Correlations among Psychological Resilience, Cognitive Fusion, and Depressed Emotions in Patients with Depression

Background: More than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, which is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. This study investigated the factors influencing psychological resilience and cognitive fusion in patients with depression and the relationships of psychological resilience and cognitive fusion with depression. Methods: This study enrolled 172 participants (65.8% of them were female). Psychological resilience, cognitive fusion, and depression were assessed with the psychological resilience scale, the cognitive fusion questionnaire, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), respectively. Furthermore, the relationships of psychological resilience and cognitive fusion with depression were investigated. Results: The psychological resilience and cognitive fusion scores of patients with depression varied significantly among different education levels, and HAMA, HAMD, and SDS scores were significantly negatively correlated with psychological resilience but positively correlated with cognitive fusion. Conclusions: Depression levels in patients with depression are closely related to psychological resilience and cognitive fusion. Therefore, anxiety and depression could be alleviated by improving the psychological resilience or reducing the cognitive fusion of patients with depression.

School climate and left-behind children's achievement motivation: The mediating role of learning adaptability and the moderating role of teacher support

School climate has been reported to have an important impact on children's achievement motivation, but the mechanism for the impact of school climate on left-behind children has not been fully explored. The purpose of this study is to investigate the roles of left-behind children's learning adaptability and teacher support in mediating and moderating the relationship between school climate and achievement motivation. In this study, 1,417 left-behind children were surveyed. The results showed that: (1) after controlling for gender and age, the school climate still had a positive effect on the achievement motivation of left-behind children (c' = 0.177, p < 0.001). (2) School climate perceived by left-behind children directly predicted their achievement motivation, and indirectly through their learning adaptability (a1 = 0.338, p < 0.001; b = 0.341, p < 0.001). In other words, left-behind children's learning adaptability may play an intermediary role between school climate and achievement motivation. (3) The indirect effect of school climate on achievement motivation through learning adaptability was moderated by teacher support (a2 = 0.153, p < 0.001), and this indirect effect was more significant for left-behind children who perceived high teacher support. The research reveals the importance of school climate and teacher support to the growth and development of left-behind children, thus holding theoretical significance for improving the achievement motivation of left-behind children.

Distribution and migration of 239,240Pu in soil profiles in North China

The source, vertical distribution and migration behavior of plutonium in five soil profiles (from forest, grassland and desert areas) in northern China were investigated. The average ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu atomic ratio of 0.184 ± 0.022 observed in these samples is in good agreement with the reported value of global fallout, suggesting that the global fallout is the major source of plutonium in northern China. The ^239,240Pu inventories in five soil profiles ranges from 43.3 Bq/m² to 175 Bq/m², lying in the reported range for global fallout in the similar latitude band. The effective convection velocity (0.04-0.16 cm/y) and effective dispersion coefficient (0.13-0.41cm²/y) of plutonium in different soil profiles derived using the CDE model varies significantly, attributed to multi-factors including location, topography, climate and soil types. The results showed that the migration of plutonium in grassland soil is significantly slow compared to other type of soil, especially desert soil.

CNN-assisted SERS enables ultra-sensitive and simultaneous detection of Scr and BUN for rapid kidney function assessment

Kidney disease is highly prevalent and may result in severe clinical outcomes. Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are the most widely used biomarkers for kidney function assessment, yet when measured alone, the result can be affected by a variety of parameters such as age, gender, protein consumption, etc. Measuring Scr and BUN simultaneously can eliminate most of the external influences and greatly improve the assessment of kidney function. In this study, a real-time kidney function assessment system based on dual biomarker detection was proposed. Scr and BUN were determined using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) within the concentration range of 10^-1 to 10^-6 M and 0.28 to 100 mg dl^-1, respectively. A one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) model was employed to quantitatively analyze the concentration of biomarkers from the SERS spectral measurements. Moreover, we simulated a variety of kidney health conditions with 16 groups of mixed Scr and BUN in serum. The proposed CNN-assisted SERS method was used to quantify both biomarkers and provide diagnostic results. The Au core-Ag shell nanoprobes provided ultra-sensitive SERS detection and the CNN model achieved excellent regression results with an R² of 0.9871 in the testing dataset. The system demonstrated a rapid and robust evaluation for the assessment of kidney function, providing a promising idea for medical diagnosis with the help of spectroscopy and deep learning methods.

Correction: ThC2@C82 versus Th@C84: unexpected formation of triangular thorium carbide cluster inside fullerenes

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D2SC04846A.].

Direct Regioselective C-H Cyanation of Purines

A direct regioselective C-H cyanation of purines was developed through a sequential triflic anhydride activation, nucleophilic cyanation with TMSCN, followed by a process of base-mediated elimination of triflous acid (CF₃SO₂H). In most cases, the direct C-H cyanation occurred on the electron-rich imidazole motif of purines, affording 8-cyanated purine derivatives in moderate to excellent yields. Various functional groups, including allyl, alkynyl, ketone, ester, nitro et al. were tolerated and acted as a C8 directing group. The electron-donating 6-diethylamino, as C2-directing group substituent, can switch the regioselectivity of purine from 8- to 2-position, enabling the synthesis of 8- and 2-cyano 6-dialkylaminopurines from corresponding 6-chloropurine in different reaction order. Further functional manipulations of the cyano group allow the conversions of 8-cyanopurines to corresponding purine amides, imidates, imidothioates, imidamides, oxazolines, and isothiazoles.

Morphological image analysis of biofilm evolution with quantitative analysis in a moving bed biofilm reactor

The quantitative analysis of biomass is essential for the research and application of moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs). However, the difficulty in measuring the attached growing biomass hinders the quantitative analysis of biofilm processes. In this study, a pilot-scale MBBR system was established to investigate biofilm evolution. The quantity of active heterotrophic and autotrophic biomass was measured throughout the entire culturing process. The total active biomass reached 250 mg COD/m² when the biofilm attachment and detachment were balanced, and the corresponding autotrophic biomass contributes to as high as 17 % of the total biomass. Furthermore, quantitative image analysis was performed to obtain the thickness and morphological data of the biofilm evolution. Multivariate regression models were constructed based on the morphological data, which provided satisfactory prediction accuracy for the biofilm thickness and maturation. The most suitable carrier spots for biomass quantification and biofilm maturation were suggested. This work provided the life-cycle information of biofilm quantity and morphology of the MBBR, which contributes to the quantitative understanding of biofilm evolution at MBBRs.

