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Understanding the coupling mechanism and coordinated development between digital transformation and operational efficiency in logistics enterprises is vital for optimizing resource allocation and promoting high-quality, sustainable growth in the logistics industry. This study analyzes panel data from 52 listed logistics enterprises in China from 2014 to 2023. It constructs evaluation index systems for digital transformation and operational efficiency and applies an integrated methodology comprising the super-efficiency SBM model, coupling coordination degree model, and random forest regression model to evaluate efficiency, assess coupling dynamics, and forecast future trends. The main findings are as follows: (1) Overall operational efficiency has shown a pattern of fluctuating growth, increasing from 0.520 to 0.585. Road transport consistently outperformed other sectors, water transport maintained steady growth, and air transport exhibited significant volatility, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) The coupling coordination degree remains in the initial coordination stage (0.642–0.677), with road transport achieving intermediate-level coordination (0.718) by 2021. Water transport showed gradual but stable improvement, and air transport remained unstable due to external shocks. (3) Road transport leads in overall industry performance, while water transport exhibits stable progress, and air transport is hindered by international supply chain disruptions and technological adoption challenges. (4) Projections for 2024–2026 suggest an average annual growth rate of 0.31% in coupling coordination across all subsectors, although inter-sectoral synergistic mechanisms require further enhancement. Based on these findings, this study proposes targeted recommendations: increasing comprehensive investments in digital technologies across the entire supply chain, cultivating interdisciplinary talent, optimizing risk management frameworks, and refining policy support. These measures aim to strengthen the integration of digital transformation and operational efficiency, contributing to the sustainable development of the logistics industry.

The mammalian pattern-recognition receptor TLR4/MD-2 (Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor-2) can be activated by a wide variety of pathogen-associated and endogenous molecules, with Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) being the primary natural TLR4 agonist. Activation of TLR4 triggers cellular signaling that enables the beneficial innate immune responses and enhances adaptive immunity, thereby emphasizing the potential of TLR4 agonists for the management of diseases with an immunopathological background and for use as vaccine adjuvants. Given the challenges associated with LPS-derived products, including structural complexity, heterogeneity, toxicity, and species specificity, synthetic molecules targeting TLR4/MD-2 offer a promising alternative. Here, we elucidate the structural basis for the recognition of synthetic LPS-mimicking glycolipids, Disaccharide Lipid A Mimetics (DLAMs), by human and mouse TLR4/MD-2 through cryo-EM structures of six dimeric [TLR4/MD-2/ligand] 2 complexes resolved at 2.2-3.1 Å. We reveal that the specific binding modes of DLAMs, distinct from those of LPS, are essential for the species-independent TLR4 agonistic activity. DLAMs function as a molecular bridge, effectively induce the dimerization of TLR4/MD-2 complexes through specific carbohydrate structure-relevant ligand-protein interactions. Our findings reveal the distinct molecular modes of TLR4 activation, and provide a structural basis for the rationale design and development of innovative, highly potent TLR4-targeting immunotherapeutics and adjuvants. Cryo-EM structures reveal how synthetic glycolipids bind to and activate the immune receptor TLR4/MD-2 in both humans and mice, providing a structural basis for the design of cross-species TLR4-targeting immunotherapeutics and adjuvants.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) have pleiotropic roles in embryonic and postnatal growth and differentiation. Most serum IGFs are bound in a ternary complex with IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) and acid-labile subunit (ALS), extending the serum half-life of IGFs and regulating their availability. Here, we report cryo-EM structure of the human IGF1/IGFBP3/ALS ternary complex, revealing the detailed architecture of a parachute-like ternary complex and crucial determinants for their sequential and specific assembly. In vitro biochemical studies show that proteolysis at the central linker domain of IGFBP3 induces release of its C-terminal domain rather than IGF1 release from the ternary complex, yielding an intermediate complex that enhances IGF1 bioavailability. Our results provide mechanistic insight into IGF/IGFBP3/ALS ternary complex assembly and its disassembly upon proteolysis for IGF bioavailability, suggesting a structural basis for human diseases associated with IGF1 and IGFALS gene mutations such as complete ALS deficiency (ACLSD) and IGF1 deficiency. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) regulates growth and differentiation. Here, authors report the atomic structure of the ternary complex (IGF1/IGF-binding protein3/acid labile subunit) and its assembly/disassembly mechanism for IGF bioavailability.

