Sensitive Response Research Articles

Site conditions rather than provenance drive tree growth, climate sensitivity and drought responses in European beech in Germany

Ongoing climate change and associated extreme events strongly impact the growth and vitality of forest ecosystems in Europe. Because of its’ high drought sensitivity, European beech, which is considered as climax tree species in large parts of Central Europe, may specifically suffer. Hence, recent studies increasingly focus on the resistance and resilience of beech growth to climate change. Intra-specific variations in growth responses by comparing different beech provenances, however, received less attention, as did the question whether provenance selection can be used to mitigate potential future negative impacts of climate change. Therefore, we here investigated 24 provenances belonging to the International Beech Provenance Trial growing at three sites in Germany along a latitudinal gradient (study sites are referred to as ’North’, ‘Center’, ‘South’). Specifically, we compared tree-ring width (TRW), diameter breast height (DBH), climate-growth relationships, as well as drought resistance and resilience in the extreme years 2003 and 2018. Large differences in growth performance were observed between the three study sites. At site North, beech trees showed the highest DBH and TRW. Tree growth was predominantly driven by previous-year October and current-year winter temperature, whereas growth at sites Center and South was significantly impacted by summer SPEI and constrained by precipitation in late winter and early June, respectively. Overall, drought responses in 2003 were less variable than in 2018. We found increasing resistance and decreasing resilience from the wetter North to the drier South, but with minimal differences between the Center and the South. Whereas differences between study sites were large, provenance differentiation within sites was comparably low, substantiating that beech is a highly plastic tree species. Even though some provenances were found to perform slightly better or worse, differences were not statistically significant and show unclear patterns. Hence, we conclude that climate change will affect beech forests in Europe mainly depending upon site conditions, and that provenance selection may not ensure superior growth performance.

A dual-channel fluorescent probe for differential detection of HClO and N2H4

Hypochlorous acid (HClO) and hydrazine (N2H4) are both toxic to the biological environment. The development of a fluorescent probe capable of achieving accurate and sensitive detection of HClO and N2H4 in both organisms and environmental systems is essential to reveal their various physiological and pathological functions. For this work, a dual-channel fluorescent probe PI was developed, which achieved different fluorescence signals in blue and green channels in response to HClO and N2H4 by adjusting the donor and receptor before and after the reaction of fluorophore. PI has the advantages of quick response (12 min for HClO, 15 min for N2H4), good selectivity and high sensitivity for the recognition of HClO and N2H4 in solutions. The probe PI showed good linearity for HClO in the concentration range of 15–50 μM with a limit of detection of 41 nM. It also showed good linearity for N2H4 in the concentration range of 0–200 μM with a limit of detection of 23 nM for N2H4. Furthermore, probe PI was utilized to detect HClO and N2H4 in cells, zebrafish and Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. The results demonstrate that the probe PI is a promising tool for monitoring HClO and N2H4 in biological systems and the environment.

Flexible intelligent fabric composed of pinecone-like microstructure Co-cMOFs/CoZnAl-LDH composite nanomaterial for various types of sensor signals to guide personalized health activities

Multifunctional interfacing is a key aspect of flexible sensor development that facilitates enhanced interaction with the natural environment. However, challenges faced by contemporary multifunctional flexible sensors are structural complexity and high cost. Herein, inspired by the specific structure of pinecone in nature and the microstructured neural networks randomly distributed within human skin, we fabricated Co-cMOFs/CoZnAl-LDH composite nanomaterials with pinecone-like microstructure. Through the mutual verification of finite element simulation and experimental data, the mechanism of high sensitivity of the sensor is dynamically revealed from the structural point of view. The prepared pressure sensors exhibit a detection range (0–120 kPa), high sensitivity (2.35 × 109 kPa−1) and fast response. The photoelectric sensor shows enhanced photoelectric energy conversion, which shows great potential in the detection of sunlight intensity (20–100 mW cm−2). Simultaneously, building a hybrid pressure, acoustic and optical sensing platform and validating its superior performance in human movement and health monitoring applications. Furthermore, a strategy of light intensity feedback system to guide personalized health activities is put forward, so that doctors can guide patients/elderly health activities remotely.