Associations between long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate pollution with the decline of kidney function and hyperuricemia: a longitudinal cohort study

Evidence of associations between ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and risks of decline of kidney function and hyperuricemia is limited. We aimed to investigate the associations between long-term exposure to PM_2.5 with decline of kidney function and hyperuricemia in China. We conducted a two-stage study based on China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2015. Cox proportional hazard regression models and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the associations of PM_2.5 with risks of decline of kidney function and hyperuricemia. Latent class trajectory models (LCTM) were used to identify trajectories of PM_2.5 from 2011 to 2015 in the sensitivity analysis. A total of 9760 participants were included in baseline analysis, and 5902 participants were in follow-up analysis. PM_2.5 was associated with the risks of decline of kidney function [hazard ratio (HR): 2.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.03, 4.44)] and hyperuricemia [HR 1.40 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.79)] in the second quartile group versus the lowest quartile group of PM_2.5. We also observed nonlinear relationships between PM_2.5 and the risks of the decline of kidney function and hyperuricemia (P_non-linear < 0.001). In sensitivity analysis, four trajectory groups were identified. "Maintaining a high PM_2.5" [odds ratio (OR): 2.20; 95%CI: (1.78, 2.73)] and "moderately high starting PM_2.5 then steadily decreased" [OR (95%CI): 5.15 (1.55, 16.13)] were associated with hyperuricemia risk, using "low starting PM_2.5 then steadily decreased" trajectory as reference. In conclusion, improved air quality is essential for prevention of decline of kidney function and hyperuricemia.

Enhanced production of D-pantothenic acid in Corynebacterium glutamicum using an efficient CRISPR-Cpf1 genome editing method

BACKGROUND

Corynebacterium glutamicum has industrial track records for producing a variety of valuable products such as amino acids. Although CRISPR-based genome editing technologies have undergone immense developments in recent years, the suicide-plasmid-based approaches are still predominant for C. glutamicum genome manipulation. It is crucial to develop a simple and efficient CRISPR genome editing method for C. glutamicum.

RESULTS

In this study, we developed a RecombinAtion Prior to Induced Double-strand-break (RAPID) genome editing technology for C. glutamicum, as Cpf1 cleavage was found to disrupt RecET-mediated homologous recombination (HR) of the donor template into the genome. The RAPID toolbox enabled highly efficient gene deletion and insertion, and notably, a linear DNA template was sufficient for gene deletion. Due to the simplified procedure and iterative operation ability, this methodology could be widely applied in C. glutamicum genetic manipulations. As a proof of concept, a high-yield D-pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)-producing strain was constructed, which, to the best of our knowledge, achieved the highest reported titer of 18.62 g/L from glucose only.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a RecET-assisted CRISPR-Cpf1 genome editing technology for C. glutamicum that harnessed CRISPR-induced DSBs as a counterselection. This method is of great importance to C. glutamicum genome editing in terms of its practical applications, which also guides the development of CRISPR genome editing tools for other microorganisms.

Phosphatidyl Inositol 3-Kinase (PI3K)-Inhibitor CDZ173 protects against LPS-induced osteolysis

A major complication of a joint replacement is prosthesis loosening caused by inflammatory osteolysis, leading to the revision of the operation. This is due to the abnormal activation of osteoclast differentiation and function caused by periprosthetic infection. Therefore, targeting abnormally activated osteoclasts is still effective for treating osteolytic inflammatory diseases. CDZ173 is a selective PI3K inhibitor widely used in autoimmune-related diseases and inflammatory diseases and is currently under clinical development. However, the role and mechanism of CDZ173 in osteoclast-related bone metabolism remain unclear. The possibility for treating aseptic prosthesis loosening brought on by inflammatory osteolysis illness can be assessed using an LPS-induced mouse cranial calcium osteolysis model. In this study, we report for the first time that CDZ173 has a protective effect on LPS-induced osteolysis. The data show that this protective effect is due to CDZ173 inhibiting the activation of osteoclasts in vivo. Meanwhile, our result demonstrated that CDZ173 had a significant inhibitory effect on RANKL-induced osteoclasts. Furthermore, using the hydroxyapatite resorption pit assay and podosol actin belt staining, respectively, the inhibitory impact of CDZ173 on bone resorption and osteoclast fusion of pre-OC was determined. In addition, staining with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alizarin red (AR) revealed that CDZ173 had no effect on osteoblast development in vitro. Lastly, CDZ173 inhibited the differentiation and function of osteoclasts by weakening the signal axis of PI3K-AKT/MAPK-NFATc1 in osteoclasts. In conclusion, our results highlight the potential pharmacological role of CDZ173 in preventing osteoclast-mediated inflammatory osteolysis and its potential clinical application.

Asthma with recurrent middle lobe syndrome in children: Clinical features and lung function patterns

BACKGROUND

Middle lobe syndrome (MLS) is a complication of childhood asthma. This study aimed to compare the clinical features and lung function between asthmatic children with recurrent MLS and transient right middle lobe (RML) and/or lingula atelectasis.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed asthmatic children with RML and/or lingula atelectasis between 2010 and 2020 using data from the pediatric pulmonary department. According to the episodes of atelectasis, children were divided into recurrent (≥2 episodes) and non-recurrent (only 1 episode) MLS groups, to compare clinical features and lung function. Spirometry during acute asthma exacerbation and stable stages were recorded, and variations were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 35 children with asthma and RML and/or lingula atelectasis were included, 15 of whom had recurrent MLS. The recurrent MLS group had a higher proportion of girls, infections, family allergy history, severe asthma, severe exacerbation, and higher levels of total IgE than the non-recurrent MLS group (P < 0.05). The recurrent MLS group had a significantly higher % predicted and z-scores for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) and forced vital capacity (FVC), a greater proportion of high FEV₁ and higher variations in FEV₁ and FVC than that in the non-recurrent group (P < 0.05). After excluding children with mild to moderate asthma in the recurrent MLS group, the differences in clinical features disappeared, but the results regarding lung function remained similar, when compared to severe asthma patients without RML and/or lingula atelectasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood asthma with recurrent MLS has more frequent severe asthma and exacerbation but high lung function and variations.

