Systematically monitoring the baseline sensitivity of troublesome weeds to herbicides is crucial for the early detection of a premature market lifespan of herbicides. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is one of the most important rice herbicides across the world, which has been used for five years in China. Barnyardgrass is one of the main targeted weed species of florpyrauxifen-benzyl. Totally 114 barnyardgrass populations were collected from rice fields in Jiangsu Province, China, and screened for susceptibility of each population to florpyrauxifen-benzyl by whole-plant bioassays. For all populations, the GR50 doses (the dose causing a 50% reduction in fresh weight of aboveground parts) of florpyrauxifen-benzyl ranged from 1.0 to 34.5 g ai ha-1, with an average of 6.8 g ai ha-1, a baseline sensitivity dose of 3.3 g ai ha-1, and a baseline sensitivity index of 34.5. Twenty-one days after treatment with florpyrauxifen-benzyl at the labeled dose (36 g ai ha-1), 90% of the barnyardgrass populations showed reductions in fresh weight of aboveground parts > 95%. Compared with the baseline sensitivity dose, 63, 44, and seven populations had no resistance (55%), low resistance (39%), and moderate resistance (6%) to florpyrauxifen-benzyl, respectively. Furthermore, the GR50 distribution of barnyardgrass populations did not show a significant correlation with city, planting methods (direct-seeding or transplanting), and rice species (ssp. indica or ssp. japonica) at the seed-collection rice fields (P > 0.05). In conclusion, florpyrauxifen-benzyl remains effective for barnyardgrass control in rice fields despite serious resistance challenges.

The lattice Boltzmann method has become a popular tool for simulating complex flows, including incompressible turbulent flows; however, as an artificial compressibility method, it can generate spurious pressure oscillations whose impact on the statistics of incompressible turbulence has not been systematically examined. In this work, we propose a theoretical approach to analyse the origin of compressibility-induced oscillations (CIOs) and explore ways to suppress or remove them. We begin by decomposing the velocity field and pressure field each into the solenoidal component and the compressive component, and then study the evolution of these two components analytically and numerically. The analysis yields an evolution equation of the mean-square pressure fluctuation which reveals several coupling effects of the two components. The evolution equation suggests that increasing the bulk-to-shear viscosity ratio can suppress CIOs, which is confirmed by numerical simulations. Furthermore, based on the derived evolution equation and data from the simulation, a model is developed to predict the long-term behaviours of the mean-square pressure fluctuations. In the case of decaying turbulence in a periodic domain, we show that the Helmholtz–Hodge decomposition can be used to obtain the solenoidal components reflecting the true evolution of incompressible turbulent flow, from the mesoscopic artificial compressibility approach. The study provides general theoretical guidelines to understand, suppress and even remove CIOs in other related pseudo-compressibility methods.

Stimulated Raman scattering is a third-order nonlinear optical effect that is not only effective for wavelength converting laser output, but also for single longitudinal-mode output due to the absence of spatial hole burning. Diamond is a prominent Raman-active medium that has significant potential for linewidth narrowing and wavelength converting lasers at high power levels due to its high thermal conductivity, long Raman frequency shift and wide spectral transmission range. In this work we utilize diamond in a resonantly mode-matched external cavity to achieve cascaded Raman conversion of a 1064 nm laser. By fine-tuning the length of this external cavity, we can obtain narrow linewidth emission at 1240 and 1485 nm. When operating at maximum power, the measured linewidths were more than twofold narrower than the linewidth of the fundamental field. In addition, the noise levels of the Stokes fields are lower than that of the fundamental field throughout the entire noise frequency range, and the intrinsic linewidth of the second Stokes field, which is expressed at the hertz level (~3.6 Hz), is decreased by approximately three orders of magnitude compared to that of the pump. This work represents the first measurement and analysis of the linewidth and noise characteristics of cascaded diamond Raman lasers and, significantly, offers a new means by which high-power, narrow linewidth laser output can be produced from wavelength-converted laser systems.