Sorption-spectrophotometric determination of bismuth ion (III) using immobilised xylenol orange on modified polyacrylonitrile

ABSTRACT This study presents a new sorption-spectrophotometric method for determining bismuth (III) ions using a new adsorbent for PPM-1 fibre immobilised with xylenol orange. The complex exhibited a maximum reflectance at 550 nm and absorption at 530 nm, indicating stable formation. The method demonstrated high sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.1 µg/mL and high selectivity, minimising interference from other metal ions. Optimal pH for complex formation was 1.37, with faster response and higher sensitivity in the immobilised state (detection limit 0.12 µg/mL, formation time 10 minutes). The complex adhered to the Bouguer-Lambert-Beer law within 3–42 µg/25 mL. Interferences from Cu2+, Ag+, Pd2+, and Fe3+ were reduced when the reagent was immobilised. Conductometric analysis confirmed the stable formation of the complex. Validation using model mixtures and pharmaceutical preparations showed accurate bismuth determination with an error margin of 0.005. For example, a mixture containing 25 µg of bismuth with zinc and cadmium yielded 25.20 µg, and De-nol had a found content of 49.50 µg for 50.00 µg added. IR spectroscopy confirmed complex formation with significant shifts in absorption bands. SEM and EDS analysis validated the reagent’s effective immobilisation and interaction with bismuth ions. The method provides a rapid, accurate, and environmentally friendly approach for bismuth analysis, demonstrating high reproducibility, sensitivity, and selectivity, suitable for environmental monitoring and pharmaceutical quality control.

Molecular regulation of lignin multi-level structure and conformational evolution for the self-powered fire alarm sensors

Many studies are still limited to focusing on the primary structure of biomass macromolecules, ignoring the impact of the multi-level structure of macromolecules and their conformational evolution on the high-value utilization of biomass. In this paper, a novel and clever strategy is designed and executed to regulate and immobilize the multi-level structure of lignin macromolecules. Lignin with different spatial conformations exhibits differences in physical properties and processability, despite their chemical primary structures being highly similar. In order to clearly and intuitively study the impact of multi-level structures, lignin-based carbon nanofibers (CFs) with high requirements for processing and precursor properties have been selected as the high-value utilization. The introduction of lignin with optimized multi-level structures effectively improves fiber morphology, uniform diameter, and flexibility. The resulting lignin-based CFs exhibit excellent refractoriness, stability, flame sensitivity (response time of only 1 s), and good energy storage properties (specific capacitance up to 226.1F/g). Furthermore, the CFs moist-electric generator has a high power generation efficiency, and the output voltage of a single device reaches 0.649 V and the output current is up to 160 μA. This work may explain a long-standing issue: why do lignin macromolecules with similar primary structures exhibit many differences in physical and processing properties, which is of great significance for promoting the industrial utilization of lignin macromolecules.

Ethynylbenzaldehydes as novel reaction-based “turn-on” fluorescent probes for primary amine detection in solution, vapor, food, proteins, and live cells

Amine detection is of great importance as excess volatile amine exposure and increased concentration of biogenic amines in human body can cause adverse effects to human health. Thus, the development of easy-accessible and efficient fluorescent probes for amine detection is of great importance. In this study, we are the first to establish a cascade reaction sequence featuring imine formation followed by 6-endo-dig cyclization reaction for the development of sensitive and selective “turn-on” fluorescent probes toward primary amines by using the ortho-ethynylbenzaldehydes (EBAs) as the reaction site. The corresponding isoquinolinium products generated give a significant red-shifted absorbance change and highly intense “turn-on” fluorescence. Nine EBAs (EBA-1a-1e, EBA-2–5) were designed and synthesized to study the structure-photophysical property relationship (SPPR) for selective primary amine sensing. Our EBAs possessed a highly sensitive response toward primary amines in aqueous conditions within 30 min (LOD as low as 0.45 µM) with tunable absorption (338–430 nm) and emission (410–535 nm), large Stokes shift (up to 115 nm), and high fluorescence quantum yield (up to 0.86). EBA-loaded paper strips were prepared as a portable low cost tool for amine detection in solution, vapor, and food. Fluorogenic protein labelling and in-gel fluorescent imaging were efficiently achieved by using EBAs in which the fluorescence signal was obviously observed by naked eyes under 365 nm UV lamp. Moreover, the favorable membrane permeabilization, low to moderate cytotoxicity, and “turn-on” fluorescent response of EBA-1a-1e and EBA-4–5 allow wash-free live cell imaging. Interestingly, EBA-1a-1e and EBA-4 showed high selectivity to fluorescent imaging of mitochondria.