Two discrete dimeric metal-chalcogenide supertetrahedral clusters

Here reported were two discrete dimeric metal-chalcogenide supertetrahedral clusters prepared via solvothermal reactions. The crystal structures, optical and electrical properties of the title compounds were also studied.

Association of Plasma Sex-Related Hormones Levels with Bone Mineral Densities and Risk of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia in Men and Menopausal Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine associations between plasma sex-related hormones with bone mineral density (BMD) and risks of osteoporosis or osteopenia in men and postmenopausal women patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

Baseline information on an ongoing cohort of 149 men and 102 postmenopausal women with T2DM in Xiamen, China were analyzed. Plasma estradiol (E2), total testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) were measured. BMD of lumbar spine (L2-4), femoral neck (FN) and total hip (TH) were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Osteoporosis or osteopenia was defined as the minimum T-scores of BMD of these three different sites of -1.0 or below.

RESULTS

T2DM patients with osteoporosis/osteopenia (66.4% in men and 79.4% in postmenopausal women), compared to those without, showed significantly decreased level of E2 (75.3±28.9 vs. 107.8±25.9pmol/L and 18.4 (18.4-29.5) vs. 22.8 (18.4-40.5) pmol/L for men and postmenopausal women, respectively, both p-values <0.05), but not other sex-related hormones (including T, FSH, LH, or PRL). For all T2DM patients together and men separately, multivariable linear regression and logistic regression analyses showed that higher E2 levels were significantly associated with higher BMD T-scores in L2-4, FN, TH and minimum of these three different sites, lower 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) and hip fractures (HFs) estimated by Fracture Risk Assessment Tool score, as well as decreased risk of osteoporosis/osteopenia. As for postmenopausal women T2DM patients, E2 level was positively associated with BMD T-scores in L2-4 and minimum of three different sites but was not independently associated with risk of osteoporosis/osteopenia.

CONCLUSION

Higher plasma E2 was significantly associated with increased BMD and lower risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia in T2DM patients, especially for men. Screening of BMD and estradiol levels as well as evaluating risks of osteoporosis/osteopenia are important for T2DM patients.

Characteristics, Thrombus Resolution, and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Thrombus

To assess the prevalence and management of atrial thrombus in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and identify the risk factors of the nonresolution of atrial thrombus. This single-center retrospective observational study consecutively enrolled patients with NVAF and atrial thrombus detected using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) or cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) from January 2012 to December 2020. Patients with prior left atrial appendage (LAA) intervention were excluded. The primary endpoint was the presence of atrial thrombus, while the secondary endpoint was the complete resolution of atrial thrombus. The prevalence of atrial thrombus in patients with NVAF was 1.4%. Ninety patients with atrial thrombus (mean age 62.8 ± 11.9 years and 61.1% men) were finally analyzed. Atrial thrombus was in the LAA in 82 (91.1%) patients. During follow up, 60% of the patients showed complete resolution of atrial thrombus. Congestive heart failure (odds ratio [OR]: 8.94; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67-47.80) and a history of ischemic stroke (OR: 8.28; 95% CI: 1.48-46.42) were independently associated with the risk of the nonresolution of atrial thrombus. The presence of atrial thrombus in patients with NVAF who received anticoagulation therapy is non-negligible. Even in anticoagulated patients, TEE or cardiac CTA might still be needed. Congestive heart failure and a history of ischemic stroke are risk factors of the nonresolution of atrial thrombus.

Associations of waist-to-height ratio with the incidence of type 2 diabetes and mediation analysis: Two independent cohort studies

AIM

To assess the relationship between waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D)/impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and to explore to what extent these associations are mediated by blood pressure, lipids and other indicators related to liver and kidney metabolism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was based on a functional community cohort included 6109 participants which were divided into two sub-cohorts. One sub-cohort included participants with normal fasting glucose (n = 5563), another included IFG individuals at baseline (n = 546). Cox regression models were used to evaluate the relationships of WHtR with T2D/IFG. Four-year time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were calculated to estimate the discriminatory power of WhtR and other anthropometric indices on T2D. Mediation analysis was performed to estimate which risk factors mediate the association between WHtR and T2D.

RESULTS

Significant positive associations were found between WHtR and the incidence of T2D/IFG in both sub-cohort. WhtR was a useful predictor of T2D (P < 0.05). Mediation analysis showed that HOMA-IR (0.45 %), SBP (5.10 %), triglycerides (11.02 %), creatinine (9.36 %) and combined kidney indicators (17.48 %) partly mediated the effect of WHtR on T2D in men. For women, this association was partly mediated by SBP (13.86 %), HDL (24.54 %), ALT (6.29 %), UA (22.58 %) and combined kidney indicators (39.51 %).

CONCLUSIONS

WHtR was an independent risk factor for the development of T2D and IFG. This association was partly mediated by HOMA-IR, SBP, lipids and other liver and kidney metabolism indicators.

Clinical features and pathogen distributions of microbiological-based protracted bacterial bronchitis in children of different ages in Northeast China

Background

Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) is often diagnosed clinically according to chronic wet cough, which can be resolved by appropriate antibiotics. Though rarely performed in PBB diagnosis, bacterial cultures by sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid can provide etiological features, which may be different in western countries and different areas of China. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and etiological features and outcomes in children of different ages with PBB in northeast China.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed children diagnosed with PBB by positive BAL fluid or sputum bacterial cultures between 2017 and 2021. Children were divided into three age groups: <1 year (infants), 1-5 years (younger children), and ≥6 years (older children). Clinical characteristics, chest radiographic findings, bronchoscopy findings, microbiological findings, treatment strategies, and outcomes were reviewed and compared among the age groups. Factors associated with remission during follow-up were examined using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 45 children with PBB were included, consisting of 24 (53.3%) infants. The infants were often boys and had a shorter cough duration, a lower proportion of expectoration, a greater proportion of wheezing, and less bronchial wall thickening on high-resolution computed tomography compared to older children (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found among the age groups regarding macroscopic findings, except for a higher proportion of tracheobronchial malacia in infants than in older children (P = 0.013). The most commonly cultured bacteria were Haemophilus influenzae (42.2%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (22.2%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (20.0%). Compared to older children, infants had a higher remission (P = 0.009) and relatively lower relapse rates (P = 0.059). Short duration of cough (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34-0.99, P = 0.046) and absence of recurrent cephalosporins before diagnosis (OR = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.00-0.73, P = 0.028) were associated with remission.

