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Polyamine metabolism dysregulation is a hallmark of many cancers, offering a promising avenue for early tumor theranostics. This study presents the development of a nuclear probe derived from spermidine (SPM) for dual-purpose tumor PET imaging and internal radiation therapy. The probe, radiolabeled with either [68Ga]Ga for diagnostic applications or [177Lu]Lu for therapeutic use, was synthesized with exceptional purity, stability, and specific activity. Extensive testing involving 12 different tumor cell lines revealed remarkable specificity towards B16 melanoma cells, showcasing outstanding tumor localization and target-to-non-target ratio. Mechanistic investigations employing polyamines, non-labeled precursor, and polyamine transport system (PTS) inhibitor, consistently affirmed the probe 's targetability through recognition of the PTS. Notably, while previous reports indicated PTS upregulation in various tumor types for targeted therapy, this study observed no positive signals, highlighting a concentration-dependent discrepancy between targeting for therapy and diagnosis. Furthermore, when labeled with [177Lu], the probe demonstrated its therapeutic potential by effectively controlling tumor growth and extending mouse survival. Investigations into biodistribution, excretion, and biosafety in healthy humans laid a robust foundation for clinical translation. This study introduces a versatile SPM-based nuclear probe with applications in precise tumor theranostics, offering promising prospects for clinical implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a)-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction plays a pivotal effect on cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure (HF). However, the role and underlying mechanisms of FOXO3a, regulated by breviscapine (BRE), on mitochondrial function in HF therapy remain unclear. This study reveals that BRE-induced nuclear translocation of FOXO3a facilitates mitofusin-1 (MFN-1)-dependent mitochondrial fusion in cardiac hypertrophy and HF. BRE effectively promotes cardiac function and ameliorates cardiac remodeling in pressure overload-induced mice. In addition, BRE mitigates phenylephrine (PE)-induced cardiac hypertrophy in cardiomyocytes and fibrosis remodeling in fibroblasts by inhibiting ROS production and promoting mitochondrial fusion, respectively. Transcriptomics analysis underscores the close association between the FOXO pathway and the protective effect of BRE against HF, with FOXO3a emerging as a potential target of BRE. BRE potentiates the nuclear translocation of FOXO3a by attenuating its phosphorylation, other than its acetylation in cardiac hypertrophy. Mechanistically, over-expression of FOXO3a significantly inhibits cardiac hypertrophy and mitochondrial injury by promoting MFN-1-mediated mitochondrial fusion. Furthermore, BRE demonstrates its ability to substantially curb cardiac hypertrophy, reduce mitochondrial ROS production, and enhance MFN-1-mediated mitochondrial fusion through a FOXO3a-dependent mechanism. In conclusion, nuclear FOXO3a translocation induced by BRE presents a successful therapeutic avenue for addressing cardiac hypertrophy and HF through promoting MFN-1-dependent mitochondrial fusion. [Display omitted] • Breviscapine protects against pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. • The FOXO3a/MFN-1 signaling is partly involved in the mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiac hypertrophy. • Nuclear FOXO3a translocation by breviscapine promotes MFN-1 mediated mitochondrial fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Convergence analysis of block iterative solvers for Hermitian eigenvalue problems and closely related research on properties of matrix-based signal filters are challenging and are attracting increased attention due to their recent applications in spectral data clustering and graph-based signal processing. We combine majorization-based techniques pioneered for investigating the Rayleigh--Ritz method in [A. V. Knyazev and M. E. Argentati, SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl., 31 (2010), pp. 1521-1537] with tools of classical analysis of the block power method by Rutishauser [Numer. Math., 13 (1969), pp. 4-13] to derive sharp convergence rate bounds of abstract block iterations, wherein tuples of tangents of principal angles or relative errors of Ritz values are bounded using majorization in terms of arranged partial sums and tuples of convergence factors. Our novel bounds are robust in the presence of clusters of eigenvalues, improve previous results, and are applicable to most known block iterative solvers and matrix-based filters, e.g., to block power, Chebyshev, and Lanczos methods combined with polynomial filtering. The sharpness of our bounds is fundamental, implying that the bounds cannot be improved without further assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are two essential mineral nutrients for plant growth, which are required in relative high amount in plants. Plants have evolved a series of strategies for coordinately acquiring and utilizing N and P. However, physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying of N and P interactions remain largely unclear in soybean (Glycine max). In this study, interactions of N and P were demonstrated in soybean as reflected by significant increases of phosphate (Pi) concentration in both leaves and roots by N deficiency under Pi sufficient conditions. A total of four nitrogen limitation adaptation (NLA), encoding RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase were subsequently identified in soybean genome. Among them, transcription of GmNLA1-1 and GmNLA1-3 was decreased in soybean by N starvation under Pi sufficient conditions, not for GmNLA1-2. Suppression of all three GmNLA1 members was able to increase Pi concentration regardless of the P and N availability in the growth medium, but decrease fresh weight under normal conditions in soybean hairy roots. However, comparted to changes in control lines at two N levels, N deficiency only resulted in a relatively higher increase of Pi concentration in GmNLA1-1 or GmNLA1-3 suppression lines, strongly indicating that GmNLA1-1 and GmNLA1-3 might regulate P homeostasis in soybean response to N starvation. Taken together, our result suggest that redundant and diverse functions present in GmNLA1 members for soybean coordinate responses to P and N availability, which mediate P homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the clinical curative effect of spinal balancing manipulation combined with acupuncture in the treatment of third lumbar transverse process syndrome. Methods: A total of 100 patients with third lumbar trans-verse process syndrome were divided into two groups, as the study group and the control group, with 50 patients in each group. Patients in the control group were given drug treatment of Celecoxib. On the basis of drug treatment in the control group, patients in the study group were given spinal balancing manipulation combined with acupuncture treatment. The clinical efficacy (total effective rate) after treatment was compared between the two groups. The efficacy rating scale for lower back pain disorders, Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA), was applied to evaluate the lumbar function of the patient. Serum interleukin 6 (IL-6), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels of the two groups were measured before and after treatment. The visual analogue scoring (VAS) was applied to evaluate the subjective pain degree of patient's lower back. Results: After treatment, total effective rate of the study group was 94.00%, and the control group was 80.00%. The total effective rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the subjective symptoms, clinical signs, ability of daily living