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The growth of the digital economy has created new forms of inequality of opportunity. This paper studies whether the development of the digital economy expands the income gap between urban and rural areas from theoretical and empirical. The research based on the panel data of 202 cities from 2011 to 2019 in China shows that: (1) Although the digital economy can promote the improvement of both urban and rural absolute income levels, it has a greater positive impact on urban residents’ income levels than on rural residents’, resulting in a widening of the urban-rural income gap. (2) The analysis of the action mechanism reveals that employment in the information service industry and the depth of digital finance use are two crucial mechanisms for the digital economy to widen the income gap between urban and rural areas. (3) The spatial Durbin model(SDM) and the spatial error model(SEM) based on three spatial weight matrices show that the impact of the digital economy on the urban-rural income gap is also characterized by spatial spillover, and the development of the digital economy will also have a negative impact on the urban-rural income gap in neighboring regions as well. (4) The main conclusions still hold after the robustness of quasi-natural experiments based on the strategy of \"Broadband China\" and the selection of historical data as instrumental variables. This research is helpful to understand the effects, mechanisms and spatial characteristics of digital economy on urban-rural income gap.

Vegetation plays a crucial role in river hydrodynamic processes, and the accurate prediction of canopy drag force is essential for effective river management and ecosystem protection. The interactions within the vegetation canopies must be quantified to understand their impact on drag force. Through a series of flume experiments, we conducted an investigation into the canopy interaction mechanism of rigid emergent aquatic vegetation, particularly focusing on the blockage and sheltering effects. Our experimental design includes various combinations of lateral and longitudinal spacing, as well as special single‐row and single‐column arrangements. This allowed us to provide a more precise understanding of how lateral and longitudinal spacing affect the blockage and sheltering effects. Furthermore, we introduced a unified reference velocity that combines two effects, based on which we have established a widely applicable drag model that can predict drag under various density conditions. Lastly, we proposed a critical characteristic value for quantifying drag. This value is instrumental in revealing the ultimate performance of drag under different spacing arrangements. The findings provide a reliable approach for predicting drag in rigid emergent vegetation canopies, significantly enhancing our understanding of vegetation's influence on hydrodynamic processes and offering a practical tool for river management and ecosystem protection. Key Points Investigate the canopy drag under varied lateral and longitudinal spacing configurations Propose new reference velocities for accurately capturing the blockage and sheltering effects respectively Develop a unified drag prediction model and elucidate the drag performance under different densities

Macrophage-myofibroblast transformation (MMT) transforms macrophages into myofibroblasts in a specific inflammation or injury microenvironment. MMT is an essential biological process in fibrosis-related diseases involving the lung, heart, kidney, liver, skeletal muscle, and other organs and tissues. This process consists of interacting with various cells and molecules and activating different signal transduction pathways. This review deeply discussed the molecular mechanism of MMT, clarified crucial signal pathways, multiple cytokines, and growth factors, and formed a complex regulatory network. Significantly, the critical role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and its downstream signaling pathways in this process were clarified. Furthermore, we discussed the significance of MMT in physiological and pathological conditions, such as pulmonary fibrosis and cardiac fibrosis. This review provides a new perspective for understanding the interaction between macrophages and myofibroblasts and new strategies and targets for the prevention and treatment of MMT in fibrotic diseases.

Taxifolin is a flavonoid compound, originally isolated from the bark of Douglas fir trees, which is often found in foods such as onions and olive oil, and is also used in commercial preparations, and has attracted the interest of nutritionists and medicinal chemists due to its broad range of health-promoting effects. It is a powerful antioxidant with excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and other pharmacological activities. This review focuses on the breakthroughs in taxifolin for the treatment of diseases from 2019 to 2022 according to various systems of the human body, such as the nervous system, immune system, and digestive system, and on the basis of this review, we summarize the problems of current research and try to suggest solutions and future research directions.

There is currently a significant worldwide interest in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs), not least for the reason that their realisation and implementation would transform the nature of transportation and provide new impetus for social and economic change. However, the road to support CAVs has not been well prepared, at the risk of leaving potential barriers to CAVs deployment. This paper, therefore, focuses on the gap between current status and future requirements of CAV-compliant road infrastructures, summarizes the possibilities of upgrades, and proposes a three-phase road infrastructure upgrade plan that evolves over time. The first phase is maintenance, followed by a segregated-infrastructure expansion phase leading to phase three which involves the application of simplified standard. The paper is based on an extensive literature review and evidence synthesis and is intended as a stimulus for future study and further debate. For objectiveness, the proposal is general but would need to be refined, when put into practice, to cater for specific implementation contexts.

