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Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are cosmological radio transients with millisecond durations and extremely high brightness temperatures. One FRB repeater, FRB 180916.J0158+65 (FRB 180916B), was confirmed to appear 16.35-day periodic activities with 5-day activity window. Another FRB repeater, FRB 121102, and two soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs), SGR 1935+2154 and SGR 1806−20, also show possible periodic activities. These periodicities might originate from the precession process of young magnetars due to the anisotropic pressure from the inner magnetic fields as proposed in the literature. In this work, we analyse a self-consistent model for the rotation evolution of magnetars and obtain the evolutions of magnetar precession and obliquity. We find that if the FRB repeaters and the SGRs with (possible) periodic activities originate from the magnetar precession, their ages would be constrained to be hundreds to tens of thousands of years, which is consistent with the typical ages of magnetars. Assuming that the FRB emission is beaming in the magnetosphere as proposed in the literature, we calculate the evolution of the observable probability and the duty cycle of the active window period. We find that for a given magnetar the observable probability increases with the magnetar age in the early stage and decreases with the magnetar age in the later stage; meanwhile, there are one or two active windows in one precession period if the emission is not perfectly axisymmetric with respect to the deformation axis of a magnetar, which could be tested by the future observation for repeating FRB sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, some fast radio bursts (FRBs) have been reported to exhibit complex and diverse variations in Faraday rotation measurements (RM) and polarization, suggesting that dynamically evolving magnetization environments may surround them. In this paper, we investigate the Faraday conversion (FC) effect in a binary system involving an FRB source and analyze the polarization evolution of FRBs. For a strongly magnetized high-mass companion binary, when an FRB with ∼100% linear polarization passes through the radial magnetic field of the companion star, the circular polarization (CP) component will be induced and oscillate symmetrically around the point with the degree of CP equal to zero, the rate and amplitude of the oscillation decrease as the frequency increases. The very strong plasma column density in the HMCBs can cause CP to oscillate with frequency at a very drastic rate, which may lead to depolarization. Near the superior conjunction of the binary orbit, the DM varies significantly due to the dense plasma near the companion, and the significant FC also occurs in this region. As the pulsar moves away from the superior conjunction, the CP gradually tends toward zero and then returns to its value before incidence. We also investigate the effect of the rotation of the companion star. We find that a sufficiently significant RM reversal can be produced at large magnetic inclinations and the RM variation is very diverse. Finally, we apply this model to explain some polarization observations of PSR B1744-24A and FRB 20201124A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coherent curvature radiation by charged bunches has been discussed as the radiation mechanism for radio pulsars and fast radio bursts. Important issues for this radiation mechanism include how the bunches form and disperse in the magnetosphere of a pulsar or magnetar. More likely, bunches form and disperse continuously and it remains unclear what the spectral features are for these fluctuating bunches. In this work, we consider that the bunches in a magnetosphere have a formation rate of λ B , a lifetime of τ B , and a typical Lorentz factor of γ, and analyse the spectral features of coherent curvature radiation by these fluctuating bunches. We find that the emission spectrum by a single fluctuating bunch is suppressed by a factor of ∼(λ B τ B )2 compared with that of a single persistent bunch, and there is a quasi-white noise in a wider band in the frequency domain. The high-frequency cutoff of the spectrum is at ∼max (ωpeak, 2γ2/τ B ), where ωpeak is the peak frequency of curvature radiation. If the observed spectrum is not white-noise-like, the condition of 2γ2λ B ≳ min (ωpeak, 2γ2/τ B ) would be required. Besides, the radiation by multiple fluctuating bunches along a field line is the incoherent summation of the radiation by single bunches if the bunch separation is longer than the wavelength. Conversely, a coherent summation should be involved. We also discuss the effects of bunch structures and the mechanism of bunch formation and dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, some fast radio burst (FRB) repeaters were reported to exhibit complex, diverse variations of Faraday rotation measures (RMs), which implies that they are surrounded by an inhomogeneous, dynamically evolving, magnetized environment. We systematically investigate some possible astrophysical processes that may cause RM variations of an FRB repeater. The processes include (1) a supernova remnant (SNR) with a fluctuating medium; (2) a binary system with stellar winds from a massive/giant star companion or stellar flares from a low-mass star companion; (3) a pair plasma medium from a neutron star (including pulsar winds, pulsar wind nebulae, and magnetar flares); (4) outflows from a massive black hole. For the SNR scenario, a large relative RM variation within a few years requires that the SNR is young with a thin and local anisotropic shell, or the size of dense gas clouds in interstellar/circumstellar medium around the SNR is extremely small. If the RM variation is caused by the companion medium in a binary system, it is more likely from the stellar winds of a massive/giant star companion. The RM variation contributed by stellar flares from a low-mass star is disfavored, because this scenario predicts an extremely large relative RM variation during a short period of time. The scenarios invoking a pair plasma from a neutron star can be ruled out due to their extremely low RM contributions. Outflows from a massive black hole could provide a large RM variation if the FRB source is in the vicinity of the black hole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initial efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic have relied heavily on non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), including physical distancing, hand hygiene, and mask-wearing. However, an effective vaccine is essential to containing the spread of the virus. We developed a compartmental model to examine different vaccine strategies for controlling the spread of COVID-19. Our framework accounts for testing rates, test-turnaround times, and vaccination waning immunity. Using reported case data from the city of Toronto, Canada between Mar-Dec, 2020 we defined epidemic phases of infection using contact rates as well as the probability of transmission upon contact. We investigated the impact of vaccine distribution by comparing different permutations of waning immunity, vaccine coverage and efficacy throughout various stages of NPI's relaxation in terms of cases and deaths. The basic reproduction number is also studied. We observed that widespread vaccine coverage substantially reduced the number of cases and deaths. Under phases with high transmission, an early or late reopening will result in new resurgence of the infection, even with the highest coverage. On the other hand, under phases with lower transmission, 60% of coverage is enough to prevent new infections. Our analysis of R0 showed that the basic reproduction number is reduced by decreasing the tests turnaround time and transmission in the household. While we found that household transmission can decrease following the introduction of a vaccine, public health efforts to reduce test turnaround times remain important for virus containment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 immunotherapies have shown good efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, there is still a lack of effective predictive markers. We aimed to develop a pretreatment histologic scoring system to predict the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy.Methods: One hundred forty NSCLC cases were evaluated in this study. Initially, surgical specimens from 31 squamous cell lung cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy and their eligible paired pretreatment biopsies were used for pathologic evaluation and developing the pretreatment scoring system, immune-related histologic phenotype assessment criteria (irHPC). Three trained pathologists independently scored the haematoxylin-eosin (HE) slides of the pretreatment tumour biopsies according to irHPC. The follow-up was from 07 March 2018 to 31 December 2021, mainly focusing on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Second, 109 biopsies of lung squamous cell carcinoma were evaluated to explore the relationship between eosinophils and PD-L1 