Molecular Control of Follicular Helper T cell Development and Differentiation

Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) are specialized helper T cells that are predominantly located in germinal centers and provide help to B cells. The development and differentiation of Tfh cells has been shown to be regulated by transcription factors, such as B-cell lymphoma 6 protein (Bcl-6), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp-1). In addition, cytokines, including IL-21, have been found to be important for Tfh cell development. Moreover, several epigenetic modifications have also been reported to be involved in the determination of Tfh cell fate. The regulatory network is complicated, and the number of novel molecules demonstrated to control the fate of Tfh cells is increasing. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding the molecular regulation of Tfh cell development and differentiation at the protein level and at the epigenetic level to elucidate Tfh cell biology and provide potential targets for clinical interventions in the future

Research progress in organic lubricating anti-icing/de-icing surfaces

Organic lubricating surface is a new type of surface that combines a lubricating layer with a substrate, and it receives extensive attention in the field of anti-icing/de-icing because of its low adhesion. The design principles and anti-icing mechanism of organic lubricated surfaces were briefly described and the durability problem of organic lubricating surfaces was analyzed. The functionality as well as advantages and disadvantages of different types of organic lubricating anti-icing/de-icing surfaces were mainly introduced. Finally, it was suggested to design a new type of anti-icing/de-icing surface by combining various anti-icing/de-icing strategies with organic lubricating surface to realize long-term use in external low-temperature environments.As for new organic lubricating surface and their anti-icing/de-icing applications, how to extend its service life and achieve all-weather anti-icing/de-icing of outdoor exposed surfaces is one of the future development directions

A Comparative Study on Arrhenius and Johnson–Cook Constitutive Models for High-Temperature Deformation of Ti₂AlNb-Based Alloys

In order to thoroughly understand the quantitative relationships between the flow stress and deformation conditions for Ti2AlNb-based alloys at elevated temperatures, the Arrhenius and Johnson⁻Cook constitutive models are analyzed and identified on the basis of the uniaxial tensile tests. The Johnson⁻Cook model is modified so that the referenced temperature range can be randomly adjusted. By experimental verification, the Arrhenius model (including the Backofen model) is suitable for the deformation at relatively low strain-rate deformation, such as the superplastic forming, and the modified J⁻C model is applicable for the deformation within a wide range of strain rates. For deformation at high temperatures, the constitutive model enables a more precise description of the effect of strain on the flow stress through introducing as train-softening factor exp(sε)

Longwall mining “cutting cantilever beam theory” and 110 mining method in China—The third mining science innovation

With the third innovation in science and technology worldwide, China has also experienced this marvelous progress. Concerning the longwall mining in China, the “masonry beam theory” (MBT) was first proposed in the 1960s, illustrating that the transmission and equilibrium method of overburden pressure using reserved coal pillar in mined-out areas can be realized. This forms the so-called “121 mining method”, which lays a solid foundation for development of mining science and technology in China. The “transfer rock beam theory” (TRBT) proposed in the 1980s gives a further understanding for the transmission path of stope overburden pressure and pressure distribution in high-stress areas. In this regard, the advanced 121 mining method was proposed with smaller coal pillar for excavation design, making significant contributions to improvement of the coal recovery rate in that era. In the 21st century, the traditional mining technologies faced great challenges and, under the theoretical developments pioneered by Profs. Minggao Qian and Zhenqi Song, the “cutting cantilever beam theory” (CCBT) was proposed in 2008. After that the 110 mining method is formulated subsequently, namely one stope face, after the first mining cycle, needs one advanced gateway excavation, while the other one is automatically formed during the last mining cycle without coal pillars left in the mining area. This method can be implemented using the CCBT by incorporating the key technologies, including the directional pre-splitting roof cutting, constant resistance and large deformation (CRLD) bolt/anchor supporting system with negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) effect material, and remote real-time monitoring technology. The CCBT and 110 mining method will provide the theoretical and technical basis for the development of mining industry in China

Hot Deformation Behavior of a 2024 Aluminum Alloy Sheet and its Modeling by Fields-Backofen Model Considering Strain Rate Evolution

The deformation behavior of a 2024 aluminum alloy sheet at elevated temperatures was studied by uniaxial hot tensile tests over the nominal initial strain rate range of 0.001⁻0.1 s−1 and temperature range of 375⁻450 °C. In order to analyze the deformation behavior with higher accuracy, a digital image correlation (DIC) system was applied to determine the strain distribution during hot tensile tests. Local stress-strain curves for different local points on the specimens were calculated. The strain rate evolution of each point during the tensile tests was investigated under different deformation conditions. Then, an improved Fields⁻Backofen (FB) model, taking into account the local strain rate evolution instead of the fixed strain rate, was proposed to describe the constitutive behaviors. It has been found that obvious non-uniform strain distribution occurred when the true strain was larger than 0.3 during hot tensile tests. The strain rate distribution during deformation was also non-uniform. It showed increasing, steady, and decreasing variation tendencies for different points with the increasing of strain, which led to the local flow stress being different at different local points. The flow stresses predicted by the improved FB model showed good agreement with experimental results when the strain rate evolutions of local points during tensile tests were considered. The prediction accuracy was higher than that of traditional FB models

Stress Evolution Law of Surrounding Rock with Gob-Side Entry Retaining by Roof Cutting and Pressure Release in Composite Roof

