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An innovative approach to plastic mulch film modeling based on the discrete element method
Trace explosive detection based on fluorescence sensing and similarity measures for time series classification
Online optimization of continuous casting cutting
Abstract Continuous casting is a key process in steel production, and optimizing the cutting process to minimize material waste while meeting customer demands is one of the core challenges in improving production efficiency. This paper proposes an online optimization algorithm to address the cutting optimization problem in steel continuous casting. Through an optimization model constructed by combining nested models, analytical modeling, and computer traversal algorithms, cutting schemes can be adjusted in real-time when production abnormalities occur, ensuring production continuity and efficiency. The proposed method demonstrates excellent performance in reducing cutting losses, meeting production requirements, and minimizing secondary cutting operations, with broad practical application potential.
In situ analysis of vascular structures in fractured Tyrannosaurus rex rib
Abstract Soft tissue preservation in fossils has become a popular focus of paleontology research due to easier access to sensitive probes like synchrotron radiation, allowing more detailed analysis of specimens. Although uncommon, reports exist on vascular preservation in dinosaurs, generally as remnants of Haversian canals. However, combined 3D morphological and chemical analysis of large angiogenic dinosaur blood vessels has not been reported before. Here we show characterization of a network of large vessel-like structures in a rib from “RSKM P2523.8” (Royal Saskatchewan Museum), an exceptionally robust Tyrannosaurus rex found in the Late Cretaceous Frenchman Formation, Saskatchewan, Canada. Using Synchrotron Micro-Computed Tomography these structures can be visualized in situ within the bone and matched to chemical microprobing from Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure. Combined with conventional optical and electron microscopy, we show the vessel-like structures are composed of pyrite partially oxidized to goethite or hematite, preserved in two distinct layers as permineralized casts. Although no original soft tissues were able to be recovered using the current suite of techniques, the structures’ morphology and sole presence in a fractured area of the rib suggest angiogenic origin. Bone healing and regrowth may offer a promising target for future multi-technique soft tissue experiments analyzing dinosaur healing potential.
Grain traits and ozone exposure shape maize resistance to Sitophilus zeamais
A reproducible rat model for predicting incisional hernia recurrence: insights for clinical translation
Evaluation of MCAM expression in correlation with clinicopathological parameters of gastric cancer
Experimental investigation of the developed focusing elements for generating extreme pressures in a diaphragmless shock tube
Development and reutilisation of a fertiliser-based culture medium for the commercial production of Chlorella sorokiniana
Understanding health knowledge failures: uncertainty versus misinformation
Clinical profile, treatment, and outcomes of febrile neutropenia in hematologic disorders: a look at 30-day mortality predictors
Real-time assessment of circulating tumor cells refines the indication for HER2-targeted therapy in metastatic gastric cancer
Abstract HER2-targeted therapies have improved outcomes in metastatic gastric cancer (mGC), yet assessment of HER2 status in tumor tissues remains limited by heterogeneity and temporal changes. This study aimed to evaluate real-time HER2 expression on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using the On-chip Sort system. CTCs were enriched from blood samples of 27 mGC patients, identified by cytokeratin staining, and assessed for HER2 expression via fluorescent labeling. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) index was calculated based on co-expression of vimentin and cytokeratin. CTCs also underwent whole-genome amplification and targeted sequencing using a cancer gene panel. Patients were stratified into three groups: Group A (n = 13), HER2-positive in tissue; Group B (n = 8), tissue HER2-negative but CTC HER2-positive; and Group C (n = 6), HER2-negative in both tissue and CTCs. All patients received cytotoxic chemotherapy; only Group A received additional HER2-targeted therapy. Group B showed the poorest progression-free survival (PFS: 7.0 months), compared to Group A (15.7 months) and Group C (not reached). CTC HER2 expression correlated with EMT index; Groups A and B also exhibited higher EMT indices and shared EMT-related mutations. These findings suggest that CTC-based HER2 monitoring reflects tumor aggressiveness and may help identify patients who could benefit from HER2-targeted therapy despite negative tissue HER2 status.