and JOA score were significantly decreased in patients of the two groups. Moreover, the decreased degree was more obvious in the study group than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the IL-6, PGE2 and IL-10 levels of the two groups obviously decreased comparing with those before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the IL-6, PGE2 and IL-10 levels of the study group were lower than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the subjective pain degree (VAS score) significantly decreased in the two groups, and the decreased degree in the study group was more obvious than the control group. Moreover, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The spinal balancing manipulation combined with acupuncture treatment can effectively improve the curative effect of third lumbar transverse process syndrome. The therapeutic method can improve lumbar function, relieve pain and reduce inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population-based multi-agent reinforcement learning (PB-MARL) encompasses a range of methods that merge dynamic population selection with multi-agent reinforcement learning algorithms (MARL). While PB-MARL has demonstrated notable achievements in complex multi-agent tasks, its sequential execution is plagued by low computational efficiency due to the diversity in computing patterns and policy combinations. We propose a solution involving a stateless central task dispatcher and stateful workers to handle PB-MARL's subroutines, thereby capitalizing on parallelism across various components for efficient problem-solving. In line with this approach, we introduce MALib, a parallel framework that incorporates a task control model, independent data servers, and an abstraction of MARL training paradigms. The framework has undergone extensive testing and is available under the MIT license (https://github.com/sjtu-marl/malib). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three oligomeric cationic Gemini surfactants (III1, III2, and III3) were prepared from different major raw materials, including long-chain alkyl amine (dodecyl amine, tetradecyl amine or cetyl amine), formic acid, formaldehyde, diethyl amine hydrochloride and epichlorohydrin. The synthesis conditions for one of the three surfactants, bis-[2-hydroxy-3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecyl)propyl] dipropylammonium chloride (III1), were optimised by orthogonal experiments. The optimum synthesis conditions were:molar ratio of intermediate II to intermediate I1 = 1.0:2.2, reaction temperature = 85 °C and reaction time = 16 h. The structures of the three prepared compounds were characterised by FTIR and 1H NMR. Their thermal properties were evaluated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The Geminisurfactants prepared exhibited better surface active properties than conventional single chain cationic surfactants. With increasing carbon chain length from C12 to C16, bothCMC and surface tension γCMC decreased, while the viscosity of the thickening solution prepared with the synthesised oligomeric cationic Gemini surfactants as the main component increased. The optimum thickening formula was: 2.0 wt% III3 + 0.8 wt% sodium salicylate (NaSal) + 0.6 wt% KCl. The viscosity of the optimum thickening formulation was 190.4 mPa s. Gemini oligomeric cationic surfactants could be used as thickeners in the production of fracturing fluids, flooding agents and drilling fluids for oil and gas production in oil fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of increasingly severe electromagnetic wave (EMW) pollution, the research of biomass-based carbon materials due to the advantages of being green, renewable, environment-friendly, porous and light has become one of the most attractive topics. However, there is little research on the microstructure control of biomass-based materials. Herein, two kinds of chitosan-derived carbon aerogels (CAs) were prepared by adjusting the amount of chitosan and changing the pre-freezing method. Two morphologies of bamboo tube structure (BTS) and isolated island structure (IIS) were controlled by the growth speed and direction of ice crystals in a refrigerator and freeze dryer differently. The obtained samples with very low densities of 0.075-0.174 g cm-3 can bear 400 times their own weight. Furthermore, the unique layer spacing and porous characteristics make the infrared emissivity of IIS aerogels possess 0.545-0.709 at 20-300 °C with greater thermal insulation. In particular, the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of the IIS aerogel nearly contains the entire Ku band within the thickness of 1.0-1.4 mm, and the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) peaks appear to shift to the left compared with the IIS aerogel. Besides, the simulation results of radar cross-section (RCS) show that the IIS with a thickness of 1.4 mm can reduce the RCS by ~20.3 dB m² at 14.1 GHz. This study provides a reference for the study of eco-friendly chitosanderived carbon absorbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue driving is one of the main causes of traffic accidents. In order to solve this problem, a new Convolutional Neural Network and Long Short‐Term Memory (CNN‐LSTM) based real‐time driver fatigue detection method is proposed. First of all, using simple linear clustering algorithm (SLIC), the driver's image is divided into super pixels of uniform size, which are used as input of CNN, and CNN is trained to automatically learn the features of eyes and mouth contained in the image, and then the location and area of eyes and mouth are obtained by using the trained CNN. On this basis, the eye feature parameter Perclos, mouth feature parameter MClosed and face orientation feature parameter Phdown are extracted, and the above feature parameters on the continuous time series and steering wheel angle feature parameter SA are taken as the input of LSTM, and the fatigue level is taken as the output to detect the fatigue state of the driver in real time. Experimental data shows that this method can not only overcome the influence of illumination, background, angle and individual differences, but also the accuracy of detection can reach 99.78%, and the average detection time is 16.94 ms/frame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surfactants are very often used in tertiary oil production. However, the conventional surfactants cannot be used in high salinity reservoirs of tertiary oil production because the high salinity leads to the deactivation of the surfactants. Gemini sulpho-betaine surfactants have been developed to meet the requirements of tertiary oil production in such reservoirs. In this study, the Gemini sulphobetaine surfactant (bis{[(N-methyl-N-(3-alkoxy-2-hydroxy)propyl-N-(3-sulfonate)propyl]methylene}) was prepared by etherification, ring opening reaction and sulfonation reaction with decyl alcohol, epichlorohydrin, N,N'-dimethyl ethylene diamine and 1,3-propanesultone. The experimental conditions obtained are: the ratio of 1,3-propanesulfonic acid lactone to tertiary amine intermediate = 2.3: 1, reaction temperature = 70°C and reaction time = 11 h. The analysis of the infrared spectrum showed that the structure of the synthesised substance corresponds to that of a Gemini sulphobetaine surfactant. The chemical shifts of the groups were determined by 1HNMR structural characterisation of the products. The surface tension, emulsifying properties, foaming properties and wetting properties were investigated. The results showed that the surfactant has good foaming properties and good compatibility in a high salt environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiative vapor condenser sheds heat in the form of infrared radiation and cools itself to below the ambient air temperature to produce liquid water from vapor. This effect has been known for centuries, and