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Ecdysteroids regulate molting in arthropods by binding to heterodimers of the ecdysone receptor and retinoid-X-receptor, homologous to the ultraspiracle protein, to induce the expression of downstream signal response genes including the nuclear receptor HR3. However, the detailed expression dynamics of HR3 during molting in spider mites are not yet clear. In this study, the full length of PcHR3 was retrieved based on the genome of citrus red mite, Panonychus citri. The open reading frame is 1707 bp encoding 568 amino acids, which contains a DNA binding domain and a ligand binding domain. Then, the expression pattern of PcHR3 was analyzed throughout the development of the deutonymph by RT-qPCR. The result showed that PcHR3 was mainly transcribed in the late deutonymph stage, when the deutonymph was at least 24 h old and motionless, the critical point at which the mites started molting. Transcription reached the highest level in 32-h-old deutonymphs and decreased by 36 h, where the mites remained in a quiescent state. Further silencing of PcHR3 by leaf-disc-based delivery of dsRNA to 8-h-old deutonymph mites, resulted in retarded development and death of 58% of deutonymphs. In summary, we suggest that PcHR3 regulates the latter stages of molting in P. citri.

Coarse aggregate ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC-CA) has promising application prospects due to its superior properties. However, there is currently no well-established formula or model to guide its mix design from the perspective of compressive strength control. In this study, a dataset was established through standard compressive strength tests. Feature selection methods were employed to reduce data dimensionality and to select the key factors—chosen from coarse aggregate content, maximum particle size, minimum particle size, aggregate type, and steel fiber volume fraction—that govern the compressive strength. A deterministic prediction formula, controlled by selected factors, was developed using genetic programming. Bayesian parameter regression was then applied to construct a probabilistic model, using the deterministic formula as a prior. This modeling approach enables the prediction model to simultaneously achieve accuracy, simplicity, and interpretability, while also having the capability to handle uncertainty. In addition, it provides a modeling framework that can be reproducibly applied to other studies on similar materials. After validating the accuracy of both the deterministic and probabilistic calculation formulas, the study further analyzed the interaction effects among the key factors on UHPC-CA compressive strength and their influence on the uncertainty of prediction results. The effect of coarse aggregate content on compressive strength can be described by an exponential function or approximated as linear within the studied range. The influence of steel fiber volume fraction on compressive strength is more complex, showing a combination of linear and exponential trends, reflecting that compressive strength increases rapidly at first and then more gradually with higher steel fiber content. In addition, higher predicted compressive strength of UHPC-CA is associated with greater embedded uncertainty.

Among CO 2 emission mitigation strategies, the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction represents a promising route for selective CO 2 -to-CO conversion, enabling subsequent valorization. However, designing selective and stable non-noble metal catalysts for RWGS remains a persistent challenge. In this study, we report a Ni site-induced localized accelerated carbonization process to produce noble metal-like active Ni-WC nano-islands for high-performance RWGS catalysis. Benefiting from the unique structures, the Ni 0.02 WC/WO 2 -NIs catalyst exhibits exceptionally high RWGS activities, with a CO production rate of 2340 mol CO ·mol WC -1 ·h -1 and over 97% CO selectivity. Even after 100 hours of continuous testing at 500 °C, the activity loss of Ni 0.02 WC/WO 2 -NIs was only 0.5%. Unlike the conventional catalyst structure in the RWGS reaction, we demonstrate that the nano-island WC structure with stretch strain ensures the space limitation of electron-rich Ni sites for CO desorption and H 2 dissociation. Integrated in-situ DRIFTS, Raman spectroscopy, and DFT calculations reveal that dual-functional WC/WO x interfaces enhance catalyst activity through bidentate carbonate formation and intensified hydrogen spillover. We suggest that the design of new, efficient, and selective Ni-based noble-metal-like catalysts with nano-island structure through interface synergistic effects offers a promising path to engineering superior RWGS catalysts for CO 2 reduction. Converting carbon dioxide into useful chemicals needs catalysts that are fast, selective and long-lasting. This study creates nickel–tungsten carbide nano-islands that efficiently make carbon monoxide and stay stable for 100 hours.

Purpose This study aimed to describe a peripherally inserted central catheterisation (PICC) for paediatric patients with inaccessible access and a high risk of general anaesthesia (GA). Methods: This was a retrospective observational study involving all paediatric inpatients who performed the PICC via an EJV approach without GA between September 2014 and September 2021 in a provincial key clinical speciality. Results: A total of 290 EJV line placement attempts were performed, and 29 were excluded due to missing placement results, resulting in a sample size of 261. The anatomical localisation, punctures, and catheterisation success rates for this practice were 100%, 100%, and 90.04%, respectively. The placement success rate in children younger than one year was 93.75% (45/48). The median line duration of use was 19 days, with a median length of catheter insertion of 13 cm. The most common complications were catheter malposition (n = 20) and dislodgement (n = 7). Conclusion: The PICC via an EJV approach without GA is a feasible and safe practice with acceptable success and complication rates, and low costs. It might be an attractive alternative for obtaining central vascular access for paediatric patients.