Background and objective Artificial vertebral implants have been widely used for functional reconstruction of vertebral defects caused by tumors or trauma. However, the evaluation of their ...biomechanical properties often neglects the influence of material anisotropy derived from the host bone and implant’s microstructures. Hence, this study aims to investigate the effect of material anisotropy on the safety and stability of vertebral reconstruction. Material and methods Two finite element models were developed to reflect the difference of material properties between linear elastic isotropy and nonlinear anisotropy. Their biomechanical evaluation was carried out under different load conditions including flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation. These performances of two models with respect to safety and stability were analyzed and compared quantitatively based on the predicted von Mises stress, displacement and effective strain. Results The maximum von Mises stress of each component in both models was lower than the yield strength of respective material, while the predicted results of nonlinear anisotropic model were generally below to those of the linear elastic isotropic model. Furthermore, the maximum von Mises stress of natural vertebra and reconstructed system was decreased by 2–37 MPa and 20–61 MPa, respectively. The maximum reductions for the translation displacement of the artificial vertebral body implant and motion range of whole model were reached to 0.26 mm and 0.77°. The percentage of effective strain elements on the superior and inferior endplates adjacent to implant was diminished by up to 19.7% and 23.1%, respectively. Conclusion After comprehensive comparison, these results indicated that the finite element model with the assumption of linear elastic isotropy may underestimate the safety of the reconstruction system, while misdiagnose higher stability by overestimating the range of motion and bone growth capability.
A ternary CoNiTi medium-entropy (MEA) alloy coating was successfully fabricated on pure Ti substrate by utilizing pulsed laser cladding. Phase constitutions and microstructural characteristics of the ...coating were analyzed by combined use of X-ray diffraction, electron channeling contrast imaging, secondary electron imaging, energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron backscatter diffraction techniques. Results show that three zones with distinct microstructures are formed after the pulsed laser cladding treatment: cladding zone (CZ), bonding zone (BZ) and heat-affected zone (HAZ). Dendritic (BCC solid-solution phase)-interdendritic (Ti2Ni type phase) structures are formed in the CZ with many nanoparticles (Ti2Co type phase) dispersed inside the interdendritic structures. The BZ consists of fine acicular grains while the HAZ below the BZ is composed of irregular-shaped bulk grains. Hardness measurements reveal that hardness of the MEA coating reaches 571 ± 46 H V, which is ∼5 times that of the substrate (114 ± 4 H V). Comprehensive analyses show that such high hardness can be attributed to the combined contributions from solid-solution hardening of the BCC phase and second-phase hardening from the Ti2Ni and Ti2Co type intermetallic compounds.
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•CoNiTi MEA coating is successfully fabricated on pure Ti substrate by pulsed laser cladding.•The coating consists of BCC solid solution and Ti2Ni and Ti2Co type intermetallic compounds.•Hardness of the coating reaches 571 ± 46 H V, ∼5 times that of the substrate (114 ± 4 H V).•The hardening is attributed to joint contribution from specific microstructural characteristics.
•A novel petal-type battery thermal management system (BTMS) with dual phase change materials (PCMs) is proposed.•The thermal performance of the proposed BTMS at different ambient temperatures and ...discharge rates is investigated.•The environmental adaptability of 18650 Li-ion batteries is significantly improved.•The proposed BTMS is optimized by fin-reinforced heat transfer technology.