is exploited by some insects to survive in dry deserts. Humans have also been using radiative condensation for dew collection. However, all existing radiative vapor condensers must operate during the nighttime. Here, we develop daytime radiative condensers that continue to operate 24 h a day. These daytime radiative condensers can produce water from vapor under direct sunlight, without active consumption of energy. Combined with traditional passive cooling via convection and conduction, radiative cooling can substantially increase the performance of passive vapor condensation, which can be used for passive water extraction and purification technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the inhibitory effects of oyster enzymatic hydrolysate (OEH) on the metastasis of Lewis lung cancer and to evaluate its mechanism, daily gavage of low(LOEH), medium(MOEH) and high (HOEH) doses of OEH for 5 weeks was administered based on the subcutaneous Lewis lung cancer model in C57BL/6J male mice, the volume and weight of subcutaneous tumor were measured, the lung metastatic nodules were counted, the number of tumor-associated-macrophages (TAMs; CD11b+F4/80+), the expression of E-cadherin, Vimentin, microRNA-21 and microRNA-218 in subcutaneous tumor were measured. It was found that OEH treatment significantly decreased the subcutaneous tumor weight for the MOEH and HOEH groups (P=0.013, P=0.007) and significantly inhibited lung metastasis in a dose-dependent manner (x2=13.16, P=0.004). The expression of E-cadherin showed a statistical increase at high dose, while the expression of Vimentin and the number of TAMs in subcutaneous tumor was significantly decreased at all OEH doses (P<0.05). The expression of microRNA-21 was significantly decreased in the group of MOEH (P=0.013) and HOEH (P=0.013), and the expression of microRNA-218 was significantly increased in all group with OEH treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, OEH significantly reduced the growth of subcutaneous tumors and incidence of lung metastases in a dose-dependent manner. Its anti-tumorigenic activity might be explained by its ability to inhibit epithelial mesenchymal transition by reducing the number of TAMs, and down-regulate microRNA-218 as well as up-regulate microRNA-21 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sharp convergence estimates have been derived in recent years for gradient-type eigensolvers for large and sparse symmetric matrices or matrix pairs. An extension of these estimates to the corresponding block iterative methods can be achieved by applying a similar analysis to an embedded vector iteration. Although the resulting estimates are also sharp in the sense that they are not improvable without further assumptions, they cannot reflect the well-known cluster robustness of block eigensolvers. In the present paper, we analyze the cluster robustness of the preconditioned inverse subspace iteration. The main estimate has a weaker assumption and a simpler form compared to some known cluster robust estimates. In addition, it is applicable to further block gradient-type eigensolvers such as the locally optimal block preconditioned conjugate gradient method. The analysis is based on an orthogonal splitting for the block power method and a geometric interpretation of preconditioning. As a by-product, a cluster robust Ritz value estimate for the block power method is improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of entomopathogenic fungi, Lecanicillium cauligalbarum, was discovered from a survey of invertebrate-associated fungi in the Yao Ren National Forest Mountain Park in China. The synnemata of this species emerged from the corpse of a stemborer (Lepidoptera), which was hidden amongst pieces of wood on the forest floor. It differs from morphologically similar Lecanicillium species mainly in its short conidiogenous cells and ellipsoid to ovoid and aseptate conidia. Phylogenetic analysis of a combined data set comprising ITS, SSU, LSU, TEF, RPB1 and RPB2 sequence data supported the inclusion of L. cauligalbarum in the Lecanicillium genus and its recognition as a distinct species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel schinortriterpenoids (SNTs), schincalactones A (1) and B (2), featuring a unique 5/5/6/11/3 ring system, together with schincalide B (3), were isolated from Schisandra incarnata. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configurations of 1 and 3 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 possess a 13-membered carbon ring and are the first examples in the SNT family. Plausible biosynthetic pathways of 1-3 were postulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a finite-time adaptive fault-tolerant H∞ control method for a two-dimensional airfoil flutter with parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. Sensor and actuator faults are both considered. Flutter motion equations of an airfoil with cubic hard spring nonlinearity are established based on the trajectory optimization for reentry vehicle. A finite-time adaptive fault-tolerant H∞ controller is designed to deal with the airfoil flutter. The stability of the proposed controller is proved theoretically. Numerical simulations are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the optimal intraday scheduling of a distribution system that includes renewable energy (RE) generation, energy storage systems (ESSs), and thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs). This system also provides time-of-use pricing to customers. Unlike previous studies, this study attempts to examine how to optimize the allocation of electric energy and to improve the equilibrium of the load curve. Accordingly, we propose a concept of load equilibrium entropy to quantify the overall equilibrium of the load curve and reflect the allocation optimization of electric energy. Based on this entropy, we built a novel multi-objective optimal dispatching model to minimize the operational cost and maximize the load curve equilibrium. To aggregate TCLs into the optimization objective, we introduced the concept of a virtual power plant (VPP) and proposed a calculation method for VPP operating characteristics based on the equivalent thermal parameter model and the state-queue control method. The Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm was employed to solve the optimization problems. The simulation results illustrated that the proposed dispatching model can achieve cost reductions of system operations, peak load curtailment, and efficiency improvements, and also verified that the load equilibrium entropy can be used as a novel index of load characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the volatile and correlated nature of wind speed, a high share of wind power penetration poses challenges to power system production simulation. Existing power system probabilistic production simulation approaches are in short of considering the time-varying characteristics of wind power and load, as well as the correlation between wind speeds at the same time, which brings about some problems in planning and analysis for the power system with high wind power penetration. Based on universal generating function (UGF), this paper proposes a novel probabilistic production simulation approach considering wind speed correlation. UGF is utilized to develop the chronological models of wind power that characterizes wind speed correlation simultaneously, as well as the chronological models of conventional generation sources and load. The supply and demand are matched chronologically to not only obtain generation schedules, but also reliability indices both at each simulation interval and the whole period. The proposed approach has been tested on the improved IEEE-RTS 79 test system and is compared with the Monte Carlo approach and the sequence operation theory approach. The results