HighlightsThe ultrathin nickel metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets in situ interpenetrated by functional carboxylated carbon nanotubes (C-CNTs) were successfully constructed. The incorporated C-CNTs effectively adjust the layer thickness of Ni-MOF nanosheets.The integrated hybrid MOF nanosheets delivered the boosted electrochemical performances and exhibited superior specific capacity of 680 C g−1 at 1 A g−1.The controllable construction of two-dimensional (2D) metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets with favorable electrochemical performances is greatly challenging for energy storage. Here, we design an in situ induced growth strategy to construct the ultrathin carboxylated carbon nanotubes (C-CNTs) interpenetrated nickel MOF (Ni-MOF/C-CNTs) nanosheets. The deliberate thickness and specific surface area of novel 2D hybrid nanosheets can be effectively tuned via finely controlling C-CNTs involvement. Due to the unique microstructure, the integrated 2D hybrid nanosheets are endowed with plentiful electroactive sites to promote the electrochemical performances greatly. The prepared Ni-MOF/C-CNTs nanosheets exhibit superior specific capacity of 680 C g−1 at 1 A g−1 and good capacity retention. The assembled hybrid device demonstrated the maximum energy density of 44.4 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 440 W kg−1. Our novel strategy to construct ultrathin 2D MOF with unique properties can be extended to synthesize various MOF-based functional materials for diverse applications.

Dietary microRNAs have been shown to be absorbed by mammals and regulate host gene expression, but the absorption mechanism remains unknown. Here, we show that SIDT1 expressed on gastric pit cells in the stomach is required for the absorption of dietary microRNAs. SIDT1-deficient mice show reduced basal levels and impaired dynamic absorption of dietary microRNAs. Notably, we identified the stomach as the primary site for dietary microRNA absorption, which is dramatically attenuated in the stomachs of SIDT1-deficient mice. Mechanistic analyses revealed that the uptake of exogenous microRNAs by gastric pit cells is SIDT1 and low-pH dependent. Furthermore, oral administration of plant-derived miR2911 retards liver fibrosis, and this protective effect was abolished in SIDT1-deficient mice. Our findings reveal a major mechanism underlying the absorption of dietary microRNAs, uncover an unexpected role of the stomach and shed light on developing small RNA therapeutics by oral delivery.

Electronic components with tunable resistance, especially with synergistic regulation of thermal conductivity, play important roles in the fields of electronics, smart switch, soft robots, and so on. However, it is still a challenge to get the material with various resistance and thermal conductivity stably without lasting external force. Herein, a liquid metal shape memory polymer foam (LM‐SMF) is developed by loading electrically and thermally conductive liquid metal (LM) on deformable foam skeleton. Based on thermal response shape memory effect, the foam skeleton can be reversibly pressed, the process of which enables LM to transfer between connected and disconnected states. As a result, obtained LM‐SMF shows that the resistance stably changes from 0.8 Ω (conductor) to 200 MΩ (insulator), and the thermal conductivity difference is up to 4.71 times (0.108 to 0.509 W m−1 K−1), which indicates that LM‐SMF can achieve the electrical and thermal dual‐regulation. Moreover, LM‐SMF can be used as a designable self‐feedback/‐warning integrated smart switch or tunable infrared stealth switch. This work proposes a novel strategy to get the material with electrical–thermal coordinated dual‐regulation, which is possibly applied in intelligent heating system with real‐time monitoring function, electrothermal sensor in the future. A liquid metal shape memory polymer foam (LM‐SMF) is reported, which can achieve dual‐regulation of electrical/thermal conductivity based on unique capacities of LM and shape memory effect. LM‐SMF is used as a designable self‐feedback/‐warning integrated smart switch or tunable infrared stealth switch, and can also be applied as electrothermal sensor with real‐time monitoring function in the future.

