry standards. Researchers continually enhance the safety and standardization of IO technology by formulating a series of clinical application guidelines and standards.