In this paper, we numerically investigate the orbit dynamics of three-dimensional symmetric Janus drops in shear flow using an improved ternary-fluids phase field method, focusing on how drop deformation and initial orientation affect the orbit drift of two configurations of Janus drops: dumbbell-shaped and near-spherical. We find that the motion of dumbbell-shaped drops eventually evolves into tumbling, while near-spherical drops attain stable spinning. We attribute this bifurcation in orbit drift to contrasting deformation dynamics and shape-dependent hydrodynamics of the two configurations. Specifically, the drift bifurcation is closely related to the aspect ratio of Janus drops at equilibrium, giving rise to two distinct mechanisms: (1) coupling between outer interface deformation and the surrounding flow field; and (2) interplay between inner interface deformation and vortices enclosed within the drop. In addition, we observe that for the dumbbell-shaped Janus drops with different aspect ratios, their tumbling dynamics resembles ellipsoids in shear flow. Moreover, the trajectories of the dumbbell-shaped Janus drops during orbit drift collapse onto a universal curve, independent of their initial orientations, and significant deformation and inertia accelerate the orbit transition. To quantitatively evaluate the effect of drop deformation on the orbit drift of the dumbbell-shaped Janus drops, we propose an effective aspect ratio model based on the drop shapes at equilibrium and at the maximum elongation. By incorporating the effective aspect ratio into Jeffery’s theory for solid particles, we accurately predict the rotation period and angular velocity of Janus drops in the tumbling regime and during the orbit drift, especially for drops with linear deformation. Moreover, the orbit parameter $C$ is found to vary exponentially with time for drops with linear deformation, while the time variation of $C$ transits from one exponential function to another for drops with nonlinear deformation.

Meconopsis florindae Kingdon-Ward, an alpine species endemic to Xizang, China, is extremely scarce and restricted in distribution. Prior to this study, the first and only collection was in 1924. During three targeted field surveys, we rediscovered one small population not far from its type locality but at a significantly higher elevation and occupying a highly specialized ecological niche. Meconopsis florindae is a monocarpic perennial at high risk of extinction and categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List because of its limited population and restricted geographical range. Its survival is threatened by anthropogenic activities including nomadic livestock grazing, disturbance and habitat destruction, and habitat alteration as a consequence of climate change. We recommend comprehensive in situ and ex situ conservation measures to protect this species, including establishing a micro-reserve, implementing practical conservation interventions and long-term monitoring, and collecting seeds and preserving them in the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species to safeguard genetic diversity. Field surveys should be expanded to locate additional populations, and local communities should be engaged to raise awareness and support the conservation of this rare plant.

To address the complexity and excessive reliance on expert experience in tuning fuzzy Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller parameters, this study proposes a variable-rate spraying control system that integrates an improved Beetle Antennae Search (IBAS) algorithm with fuzzy PID control. To evaluate the feasibility of the system, a mathematical transfer function of the variable-rate spraying system was constructed, and a flow control simulation platform was established for simulation analysis. To overcome the limitations of conventional BAS, which is prone to premature convergence and limited search precision, the IBAS algorithm was developed. The improvements include a hybrid disturbance strategy to enhance individual search capability and a simulated annealing mechanism to prevent the algorithm from being trapped in local optima. Using the IBAS algorithm, the proportional and quantization factors of the fuzzy PID controller were optimized offline to obtain the optimal parameters. The IBAS-fuzzy PID controller was then compared in simulation with conventional PID, fuzzy PID, and BAS-optimized fuzzy PID controllers. The simulation results demonstrated that the IBAS-fuzzy PID algorithm achieved higher flow control accuracy than existing methods. To further validate the effectiveness of the improved algorithm under practical conditions, field experiments were conducted. The results indicated that the IBAS-optimized fuzzy PID controller outperformed the three other control methods in terms of flow control accuracy. Overall, both simulation and field results confirm that the proposed IBAS algorithm for fuzzy PID parameter optimization significantly enhances response speed, control precision, and overshoot reduction, providing a novel approach and potential application for variable-rate spraying technology.