The stress concentration of gob-side entry surrounding rock is a hot topic in coal mining. In this paper, through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, the pressure relief mechanism of the gob-side entry retaining by roof cutting and pressure release (RCPR) and the spatiotemporal development law of surrounding rock stress of the gob-side entry were analyzed. The studies showed that the gob-side entry retaining by RCPR shortened the length of the lateral cantilever by directional roof cutting, which weakened the stress level of the gob-side entry. In the meantime, the goaf gangues could play a good filling role by using their breaking and swelling characteristics under the action of gangue-blocking supports and further optimized the stress environment along the roadway. Field industrial tests verified that the gob-side entry retaining by RCPR had a significant effect on pressure relief, and the surrounding rock stress and deformation tended to stabilize after about 160 m of lagging working face. Numerical analysis reproduced the whole process of “mining-retention-using” of roof cutting roadway and revealed that surrounding rocks were always in the zone of relative stress reduction during the whole process. The peak value of mining-induced lateral stress was about 10 m away from the middle point of the gob-side entry. The change of surrounding rock stress could be divided into three stages: significant increase, dynamic adjustment, and stable stage. However, during the second mining, the stress connected zone would appear on the leading working face, and the stress concentration in this zone was significant. Based on the above analysis, we concluded that the new technology could be applied to the medium-thickness coal seam in the composite roof

Long-term outcome and risk factors of reintervention after high intensity focused ultrasound ablation for uterine fibroids: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AbstractObjectives To quantify the reintervention rate and analyze the risk factors for reintervention after high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of uterine fibroids.Methods Eighteen studies were selected from the seven databases. A meta-analysis was applied to synthesize the reintervention rates for fibroids across various follow-up durations. Subgroup-analysis was conducted based on the year of surgery, sample size, guide methods, and non-perfusion volume ratio (NPVR). Signal intensity of T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) was independently evaluated for reintervention risk.Results The study enrolled 5216 patients with fibroids treated with HIFU. There were 3247, 1239, 1762, and 2535 women reaching reintervention rates of 1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1-1), 7% (95% CI: 4-11), 19% (95% CI: 11-27), and 29% (95% CI: 14-44) at 12, 24, 36, and 60-month after HIFU. The reintervention rates of patients treated with US-guided HIFU (USgHIFU) were significantly lower than those of patients treated with MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS). When the NPVR of fibroids was over 50%, the reintervention rates at 12, 36 and 60-month after HIFU were 1% (95% CI: 0.3–2), 5% (95% CI: 3–8), and 15% (95% CI: 9–20). The reintervention risk for hyper-intensity fibroids on T2WI was 3.45 times higher (95% CI: 2.7–4.39) for hypo-/iso-intensity fibroids.Conclusion This meta-analysis showed that the overall reintervention rates after HIFU were acceptable and provided consultative suggestions regarding treatment alternatives for patients with fibroids. Subgroup-analysis revealed that USgHIFU, NPVR ≥ 50%, and hypo-/iso-intensity of fibroids on T2WI were significant factors in reducing reintervention.Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO, CRD4202345609

Warming and altered precipitation independently and interactively suppress alpine soil microbial growth in a decadal-long experiment

Warming and precipitation anomalies affect terrestrial carbon balance partly through altering microbial eco-physiological processes (e.g., growth and death) in soil. However, little is known about how such processes responds to simultaneous regime shifts in temperature and precipitation. We used the 18O-water quantitative stable isotope probing approach to estimate bacterial growth in alpine meadow soils of the Tibetan Plateau after a decade of warming and altered precipitation manipulation. Our results showed that the growth of major taxa was suppressed by the single and combined effects of temperature and precipitation, eliciting 40–90% of growth reduction of whole community. The antagonistic interactions of warming and altered precipitation on population growth were common (~70% taxa), represented by the weak antagonistic interactions of warming and drought, and the neutralizing effects of warming and wet. The members in Solirubrobacter and Pseudonocardia genera had high growth rates under changed climate regimes. These results are important to understand and predict the soil microbial dynamics in alpine meadow ecosystems suffering from multiple climate change factors

Electrochemical Discharge Grinding of Metal Matrix Composites Using Shaped Abrasive Tools Formed by Sintered Bronze/diamond

Electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) is a well-known process for machining of particulate reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs). However, ECDM process suffers several drawbacks such as the lower material removal rate (MRR), high risks of tool wear rate (TWR) and relatively poor surface quality, etc. This study proposes a kind of electrochemical discharge grinding machining (ECDGM) method which employs a special shaped tool electrode. During the process, not only the can the hybrid action of electrochemical dissolution, spark erosion, and abrasive grinding improve the performance of machining MMCs, but also the special shaped of the tool electrode can be used to discharge the machined debris. And thus a higher machining efficiency and lower TWR can be obtained. The performance of developed process was conducted on machining of SiC particulate reinforced aluminum workpiece. The role of peak curre+nt, pulse duration, duty cycle, rotary speed and abrasive grit size has been investigated on MMR and TWR using the nonabrasive round electrode, abrasive round electrode, and abrasive shaped electrode respectively. The experimental results showed that using the shaped abrasive electrode for machining MMCs can achieve a higher MRR and lower TWR, as compared to the non-abrasive round electrode, abrasive round electrode. Besides, the orthogonal method was employed to analyze the relative importance of the machining parameters on MRR and TWR, it has been observed that MRR is affected by the processing parameters following the order of rotary speed > peak current > duty cycle > pulse duration, and TWR is following the order of peak current > duty cycle > pulse duration > rotary speed