Conclusions

Infants are more prone to PBB, with increased wheezing. Gram-negative bacilli infections are common in infants in northeast China. Older children with PBB should be carefully assessed, treated and followed up, particularly those with long duration of cough and poor response to antibiotic treatments.

The Value of Circulating Tumor Cells and Tumor Markers Detection in Lung Cancer Diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

Circulating tumor cells are complete tumor cells with multi-scale analysis values that present a high potential for lung cancer diagnosis. To enhance the accuracy of lung cancer diagnosis, we detected circulating tumor cells by the innovated conical micro filter integrated microfluidic system.

METHODS

We recruited 45 subjects of study, including 22 lung cancer patients, 2 precancerous patients, the control group including 14 healthy participants, and 7 patients with lung benign lesions in this prospective study. We calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of circulating tumor cells, cytokeratin19 fragment, carcinoma embryonic antigen, squamous cell carcinoma, neuron-specific enolase, and their combination, respectively, while compared the circulating tumor cells levels between vein blood and arterial blood. A conical shape filter embedded in a microfluidic chip was used to improve the detection capability of circulating tumor cells.

RESULTS

The study indicated that the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of circulating tumor cells detection were 81.8%, 90.5%, 90.0%, and 82.6%, respectively. The circulating tumor cells level of lung cancer patient was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < .05). The area under the curve of circulating tumor cells, cytokeratin19 fragment, carcinoma embryonic antigen, squamous cell carcinoma, and neuron-specific enolase alone was 0.838, 0.760, 0.705, 0.614, and 0.636, respectively. The combination area under the curve of the 4 tumor markers (cytokeratin19 fragment, carcinoma embryonic antigen, squamous cell carcinoma, and neuron-specific enolase) was 0.805 less than that of circulating tumor cells alone. Together, the total area under the curve of circulating tumor cell and the 4 tumor markers were 0.847, showing the highest area under the curve value among all biomarkers. In addition, this study found that there was no significant difference in positive rate of circulating tumor cell between arterial and venous blood samples.

CONCLUSION

The circulating tumor cells detection technology by conical micro filter integrated microfluidic could be used for lung cancer diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Complementary combination of circulating tumor cells and conventional 4 lung cancer markers could enhance the clinical application accuracy. Venous blood should be used as a routine sample for circulating tumor cells detections.

Association between surrogate indicators of insulin resistance and risk of type 2 diabetes combined with hypertension among Chinese adults: two independent cohort studies

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) combined with hypertension has a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between the surrogate indicators of insulin resistance (TyG, TG/HDL, and Mets-IR) with the risk of T2D combined with hypertension.

METHODS

This study is based on a functional community cohort from Beijing and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, comprising 4234 and 4658 participants respectively. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline regression were performed to assess the link between TyG, TG/HDL, and Mets-IR with T2D combined with hypertension. The cross-lagged panel analysis and the mediation analysis were used to examine the temporal relationship between insulin resistance and obesity and their temporal relationship with follow-up T2D combined with hypertension.

RESULTS

In multivariable-adjusted models, higher TyG was associated with a higher risk of developing T2D combined with hypertension, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) were 3.46 (2.43-4.93) and 2.02 (1.67-2.44), in two cohorts respectively. A similar positive association was shown for Mets-IR, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.04 (1.03-1.06) and 1.05 (1.03-1.07), in two cohorts respectively. However, the association between TG/HDL with T2D combined with hypertension was different in two cohorts. The restricted cubic spline regression showed a linear association between TyG and T2D combined with hypertension (P-nonlinear > 0.05). The cross-lagged path coefficient from baseline BMI to follow-up TyG index was significantly greater than the path coefficient from baseline TyG to follow-up BMI. TyG partially mediated the effect of BMI on the risk of T2D combined with hypertension and the percentage of mediated association was estimated at 41.58% and 48.41% in two cohorts, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated positive associations between TyG and Mets-IR with the risk of T2D combined with hypertension in two cohorts. In addition, BMI change may precede TyG index change, and the TyG index plays a mediating role in BMI induced T2D combined with hypertension.

Isolation, structures, bioactivities, application and future prospective for polysaccharides from Tremella aurantialba: A review

Since ancient times, Tremella aurantialba has been proposed to have medicinal and food benefits. Modern phytochemistry and pharmacological studies have demonstrated that polysaccharides, the main components from T. aurantialba appear to be an all-round talent resisting a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases and protecting against different types of tumors, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. These health and pharmacological benefits have gained much attention from scholars around the world. Further, more and more methods for polysaccharides extraction, purification, structure identification have been proposed. Significantly, the bioactivity of fungus polysaccharides is affected by many factors such as extraction and purification conditions and chemical structure. This paper provides an overview of recent advances in the isolation, structural features and biological effects of polysaccharides derived from T. aurantialba, covers recent advances in the field and outlines future research and applications of these polysaccharides.

Evaluation of pharmacological activities and active components in Tremella aurantialba by instrumental and virtual analyses

As a kind of medicinal and edible homologous fungus, there is a lack of data on the medicinal value of Tremella aurantialba. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used to screen the chemical components in T. aurantialba. Then, network pharmacology was used to reveal the potential biological activities, active compounds, and therapeutic targets of T. aurantialba. Finally, the potential binding sites of the active compounds of T. aurantialba and key targets were studied by molecular docking. Results showed that 135 chemical components in T. aurantialba, especially linoleic acid, and linolenic acid have significant biological activities in neuroprotective, anticancer, immune, hypoglycemic, and cardiovascular aspects. The existence of these bioactive natural products in T. aurantialba is consistent with the traditional use of T. aurantialba. Moreover, the five diseases have comorbidity molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. The molecular docking showed that linolenic acid, adenosine, and vitamin D2 had higher binding energy with RXRA, MAPK1, and JUN, respectively. This study is the first to systematically identify chemical components in T. aurantialba and successfully predict its bioactivity, key active compounds, and drug targets, providing a reliable novel strategy for future research on the bioactivity development and utilization of T. aurantialba.