Impact of genomic background and developmental state on signaling pathways and response to therapy in glioblastoma patient-derived cells.

Glioblastoma (GBM) tumors represents diverse genomic epigenomic, and transcriptional landscapes, with significant intratumoral heterogeneity that challenges standard of care treatments involving radiation (RT) and the DNA-alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ). In this study, we employed targeted proteomics to assess the response of a genomically-diverse panel of GBM patient-derived cancer stem cells (CSCs) to astrocytic differentiation, growth factor withdrawal and traditional high fetal bovine serum culture. Our findings revealed a complex crosstalk and co-activation of key oncogenic signaling in CSCs and diverse patterns of response to these external stimuli. Using RNA sequencing and DNA methylation, we observed common adaptations in response to astrocytic differentiation of CSCs across genomically distinct models, including BMP-Smad pathway activation, reduced cholesterol biosynthesis, and upregulation of extracellular matrix components. Notably, we observed that these differentiated CSC progenies retained a subset of stemness genes and the activation of cell survival pathways. We also examined the impact of differentiation state and genomic background on GBM cell sensitivity and transcriptional response to TMZ and RT. Differentiation of CSCs increased resistance to TMZ but not to RT. While transcriptional responses to these treatments were predominantly regulated by p53 in wild-type p53 GBM cells, its transcriptional activity was modulated by the differentiation status and treatment modality. Both mutant and wild-type p53 models exhibited significant activation of a DNA-damage associated interferon response in CSCs and differentiated cells, suggesting this pathway may play a wider role in GBM response to TMZ and RT. Our integrative analysis of the impact of GBM cell developmental states, in the context of genomic and molecular diversity of patient-derived models, provides valuable insights for pre-clinical studies aimed at optimizing treatment strategies.

Enhanced moisture resistance performance of CsPbBr3 quantum dots through synergetic encapsulation with In3+ ions and polymer

Perovskite gas sensors have a very broad market prospect and application potential due to their attractive gas sensing performance and low manufacturing cost. However, the current environmental stability of perovskites is a major challenge that hinders their widespread application. In this study, Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) were prepared by a simple room-temperature synthesis method and modified with a ligand In(Acac)3 to passivate their surface defects. Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) was added to protect the QDs from oxygen and moisture. The effect of EVA contents on the sensor performance was investigated. At the optimal ratio of 3 % EVA, the sensor exhibited a response sensitivity of 0.25–80 ppm CH3OH gas at room temperature (RT) and the detection limit was around 3 ppm, with a stability of over 40 days. Compared to the CsPbBr3 sensor, the CsPbBr3-In/EVA sensor showed a significant improvement in the gas-sensitive response and persistence. The device can resist the interference of wet gas effectively and maintained sensitivity even at 90 % RH, solving the problem of poor moisture resistance of current PQDs. This dual strategy contributes to the advancement of more precise and durable sensing solutions, addressing a critical need in the field.

A multi-stimulus responsive nanogel actuator with the π-π stacking interaction self-assembly and application for bioinspired smart skin with light, heat and humidity responses and superb UV resistance

The fabrication and development of assemblies of bionic smart skin with multi-stimulus response and multi-color tunable properties is a major challenge in the field of advanced materials and smart wearable devices. In this work, an amphiphilic functional nanogel switch connected by long polyether chain segments containing bis-spiropyran with the π-π stacking interactions was designed. A multi-stimulus responsive color-changing nanogel actuator (SP-PEG-NA) was constructed using ionic liquid-assisted self-assembly. A composite bionic smart skin (WPU/SP-PEG@CF) was prepared by compositing SP-PEG-NA, waterborne polyurethane (WPU) and flexible cotton fabric based on physical cross-linking. The smart skin possesses multiple color-changing properties in response to light, heat and humidity. Even under ultra-low UV intensity (0.025 mW/cm2), WPU/SP-PEG@CF also exhibits significant photochromic properties. Surprising, the smart composite constructed with the nanogels possessed extremely high UV shielding performance (UPF 628.68) and photocontrolled hydrophobic-hydrophilic transition properties. The self-assembled nanogel actuators greatly improved the stimulus–response sensitivity. The multiple supramolecular noncovalent interactions of the nanogel actuator such as hydrophilic long polyether structures hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions endowed nanogel highly self-assembly properties. They showed excellent multi-stimulus response in color-changing, versatility and reversibility. The multi-stimulus responsive and multifunctional smart composites prepared using self-assembled nanogel has potential applications in smart wearable materials, sensors and information display.