expression.Results: Superior 2-year DFS rates and 2-year OS rates were observed in patients who achieved major pathologic response (MPR) (MPR vs. non-MPR: 92.9% vs. 78.6%; 100.0% vs. 93.3%). Whether necrosis was included in the calculation of the per cent of residual viable tumour (%RVT) or not had almost no effect on the consistency of pathologic assessment and the histological response grouping. The interpathologist variability in assessing %RVT with immune-activated phenotype was not statistically significant (P = 0.480). Four immune-related features of pretreatment biopsies were included for calculating the predictive score. The trained pathologist accurately predicted most cases according to irHPC. For interobserver reproducibility using "2 points" as the cutoff, the overall per cent agreement was 77.8%. The reliability between pathologists for a binary tumour evaluation showed "moderate" agreement (κ = 0.54). Patients with scores ≥ 2 points tended to have better 2-year DFS rates and 2-year OS rates than those with scores < 2 points (85.7% vs. 71.4%; 100.0% vs. 87.5%).Conclusions: The irHPC scoring system reflecting the preexisting immune response could be used to predict pathologic response to neoadjuvant immunotherapy, possibly further predicting the long-term prognosis, but larger trials are needed for verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Countries that aimed for eliminating the cases of COVID-19 with test-trace-isolate policy are found to have lower infections, deaths, and better economic performance, compared with those that opted for other mitigation strategies. However, the continuous evolution of new strains has raised the question of whether COVID-19 eradication is still possible given the limited public health response capacity and fatigue of the epidemic. We aim to investigate the mechanism of the Zero-COVID policy on outbreak containment, and to explore the possibility of eradication of Omicron transmission using the citywide test-trace-isolate (CTTI) strategy. Methods: We develop a compartmental model incorporating the CTTI Zero-COVID policy to understand how it contributes to the SARS-CoV-2 elimination. We employ our model to mimic the Delta outbreak in Fujian Province, China, from September 10 to October 9, 2021, and the Omicron outbreak in Jilin Province, China for the period from March 1 to April 1, 2022. Projections and sensitivity analyses were conducted using dynamical system and Latin Hypercube Sampling/ Partial Rank Correlation Coefficient (PRCC). Results: Calibration results of the model estimate the Fujian Delta outbreak can end in 30 (95% confidence interval CI: 28–33) days, after 10 (95% CI: 9–11) rounds of citywide testing. The emerging Jilin Omicron outbreak may achieve zero COVID cases in 50 (95% CI: 41–57) days if supported with sufficient public health resources and population compliance, which shows the effectiveness of the CTTI Zero-COVID policy. Conclusions: The CTTI policy shows the capacity for the eradication of the Delta outbreaks and also the Omicron outbreaks. Nonetheless, the implementation of radical CTTI is challenging, which requires routine monitoring for early detection, adequate testing capacity, efficient contact tracing, and high isolation compliance, which constrain its benefits in regions with limited resources. Moreover, these challenges become even more acute in the face of more contagious variants with a high proportion of asymptomatic cases. Hence, in regions where CTTI is not possible, personal protection, public health control measures, and vaccination are indispensable for mitigating and exiting the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) interrogator is a scientific instrument that converts the wavelength change of FBG sensors into readable electrical signals. To achieve miniaturization and integration of FBG interrogator, we designed and fabricated a 36-channel array waveguide grating (AWG) on silica-based planar lightwave circuits (PLC) as a key device in a built FBG interrogation system. It is used to achieve continuous demodulation in C-band, while maintaining high resolution. This AWG has a 1.6 nm channel spacing, 3-dB bandwidth of 1.76 nm, non-adjacent channel crosstalk of −29.76 dB, and insertion loss of 3.46 dB. The dynamic range of the FBG interrogation system we built was tested to be 1522.4–1578.4 nm, with an interrogation resolution of 1 pm and accuracy of less than 1 pm in the dynamic range of 1523.16–1523.2 nm. The test results show that the FBG interrogation technology, based on AWG, can realize FBG wavelengths accurately demodulated, which has high application value in aerospace, deep sea exploration, and environmental monitoring, as well as other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since December 2020, public health agencies have implemented a variety of vaccination strategies to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2, along with pre-existing Nonpharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs). Initial strategies focused on vaccinating the elderly to prevent hospitalizations and deaths, but with vaccines becoming available to the broader population, it became important to determine the optimal strategy to enable the safe lifting of NPIs while avoiding virus resurgence.Methods: We extended the classic deterministic SIR compartmental disease-transmission model to simulate the lifting of NPIs under different vaccine rollout scenarios. Using case and vaccination data from Toronto, Canada between December 28, 2020, and May 19, 2021, we estimated transmission throughout past stages of NPI escalation/relaxation to compare the impact of lifting NPIs on different dates on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, given varying degrees of vaccine coverages by 20-year age groups, accounting for waning immunity.Results: We found that, once coverage among the elderly is high enough (80% with at least one dose), the main age groups to target are 20-39 and 40-59 years, wherein first-dose coverage of at least 70% by mid-June 2021 is needed to minimize the possibility of resurgence if NPIs are to be lifted in the summer. While a resurgence was observed for every scenario of NPI lifting, we also found that under an optimistic vaccination coverage (70% coverage by mid-June, along with postponing reopening from August 2021 to September 2021) can reduce case counts and severe outcomes by roughly 57% by December 31, 2021.Conclusions: Our results suggest that focusing the vaccination strategy on the working-age population can curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, even with high vaccination coverage in adults, increasing contacts and easing protective personal behaviours is not advisable since a resurgence is expected to occur, especially with an earlier reopening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a generalist predator-prey model with stage structure for prey to explore the bifurcations and complex dynamics of tea green leafhopper pest and predatory mite. Using qualitative and bifurcation theory of dynamical systems, we carry out bifurcation analysis of the three-dimensional nonlinear system, including saddle-node bifurcation of codimension 1 and 2, Hopf bifurcation, Bogdanov-Takens bifurcation, and bifurcations of nilpotent singularities of elliptic and focus type of codimension 3. We find that the nilpotent focus of codimension 4 serves as an organizing center to connect all the codimension 3 bifurcations in the two-dimensional center manifold of the system, and the bifurcations are also associated with a third order cubic Liénard system. Moreover, we present a classification of the nilpotent singularities of the system using the hatching rate of pest eggs as the parameter. Our results suggest that extending the incubation time of pest eggs can be beneficial for pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally, nonpharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19, including stay-at-home policies, limitations on gatherings and closure of public spaces, are being lifted. We explored the effect of lifting a stay-at-home policy on virus resurgence under different conditions. Methods: Using confirmed case data from Toronto, Canada, between Feb. 24 and June 24, 2020, we ran a compartmental model with household structure to simulate the impact of the stay-at-home policy considering different levels of compliance. We estimated threshold values for the maximum number of contacts, probability of transmission and testing rates required for the safe reopening of the community. Results: After the implementation of the stay-at-home policy, the contact rate outside the household fell by 39% (from 11.58 daily contacts to 7.11). The effective reproductive number decreased from 3.56 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.02–4.14) on Mar. 12 to 0.84 (95% CI 0.79–0.89) on May 6. Strong adherence to stay-at-home policies appeared to prevent SARS-CoV-2 resurgence, but extending the duration of stay-at-home policies beyond 2 months had little added effect on cumulative cases (25 958 for 65 days of a stay-at-home policy and 23 461 for 95 days, by July 2, 2020) and deaths (1404 for 65 days and 1353 for 95 days). To avoid a resurgence, the average number of contacts per person per day should be kept below 9, with strict nonpharmaceutical interventions in place. Interpretation: Our study demonstrates that the stay-at-home policy implemented in Toronto in March 2020 had a substantial impact on mitigating the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In the context of the early pandemic, before the emergence of variants of concern, reopening schools and workplaces was possible only with other nonpharmaceutical interventions in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is a relatively safe and effective minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of calcified lumbar disc herniation (CLDH). However, studies on percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID) and percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD) for CLDH have rarely been reported. This research aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of PEID and PETD for L5-S1 CLDH.