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Cu–Cu direct bonding using electroplated ultrafine-grain Cu (107.24 nm) was studied in air at 110–150 °C. Unstable grain boundaries enabled ultrafast grain growth across the bonding interface, analyzed via coincidence site lattice (CSL) boundaries using EBSD. Above 125 °C, the Σ3 boundary length exceeded 40%, while below 120 °C it rapidly declined, transforming into Σ27a, indicating a critical transition dominated by the {115} plane. A temperature–time-dependent grain growth model was developed, incorporating CSL effects. Simulations showed grain evolution and timing of CSL boundary formation, with transition times from 316 to 190 s as temperature increased.

This prospective study investigated how exercise impacted chronological changes in anthropometrics, body composition, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and prognostic nutrition index (PNI) in high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The patients were divided into either the usual care or exercise group. All patients received measurements a week before ADT initiation, six- and twelve months after treatment. The exercise group received both aerobic and resistance training. The analysis was conducted using appropriate statistical methods. There were 45 males enrolled (age 67.4 ± 8 years and BMI 25.5 ± 3.6 kg/m2). Profound changes were observed at six months follow-up. The exercise group showed a significant increase in the trunk and leg lean mass, and a lesser loss of total and arm lean mass. A significant decrease in PSA was also observed among the exercise group. PNI and PSA were significantly associated with regional lean mass. Exercise can prevent loss or even increase lean mass in high-risk PCa, especially in the early stage of ADT treatment. Moreover, a strong bond between lean mass and PNI and PSA further underscores the importance of early and continuous exercise interventions.

Pathological erythrocyte aggregation reduces capillary perfusion and oxygen transfer to tissue, which is determined by the negative surface charge on the erythrocyte membrane (intrinsic aggregability) and fibrinogen–erythrocyte interaction (extrinsic factor). Exercise-induced oxidative stress is important for rheological adaptation to training but may also cause erythrocyte senescence. This study clarifies the effects of hypoxic exercise training on intrinsic/extrinsic factors of aggregation. In total, 60 healthy sedentary males were randomly assigned to either hypoxic (HE; FIO2 = 0.15) or normoxic exercise training (NE; FIO2 = 0.21) groups for 30 min·d−1, 5 d·wk−1 for 6 weeks at 60 % of the maximum work rate or to a control group (CTL). A hypoxia exercise test (HET, FIO2 = 0.12) was performed before and after the intervention. Erythrocyte aggregation was assessed by ektacytometry, and fibrinogen binding affinity and senescence biomarkers were assessed by flow cytometry. An acute 12% oxygen HET significantly enhanced erythrocyte global aggregation through intrinsic aggregability. Resting aggregation is promoted by both intrinsic aggregability and fibrinogen binding probability and force after HE, whereas NE is mainly associated with ameliorated fibrinogen–erythrocyte interactions. The HET still facilitated global aggregation after HE because of the augmented fibrinogen-related factors, even though the intrinsic factor was suppressed. Additionally, HE further increased reticulocyte counts while reducing the expression of CD47 and CD147. Resting aggregability is promoted by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors after HE, whereas NE is mainly associated with an ameliorated affinity for fibrinogen. Although an accelerated turnover rate was observed, HE further led to erythrocyte senescence.