Tracing fossil fuel CO2 by 14C in maize leaves in Guanzhong Basin of China

Quantifying fossil fuel CO₂ (CO_2ff) in the atmosphere provides a benchmark method to monitor anthropogenic carbon emissions. Radiocarbon (¹⁴C) in atmospheric CO_2ff has been widely studied using the ¹⁴C in plants to document regional CO_2ff patterns. However, annual CO_2ff variations, reflecting spatial distributions based on plant samples, are still scarce. In this paper, the spatial distribution and temporal CO_2ff changes in the Guanzhong Basin is established using Δ¹⁴C measurements from maize leaves collected in 2011 and 2012. With regard to spatial distribution, samples collected around Xi'an City showed lower Δ¹⁴C values (more CO_2ff), while sites located near the perimeter of the basin showed higher Δ¹⁴C values (less CO_2ff). This is likely due to the concentration of anthropogenic activities in the center of the Guanzhong Basin. The observed CO_2ff mole fractions generally matched with PKU CO₂ inventory and the ODIAC CO₂ inventory data in the spatial distribution trend. However, it seems that thermal power plants were not well captured by the PKU CO₂ inventory. Our results provide useful information for the improvement of the inventory and verification of regional carbon cycle models.

N 6-Methyladenosine and physiological response divergence confer autotetraploid enhanced salt tolerance compared to its diploid Hordeum bulbosum

Polyploid species have played an essential role in plant evolution, exemplified by adaptive advantages to abiotic stress. N 6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is suggested to play an important role in stress response. However, whether genome doubling affects m6A to increase autopolyploids stress tolerance is still unclear. This study aims to compare physiological (maintaining osmoregulatory homeostasis) and m6A changes between autotetraploid and diploid wild barley (Hordeum bulbosum) in response to salt (NaCl) stress. Results showed that autotetraploids physiologically had enhanced stress tolerance based on the measured parameters of relative water content, water loss, proline, H2O2, and chlorophyll. Diploid H. bulbosum experienced an excessive abundance of proline following salt stress where tetraploids had beneficial proline accumulation and thus enhanced osmoregulation. The significantly higher level of proline and H2O2 in diploid than in autotetraploid implies that diploids suffered higher osmotic stress than autotetraploid. Autotetraploid produced enough proline to protect stress, but not so much to cause toxicity. m6A in total RNA showed no significant difference between ploidies in controls, but was significantly higher in autotetraploids than in diploids during stress and recovery. These results suggest that increased m6A might be one of molecular mechanisms that increases salt tolerance in autotetraploid H. bulbosum compared to diploids, which enhances the adaptation of autopolyploids.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01260-x.

Safety, efficacy, and DIVA feasibility on a novel live attenuated classical swine fever marker vaccine candidate

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is the etiological agent of classical swine fever, a highly contagious disease that causes significant economic losses to the swine industry. Systemic prophylactic immunization with the live attenuated vaccine, the C-strain vaccine, is one of the effective measures for CSF control. However, one of the limitations of the C-strain vaccine is that the field strains-infected animals cannot be differentiated from the C-strain vaccinated herds by serological tests (DIVA). This constraint hampers the practical usage of the C-strain vaccine to eradicate the CSF in China. In the current study, a novel CSF modified live marker vaccine candidate was constructed based on the attenuation of the prevalent 2.1 genotype strain by the deletion of two virulence associated functional residues in the CSFV E^rns, H79, and C171. Meanwhile, four residues S14, G22, E24, and E25 were identified specifically for the 6B8 mAb binding to the CSFV E2 as the novel conformational epitope. Then four substitutions of S14K, G22A, E24R, and G25D were further incorporated in the double deletion construct as a negative serological marker. Finally, the double-deletion marker MLV candidate GD18-ddErnHC-KARD was rescued, and its safety and efficacy profiles were evaluated in piglets. The safety study results indicated that the candidate did not induce fever, clinical signs, or pathological lesions with a high dose of 10^5.0 TCID₅₀, and in addition, no virus shedding was detected until 21 days post-inoculation. Meanwhile, the efficacy study results demonstrated that at a low dose of 10^3.0 TCID₅₀, it conferred complete clinical protection and no virus shedding was detected after the challenge with a highly virulent Shimen strain. Importantly, the infected animals were differentiated using the accompanied DIVA ELISA. These results constitute a proof-of-concept for rationally designing a CSF antigenically marked modified live vaccine candidate.

A charged diatomic triple-bonded U≡N species trapped in C82 fullerene cages

Actinide diatomic molecules are ideal models to study elusive actinide multiple bonds, but most of these diatomic molecules have so far only been studied in solid inert gas matrices. Herein, we report a charged U≡N diatomic species captured in fullerene cages and stabilized by the U-fullerene coordination interaction. Two diatomic clusterfullerenes, viz. UN@C_s(6)-C₈₂ and UN@C₂(5)-C₈₂, were successfully synthesized and characterized. Crystallographic analysis reveals U-N bond lengths of 1.760(7) and 1.760(20) Å in UN@C_s(6)-C₈₂ and UN@C₂(5)-C₈₂. Moreover, U≡N was found to be immobilized and coordinated to the fullerene cages at 100 K but it rotates inside the cage at 273 K. Quantum-chemical calculations show a (UN)²⁺@(C₈₂)²⁻ electronic structure with formal +5 oxidation state (f¹) of U and unambiguously demonstrate the presence of a U≡N bond in the clusterfullerenes. This study constitutes an approach to stabilize fundamentally important actinide multiply bonded species.

Diatomic actinide molecules are ideal models for studying rare multiple-bond motifs. Here, the authors report host-guest structures of metastable charged U≡N diatoms confined in fullerene cages and stabilized by coordinative electron transfer.

