This work proposes a sub-optimal method based on a two-layer structured meta-deep reinforcement learning (MDRL) approach to address the hardware impairment (HWI) optimization issue in large ...intelligent surface (LIS) systems. This method, designed for distributed LIS systems with reflection matrices, effectively enhances the system capacity and performance despite HWIs. Building upon existing techniques of dividing large-area LIS systems into multiple small-area subsystems, the simulated results demonstrate that sub-optimal LIS performance can be achieved with fewer samples in diverse dynamic wireless environments. This innovative approach enhances the adaptability of distributed LIS systems and offers an effective HWI management strategy, paving the way for future LIS system optimization.
Background
Zinc oxide nanoparticle (
n
ZnO) and chemicals with different mode of action (MOA, i.e., narcotic and reactive) were frequently detected in the Yangtze River. Organisms are typically ...exposed to mixtures of
n
ZnO and other chemicals rather than individual
n
ZnO. Toxicity of
n
ZnO is caused by the dissolution of Zn
2+
, which has been proved in the field of single toxicity. However, it is still unclear whether the released Zn
2+
plays a critical role in the
n
ZnO toxicity of
n
ZnO–chemicals mixtures. In the present study, the binary mixture toxicity of
n
ZnO/Zn
2+
and chemicals with different MOA was investigated in acute (15 min) and chronic (12 h) toxicity test upon
Vibrio fischeri
(
V. fischeri
). The joint effects of
n
ZnO and tested chemicals were explored. Moreover, two classic models, concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) were applied to predict the toxicity of mixtures.
Results
The difference of toxicity unit (TU) values between the mixtures of Zn
2+
–chemicals with those of
n
ZnO–chemicals was not significant (
P
> 0.05), not only in acute toxicity test but also in chronic toxicity test. The antagonistic or additive effects for
n
ZnO-chemicals can be observed in most mixtures, with the TU values ranging from 0.75 to 1.77 and 0.47 to 2.45 in acute toxicity test and chronic test, respectively. We also observed that the prediction accuracy of CA and IA models was not very well in the mixtures where the difference between the toxicity ratios of the components was small (less than about 10), with the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values ranging from 0.14 to 0.67 for CA model and 0.17–0.51 for IA model, respectively.
Conclusion
We found that the dissolved Zn
2+
mainly accounted for the
n
ZnO toxicity in the mixtures of
n
ZnO–chemicals, and the joint effects of these mixtures were mostly antagonism and additivity. CA and IA models were unsuitable for predicting the mixture toxicity of
n
ZnO–chemicals at their equitoxic ratios.
Objective By meticulously tracking the evolving growth, development, and nutritional status of primary and secondary school students in Qiongzhong County from 2014 to 2021 post-implementation of the ..."Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Students"(NIPRCES, This project provides a supplementary food allowance of at least ï¿¥4 per person per day for primary and secondary school students. The project area undergoes annual routine monitoring.), this study aims to offer a scientific basis for enhancing and promoting the project. Through thorough monitoring of students' nutritional status changes influenced by this program, we strive to establish a comprehensive and evidence-based framework for its future advancement. Methods From 2014 to 2021, this study employed a multi-stage sampling method utilizing cluster sampling to select six primary and six secondary schools in Qiongzhong County, Hainan Province. Data on the growth and development of respondents were collected. This cohort was a dynamic cohort with a total of 18,762 final data recovered. The prevalence of malnutrition was evaluated using the Cochran Armitage Trend Test (CATT) to assess year-to-year changes. Furthermore, height/weight and the prevalence of malnutrition between groups were compared using the t-test, chl2 test, and Bonferroni's corrected analysis. Results The average height of both boys and girls has increased. In 2021, boys and girls of all ages showed an average height increase of 2.31 cm and 1.98 cm, respectively, compared to 2014. Nevertheless, the growth and development levels, and rate of improvement of these students remain comparatively lower than their rural counterparts across China, who are of the same age. From 2014 to 2021, the prevalence of undernutrition (mainly wasting) showed a significant downward trend (P < 0.05) from 29.30% to 22.19%, and the prevalence of overnutrition showed an upward trend (both P < 0.05). The prevalence of undernutrition was higher among boys, students in grades 1-3 and those of Li nationality. Meanwhile, the prevalence of overnutrition was higher among boys, students in grades 1-3 and those of Han nationality. Conclusions Over the 8-year period of NIPRCES, there has been progress in the growth and development of students, yet levels still lag behind the national average for rural students of the same age. While malnutrition prevalence have decreased, they remain high, with a concerning rise in overnutrition prevalence. Undernutrition and overweight/obesity are more prevalent among boys and younger students. Li students show higher prevalence of undernutrition, while overnutrition is a growing issue among Han students. Simultaneously, local education and health care departments must acknowledge the disparities in growth and nutritional status among primary and secondary school students residing in rural areas within the tropics and those in rural areas across the entire nation. Nutritional improvement measures should be tailored to local conditions. Keywords: Student Nutrition Improvement Program, Primary and secondary school students, Nutritional status, Changing trends
The aim of this work was to report an autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy with long-term follow-up in 7 patients.
Antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence ...assay and patient data were analyzed retrospectively.
Seven patients (4 female, 3 male) with ≥1 year follow-up were included. All patients had positive GFAP antibodies in their cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Their median age at disease onset was 56 years (range 27-69) and the median disease duration was 1 year (range 1-4). In the initial attack, all patients received intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) followed by oral steroids, which were tapered. Six patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). One patient had no response to IVIg and IVMP. Four patients received immunosuppressive agents. Five patients underwent the second lumbar puncture after treatment. CSF white blood cell counts, protein levels, and antibody titers were significantly decreased. CSF protein levels correlated positively with the Expanded Disability Status Scale score, which was elevated at each lumbar puncture. Four patients experienced relapse. To date, 6 patients had a bad prognosis, of which 2 died.
Some patients with GFAP astrocytopathy experienced a poor response to treatment although they received steroids and immunosuppressive agents.
•Substituent groups have a substantial impact on the toxic effects of SAs.•Mechanistic model was developed to interpret toxic effects of SAs.•Toxic effects relate to quantum chemical descriptors and ...toxicodynamic features.
Antibiotics are categorized as pseudopersistent compounds because of their widespread use and continuous emission into the environment. Biological systems such as active sludge and biofilms are still the principal tools used to remove antibiotics in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Consequently, it is important to determine the relationship between toxic effects in biological WWTPs and the structural characteristics of antibiotics. In the present study, toxic effects of 10 sulfonamides (SAs) on nitrification in an active sludge system were studied. The toxicity results (half-effective concentrations, EC50) indicated that the toxicity of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) is approximately 4 times as large as that of sulfadiazine (SD). Based on the toxicity mechanism and the partial least squares regression (PLS) method, an optimum quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model was developed for the test system. The mechanistic model showed that the pKa, the binding energies between SAs with dihydropteroate synthetase (EbindingSA−DHPS) and the binding energies between SAs with ammonia monooxygenase (EbindingSA−AMO) are the key factors affecting the toxic effects of SAs on nitration process in active sludge system, following an order of importance of EbindingSA−DHPS>EbindingSA−AMO>pKa.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Digital transformation and sustainability are both at the forefront of current supply chain developments. However, the specific mechanisms of how digital transformation and green supply chain ...development interact still need to be clarified, which can help supply chain business operators to enhance supply chain sustainability more effectively. This paper focuses on how the companies’ organization structure and the socio-economic environment interact with digital technologies under the process of green supply chain development. Based on the “Technology–Organization–Environment” (TOE) framework, this paper analyze how digital transformation can drive green supply chain development. To test the TOE theoretical analysis framework, this paper calculates the digital transformation and green supply chain development index at the provincial level in China and conducts an empirical study. The main findings and implications of this paper can be summarized in the following aspects: First, according to the TOE theory, the external environment dimensions, such as the market and policy environments, affect the role of digital technology in promoting GSC development. Second, in the organizational dimensions, labor–capital relations, company size, and ownership factors can all affect the contribution of digital transformation to green supply chains. Third, there are differences in the impact of different types of digitization technologies on GSC development.
