Abstract Heart Failure (HF) has been one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Though its latent mechanism and therapeutic manipulation are updated and developed ceaselessly, there remain great gaps in the cognition of heart failure. High morbidity and readmission rates among HF patients are waiting to be addressed. Recent studies have found that myocardial energy metabolism was closely related to heart failure, in which substrate utilization, as well as intermediate metabolism disorders, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, might underlie systolic dysfunction and progression of HF. This article centers on the changes and counteraction of cardiac energy metabolism in the failing heart. Therefore, targeting impaired energy provision is of great potential in the treatment of HF. And shifting the objective from traditional neurohormones to improving the cellular environment is expected to further optimize the management of HF. (HF worldwide ceaselessly failure addressed utilization disorders resistance stress Therefore

ABSTRACT To solve the problems of a large number of clods remaining in potatoes after mechanized harvesting in northern heavy clay soil planting areas in China and requiring much labor to separate clods from potatoes, which leads to a heavy workload, inefficiency and a low cleaning rate, an RGB-D-based Mask R-CNN dynamic potato identification model is established by using acquired RBG-D image data of untreated potatoes after mechanized harvesting, and a potato cleaning method is presented in this paper. This makes it possible to automatically separate clod impurities from potatoes. The experimental results showed that the prediction accuracy of the identification model is more than 97%. With the increase in cleaning conveyance speed, the prediction accuracy of the model and the actual cleaning precision show a downward trend. Comprehensively considering the potato cleaning efficiency and accuracy, when the speed is set to 0.4 m·s−1, the cleaning precision reaches as high as 96.35%. This research provides a method and theoretical reference for the further study of intelligent potato cleaning systems.

ABSTRACT Plants and insects have co-existed for millions of years. Although research has been conducted on various insect species that induce galls on various plant tissues, information is particularly scarce when it comes to insects that form galls on the tough trunk of their host plants. This contribution describes the gall-inducing aphid Nipponaphis hubeiensis sp. nov. from the Zhushan County, Shiyan City, Hubei Province of China. This aphid induces enclosed galls with woody external layer on the trunk of Sycopsis sinensis (Saxifragales: Hamamelidaceae), an uncommon ecological niche in the aphid-plant interaction system. Morphological features for the identification of new species are provided. In addition, a partial sequence of the nuclear gene EF1α was amplified and sequenced to construct a cluster graph. Based on the clustering graph combined with morphology traits, the gall-forming aphid was classified into Nipponaphis. The unique ecological habits of this new aphid will bring innovative perspectives to the study of the evolution and diversity in aphid-host interaction.

Abstract Limited initiation energy or external stimulation may cause incomplete detonation in a warhead. At present, there is no quantitative method to characterize the energy release of a warhead charge for incomplete detonation such as explosion and deflagration. We propose a method based on average fragment quality to characterize the energy released by a warhead charge. The theoretical study shows that the average fragment quality after warhead initiation is inversely proportional to the initial fragment velocity. The relationship between the average fragment quality and explosive energy release is established and verified by experiment. This relation can be used to determine the charge energy released after warhead initiation. It provides a theoretical basis for optimizing efficiency of charge energy use in high-energy conventional damage technology and warhead design, and provides a quantitative method for evaluating insensitive ammunition.

RESUMO Objetivo: o objetivo do presente estudo foi formular, experimentalmente, adesivos para colagem de braquetes ortodônticos e testar as suas propriedades mecânicas, sua liberação de flúor e sua atividade antibacteriana. Métodos: quatro adesivos ortodônticos antibacterianos foram preparados experimentalmente usando monômeros sintéticos antibacterianos com diferentes composições, substituindo-se 5% do monômero do grupo controle (Transbond XT, 3M) por: 5%C11; 3,5%C11 + 1,5%C2; 5%C16; ou 3,5%C16 + 1,5%C2. O Transbond XT original foi utilizado como controle. Esses diferentes adesivos foram usados para colar braquetes de pré-molares em pré-molares extraídos. A resistência da colagem ao cisalhamento (RCC) foi testada utilizando-se uma máquina Instron. Para os testes antibacterianos, amostras em formato de disco (10 mm de diâmetro, 1 mm de espessura, n = 4) foram fabricadas e incubadas por 48 horas com culturas cariogênicas de Streptococcus mutans. Após leve sonicação, os discos contendo os biofilmes de S. mutans em unidades formadoras de colônia (UFC) foram colocados em placas com meio de cultura ágar e numerados. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se ANOVA e teste de Tukey (α?#8197;= 0,05). Resultados: todos os grupos experimentais apresentaram RCC semelhante (sem diferença significativa) ao grupo controle. Todos os grupos experimentais apresentaram significativo efeito inibitório contra a formação do biofilme de S. mutans, em comparação ao grupo controle, porém sem diferença significativa entre os grupos experimentais. Conclusão: adesivos ortodônticos antibacterianos podem ser produzidos para alcançar propriedades mecânicas semelhantes às dos adesivos atuais, porém com melhores efeitos inibitórios de cáries.