Sensitive response of erosion and weathering to the Indian Summer Monsoon changes in South Asia during Dansgaard-Oeschger oscillations

Continental weathering plays a key role in regulating the long-term climate stability via negative feedback. However, whether and how erosion and weathering respond to rapid climate change (e.g millennial scale) in large river basins remains unclear, partly due to the lack of archives with robust age models and high sampling resolution. As one of the largest sediment source-to-sink systems, the Himalaya-Ganga/Brahmaputra River-Bay of Bengal system is considered as an ideal laboratory for examining the weathering-climate relationships over the past. Here we present the elemental and mineralogical data from well age-constrained core sediments in the Bay of Bengal, which document the erosion and weathering conditions in South Asia during the last glacial period. All proxies generally show larger values during glacial interstadials than the stadials, consistent with the millennial variabilities of regional sea surface temperature (SST) and the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) strength. We confirm that the erosion and chemical weathering signals in Ganga/Brahmaputra River basins, which sensitively respond to the ISM strength and/or temperature change, could be propagated through the large river systems and faithfully preserved in the South Asian marginal seas, without noticeable time lag on a millennial scale. Our findings provide valuable data for response of erosion and weathering dynamics in a large river basin to rapid climate changes, and highlight the immense potential of monsoon-driven continental silicate weathering in floodplains as a substantial short-term carbon sink, thus underscoring a pivotal natural carbon sequestration mechanism amidst the escalating threat of global warming.

Predictive heating load management and energy flexibility analysis in residential sector using an archetype gray-box modeling approach: Application to an experimental house in Québec.

This paper presents a methodology to develop archetype gray-box models and use them in an economic model-based predictive control algorithm to simulate optimal heating load management in response to a newly-introduced static time-of-use tariff for Québec's residential sector, rate Flex-D. The methodology is evaluated through a case study, wherein in situ measurements from a two-storey unoccupied research house of Hydro-Québec are used to develop an 11R6C network with a heuristic zoning-by-floor approach and compute the sequence of optimal electric heating input for the next control horizon. Properly-tuned economic model-based predictive control under rate Flex-D shows potential for an approximately 30% reduction in daily heating cost compared to the reference operation, with a minimal average deviation of indoor air temperature from the reference setpoint. Also, the analysis of the response's sensitivity to weather forecast uncertainties indicates that the most influential uncontrolled input directing the performance of economic model-based predictive control is the structure price signal, rendering the impact of uncertainty in the weather forecast negligible.

Dynamic landscape response to Younger Dryas and earliest Holocene cooling events in the European Eastern Alps (Austria)