Iron(II)-activated phase transformation of Cd-bearing ferrihydrite: Implications for cadmium mobility and fate under anaerobic conditions

The factors and mechanisms affecting the fate of the associated Cd during the Fe(II)-activated Cd-bearing ferrihydrite transformation remain poorly understood. Herein we have conducted a series of batch reactions containing ferrihydrite with diverse pH values and initial Fe(II) and Cd concentrations coupled with chemical analyses and spectroscopic examination on the transformation products to probe the mechanisms of the Cd partitioning and the processes of Fe(II)-activated Cd-bearing ferrihydrite transformation under anaerobic conditions. Chemical analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) results show that the initial Fe(II) and Cd concentrations as well as pH values all have significant effects on the rates and pathways of ferrihydrite transformation. Increasing Cd loading enhances the inhibition of the Fe(II)-activated ferrihydrite transformation rates. High Cd loading alters the Fe(II)-activated ferrihydrite transformation pathways by hindering the recrystallization of both ferrihydrite to more stable iron minerals and the newly formed lepidocrocite to goethite. Chemical analyses show that the release of Cd to solutions during ferrihydrite transformation is accompanied by a reduction in the 0.4 M HCl extractable Cd fraction and that a significant amount of the released Cd is transformed to a 0.4 M HCl unextractable form. Moreover, enhanced Cd release during the Fe(II)-activated ferrihydrite transformation is observed by reducing the pH value or increasing the initial Cd concentration. Results from synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) confirm that the majority of the 0.4 M HCl unextractable Cd form is associated with structural incorporation into the recrystallized iron (hydr)oxides via isomorphous substitution for Fe(III). These findings not only provide molecular-level understanding on the behavior of Cd under natural anoxic environments, but also are useful in predicting the geochemical cycling of Cd and developing long-term Cd contaminant management strategies.

Trend analysis and prediction of injury death in Xi’an city, China, 2005-2020

Background

Injury is an important cause of death in China. In the present study, we systematically analyzed the epidemiological characteristics and trends of injury death in Xi’an residents from 2005 to 2020.

Methods

Data on injury deaths from 2005 to 2020 were obtained from the “Xi’an Center for Disease Control and Prevention”, injury deaths were classified according to the International Classification Disease-10th Revision (ICD-10). The data were stratified by gender, age groups, injury types, and then overall and type-specific injury mortality rates were estimated. Joinpoint regression analysis was conducted to estimate annual percent change (APC). The grey interval predicting method was used to predict the future characteristics of injury deaths in Xi’an city.

Results

From 2005 to 2020, injury caused 32,596 deaths (5.79% of all deaths; 35.71/100000 population). Injury mortality rates were higher among males than females. Motor vehicle traffic accidents were the commonest injury type. The highest injury mortality rates were in those aged 85 years or older. Overall, Joinpoint regression analysis revealed that injury mortality had significantly (p < 0.05) decreasing trends. GM (1,1) model estimated that injury mortality will be on a declining curve.

Conclusions

Motor vehicle traffic accidents, transport accidents other than motor vehicles, unintentional falls, suicide, and accidental poisoning are the main causes of injury. The injury death rate is projected to decline over the next decade.

Ag-Activated Metal-Organic Framework with Peroxidase-like Activity Synergistic Ag+ Release for Safe Bacterial Eradication and Wound Healing

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), a commonly used antibacterial nanomaterial, exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity to combat drug-resistant bacteria. However, the Ag NPs often causes a low availability and high toxicity to living bodies due to their easy aggregation and uncontrolled release of Ag⁺ in the bacterial microenvironment. Here, we report a porous metal-organic framework (MOF)-based Zr-2-amin-1,4-NH₂-benzenedicarboxylate@Ag (denoted as UiO-66-NH₂-Ag) nanocomposite using an in-situ immobilization strategy where Ag NPs were fixed on the UiO-66-NH₂ for improving the dispersion and utilization of Ag NPs. As a result, the reduced use dose of Ag NPs largely improves the biosafety of the UiO-66-NH₂-Ag. Meanwhile, after activation by the Ag NPs, the UiO-66-NH₂-Ag can act as nanozyme with high peroxidase (POD)-like activity to efficiently catalyze the decomposition of H₂O₂ to extremely toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH) in the bacterial microenvironment. Simultaneously, the high POD-like activity synergies with the controllable Ag⁺ release leads to enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, facilitating the death of resistant bacteria. This synergistic antibacterial strategy enables the low concentration (12 μg/mL) of UiO-66-NH₂-Ag to achieve highly efficient inactivation of ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli (Amp^rE. coli) and endospore-forming Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis). In vivo results illustrate that the UiO-66-NH₂-Ag nanozyme has a safe and accelerated bacteria-infected wound healing.

ThC2@C82 versus Th@C84: unexpected formation of triangular thorium carbide cluster inside fullerenes

Synthesis of the first thorium-containing clusterfullerenes, ThC₂@C _s (6)-C₈₂ and ThC₂@C₂(5)-C₈₂, is reported. These two novel actinide fullerene compounds were characterized by mass spectrometry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography, UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Crystallographic studies reveal that the encapsulated ThC₂ clusters in both C _s (6)-C₈₂ and C₂(5)-C₈₂ feature a novel bonding structure with one thorium metal center connected by a C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C unit, forming an isosceles triangular configuration, which has not been hitherto observed for endohedral fullerenes or for solid phase thorium carbides. Electronic structure calculations assign a formal electronic structure of [Th⁴⁺(C₂)^2-]²⁺@[C₈₂]^2-, with pronounced donation bonding from (C₂)^2- to Th⁴⁺, secondary backbonding from the fullerene to thorium and Th-C double bond character in both compounds. This work presents a new family of endohedral fullerenes, MC₂@C_2n-2, being unexpected isomers of MC_2n , and provides broader understanding of thorium bonding.