Umbrella reviews (URs) synthesize findings from multiple systematic reviews on a specific topic. Methodological approaches for analyzing and presenting UR results vary, and reviewers often adapt methods to align with research objectives. This study examined the characteristics of analysis and presentation methods used in healthcare-related URs. A systematic PubMed search identified URs published between 2023 and 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on healthcare URs using systematic reviews as the unit of analysis. A random sample of 100 eligible URs was included. A customized, piloted data extraction form was used to collect bibliographic, conduct, and reporting data independently. Descriptive analysis and narrative synthesis summarized findings. The most common terminology for eligible studies was “umbrella reviews” (65%) or “overviews” (30%). Question frameworks included PICO (43%) and PICOS (14%), with quantitative systematic reviews included in most URs (98%), and 68% including randomized controlled trials. The most frequent methodological guidance source was Cochrane (32%). Data analysis commonly used narrative synthesis and meta-analysis, with Stata, RevMan, and GRADEPro GDT employed for presentation. Information about study overlap and certainty assessment was rarely reported.Variation exists in how data are analyzed and presented in URs, with key elements often omitted. These findings highlight the need for clearer methodological guidance to enhance consistency and reporting in future URs.

This study examines how English is semiotically represented in video games, an under–explored but promising virtualscape. Drawing on the concept of semiotic landscape, this study critically explores how English and other semiotic resources work together to create social meanings and what are the ideological forces governing the process of semiotic appropriation. Data were collected from the in–game English representation and other semiotic resources from two female–oriented Chinese video games. It is found that English embodies cosmopolitan and poetic dispositions in the romanticized virtual space. Such dispositions are made relevant to the globally consuming elite class who are assumed not only to have access to the world consumption opportunities but also to show literary appreciation with a sense of distinction. The paper highlights the implications of these findings for understanding romance–mediated English as classed and gendered ideologies in the context of the increasing popularity of female–oriented game sphere.

This article aims to further our understanding of the mechanics of physical weed control, specifically the mechanism of using a cutting blade to cut weeds. Research on weed stem cutting is sparse, so this paper draws on examples of plant stem cutting. It reviews the factors that affect the plant stem cutting process. Among the, Cutting speed, blade sharpness, and moisture content, factors that can easily be controlled, are discussed. The indicators for evaluating the cutting process and the methods for measuring the influencing factors are introduced as well. Finally, different blade designs, examples of the application of mechanisms that affect the cutting process of plant stems are provided. This review argues that, under conditions of high cutting speed, high blade sharpness, and high moisture content, plastic deformation would be reduced and the stems would exhibit brittle material characteristics. This would help to reduce the cutting force and energy, but excessive brittleness can cause stem fragmentation and degrade cutting quality. This paper also lists some possible future research directions. First, friction behavior during the cutting process of fresh plant stems. Another, cutting blade design based on the comprehensive application of cutting speed, blade wedge angle, and sliding cutting angle on the cutting process. At present, the mechanism of plant stem cutting process is still not clear. Further research is needed.

Previous L1 syntactic processing studies have identified the crucial left frontotemporal network, whereas research on L2 syntactic processing has shown that learner factors, such as L2 proficiency and linguistic distance, can modulate the related networks. Here, we developed a function-word-based jabberwocky sentence reading paradigm to investigate the neural correlates underlying Chinese L2 syntactic processing. Twenty Chinese L2 Korean native speakers were recruited in this fMRI study. Chinese proficiency test scores and Chinese-Korean syntactic similarity scores were measured to quantify the learner factors, respectively. The imaging results revealed an effective left frontoparietal network involving superior parietal lobule (SPL), posterior inferior frontal gyrus (pIFG) and precentral gyrus (PreCG). Moreover, the signal intensity of SPL as well as the connectivity strength between SPL and PreCG significantly correlated with the learner factors. These findings shed light on the neurobiological relationships between L1 and L2 syntactic processing and on the modulation of L2 learner factors.

Persistent malnutrition is associated with poor clinical outcomes in cancer. However, assessing its reversibility can be challenging. The present study aimed to utilise machine learning (ML) to predict reversible malnutrition (RM) in patients with cancer. A multicentre cohort study including hospitalised oncology patients. Malnutrition was diagnosed using an international consensus. RM was defined as a positive diagnosis of malnutrition upon patient admission which turned negative one month later. Time-series data on body weight and skeletal muscle were modelled using a long short-term memory architecture to predict RM. The model was named as WAL-net, and its performance, explainability, clinical relevance and generalisability were evaluated. We investigated 4254 patients with cancer-associated malnutrition (discovery set = 2977, test set = 1277). There were 2783 men and 1471 women (median age = 61 years). RM was identified in 754 (17·7 %) patients. RM/non-RM groups showed distinct patterns of weight and muscle dynamics, and RM was negatively correlated to the progressive stages of cancer cachexia (r = –0·340, P < 0·001). WAL-net was the state-of-the-art model among all ML algorithms evaluated, demonstrating favourable performance to predict RM in the test set (AUC = 0·924, 95 % CI = 0·904, 0·944) and an external validation set (n 798, AUC = 0·909, 95 % CI = 0·876, 0·943). Model-predicted RM using baseline information was associated with lower future risks of underweight, sarcopenia, performance status decline and progression of malnutrition (all P < 0·05). This study presents an explainable deep learning model, the WAL-net, for early identification of RM in patients with cancer. These findings might help the management of cancer-associated malnutrition to optimise patient outcomes in multidisciplinary cancer care.