In classic loess areas research into dust deposition and concomitant environmental changes has a long history and numerous well-investigated loess-palaeosol sequences provide insights into Late Quaternary landscape responses to climatic change on orbital to centennial time scales. This contrasts with mountain regions, where an understanding of dust deposition under rapidly changing climatic and environmental conditions is much less developed. Here we describe two sediment records from the Austrian Alps that provide rare evidence for intramontane loess accumulation. Dust deposition has been numerically constrained to the Younger Dryas (YD) to earliest Holocene interval, making these sites the first proof of significant intramontane aeolian activity during this time interval in the Eastern Alps.At study site 1, located in the Northern Calcareous Alps, a loess layer 10–20 cm in thickness and laterally exposed over more than 300 m is sandwiched into an alluvial-fan succession. Two optically-stimulated luminescence ages of quartz and four radiocarbon ages of charcoals indicate loess accumulation during the Younger Dryas to earliest Holocene. This laterally extensive loess drape suggests much drier climatic conditions compared to today, which is corroborated by palynological investigations. Macro- and micro-charcoal particles within the loess indicate regional wildfires that might have exaggerated climatically induced sedimentary processes. The second site is a Mesolithic site located ∼30 km southeast of site 1. At site two, redeposited till and pebbly scree are sharply overlain by a few centimetre thick light-grey loess layer, which is capped by the archaeological living floor hosting 14C dated fireplaces suggesting human presence as early as 10.9 ± 0.2 cal ka BP. These radiocarbon ages in combination with single-grain IRSL dating of feldspar at site two suggests concomitant aeolian deposition at site 1 and 2.Recently, a widespread drape of loess deposited immediately subsequent to the LGM was described for the same sector of the Eastern Alps (Gild et al., 2018). The present study expands on these findings and provides evidence for the recurrence of loess deposition also during the YD to earliest Holocene, and suggests a highly sensitive response of the geomorphic system in mountain ranges to abrupt post-LGM climate fluctuations. We conclude that, in addition to moraine records of Alpine glaciers and speleothems that accurately chronicle Late Glacial temperature fluctuations, the spatio-temporal pattern of inner-Alpine loess deposits records the mode and sensitivity of landscape responses to such cooling events. Because such aeolian sediment layers can be redeposited or pedologically overprinted, they are often overlooked, and are thus still severely under-researched.

Pulsed X‐Ray Detector Based on Vertical p‐NiO/β‐Ga2O3 Heterojunction Diode

Gallium Oxide (Ga2O3) devices have shown great potential for radiation detection. However, developing Ga2O3 detectors for pulsed radiation monitoring is still challenging, which requires high response sensitivity (R), low noise, high time resolution, and linear outputs. Herein, a vertical p‐NiO/β‐Ga2O3 heterojunction diode (HJD) is fabricated and its performance in X‐ray detection is analyzed. Benefiting from the high quality of the p‐n heterojunction, the HJD exhibits a low‐leakage current density of less than 1.73 × 10−7 A cm−2 at 100 V and features a high R of 7.92 μC Gy−1 cm−2, a low noise equivalent dose rate of 9.14 × 10−12 Gy−1 Hz−0.5 at an X‐ray dose rate of 0.383 Gy s−1, and good linear outputs to X‐ray dose rates from 0.0383 to 1.149 Gy s−1. The conductive process of the HJD detector is dominated by the tunneling mechanism, which leads to a longer response time associated with the trapping and releasing process of the deep‐level traps under the continuous X‐ray illumination. However, the pulsed X‐ray response property shows no significant influence from the slow trapping/releasing process of the traps. As a result, pulsed X‐ray radiation detection with a 50 ns full width is achieved, and the time resolution of the detector is characterized to be 3.31 ns by a 20 ps laser source.

Switchable Photoelectric Response in High-Temperature Leadless Molecular Ferroelectric [C4N2H14][BiI5

Lead-free molecular ferroelectrics have garnered considerable attention for their promising potential, but such species with narrow band gap and sensitive photoelectric response are yet inadequate. Herein, we demonstrated the bulk ferroelectric photovoltaic effect in a novel lead-free molecular ferroelectric [C4N2H14][BiI5] with a Curie temperature (Tc) of 366 K and a narrow band gap (Eg) of 1.92 eV. The transformation of the crystal structure from the polar space group P21 to the nonpolar space group P21/m was elucidated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Room-temperature (RT) hysteresis loop reveals the intrinsic ferroelectricity of [C4N2H14][BiI5] with a relative small coercive field (Ec ∼ 0.27 kV/cm), saturation polarization (Ps ∼ 1.87 μC/cm2), and remanent polarization (Pr ∼ 1.61 μC/cm2). [C4N2H14][BiI5]-based solar device exhibits significant PV effects with a steady-state photocurrent (Jsc) of 3.54 μA/cm2 and a photovoltage (Voc) of 0.34 V under AM 1.5 G illumination, which can be significantly improved by adjusting the ferroelectric polarization, reaching a maximum Jsc of 140 μA/cm2 and Voc of 0.51 V. This work offers a promising avenue for lead-free molecular ferroelectric materials in the field of optoelectronic devices.