Identification of improved signal peptides for heterologous expression in Saccharomyces using a screen that exploits Gaussia luciferase
Abstract A high-throughput and sensitive screen for the improved expression of gene targets in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is described that is based upon the activity of the luciferase from Gaussia princeps. Using the Unspecific Peroxygenase (UPO) from Agrocybe aegerita (AaeUPO) as a model protein, improvements in expression, effected through error-prone PCR-based mutation within the signal peptide (SP) domain, can be detected using fusion of the target to Gaussia luciferase encoded downstream of the first folded domain of the AaeUPO protein and luminescent assay of expression supernatants. In this way, previously undiscovered mutations within the SP of AaeUPO that improve expression were revealed, and then applied to the expression of full-length AaeUPO in S. cerevisiae. The system was validated against control expression constructs that were well or poorly expressed and indicated a 13.9-fold improvement in expression for the best mutant over the wild-type SP sequence. It is envisaged that this protocol may be applied generally to the high-throughput detection of improved expression in S. cerevisiae for constructs that are engineered using directed evolution techniques.
Detail-preserving denoising of CT and MRI images via adaptive clustering and non-local means algorithm
Magnetically separable Fe3O4-SiO2/Pt catalyst and its application for uranium reduction
Abstract Magnetically separable Fe3O4-SiO2/Pt catalysts with ~ 2% Pt loading have been developed for the generation of U(IV) in HNO3-N2H4 medium, used in the nuclear spent fuel reprocessing. Pt was impregnated in the catalysts via reductive heat treatment. The catalysts were characterized by x-ray diffraction, magnetization measurement, field emission scanning electron microscope and high-resolution transmission electron microscope studies. Catalysts reduced at 200 °C and above temperatures were found to be sufficient for the complete reduction of Pt to its Pt(0) state and were highly efficient for the U(IV) generation via hydrogenation. The U(IV) produced during the experiment was analyzed via the titrimetric and spectroscopic methods. Among all the catalysts prepared under the scope of the study, the highest saturation magnetization was measured for the Fe3O4-10SiO2/Pt catalysts prepared at 200 °C (Fe3O4-10SiO2/Pt(200)). However, the catalyst was least effective towards U(VI) reduction compare to the catalysts prepare at 250 °C (Fe3O4-10SiO2/Pt(250)) and 300 °C (Fe3O4-10SiO2/Pt(300)). The saturation magnetization of Fe3O4-10SiO2/Pt(300) was found to be higher than that of Fe3O4-10SiO2/Pt(250). Finally, Fe3O4-10SiO2/Pt(300) was considered a model catalyst for the detailed characterization, benchmarking and recycling of the catalyst material. Samples with higher silica content were also prepared at 300 °C and assessed for their catalytic activity.
The L-shaped relationship between HALP score and one-year mortality in critically ill surgical patients: a retrospective cohort study
Tracing the evolutionary pathway of SARS-CoV-2 through RNA sequencing analysis
Multiplexed, universal probe-based rare variant detection with USE-PCR
Abstract Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an essential tool in research and diagnostics but is limited by the number of resolvable targets, reliance on target-specific probes, and assay-specific data interpretation. To overcome these challenges, we introduce Universal Signal Encoding PCR (USE-PCR), a novel approach combining universal hydrolysis probes, amplitude modulation, multispectral encoding, and standardized analysis for robust, scalable target detection. Using 32 synthetic templates, USE-PCR demonstrates a mean target identification accuracy of 92.6% ± 10.7% at high template copy and 97.6% ± 4.4% at low template copy, with linear correlation coefficients of 0.99 across four dPCR platforms and a dynamic range spanning four orders of magnitude. Integrating USE-PCR with RNase H-based detection chemistry enables 32 single nucleotide variants to be called simultaneously with up to 86.5% accuracy in cancer cell lines. Together, these results position USE-PCR as a transformative platform for high throughput, multiplexed analyte detection with applications in research and clinical settings.