verified the proposed approach with the merits of computation simplicity and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low-carbon transition of the power industry plays a critical role for China in achieving carbon neutrality. Technical retrofitting for coal-fired power plants improves their flexibility and reduces carbon emissions. China has a large stock of coal-fired power plants, and the retrofit planning of existing coal-fired power plants is an important part of the decarbonizing power system. In this study, a decision support tool that provides coal-fired power plant retrofit investment decisions in low-carbon power system transition is proposed. First, three retrofit paths are investigated. In addition to flexibility reformation, carbon capture utilization and storage reformation, a novel scheme is introduced to transform retired or aged coal-fired power plants into a Carnot battery, also known as a thermal storage power plant. Then, a multipath retrofit planning model for coal-fired power plants is proposed, in which the embedded operational problem is a unit commitment problem considering flexibility and frequency security constraints. Therefore, the problem of frequency safety and uncertainty caused by the high share of variable renewable energy in the power system is solved. The planning model is solved by hyperplane piecewise linearization and the chance-constrained deterministic transformation method. Finally, based on the Shanxi Provincial power system, the roles of flexibility reformation, carbon capture utilization and storage reformation, and Carnot battery reconstruction are analysed, and coal-fired power plant retrofit planning suggestions for the Shanxi power system are provided in this study. • A novel Carnot battery reconstruction is applied to coal-fired power plant's retrofit. • A multi-path retrofit planning model for coal-fired power plants is established. • The roles of different retrofit technologies to coal-fired power plants are compared. • The retrofit decision for coal-fired power plants for the Shanxi power system is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper established a computational model for the flow field of landing gear and extracted the velocity and vorticity distribution of flow field. A lot of shedding vortexes presented around the torque arm and pillar of landing gear and had the greatest impact on the flow field around the landing gear. Then, the aerodynamic noise of landing gear was measured in an anechoic chamber. The working noises of landing gear were more than background noises of landing gear. Their change trends were similar. Obvious peak frequencies presented at the front end of noise spectrum. In addition, peak frequencies increased with the increase of flow velocity. There were multiple peak frequencies on the curve of spectral characteristics. These frequencies were from pure sound in noises. Pure sound did not change with the change of flow velocity. The difference value of total sound pressure level of working noises and background noises was less than 10 dB. However, the difference value was bigger and bigger with the increase of flow velocity. When flow velocity was more than 50 m/s, background noises were over 10 dB lower than the total sound pressure level of working noises. Thus, it showed that the aerodynamic noise source of landing gear could be effectively recognized by experimental equipment. In addition, the total sound pressure level of aerodynamic noises of landing gear also increased with the increase of flow velocity and was directly proportional to the 6th power of flow velocity. The main noise source in experiments was dipole source. Finally, aerodynamic noises were obtained by AML model of landing gear, and compared with experimental results, showing consistent value and change trend. It showed that the computational model of noises was reliable. Based on the computational model of noises, this paper studied the contribution of pillar and torque arm of landing gear to radiation noises. Results showed that the pillar of landing gear was the main reason for radiation noises. In the future, pillar noises will be reduced through conducting structural design for the pillar of landing gear or applying sound package, further reducing radiation noises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the expression of p53 gene and the prognosis after local excision in uveal melanoma. Materials and methods: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and Western blot were used to detect the expression of p53 in C918, MUM-2B, and D78 cell lines at the levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. Immunohistochemistry staining was done in the tissues of 68 patients, which were diagnosed with uveal melanoma. Furthermore, the effects of p53 protein on the invasion abilities of both the cell lines were studied by transinfection of p53 small interfering RNA. The clinical and prognostic data regarding the effect of p53 protein on the patient's prognosis were calculated and further analyzed by Kaplan-Meier univariate analysis method. Results: The results of RT-PCR and Western blot revealed that p53 mRNAs were highly expressed in C918 and MUM-2B cells. The high expression rate of p53 among the 88 uveal melanoma tissues was 77.27%. Transinfection of p53 serine could inhibit the expression of p53 in uveal melanoma and the invasion ability of the cells. This study found that the high expression of p53 and the prognosis of uveal melanoma patients were statistically correlated. Conclusion: The expression of p53 protein in uveal melanoma was unusual and was associated with the invasion ability of uveal melanoma. This indicates that the highest expression of p53 protein indicates worse prognosis of uveal melanoma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second near-infrared window emission (1.0-1.7 µm, NIR-II) has received extensive attention with the advantages of negligible tissue scattering, reduced autofluorescence, and less background noise. Here a novel analysis platform based on quantum dots (QDs) for highly selective detection of Zn2+ and Cd2+ with an enhanced NIR-II fluorescence is reported for the first time. We have developed a facile two-step route to synthesize the water-soluble Ag2S QDs, constituting of a green hydrothermal process and followed surface ligands exchange. Surface passivation was proposed to be the mechanism for the enhanced fluorescence. The added Zn2+ or Cd2+ could react with the surface thioglycollic acid to form Zn-thiol or Cd-thiol complex passivation shell, which restored surface defects and suppressed nonradiative recombination pathway. The detection platform exhibited a linear relationship between the ion concentrations and enhanced fluorescence and had a detection limit as low as 760 nM for Zn2+ and 546 nM for Cd2+ at pH = 7.4. Furthermore, the as-synthesized Ag2S QDs showed good robustness in real sample matrix and were demonstrated to be able to detect exogenous Zn(II) in cells. These properties suggest potential applications of detection of Zn2+ in biology and Cd2+ in environment via the NIR-II fluorescent Ag2S QDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malawi is a low-income country with high Tuberculosis (TB) burden. TB diagnosis delay and untimely initiation of treatment is still a major problem in Malawi which could increase the risk of tuberculosis transmission in the communities. This study investigated factors related to the diagnostic delay of tuberculosis from TB healthcare providers in the northern region of Malawi. Methods: Nine focus group discussions were conducted with 57 participants in total. The participants were healthcare cadres including district TB officers, clinical officers, TB nurses, laboratory technicians and Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs). NVivo (11.0) software was used for data analysis. Results: The factors related to diagnostic delay were categorized into three themes: client factors, institutional factors and healthcare provider related factors. Client's stigma and fear for HIV test, resource shortage within healthcare institutions and the healthcare workers' poor attitude against potential patients were among the most influential factors behind the TB diagnostic delay. Conclusions: The TB control strategies should aim to reduce HIV stigma, improve resource supply and improve TB healthcare workers' morale in order to achieve timely TB diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabies continues to present a public health threat in most countries of the world. The most efficient way to prevent and control rabies is to implement vaccination programs for domestic animals. However, traditional inactivated vaccines used in animals are costly and have relatively low efficiency, which impedes their extensive use in developing countries. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop single-dose and long-lasting rabies vaccines. However, little information is available regarding the mechanisms underlying immunological memory, which can broaden humoral responses following rabies vaccination. In this study, a recombinant rabies virus (RABV) that expressed murine interleukin-7 (IL-7), referred to here as rLBNSE-IL-7, was constructed, and its effectiveness was evaluated in a mouse model. rLBNSE-IL-7 induced higher rates of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and germinal center (GC) B cells from draining lymph nodes (LNs) than the parent virus rLBNSE. Interestingly, rLBNSE-IL-7 improved the percentages of long-lived memory B cells (Bmem) in the draining LNs and plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow (BM) for up to 360 days postimmunization (dpi). As a result of the presence of the long-lived PCs, it also generated prolonged virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNAs), resulting in better protection against a lethal challenge than that seen with rLBNSE. Moreover, consistent with the increased numbers of Bmem and PCs after a boost with rLBNSE, rLBNSE-IL-7-immunized mice promptly produced a more potent secondary anti-RABV neutralizing antibody response than rLBNSE-immunized mice. Overall, our data suggest that overexpressing IL-7 improved the induction of long-lasting primary and secondary antibody responses post-RABV immunization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shenqi is a traditional Chinese polyherbal medicine has been widely used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-allergic rhinitis activity of Shenqi and explore its underlying molecular mechanism. Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis rat model was used to evaluate the anti-allergic rhinitis effect of Shenqi. The effect of Shenqi on IgE-mediated degranulation was measured using rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. Primary spleen lymphocytes were isolated to investigate the anti-allergic mechanism of Shenqi by detecting the expression of transcription factors viaWestern blot and the level of cytokines (IL-4 and IFN-) via ELISA. In OVA-induced AR rat models, Shenqi relieved the allergic rhinitis symptoms, inhibited the histopathological changes of nasal mucosa, and reduced the levels of IL-4 and IgE. The results from the in vitro study certified that Shenqi inhibited mast cell degranulation. Furthermore, the results of GATA3, T-bet, p-STAT6, and SOCS1 expression and production of IFN- and IL-4 demonstrated that Shenqi balanced the ratio of Th1/Th2 (IFN-γ/IL-4) in OVA-stimulated spleen lymphocytes. In conclusion, these results suggest that Shenqi exhibits an obvious anti-allergic effect by suppressing the mast cell-mediated allergic response and by improving the imbalance of Th1/Th2 ratio in allergic rhinitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composting of agricultural wastes not only can reduce environmental pollution caused by improper disposal, but also can recycle agricultural wastes and transform them into highly valuable products, such as fertilizers or soil conditioners, for agricultural applications. However, the composting process and final product are easily affected by the limited oxygen supply that results from insufficient aeration, especially in the center of a large-scale windrow. Hence, a pilot-scale experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the turning frequency on the composting efficiency and compost quality of used pig manure and fungus residue. Physical and chemical characteristics were measured over the course of 63 days of composting. The data indicate that higher temperatures and more rapid moisture removal generally result from a turning treatment of once every 2–4 days than in fewer, or no, turning treatments. The total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium contents increased in all windrows as the organic matter content decreased, but both the increases and decrease were greater in windrows that were turned more frequently. The reduction of the organic matter mass by 53.7–66.0% for a turning of once every 2–8 days is significantly higher than that for the static windrow (39.1%). Although there is an increase in nitrogen mass loss with an increased turning frequency, lower nitrogen mass losses (12.7–25.7%) in all treatments were noted compared with previous studies. A final compost product with less moisture, less weight, higher nutrient content (N, P, and K), and greater stability was obtained in windrows with turning frequencies of once every 2–4 days, which is recommended when composting pig manure and fungus residue. Implications: Composting of agricultural wastes not only can reduce environmental pollution caused by improper disposal, but recycling of agricultural wastes transforms them into highly valuable products, such as fertilizers or soil conditioners, for agricultural applications. However, the composting process and final product are easily affected by the limited oxygen supply that results from insufficient aeration, especially in the center of a large-scale windrow. Hence, a pilot-scale experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the turning frequency on the composting efficiency and compost quality of used pig manure and fungus residue, so as to capture an operational technique suitable for the effective co-composting pig manure and edible fungi residue for a large-scale composting plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a personality trait, grit involves the tendency to strive to achieve long-termgoals with continual passion and perseverance and plays an extremely crucial role in personal achievement. However, the neural mechanisms of grit remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between grit and the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in 217 healthy adolescent students using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RSfMRI). We found that an individual's grit was negatively related to the regional fALFF in the right dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), which is involved in self-regulation, planning, goal setting and maintenance, and counterfactual thinking for reflecting on past failures. The results persisted even after the effects of general intelligence and the 'big five' personality traits were adjusted for. More importantly, the fALFF of the right DMPFC played a mediating role in the association between grit and academic performance. Overall, these findings reveal regional fALFF as a neural basis of grit and highlight the right DMPFC as a neural link between grit and academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the prognostic impact of cirrhosis on long-term survival of patients with combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) after hepatic resection. The aim of this