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ObjectiveThe plant canopy, plant roots, and biological soil crusts play important roles in soil detachment by overland flow. This study aims to quantify and analyze the effects of the plant canopy, plant roots, and soil crust on soil detachment via in situ experiments.Materials and methodsTwo typical dominant species, Bothriochloa ischaemum (Linn.) Keng (an herb) and Sophora davidii (Franch.) Skeel (a shrub) on the Loess Plateau, China, were selected. Four treatments were denoted T0 (bare land), T1 (canopy + root + crust), T2 (root + crust), and T3 (root) and subjected to flow scouring with a discharge of 5 L min−1 on a 20° slope.Results and discussionThe soil detachment rate (SDr) in all treatments decreased sharply in the first 3 min due to changes in the internal force of the soil particles. As the effects of the canopy, roots, and soil crust were subsequently superimposed, the SDr decreased by 87.42–93.42% compared with that of the bare land. The plant canopy, roots, and soil crust contributed 8.57–9.54%, 92.36–95.27%, and −1.90 to −3.84% of the soil detachment reduction (SDR), respectively. Additionally, the naturally restored herb roots decreased soil detachment by flowing water more significantly than shrub roots in the study area.ConclusionsThe effects of canopy, roots, and soil crust on SDr in grassland were similar to those in shrubland. Roots played a crucial role in strengthening soil resistance to detachment. Although shrubland had a greater effect on soil detachment reduction than grassland, herbs are strongly recommended for reducing soil erodibility due to the greater erosion-reducing potential of roots and their drought resistance on the Loess Plateau.

ObjectiveRoots can effectively reduce soil detachment. However, the dynamics of different root effects on soil detachment with root growth time are not clearly understood. Therefore, our objectives were to characterize the dynamics of soil detachment with root growth time and compare the effectiveness of roots of different types and planting densities on soil detachment.Materials and methodsA laboratory experiment was conducted to quantify and elucidate the effect of fibrous ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) roots and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) taproots on soil detachment, with two planting densities at 4 different growth stages. Root parameters, soil properties, and the soil detachment rate (with a flow discharge of 3 L min−1 for 15 min on a 15° slope) were measured at days 28, 56, 84, and 112.Results and discussionRoot parameters increased with root growth time, and the fibrous roots varied more significantly than taproots. Soil bulk density decreased with root growth time, while the contents of soil organic matter and water-stable aggregates increased with root growth time. The effect of fibrous roots on soil properties was significantly greater than that of taproots. The absolute soil detachment rate and relative soil detachment rate from fibrous roots decreased by 53.35% and 51.98% from days 28 to 112 respectively, but those from taproots did not change significantly. Soil detachment under high-density cultivation was lower than that under low-density cultivation at the early growth stage but inversely later. Soil detachment decreased exponentially with root parameters, and the equation of root parameters and soil detachment in RL (ryegrass with a low planting density) best explained the soil detachment variation (91.3–96.1%).ConclusionsPlants with fibrous roots had greater effect on soil detachment reduction than those with taproots. Treatments with high planting density had a more significant influence on soil detachment reduction than did those with low planting density at the early growth stage, but the opposite was true later. This experiment helped to explain the mechanism and process of root growth affecting soil detachment and provided a fundamental basis for erosion management practices.

It is still a challenge to detect the useful signals under chaotic noise background with effective methods. Difficults such as suppression of useful signals, large computation and low sensitivity commonly exist the new method based on the nonlinear characteristics of signals, such as neural network method, and traditional methods. On the contrast, The extreme learning machine has advantages of strong nonlinear approximation, simple structure, high precision, fast learning and training speed, etc. On this basis, this paper proposes a method of utilizing extreme learning machine based on least square to get the output weight, in order to train the model to detect the weak pulse signal.