A photomosaic is an image with two layers of visual information, including an overarching image that can be seen from a distance and a matrix of individual tile images when examined closely. This paper presents a method for generating photomosaics with an additional layer of quick response code (QR code) information that can be accessed by typical QR code scanners in cell phones. The basic idea is to carefully classify the tile images in different categories and generate the photomosaic patches by referring to the properties of QR code modules. Three levels of construction methods for generating the proposed photomosaics in different image resolutions are proposed. The results show that the generated photomosaics have good visual quality and high robustness for decoding the QR code. The proposed method endows conventional photomosaics with the QR code capability. It extends photomosaics from exhibiting purely visual information to the linkage of multimedia data. Furthermore, it increases the feasibility and potential of applying photomosaics in diverse applications, such as activity promotions or commercial product advertisements.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a variety of viewpoints to illustrate the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges, which is validated by a symmetrical structure. Design/methodology/approach - Based on the smooth and convergent bridge shapes obtained by the initial shape analysis, the one-element cable system (OECS) and multi-element cable system (MECS) models of the symmetric harp cable-stayed bridge are developed to verify the applicability of the analytical model and numerical formulation from the field observations in the authors' previous work. For this purpose, the modal analyses of the two finite element models are conducted to calculate the natural frequency and normalized mode shape of the individual modes of the bridge. The modal coupling assessment is also performed to obtain the generalized mass ratios among the structural components for each mode of the bridge. Findings - The findings indicate that the coupled modes are attributed to the frequency loci veering and mode localization when the \"pure\" deck-tower frequency and the \"pure\" stay cable frequency approach one another, implying that the mode shapes of such coupled modes are simply different from those of the deck-tower system or stay cables alone. The distribution of the generalized mass ratios between the deck-tower system and stay cables are useful indices for quantitatively assessing the degree of coupling for each mode. For each identical group of stay cables in the MECS model, the local modes with similar natural frequencies and normalized mode shapes consist of the participation of one or more stay cables. These results are demonstrated to fully understand the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges. Originality/value - It is important to investigate the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shape of a cable-stayed bridge. This is because such initial shape not only reasonably provides the geometric configuration as well as the prestress distribution of the bridge under the weight of the deck-tower system and the pretension forces in the stay cables, but also definitely ensures the satisfaction of the relations for the equilibrium conditions, boundary conditions and architectural design requirements. However, few researchers have studied the deck-stay interaction considering the initial shape effect. The objective of this paper is to fully understand the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges, which is validated by a symmetrical structure. The modal coupling assessment is also performed for quantitatively assessing the degree of coupling for each mode of the bridge.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a variety of viewpoints to illustrate the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges, which is validated by a symmetrical structure. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the smooth and convergent bridge shapes obtained by the initial shape analysis, the one-element cable system (OECS) and multi-element cable system (MECS) models of the symmetric harp cable-stayed bridge are developed to verify the applicability of the analytical model and numerical formulation from the field observations in the authors’ previous work. For this purpose, the modal analyses of the two finite element models are conducted to calculate the natural frequency and normalized mode shape of the individual modes of the bridge. The modal coupling assessment is also performed to obtain the generalized mass ratios among the structural components for each mode of the bridge. Findings – The findings indicate that the coupled modes are attributed to the frequency loci veering and mode localization when the “pure” deck-tower frequency and the “pure” stay cable frequency approach one another, implying that the mode shapes of such coupled modes are simply different from those of the deck-tower system or stay cables alone. The distribution of the generalized mass ratios between the deck-tower system and stay cables are useful indices for quantitatively assessing the degree of coupling for each mode. For each identical group of stay cables in the MECS model, the local modes with similar natural frequencies and normalized mode shapes consist of the participation of one or more stay cables. These results are demonstrated to fully understand the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges. Originality/value – It is important to investigate the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shape of a cable-stayed bridge. This is because such initial shape not only reasonably provides the geometric configuration as well as the prestress distribution of the bridge under the weight of the deck-tower system and the pretension forces in the stay cables, but also definitely ensures the satisfaction of the relations for the equilibrium conditions, boundary conditions and architectural design requirements. However, few researchers have studied the deck-stay interaction considering the initial shape effect. The objective of this paper is to fully understand the mechanism of the deck-stay interaction with the appropriate initial shapes of cable-stayed bridges, which is validated by a symmetrical structure. The modal coupling assessment is also performed for quantitatively assessing the degree of coupling for each mode of the bridge.

An HPLC method using normal phase column eluted with an aqueous solvent and detected by fluorescence was applied to analyze sulpiride concentrations in plasma samples obtained from a comparative pharmacokinetic study. This comparative study was conducted to determine the bioequivalence of two tablet products (Dogmatyl and Sulpin) containing sulpiride on 12 normal healthy Chinese male volunteers in a single-dose, two-period, two-sequence, two-treatment crossover design. The pharmacokinetic parameters, AUC0-last, AUC0-inf, and Cmax, were calculated from plasma data and compared using the SAS General Linear Model computer program. A two one-sided t distribution test was also performed, as well as the 90% confidence interval method, to determine the mean difference of these three pharmacokinetic parameters. The results suggest that these two sulpiride tablet products are bioequivalent when orally administered in a 400 mg single dose of two tablets.

This report describes a fast, simple and reliable HPLC method for the assay and quantitative determination of calcium pantothenate in commercial products. The samples were analyzed on a C18 column with the mobile phase of acetonitrile and potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution (adjusted pH = 2.5 with phosphoric acid) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and UV absorbance detection at 204 nm. Ampicillin was used as an internal standard. The retention times of calcium pantothenate and ampicillin were 5.3 and 6.5 min, respectively. An equation was presented for linear relationship between peak height ratios of calcium pantothenate to ampicillin and the calcium pantothenate concentration over a range of 10-50 mg/mL (r = 0.9999). Standard addition recoveries were greater than 98.96% with twelve commercial products. The relative standard deviations were between 0.1 and 0.9% in inter-day assays, 0.1 and 0.7% in intra-day assays. The results obtained from the HPLC assay method which we developed and the microbiological assay of USP were paired at 95% confidence level. There were no significant differences between these two methods. The proposed HPLC method was a suitable substitute for microbiological method for quantitative assays of calcium pantothenate in commercial products

Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) encompasses persistent neurological symptoms, including olfactory and autonomic dysfunction. Here, we report chronic neurological dysfunction in mice infected with a virulent mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 that does not infect the brain. Long after recovery from nasal infection, we observed loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in olfactory bulb glomeruli and neurotransmitter levels in the substantia nigra (SN) persisted. Vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons in these brain areas was accompanied by increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and neurobehavioral changes. RNAseq analysis unveiled persistent microglia activation, as found in human neurodegenerative diseases. Early treatment with antivirals (nirmatrelvir and molnupiravir) reduced virus titers and lung inflammation but failed to prevent neurological abnormalities, as observed in patients. Together these results show that chronic deficiencies in neuronal function in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice are not directly linked to ongoing olfactory epithelium dysfunction. Rather, they bear similarity with neurodegenerative disease, the vulnerability of which is exacerbated by chronic inflammation.