This paper introduces a novel ray-tracing methodology for various gradient-index materials, particularly plasmas. The proposed approach utilizes adaptive-step Runge–Kutta integration to compute ray trajectories while incorporating an innovative rasterization step for ray energy deposition. By removing the requirement for rays to terminate at cell interfaces – a limitation inherent in earlier cell-confined approaches – the numerical formulation of ray motion becomes independent of specific domain geometries. This facilitates a unified and concise tracing method compatible with all commonly used curvilinear coordinate systems in laser–plasma simulations, which were previously unsupported or prohibitively complex under cell-confined frameworks. Numerical experiments demonstrate the algorithm’s stability and versatility in capturing diverse ray physics across reduced-dimensional planar, cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems. We anticipate that the rasterization-based approach will pave the way for the development of a generalized ray-tracing toolkit applicable to a broad range of fluid simulations and synthetic optical diagnostics.

Objectives/Goals: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive and prevalent breast cancer subtype that lacks targeted therapies. This study aims to investigate whether the niclosamide derivative HJC0152 can modulate tumor-derived PD-L1 expression and enhance the effectiveness of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in treating TNBC. Methods/Study Population: Niclosamide derivative HJC0152 was developed as a novel cancer therapeutic and immunomodulating agent. Human TNBC cell line (MDA-MB-231) was treated with HJC0152, and activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway was evaluated using Western blotting. RNA-Seq was employed to analyze the expression of protein-coding genes, particularly those related to immune response. To study therapeutic potential in vivo, TNBC mouse models will be treated with single agent treatments as well as a combination therapy of HJC0152 and anti-PD-1. Tumor volume and mass will be measured over time to determine growth inhibition. Results/Anticipated Results: Preliminary studies indicate that HJC0152 exhibits enhanced solubility compared to Niclosamide, along with high anticancer potency both in vitro and in vivo. HJC0152 was found to effectively inhibit the activation of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) in MDA-MB-231 cells, a key signaling pathway associated with cancer progression and immune evasion. RNA-Seq analysis of HJC0152-treated MDA-MB-231 cells revealed a decrease in PD-L1 expression, an essential immune checkpoint protein involved in tumor immune suppression. These findings suggest that HJC0152 is a promising immune modulator that may enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy for TNBC. Discussion/Significance of Impact: This study explores an innovative immunotherapy for TNBC using the Niclosamide derivative HJC0152, which inhibits STAT3 signaling and downregulates PD-L1. Results from this study will provide a foundation for HJC0152’s inclusion in clinical trials and potentially offer a new and promising therapeutic option for TNBC treatment.

Acoustic resonances in cascade structures may cause structural damage and instability problems in aero-engines and other industrial plants; thus, developing corresponding prediction methods is important. However, works published in the open literature mostly focus on the special case of the stationary Parker modes and provide little knowledge into the rotating resonances in annular cascades, especially in the presence of non-zero background mean flows. This paper develops a three-dimensional semi-analytic model to study the acoustic resonances in an annular cascade in the presence of axial mean flow. The model applies an unsteady cascade response based on the three-dimensional lifting surface method to construct a matrix equation. Characteristic frequencies are solved in the complex domain by numerically searching for singular points. Both the oscillation frequency and the growth rate of the three-dimensional resonance modes are theoretically calculated for the first time under non-zero mean flow conditions. The results reveal an organised distribution with varying inter-blade phase angle and show obvious change with the background flow speed. It is found that the unsteady vortex shedding from the trailing edges of the cascade is a key factor influencing the dissipation rate of the resonance modes. In addition, the important effects of acoustic scattering by the cascade during resonances are examined, which qualitatively corroborate some previous experimental observations.

The Mamyshev oscillator (MO) is well-known for its high modulation depth, which provides an excellent platform for achieving both high average power and short pulse durations. However, this characteristic typically limits the high-repetition-rate pulse generation. Herein, we construct an MO that achieves a gigahertz (GHz) repetition rate through harmonic mode-locking. The laser can reach up to the 93rd order, which corresponds to the repetition rate of 1.6 GHz. The maximum achieved output average power is 3 W at a repetition rate of 1.2 GHz (69th order), with the corresponding pulse duration compressed to 51 fs. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the GHz repetition rate in an MO has been obtained simultaneously with the recorded average power and pulse duration.