study was to elucidate the long-term outcome of hepatectomy in cHCC-CC patients with cirrhosis.Methods: A total of 144 patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for cHCC-CC were divided into two groups: cirrhotic group (n = 91) and noncirrhotic group (n = 53). Long-term postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results: Patients with cirrhosis had worse preoperative liver function, higher frequency of HBV infection, and smaller tumor size in comparison to those without cirrhosis. The 5-year overall survival rate in cirrhotic group was significantly lower than that in non-cirrhotic group (34.5% versus 54.1%, P = 0.032). The cancer recurrence-related death rate was similar between the two groups (46.2% versus 39.6%, P = 0.446), while the hepatic insufficiency-related death rate was higher in cirrhotic group (12.1% versus 1.9%, P = 0.033). Multivariate analysis indicated that cirrhosis was an independent prognostic factor of poor overall survival (hazard ratio 2.072, 95% confidence interval 1.041-4.123; P = 0.038).Conclusions: The presence of cirrhosis is significantly associated with poor prognosis in cHCC-CC patietns after surgical resection, possibly due to decreased liver function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new type of high effective surfactant, aliphatic alcohol ether sulfonate has widely application prospects in the process of tertiary oil recovery. So, the theoretical analysis of synthesis of aliphatic alcohol ether sulfonate has played a very important role in the process of its development. After the first patent about the preparation of a fatty alcohol ether sulfonate surfactant was reported in 1938, there were several methods to synthesize alcohol ether sulfonate surfactants with different structure. Sulfonated alkylation, one of the synthesis methods, is introduced in this paper. The synthesis principle of alcohol ether sodium sulfonate was analyzed by three step reactions - synthesis of PTGE, ring opening reaction and sulfonation reaction. Synthesis principle of PTGE includes acid catalysis, phase-transfer catalysis, side reaction of the synthesis of glycerol ether and reaction of PTGE outcome. Ring opening reaction includes two reactions of acid catalysis and alkali catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous development of theories, numerical computations and computational conditions, computational aero-acoustics presents huge advantages when they are used to solve the aerodynamic noise. Under low Mach number, objects with complex geometric profiles were selected as the research objects to research their aerodynamic noises at stationary and motion conditions by means of hybrid flow and sound separation algorithm for aerodynamic noise based on immersed boundary method (IBM). Firstly, the incompressible flow field was solved based on immersed boundary method, in order to obtain the flow field parameters as the input values, and solve the linearized acoustic perturbation compressible equation under non-uniform Cartesian meshes. As a result, the generation and diffusion of acoustic waves can be simulated. The circumferential flow field of two tandem circular cylinders was firstly completed and compared with the published test results to verify its reliability of the method proposed in this paper. And at different observation points, the noise distribution characteristics of two tandem circular cylinders were studied, showing that the noise in the vertical plane was distributed symmetrically and its noise intensity was greater than that in the horizontal plane. Moreover, the effect of different cylindrical diameters on radiation noise distribution was also studied, showing that the larger the cylindrical diameter was, the radiation noise close to the cylinder was smaller. Sound radiation problems of flapping wing motion were further studied by IBM, and this model was featured with obvious directivity in terms of its acoustic radiation, similar to the dipole sound source, and obvious periodicity regarding its acoustic pressure distribution. With good generality and practicability, this method can be also used for solving aerodynamic noise problems of other machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dots (CDs) have various attractive properties and potential applications, but there is much less attention paid to their phosphorescent phenomenon and mechanism. Herein, we prepared a kind of highly efficient CD-based phosphorescent material by a subtle design method that incorporated N-doped CDs (NCDs) into composite matrices (the melting recrystallization urea and biuret from the heating urea) by a one-pot heating treatment for the mixture of urea and NCDs. Through systematic investigation, C-N bonds on the surface of the NCDs can create new energy level structures, and for the first time, evidence that shows they are the origin of phosphorescence is presented. Composite matrices play a dual role to suppress the vibrational dissipation of long-lived triplets by combining the rigidity of the melting recrystallization urea and hydrogen bonding between biuret and NCDs, which have obvious advantages over a single-component matrix. The results show the obtained materials have an ultralong phosphorescent lifetime of 1.06 s under 280 nm excitation and a high phosphorescent quantum yield of 7% under 360 nm excitation in air, which are the highest values recorded for the CD-based materials. These CD-based room-temperature phosphorescent materials have also shown potential in white light-emitting diodes and data security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pure silica zeolites are potentially hydrophobic and have therefore been considered to be interesting candidates for separating alcohols, e.g., 1-butanol, from water. Zeolites are traditionally synthesized at high pH, leading to the formation of intracrystalline defects in the form of silanol defects in the framework. These silanol groups introduce polar adsorption sites into the framework, potentially reducing the adsorption selectivity toward alcohols in alcohol/water mixtures. In contrast, zeolites prepared at neutral pH using the fluoride route contain significantly fewer defects. Such crystals should show a much higher butanol/water selectivity than crystals prepared in traditional hydroxide (OH–) media. Moreover, silanol groups are present at the external surface of the zeolite crystals; therefore, minimizing the external surface of the studied adsorbent is important. In this work, we determine adsorption isotherms of 1-butanol and water in silicalite-1 films prepared in a fluoride (F–) medium using in situ attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy. This film was composed of well intergrown, plate-shaped b-oriented crystals, resulting in a low external area. Single-component adsorption isotherms of 1-butanol and water were determined in the temperature range of 35–80 °C. The 1-butanol isotherms were typical for an adsorbate showing a high affinity for a microporous material and a large increase in the amount adsorbed at low partial pressures of 1-butanol. The Langmuir–Freundlich model was successfully fitted to the 1-butanol isotherms, and the heat of adsorption was determined. Water showed a very low affinity for the adsorbent, and the amounts adsorbed were very similar to previous reports for large silicalite-1 crystals prepared in a fluoride medium. The sample also adsorbed much less water than did a reference silicalite-1(OH–) film containing a high density of internal defects. The results show that silicalite-1 films prepared in a F– medium with a low density of defects and external area are very promising for the selective recovery of 1-butanol from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The A-gradient minimization of the Rayleigh quotient allows one to construct robust and fast-convergent eigensolvers