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Drawing inspiration from cohesive integration of skeletal muscles and sensory skins in vertebrate animals, we present a design strategy of soft robots, primarily consisting of an electronic skin (e-skin) and an artificial muscle. These robots integrate multifunctional sensing and on-demand actuation into a biocompatible platform using an in-situ solution-based method. They feature biomimetic designs that enable adaptive motions and stress-free contact with tissues, supported by a battery-free wireless module for untethered operation. Demonstrations range from a robotic cuff for detecting blood pressure, to a robotic gripper for tracking bladder volume, an ingestible robot for pH sensing and on-site drug delivery, and a robotic patch for quantifying cardiac function and delivering electrotherapy, highlighting the application versatilities and potentials of the bio-inspired soft robots. Our designs establish a universal strategy with a broad range of sensing and responsive materials, to form integrated soft robots for medical technology and beyond. Integrating sensing and actuation capabilities in soft robots is crucial for advancements in medical diagnostics and targeted therapies. Zhang et al. developed bio-inspired sensory robots with multifunctionality for minimally invasive medical procedures.

Pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) poses significant economic challenges to the pigeon industry in China. However, information about the prevalence, genetic diversity, and epidemiology of PPMV-1 in China is still lacking. In this study, we isolated six strains of PPMV-1 from Hubei and Zhejiang provinces in 2022. All six isolates were found to belong to subgenotype VI.2.1.1.2.2. Five of them were identified as mesogenic and one as lentogenic. Multiple mutations were observed in the F and HN proteins of these isolates. Comprehensive analysis of global PPMV-1 strains highlighted the dominance of genotype VI, showing that VI.2.1.1.2.2 has been the dominant subgenotype since 2011. We also identified 36 host-specific amino acid substitutions that are unique to PPMV-1 in comparison to chicken-origin NDVs. The data reported here contribute to our understanding of the epidemiology, genetic diversity, and prevalence of PPMV-1 and serve as a valuable reference for the prevention and control of PPMV-1.

Background: Metabolomics can offer vital information into a cancer’s condition. Despite its potential, research on the metabolites linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) remains limited. From a cell molecular biomechanics perspective, understanding these metabolite associations can offer a deeper understanding of the disease’s underlying mechanisms. We performed Mendelian randomisation (MR) analyses to investigate causal associations between 486 blood metabolites and CRC. Methods: Data on blood metabolites were derived from a Genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 7824 Europeans. Additionally, summary statistics for CRC were sourced from the FinnGen consortium database. To explore the causal relationship between CRC and blood metabolites, we primarily utilized the inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis. Supplementary analyses incorporated MR-Egger and weighted median methods to ensure the robustness of our findings. The potential for pleiotropic effects was evaluated using the Cochran’s Q test and the MR-Egger intercept test. Furthermore, colocalization analyses were performed to ascertain whether the observed associations were influenced by specific genetic loci within the genomic region. Results: The results of this study indicated significant associations between eight metabolites: Indolelactate (OR = 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26–1.66, p = 0.007), 1-heptadecanoylglycerophosphocholine (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 0.10–0.54, p = 0.005), 1-stearoylglycerophosphocholine (OR = 3.47, 95% CI: 0.65–1.84, p = 0.00005) , X-11792 (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: −0.94–−0.17, p = 0.005), X-12038 (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: −1.50–−0. 12, p = 0.021), X-12212 (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 0.10–1.25, p = 0. 022), X-14056 (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: −1.28–−0.12, p = 0.018) , X-14745 (OR 0.41, 95% CI: −1.48–−0.31, p = 0.003) and CRC. These metabolites might play roles in altering the mechanical properties of cells in the colon. They could potentially affect the cytoskeletal structure, cell membrane fluidity, or the way cells interact with the extracellular matrix. Conclusion: The eight identified blood metabolites with causative influence on CRC provide valuable clues for understanding CRC from a cell molecular biomechanics angle, which can further aid in its screening, prevention, and treatment strategies.

In order to understand the NO2 sensing mechanism, YSZ-based (Y2O3-doped ZrO2 electrolyte) potentiometric sensors with varying WO3 sensing electrode thickness were investigated. The NO2 sensing performances were evaluated at 500 °C, 550 °C and 600 °C. All sensors showed linear relationships between voltage response and NO2 concentration. The sensor with moderate WO3-SE thickness (34.9 μm) exhibited higher sensitivity than any other sensors with thinner or thicker WO3-SE. This behavior was attributed to different gas adsorption sites and a different degree of catalytic decomposition of NO2 to NO occurring at the WO3 (Pt)/YSZ interface.

In this paper, firstly, we show the existence of a compact embedded constant mean curvature (CMC) hypersurface \\(\\Sigma_1\\) in \\(\\mathbb{S}^{2n}\\) of the type \\(S^{n-1} \\times S^{n-1} \\times S^{1}\\). Moreover, the hypersurface \\(\\Sigma_1\\) exhibits \\(O(n)\\times O(n)\\) symmetry. Secondly, we show that there exists a compact embedded CMC-hypersurface \\(\\Sigma_2 \\subset \\mathbb{S}^{3n-1}\\) of the type \\(S^{n-1} \\times S^{n-1} \\times S^{n-1} \\times S^{1}\\). These results generalize the results of Carlotto and Schulz.

