Skeletal muscle is of great importance for human activity and quality of life, as its loss contributes greatly to immobilization, especially for aged individuals. An increased dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins may be beneficial for muscle loss because of aging. However, the quantitative relationship between total antioxidation capacity (TAC) of antioxidant vitamins and muscle mass is undetermined. 4009 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed with demographic, lifestyle and dietary intake adjustment factors. The dose saturation effect was also determined by a saturation effect analysis. Subgroup analysis were performed forage and sex. In the fully adjusted model, per unit increase of dietary TAC was associated with an increase of 0.018 g/kg appendicular lean mass (95% CI: 0.007–0.029), 0.014 g/kg trunk lean mass (95% CI: 0.004–0.024) and 0.035 g/kg total lean mass (95% CI: 0.014–0.055). TAC was associated with an decrease of 0.004 kg/kg total percent fat (95% CI: -0.006–-0.002), 0.005 kg/kg trunk percent fat (95% CI: -0.007–-0.002) and 0.003 kg/m2 BMI (95% CI: -0.006–-0.001) at the same time. Subgroup analysis indicated that women and adults <50 years may experience the most significant association between TAC and skeletal muscle mass. We revealed a positive correlation between TAC and lean body mass, a negative association between TAC and body fat and BMI. Saturation values were found among people aged 40–59. Age and sex mediate these associations.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in regulating salt tolerance in Dongxiang wild rice (DXWR, Oryza rufipogon Griff.). The development of salt-responsive miRNA-simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers will significantly bolster research on DXWR, providing novel tools for exploring salt-tolerant genetic resources and advancing the development of salt-tolerant rice varieties. In the present study, a total of 137 miRNA-SSR markers were successfully developed, specifically derived from miRNAs responsive to salt stress in DXWR. Subsequently, a subset of 20 markers was randomly selected for validation across three distinct DXWR populations, along with 35 modern rice varieties. Notably, 13 of these markers exhibited remarkable polymorphism. The polymorphic markers collectively amplified 52 SSR loci, averaging four alleles per locus. The polymorphism information content values associated with these loci spanned from 0.23 to 0.70, with a mean value of 0.49. Particularly noteworthy is the miR162a-SSR marker, which demonstrated distinct allelic patterns and holds potential as a diagnostic marker for discriminating the salt-tolerant rice varieties from the non-tolerant varieties. This study provides a valuable tool for genetic analysis and precision breeding, facilitating the identification and utilization of valuable salt-tolerant genetic resources.

Accurate online estimation of the payload parameters benefits robot control. In the existing approaches, however, on the one hand, only the linear friction model was used for online payload identification, which reduced the online estimation accuracy. On the other hand, the estimation models contain much noise because of using actual joint trajectory signals. In this article, a new estimation algorithm based on parameter difference for the payload dynamics is proposed. This method uses a nonlinear friction model for the online payload estimation instead of the traditionally linear one. In addition, it considers the commanded joint trajectory signals as the computation input to reduce the model noise. The main contribution of this article is to derive a symbolic relationship between the parameter difference and the payload parameters and then apply it to the online payload estimation. The robot base parameters without payload were identified offline and regarded as the prior information. The one with payload can be solved online by the recursive least squares method. The dynamics of the payload can be then solved online based on the numerical difference of the two parameter sets. Finally, experimental comparisons and a manual guidance application experiment are shown. The results confirm that our algorithm can improve the online payload estimation accuracy (especially the payload mass) and the manual guidance comfort.

In an isolate-free graph G, a subset S of vertices is a semitotal dominating set of G if it is a dominating set of G and every vertex in S is within distance 2 of another vertex of S. The semitotal domination number of G, denoted by $\gamma _{t2}(G)$, is the minimum cardinality of a semitotal dominating set in G. Goddard, Henning and McPillan [‘Semitotal domination in graphs’, Utilitas Math. 94 (2014), 67–81] characterised the trees and graphs of minimum degree 2 with semitotal domination number half their order. In this paper, we characterise all graphs whose semitotal domination number is half their order.