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 54 consecutive patients with L5-S1 CLDH treated with PELD at our institution from August 2016 to August 2020. Patients were divided into PEID group (n = 28) and PETD (n = 26) group according to the surgical methods. The demographic characteristics and surgical results of the two groups were compared. Clinical outcomes were estimated by the visual analog scale (VAS) for leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI) and modified MacNab criteria.Results: All patients were successfully operated on by PEID or PETD. No significant differences in the demographic characteristics, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay and complication rate were noted between the PEID and PETD groups. The excellent and good rates in the PEID group were similar to those in the PETD group (89.29% vs 88.46%, P = 1.000), whereas the PEID group exhibited superior results for operative time (min) (64.61 ± 5.60 vs 85.58 ± 8.52, P < 0.001) and fluoroscopy times (n) (2.93 ± 0.90 vs 13.35 ± 2.30, P < 0.001) compared with the PETD group.Conclusions: PEID has achieved good clinical efficacy as PETD for L5-S1 CLDH. Compared with PETD, PEID has the advantages of shorter operative time and a reduced number of fluoroscopy times in the treatment of CLDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis is a chronic and progressive process. It is the most important pathological basis of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are an essential cell type in atherosclerosis. Previous studies have revealed that VSMCs undergo phenotypic transformation in atherosclerosis to participate in the retention of atherogenic lipoproteins as well as the formation of the fibrous cap and the underlying necrotic core in plaques. The emergence of lineage-tracing studies indicates that the function and number of VSMCs in plaques have been greatly underestimated. In addition, recent studies have revealed that VSMCs make up at least 50% of the foam cell population in human and mouse atherosclerotic lesions. Therefore, understanding the formation of lipid-loaded VSMCs and their regulatory mechanisms is critical to elucidate the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and to explore potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, combination of many complementary technologies such as lineage tracing, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), flow cytometry, and mass cytometry (CyTOF) with immunostaining has been performed to further understand the complex VSMC function. Correct identification of detrimental and beneficial processes may reveal successful therapeutic treatments targeting VSMCs and their derivatives during atherosclerosis. The purpose of this review is to summarize the process of lipid-loaded VSMC formation in atherosclerosis and to describe novel insight into VSMCs gained by using multiple advanced methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent discovery of a Galactic fast radio burst (FRB) occurring simultaneously with an X-ray burst (XRB) from the Galactic magnetar SGR J1935+2154 implies that at least some FRBs arise from magnetar activities. We propose that FRBs are triggered by crust fracturing of magnetars, with the burst event rate depending on the magnetic field strength in the crust. Since the crust-fracturing rate is relatively higher in polar regions, FRBs are more likely to be triggered near the directions of multipolar magnetic poles. Crust fracturing produces Alfvén waves, forming a charge-starved region in the magnetosphere and leading to nonstationary pair plasma discharges. An FRB is produced by coherent plasma radiation due to nonuniform pair production across magnetic field lines. Meanwhile, the FRB-associated XRB is produced by the rapid relaxation of the external magnetic field lines. In this picture, the sharp-peak hard X-ray component in association with FRB 200428 is from a region between adjacent trapped fireballs, and its spectrum with a high cutoff energy is attributed to resonant Compton scattering. The persistent X-ray emission is from a hot spot heated by the magnetospheric activities, and its temperature evolution is dominated by magnetar surface cooling. Within this picture, magnetars with stronger fields tend to produce brighter and more frequent repeated bursts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the correlations between metabolic parameters (MPs) of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), serum tumor markers (STMs), and tumor mutational burden (TMB) in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 129 patients with NSCLC (males, 78; females, 51) who underwent baseline TMB and STM tests and 18F‐FDG PET/CT scans before treatment between March 2018 and September 2022. Patients were categorized into TMB‐high (TMB ≥10 mutations/Mb; n = 27 [20.9%]) and non‐TMB‐high (TMB <10 mutations/Mb; n = 102 [79.1%]) groups. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of TMB‐high. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of TMB level on a log scale. Subgroup analyses for adenocarcinoma (ADC), ADC with EGFR+, ADC with EGFR−, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were performed. Results: For ADC, all MPs (SULpeak, SULmax, SULmean, MTV, and TLG) were significantly higher in the TMB‐high group than the non‐TMB‐high group; smoker (odds ratio [OR] = 27.08, p = 0.018), EGFR+ (OR = 0.03, p = 0.033), KRAS+ (OR = 7.98, p = 0.083), high CEA (OR = 33.56, p = 0.029), and high CA125 (OR = 13.68, p = 0.030) were independent predictors of TMB‐high; and all MPs showed significant positive linear correlations with TMB on a log scale, with SULpeak as an independent predictor. However, no significant correlation was observed for SCC. Conclusion: MPs and STMs can predict the TMB level for patients with ADC, and may serve as potential substitutes for TMB with increased value and easy implementation in guiding immunotherapy through noninvasive methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • MOFs-derived Ni-Co alloy catalysts were used in NCH selective hydrogenation. • Ni-Co alloy effects facilitate CoO x reduction and increase the Co0 amounts. • Ethylenediamine favors the N -CHH formation and reduces the whole energy barriers. • Pyridinic-N favors intermediate N -CHH conversion to CHO. • Ni 1 Co 2 (1 1 1) crystal surface presents the lowest energy barrier of the α-H transfer. High-efficiency Ni-Co alloy encapsulated in N -doped carbon layer (Ni 1 Co 2 @NC-APTES) catalysts were prepared via simple Ni-Co-MOF pyrolyzation and applied in the selective hydrogenation of nitrocyclohexane (NCH) to cyclohexanone oxime (CHO). The results show that the alloy effects between Ni and Co can highly promote catalytic activity. The appropriate Ni addition can facilitate the reduction of CoO x and increase zero-valent Co (Co0) amounts. Moreover, pyridinic-N doping increases the Lewis basicity, which favors the intermediate cyclohexylhydroxylamine (N -CHH) conversion to CHO. Additionally, the in-situ DRIFT and density functional theory (DFT) calculations propose the mechanism for NCH hydrogenation in ethylenediamine (EDA) and the results show that the EDA changes the reaction path of NCH hydrogenation to CHO, prefers to form N -CHH, and significantly reduces the whole reaction energy barrier of NCH to CHO. Moreover, the Ni 1 Co 2 (1 1 1) crystal surface with the lowest d -band center and the strongest Ni-Co alloy effects presents the highest adsorption energies of H 2 and NCH, the lowest adsorption energies of H* and CHO, and the lowest energy barrier of the α -H transfer which is conducive to form the N -CHH. Under the optimum conditions, the Ni 1 Co 2 @NC-APTES gives 93.6% selectivity to CHO at 94.5% NCH conversion in EDA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable connections are crucial for a bridge anti-collision protective system. Thus, this study proposes an innovative butterfly-like connection to tightly connect all segments of the pier composite protective system. The composite protective system is composed of four large