for the generalized eigenvalue problem for (A, M) with symmetric and positive definite matrices. The A-gradient steepest descent iteration is the simplest case of more general restarted Krylov subspace iterations for the special case that all stepwise generated Krylov subspaces are two-dimensional. This paper contains a convergence analysis of restarted Krylov subspace iterations for the minimization of the Rayleigh quotient with Krylov subspaces of arbitrary dimensions. The eigenpair approximations, namely, the Ritz vector and the Ritz value, are extracted in each step of the iteration by the Rayleigh-Ritz procedure. The new convergence analysis provides a sharp Ritz vector estimate together with a Ritz value estimate. These results improve the classical estimates by Kaniel [Math. Comp., 20 (1966), pp. 369-378] and Saad [SIAM J. Numer. Anal., 17 (1980), pp. 687-706] and Parlett [The Symmetric Eigenvalue Problem,, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1980] and generalize a result from Knyazev [Russian J. Numer. Anal. Math. Modelling, 2 (1987), pp. 371-396]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is an ideal model to study the mechanisms underlying synaptic deficits in addiction as it eliminates the confounding effects of substance use. Synaptic loss and deficits are hypothesised to underlie the enduring maladaptive behaviours and impaired cognitive function that contribute to IGD. Aims This study aimed to determine whether subjects with IGD have lower synaptic density than control subjects and the relationship between synaptic density and IGD severity. Methods Eighteen unmedicated subjects diagnosed with current IGD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria and 16 demographically matched healthy controls (HCs) participated in the study and underwent 18F-labelled difluoro-analogue of UCB-J (18F-SynVesT-1) positron emission tomography scans to assess the density of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A). The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11), Stroop Colour-Word Test (SCWT), stop-signal paradigms and N-back tasks were administered to all subjects. Results Patients with IGD had significantly higher scores on the IGDS9-SF, HAMD, HAMA and BIS-11 than HCs. HCs performed better on the two-back and SCWT tests as well as in terms of stop-signal reaction times (SSRTs) in the stop-signal paradigms than patients with IGD. Lower uptake was found in the bilateral putamen, right pregenual anterior cingulate cortex and Rolandic operculum of patients with IGD compared with HCs. Furthermore, in the IGD group, IGDS9-SF scores and daily gaming hours were negatively correlated with the standardised uptake value ratios of 18F-SynVesT-1 in the bilateral putamen. Longer SSRTs were significantly associated with lower SV2A density in the right pregenual anterior cingulate cortex and right Rolandic operculum. Conclusions The in vivo results in this study suggest that lower synaptic density contributes to the severity and impairments in inhibitory control of IGD. These findings may provide further incentive to evaluate interventions that restore synaptic transmission and plasticity to treat IGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a quantitative understanding of the reduction kinetics responsible for the formation of Pd-Pt bimetallic nanocrystals with two distinctive structures. The syntheses involve the use of KBr to manipulate the reaction kinetics by influencing the redox potentials of metal precursor ions via ligand exchange. In the absence of KBr, the ratio between the initial reduction rates of PdCl42- and PtCl42- was about 10.0, leading to the formation of Pd@Pt octahedra with a core-shell structure. In the presence of 63 mM KBr, the products became Pd-Pt alloy nanocrystals. In this case, the ratio between the initial reduction rates of the two precursors dropped to 2.4 because of ligand exchange and, thus, the formation of PdBr42- and PtBr42-. The alloy nanocrystals took a cubic shape owing to the selective capping effect of Br- ions toward the {100} facets. Relative to the alloy nanocubes, the Pd@Pt core-shell octahedra showed substantial enhancement in both catalytic activity and durability toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Specifically, the specific (1.51 mA cm-2) and mass (1.05 A mg-1 Pt) activities of the core-shell octahedra were enhanced by about four- and three-fold relative to the alloy nanocubes (0.39 mA cm-2 and 0.34 A mg-1 Pt, respectively). Even after 20000 cycles of accelerated durability test, the core-shell octahedra still exhibited a mass activity of 0.68 A mg-1 Pt, twice that of a pristine commercial Pt/C catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schincalide A (1), an unprecedented schinortriterpenoid possessing a tricyclo[5.2.1.01,6]decane-bridged system, was isolated from the stems and leaves of Schisandra incarnate. The structure with absolute configuration of 1 was determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A hypothetical biosynthetic pathway of 1 was postulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses a new application of the local fractional variational iteration algorithm III to solve the local fractional diffusion equation defined on Cantor sets associated with non-differentiable heat transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the systems of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations on Cantor sets without the external force involving the fractal heat-conduction problem vial local fractional derivative. The spherical Cantor type co-ordinate method is used to transfer the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation from the Cantorian co-ordinate system into the spherical Cantor type co-ordinate system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different cell types possess differentmiRNA expression profiles, and cell/tissue/organ-specific miRNAs (or profiles) indicate different diseases. Circulating miRNA is either actively secreted by living cells or passively released during cell death. Circulating cell/tissue/organ-specific miRNA may serve as a non-invasive biomarker for allo- or xeno-transplantation to monitor organ survival and immune rejection. In this review, we summarize the proof of concept that circulating organ-specific miRNAs serve as non-invasive biomarkers for a wide spectrum of clinical organ-specific manifestations such as liver-related disease, heart-related disease, kidney-related disease, and lung-related disease. Furthermore, we summarize how circulating organ-specific miRNAs may have advantages over conventional methods for monitoring immune rejection in organ transplantation. Finally, we discuss the implications and challenges of applying miRNA to monitor organ survival and immune rejection in allo- or xeno-transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species are damaging to cardiomyocytes. H9c2 cardiomyocytes are commonly used to study the cellular mechanisms and signal transduction in cardiomyocytes, and to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of drugs following oxidative damage. The present study developed a robust, automated high throughput screening (HTS) assay to identify cardioprotective agents from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) library using a H2O2-induced oxidative damage model in H9c2 cells. Using this HTS format, several hits were identified as cardioprotective by detecting changes to cell viability using the cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay. Two TCM extracts, KY-0520 and KY-0538, were further investigated. The results of the present study demonstrated that treatment of oxidatively damaged cells with KY-0520 or KY-0538 markedly increased the cell viability and superoxide dismutase activity, decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity and malondialdehyde