Epidemiologic evidence on the association between dietary choline, betaine and mortality risk remains limited, particularly among non-Western populations. We examined the association of dietary choline and betaine with all-cause mortality in Chinese adults using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 1991–2015. We included 9027 men and 8828 women without CVD and cancer at baseline. Dietary intake was assessed using 3-day 24-hour dietary recalls and household food inventories. Death was ascertained through household surveys in each wave. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards regression models estimated multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % CIs. During a median follow-up of 9·1 years, 891 men and 687 women were deceased. Higher total choline intake was associated with lower all-cause mortality in both men (HRQ5 v. Q1 = 0·58 (95 % CI: 0·45, 0·74)) and women (HRQ5 v. Q1 = 0·59 (95 % CI: 0·44, 0·78)). The dose–response curve were reverse J-shaped in men and L-shaped in women (both P-nonlinear ≤ 0·005). Similarly, fat-soluble choline intake was inversely associated with mortality in both men (HRQ5 v. Q1 = 0·59 (95 % CI: 0·46, 0·75)) and women (HRQ5 v. Q1 = 0·53 (95 % CI: 0·40, 0·70)), showing reverse J-shaped patterns (both P-nonlinear < 0·001). A J-shaped association between water-soluble choline and mortality was observed in women (P-nonlinear < 0·001), but a null association was found in men. Betaine intake was not associated with all-cause mortality in either sex. Our findings suggest that adequate choline intake is linked to reduced all-cause mortality in Chinese adults with predominantly plant-based diets.

The attached-eddy model (AEM) predicts that the mean streamwise velocity and streamwise velocity variance profiles follow a logarithmic shape, while the vertical velocity variance remains invariant with height in the overlap region of high Reynolds number wall-bounded turbulent flows. Moreover, the AEM coefficients are presumed to attain asymptotically constant values at very high Reynolds numbers. Here, the AEM predictions are examined using sonic anemometer measurements in the near-neutral atmospheric surface layer, with a focus on the logarithmic behaviour of the streamwise velocity variance. Utilizing an extensive 210-day dataset collected from a 62 m meteorological tower located in the Eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho, USA, the inertial sublayer is first identified by analysing the measured momentum flux and mean velocity profiles. The logarithmic behaviour of the streamwise velocity variance and the associated ‘$-1$’ scaling of the streamwise velocity energy spectra are then investigated. The findings indicate that the Townsend–Perry coefficient ($A_1$) is influenced by mild non-stationarity that manifests itself as a Reynolds number dependence. After excluding non-stationary runs, and requiring the bulk Reynolds number defined using the atmospheric boundary layer height to be larger than $4 \times 10^{7}$, the inferred $A_1$ converges to values ranging between 1 and 1.25, consistent with laboratory experiments. Furthermore, nine benchmark cases selected through a restrictive quality control reveal a close relation between the ‘$-1$’ scaling in the streamwise velocity energy spectrum and the logarithmic behaviour of streamwise velocity variance. However, additional data are required to determine whether the plateau value of the pre-multiplied streamwise velocity energy spectrum is identical to $A_1$.

Optical fibers offer convenient access to a variety of nonlinear phenomena. However, due to their inversion symmetry, second-order nonlinear effects, such as second-harmonic generation (SHG), are challenging to achieve. Here, all-fiber in-core SHG with high beam quality is achieved in a random fiber laser (RFL). The fundamental wave (FW) is generated in the same RFL. The phase-matching condition is mainly achieved through an induced periodic electric field and the gain is enhanced through the passive spatiotemporal gain modulation and the extended fiber. The conversion needs no pretreatment and the average second-harmonic (SH) power reaches up to 10.06 mW, with a corresponding conversion efficiency greater than 0.04%. Moreover, a theoretical model is constructed to explain the mechanism and simulate the evolution of the SH and FW. Our work offers a simple method to generate higher brightness for in-fiber SHs, and may further provide new directions for research on all-fiber χ(2)-based nonlinear fiber optics and RFLs.