Flexible AIE/PCM composite fiber with biosensing of alcohol, fluorescent anti-counterfeiting and body thermal management functions

Alcohol sensing plays a critical role in medical detection and personal health management. AIE materials with high sensitivity, selectivity and fast response have been widely used in biosensing, but their application in the field of alcohol sensing still needs further research and development. Furthermore, developing flexible phase change materials (PCMs) is significant for the research of human-body thermal management. In this study, a kind of flexible polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/polyethylene glycol (PEG)/Py-CH (pyrene-based AIE molecule)/SiO2@h-BN composite fiber textile (PAB) with alcohol sensing performance, writable fluorescence property, and human body thermal management function has been prepared via electrospinning technique. The PAN/PVP fiber matrix successfully integrated AIE fluorescent sensing material and PCM into a multi-functional composite with great shape stability. Owing to the introduction of novel pyrene-based Py-CH with AIE characteristic, this innovative textile exhibited wonderful fluorescent properties, including sensitive alcohol fluorescence sensing, writable fluorescence performance and variable temperature fluorescence. Furthermore, proposed PAB textile delivered a high energy storage density of 87∼90 J/g, excellent thermal reliability, great comprehensive mechanical flexibility and enhanced thermal conductivity for flexible human body thermal management. Hence, this flexible multifunctional AIE/PCM composite sensing textiles can be widely used in alcohol sensing, fluorescence anti-counterfeiting and flexible body thermal management.

Ultra-broadband Photodetectors Based on Formamidinium Lead Iodide Quantum Dots

Near-infrared photodetectors were fabricated by incorporating formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) quantum dots (QDs) as the light-harvesting layer. Through systematic optimization of the device architecture, high device performance was achieved by utilizing PCBM as the electron transport material and a 50 nm-thick TAPC film as the hole transport layer. The energy level alignment between PCBM and the FAPbI3 QDs enabled efficient exciton dissociation and hole blocking, while the optimized TAPC thickness decrease current leakage pathways. The resulting photodetectors exhibited an impressive external quantum efficiency of 59.56 % at 750 nm, along with a high specific detectivity of 2.63 x 1011 Jones. A broadband photoresponse from 300–900 nm was observed, as well as a fast temporal response with 30.58/31.26 μs rise/fall times. A substantial linear dynamic range of 61.5 dB was achieved under 780 nm illumination. Furthermore, the low dark current densities facilitated by the judiciously selected materials and thicknesses contributed to the excellent overall device performance. The device performance of the PCBM/FAPbI3 QDs/TAPC system demonstrate its promising potential for near-infrared optoelectronic applications requiring high sensitivity, speed, and broad spectral response, opening up opportunities for further advances in photodetection as well as other relevant device technologies.

A Wide-Bandwidth Inexpensive Current Sensor Based on the Signal Fusion of Tunneling Magnetoresistance and a Current Transformer.

In technology and industrial production, many applications require wide-bandwidth current measurements. In this paper, a signal fusion scheme for a current sensor comprising tunneling magnetoresistance and a current transformer is proposed, achieving a flat frequency response in the DC to MHz range. The measurement principles in different cases of the scheme are introduced, and the total transfer function of the entire scheme is derived by analyzing each section separately. Furthermore, the feasibility and selected parameters of the scheme are verified through a systematic simulation utilizing the MATLAB software. Based on the proposed scheme, a group of principal prototypes are built to experimentally evaluate the bandwidth, amplitude and phase flatness, accuracy, sensitivity, and impulse response. The relative amplitude variation in the passband of the fusion sensor is less than 4%, and the estimated bandwidth of the fusion sensor is close to 17 MHz. The accuracy is better than 0.6%, even when measuring the current at 1 MHz, and the relative standard deviation is 5% when measuring the impulse signal. The sensors developed using this scheme, with a low financial cost, have advantages in many wide-bandwidth current measuring scenarios.

Adipokines in the Crosstalk between Adipose Tissues and Other Organs: Implications in Cardiometabolic Diseases.