This study aimed to investigate the distribution of pathogenic microorganisms in diabetic foot infections (DFIs) and develop a nomogram to predict DFIs. It included 136 diabetic foot (DF) patients hospitalized at Henan University Huaihe Hospital from November 2020 to November 2024, with 86 (63.23%) having confirmed infections. Infections were predominantly caused by Gram-positive cocci (54.65%) and Gram-negative bacilli (43.02%). The nomogram incorporated age, C-reactive protein (CRP), Wagner grade, lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD), and peripheral neuropathy (PN). The predictive model exhibited robust discriminatory capacity, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.803 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.735–0.878) with internal cross-validation stability (AUC = 0.804). Goodness-of-fit was confirmed by the Hosmer–Lemeshow test (χ 2  = 5.014, p  = 0.756), with excellent net benefit shown by decision curve analysis. Our findings indicate a high infection rate in DF patients, mainly caused by Gram-positive cocci . The nomogram incorporating age, CRP, Wagner grade, LEAD, and PN parameters enables rapid DFIs screening, facilitating timely antibiotic initiation through early infection detection to enhance clinical management.

Metabolic reprogramming is the survival rule of tumor cells, and tumor cells can meet their high metabolic requirements by changing the energy metabolism mode. Metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells is an important biochemical basis of tumor malignant phenotypes. Ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) is abnormally expressed in a variety of tumors and plays an important role in the proliferation, invasion, and migration of tumor cells. However, the role of Rac1 in tumor metabolic reprogramming is still unclear. Herein, we revealed that Rac1 was highly expressed in colon cancer tissues and cell lines. Rac1 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of colon cancer cells by upregulating SOX9, which as a transcription factor can directly bind to the promoters of HK2 and G6PD genes and regulate their transcriptional activity. Rac1 upregulates the expression of SOX9 through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, Rac1 can promote glycolysis and the activation of the pentose phosphate pathway in colon cancer cells by mediating the axis of SOX9/HK2/G6PD. These findings reveal novel regulatory axes involving Rac1/SOX9/HK2/G6PD in the development and progression of colon cancer, providing novel promising therapeutic targets. We further reveal novel regulatory axes involving Rac1/SOX9/HK2/G6PD in the development and progression of colon cancer.

Background: With the intensification of population aging, osteoporosis has become one of the significant public health issues affecting human health. Currently available medications for treating osteoporosis are associated with various adverse effects and resistance issues. Oligonucleotide drugs show great potential. Effective delivery systems are essential to enhance the stability, bioavailability, and targeting of sRNA drugs. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) show promise as alternative osteoporosis therapeutics. This study explores the potential of LNPs as an effective delivery system to treat osteoporosis. Methods: LNPs were prepared using microfluidic techniques with varying lipid compositions, and characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency (EE%). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was employed to determine the size of the LNPs. The zeta potential was measured using electrophoretic light scattering. The pharmacodynamic effects and safety were then evaluated in a mouse model through intravenous administration. Results: Several lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations with different nitrogen/phosphorus ratios and different DMG-PEG2000 ratios were examined, and a lead candidate that supports delivery of sRNA in animal models of osteoporosis was identified. In OVX mice, LNP-sRNA significantly improved bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular microstructure, and biomechanical strength. Safety assessments revealed no systemic toxicity. It is shown that the optimized LNPs can serve as a promising delivery system to mediate sRNA delivery to bone tissue. Conclusions: After comparison of in vitro and in vivo properties, the optimized LNPs demonstrated good comprehensive performance as a delivery system for osteoporosis treatment. These results highlight the potential of the optimized LNPs as an ideal delivery system for osteoporosis, offering improved therapeutic efficacy and reduced systemic side effects.

Background/Objectives: Necroptosis is a critical process in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury (MIRI). Tilianin (Til), a natural flavonoid glycoside derived from Dracocephalum moldavica L., exhibits significant therapeutic potential in cardiovascular diseases. However, its efficacy and mechanisms in mitigating necroptosis-induced MIRI remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Til regulates cardiomyocyte necroptosis to alleviate MIRI. Methods: A rat model of MIRI was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Necroptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes was induced by oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (H/R) combined with Z-VAD-FMK. Myocardial infarct size was assessed using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Histopathological injury in cardiac tissue was examined by hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining. Fluorescent probes were used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondria. The molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) method was used to predict the binding energy between Til and RIP3. Furthermore, RIP3 overexpression and knockdown, along with inhibition of the downstream protein CaMKII, were used to further investigate the mechanism. Results: Til treatment significantly reduced MIRI in rats, decreased myocardial infarct size, histopathological injury, and regulated myocardial enzyme levels. Til pretreatment effectively inhibited necroptosis in H9c2 cells induced by H/R and Z-VAD-FMK, as evidenced by reduced necroptosis rates, decreased inflammatory cytokine release, improved mitochondrial function, and suppressed phosphorylation of the necroptosis marker MLKL. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation demonstrated stable binding of Til to RIP3, which was verified through Western blot. The protective effects of Til on necroptosis were reversed by RIP3 overexpression. Furthermore, the CaMKII inhibitor KN93 abolished Til’s effect on mitochondria. Conclusions: Til alleviates MIRI by targeting RIP3 to inhibit the necroptosis pathway and mPTP opening. These findings provide a new therapeutic strategy for MIRI and necroptosis-related diseases.