Despite global efforts to end tuberculosis (TB), the goal of preventing catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) due to TB remains unmet. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Data were collected from the Hospital Information System and a survey of TB patients who had completed standardized antituberculosis treatment between January and March 2021. Among the 2 283 participants, the average total expenditure and out-of-pocket expenditure were $1 506.6 (median = $760.5) and $683.6 (median = $437.8), respectively. Health insurance reimbursement reduced CHE by 16.8%, with a contribution rate of 24.9%, and the concentration index changed from -0.070 prereimbursement to -0.099 postreimbursement. However, the contribution of health insurance varied significantly across different economic strata, with contribution rates of 6.4% for the lowest economic group and 53.1% for the highest group. For patients from lower socioeconomic strata, health insurance contributed 10.7% to CHE in the prediagnostic phase and 23.5% during treatment. While social health insurance alleviated the financial burden for TB patients, it did not provide sufficient protection for those in lower economic strata or during the prediagnostic stage. This study underscores the need for more effective and equitable subsidy policies for TB patients .

In this paper, a novel fast nonsingular integral terminal sliding mode controller based on an adaptive neural network (ANN-FNITSMC) is proposed for the trajectory tracking control of cable-driven continuum robots (CDCRs) in complex underwater environments with uncertainties. First, a novel fast nonsingular integral terminal sliding mode control (FNITSMC) is designed to solve the chattering and singularity problems of the conventional terminal sliding mode control (TSMC). Second, an adaptive neural network (ANN) based on a radial basis function (RBF) is established to derive the uncertainties and compensate for the control input of CDCRs, enabling high-stable accuracy and strong robustness trajectory tracking in complex underwater environments. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the high accuracy and strong robustness of the ANN-FNITSMC. Finally, the high accuracy, high stability, and strong robustness of the proposed trajectory tracking strategy are verified through an underwater experiment platform.

The nonlinear waves in a sheared liquid film on a horizontal plate at small Reynolds numbers are examined by theoretical and numerical approaches. The analysis employs the long-wave approximation along with finite difference schemes. The results show that the surface tension can suppress disturbances and prevent the occurrence of singularities. While the film flow is driven by the shear stress on the interface, its instability highly depends on the magnitude and direction of gravity. Specifically, when the direction of gravity is opposite to the wall-normal direction, perturbations are stabilized by gravity. In contrast, when these two directions are the same, the gravitational force is destabilizing, and stationary travelling waves can exist if a balance is reached between the effects of gravity and surface tension. For the steady solitary waves, there are quasi-periodic oscillations occurring between two stationary points, indicating the presence of heteroclinic trajectories. For periodic waves, the evolutions are sensitive to several parameters and initial disturbances, while one steady-state wave exhibits a sine function-like behaviour.

The AIMTB rapid test assay is an emerging test, which adopted a fluorescence immunochromatographic assay to measure interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production following stimulation of effector memory T cells in whole blood by mycobacterial proteins. The aim of this article was to explore the ability of AIMTB rapid test assay in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection compared with the widely applied QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) test among rural doctors in China. In total, 511 participants were included in the survey. The concordance between the QFT-Plus test and the AIMTB rapid test assay was 94.47% with a Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79–0.90). Improved concordance between the two tests was observed in males and in participants with 26 or more years of service as rural doctors. The quantitative values of the QFT-Plus test was higher in individuals with a result of QFT-Plus-/AIMTB+ as compared to those with a result of QFT-Plus-/AIMTB- (p < 0.001). Overall, our study found that there was an excellent consistency between the AIMTB rapid test assay and the QFT-Plus test in a Chinese population. As the AIMTB rapid test assay is fast and easy to operate, it has the potential to improve latent tuberculosis infection testing and treatment at the community level in resource-limited settings.