Understanding settling motion of coral grains is important in terms of protection of coral reef systems and resotoration of the associated ecosystems. In this paper, a series of laboratory experiments was conducted to investigate the settling motion, using optical microscopy to measure shape parameters of coral grains and the particle-filtering-based object tracking to reconstruct the three-dimensional trajectory. Three characteristic descent regimes, namely, tumbling, chaotic and fluttering, are classified based on the three-dimensional trajectory, the spiral radius variation and the velocity spectrum. It is demonstrated that if one randomly picks up one coral grain, then the probabilities of occurrence of the three regimes are approximately $26\,\%$, $42\,\%$ and $32\,\%$, respectively. We have shown that first, the dimensionless settling velocity generally increases with the non-dimensional diameter and Corey shape factor and second, the drag coefficient generally decreases with the Reynolds number and Corey shape factor. Based on this, the applicability of existing models on predicting settling velocity and drag coefficient for coral grains is demonstrated further. Finally, we have proposed extended models for predicting the settling velocity. This study contributes to better understanding of settling motion and improves our predictive capacity of settling velocity for coral grains with complex geometry.

Path planning for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is to assist in finding the proper path, serving as a critical role in the intelligence of a UAV. In this paper, a path planning for UAV in three-dimensional environment (3D) based on enhanced gravitational search algorithm (EGSA) is put forward, taking the path length, yaw angle, pitch angle, and flight altitude as considerations of the path. Considering EGSA is easy to fall into local optimum and convergence insufficiency, two factors that are the memory of current optimal and random disturbance with chaotic levy flight are adopted during the update of particle velocity, improving the balance between exploration and exploitation for EGSA through different time-varying characteristics. With the identical cost function, EGSA is compared with seven peer algorithms, such as moth flame optimization algorithm, gravitational search algorithm, and five variants of gravitational search algorithm. The experimental results demonstrate that EGSA is superior to the seven comparison algorithms on CEC 2020 benchmark functions and the path planning method based on EGSA is more valuable than the other seven methods in diverse environments.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a technique that directly injects a single sperm into the cytoplasm of mature oocytes. Here, we explored the safety of single-sperm cryopreservation applied in ICSI. This retrospective study enrolled 186 couples undergoing ICSI-assisted pregnancy. Subjects were allocated to the fresh sperm (group A)/single-sperm cryopreservation (group B) groups based on sperm type, with their clinical baseline/pathological data documented. We used ICSI-compliant sperm for subsequent in vitro fertilization and followed up on all subjects. The recovery rate/cryosurvival rate/sperm motility of both groups, the pregnancy/outcome of women receiving embryo transfer, and the delivery mode/neonatal-related information of women with successful deliveries were recorded. The clinical pregnancy rate, cumulative clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, premature delivery rate, live birth delivery rate, neonatal birth defect rate, and average birth weight were analyzed. The two groups showed no significant differences in age, body mass index, ovulation induction regimen, sex hormone [anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/luteinizing hormone (LH)] levels, or oocyte retrieval cycles. The sperm recovery rate (51.72%-100.00%) and resuscitation rate (62.09% ± 16.67%) in group B were higher; the sperm motility in the two groups demonstrated no significant difference and met the ICSI requirements. Group B exhibited an increased fertilization rate, decreased abortion rate, and increased safety versus group A. Compared with fresh sperm, the application of single-sperm cryopreservation in ICSI sensibly improved the fertilization rate and reduced the abortion rate, showing higher safety.

Trauma is a significant health issue that not only leads to immediate death in many cases but also causes severe complications, such as sepsis, thrombosis, haemorrhage, acute respiratory distress syndrome and traumatic brain injury, among trauma patients. Target protein identification technology is a vital technique in the field of biomedical research, enabling the study of biomolecular interactions, drug discovery and disease treatment. It plays a crucial role in identifying key protein targets associated with specific diseases or biological processes, facilitating further research, drug design and the development of treatment strategies. The application of target protein technology in biomarker detection enables the timely identification of newly emerging infections and complications in trauma patients, facilitating expeditious medical interventions and leading to reduced post-trauma mortality rates and improved patient prognoses. This review provides an overview of the current applications of target protein identification technology in trauma-related complications and provides a brief overview of the current target protein identification technology, with the aim of reducing post-trauma mortality, improving diagnostic efficiency and prognostic outcomes for patients.

In an isolate-free graph G, a subset S of vertices is a semitotal dominating set of G if it is a dominating set of G and every vertex in S is within distance 2 of another vertex of S. The semitotal domination number of G, denoted by $\gamma _{t2}(G)$, is the minimum cardinality of a semitotal dominating set in G. Using edge weighting functions on semitotal dominating sets, we prove that if $G\neq N_2$ is a connected claw-free graph of order $n\geq 6$ with minimum degree $\delta (G)\geq 3$, then $\gamma _{t2}(G)\leq \frac{4}{11}n$ and this bound is sharp, disproving the conjecture proposed by Zhu et al. [‘Semitotal domination in claw-free cubic graphs’, Graphs Combin. 33(5) (2017), 1119–1130].