In a study of multipass incremental forming, the same parameters are mostly used for all passes, and the parameters are unchanged in each pass. There are few reports on the use of different parameters in each forming pass. In this study, a cone-shaped part with a forming angle of 70° is selected as the research object, and the different changes of the forming parameters, such as multipass angle interval, tool radius, and axial feed, in each pass are investigated. First, a multipass incremental forming model is developed to analyze the influence of the forming parameters in each pass on the stress, strain, and section thickness of the part. Second, an orthogonal test is designed to analyze the primary and secondary orders of the three sets of parameters and the optimal level combination. Finally, a numerical control experiment is carried out to verify the validity of the model and the accuracy of the simulation results. The sink defects are reduced by adjusting the forming depth of the path. The results show that the primary and secondary orders of the three sets of forming parameters are the tool radius, axial feed, and pass angle interval. The optimal horizontal combination is that the tool radius is constant at 4 mm; the axial feed values are 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mm; and the pass angles are 50°, 60°, and 70°. The forming quality and efficiency are improved by selecting the appropriate forming parameters.

In this paper, the subject of research is the AZ31B magnesium alloy. Aiming at the poor formability of magnesium alloys at room temperature, we have introduced isothermal local loading technology to improve the formability of magnesium alloys. We combined finite element simulations and experiments to study the effects of forming parameters on the forming limit angle and thinning rate of single-point incremental forming under isothermal local loading. The conclusions were further validated by changes in grain size in micrographs. The results showed that the forming limit angle of the AZ31B magnesium alloy sheet increased as the forming temperature increased. Maximum thinning first decreased and then increased, reaching the lowest point at 250 °C. At 250 °C, the grain size is large and evenly distributed, which is the best forming temperature. The radius of the tool head increases, the forming limit angle increases, the maximum thinning rate decreases, and the overall change of the average grain size is relatively small. However, the grain size is more uniform when the radius is 5 mm, and 5 mm is the best tool radius. The feed rate is inversely proportional to the forming limit angle and directly proportional to the maximum thinning rate. Different feed rates have different degrees of compression and elongation of the grains. The forming quality is better when the feed rate is 2 mm. The initial plate thickness is proportional to the limit angle, the maximum thinning rate, and grain size. And 1 mm is the best plate thickness to ensure the forming quality. This paper is important for developing the forming theory of isothermal local loading that can improve the high-performance forming of alloy parts in advanced manufacturing.

In this paper, gravity casting experiments were used to prepare AZ91-xCe alloys, and the effects of Ce addition on the mechanical properties and structure of the AZ91-xCe alloy were analyzed. X-ray diffractometry and metallurgical microscopy were used to characterize the phase composition and microstructure of the experimental alloy, and the strength and hardness of the alloy were tested and analyzed. Results show that the addition of a small amount of Ce generates a high melting point, thermally stable A1 4 Ce, and reduces the porosity of the alloy. The tensile strength and yield strength of the AZ91-xCe alloy have been significantly improved under joint strengthening of multiple mechanisms of fine-grain strengthening, precipitation strengthening, and solid solution strengthening. By comparing and observing the mechanical properties and microstructures of alloys with different Ce concentrations, it was concluded that at a Ce content of 0.5%, the overall performance of the alloy is optimal. Compared to the AZ91 alloy, the tensile strength was increased by 29% and the yield strength was increased by 34%.