segments, made of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) panels, GFRP lattice plates, GFRP octagonal honeycomb tubes, round steel tubes, and polyurethane (PU) foam cores. The segments are jointed as a whole protective system by using eight proposed butterfly-like connections. First, the quasi-static tensile test is carried out to study the tensile strength and failure mechanism of the proposed connection. Then, a numerical model of the connection is established to determine the optimization parameter, and the numerical results are verified by experimental data. The optimal structural parameters for the connection are determined by parameter analysis using numerical results. Finally, a case study of a cable-supported bridge under vessel collision is numerically analyzed to comprehensively evaluate the overall protective performance and the dynamic reliability of the connection. It was found that the dynamic performance of the proposed connection is so reliable that it can ensure the protection system's excellent performance. Also, the composite protective system can effectively reduce the collision force and the damage to both bridge and vessel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the QCD phase diagram by constructing a holographic QCD model using the Einstein-Maxwell-Scalar system. The chiral transition is investigated by adding a probe scalar and the confinement transition is studied by adding a probe string into the system. By interpreting the black hole phase transition in the bulk spacetime as the quarkyonic transition in the dual QCD theory and introducing the bypass mechanism for the deconfinement transition, we give an explanation why chiral symmetry breaking and deconfinement transition lines coincide with each other despite their different physical origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption is the primary mechanism of antibiotic removal in wastewater treatment plants, wherein the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of the activated sludge play an important role. Due to their complex characteristics, the effect of EPS components on antibiotic adsorption is unknown. Therefore, in this study, the role of main components of EPS in antibiotic adsorption was explored using enzymatic treatment. The results revealed that proteinase K and α-amylase can efficiently hydrolyse the proteins and polysaccharides of EPS. The protein content of EPS reduced from 31.25 mg/g VSS to 21.53, 18.75, and 10.76 mg/g VSS, after treatment with proteinase K, α-amylase and their combination, respectively; the polysaccharides content also observed a similar decrease from 15.20 mg/g VSS to 8.22, 7.83, and 6.03 mg/g VSS, respectively. The humic substance in EPS was stable during enzymatic treatment. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of activated sludge treated by enzyme for trimethoprim (TMP)- a typical antibiotic, was significantly increased from 2.19 μg/g VSS to 4.68, 5.34, and 8.36 μg/g VSS after treatment with proteinase K, α-amylase and their mixture. The adsorption process was adequately described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. A multivariable linear regression model was subsequently used to quantify the adsorption capacity of activated sludge for TMP considering the concentration of EPS components. The modelling and validated results showed that the model could satisfactorily predict the TMP adsorption capacity. The results of this study can provide new insights into the role of EPS on antibiotic transformation in biological wastewater treatment systems. [Display omitted] • Enzymatic treatment was used to disintegrate extracellular polymeric substances. • The equilibrium adsorption capacity of sludge treated by enzyme was determined. • A model was developed to quantify the adsorption capacity of EPS components. • The model could predict the TMP adsorption capacity with EPS components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid deposition in the kidney can cause serious damage to the kidney, and there is an obvious epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrosis in the late stage. To investigate the interventional effects and mechanisms of phenolic compounds from Mori Cortex on the EMT and fibrosis induced by sodium oleate-induced lipid deposition in renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52e cells), and the role played by CD36 in the adjustment process, NRK-52e cells induced by 200 μmol/L sodium oleate were given 10 μmoL/L moracin-P-2″-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (Y-1), moracin-P-3′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (Y-2), moracin-P-3′-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside (Y-3), and moracin-P-3′-O-[β-glucopyranoside-(1→2)arabinopyranoside] (Y-4), and Oil Red O staining was used to detect lipid deposition. A Western blot was used to detect lipid deposition-related protein CD36, inflammation-related protein (p-NF-κB-P65, NF-κB-P65, IL-1β), oxidative stress-related protein (NOX1, Nrf2, Keap1), EMT-related proteins (CD31, α-SMA), and fibrosis-related proteins (TGF-β, ZEB1, Snail1). A qRT-PCR test detected inflammation, EMT, and fibrosis-related gene mRNA levels. The TNF-α levels were detected by ELISA, and the colorimetric method was used to detects SOD and MDA levels. The ROS was measured by flow cytometry. A high-content imaging analysis system was applied to observe EMT and fibrosis-related proteins. At the same time, the experiment silenced CD36 and compared the difference between before and after drug treatment, then used molecular docking technology to predict the potential binding site of the active compounds with CD36. The research results show that sodium oleate can induce lipid deposition, inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis in NRK-52e cells. Y-1 and Y-2 could significantly ameliorate the damage caused by sodium oleate, and Y-2 had a better ameliorating effect, while there was no significant change in Y-3 or Y-4. The amelioration effect of Y-1 and Y-2 disappeared after silencing CD36. Molecular docking technology showed that the Y-1 and Y-2 had hydrogen bonds to CD36 and that, compared with Y-1, Y-2 requires less binding energy. In summary, moracin-P-2″-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and moracin-P-3′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside from Mori Cortex ameliorated lipid deposition, EMT, and fibrosis induced by sodium oleate in NRK-52e cells through CD36. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ternary photocatalyst of LaOCl/CeO 2 -g-C 3 N 4 was designed and firstly synthesized by a facile KCl–LiCl molten salt method. The 60 %LaOCl/40 %CeO 2 -g-C 3 N 4 with a 6: 4 weight ratio of LaOCl to CeO 2 has an optimal degradation ratio (nearly 100%) for methylene blue (MB) with an impressive cyclic stability. Both of adsorption and photodegradation contribute to the high MB removal ratio, and kinetic study results show that the rate constant of photocatalytic degradation route is 0.0174 min−1, which is less than that of adsorption process (2.4406 min−1). The excellent adsorption performance of 60 %LaOCl/40 %CeO 2 -g-C 3 N 4 is attributed to its negative zeta potential (−35.40 mV) and larger average pore size. The photochemical characterizations suggest that the 60 %LaOCl/40 %CeO 2 -g-C 3 N 4 form a dual Z-scheme heterojunction, which enhances its separation efficiency of photogenerated e - / h + with an outstanding redox ability, and further promotes the photocatalytic activity. [Display omitted] • A ternary photocatalyst of 60 %LaOCl/40 %CeO 2 -g-C 3 N 4 was firstly synthesized by a KCl–LiCl molten salt mothed. • Negative zeta potential and suitable pore structure contribute to the superb adsorption ability of 60 %LaOCl/40 %CeO 2 -g-C 3 N 4. • 60 %LaOCl/40 %CeO 2 -g-C 3 N 4 shows a dual Z-scheme heterojunction which promotes its photocatalytic property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gas sensitivity of the W defect in WS2 (VW/WS2) to five toxic gases—HCHO, CH4, CH3HO, CH3OH, and CH3CH3—has been examined in this article. These five gases were adsorbed on the VW/WS2 surface, and the band, density of state (DOS), charge density difference (CDD), work function (W), current–voltage (I–V) characteristic, and sensitivity of adsorption systems were determined. Interestingly, for HCHO-VW/WS2, the energy level contribution of HCHO is closer to the Fermi level, the charge transfer (B) is the largest (0.104 e), the increase in W is more obvious than other adsorption systems, the slope of the I–V characteristic changes more obviously, and the calculated sensitivity is the highest. To sum up, VW/WS2 is more sensitive to HCHO. In conclusion, VW/WS2 has a great deal of promise for producing HCHO chemical sensors due to its high sensitivity and selectivity for HCHO, which can aid in the precise and efficient detection of toxic gases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Pathologists are currently supposed to be aware of both domestic and international guidelines for breast cancer diagnosis, but it is unclear how successfully these guidelines have been