Loading two organic acids of known molecular structures onto a black carbon was conducted to study the influence of pH and dissolved organic matter on the adsorption of pesticides. Tannic acid at the ...loading rates of 100 and 300 μmol/g reduced the surface area of black carbon by 18 and 63%, respectively. This was due principally to the blockage of micropores, as verified by measured pore volumes and pore-size distributions. With a comparatively much smaller molecular structure, gallic acid did not apparently influence these properties. The intrinsic acidities of the two acids increased the surface acidity from 1.88 mmol/g of black carbon to 1.93−2.02 mmol/g after DOM loading, resulting in a reduction in isoelectric point pH from 1.93 to 1.66−1.82. The adsorption of propanil, 2,4-D and prometon by black carbon free and loaded of DOM was dependent on pH because major adsorptive forces were the interactions between neutral pesticide molecules and uncharged carbon surfaces. The adsorption was diminished considerably by the deprotonation of 2,4-D and protonation of prometon, as well as the surface charge change of black carbon. Tannic acid of 100 and 300 μmol/g on black carbon reduced the pesticide adsorption at the equilibrium concentration of 10 mg/L by an average of 46 and 81%, respectively, consistent with the reductions of 42 and 81% in micropore volume. At the equilibrium concentration of 30 mg/L, the mesopore surface became the additional adsorptive domain for propanil. Loading tannic acid made the mesopore surface less accessible, due presumably to the enhanced obstruction by tannic acid.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Significant downsizing trend is currently directing the advanced microelectronic packaging industry, which poses new challenges to the manufacturing process and reliability of high-density chip ...interconnections. In this paper, to investigate the size effect of microbump joints on the interfacial structure and bonding strength, the chip-to-chip bonding joints fabricated by microbumps of same Cu/Ni/Sn-3.5Ag construction but of various sizes were experimentally examined. After thermocompression bonding process to fabricate the chip-to-chip microbump interconnections, the intermetallic compound (IMC) growth on the Ni/Sn-3.5Ag interface during 150 °C isothermal aging was compared for joints of 100, 40 and 25 μm in diameter as well as 35, 25 and 15 μm in solder layer height, using field emission electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. A clear size effect on the thickness and morphology of Ni3Sn4 IMC was observed, showing thicker IMC in joints of smaller diameter and lower height. The Ni concentration distribution in the solder layer was verified to be dependent on the joint size, with possible reasons being enhanced sidewall diffusion and grain boundary diffusion through IMC grains in small-diametered joints, as well as shorter diffusion path in lower joints. The shear strength of chip-to-chip bonding vehicles was also found to be size-dependent. In addition, artificial neural network (ANN) approach was applied to establish the numerical correlation of structural factors and bonding strength. It was found that a properly constructed ANN model can successfully predict the influence of the complex combinations of geometric and interfacial factors with highly accurate output, providing an effective tool for design and optimization of microbump interconnection structures and processes.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Moss-dominated biocrusts are widespread in degraded mining ecosystems and play an important role in soil development and ecosystem primary succession. In this work, the soil microbial community ...structure under moss-dominated biocrusts in ionic rare earth tailings was investigated to reveal the relationship between different types of moss and taxonomy/function of microbiomes. The results showed that microbial community structure was significantly influenced by four moss species (
,
,
, and
). The microbial assembly was more prominent in
soil than in the other moss soils, which covers 482 bacterial genera (including 130 specific genera) and 338 fungal genera (including 72 specific genera), and the specific genus is 40% to 1300% higher than that of the other three mosses. Although only 141 and 140 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) rooted in bacterial and fungal clusters, respectively, were shared by all four mosses grown in ionic rare earth tailings, this core microbiome could represent a large fraction (28.2% and 38.7%, respectively) of all sequence reads. The bacterial population and representation are the most abundant, which mainly includes
,
, and unclassified filamentous bacteria and chloroplasts, while the fungi population is relatively singular. The results also show that biocrust dominated by moss has a positive effect on soil microbe activity and soil nutrient conditions. Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of developing moss-dominated biocrusts as hotspots of ecosystem functioning and precious microbial genetic resources in degraded rare-earth mining areas and promoting a better understanding of biocrust ecology in humid climates under global change scenarios.
Aims
HNF1B syndrome is caused by defects in the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1B (HNF1B) gene, which leads to maturity‐onset diabetes of the young type 5 and congenital organ malformations. This study ...aimed to identify a gene defect in a patient presenting with diabetes and severe diarrhea, while also analyzing the prevalence of hypomagnesemia and its correlation with the HNF1B genotype.
Materials and Methods
Whole exome sequencing was used to identify responsible point mutations and small indels in the proband and their family members. Multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification was carried out to identify HNF1B deletions. Furthermore, an analysis of published data on 539 cumulative HNF1B cases, from 29 literature sources, was carried out to determine the correlation between the HNF1B genotype and the phenotype of serum magnesium status.
Results
Using multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification, we identified a de novo heterozygous HNF1B deletion in the patient, who showed dorsal pancreas agenesis and multiple kidney cysts, as detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Magnesium supplementation effectively alleviated the symptoms of diarrhea. Hypomagnesemia was highly prevalent in 192 out of 354 (54.2%) patients with HNF1B syndrome. Compared with patients with intragenic mutations, those with HNF1B deletions were more likely to suffer from hypomagnesemia, with an odds ratio of 3.1 (95% confidence interval 1.8–5.4).
Conclusions
Hypomagnesemia is highly prevalent in individuals with HNF1B syndrome, and those with HNF1B deletion are more susceptible to developing hypomagnesemia compared with those with intragenic mutations. The genotype–phenotype associations in HNF1B syndrome have significant implications for endocrinologists in terms of genotype detection, treatment decisions and prognosis assessment.
In this study, we identified the gene defect in a patient manifested as diabetes and severe diarrhea. Then we carried out an analysis to investigate the prevalence of hypomagnesemia and its correlation with the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1B (HNF1B) genotype. Our findings indicate that hypomagnesemia is very common in HNF1B syndrome, especially in patients with whole HNF1B deletion, and HNF1B deletion, but not intragenic mutation, was more susceptible to hypomagnesemia with a large sample size.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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