Human alveolar echinococcosis is a hard-to-treat and largely untreated parasitic disease with high associated health care costs. The current antiparasitic treatment for alveolar echinococcosis relies exclusively on albendazole, which does not act parasiticidally and can induce severe adverse effects. Alternative, and most importantly, improved treatment options are urgently required. A drug repurposing strategy identified the approved antimalarial pyronaridine as a promising candidate against Echinococcus multilocularis infections. Following a 30-day oral regimen (80 mg kg−1 day−1), pyronaridine achieved an excellent therapeutic outcome in a clinically relevant hepatic alveolar echinococcosis murine model, showing a significant reduction in both metacestode size (72.0%) and counts (85.2%) compared to unmedicated infected mice, which revealed significantly more potent anti-echinococcal potency than albendazole treatment at an equal dose (metacestode size: 42.3%; counts: 4.1%). The strong parasiticidal activity of pyronaridine was further confirmed by the destructive damage to metacestode tissues observed morphologically. In addition, a screening campaign combined with computational similarity searching against an approved drug library led to the identification of pirenzepine, a gastric acid-inhibiting drug, exhibiting potent parasiticidal activity against protoscoleces and in vitro cultured small cysts, which warranted further in vivo investigation as a promising anti-echinococcal lead compound. Pyronaridine has a known drug profile and a long track record of safety, and its repurposing could translate rapidly to clinical use for human patients with alveolar echinococcosis as an alternative or salvage treatment.

As a required sample preparation method for 14C graphite, the Zn-Fe reduction method has been widely used in various laboratories. However, there is still insufficient research to improve the efficiency of graphite synthesis, reduce modern carbon contamination, and test other condition methodologies at Guangxi Normal University (GXNU). In this work, the experimental parameters, such as the reduction temperature, reaction time, reagent dose, Fe powder pretreatment, and other factors, in the Zn-Fe flame sealing reduction method for 14C graphite samples were explored and determined. The background induced by the sample preparation process was (2.06 ± 0.55) × 10–15, while the 12C– beam current were better than 40μA. The results provide essential instructions for preparing 14C graphite of ∼1 mg at the GXNU lab and technical support for the development of 14C dating and tracing, contributing to biology and environmental science.

Acoustic resonance is an important factor that contributes to aeroengine compressor failure. In this study, a plane cascade of compressor blades was designed to reproduce acoustic resonance via a low-speed wind tunnel test. A high-frequency hot-wire, microphone and strain gauge were used to synchronously measure the fluid, acoustic and structural parameters. We analysed the variation in the amplitude and frequency of the multi-field parameters with increasing mean flow velocity and explored the multi-field interaction mechanism that induces the acoustic resonance of the plane cascade. The plane cascade effectively reproduced the acoustic resonance phenomenon. The first-order acoustic-mode frequency of the plane cascade flow duct, second-order torsional vibration mode frequency of the blade and shedding mode frequency of the tip clearance leakage vortex were equal under acoustic resonance. The fluid, acoustic and structural fields showed a strong interaction effect, achieving the maximum blade vibration amplitude and causing fatigue cracks of torsional vibration at the blade root. The frequency lock-in region of the compressor plane cascade was divided into an ‘acoustic–structure’ interaction region, a ‘fluid–acoustic–structure’ interaction region and a first-order acoustic-mode dominant region with increasing mean flow velocity, which demonstrates an interesting phenomenon in which the fluid–acoustic–structure modes compete: acoustic mode > blade vibration mode > vortex shedding mode. The results demonstrate a unique approach to the study of acoustic resonance that provides insight into the acoustic resonance mechanism in a cascade of compressor blades.

A new vacuum line to extract CO2 from carbonate and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in water was established at Guangxi Normal University. The vacuum line consisted of two main components: a CO2 bubble circulation region and a CO2 purification collection region, both of which were made of quartz glass and metal pipelines. To validate its reliability, a series of carbonate samples were prepared using this system. The total recovery rate of CO2 extraction and graphitization exceeded 80%. Furthermore, the carbon content in calcium carbonate exhibited a linear relationship with the CO2 pressure within the system, demonstrating its stability and reliability. The system was also employed to prepare and analyze various samples, including calcium carbonate blanks, foraminiferal, shell, groundwater, and subsurface oil-water samples. The accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) results indicated that the average beam current for 12C- in the samples exceeded 40 μA. Additionally, the contamination introduced during the liquid sample preparation process was approximately (1.77 ± 0.57) × 10−14. Overall, the graphitized preparation system for carbonate and DIC in water exhibited high efficiency and recovery, meeting the requirements for samples dating back to approximately 30,000 years.