integrated into routine clinical practice in China. Thus, this national proficiency testing (PT) scheme for breast pathology was set up to conduct a baseline assessment of the diagnostic capability of pathologists in China. Methods: This national PT plan is designed and implemented according to the "Conformity assessment—General requirements for proficiency testing" (GB/T27043—2012/ISO/IEC 17043:2010). Five cases of breast cancer with six key items, including histologic type, grade, ER, PR, HER2, and Ki67, were selected for testing among 96 participants. The final PT results were published on the website of the National Quality Control Center for Cancer (http://117.133.40.88:3927/cn/col22/362). Results: Our study demonstrated that the median PT score was 89.5 (54–100). Two institutions with scores < 67 were deemed unacceptable. The accuracy of histologic type, ER, PR, HER2, and Ki67 was satisfactory (all > 86%). However, the histologic grade showed low accuracy (74.0%). The unacceptable results mainly included incorrect evaluation of histologic grade (36.7%), inaccurate evaluation of ER/PR/HER2/Ki67 (28.2%), incorrect identification of C-AD as IBC-NST (15.7%), inappropriate use of 1+/2+/3+ rather than staining percentage for ER/PR (6.1%), misclassification of ER/PR < 1% weak expression as positive staining (1.4%), and no evaluation of histologic grade in ILC, MC, and IMC (5.8%). Conclusions: our nationwide PT program exhibited a satisfactory baseline assessment of the diagnostic capability of pathologists in China. More importantly, we identify some areas for further improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although membrane separation technology has been widely used in the treatment of oily wastewater, the complexity and high cost of the membrane preparation, as well as its poor stability, limit its further development. In this study, via the vacuum-assisted suction filtration method, polydopamine (PDA)-coated TiO2 nanoparticles were tightly attached and embedded on both sides of laboratory filter paper (FP). The resultant FP possessed the typical wettability of high hydrophilicity in the air with the water contact angle (WCA) of 28°, superoleophilicity with the oil contact angle (OCA) close to 0°, underwater superoleophobicity with the underwater OCA greater than 150°, and superhydrophobicity under the water with the underoil WCA over 150° for five kinds of organic solvents (carbon tetrachloride, toluene, n-hexane, n-octane, and iso-octane). The separation efficiency of immiscible oil/water, oil-in-water, and water-in-oil emulsions using the modified FP is higher than 99%. After 17 cycles of emulsion separation, a high separation efficiency of 99% was still maintained for the FP, along with good chemical and mechanical stability. In addition, successful separation and purification were also realized for the oil-in-water emulsion that contained the methylene blue (MB) dye, along with the complete degradation of MB in an aqueous solution under UV irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Innovation ecosystems are an important driver of regional economic growth and development. STEM assets connected to universities may play an important role in such ecosystems. Objective: To systematically review the literature relating to the effect of university STEM assets on regional economies and innovation ecosystems, providing a better understanding of how the impact is generated and constrained, as well as identifying any gaps in knowledge. Methods: Keyword and text word searches using the Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate), Econlit (EBSCO) and ERIC (EBSCO) were performed in July 2021 and February 2023. Papers were double screened on abstract and title, and were included if there was consensus that they fulfilled the inclusion criteria of: (i) relating to an OECD country; (ii) having been published between 1 January 2010 and 28 February 2023; and (iii) concerning the impact of STEM assets. Data extraction was undertaken for each article by a single reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. Due to the heterogeneity of the study designs and outcome measures used, it was not possible to perform a quantitative synthesis of results. A narrative synthesis was subsequently undertaken. Results: Of the 162 articles identified for detailed review, 34 were accepted as being sufficiently relevant to the study to be included for final analysis. Three important features identified were that the literature: i) is predominately concerned with supporting new businesses; ii) describes a high level of involvement with a university in providing that support; and iii studies economic impacts at local, regional and national levels. Discussion: The evidence points to a gap in the literature relating to looking at the broader impact of STEM assets and any corresponding transformational, system-level effects that go beyond narrowly defined, short to medium-term outcomes. The main limitation of this review is that information on STEM assets in the non-academic literature is not captured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• H-abstraction in heavy oil thermal processing was studied by DFT calculations. • Homolysis of alkanes produces alkyl primary C radicals active in H-abstraction. • H-abstraction by alkyl primary C radicals has Ea between 42 and 52 kJ.mol−1. • Homolysis of alkyl substitutes of aromatics mainly produces benzylic radicals. • Benzylic radicals cannot abstract H from n -alkanes or cycloalkanes. The characteristics of H-abstraction during thermal processing of heavy oil were studied through density functional theory calculations. Homolysis of alkanes produces two alkyl primary C radicals. They can all effectively participate in the H-abstraction from alkanes, alkyl substituents and cycloalkanes, with activation energies ranging from 42 to 52 kJ.mol−1. The homolysis of alkyl substituents of aromatics occurs preferentially at the C α -C β position, with bond energy as low as 317 kJ.mol−1. In the temperature range involved in thermal processing, homolysis of alkyl substituents mainly produces benzylic radicals rather than phenylethyl and phenylpropyl radicals. Except for abstracting tertiary H from branched alkanes, the abstraction of other types of H by benzylic radicals is not feasible in terms of reaction kinetics and reaction thermodynamics. Paraffinic heavy oil has higher thermal processing activity than naphthenic heavy oil due to differences in the number of radicals that can effectively participate in H-abstraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spray of w/o emulsified heavy oils with water content up to 30% was studied. • Effects of spray conditions on w/o emulsions follow traditional breakup model. • Flash boiling of water in emulsions results in decreased SMD and increased θ s. • Upgraded w/o emulsified heavy oil with viscosity reduction by 90% was prepared. • SMD obtained from spray of upgraded w/o heavy oil is half that of raw heavy oil. The spray of water-in-oil emulsified heavy oils with water content up to 30 % was studied at temperatures of 125 to 200 °C and pressures of 4 to 10 MPa. The spray based on four series of model emulsified heavy oil shows that the effects of spray temperature and pressure on the Sauter mean diameter (SMD) of oil droplets and spray cone angle (θ s) follow the traditional breakup model. The emulsification increases the viscosity and surface tension of heavy oils, hindering disintegration of liquid jet into fine droplets during spray. The combination of appropriate water content and superheated degree allows flash boiling of water to overcome the above adverse effects, resulting in a decrease in SMD and an increase in θ s. In the spray of the upgraded emulsified heavy oil obtained by visbreaking in high-pressure steam environments, the SMD of oil droplets could be lowered to 39 μm, which is only half of the corresponding value of the raw heavy oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous visbreaking of heavy oil in a tubular reactor was studied under pressurized steam environments at 10 MPa (MPS) and 18 MPa (HPS). Within the operating range considered, heavy oil and pressurized steam exhibit a liquid-vapor two-phase structure. During the transition from the MPS environment to the HPS environment, the dissolution of water into the oil phase is promoted, thereby reducing the viscosity of the oil phase. According to the lumped reaction kinetics analysis, the reaction behavior of the lumped component VR2 with a boiling point higher than 700 °C determines the visbreaking efficiency in the early visbreaking stage to a large extent. Dealkylation of VR2 and condensation of the lightest lumped component show sensitive responses to improved diffusion in the oil phase. At 400 °C and a space time of 37 min, visbreaking in HPS environment can achieve a viscosity reduction rate of 90%. Meanwhile, the asphaltene content of the product is lower than the feedstock value. • Continuous heavy oil visbreaking was investigated in pressurized steam environments. • Visbreaking products with reduced viscosity and asphaltene content can