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This paper investigates bearing-based formation control of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) flying in low-altitude wind fields. In such environments, time-varying wind disturbances can distort the formation geometry, enlarge bearing errors, and even induce potential collisions among neighboring UAVs, yet they also contain components that can be beneficial for the formation motion. Conventional disturbance compensation methods treat wind as a purely harmful factor and aim to reject it completely, which may sacrifice responsiveness and energy efficiency. To address this issue, we propose a pure bearing-based formation control framework with Conditional Disturbance Utilization (CDU). First, a real-time disturbance observer is designed to estimate the wind-induced disturbances in both translational and rotational channels. Then, based on the estimated disturbances and the bearing-dependent potential function, CDU indicators are constructed to judge whether the current disturbance component is beneficial or detrimental with respect to the formation control objective. These indicators are embedded into the bearing-based formation controller so that favorable wind components are exploited to accelerate formation convergence, whereas adverse components are compensated. Using an angle-rigid formation topology and a Lyapunov-based analysis, we prove that the proposed CDU-based controller guarantees global asymptotic stability of the desired formation. Simulation results on triangular and hexagonal formations under complex wind disturbances show that the proposed method achieves faster convergence and improved responsiveness compared with traditional disturbance observer-based control, while preserving formation stability and safety.

A gossip-based economic dispatch (ED) algorithm for microgrids is presented in this paper, designed to cope with communication link failures and enable smooth switching of microgrid operation modes. The algorithm is supported by the Push-Pull architecture, which allows its application to direct graphs and relaxes the initial conditions compared to many existing ED algorithms. Under an asynchronous communication network, where only one directed edge is activated at each moment, it has been shown that ED can be achieved with probability 1, provided that the communication graph is strongly connected. Similarly, in a synchronous communication network, where each directed communication link is activated at each moment with a certain probability, ED is also achieved with probability 1 under the condition that the communication graph is strongly connected. This demonstrates that optimal consensus is reached under randomly switched communication networks as long as the expectation of communication graphs is strongly connected, a condition that is less stringent than the B -strongly connected requirement found in many other studies. The algorithm’s use of a non-decreasing variable step size enables a transition from a sub-linear convergence rate, associated with a diminishing step size, to a linear convergence rate. This also lays the groundwork for future improvements in convergence rate through online step size optimization based on the communication topology. Finally, the algorithm’s effectiveness and its potential application to anti-collusion are demonstrated through simulations.

Investigating the organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) concentration and attenuation in multiple water of Beijing would provide valuable insight into OPFR management and reduction; thus, 6 OPFRs were determined by solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to explore the pollution characteristics, and ecological risk of OPFRs. The results showed that 5 OPFRs were detected with a concentration ranging from ND to 394.77 ng/L except for tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TDBP). The chloroalkyl phosphate was the main compound and tris(chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) was the most abundant OPFRs with the highest concentration. The concentration of aryl-OPFRs in surface water and groundwater was much lower than that of chlorinated ones, and the concentration of chlorinated OPFRs in surface water was higher than that in groundwater. The treatment effect of chlorinated OPFRs including TCPP, TCEP, and TDCPP in STPs was negative. Ecological risk assessment showed that low risk of OPFRs for the organisms (algae, crustacean, and fish).

Failure probability of a component is the major project of engineering probability. The reliability of a mechanical system or a structural system is calculated by components in the system. However, statistics data shows that the distribution of test data of components is not according with the distribution by theory as normal distribution. Normal distribution is extensively applied in the component reliability nowadays. Its domain is the field of real numbers, whereas, test data of exper-iments are on a finite field. Consequently, the component reliability used the normal distributions has some limitations. It is necessary to choose a suitable distribution in the calculating method. Comparing the normal distribution density curve and the statistics graph, a new distribution is pre-sented in this paper. The examples by both normal distribution and the new distribution are given, respectively. The results suggest that the new distribution is more accurate than normal distribution in the component reliability.

Background: Deep-sea manned submersible operation could induce mental workload and influence neurophysiological measures. Psychophysiological responses to submersible operation are not well known. The main aim of this study was to investigate changes in EEG and ECG components and subjective mental stress of pilots during submersible operation. Methods: There were 6 experienced submersible pilots who performed a 3 h submersible operation task composed of 5 subtasks. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded before the operation task, after 1.5 h and 2.5 h operation, and after the task. Subjective ratings of mental stress were also conducted at these time points. Results: HR and scores on subjective stressed scale increased during the task compared to baseline (P<0.05). LF/HF ratio at 1.5 h were higher than those at Baseline (P<0.05) and 2.5 h (P<0.05). Relative theta power at the Cz site increased (P<0.01) and relative alpha power decreased (P<0.01) at 2.5 h compared to values at Baseline. Alpha attenuation coefficient (AAC, ratio of mean alpha power during eyes closed versus eyes open) at 2.5 h and after the task were lower compared to baseline and 1.5 h (P<0.05 or less). Conclusions: Submersible operation resulted in an increased HR in association with mental stress, alterations in autonomic activity and EEG changes that expressed variations in mental workload. Brain arousal level declined during the later operation period.

Tourist risk perception is a theoretical topic of great interest, but few studies have specifically investigated vulnerable groups of people with chronic illnesses, chronic illnesses may be part of their daily lives, affecting individuals’ health risk awareness and complicating travel decisions. This study is one of the first in the tourism field to explore risk perception and travel decision-making among chronically ill tourists. Adopting protection motivation theory as a guiding framework, 504 chronically ill tourists with different stages and types of illness were investigated to assess patients’ perceived health risks and actual travel intentions in a quantitative method. It was found that the travel behavior and self-protective behavior of chronically ill tourists depended on the strength of risk perception, which was mainly influenced by perceived threat, response cost and self-efficacy. Further studies confirmed the role of risk perception as a mediator between PMT factors and decision-making behavior and the moderating effect of Plog psychological type. The study reveals the logic that shapes the decision-making behaviors of chronically ill tourists’ travel and expands accessible tourism from creating enjoyable experiences to facilitating positive travel, and the findings can provide theoretical guidance for the design of destination experiences and encourage the exploration of travel behaviors of people with chronic illnesses.