The Righi–Leduc heat flux generated by the self-generated magnetic field in the ablative Rayleigh–Taylor instability driven by a laser irradiating thin targets is studied through two-dimensional extended-magnetohydrodynamic simulations. The perturbation structure gets into a low magnetization state though the peak strength of the self-generated magnetic field could reach hundreds of teslas. The Righi–Leduc effect plays an essential impact both in the linear and nonlinear stages, and it deflects the total heat flux towards the spike base. Compared to the case without the self-generated magnetic field included, less heat flux is concentrated at the spike tip, finally mitigating the ablative stabilization and leading to an increase in the velocity of the spike tip. It is shown that the linear growth rate is increased by about 10% and the amplitude during the nonlinear stage is increased by even more than 10% due to the feedback of the magnetic field, respectively. Our results reveal the importance of Righi–Leduc heat flux to the growth of the instability and promote deep understanding of the instability evolution together with the self-generated magnetic field, especially during the acceleration stage in inertial confinement fusion.

In preparation for an experiment with a laser-generated intense proton beam at the Laser Fusion Research Center at Mianyang to investigate the 11B(p,α)2α reaction, we performed a measurement at very low proton energy between 140 keV and 172 keV using the high-voltage platform at the Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou. The aim of the experiment was to test the ability to use CR-39 track detectors for cross-section measurements and to remeasure the cross-section of this reaction close to the first resonance using the thick target approach. We obtained the cross-section σ = 45.6 ± 12.5 mb near 156 keV. Our result confirms the feasibility of CR-39 type track detector for nuclear reaction measurement also in low-energy regions.

Energy loss of protons with 90 and 100 keV energies penetrating through a hydrogen plasma target has been measured, where the electron density of the plasma is about 1016 cm−3 and the electron temperature is about 1-2 eV. It is found that the energy loss of protons in the plasma is obviously larger than that in cold gas and the experimental results based on the Bethe model calculations can be demonstrated by the variation of effective charge of protons in the hydrogen plasma. The effective charge remains 1 for 100 keV protons, while the value for 90 keV protons decreases to be about 0.92. Moreover, two empirical formulae are employed to extract the effective charge.

Semiconductor photocatalysis has been regarded as one of the most promising methods for treatment of Cr(VI)-containing wastewater, but the high recombination rate of photogenerated carriers and photocorrosion have limited severely its practical application. The objective of the current study was to employ a layered double hydroxide (LDH) to mitigate these problems by designing and constructing a multiple heterojunction system of g-C3N4/LDH/Ag3PO4 (CNLDHAP) through a two-step hydrothermal route. The structures, morphologies, chemical states, and optical properties of the products were investigated systematically. The CNLDHAP composite showed superior photocatalytic activity for Cr(VI) reduction than that of the individual components under visible-light irradiation. The composite exhibited high photocatalytic reduction stability after five recycles. The enhanced photocatalytic performance may originate from the very efficient separation of photogenerated carriers of the multiple heterojunction system. Possible photocatalytic mechanisms for the reduction of Cr(VI) over the CNLDHAP composite photocatalyst are proposed.

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) processing has been proven as a method for preparing polymer/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites with improved platelet dispersion. The influence of scCO2 processing on the shape and size of the MMT tactoid/platelet, which is of great importance to the final platelet dispersion in the polymer matrix, is scarcely reported in the literature. In the present study, the pristine MMT was first surface modified with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (the grafted MMT is labeled as GMMT), and then intercalated using three kinds of intercalating agents, myristyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (MTAB), tetradecyltrihexylphosphonium chloride (TDTHP), and ethoxyltriphenyl-phosphonium chloride (ETPC), in water or scCO2, to study the effect of intercalating agent type and intercalation method on the morphology and thermal properties of GMMT, as a part of a program devoted to the synthesis of polymer/MMT nanocomposites. The structure of intercalated GMMT was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optimum intercalation conditions in scCO2 were established by trying a range of reaction times and pressures. The structures of intercalated GMMT obtained under optimum scCO2 conditions and water were compared. The basal spacing of GMMT intercalated in scCO2 was almost the same as that in water, and both were obviously larger than that of GMMT. The GMMT exhibited a compact spherical morphology (examined using SEM), and the surface structures (including surface morphology, surface roughness, and surface compactness) of samples intercalated in water became ‘less compact’ and the degree of the ‘compactness’ of samples intercalated in scCO2 decreased further. Whether in water or scCO2, samples intercalated with TDTHP exhibited a larger basal spacing and the extent of disorder increased compared to that for samples intercalated with MTAB. The pristine MMT was also intercalated for comparison and silane grafting was proven to contribute to the increased basal spacing and ‘less compact’ surface structure.