be obtained. • Dissolution of water in heavy oil reduces the viscosity of the oil phase. • Reaction kinetics of visbreaking respond sensitively to diffusion improvement. • Dealkylation of heaviest components determines initial visbreaking efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study on the objectivity of pulse diagnosis is inseparable from the instruments to obtain the pulse waves. The single-pulse diagnostic instrument is relatively mature in acquiring and analysing pulse waves, but the pulse information captured by single-pulse diagnostic instrument is limited. The sensor arrays can simulate rich sense of the doctor's fingers and catch multipoint and multiparameter array signals. How to analyse the acquired array signals is still a major problem in the objective research of pulse diagnosis. The goal of this study was to establish methods for analysing arrayed pulse waves and preliminarily apply them in hypertensive disorders. While a sensor array can be used for the real-time monitoring of twelve pulse wave channels, for each subject in this study, only the pulse wave signals of the left hand at the "guan" location were obtained. We calculated the average pulse wave (APW) per channel over a thirty-second interval. The most representative pulse wave (MRPW) and the APW were matched by their correlation coefficient (CC). The features of the MRPW and the features that corresponded to the array pulse volume (APV) parameters were identified manually. Finally, a clinical trial was conducted to detect these feature performance indicators in patients with hypertensive disorders. The independent-samples t-tests and the Mann–Whitney U-tests were performed to assess the differences in these pulse parameters between the healthy and hypertensive groups. We found that the radial passage (RP) APVh1, APVh3, APVh4, APVh3/h1 (P < 0.01), and APVh4/h1 (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the hypertensive group than in the healthy group; the intermediate passage (IP) APVh4, APVh3/h1 (P < 0.05), and APVh4/h1 (P < 0.01) and the mean APVh3, APVh3/h1 (P < 0.05), and APVh4/h1 (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in the hypertensive group than in the healthy group, and the ulnar passage (UP) APVh4/h1 (P < 0.05) was clearly elevated in the hypertensive group. These results provide a preliminary validation of this novel approach for determining the APV by arrayed pulse wave analysis. In conclusion, we identified effective indicators of hypertensive vascular function. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pulses comprise multidimensional information, and a sensor array could provide a better indication of TCM pulse characteristics. In this study, the validation of the arrayed pulse wave analysis demonstrates that the APV can reliably mirror TCM pulse characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A new method allows Al 2 O 3 to simultaneously expose {111} facets with strong acidity and {110} facets with moderate basicity. • MoS 2 and NiS on this Al 2 O 3 works by cooperative action on the newly exposed facets. • The catalyst is used in the thio-etherification of ethanethiol and isoamylene to thioethers. • The combined use of two advanced techniques, crystal facet engineering and cooperative catalysis, is demonstrated. In alumina-based catalysts the properties of the alumina support directly influence the structure (size, morphology, orientation, etc.) of the resulting active phase and ultimately determine the performance of the final catalysts. This paper presents a facile and efficient method for γ-Al 2 O 3 to simultaneously expose {111} facets with strong acidity and {110} facets with moderate basicity. It is shown that the metal oxides NiO x and MoO x can be selectively deposited and subsequently sulfided on the respective facets to form a NiS 2 -MoS 2 /Al 2 O 3 catalyst with substantially enhanced activity for thio-etherification reaction. By cooperative action of the active sites on the newly exposed facets, the catalyst is shown to have superior activity over a conventional NiMoS/Al 2 O 3 catalyst in the thio-etherification reaction between ethanethiol and isoamylene (2-methyl-2-butene) to yield ethylamyl thioethers. Our findings show that tuning the physicochemical properties via crystal facet engineering and inducing cooperative catalysis via preferential deposition of active metals open a novel avenue for the rational design and synthesis of high performance catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 with small nanoparticles and pure phase was controllably synthesized. • Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 shows excellent hydrogenation and desulfurization activities. • Nanoflower-like structure improves dispersion and accessibility of active sites. • The outstanding performance can be attributed to the rich Niδ+ active sites. The hydrogenation of unsaturated bonds and elimination of sulfur impurities in C 9 petroleum resin (C 9 PR) are crucial for improving its quality and performance. In this study, we prepared a nanoflower-like Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 catalyst using an in-situ synthesis combined with liquid-phase phosphidation strategy and applied for the production of value-added hydrogenated C 9 PR. In-situ synthesis of Ni-Al hydrotalcite anchors and disperses Ni nanoparticles, while liquid-phase phosphidation introduces high-content Niδ+ and Pδ− active sites and prevents the formation of inactive AlPO 4 , synergistically enhancing both hydrogenation and desulfurization activities. The synthesized Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 catalyst achieves a 99.6 % hydrogenation degree and reduces sulfur content from 137 ppm to 0 ppm, much better than the catalysts prepared by conventional impregnation and metal phosphate reduction methods. These results give valuable insights for designing efficient catalysts and advancing single-step hydrorefining processes to generate high-quality, value-added hydrogenated petroleum resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon adsorbents have been widely used to remove indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs), however, the proliferation of bacteria on the carbon adsorbents may deteriorate the indoor air quality and thus pose a serious threat to human health. Herein, we report the synthesis of antibacterial porous carbon spheres (carbonized aminophenol-formaldehyde resin, CAF) with well-dispersed Cu species via an in situ incorporation of Cu2+ during the polymerization of 3-aminophenol-formaldehyde resin followed by a thermal carbonization and reduction process. Compared with CAF, the Cu/CAF- x nanocomposites with Cu loading show a much higher specific surface area (>700 m2 g−1 vs. 569 m2 g−1 for CAF). In addition, the pore size of Cu/CAF- x is ranging from 0.7 to 1.68 nm, which is exactly conducive to adsorb the toluene molecules. As a result, the toluene adsorption capacity is improved from 123.50 mg g−1 for CAF to >170 mg g−1 for Cu/CAF- x. More importantly, such adsorbents possess excellent antibacterial performance, the Cu/CAF-10 (10 wt% of Cu loading) with a concentration of 50 μg mL−1 can completely kill the E. coli within 30 min. Our work paves the way to the development of bifunctional adsorbents with both efficient VOCs adsorption and excellent antibacterial performance. [Display omitted] • An in situ complexation strategy is developed to prepare Cu loaded carbon composite. • Cu/CAF- x show higher toluene adsorption capacity than porous carbon adsorbent. • Cu/CAF-10 with a low concentration of 50 μg mL-1 can kill 100% E. coli within 30 min. • The in situ complexation strategy can be extended to prepare other metal-carbon composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing application of crop straw, the greenhouse gas emissions caused due to crop straw have received increasing attention. However, the current studies have not explored the greenhouse gas emissions from on-farmland consumption of returned straw. Based on a long-term positioning experiment, three treatments were set up in double-cropping rice fields: chemical fertilizer (CF), straw replacing 1/3 nitrogen fertilizer (MS), and straw replacing 2/3 nitrogen fertilizer (HS). We measured the biomass, soil properties, and greenhouse gas emissions of double-cropping rice and then comprehensively evaluated the global warming potential, carbon footprint, and net ecological and economic benefits. The straw treatments (MS and HS) increased the cumulative annual emissions of CH 4 (98.44% and 261.23%), CO 2 (30.85% and 122.29%), and N 2 O (7.37% and 52.50%), the cumulative annual global warming potential (74.15% and 206.12%), average GHG intensity (43.26% and 138.07%), and the annual cumulative net ecosystem carbon budget (52.96% and 100.97%) in the early and late rice growing seasons, respectively. We observed that the real-time greenhouse gas emissions were significantly correlated to the soil microbial functional genes and total carbon, NH 4 +-N, and NO 3 −-N. The results of the random forest model showed that total carbon (13.87%) and nirK abundance (9.80%) were the