Upper limit of the transition temperature of superconducting materials

Why are the transition temperatures (T c) of superconducting materials so different? The answer to this question is not only of great significance in revealing the mechanism of high-T c superconductivity but also can be used as a guide for the design of new superconductors. However, so far, it is still challenging to identify the governing factors affecting the T c. In this work, with the aid of machine learning and first-principles calculations, we found a close relevance between the upper limit of the T c and the energy-level distribution of valence electrons. It implies that some additional inter-orbital electron-electron interaction should be considered in the interpretation of high-T c superconductivity.

A Review on Mechanochemistry: Approaching Advanced Energy Materials with Greener Force

Mechanochemistry with solvent-free and environmentally friendly characteristics is one of the most promising alternatives to traditional liquid-phase-based reactions, demonstrating epoch-making significance in the realization of different types of chemistry. Mechanochemistry utilizes mechanical energy to promote physical and chemical transformations to design complex molecules and nanostructured materials, encourage dispersion and recombination of multiphase components, and accelerate reaction rates and efficiencies via highly reactive surfaces. In particular, mechanochemistry deserves special attention because it is capable of endowing energy materials with unique characteristics and properties. Herein, the latest advances and progress in mechanochemistry for the preparation and modification of energy materials are reviewed. An outline of the basic knowledge, methods, and characteristics of different mechanochemical strategies is presented, distinguishing this review from most mechanochemistry reviews that only focus on ball-milling. Next, this outline is followed by a detailed and insightful discussion of mechanochemistry-involved energy conversion and storage applications. The discussion comprehensively covers aspects of energy transformations from mechanical/optical/chemical energy to electrical energy. Finally, next-generation advanced energy materials are proposed. This review is intended to bring mechanochemistry to the frontline and guide this burgeoning field of interdisciplinary research for developing advanced energy materials with greener mechanical force.

Effect of the interaction between alcohol and meat consumption on the hyperlipidaemia risk among elderly individuals: Evidence from Shanghai, China

Background

Diet and other lifestyle habits may have an increased effect on blood lipids in older people. This study aimed to examine the associations between diet (meat, fish, and egg), alcohol consumption and blood lipids.

Methods

Surveillance data on chronic diseases and their risk factors were collected from Shanghai during 2017–2018. A Kish table was used for sampling 438 older adults, of whom 71 consumed alcohol. Logistic regression was used to test the relationships between diet, alcohol consumption and blood lipid levels in elderly individuals, and the marginal effects (MEs) were estimated.

Results

Dyslipidaemia was more common among drinkers than among nondrinkers (P < 0.01). Alcohol consumption was associated with dyslipidaemia (OR = 2.667, P < 0.01 for TC; OR = 1.919, P < 0.05 for LDL; OR = 3.412, P < 0.01 for TG), and consumption of more than 50 g of meat per day showed similar associations (OR = 3.227, P < 0.01 for TC; OR = 3.263, P < 0.01, for LDL; OR = 2.329, P < 0.01 for TG). The MEs of alcohol drinking and excessive meat consumption on the rate of dyslipidaemia were 0.324 for TC (P < 0.01), 0.255 for LDL (P < 0.05), and 0.174 for TG (P < 0.01).

Discussion

The risk of hyperlipidaemia was increased among elderly individuals with excessive meat and alcohol consumption, which also had an interactive effect.

Mechanisms of Ni removal from contaminated groundwater by calcite using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and Ni isotope measurements

A flow-through cell (FTC) experiment was conducted to identify mechanisms of Ni removal by calcite through study of changes in Ni speciation and Ni isotope signature during the treatment of simulated Ni-contaminated groundwater. Synthetic Ni-contaminated groundwater was pumped through a FTC packed with crushed natural calcite. Effluent samples were collected to determine concentrations of anions, cations, and for Ni isotope-ratio measurement. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was performed on chosen spots of the solid phase along the FTC length. Isotope data indicated multiple mechanisms affected Ni removal in the FTC system. Ni adsorption to and coprecipitation with calcite dominated the early part of the experiment yielding a fractionation factor of ε = -0.5 ‰. Subsequently, Ni precipitation as a Ni-hydroxide phase became the major process controlling Ni removal, resulting in a fractionation factor ε = -0.4 ‰. XAS analysis confirmed the presence of both Ni(OH)₂ and (Ni, Ca)CO₃ types of Ni local structural environments. Results from this study highlight the potential of Ni isotopes as auxiliary tools to determine the processes involved in Ni attenuation from the environment. The characterization of mechanisms involved in Ni removal from solution is necessary to evaluate potential impacts to the environment and to develop effective remediation strategies.

Hepatotoxic metabolites in Polygoni Multiflori Radix— Comparative toxicology in mice

Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PM) and Rhei radix et rhizoma (rhubarb) contain similar hepatocyte-toxic anthraquinones such as emodin (major free anthraquinone in PM), physcion and their glycosides. In clinical practice, PM hepatotoxicity has been widely reported, although rhubarb is not recognized as hepatotoxic. To clarify the substances basis (key components) of PM hepatotoxicity, based on the characteristic components’ similarity within PM, rhubarb and their concocted forms, a comparative sub-acute toxicity study was designed in mice. Nine groups of mice with 28 days of oral administration of these herbal extracts or 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG, major and unique characteristic component in PM)-herb combinations were set as follows: Group-1, control; Group-2, PM ethanol-extract (PME); Group-3, PM praeparata ethanol-extract (PMPE); Group-4, Rhubarb ethanol-extract (RME); Group-5, Steamed rhubarb ethanol-extract (RMPE); Group-6, TSG; Group-7, PMPE-TSG combination; Group-8, RME-TSG combination; Group-9, RMPE-TSG combination. Each experimental group received an equivalent emodin dose of 29 mg/kg except for the TSG group, and an equivalent TSG dose of 1,345 mg/kg except for the PMPE, RME and RMPE groups. The results showed that PME, PMPE-TSG and RME-TSG induced liver lesions and biochemical abnormalities of liver function compared with the control. In contrast, PMPE, RME, RMPE, TSG and RMPE-TSG caused no liver lesions and fewer biochemical abnormalities. Considering the related components, only the co-administration of high doses of TSG and emodin-8-O-β-D-glucoside (EMG, major anthraquinone glycoside in PM) in these groups could cause liver lesions. According to tissue distribution and correlation analysis, EMG dose was positively correlated with the high hepatic emodin and TSG exposure, and the hepatic emodin and TSG exposure were positively correlated with the biochemical abnormalities of liver function. Cell viability test in vitro showed emodin was more hepatotoxic than TSG and EMG, and mainly emodin and TSG of the three had synergistic hepatotoxic effects. Therefore, creatively using rhubarb as a reference, this study revealed that PM hepatotoxicity in mice mainly came from the integrative contribution of TSG, EMG and emodin.