Biocatalytic cyclization is highly desirable for efficient synthesis of biologically derived chemical substances, such as the commodity chemicals ε-caprolactam and δ-valerolactam. To identify biocatalysts in lactam biosynthesis, we develop a caprolactam-detecting genetic enzyme screening system (CL-GESS). The Alcaligenes faecalis regulatory protein NitR is adopted for the highly specific detection of lactam compounds against lactam biosynthetic intermediates. We further systematically optimize the genetic components of the CL-GESS to enhance sensitivity, achieving 10-fold improvement. Using this highly sensitive GESS, we screen marine metagenomes and find an enzyme that cyclizes ω-amino fatty acids to lactam. Moreover, we determine the X-ray crystal structure and catalytic residues based on mutational analysis of the cyclase. The cyclase is also used as a helper enzyme to sense intracellular ω-amino fatty acids. We expect this simple and accurate biosensor to have wide-ranging applications in rapid screening of new lactam-synthesizing enzymes and metabolic engineering for lactam bio-production. Efficient biosynthesis of lactams is still undesirable due to lacking of suitable enzyme. Here, the authors develop a sensitive transcription factor-based biosensor for high-throughput screening of marine metagenome and find a cyclase that can cyclize ω-amino fatty acids to lactam.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect and safety of intratympanic dexamethasone in pregnant women with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Methods We performed a prospective study on pregnant women who suffered from ISSNHL and were treated in our clinic during 2016. The patients received intratympanic treatment three to four times a week. A pure tone audiogram (PTA) was performed before treatment and patients were followed up until 2 months after treatment was finished. Results A total of six pregnant women were included. All of the patients tolerated intratympanic treatment well. The mean improvement in hearing was 48 ± 7.33 dB. There were no complications, including permanent perforation of the ear drum or middle ear infection. Each patient delivered a healthy newborn. Conclusion Intratympanic dexamethasone is effective and safe for treating pregnant women with ISSNHL. Further randomized, controlled studies on this treatment need to be performed.

Prior neuroimaging datasets using naturalistic listening paradigms have predominantly focused on single-talker scenarios. While these studies have been invaluable for advancing our understanding of speech and language processing in the brain, they do not capture the complexities of real-world multi-talker environments. Here, we introduce the “Le Petit Prince (LPP) Multi-talker Dataset”, a high-quality, naturalistic neuroimaging dataset featuring 40 minutes of electroencephalogram (EEG) and 7 T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) recordings from 26 native Mandarin Chinese speakers as they listened to both single-talker and multi-talker speech streams. Validation analyses conducted on both EEG and fMRI data demonstrate the dataset’s high quality and robustness. Additionally, the dataset includes detailed transcriptions and prosodic and linguistic annotations of the speech stimuli, enabling fine-grained analyses of neural responses to specific linguistic and acoustic features. The LPP Multi-talker Dataset is well-suited for addressing a wide range of research questions in cognitive neuroscience, including selective attention, auditory stream segregation, and working memory processes in naturalistic listening contexts.

Understanding the coupling mechanisms and coordinated development dynamics of the water–energy–food (WEF) system is crucial for sustainable river basin development. This study focuses on the Yellow River Basin, conducting a comprehensive analysis of the system’s coupling mechanisms and influencing factors. A structured evaluation framework is established, integrating the entropy weight–TOPSIS method, the coupling coordination degree model, and spatial correlation analysis. Empirical analysis is conducted using data from nine provinces (regions) along the Yellow River from 2003 to 2022 to assess the spatiotemporal evolution of the coupling coordination level. The Tobit regression model is employed to quantify the impact of various factors on the system’s coupling coordination degree. Results indicate that the comprehensive evaluation index of the WEF system in the Yellow River Basin exhibits an overall upward trend, with the system coupling degree remaining at a high level for an extended period, up from 0.231 to 0.375. The interdependence among the three major systems is strong (0.881–0.939), and while the coupling coordination degree has increased over time despite fluctuations, a qualitative leap has not yet been achieved. The evaluation index follows a spatial distribution pattern of midstream > downstream > upstream, characterized by a predominantly high coupling degree. However, the coordination degree frequently remains at a forced coordination level or below, with a general trend of midstream > downstream > upstream. From 2003 to 2008, a positive spatial autocorrelation was observed in the coupling and coordinated development of the WEF system across provinces, indicating a strong spatial agglomeration effect. By 2022, most provinces were clustered in “high-high” and “low-low” areas, reflecting a positive spatial correlation with minimal regional differences. Key factors positively influencing coordination include economic development levels, industrial structure upgrading, urbanization, and transportation networks, while technological innovation negatively affects the system’s coordination. Based on these findings, it is recommended to strengthen balanced economic development, optimize the layout of industrial structures, improve the inter-regional resource circulation mechanism, and promote the deep integration of technological innovation and production practices to address the bottlenecks hindering the coordinated development of the water–energy–food system. Policy recommendations are proposed to provide strategic references for the sustainable socioeconomic development of the Yellow River Basin, thereby achieving the high-quality coordinated growth of the water–energy–food system in the region.