Background Various endoscopic and interventional techniques have been employed in the management of benign colorectal strictures (BCS), but the optimal treatment strategy has not been established. In this real-world study, we divided the patients into four groups based on different treatment regimens: large balloon first (LB group), small balloon first (SB group), stent first (Stent group), and endoscopic incision first (EI group). Purpose We aimed to compare the difference in the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of each method to explore the possible optimal therapeutic strategy. Methods A total of 76 patients with BCS were retrospectively studied between October 2012 and February 2025. In the LB group, 15 patients were treated by means of large balloon (diameter: 20–26 mm) dilation first, while in the SB group 32 patients underwent dilation with small balloon (diameter: 10–18 mm) dilation first. Seventeen patients in the Stent group preferred stent placement as the first treatment, while 12 patients in the EI group preferred endoscopic incision, with or without balloon dilation. The technical and clinical success, number of treatment sessions, complications, disease-free time intervals, and the hospitalization cost were evaluated and compared. Results The technical success rates range from 71.4% to 92.3%. Recurrence of stricture and colorectal perforation were the main reasons for technical failures. After dilation, stricture length and stricture rates decreased significant, and stricture diameter increased significant in LB Group ( P  < 0.0001). Mild bleeding and abdominal pain were the common minor complications occurred in either group. Colorectal perforations occurred in 6 dilations: 2 (7.7%) in the LB group, 3 (5.3%) in the SB group and 1 (2.2%) in the EI group ( P  = 0.2629), respectively. Stent-related complications were observed in 8 patients (47.1%) and 13 sessions (44.8%) in the Stent group. A total of 29 patients (38.2%) were clinically cured: 7 (46.7%) in the LB group, 16 (50.0%) in the SB group, 3 (17.6%) in the Stent group and 3 (25.0%) in the EI group ( P  = 0.1223), respectively. More treatment sessions and more hospitalization cost were observed in the Stent group ( P  < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the number of hospitalization, treatment duration, or median interval to recurrence among the four groups. Conclusion Balloon dilation, stenting and endoscopic incision are safe and effective methods for the treatment of BCS. However, stent placement first with/without dilation, associated with more treatment sessions, increased hospitalization cost and stent-related complications, should not be the preferred treatment for BCS, primarily anastomotic BCS.

Objective White spot lesions (WSLs), the earliest evidence of enamel demineralization, are considered amenable to intervention to achieve a remineralized or arrested state of caries. The management of WSLs is quite challenging, and there is no definitive cure as yet. We performed a network meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of seven therapies for WSLs and gave a hierarchy of them. Materials and methods We systematically searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases (last search: July 2022) to identify all relevant studies. We limited our search to studies published in English. Randomized controlled designed in vitro/clinical trials related to the efficacy of the seven therapies for WSLs were included. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers. The risk of bias (ROB) 2.0 tool from Cochrane and a previous in vitro methodological tool will be used for the quality assessment. Variations in quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF), laser fluorescence (LF), and lesions area were the primary outcome measures. Standard mean difference (SMD) was used as the effect size for the Network meta-analysis (NMA). Consistency and inconsistency tests were conducted. The hierarchy of 7 treatment effects was evaluated using surface probabilities under cumulative ranking (SUCRA). Publication bias was evaluated using a bias plot. Results Forty-two articles were included in the systematic review. Thirty-one of them, with a total of 1906 participants, were included in the network meta-analysis. The studies owned a low and moderate risk of bias. This analysis does not suffer from significant inconsistency. The difference between 4 groups ‘self-assembled peptide (SAP) P11-4’, ‘P11-4 + Fluoride Varnish (FV)’, ‘Resin Infiltration (RI)’, ‘casein phosphor peptides-amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP)’ and the 'Control' group was found to be statistically significant. Compared to the ‘FV’ and ‘casein phosphor peptides-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP)’ groups, the ‘P11-4 + FV” group and ‘RI” group made a significant difference. The hierarchy was evident in the SUCRA values of 7 therapies. P11-4 + FV and RI were considered effective therapies compared to the control group or the FV group (gold standard group). Conclusions The available evidence suggests that resin infiltration and P11-4 in combination with fluoride varnish had advantages over gold standard (FV). The effect of tricalcium phosphate-based drugs and fluoride is not very noticeable. Overall, drugs based on P11-4 and resin infiltration will be better therapies. Using more than two drugs in combination also would increase efficacy.