Phase change material (PCM) cooling is a prominent approach for battery thermal management. However, its application scenario is severely limited by the narrow range of phase change temperature. When the temperature of PCM does not reach the phase change temperature range, it is either a pure thermal conductive material or a completely molten liquid material, neither of which can play a role in battery thermal management. The present study proposes a novel petal-type battery thermal management system (BTMS) with dual PCMs, which has significantly enhanced the environmental adaptability of the battery based on PCM cooling. The thermal performance of the BTMS at different ambient temperatures and discharge rates is investigated by numerical simulation methods. The results show that when the battery is discharged at 1∼5C at an ambient temperature of 25°C, the maximum battery temperature (Tmax) is 29.87°C, 32.89°C, 34.69°C, 36.84°C, and 39.41°C, respectively. When the battery is discharged at 2C at 20°C, 30°C and 40°C, the Tmax is 30.49°C, 34.16°C and 43.70°C, respectively. Compared with the other two conventional BTMSs using a single type of PCM, the thermal performance and environmental adaptability of the proposed BTMS is the best under the three typical ambient temperatures. Furthermore, the above BTMS is optimized using fin-reinforced heat transfer technology in this paper. Compared to the BTMS without fins, the optimized solution 2 with asymmetric fin arrangement reduces the maximum temperature difference (ΔTmax) by 5.53% and 29.19% and the maximum temperature rise (ΔTmrise) by 36.15% and 42.76% at ambient temperatures of 30°C and 40°C.
The shortage of water and energy are hindering the rapid development of the regional economy in recent years. Therefore, exploring the synergy of water and energy and managing the two resources ...comprehensively is conducive to the sustainable development of the economy. Based on the multi-regional input-output (MRIO) model, this study proposed a new assessment framework for investigating the water-energy (WE) relationship. We used this novel framework to identify the relationships in different sectors. The achieved results are as follows. First, water and energy are closely related in many sectors, including agriculture, extractive sector, petroleum, coking, and nuclear fuel processing sector, and other sectors. However, the construction sector, textile and clothing sector, and wood processing and furniture manufacturing sector showed low correlation (p > 0.05). Second, on the whole, the WE relationship has been improving. Among the eight regions, the relationship varies greatly, and the Southern coastal region has the best relationship (r = 0.78). Third, the spatial distribution of water and energy footprints shows high agreement. Although the virtual water and energy flows alleviated the energy pressure in Coastal areas, it has aggravated the water and energy shortages in Central areas. Therefore, identification of key sectors and construction of suitable policies may help alleviate the contradiction between water and energy shortages and drive regional economic development.
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•A new research framework is proposed for revealing the water-energy relationships.•Water and energy are spatially aligned in consumption processes and flow directions.•Inter-regional trade is exacerbating water and energy shortages in the Central region.•WEG and MPRP are key sectors for integrated management of water and energy.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a complex condition associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD), characterized by significant variations in symptom severity among patients. The psychological and ...emotional symptoms accompanying AWS significantly contribute to withdrawal distress and relapse risk. Despite the importance of neural adaptation processes in AWS, limited genetic investigations have been conducted. This study primarily focuses on exploring the single and interaction effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the ANK3 and ZNF804A genes on anxiety and aggression severity manifested in AWS. By examining genetic associations with withdrawal-related psychopathology, we ultimately aim to advance understanding the genetic underpinnings that modulate AWS severity.
The study involved 449 male patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) were used to assess emotional and behavioral symptoms related to AWS. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and genotyping was performed using PCR.
Single-gene analysis revealed that naturally occurring allelic variants in ANK3 rs10994336 (CC homozygous vs. T allele carriers) were associated with mood and behavioral symptoms related to AWS. Furthermore, the interaction between ANK3 and ZNF804A was significantly associated with the severity of psychiatric symptoms related to AWS, as indicated by MANOVA. Two-way ANOVA further demonstrated a significant interaction effect between ANK3 rs10994336 and ZNF804A rs7597593 on anxiety, physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. Hierarchical regression analyses confirmed these findings. Additionally, simple effects analysis and multiple comparisons revealed that carriers of the ANK3 rs10994336 T allele experienced more severe AWS, while the ZNF804A rs7597593 T allele appeared to provide protection against the risk associated with the ANK3 rs10994336 mutation.