highest predictors of global warming potential at the booting and maturity stages, respectively during rice growing season. Combining the resource inputs for agricultural production and the greenhouse gas emission potential of the returned straw on its own, MS showed the lowest net greenhouse gas emission, and MS and HS showed significantly increased annual cumulative net ecological economic benefits (38.08% and 34.30%). Overall, MS showed the lowest net greenhouse gas emission and the highest net ecological economic benefits, which is a straw-returning measure with low environmental impact and high economic returns. [Display omitted] • The straw replacing chemical fertilizers increased greenhouse gas emissions. • Straw treatments increased global warming potential and greenhouse gas intensity. • Straw replaced 1/3 nitrogen fertilizer had the lowest net greenhouse gas emissions. • Straw treatments have higher rice yield and agricultural economic benefits. • Straw treatments have higher net ecological economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the timing of adding 1 wt% decalin as a hydrogen donor on heavy oil visbreaking was studied. Experiments show that either premixing decalin with heavy oil or adding decalin during the reaction accelerates the formation of light distillates and improves the efficiency of viscosity reduction. Premixing with heavy oil is an appropriate way to add decalin. After 10 min of reaction at 400 ℃, the viscosity reduction rate of the product reaches 90% and the asphaltene content of the product is 1.8 wt% lower than that of the raw heavy oil. According to theoretical calculations, the active hydrogens of decalin preferentially saturate the aromatic C radicals that are critical for condensation. The equilibrium constant of the H-donation reaches the order of 105, while the activation energy of the reaction is only about 26 kJ/mol. The thermal cracking of decalin itself releases active and small-sized radicals, which accelerate visbreaking by participating in the dealkylation network of heavy oil molecules. • Decalin cracking releases radicals with high activity and diffusivity. • Addition of decalin in visbreaking greatly accelerates viscosity reduction. • Decalin selectively saturates aromatic C radicals vital for condensation. • Premixing decalin with heavy oil inhibits condensation in early reaction stage. • Premixing decalin as a hydrogen donor with heavy oil in visbreaking is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, synthesis of novel organic photosensitizer is imperative but challenging for photoelectrochemical (PEC) assay in analytical and biomedical fields. In this work, the PEC responses enhanced about 4.3 folds after in situ electrostatic assembly of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazole tetrafluoroborate ([BIm][BF 4 ]) on meso-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphine (TP), which was first covalently linked with NH 2 modified indium tin oxide electrode ([BIm]+-–TP-NH 2 -ITO). Moreover, the [BIm]+-–TP-NH 2 -ITO showed a much larger photocurrent in a water/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) binary solvent with a water fraction (f w) of 90%, which displayed 6.7-fold increase over that in pure DMSO, coupled by discussing the PEC enhanced mechanism in detail. Then, the PEC signals were sharply quenched via a competitive reaction between magnetic bead linked dsDNA (i.e., initial hybridization of aptamer DNA with linking DNA) and HCT-116 cells (closely associated with CRC), where the liberated L-DNA stripped the [BIm]+ from [BIm]+-–TP-NH 2 -ITO. The PEC detection strategy exhibited a wider linear range (30 ∼ 3 × 105 cells mL–1) and a lower limit of detection (6 cells mL–1), achieving single-cell bioanalysis even in diluted human serum sample. The in situ assembly strategy offers a valuable biosensing platform to amplify the PEC signals with advanced organic photosensitizer for early diagnosis of tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A US-responsive CO release system was constructed for the first time. • The Fenton-like effect of VS 4 was reported for the first time. • The GSH-depleting effect of Mn(CO) 5 Br was first discovered. • CaCO 3 shell layer can achieve tumor microenvironment responsive drug release and lead to Ca2+ overload. • Generation of multiple mitochondrial apoptosis-based therapeutic molecules such as ROS, CO, and Ca2+. Mitochondria, the energy suppliers of cells, are crucial for cell survival and proliferation. Tumor therapy based on mitochondrial apoptosis holds good promise. Currently utilized strategies, such as the production of CO and ROS and Ca2+ overload, are not highly selective and have limited effectiveness. In this study, a smart nanoplatform (V-Mn@Ca) controlled by ultrasound (US) and with high therapeutic efficacy was designed, which can specifically target the tumor site and activate mitochondrial apoptosis at multiple levels. Specifically, VS 4 , featuring a narrow band gap, are utilized to generate a Fenton-like effect. Loading Mn(CO) 5 Br enables a US-induced release of CO and depletion of GSH, which would further enhance ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis. Finally, an encapsulated CaCO 3 shell layer disrupts Ca2+ homeostasis in tumor cells. Overall, our study shows that the V-Mn@Ca platform triggers CO, ROS, and Ca2+ production in a controlled manner. Thus, providing sonodynamic therapy and CO therapy on a timed-targeted basis for enhanced mitochondrial apoptosis and subsequent tumor cell death, which inhibits tumor growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A series of Pd/SiO 2 catalysts with graded pore sizes were successfully prepared. • Macroporous catalysts facilitate NBR diffusion and improve metal utilization. • The correlation between D cat /D NBR with HD and Weisz modulus Φ were revealed. • Pd/N-SiO 2 -70 shows excellent activity (96.7%) and selectivity (100 %) to C = C. Pore diffusion effect plays a crucial role in heterogeneous hydrogenation of unsaturated polymers. However, how large pore size can eliminate the pore diffusion limitation remains a controversial issue. Herein, we prepared a series of Pd/SiO 2 catalysts with graded pore sizes and investigated the effect of pore size on hydrogenation activity of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). It is found that when the catalyst pore size (D cat) is 7 times of the diameter of NBR chains (D NBR), the Weisz modulus Φ can be reduced to < 0.3 thus the internal mass transfer limitation can be eliminated, making NBR easier to approach the active sites. Consequently, the catalysts with the D cat /D NBR > 7 exhibit excellent catalytic activity (96.7%) and selectivity (100%) to C = C. This work emphasizes that the pore size of catalysts can regulate the pore transfer limitation and the accessibility of internal active sites, providing useful guidance for the design of efficient macromolecular hydrogenation catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategy of adding tetralin as a H-donor in the thermal processing of heavy oil was investigated by experimental characterization and theoretical calculations. According to the experiments, the timing of adding 1 wt% of tetralin has a great influence on the visbreaking performance of heavy oil. Calculations based on density functional theory showed that benzyl radicals released from the thermal cracking of tetralin accelerate the dealkylation that determines the heavy oil upgrading. Meanwhile, H α provided by tetralin is able to selectively saturate aromatic C radicals which are essential for condensation. Compared with the conventional H-donor addition, i.e., pre-mixing of tetralin with heavy oil, a similar viscosity reduction rate of about 98% can be obtained during the visbreaking with delayed tetralin addition. Furthermore, the addition of tetralin before the significant occurrence of condensation further increases the conversion of vacuum residue fraction by 3.4% and reduces the asphaltene content of the product by 2.6 wt%. [Display omitted] • Tetralin cracking releases benzyl radicals which accelerate heavy oil upgrading. • H α provided by tetralin selectively saturates aromatic C radicals. • Pre-mixing of tetralin with heavy oil affects sufficient condensation inhibition. • In visbreaking tetralin should be added before apparent occurrence of condensation. • In delayed coking the addition of tetralin is not recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The flower-like nickel phosphide catalysts were prepared by a hydrotalcite strategy. • Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 catalyst showed excellent catalytic activity and desulfurization ability. • The outstanding performance ascribed to the rich active Niδ+ species. • The enhanced stability was due to strong interaction between active sites and support. The catalytic hydrogenation of petroleum resin (PR) to high value-added hydrogenated PR (HPR) represents a forward-looking technology for upgrading the pyrolysis petroleum by-product. Herein, flower-like and pure-phase supported nickel phosphide catalysts were controllably fabricated