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to formulate experimental orthodontic bracket adhesives and test their mechanical properties, fluoride release and antibacterial activity. Methods: Four experimental antibacterial orthodontic bracket adhesives were prepared with different compositions of synthesized antibacterial monomers replacing total 5% of dental monomers in the control Transbond XT (3M): 5%C11, 3.5%C11+1.5%C2, 5%C16, and 3.5%C16+1.5%C2. Transbond XT alone was used as control. These groups were used to bond premolar brackets to extracted premolars. Shear bond strength (SBS) was tested using an Instron machine. For antibacterial test, disk specimens (10mm diameter, 1mm thick, n=4) were fabricated and incubated with cultures of cariogenic Streptococcus mutans for 48h, and following gentle sonication, S. mutans biofilms in colony-forming-units (CFU) on the disks were enumerated by plating on agar medium. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey test (α=0.05). Results: All experimental groups had similar shear bond strength (no significant difference) to the control. All experimental groups showed significant inhibitory effect against S. mutans biofilm formation, when compared to the control, but there was no significant difference between experimental groups. Conclusion: Antibacterial orthodontic adhesive can be fabricated to have similar mechanical properties but better caries-inhibitory effect than current adhesive.

The influence of the Nb5+-doped content and the doping CaCO3 on the electrical properties and the microdefects of BSTN ceramics by Positron Annihilation Techniques were studied, which were fired at 1350 ºC for 2 hours in air. The PTCR characteristics in the BSTN samples were also investigated. Moreover, the information on microdefects in BSTN ceramics was demonstrated by coincidence Doppler broadening spectrum measurements and positron annihilation lifetime spectra. Meanwhile, the influence of the defects on the electrical properties of the ceramics was also revealed. Furthermore, the critical donor-dopant content was 0.4 mol%, which corresponding room-temperature resistivity and the resistivity jumping ratio was 714.3 Ω·cm and 2.77 × 102, respectively. In addition, the average positrons annihilate lifetime t of the BSTN ceramics was investigated as well.

The effects of the sintering time on the electrical properties and the positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTCR) effect of Ba1.006(Ti1-xNbx)O3 (BTN) ceramics were investigated, which were sintered at 1190 ºC for 0.5-6 hours in a reducing atmosphere and then re-oxidized at 800 ºC for 1 hour. The results indicated that the sintering time affected the electrical properties and the PTCR effect of the multilayer BTN samples, whose room-temperature resistance decreased with an increase of the sintering time at same sintering temperature of 1190 ºC. However, the resistance jump first increased and then reduced as a function of the sintering time. Furthermore, The BTN ceramics exhibited a pronounced PTCR effect, with a resistance jump greater by 3.6 orders of magnitude, along with a low RT resistance of 0.14 Ω at a reoxidated temperature of 800 ºC after sintering at 1190 ºC for 2 h in a reducing atmosphere. In addition, the activation energy of samples obtained at different sintering times had also been investigated.

SUMMARY: The nerve entry points (NEPs) cannot yet be accurately localized for the treatment of thigh adductor muscles spasticity in chemical neurolysis. The aim of this study was to identify the location and depth of the NEPs of thigh adductor muscles by spiral computed tomography (CT) and bony landmarks. Forty lower limbs of twenty adult cadavers were dissected in supine position. A curved line on skin surface from the tip of greater trochanter of femur to the center of pubic tubercle was designated as the horizontal reference line (H). Another curved line from the tip of great trochanter to the lateral epicondyle of femur was designated as the longitudinal reference line (L). Following dissection, the NEPs were labeled with barium sulfate, and their body surface projection points (P) were determined by spiral CT. Projection of NEP in the opposite direction was designated as P'. The percentage location of the intersections (PH and PL) of P with the H and L and the percentage depth of NEPs were determined with the Syngo system. The PH for the NEP of pectineus, gracilis, adductor longus, adductor brevis and adductor magnus muscles branch were located at 76.41±0.71 %, 93.85±2.07 %, 92.05±2.15 %, 80.75±1.20 % and 88.08±1.09 % of the H, respectively. The PLwere at 1.64±0.04 %, 29.89±1.90 %, 16.06±1.32 %, 11.66±0.11 % and 22.94±0.90 % of the L, respectively. The depth of NEP from P points were at 17.52±0.52 %, 38.38±2.75 %, 20.88±0.79 %, 20.35±0.82 % and 39.52±0.67 % of PP', respectively. These results help to carry out more precise localization of the NEPs. It should provide a novel anatomical guide for improving the efficacy and efficiency of chemical neurolysis in treating thigh adductor muscle spasticity.