Light stimulation can realise the remote control of the deformation of the specific position of 4D printing structure. Shape-memory polymer–carbon nanotube (CNT) composite materials, with outstanding near-infrared photothermal conversion rate and shape-memory ability, is one type of the most popular light responsive smart materials. However, current studies focused on the photothermal effect and shape-memory applications of light-responsive shape-memory polymer composite (SMPC) sheet structures, and there is no research on the photothermal effect in the depth direction of light-responsive SMPC three-dimensional structures. Here, we prepared a UV curable, mechanically robust, and highly deformable shape-memory polymer (IBBA) as the matrix of light responsive SMPC. CNTs were added as photothermal conversion materials. We explore the photothermal effect of near-infrared laser on the surface and depth of IBBA–CNT composites cube. Shape-memory experiments show that different folded shapes can be obtained by selective near-infrared laser programming. Selective near-infrared laser programming three-dimensional movable type plate shows a programming application in depth direction of three-dimensional light-responsive intelligent structure. This research extends the application of near-infrared laser in 4D printing to the depth direction of intelligent structures, which will bring more complex and interesting 4D printing structures in the future.

The absorption and distribution of radiocarbon-labeled urea at the ultratrace level were investigated with a 14C-AMS biotracer method. The radiopharmaceutical concentrations in the plasma, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, brain, bladder, muscle, testis, and fat of rats after oral administration of 14C urea at ultratrace doses were determined by AMS, and the concentration-time curves in plasma and tissues and pharmacokinetic distribution data were obtained. This study provides an analytical method for the pharmacokinetic parameters and tissue distribution of exogenous urea in rats at ultratrace doses and explores the feasibility of evaluation and long-term tracking of ultratrace doses of drugs with AMS.

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.

The electromagnetic scattering problem over a wide incident angle can be rapidly solved by introducing the compressive sensing theory into the method of moments, whose main computational complexity is comprised of two parts: a few calculations of matrix equations and the recovery of original induced currents. To further improve the method, a novel construction scheme of measurement matrix is proposed in this paper. With the help of the measurement matrix, one can obtain a sparse sensing matrix, and consequently the computational cost for recovery can be reduced by at least half. The scheme is described in detail, and the analysis of computational complexity and numerical experiments are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness.

Despite the challenges associated with motherhood, studies have not consistently identified factors contributing to first-time mothers’ dissatisfaction with motherhood in resource-limited regions. To fill this research gap, this study investigates how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) result in first-time mothers’ dissatisfaction with motherhood through emotional distress in Nigeria. Results from the partial least square structural equation model suggests that ACEs are associated with dissatisfaction with motherhood ($ \beta $ = 0.092; p < 0.01) and emotional distress ($ \beta $ = 0.367; p < 0.001). There is also a significant association between emotional distress and dissatisfaction with motherhood ($ \beta $ = 0.728; p < 0.001). Indirect path from first-time mothers’ ACEs to dissatisfaction with motherhood through emotional distress shows significance ($ \beta $ = 0.267; 95% CI (0.213, 0.323); p < 0.001). In addition, the indirect path from first-time mothers’ ACEs to dissatisfaction with motherhood through child emotional closeness showed significant dampening effects ($ \beta $ = 0.044; 95% CI (0.025, 0.066); p < 0.001). No serial impact of emotional distress and child emotional closeness was found in the study. The findings based on child gender indicated that only among first-time mothers of female children are ACEs predictors of dissatisfaction with motherhood. Trauma-informed interventions should be introduced in primary care settings to screen for ACEs and emotional dysfunctions among first-time mothers.