The shared steering control (SSC) system is a solution for safe driving before achieving fully autonomous driving, however, its overall stability is easily affected by the driver characteristics. This paper investigates the problem of the design method for the SSC system to improve the overall stability of the system. The design method consists of three core contents: the SSC overall stability condition analysis, the drivers’ driving characteristic analysis, and the design condition of the controller obtaining. On this basis, a nonlinear controller is designed considering the control objectives comprehensively. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by simulation and experiment. The results show that the designed SSC system based on the proposed method can remain stable when the driver characteristics are poor. In addition, the designed system can effectively improve the path-tracking performance and stability of the vehicle, reduce human–machine conflict, and reduce the operating load of the driver and the workload of the controller. This research can improve SSC system stability, thereby contributing to the enhancement of system reliability and driving safety.

Rapid industrialization has led to a substantial increase in waste salts containing Na2SO4/NaCl mixtures, posing significant challenges for their phase separation and resource recovery. This study pioneers an integrated process combining frozen crystallization with stepwise decompression evaporation for Na2SO4/NaCl separation. Through the systematic investigation of phase transition behaviors under varying ionic ratios, the optimal combined processes corresponding to mixed salts with different compositions were identified. The experimental results demonstrate that brines with NaCl > 80.0% should preferentially undergo vacuum evaporation, while those below this threshold are suitable for prioritizing frozen crystallization for Na2SO4 recovery. Utilizing the complementary advantages of both processes, the mixture was prepared with a mass ratio of NaCl to Na2SO4 of 3:1. The frozen crystallization of the brine yielded 90.0% pure Na2SO4 crystals while concentrating NaCl to 92.0% in the residual liquor. Subsequent stepwise evaporation yielded 98.5% pure NaCl crystals. Finally, the removal effect and lifecycle evaluation of the process for impurity ions provide new insights for the zero liquid discharge system in industrial waste salt management.

Hyperlipidemia is a common metabolic disorder and regarded as one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The gut microbiota has been identified as a potential contributor to hyperlipidemia as it can greatly regulate bile acid metabolism. Linderae radix is a natural medicine widely used in the treatment of a variety of diseases and is also a common drug for hyperlipidemia. Recently, the lipid-lowering effect of Linderae radix are receiving increasing attention but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The study aimed to investigate the effects of Linderae radix ethanol extract (LREE) on gut microbiota in rats with hyperlipidemia syndrome. We established a hyperlipidemia rat model using a high-fat diet and used LREE as the intervention. Blood lipid levels and pathological examination were measured to assess the effects of LREE on hyperlipidemia. The gut microbiota was determined by 16s rDNA sequencing and the bile acid metabolism-related proteins were detected by western blot to discover the underlying correlations. The results show that LREE lowered TC, TG, and LDL levels effectively, and it also alleviated liver injury by reducing ALT and AST activity. Meanwhile, LREE improved gut microbiota disturbance caused by HFD via increasing intestinal microbiota diversity and changing the abundance of the Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. In addition, LREE can increase bile acid reabsorption and promote fecal excretion through farnesoid X receptor (FXR), apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT), organic solute transporter alpha (OST-α), and cytochrome P450 family 7 Subfamily A Member 1 (CYP7A1) thus restoring abnormal bile acid metabolism caused by hyperlipidemia.

Eastern China has suffered from severe photochemical O3 (ozone) pollution in recent years. In this coastal region, the atmospheric environment can be influenced by sea spray aerosols (SSAs) from marine emissions. However, the extent and mechanisms by which SSA affects O3 formation remain incompletely understood. Here, using the WRF-CMAQ model, this study investigates the comprehensive effect of SSA on radical chemistry and O3 formation in the lower troposphere across four seasons. SSA (over 50 % of which is particulate chlorine) can reach further inland through an atmospheric “bridge” aloft, interacting with the nitrogen-containing gases from continental anthropogenic emissions to reduce NOx levels and release Cl radicals. The NOx reduction increases O3 in volatile organic compound (VOC)-limited regions while decreasing it in NOx-limited zones. Elevated Cl radicals enhance VOC degradation and O3 formation during morning hours. Meanwhile, the scattering properties of SSA reduce daytime O3 formation by diminishing photolysis rates. Due to the contrasting effect of SSA via different mechanisms, the response of O3 varies seasonally and geographically. In winter, SSA increases O3 in eastern China due to the dominant effect of NOx reduction in VOC-limited regions. In spring and autumn, similar effects occur in the North China Plain, whereas southern China sees a decrease due to NOx reduction in the NOx-limited region and reduced photolysis rates. In summer, O3 increases are observed only around Bohai, with reductions elsewhere driven by NOx reductions in NOx-limited regions and decreased photolysis. This study highlights the important, varying, but previously unreported role of SSAs in shaping tropospheric photochemistry over eastern China.