RESUMEN: Aún no se pueden localizar con precisión los puntos de entrada del nervio (PEN) para el tratamiento de la espasticidad de los músculos aductores del muslo a través de la neurólisis química. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la ubicación y la profundidad de los PEN de los músculos aductores del muslo mediante tomografía computarizada espiral (TC) y puntos de referencia óseos. Se disecaron loa miembros inferiores de 20 cadáveres adultos en posición supina. Se trazó una línea curva en la superficie de la piel desdeel ápice del trocánter mayor del fémur hasta el centro del tubérculo púbico y se designó como línea de referencia horizontal (H). Otra línea curva desde el ápice del trocánter mayor hasta el epicóndilo lateral del fémur se designó como línea de referencia longitudinal (L). Después de la disección, los PEN se marcaron con sulfato de bario y sus puntos de proyección de la superficie del cuerpo (P) se determinaron mediante TC helicoidal. La proyección de PEN en la dirección opuesta se designó como P '. El porcentaje de ubicación de las intersecciones (PH y PL) de P con H y L y la profundidad porcentual de los PEN se determinaron con el sistema Syngo. Los PH para los PEN de los músculos pectineus, gracilis, adductor longus, aductor brevis y rama aductora del músculo aductor magnus se localizaron en 76,41±0,71 %, 93,85±2,07 %, 92,05±2,15 %, 80,75±1,20 % y 88,08±1,09 % de H, respectivamente. Los PL estuvieron en 1,64±0,04 %, 29,89±1,90 %, 16,06±1,32 %, 11,66±0,11 % y 22,94±0,90 % de la L, respectivamente. La profundidad de PEN de P puntos fue de 17,52±0,52 %, 38,38±2,75 %, 20,88±0,79 %, 20,35±0,82 % y 39,52±0,67 % de PP ', respectivamente. Estos resultados ayudan a realizar una localización más precisa de los PEN. Se debe proponer una nueva guía anatómica para mejorar la eficacia y la eficiencia de la neurólisis química en el tratamiento de la espasticidad del músculo aductor del muslo.

ABSTRACT Background: primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients with a suboptimal response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) have a significantly worse survival rate. Fenofibrate has been shown to improve the short-term biochemical response in this group of patients. However, there is limited data available on the safety and efficacy of its long-term use, especially in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: in this retrospective cohort study, fenofibrate was given to PBC patients with a suboptimal response to at least 12 months of UDCA (13-15 mg/kg/d) therapy. Biochemistry data, GLOBE score and UK-PBC risk score at baseline and at different time points of treatment were compared. The safety profiles were also compared between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patient groups. Results: fenofibrate (200 mg/day) was given to 39 PBC patients with a suboptimal response to UDCA (15 cirrhotic and 24 non-cirrhotic patients). In the 26 patients who completed more than one year of combination therapy, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were 215 (185, 326) U/l, 122 (110, 202) U/l, 128 (106, 194) U/l, 124 (100, 181) U/l and 120 (82, 168) U/l, at baseline, three months, six months, 12 months and 24 months, respectively. All p values were < 0.01 when compared to baseline values. After two years of combination therapy, the UK-PBC risk score and GLOBE score did not significantly improve. The overall rates of adverse events were not significantly different between the cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic group. The elevation of liver enzymes was the most frequent side effect (n = 7), leading to a discontinuation in four patients. Furthermore, after two years of combination therapy, the serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) were significantly worse in both groups. Conclusion: fenofibrate add-on therapy could improve ALP and -GT levels in both non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic PBC patients with a suboptimal response to UDCA. However, patients need to be monitored carefully for a potential liver injury and nephrotoxicity.

ABSTRACT: Apple yield estimation using a smartphone with image processing technology offers advantages such as low cost, quick access and simple operation. This article proposes distribution framework consisting of the acquisition of fruit tree images, yield prediction in smarphone client, data processing and model calculation in server client for estimating the potential fruit yield. An image processing method was designed including the core steps of image segmentation with R/B value combined with V value and circle-fitting using curvature analysis. This method enabled four parameters to be obtained, namely, total identified pixel area (TP), fitting circle amount (FC), average radius of the fitting circle (RC) and small polygon pixel area (SP). A individual tree yield estimation model on an ANN (Artificial Neural Network) was developed with three layers, four input parameters, 14 hidden neurons, and one output parameter. The system was used on an experimental Fuji apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Red Fuji) orchard. Twenty-six tree samples were selected from a total of 80 trees according to the multiples of the number three for the establishment model, whereby 21 groups of data were trained and 5 groups o data were validated. The R2 value for the training datasets was 0.996 and the relative root mean squared error (RRMSE) value 0.063. The RRMSE value for the validation dataset was 0.284 Furthermore, a yield map with 80 apple trees was generated, and the space distribution o the yield was identified. It provided appreciable decision support for site-specific management.