Species of Baylisascaris (Nematoda: Ascarididae) are of great veterinary and zoonotic significance, owing to cause Baylisascariosis or Baylisascariasis in wildlife, captive animals and humans. However, the phylogenetic relationships of the current 10 Baylisascaris species remain unclear. Moreover, our current knowledge of the detailed morphology and morphometrics of the important zoonotic species B. procyonis is still insufficient. The taxonomical status of B. procyonis and B. columnaris remains under debate. In the present study, the detailed morphology of B. procyonis was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy based on newly collected specimens from the raccoon Procyon lotor (Linnaeus) in China. The results of the ASAP analysis and Bayesian inference (BI) using the 28S, ITS, cox1 and cox2 genetic markers did not support that B. procyonis and B. columnaris represent two distinct species. Integrative morphological and molecular assessment challenged the validity of B. procyonis, and suggested that B. procyonis seems to represent a synonym of B. columnaris. Molecular phylogenetic results indicated that the species of Baylisascaris were grouped into 4 clades according to their host specificity. The present study provided new insights into the taxonomic status of B. procyonis and preliminarily clarified the phylogenetic relationships of Baylisascaris species.

Periplaneta americana, one of the most widely distributed insects all over the world, can survive and reproduce in harsh environment which may be closely related to the critical roles of intestinal microorganisms in its multiple physiological functions. However, the composition and structure of gut microbiota throughout different life stages and its effects on the strong resilient and environmental adaptability of P. americana remain unclear. In this study, the gut microbiota across life stages including ootheca (embryos), nymph and adult of P. americana were investigated by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Multivariate statistical analysis showed the richness and diversity of bacterial communities were significantly different among ootheca, nymph and adult stage of P. americana. Taxonomic analysis showed Blattabacterium was the dominant genus in bacterial community of ootheca while the nutrient absorption-related genera including Christensenellaceae and Ruminococcaceae showed high relative abundance in nymph samples. Moreover, functional prediction analysis showed the metabolic categories in ootheca might have more influence on the basic life activities of the host than improved production and viability, while it was more associated to the society activities, reproduction and development of host in nymph and adult. It was suggested that the gut microbiota in each life stage might meet the requirements for environmental adaptability and survival of P. americana via transforming the composition and structure with specific metabolic capabilities. Overall, these results provided a novel sight to better understand the strong vitality and adaptability throughout life stages of P. americana.

Fast neutron absorption spectroscopy is widely used in the study of nuclear structure and element analysis. However, due to the traditional neutron source pulse duration being of the order of nanoseconds, it is difficult to obtain a high-resolution absorption spectrum. Thus, we present a method of ultrahigh energy-resolution absorption spectroscopy via a high repetition rate, picosecond duration pulsed neutron source driven by a terawatt laser. The technology of single neutron count is used, which results in easily distinguishing the width of approximately 20 keV at 2 MeV and an asymmetric shape of the neutron absorption peak. The absorption spectroscopy based on a laser neutron source has one order of magnitude higher energy-resolution power than the state-of-the-art traditional neutron sources, which could be of benefit for precisely measuring nuclear structure data.

Abnormalities in the zona pellucida (ZP) adversely affect oocyte maturation, embryo development and pregnancy outcomes. However, the assessment of severity is challenging. To evaluate the effects of different degrees of ZP abnormalities on embryo development and clinical outcomes, in total, 590 retrieval cycles were scored and divided into four categories (control, mild, moderate and severe) based on three parameters: perivitelline space, percentage of immature oocytes and percentage of oocytes with abnormal morphology. As the severity of abnormal ZP increased, both the number of retrieved oocytes and mature oocytes decreased. The fertilization rate did not differ significantly among groups. The rates of embryo cleavage and day-3 high-quality embryos in the mild group and the moderate group did not vary significantly between the two groups but were significantly higher than those in the severe group. The blastulation rates of the abnormal ZP groups were similar; however, they were lower than those of the control group. Moreover, the cycle cancellation rate of the severe abnormal ZP group was as high as 66.20%, which was significantly higher than that of the other three groups. Although the rates of cumulative clinical pregnancy and live births were lower than those in the control group, they were comparable among the abnormal ZP groups. There were no differences in the neonatal outcomes of the different groups. Together, ZP abnormalities show various degrees of severity, and in all patients regardless of the degree of ZP abnormalities who achieve available embryos, there will be an opportunity to eventually give birth.