Obesity, as indicated by elevated Body Mass Index (BMI), is a well-established global health concern associated with increased morbidity and mortality across diverse populations. However, the influence of BMI on individuals in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AFF) occupations, characterized by unique challenges and environmental factors, has received limited research attention. Our study, a prospective cohort analysis, utilized National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999-2014, targeting adults above 18 in AFF occupations with comprehensive BMI data, omitting individuals with a history of cancer. Mortality outcomes were extracted from the NHANES mortality file, and BMI was segmented into eight categories. Essential covariates such as age, sex, race, and various health factors were incorporated. The statistical analysis encompassed Cox regression, generalized additive models, smooth curve fitting, and stratified analyses. During 1,005 person-years with 201 all-cause and 57 CVD deaths, we observed L-shaped and U-shaped correlations of BMI with all-cause and CVD mortality, featuring a pivotal inflection at 26.69 and 27.40 kg/m2. Above this BMI threshold of 26.69 and 27.4 kg/m2, all-cause mortality association was not significant while CVD mortality was positive. This study highlights a unique BMI-mortality association in AFF occupations, diverging from standard patterns. The rigorous labor and environmental conditions in AFF jobs suggest that a certain range of higher BMI could reduce mortality risk. This highlights the necessity for tailored health guidelines in different occupations. Future research should concentrate on diverse health indicators and enhanced risk assessment for physically strenuous occupations.

The low viability during gastrointestinal transit and poor mucoadhesion considerably limits the effectiveness of Ligilactobacillus salivarius Li01 (Li01) in regulating gut microbiota and alleviating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, a delivery system was designed through layer-by-layer (LbL) encapsulating a single Li01cell with chitosan and alginate. The layers were strengthened by cross-linking to form a firm and mucoadhesive shell (~10 nm thickness) covering the bacterial cell. The LbL Li01 displayed improved viability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and mucoadhesive function. Almost no cells could be detected among the free Li01 after 2 h incubation in digestive fluids, while for LbL Li01, the total reduction was around 3 log CFU/mL and the viable number of cells remained above 6 log CFU/mL. Besides, a 5-fold increase in the value of rupture length and a two-fold increase in the number of peaks were found in the (bacteria-mucin) adhesion curves of LbL Li01, compared to those of free Li01. Oral administration with LbL Li01 on colitis mice facilitated intestinal barrier recovery and restoration of the gut microbiota. The improved functionality of Li01 by LbL encapsulation could increase the potential for the probiotic to be used in clinical applications to treat IBD; this should be explored in future studies.

Cells sense physical forces and convert them into electrical or chemical signals, a process known as mechanotransduction. Whereas extensive studies focus on mechanotransduction at the plasma membrane, little is known about whether and how intracellular organelles sense mechanical force and the physiological functions of organellar mechanosensing. Here we identify the Drosophila TMEM63 ( Dm TMEM63) ion channel as an intrinsic mechanosensor of the lysosome, a major degradative organelle. Endogenous Dm TMEM63 proteins localize to lysosomes, mediate lysosomal mechanosensitivity and modulate lysosomal morphology and function. Tmem63 mutant flies exhibit impaired lysosomal degradation, synaptic loss, progressive motor deficits and early death, with some of these mutant phenotypes recapitulating symptoms of TMEM63-associated human diseases. Importantly, mouse TMEM63A mediates lysosomal mechanosensitivity in Neuro-2a cells, indicative of functional conservation in mammals. Our findings reveal Dm TMEM63 channel function in lysosomes and its physiological roles in vivo and provide a molecular basis to explore the mechanosensitive process in subcellular organelles. Li, Guo, Wang and colleagues show that the ion channels TMEM63 in Drosophila and TMEM63A in mouse mediate lysosomal mechanosensitivity and modulate lysosomal morphology and function.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant and adjuvant immunotherapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Electronic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, OVID, Web of SCI, Embase, Cochrane Library, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. The deadline for literature update and retrieval is February 16, 2024. Studies presented at meetings were also screened. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and single-arm trials were included, and the data were extracted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was performed using Stata (16.0) software. Results: A total of 5850 patients in 11 RCTs and 6 single-arm trial studies involving neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapies were included. Regarding neoadjuvant therapy, the overall complication rate after surgery reached 35% (95% CI, 0.21-0.49). Higher rates of pathological complete response (OR = 7.83; 95% CI, 5.95-10.31; P < .001) and major pathological response (OR = 5.13; 95% CI, 3.56-7.40; P < .001) were found in the resectable NSCLC patients who received neoadjuvant therapy with ICIs combined with chemotherapy compared with patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Of note, compared with chemotherapy, neoadjuvant ICIs combined with chemotherapy significantly improved the overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.52-0.82; P < .001) and event-free survival (EFS) (HR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.52-0.67; P < .001) in patients with resectable NSCLC. Regarding adjuvant therapy, a lower risk of disease progression or death (HR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.69-0.90; P < .001) was found in the adjuvant ICI group compared with the adjuvant chemotherapy-alone group. In terms of safety, perioperative immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy did not increase toxicity compared with chemotherapy alone. Conclusion: In patients with resectable NSCLC, perioperative immunotherapy was safe and efficacious. Perioperative immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy improved the pathologic response and EFS/DFS/OS over chemotherapy alone without increasing toxicity.