The phylum Acanthocephala is an important group of parasites with more than 1,300 species parasitizing intestine of all major vertebrate groups. However, our present knowledge of the mitochondrial genomes of Acanthocephala remains very limited. In the present study, we sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of Acanthogyrus (Acanthosentis) bilaspurensis (Gyracanthocephala: Quadrigyridae) for the first time based on the specimens recovered from the intestine of common carp Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus (Cyprinidae) in Pakistan. The mitochondrial genome of A. bilaspurensis is 13,360 bp in size and contains 36 genes, representing the smallest mitogenome of acanthocephalans reported so far. The mitogenome of A. bilaspurensis also has the lowest level of overall A+T contents (59.3%) in the mitogenomes of Eoacanthocephala, and the non-coding region 3 (NCR3) lies between trnS2 and trnI, which is different from all of the other acanthocephalan species. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenating the amino acid sequences of 12 protein-coding genes using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods revealed that the family Pseudoacanthocephalidae is a sister to the Arhythmacanthidae rather than the Cavisomatidae, and the families Rhadinorhynchidae and Cavisomatidae showed sister relationships.

Competition among the two-plasmon decay (TPD) of backscattered light of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), filamentation of the electron-plasma wave (EPW) and forward side SRS is investigated by two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Our previous work [K. Q. Pan et al., Nucl. Fusion 58, 096035 (2018)] showed that in a plasma with the density near 1/10 of the critical density, the backscattered light would excite the TPD, which results in suppression of the backward SRS. However, this work further shows that when the laser intensity is so high ($>{10}^{16}$ W/cm2) that the backward SRS cannot be totally suppressed, filamentation of the EPW and forward side SRS will be excited. Then the TPD of the backscattered light only occurs in the early stage and is suppressed in the latter stage. Electron distribution functions further show that trapped-particle-modulation instability should be responsible for filamentation of the EPW. This research can promote the understanding of hot-electron generation and SRS saturation in inertial confinement fusion experiments.

Cruznema velatum isolated from soil in a chestnut orchard located at Guangdong province, China, is redescribed with morphology, molecular barcoding sequences, and transcriptome data. The morphological comparison for C. velatum and six other valid species is provided. Phylogeny analysis suggests genus Cruznema is monophyletic. The species is amphimix, can be cultured with Escherichia coli in 7–9 days from egg to egg-laying adult, and has a lifespan of 11 to 14 days at 20°C. The transcription data generated 45,366 unigenes; 29.9%, 31.3%, 24.8%, and 18.6% of unigenes were annotated in KOG, SwissProt, GO, and KEGG, respectively. Further gene function analysis demonstrated that C. velatum share the same riboflavin, lipoic acid, and vitamin B6 metabolic pathways with Caenorhabditis elegans and Pristionchus pacificus.

The deformable wing structure can change its aerodynamic shape according to the change of flight mission and flight environment, so as to obtain better lift-drag, stability and control characteristics, which is considered as one of the future research directions of aviation technology. Considering the current technology maturity and reliability, a gradient corrugated fin is designed to realise the bending deformation of the wing. The structure of the skin is optimised to keep the skin smooth during deformation. In addition, a progressive push and pull rod is proposed to drive the wing deformation, and the fluid-structure interaction simulation is carried out for the wing deformation. At the same time, the changes of wing aerodynamic characteristics under different angles of leading and trailing edges and different push rod action schemes are analysed. Finally, a dry wind tunnel simulation test of the designed progressive flexible variable bending wing is carried out. The results of fluid-structure interaction simulation and dry wind tunnel test show that the progressive flexible variable bending wing proposed in this paper has a simple and reliable structure and remarkable deformation effect. It has advantages in increasing lift and reducing drag, ensuring high lift-drag ratio and providing wing trim moment. The deformable wing dry wind tunnel test platform designed by this method is structurally reliable, easy to operate, and can accurately reflect the influence of wing deformation on its aerodynamic force, which provides a verification means for the development of the design method and the design of practical aircraft in the future.

As a typical plasma-based optical element that can sustain ultra-high light intensity, plasma density gratings driven by intense laser pulses have been extensively studied for wide applications. Here, we show that the plasma density grating driven by two intersecting driver laser pulses is not only nonuniform in space but also varies over time. Consequently, the probe laser pulse that passes through such a dynamic plasma density grating will be depolarized, that is, its polarization becomes spatially and temporally variable. More importantly, the laser depolarization may spontaneously take place for crossed laser beams if their polarization angles are arranged properly. The laser depolarization by a dynamic plasma density grating may find application in mitigating parametric instabilities in laser-driven inertial confinement fusion.