This study highlights the gene-gene interaction between ANK3 and ZNF804A, which plays a crucial role in modulating emotional and behavioral symptoms related to AWS. The ANK3 rs10994336 T allele is identified as a risk allele, while the ZNF804A rs7597593 T allele offers protection against the risk associated with the ANK3 rs10994336 mutation. These findings provide initial support for gene-gene interactions as an explanation for psychiatric risk, offering valuable insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in AWS.
Sleeping late has been associated with cognitive impairment, and insufficient sleep can affect the secretion of feeding-related cytokines. Feeding-related cytokines may contribute to cognitive ...deficits resulting from delayed bedtime. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), which are feeding-related neurotrophic factors, have been associated with improved cognitive function and neuroprotective abilities. Enhanced expression of GDNF and MANF is linked to increased energy expenditure and hyperphagia, respectively.
This study aimed to investigate the association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) GDNF, MANF, cognition, and sleep time and to explore the moderating effects of GDNF and MANF on cognitive impairment in individuals who sleep late.
This cross-sectional study included participants (mean age 31.76 ± 10.22 years) who were categorized as ≤23 o'clock sleepers (n = 66) and >23 o'clock sleepers (n = 125) based on sleep time. Cognition was assessed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and GDNF and MANF levels in CSF were measured.
MANF may play a moderating role in the relationship between sleep time and cognition (R2 = 0.06, β = 0.59, p = 0.031). Age showed a negative correlation with MoCA scores (R2 = 0.08, β = −0.18), while education exhibited a positive correlation (β = 0.17, both p < 0.05). Only ≤23 o'clock sleepers exhibited a negative correlation between MANF levels and BMI (r = −0.35, p = 0.005).
This study provides hitherto undocumented evidence of the potential protective effect of CSF MANF on cognitive impairment of late sleepers, which suggests that maintaining a regular sleep schedule may contribute to cognition and overall health, with MANF playing a role in this process.
•CSF MANF exhibited a protective effect on the cognition of individuals who sleep late.•≤23 o'clock sleepers exhibited a negative correlation between CSF MANF levels and BMI.•Age and education showed negative and positive correlations with MoCA, respectively.
The cancer cell metastasis and the acquisition of chemotherapy resistance remain huge challenge for ovarian cancer treatment. Previously, N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) serves as a tumor ...suppressor for many cancers. Here, we attempted to investigate the specific roles of NDRG2 in ovarian cancer.
The expression levels of NDRG2 were detected by qRT-PCR or Immunoblotting. CCK-8 assay was employed to examine the cell viability of ovarian cancer cells. The colony formation ability was determined by colony formation assay. Flow cytometry analyses were performed to detect the cell apoptosis and cell cycle. Xenograft tumor assay was performed to detect the in vivo function of NDRG2.
We revealed that NDRG2 mRNA expression and protein levels were downregulated within both ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines. The overexpression of NDRG2 dramatically inhibited the cell viability and colony formation and tumor growth, whereas promoted the cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest in G1 phase within ovarian cancer cells. More importantly, NDRG2 overexpression significantly enhanced the suppressive roles of cisplatin (DDP) in ovarian cancer cell viability. On the contrary, NDRG2 silence exerted opposing effects on ovarian cancer cells.
In summary, we provide a solid experimental basis demonstrating the tumor-suppressive effects of NDRG2 in inhibiting the cell proliferation, enhancing the cell apoptosis, eliciting the cell cycle arrest in G1 phase, and promoting the suppressive effects of DDP on the viability of ovarian cancer cells. NDRG2 administration presents a potent adjuvant treatment for ovarian cancer therapy.
Background
Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) has been regarded as crucial regulator for cancer progression. Roles of KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) in cancers including ...osteosarcoma and colon cancer have been previously reported. However, its role in ovarian cancer (OC) remains unclear.
Methods
Expression level of KCNQ1OT1 on OC cells and normal cell was analyzed with quantitative real‐time PCR. Gain and loss‐of‐function experiments were performed to analyze the biological roles of KCNQ1OT1 in OC. Moreover, whether KCNQ1OT1 functions its role via mediating MICRORNA‐142‐5p (MIR‐142‐5p)/calpain 10 (CAPN10) axis was analyzed. In addition, effects of KCNQ1OT1, MIR‐142‐5p, and CAPN10 on overall survival of OC patients were analyzed at Kaplan–Meier plotter website.