The vitamin K (VK) levels vary greatly among different populations and in different regions. Currently, there is a lack of reference intervals for VK levels in healthy individuals, The aim of this study is to establish and validate the reference intervals of serum vitamin K1 (VK1) and vitamin K2 (VK2, specifically including menaquinone-4 (MK4) and menaquinone-7 (MK7)) levels in some healthy populations in Beijing. Serum VK1, MK4, and MK7 were firstly measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry in 434 subjects. The reference intervals for three indicators were established by calculating the data of 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. Finally, preliminary clinical validation was conducted on 60 apparent healthy individuals undergoing physical examination. In the young, middle-aged, and elderly groups, the reference intervals of VK1 were 0.180 ng/mL ∼ 1.494 ng/mL, 0.247 ng/mL ∼ 1.446 ng/mL, and 0.167 ng/mL ∼ 1.445 ng/mL, respectively. The reference intervals of MK4 were 0.009 ng/mL ∼ 0.115 ng/mL, 0.002 ng/mL ∼ 0.103 ng/mL, and 0.003 ng/mL ∼ 0.106 ng/mL, respectively. The reference intervals of MK7 were 0.169 ng/mL ∼ 0.881 ng/mL, 0.238 ng/mL ∼ 0.936 ng/mL, and 0.213 ng/mL ∼ 1.012 ng/mL, respectively. The reference intervals had been validated by the samples of healthy individuals for physical examination. In conclusion, the reference intervals of VK established in this study with different age groups have certain clinical applicability, providing data support for further multicentre studies.

In certain scenarios, the large footprint of a robot is not conducive to multi-robot cooperative operations. This paper presents a generalized single-loop parallel manipulator with remote center of motion (GSLPM-RCM), which addresses this issue by incorporating a reconfigurable base. The footprint of this RCM manipulator can be adjusted by varying the parameters of the reconfigurable base. First, utilizing configuration evolution, a reconfigurable base is constructed based on the principle of forming RCM motion. Then, according to the modular analysis method, the inverse kinematics of this parallel RCM manipulator is analyzed, and the workspace is also analyzed. Subsequently, the motion/force transmissibility of this RCM manipulator is analyzed by considering its single-loop and multi-degree of freedom characteristics. Leveraging the workspace index and transmissibility indices, dimension optimization of the manipulator is implemented. Finally, the influence of the reconfigurable base on the workspace and the transmissibility performance of the optimized manipulator is studied.

Foodborne diseases are ongoing and significant public health concerns. This study analysed data obtained from the Foodborne Outbreaks Surveillance System of Wenzhou to comprehensively summarise the characteristics of foodborne outbreaks from 2012 to 2022. A total of 198 outbreaks were reported, resulting in 2,216 cases, 208 hospitalisations, and eight deaths over 11 years. The findings suggested that foodborne outbreaks were more prevalent in the third quarter, with most cases occurring in households (30.8%). Outbreaks were primarily associated with aquatic products (17.7%) as sources of contamination. The primary transmission pathways were accidental ingestion (20.2%) and multi-pathway transmission (12.1%). Microbiological aetiologies (46.0%), including Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella ssp., and Staphylococcus aureus, were identified as the main causes of foodborne outbreaks. Furthermore, mushroom toxins (75.0%), poisonous animals (12.5%), and poisonous plants (12.5%) were responsible for deaths from accidental ingestion. This study identified crucial settings and aetiologies that require the attention of both individuals and governments, thereby enabling the development of effective preventive measures to mitigate foodborne outbreaks, particularly in coastal cities.

Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) is one of the world’s resilient upland weeds, primarily spreading through its tubers. Its emergence in rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields has been increasing, likely due to changing paddy-farming practices. This study aimed to investigate how C. rotundus, an upland weed, can withstand soil flooding and become a problematic weed in rice fields. The first comparative analysis focused on the survival and recovery characteristics of growing and mature tubers of C. rotundus exposed to soil-flooding conditions. Notably, mature tubers exhibited significant survival and recovery abilities in these environments. Based on this observation, further investigation was carried out to explore the morphological structure, nonstructural carbohydrates, and respiratory mechanisms of mature tubers in response to prolonged soil flooding. Over time, the mature tubers did not form aerenchyma but instead gradually accumulated lignified sclerenchymal fibers, with lignin content also increasing. After 90 d, the lignified sclerenchymal fibers and lignin contents were 4.0 and 1.1 times higher than those in the no soil-flooding treatment. Concurrently, soluble sugar content decreased while starch content increased, providing energy storage, and alcohol dehydrogenase activity rose to support anaerobic respiration via alcohol fermentation. These results indicated that mature tubers survived in soil-flooding conditions by adopting a low-oxygen quiescence strategy, which involves morphological adaptations through the development of lignified sclerenchymal fibers, increased starch reserves for energy storage, and enhanced anaerobic respiration. This mechanism likely underpins the flooding tolerance of mature C. rotundus tubers, allowing them to endure unfavorable conditions and subsequently germinate and grow once flooding subsides. This study provides a preliminary explanation of the mechanism by which mature tubers of C. rotundus from the upland areas confer flooding tolerance, shedding light on the reasons behind this weed’s increasing presence in rice fields.