Paravulvus zhongshanensis sp. nov., isolated from soil in a location at Jiangsu Province, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characterizations. The new species is characterized by its body 1.17–1.53 mm long, lip region offset by marked constriction and 12.1–13.8 μm broad, mural tooth deltoid and 9.6–11.7 μm long, neck 278–360 μm long, pharyngeal expansion 164–208 μm long or occupying more than one-half (54–62%) of total neck length, uterus 32.5–35.3 μm long or 1.0–1.1 times the corresponding body diameter, V = 47.8–53.4, paravulvae absent, female tail subcylindrical conoid (30.5–39.5 μm, c = 36.0–45.5, c′ = 1.7–2.2) with widely rounded end, and male unknown. The new species was compared with six known species of the genus including Paravulvus acuticaudatus, Paravulvus confusus, Paravulvus hartingii, Paravulvus iranicus, Paravulvus loofi and Paravulvus microdontus mainly by similarities in having conical tail and c′ value larger than 1.3. The rRNA and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 genes of the new species were obtained and were used for reconstructing the phylogenetic relationships of the new species.

For a hypersonic-speed aircraft with a flat fuselage structure that has narrow space for a traditional wheel-type landing gear retraction, a novel type of wheel-ski landing gear is designed, which is different from traditional landing gears in force distribution and actuation methods. In order to capture the direction control performance of an aircraft with the wheel-ski landing gear, the aircraft ground taxiing nonlinear dynamic mathematical model is built based on a certain type of aircraft data. The experiment of the wheel-ski landing gear actuator and the differential brake control system is carried out to verify that the electric wheel-ski actuator model with the pressure sensor is in good agreement with the test results, indicating the model validity and the speediness of the differential brake response. Then a new fuzzy combined direction rectifying control law is designed based on the optimisation method and the fuzzy control theory. Comparing with the PD wheel-ski differential brake control, the direction rectifying efficiencies increase higher than 140% during the whole taxiing process. In addition, the combined control law can also decrease the overshoots of the yaw angle responses effectively. Finally, the stability and robustness of the designed combined direction control law are verified under various working conditions.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between bone quality in terms of metabolism, homeostasis of elements, bone mineral density (BMD), and microstructure and keel-bone fractures in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus). One hundred and twenty 17 week old Lohmann White laying hens with normal keel bones were individually housed in furnished cages for 25 weeks. Birds were then euthanased and dissected to assess keel-bone status at 42 weeks. Serum and keel-bone samples from normal keel (NK) and fractured keel (FK) hens were collected to determine the previously mentioned bone quality parameters. The results showed FK hens to have higher levels of the components of osteocalcin, greater alkaline phosphatase activity in serum and keel bones, and greater tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in keel bones, compared to NK hens. Additionally, FK hens also had higher concentrations of Li, B, K, Cu, As, Se, Sn, Hg, and Pb, but lower concentrations of Na, P, and Ca. Moreover, FK hens showed decreased bone microstructural parameters including bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular number, degree of anisotropy, connectivity density, and BMD, but increased trabecular separation. Meanwhile, no differences were detected in serum TRAP activity, trabecular thickness, bone surface, or bone surface/bone volume. Results showed laying hens with keel-bone fractures to have differences in bone metabolism, elements of home-ostasis, bone microstructure parameters, and BMD. These results suggest that keel-bone fractures may be associated with bone quality.

Limited studies provide direct evidence of Clonorchis sinensis adults in the early stage of gallbladder stone formation. Our current research systematically studied 33 gallbladder stones resembling adult worms and shed light on the definite connection of C. sinensis infection with concomitant cholelithiasis. A total of 33 gallbladder stones resembling adult C. sinensis worms were systematically analysed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy spectrometry were used to analyse the composition and microstructure. Meanwhile, a histopathological examination of the stone was carried out. The 33 gallbladder stones resembling adult C. sinensis worms included nine calcium carbonate (CaCO3) stones, 12 bilirubinate stones and 12 mixed stones. Clonorchis sinensis eggs were found in 30 cases, including all CaCO3 and mixed stones. Parasite tissues were detected in 12 cases, which were mainly CaCO3 stones or bilirubinate–CaCO3 mixed stones. The outer layer of stones was wrapped with 12.88% calcium salt, as revealed by X-ray energy spectrometry, while surprisingly, many C. sinensis eggs were found in the inner part of these stones. Based on our current findings, we concluded that calcification and packaging occurred after C. sinensis adult entrance into the gallbladder, subsequently leading to the early formation of CaCO3 or bilirubinate–CaCO3 mixed gallbladder stones. This discovery highlights definite evidence for C. sinensis infection causing gallbladder stones.

Contrast transfer function (CTF) is a vital function in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It expresses to what extent amplitudes converted from the phase changes of the diffracted waves contribute to the TEM image, including the effects of lens aberrations. Simulation is very helpful to understand the application of the function thoroughly. In this work, we develop the CTFscope as a component in the Landyne software suite, to calculate the CTF with temporal and spatial dumping envelopes for conventional TEM and to extend it to various aberrations (up to fifth order) for aberration-corrected (AC)-TEM. It also includes effects on the CTF and imaging due to the objective aperture and image drift for tutorial purposes. The CTFscope has a user-friendly graphical interface for simulation, visualization, saving, and loading of the microscopy conditions and results. It can be used to explore instrumental performance information due to optical aberrations, effects on the resolution of a TEM and AC-TEM, and for teaching electron microscopy courses.

