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Oxygen uptake kinetics differentiates two from six minute walk tests in lower extremity prosthesis users
A simplified method for determining earthquake early warning thresholds in high speed railways
Abstract This study conducts an exploration of determining the earthquake early warning thresholds for high-speed railways. Through shaking table tests and the analysis of two-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical models, an innovative approach to deriving earthquake early warning thresholds has been proposed. Firstly, the accuracy of the two-dimensional vehicle-track numerical model was validated, by comparing with the results of shaking table tests. Secondly, this paper discusses the impact of track irregularities on the risk of train derailment, pointing out that under seismic action, the correlation between derailment risk and vehicle speed is limited, and is more related to track conditions. Furthermore, by analyzing the superimposed effects of track irregularities and seismic action, the derailment patterns of trains during earthquakes were revealed. Finally, combining the safety margin of derailment indicators and the principle of superposition effects, this paper uses six different seismic waves to calculate and analyze the two-dimensional vehicle-track model, providing the earthquake early warning threshold for high-speed railways. This method offers a new theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the design and implementation of high-speed railway earthquake early warning systems.
Rare comet photobombs telescope’s view of the cosmos
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of cervical spondylosis in the general public
‘Revolutionary’ AI tools rescue old weather data to improve climate models
Effects of anserine on oxidative stress and on cell barrier integrity in methylmalonic aciduria
Abstract Kidney damage in individuals with methylmalonyl-CoA mutase deficiency (mut 0) results from metabolic and oxidative stress, and disrupted mitochondrial homeostasis. Anserine, known for its antioxidant properties and protective effect on cell barrier integrity of endothelial and epithelial kidney and vascular cells, may offer therapeutic potential for chronic disorders. This study explored anserine’s effects on immortalized kidney tubular epithelial cells (iKTEC) from mut 0 patients. Compared to healthy controls, iKTEC from mut 0 patients showed reduced cell viability, antioxidant capacity, oxygen consumption, and ATP production. Expression of the tight junction scaffolding protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) was increased in mut 0 cells compared to control while transepithelial resistance (TER), and dextran transport (10 kDa) remained unchanged. Anserine treatment restored antioxidant capacity and normalized ZO-1 expression but had no effect on TER or dextran transport. Additionally, cell viability, mitochondrial respiration, and ATP production were unaffected by anserine. Metabolic stress induced by high protein load or disease-associated branched-chain amino acids did not worsen mitochondrial dysfunction or epithelial integrity, and anserine exposure showed no further effects. In conclusion, anserine showed promise in restoring antioxidant capacity in iKTEC from mut 0 patients, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent to mitigate ROS, although its effects on mitochondrial function and epithelial integrity warrant further investigation.
Molecular and phenotypic insights into sulfur’s role in enhancing tomato plant growth, stress tolerance, and productivity
Abstract Sulfur is an essential nutrient for plant growth and defense, participating in biochemical processes like gene expression, translation, and redox reactions. While its role in sulfur deficiency has been well studied, the biological responses to sulfur fertilization remain less explored. Here, we investigated these responses by analyzing gene expression in tomato at both hourly and daily intervals following sulfur fertilization. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to sulfur fertilization revealed increased expression of genes related to water and wounding responses, as well as cell wall biosynthesis within a day. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified 14 modules linked to time-dependent gene expression changes after sulfur treatment. MAPK and hormone signaling genes peaked within one hour, followed by enhanced molecular expression pathways involved in mRNA transport, ribosome biogenesis, and amino acid biosynthesis. Modules that peaked more than 1 day after sulfur treatment were enriched in processes related to glutathione metabolism, cell division, and auxin and steroid biosynthesis, which are likely to contribute to sustained growth and stress resistance. These findings were validated by increased drought and TYLCV resistance, as well as improved yield in sulfur-fertilized tomato plants, highlighting sulfur fertilization as a strategy for improving agricultural productivity.