Adipose tissue was previously regarded as a dormant organ for lipid storage until the identification of adiponectin and leptin in the early 1990s. This revelation unveiled the dynamic endocrine function of adipose tissue, which has expanded further. Adipose tissue has emerged in recent decades as a multifunctional organ that plays a significant role in energy metabolism and homeostasis. Currently, it is evident that adipose tissue primarily performs its function by secreting a diverse array of signaling molecules known as adipokines. Apart from their pivotal function in energy expenditure and metabolism regulation, these adipokines exert significant influence over a multitude of biological processes, including but not limited to inflammation, thermoregulation, immune response, vascular function, and insulin sensitivity. Adipokines are pivotal in regulating numerous biological processes within adipose tissue and facilitating communication between adipose tissue and various organs, including the brain, gut, pancreas, endothelial cells, liver, muscle, and more. Dysregulated adipokines have been implicated in several metabolic diseases, like obesity and diabetes, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In this article, we attempted to describe the significance of adipokines in developing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and highlight their role in the crosstalk between adipose tissues and other tissues and organs.

Combining clinical and molecular data for personalized treatment in acute myeloid leukemia: A machine learning approach

Background and ObjectiveThe standard of care in Acute Myeloid Leukemia patients has remained essentially unchanged for nearly 40 years. Due to the complicated mutational patterns within and between individual patients and a lack of targeted agents for most mutational events, implementing individualized treatment for AML has proven difficult. We reanalysed the BeatAML dataset employing Machine Learning algorithms. The BeatAML project entails patients extensively characterized at the molecular and clinical levels and linked to drug sensitivity outputs. Our approach capitalizes on the molecular and clinical data provided by the BeatAML dataset to predict the ex vivo drug sensitivity for the 122 drugs evaluated by the project. MethodsWe utilized ElasticNet, which produces fully interpretable models, in combination with a two-step training protocol that allowed us to narrow down computations. We automated the genes’ filtering step by employing two metrics, and we evaluated all possible data combinations to identify the best training configuration settings per drug. ResultsWe report a Pearson correlation across all drugs of 0.36 when clinical and RNA sequencing data were combined, with the best-performing models reaching a Pearson correlation of 0.67. When we trained using the datasets in isolation, we noted that RNA Sequencing data (Pearson: 0.36) attained three times the predictive power of whole exome sequencing data (Pearson: 0.11), with clinical data falling somewhere in between (Pearson 0.26). Lastly, we present a paradigm of clinical significance. We used our models’ prediction as a drug sensitivity score to rank an individual's expected response to treatment. We identified 78 patients out of 89 (88 %) that the proposed drug was more potent than the administered one based on their ex vivo drug sensitivity data. ConclusionsIn conclusion, our reanalysis of the BeatAML dataset using Machine Learning algorithms demonstrates the potential for individualized treatment prediction in Acute Myeloid Leukemia patients, addressing the longstanding challenge of treatment personalization in this disease. By leveraging molecular and clinical data, our approach yields promising correlations between predicted drug sensitivity and actual responses, highlighting a significant step forward in improving therapeutic outcomes for AML patients.

Numerical Study and Structural Optimization of Water-Wall Temperature-Measurement Device for Ultra-Supercritical Boiler.

The temperature of the water wall in the furnace chamber is extremely important for the daily operation of a boiler. Considering the high temperature and dusty environment in the furnace, a temperature measurement device mainly composed of four parts (armored temperature sensor, in-furnace heat-collecting block, out-furnace fixing base, and protective cannula) was designed in this study, which could be used to directly obtain the temperature of the in-furnace water-wall. Numerical simulations of temperature measurement devices with different heat-collecting block structures were carried out using the computer fluid dynamics method. After comparing the measurement accuracy and considering the practical application scenarios, the optimized heat-collecting block structure with a specific expansion gap (0.5 mm wide and 4 mm deep) was selected for practical application. Such a temperature measurement device was then applied to a 1000 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired boiler in China, and the tested in-furnace water-wall temperature data were in good agreement with relevant research. Compared with the conventional temperature measurement device arranged outside the furnace, the in-furnace water-wall temperature-measurement device adopted in this study has a more sensitive response characteristic and can directly reflect the temperature of the water wall inside the furnace. In addition, it can also reflect the local slag formation state of the water wall and has a long service life.