The great demographic pressure brings tremendous volume of beef demand. The key to solve this problem is the growth and development of Chinese cattle. In order to find molecular markers conducive to the growth and development of Chinese cattle, sequencing was used to determine the position of copy number variations (CNVs), bioinformatics analysis was used to predict the function of ZNF146 gene, real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used for CNV genotyping and one-way analysis of variance was used for association analysis. The results showed that there exists CNV in Chr 18: 47225201-47229600 (5.0.1 version) of ZNF146 gene through the early sequencing results in the laboratory and predicted ZNF146 gene was expressed in liver, skeletal muscle and breast cells, and was amplified or overexpressed in pancreatic cancer, which promoted the development of tumour through bioinformatics. Therefore, it is predicted that ZNF146 gene affects the proliferation of muscle cells, and then affects the growth and development of cattle. Furthermore, CNV genotyping of ZNF146 gene was three types (deletion type, normal type and duplication type) by Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR). The association analysis results showed that ZNF146-CNV was significantly correlated with rump length of Qinchuan cattle, hucklebone width of Jiaxian red cattle and heart girth of Yunling cattle. From the above results, ZNF146-CNV had a significant effect on growth traits, which provided an important candidate molecular marker for growth and development of Chinese cattle.

We report the experimental results of the commissioning phase in the 10 PW laser beamline of the Shanghai Superintense Ultrafast Laser Facility (SULF). The peak power reaches 2.4 PW on target without the last amplifying during the experiment. The laser energy of 72 ± 9 J is directed to a focal spot of approximately 6 μm diameter (full width at half maximum) in 30 fs pulse duration, yielding a focused peak intensity around 2.0 × 1021 W/cm2. The first laser-proton acceleration experiment is performed using plain copper and plastic targets. High-energy proton beams with maximum cut-off energy up to 62.5 MeV are achieved using copper foils at the optimum target thickness of 4 μm via target normal sheath acceleration. For plastic targets of tens of nanometers thick, the proton cut-off energy is approximately 20 MeV, showing ring-like or filamented density distributions. These experimental results reflect the capabilities of the SULF-10 PW beamline, for example, both ultrahigh intensity and relatively good beam contrast. Further optimization for these key parameters is underway, where peak laser intensities of 1022–1023 W/cm2 are anticipated to support various experiments on extreme field physics.

A new bisexual species of Rotylenchus is described and illustrated based on morphological, morphometric and molecular characterizations. Rotylenchus zhongshanensis sp. nov. is characterized by having a conoid lip region complying with the basic pattern for Hoplolaimidae, but with pharyngeal glands slightly overlapping intestine dorsally and cuticle thickened abnormally in female tail terminus. Females have robust stylet (30.1–33.8 μm). The pharyngeal gland has short dorsal (11.2–16.8 μm) overlap on the intestine. The vulva is located at 48.0–56.5% of body length, and phasmids are pore-like, 4–6 annuli posterior to the anus. For males, phasmids are pore-like, 11–17 annuli posterior to cloaca. The spicules are ventrally arcuate (21.0–28.5 μm) with gubernaculum in 5–8 μm length. The rRNA and mitochondrial COI genes were successfully sequenced from the assembled whole-genome sequences of the new species, and were used for reconstructing the phylogenetic relationships of the new species. A new strain of cyto-endosymbiont Cardinium was also discovered from the genome sequences of R. zhongshanensis sp. nov. The 16S rRNA phylogeny analyses revealed that this new bacterial strain is closed to that from cyst and root-lesion nematodes.

Previous literature finds anomalies are at least as prevalent in developed markets as in emerging markets; namely, the global anomaly puzzle. We show that while market development and information diffusion are linearly related, information diffusion has a nonlinear impact on anomalies. This is consistent with theoretical developments concerning the process of information diffusion. In extremely low-efficiency regimes, without newswatchers sowing the seeds of price discovery and ensuring the long-run convergence of price to fundamentals, initial mispricing and subsequent correction will not occur. The concentration of emerging countries in low-efficiency regimes provides an explanation to the puzzle.

Among outpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) δ (delta) variant who did and did not receive 2 vaccine doses at 7 days after symptom onset, there was no difference in viral shedding (cycle threshold difference 0.59, 95% CI, −4.68 to 3.50; P = .77) with SARS-CoV-2 cultured from 2 (7%) of 28 and 1 (4%) of 26 outpatients, respectively.

A fast numerical method for unsteady aerodynamic calculation of 3D wing is established, which is suitable for the preliminary design. Based on the lifting-line method, the aerodynamic data of the 2D aerofoil obtained by the unsteady CFD simulation is used as the model input to solve the aerodynamic force of the 3D wing. Compared with the traditional steady lifting-line method, the augmented method adopts the unsteady Kutta-Jouowski (K-J) theorem to calculate the circulation and improve the accuracy of the method through the circulation correction. The pitching motion of 3D wing at different aspect ratio and reduction frequencies are studied. The results show that the aerodynamic forces obtained by the augmented lifting-line method have good agreement with the 3D unsteady CFD calculations. Compared with 3D CFD calculation, the calculation efficiency of the improved method is increased by more than 12 times. The improved method has extensive applicability and can be used to estimate the unsteady aerodynamic forces of 3D single or multiple wing configurations.