Results
We showed KCNQ1OT1 was elevated expression in OC cells and indicated poorer overall survival of OC patients. Besides, we found KCNQ1OT1 could promote OC cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Moreover, MIR‐142‐5p was found reduced expression, while CAPN10 was found elevated expression in OC cells compared with normal cell. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis showed low MIR‐142‐5p or high CAPN10 expression were indicators for poorer overall survival of OC patients. At length, we showed KCNQ1OT1 could regulate OC development via MIR‐142‐5p/CAPN10 axis.
Conclusions
Taken together, KCNQ1OT1 upregulates CAPN10 expression via sponging MIR‐142‐5p, thus promoting the proliferation and migration of OC.
KCNQ1OT1 expression was revealed highly expressed in GC cells. High KCNQ1OT1 expression was a predictor for poor overall survival of cancer patients.
•The CO2 fluxes in winter were three times higher than in other seasons.•Glacier meltwater altered the diel pattern of CO2 fluxes.•The total CO2 fluxes from the headwaters were 39.57 (30.04–50.21) Gg ...C yr−1, ignoring the diurnal variation overestimated the CO2 fluxes.•The CO2 fluxes from 1st and 2nd order streams accounted for 77% of the headwaters.
Rivers are important sources of the carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere; however, research on CO2 emission from riverine headwater regions is sparse, particularly from rivers in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) region, which has large area of glaciers and permafrost. We conducted a three-year (2020–2022) observational study of CO2 flux rates from the riverine headwater region of the Qilian Mountains (QLMs) to determine diel and seasonal CO2 variations and flux rates. Our results revealed that the annual average CO2 emission was 0.45 (0.03–1.60) kg CO2 m−2 yr−1, with the highest flux rates observed in winter 0.87 (0.08–2.67) μmol CO2 m−2 s−1, which was approximately three times higher than flux rates in other seasons. Glacier meltwater altered the diel pattern of riverine CO2 flux rates by diluting CO2 and dissolved inorganic carbon. Meanwhile, CO2 release from rivers in the permafrost region was dictated by stream order, with a linear decrease as stream order increased. Considering diel variations, the total CO2 fluxes from the headwater regions of the QLMs were approximately 32.70 (25.00–41.28) Gg C/yr, representing 76 % of the pre-calibration total CO2 fluxes ignoring diel variations. This study provides essential insights into CO2 release from headwaters, which have substantial implications for understanding CO2 outgassing.
•Calculation of virtual carbon emission flow and consumption side carbon emission.•Transmission planning towards equity of consumption side carbon emission.•Equity index of consumption side carbon ...emission to quantify transmission planning.
Consumption-based carbon emission accounting is able to clarify consumers’ responsibility for the carbon emissions from a power system. The responsible amount of carbon emissions for each consumer can be calculated based on the power consumption and the accordant carbon emission flow (CEF). Distribution of the CEF in the network may vary significantly under different transmission network configurations, resulting in different attributed carbon emission responsibilities of consumers. This paper describes how transmission expansion planning (TEP) and consumption-based carbon emission accounting affect each other. A novel TEP model considering the consumption-based carbon emission accounting is presented. A new index named CO2 allocation equity coefficient (CAEC) is introduced to quantify the equity performance of the consumption-based carbon emission accounting system. As such, the requirement for different equity performances can be explicitly incorporated into the TEP model as a constraint to determine its effect on TEP. The proposed TEP model is tested on Garver’s 6-bus system and a modified IEEE 39-bus system. The results show that the methodology is able to obtain the transmission expansion planning, in general, more lines must be planned to achieve better equity performance, with more even consumption-based carbon emission, but leading to an overall increasing tendency in the annualized transmission investment cost.