through a hydrotalcite strategy with red phosphorous as the P source. The PR hydrogenation activity of the catalysts followed the order of Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 > NiP 2 /Al 2 O 3 > Ni/Al 2 O 3 > imp-Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 catalysts (prepared by the impregnation method). Such enhanced performance of Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 could be ascribed to small nickel phosphide particle size and rich active Niδ+ species. Notably, the sulfur contents of PR were effectively reduced from 55.4 (C 5 PR) and 72.3 ppm (C 9 PR) to 3.8 and 7.9 ppm after hydrogenation by Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3. Meanwhile, Ni 2 P/Al 2 O 3 also exhibited good stability with the hydrogenation degree of HC 5 PR maintaining at 94.39 % after 100 h. Our work provides a promising nickel phosphide catalyst with outstanding hydrogenation activity, hydrodesulfurization ability, and stability toward PR hydrogenation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact dynamics of water drops on porous surfaces wetted by a hygroscopic ionic liquid aqueous solution are investigated. Firstly, to better illustrate the different dynamic characteristics of water drops on ionic liquid-wetted porous surfaces, it is compared with that on the dry and water-wetted porous surfaces. The results indicate that, the water drop barely penetrates on the dry porous surface at ambient temperature, but penetrate when the surface temperature is raised or the surface is pre-wetted. The maximum spreading and penetration of the droplet on the ionic liquid-wetted surface is larger and faster than that on the water-wetted surface. Then, the effect of the mass fraction of aqueous ionic liquid, impact velocity, porosity on the spreading and penetration is explored. The larger the mass fraction of aqueous ionic liquid on the porous surface, the faster the droplet spreading factor, height, and residual volume decrease. The effect of impact velocity is even more pronounced for the water droplets impacting on pure ionic liquid-wetted porous surfaces. A higher porosity contributes to a smaller spreading diameter but a larger volume decreasing rate on the wetted porous surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of introducing a free radical initiator into dealkylation-based visbreaking of heavy oil in the N 2 or supercritical benzene (SC benzene) medium was investigated. Calculations based on density functional theory show that the introduction of di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) into heavy oil visbreaking results in the formation of alkyl C radicals similar to those naturally formed in high temperature initiation. The visbreaking in SC benzene environment is sensitive to the introduction of DTBP, which is different from the visbreaking in N 2 environment. According to reaction kinetics analysis, the presence of SC benzene solvent and the introduction of DTBP greatly accelerate the dealkylation related lumped reactions. Benefiting from improved diffusion environment, the superimposed radicals resulting from DTBP introduction effectively participate in visbreaking and selectively accelerate dealkylation. After only 10–20 min of reaction at 380 °C, visbreaking products with satisfactory viscosity reduction, reduced asphaltene content and improved light component yield can be obtained. • Initiator-introduced heavy oil visbreaking in supercritical benzene was examined. • DTBP introduction results in rapid superposition of alkyl C radicals. • The presence of supercritical benzene accelerates visbreaking. • Superimposed radicals effectively participate in visbreaking in SC benzene. • Best upgrading is obtained in DTBP-introduced visbreaking in SC benzene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Visbreaking of heavy oil with high metal and asphaltene content was investigated. • Coupling of porphyrin metals with asphaltenes promotes asphaltene aggregation. • Asphaltene condensation is accelerated by high content and aggregation. • Asphaltenes with highest metal content participate in condensation to coke first. The visbreaking of Canadian oil sands bitumen (OSB) and Tahe atmospheric residue (AR) with high metal and asphaltene content was studied to deepen the understanding of the utilization of ultra-inferior heavy oil. The total content of nickel and vanadium in the asphaltenes contained in Canadian OSB reaches 1300 ppm, promoting large-scale aggregation of asphaltenes. Driven by high asphaltene content of 19.3 wt% and large-scale aggregation of asphaltenes, Canadian OSB with an initial boiling point (IBP) of 500 °C exhibits rapid condensation during visbreaking. Furthermore, those asphaltenes with the highest metal content participate in condensation first, producing metallic nickel in the formed coke. By changing cutting strategy, the group composition and metal distribution of Canadian OSB can be adjusted. A viscosity reduction rate above 99 % is obtained during the visbreaking of Canadian OSB with an IBP of 350 °C, similar to the visbreaking of Tahe AR with an asphaltene content of 15.4 wt% and a total metal content of 300 ppm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Reaction kinetics analysis of heavy oil visbreaking in SC benzene was applied. • SCF visbreaking features low reaction temperature and shortened reaction time. • Competition between dealkylation and condensation exists throughout visbreaking. • Dealkylation-based visbreaking is accelerated by reducing diffusion limitation. • Condensation-based lumped reactions respond sensitively to temperature variation. To understand the reaction behavior of heavy oil visbreaking with reduced diffusion limitation, the visbreaking of an atmospheric residual oil in the solvent of supercritical benzene (SC benzene) was applied, followed by a reaction kinetics analysis based on a hybrid lumping with combination of boiling point distribution and group composition of oil components. The visbreaking under SC benzene environment was found to be much faster than that under nitrogen environment, proceeding effectively even at a temperature lower to 350 °C. Although the dealkylation-based lumped reactions responsible for light component production and viscosity reduction are supposed to dominate the visbreaking, a competition between dealkylation and condensation exists throughout the visbreaking. Because of the reduced diffusion limitation to reaction kinetics, the condensation-based lumped reactions with a higher activation energy up to 306 kJ.mol−1 respond more sensitively to the variation of reaction temperature, greatly shortening the reaction time window for the visbreaking at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA methyltransferase, a key enzyme mediating DNA methylation, is involved in numerous processes including genomic imprinting, X chromosome inactivation, transposable element suppression, and immune defense in vertebrates. In the present study, a DNA cytosine-5-methyltransferase 3 was identified from oyster Crassostrea gigas (designed as Cg DNMT3). There were a PWWP domain, a PHD domain and a DNA-methylase domain in the deduced amino acid sequences of Cg DNMT3, and the conserved motifs I, IV, VI, Ⅷ, IX and X were identified in its C-terminal catalytic DNA-methylase domain. The mRNA transcripts of Cg DNMT3 were detected in haemocytes, mantle, gill, adductor muscle, digestive gland and labial palp, with higher expression level in haemocytes (6.54 folds of those in gill, p < 0.01). The expression level of Cg DNMT3 mRNA in haemocytes increased significantly after LPS primed (2.87 folds of that in control group, p < 0.05) in vitro or Vibrio splendidus challenging (1.94 folds of that in control group, p < 0.05) in vivo. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that Cg DNMT3 protein was distributed mainly in cytoplasm and partial in nucleus of oyster haemocytes. After Cg DNMT3 was transfected and expressed in HEK293T cells, the DNA 5-methylcytosine (5-mc) level in the transfected group was significantly increased, which was 1.22 folds (p < 0.05) of the pcDNA-3.1 group. The expressions of oyster Cg IL17-1, Cg IL17-2 and Cg IL17-5 in haemocytes increased (13.05 folds, 4.78 folds and 9.41 folds of that in control group, respectively) at 12 h after V. splendidus challenging, but the increase were significantly inhibited when the oysters were pre-treated with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Azacytidine, which were 9 folds, 1.93 folds and 3.22 folds of that in control group, respectively. These results collectively suggested that Cg DNMT3 was a conserved member of DNA methyltransferase 3 family in oyster, and participated in regulating the expression of cytokines during immune response. • Cg DNMT3 is a conserved member of DNMT3 family in oysters. • Cg DNMT3 is constitutively expressed in adult tissues with slightly higher level in haemocyets. • LPS stimulation and Vibrio splendidus challenge up-regulated the expression of Cg DNMT3. • Cg DNMT3 was involved in the regulation of Cg IL17 expressions during immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]