Background Congenital microtia significantly impacts children’s psychological health, yet there has been limited focus on the effect of ear reconstruction surgery on psychological improvements, especially its pathway. This study aims to explore the role of ear appearance in improving psychological health in individuals with congenital unilateral microtia based on social identity theory, highlighting the limited understanding of the specific pathways involved in this relationship, and investigating how social function and benefit mediate the connection between ear appearance and psychological health in patients who underwent autologous cartilage ear reconstruction. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 96 patients with congenital unilateral microtia between January and June 2024 at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, along with responses to the EAR-Q and Glasgow Children’s Benefit Inventory (GCBI) questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using multiple linear regression and the PROCESS macro in SPSS. Results Mediation analysis revealed that social function and emotion mediated the relationship between ear appearance and psychological function (total effect = 0.82; direct effect = 0.21; indirect effect = 0.61). Three mediation pathways were identified: ear appearance influenced psychological function through social function, emotional benefit, and a combined effect of both. Conclusions These findings underscore the critical role of social interaction and emotional health in shaping psychological outcomes for individuals with congenital unilateral microtia following reconstruction. The results offer valuable insights for developing targeted interventions to enhance psychological well-being in this population.

Tissue engineering technology for cartilage regeneration has increasingly emerged as a preferred method for repairing cartilage defects. However, the loss of chondrocyte-specific phenotypes during in vitro expansion, commonly referred to as dedifferentiation, impedes cartilage regeneration. Current research has yet to fully elucidate this phenomenon, hindering the development of improved cartilage regeneration. Our study employed single-cell sequencing and transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing to identify biomarkers, cell lineages and cellular characteristics within auricular chondrocytes during in vitro expansion. Our results showed that lower passage (P3) chondrocytes exhibited more dedifferentiated phenotypes with increased chromatin accessibility, while higher passage (P6) chondrocytes demonstrated hypertrophic characteristics. Furthermore, we identified that increased calcium influx was closely associated with the early dedifferentiation of chondrocytes, while inhibiting calcium signaling in early dedifferentiated cell could reverse cell phenotypes and promoted cartilage regeneration. In-depth mechanism research revealed that the expression of MYC mRNA was downregulated by increased calcium influx, which subsequently reduced SOX5/SOX6 levels, important transcription factors for chondrocytes, leading to diminished extracellular matrix production and early dedifferentiation. In conclusion, we provide a comprehensive understanding of chondrocyte dedifferentiation and propose new strategies for optimizing cartilage regeneration systems. Graphical abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1064 nm neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser treatment of melanocytic nevus of the external auditory canal. Retrospective chart review of 15 patients operated by 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser in single center. Data from charts and video documentation were collected and analyzed. Between November 2017 and November 2018, 15 patients underwent 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser treatment for melanocytic nevus of the external auditory canal were analyzed in the study. The size of melanocytic nevus ranged from 4 to 8 mm in diameter. A gross total removed was achieved in all cases. Two patients received two sessions of Nd:YAG laser treatments, and the remaining thirteen patients received only one session. After laser treatment, wounds healing well and the average epithelialization time was 2.3 weeks. The mean follow-up was 12 months. There were no recurrence and adverse side effects in all cases. This research supports the use of 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser as a safe and efficacious treatment for melanocytic nevus of the external auditory canal.