Evaluating the risk of hypertension in residents in primary care in Shanghai, China with machine learning algorithms

Objective

The prevention of hypertension in primary care requires an effective and suitable hypertension risk assessment model. The aim of this study was to develop and compare the performances of three machine learning algorithms in predicting the risk of hypertension for residents in primary care in Shanghai, China.

Methods

A dataset of 40,261 subjects over the age of 35 years was extracted from Electronic Healthcare Records of 47 community health centers from 2017 to 2019 in the Pudong district of Shanghai. Embedded methods were applied for feature selection. Machine learning algorithms, XGBoost, random forest, and logistic regression analyses were adopted in the process of model construction. The performance of models was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy and F1-score.

Results

The XGBoost model outperformed the other two models and achieved an AUC of 0.765 in the testing set. Twenty features were selected to construct the model, including age, diabetes status, urinary protein level, BMI, elderly health self-assessment, creatinine level, systolic blood pressure measured on the upper right arm, waist circumference, smoking status, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, frequency of drinking, glucose level, urea nitrogen level, total cholesterol level, diastolic blood pressure measured on the upper right arm, exercise frequency, time spent engaged in exercise, high salt consumption, and triglyceride level.

Conclusions

XGBoost outperformed random forest and logistic regression in predicting the risk of hypertension in primary care. The integration of this risk assessment model into primary care facilities may improve the prevention and management of hypertension in residents.

Detecting the locus of auditory attention based on the spectro-spatial-temporal analysis of EEG

OBJECTIVE

Auditory Attention Decoding (AAD) determines which speaker the listener is focusing on by analyzing his/her EEG. CNN was adopted to extract Spectro-Spatial-Feature (SSF) from short-time-interval of EEG to detect auditory spatial attention without stimuli. However, the following factors are not considered in SSF-CNN scheme. i) Single-band frequency analysis cannot represent the EEG pattern precisely. ii) The power cannot represent the EEG feature related to the dynamic patterns of the attended auditory stimulus. iii) The temporal feature of EEG representing the relationship between EEG and attended stimulus is not extracted. To solve these problems, SSF-CNN scheme was modified.

APPROACH

i) Multiple-frequency bands, but not a single alpha frequency band, of EEG, were analyzed to represent the EEG pattern more precisely. ii) Differential Entropy (DE), but not power, was extracted from each frequency band to represent the disorder degree of EEG, which was related to the dynamic patterns of the attended auditory stimulus. iii) CNN and Convolutional-Long-Short-Term-Memory (ConvLSTM) were combined to extract spectro-spatial-temporal features from the 3-D descriptor sequence constructed based on the topographical activity maps of multiple-frequency bands.

MAIN RESULTS

Experimental results on KUL, DTU, and PKU with 0.1s, 1s, 2s, and 5s decision windows demonstrated that: i) The proposed model outperformed SSF-CNN and state-of-the-art AAD models. Specifically, when the auditory stimulus was unavailable, AAD accuracy could be enhanced by at least 3:25%, 3:96%, and 5:08% on KUL, DTU, and PKU, respectively, compared with the baselines. And, on KUL, the longer decision window corresponded to lower enhancement, while on both DTU and PKU, the longer decision window corresponded to higher enhancement, except for two cases when decision window length was 2s on PKU or 5s on DTU. ii) Each modification contributed to the performance enhancement.

SIGNIFICANCE

DE feature, multi-band frequency analysis, and ConvLSTM-based temporal analysis help to enhance AAD accuracy.

Dynamic Modeling and Attitude Decoupling Control for a 3-DOF Flexible Piezoelectric Nano-Positioning Stage Based on ADRC

The paper proposes a three-degrees-of-freedom flexible nano-positioning stage constructed from compliant flexures and piezoelectric thin-sheet actuators, featuring a compact size and fast dynamic responses, which can be extensively applied to the typical micro/nano-positioning applications. Meanwhile, the dynamic model of the flexible PZT nano-positioning with distributed parameter characteristics is established to distinctly reflect the piezoelectric-mechanical coupling relationship between the four flexible PZT actuators and the three outputs of such a system. Furthermore, the attitude decoupling control for the 3-DOF flexible piezoelectric nano-positioning stage is achieved by the Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) method to compensate for the positioning errors in the actual positioning process. After this, a real-time experimental apparatus with two Position-Sensitive Detectors (PSDs) is also proposed and fabricated to test the three outputs of the flexible piezoelectric thin-sheet (PZT-5A) nano-positioning stage and validate the effectiveness of the dynamic modeling method and attitude decoupling control in the piezoelectric nano-positioning stage ranges.

A Monitoring Method Based on FDALM and Its Application in the Sintering Process of Ternary Cathode Material

In industrial processes, the composition of raw material and the production environment are complex and changeable, which makes the production process have multiple steady states. In this situation, it is difficult for the traditional single-mode monitoring methods to accurately detect the process abnormalities. To this end, a multimode monitoring method based on the factor dynamic autoregressive hidden variable model (FDALM) for industrial processes is proposed in this paper. First, an improved affine propagation clustering algorithm to learn the model modal factors is adopted, and the FDALM is constructed by combining multiple high-order hidden state Markov chains through the factor modeling technology. Secondly, a fusion algorithm based on Bayesian filtering, smoothing, and expectation-maximization is adopted to identify model parameters. The Lagrange multiplier formula is additionally constructed to update the factor coefficients by using the factor constraints in the solving. Moreover, the online Bayesian inference is adopted to fuse the information of different factor modes and obtain the fault posterior probability, which can improve the overall monitoring effect of the model. Finally, the proposed method is applied in the sintering process of ternary cathode material. The results show that the fault detection rate and false alarm rate of this method are improved obviously compared with the traditional methods.