To evaluate the variations in COVID-19 case fatality rates (CFRs) across different regions and waves, and the impact of public health interventions, social and economic characteristics, and demographic factors on COVID-19 CFRs, we collected data from 30 countries with the highest incidence rate in three waves. We summarized the CFRs of different countries and continents in each wave through meta-analysis. Spearman’s correlation and multiple linear regression were employed to estimate the correlation between influencing factors and reduction rates of CFRs. Significant differences in CFRs were observed among different regions during the three waves (P < 0.001). An association was found between the changes in fully vaccinated rates (rs = 0.41), population density (rs = 0.43), the proportion of individuals over 65 years old (rs = 0.43), and the reduction rates of case fatality rate. Compared to Wave 1, the reduction rates in Wave 2 were associated with population density (β = 0.19, 95%CI: 0.05–0.33) and smoking rates (β = −4.66, 95%CI: −8.98 – −0.33), while in Wave 3 it was associated with booster vaccine rates (β = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.11–1.09) and hospital beds per thousand people (β = 4.15, 95%CI: 1.41–6.89). These findings suggest that the COVID-19 CFRs varied across different countries and waves, and promoting booster vaccinations, increasing hospital bed capacity, and implementing tobacco control measures can help reduce CFRs.

To overcome Yb lasing, a kilowatt-level 1535 nm fiber laser is utilized to in-band pump an Er:Yb co-doped fiber (EYDF) amplifier. The output power of a 301 W narrow-linewidth EYDF amplifier operating at 1585 nm, with 3 dB bandwidth of 150 pm and ${M}^2$< 1.4, is experimentally demonstrated. To the best of our knowledge, it is the highest output power achieved in L-band narrow-linewidth fiber amplifiers with good beam quality. Theoretically, a new ion transition behavior among energy levels for in-band pumping EYDF is uncovered, and a spatial-mode-resolved nonlinearity-assisted theoretical model is developed to understand its internal dynamics. Numerical simulations reveal that the reduction in slope efficiency is significantly related to excited-state absorption (ESA). ESA has a nonlinear hindering effect on power scaling. It can drastically lower the pump absorption and slope efficiency with increasing pump power for in-band pumped EYDF amplifiers. Meanwhile, optimized approaches are proposed to improve its power to the kilowatt level via in-band pumping.

The collector for separating diasporic bauxite serves as a type of flotation reagent by adsorbing selectively on diaspore to make it hydrophobic enough to separate it from the aluminosilicates. Although the flotation process is considered economical in the desilication of Chinese diasporic bauxite, the existing collectors fail to separate these ores because of their poor adsorption selectivity over other minerals. The present study was an attempt to seek a collector for selective flotation of diaspore over aluminosilicates. A novel carboxyl hydroxamic acid compound, 2,2-bis(hydroxycarbamoyl) decanoic acid (BHDA), was designed and synthesized, and the flotation behavior of diaspore, kaolinite, and illite was investigated by flotation tests with BHDA. The interactions between the BHDA and the minerals were also explored by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta-potential measurement, and density functional theory (DFT) calculation. Using BHDA as the collector, the pulp pH value affected the floatability of diaspore significantly while the floatability of kaolinite or illite was unaffected or only slightly affected. The dosage of BHDA had little effect on the floatability of the three minerals. The greatest difference in floatability between diaspore and aluminosilicates occurred at mid-range pulp pH (7). Large shifts in characteristic absorption peaks and new absorption peaks were observed for BHDA-treated diaspore but were absent from BHDA-treated aluminosilicates. The change in the negative zeta potential of diaspore was also greater than those of aluminosilicates in the presence of BHDA. The O atoms in the carboxyl and hydroxycarbamoyl of BHDA have highly negative charges, and favorable stereo conditions existed to form five- or six-membered rings, resulting in their coordination with the Al atoms of diaspore, leading to chemisorption in chelate rings; the adsorption of BHDA on kaolinite or illite, on the other hand, was mainly physical in nature. The BHDA was, therefore, highly selective in the flotation between diaspore and aluminosilicates and possibly suitable for the separation of diasporic bauxite.

During the early stages of human pregnancy, successful implantation of embryonic trophoblast cells into the endometrium depends on good communication between trophoblast cells and the endometrium. Abnormal trophoblast cell function can cause embryo implantation failure. In this study, we added cyclosporine A (CsA) to the culture medium to observe the effect of CsA on embryonic trophoblast cells and the related mechanism. We observed that CsA promoted the migration and invasion of embryonic trophoblast cells. CsA promoted the expression of leukaemic inhibitory factor (LIF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). In addition, CsA promoted the secretion and volume increase in vesicles in the CsA-treated group compared with the control group. Therefore, CsA may promote the adhesion and invasion of trophoblast cells through LIF and FGF and promote the vesicle dynamic process, which is conducive to embryo implantation.