levels, and inhibited early growth response-1 (Egr-1) protein expression. The present study also demonstrated that KY-0520 or KY-0538 treatment protected H9c2 cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis by altering the Bcl-2/Bax protein expression ratio, and decreasing the levels of cleaved caspase-3. In addition, KY-0520 and KY-0538 reduced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38-MAPK proteins, and inhibited the translocation of Egr-1 from the cytoplasm to nucleus in H2O2-treated H9c2 cells. These findings suggested that oxidatively damaged H9c2 cells can be used for the identification of cardioprotective agents that reduce oxidative stress by measuring cell viabilities using CCK-8 in an HTS format. The underlying mechanism of the cardioprotective activities of KY-0520 and KY-0538 may be attributed to their antioxidative activity, regulation of Egr-1 and apoptosis-associated proteins, and the inhibition of ERK1/2, p38-MAPK and Egr-1 signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute diarrhea is a global health problem, resulting in high morbidity and mortality in children. It has been suggested that enteric pathogen co-infections play an important role in gastroenteritis, but most research efforts have only focused on a small range of species belonging to a few pathogen groups. This study aimed to assess the impact of co-infections with a broad range of enteric pathogens on children aged below five years who suffer from acute diarrhea in southwest China. Method: A total of 1020 subjects (850 diarrhea cases and 170 healthy controls) were selected from four sentinel hospitals in Kunming, Yunnan province, southwest China, from June 2014 to July 2015. Stool specimens were collected to detect five virus (rotavirus group A, RVA; norovirus, NoV; Sapovirus, SaV; astrovirus, As; and adenovirus, Ad), seven bacterial (diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, DEC; non-typhoidal Salmonella, NTS; Shigella spp.; Vibrio cholera; Vibrio parahaemolyticus; Aeromonas spp.; and Plesiomonas spp.), and three protozoan (Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia lamblia, and Blastocystis hominis, B. hominis) species using standard microbiologic and molecular methods. Data were analyzed using the partial least square regression technique and chi-square test. Results: At least one enteric pathogen was detected in 46.7 % (n = 397) of acute gastroenteritis cases and 13.5 % (n = 23) of healthy controls (X² = 64.4, P < 0.05). Single infection with RVA was associated with acute diarrhea (26.5 % vs. 5.8 %, P < 0.05). The prevalence of a single infection with B. hominis in diarrhea cases was higher than in healthy controls (3.1 % vs. 0.5 %, OR = 4.7, 95 % CI: 1.01-112.0). Single infection with NoV GII was not associated with diarrhea (4.4 % vs. 3.5 %, OR = 1.2, 95 % CI: 0.5-3.3). Single infections with bacterial species were not observed. The prevalence of co-infections with two enteric pathogens in diarrhea cases was higher than in asymptomatic children (20.1 % vs. 5.3 %, P < 0.05). RVA-NoV GII was the most common co-infection in symptomatic children (4.4 %), with it aggravating the severity of diarrhea. Conclusions: Although it is clear that RVA has an overwhelming impact on diarrhea illnesses in children, co-infection with other enteric pathogens appears to also aggravate diarrhea severity. These findings should serve as evidence for public health services when planning and developing intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of groups have reported the syntheses of nanosized Pt-Ni octahedra with remarkable activities toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a process key to the operation of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. However, the throughputs of those batch-based syntheses are typically limited to a scale of 5-25 mg Pt per batch, which is far below the amount needed for commercial evaluation. Here we report the use of droplet reactors for the continuous and scalable production of Pt-Ni octahedra with high activities toward ORR. In a typical synthesis, Pt(acac)2, Ni(acac)2, and W(CO)6 were dissolved in a mixture of oleylamine, oleic acid, and benzyl ether, and then pumped into a polytetrafluoroethylene tube. When the solution entered the reaction zone at a temperature held in the range of 170-230 °C, W(CO)6 quickly decomposed to generate CO gas, naturally separating the reaction solution into discrete, uniform droplets. Each droplet then served as a reactor for the nucleation and growth of Pt-Ni octahedra whose size and composition could be controlled by changing the composition of the solvent and/or adjusting the amount of Ni(acac)2 added into the reaction solution. For a catalyst based on Pt2.4Ni octahedra of 9 nm in edge length, it showed an ORR mass activity of 2.67 A mgPt-1 at 0.9 V, representing an 11-fold improvement over a state-of-the-art commercial Pt/C catalyst (0.24 A mgPt-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we use the radial basis function neural network and the finite-time H ∞ adaptive fault-tolerant control technique to deal with the flutter problem of wings with propulsion system, which is affected by input saturation, time delay, time-varying parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. Then sensor and actuator faults are both considered in the control design. The theory content of this article includes the trajectory optimization, modeling of wing flutter and fault-tolerant controller design. The stability of the finite-time H ∞ adaptive fault-tolerant controller is theoretically proved. Finally, simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In optical frequencies, natural materials exhibit very weak magneto-optical effect. This weak effect can be easily recognized in the dielectric tensor where the ratio between the imaginary off-diagonal and diagonal components is extremely small. Here, we show that man-made metamaterials can greatly enhance this ratio, leading to an extraordinarily enhanced magneto-optical effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of oligomer betaine surfactants pentasodium N,N',N-alkyl diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid containing five carboxylate groups, three quaternary ammonium groups and three hydrophobic groups was synthesized by alkaline neutralization reaction and quaternization with diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, sodium hydroxide and long chain alkyl bromide as main raw materials. The chemical structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed by FTIR, ¹H NMR, MS spectroscopy and elementary analysis. With the increasing length of the carbon chain, the CMC of the synthesized compounds initially decreased. The surface active properties of these compounds were superior to that of the single chain betaine surfactants rich as decyl dimethyl betaine. The efficiency of adsorption at the water/air interface (pC20) of these surfactants was very high. It is found that the shorter hydrocarbon chain length of oligomer betaine surfactants, the faster the rate of reduction of surface tension, and the bigger the aggregation number of oligomer betaine surfactants are. Their foaming properties and wetting ability toward a felt chip, and lime-soap dispersing ability were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression level of tumor-related mRNA can reveal significant information about tumor progression and prognosis, so specific mRNA in cells provides an important approach for biological and disease studies. Here, fluorescence lifetime imaging of nanoflares in living cells was first employed to detect specific intracellular mRNA. We characterized the lifetime changes of the prepared nanoflares before and after the treatment of target mRNA and also compared the results with those of fluorescence intensity-based measurements both intracellularly and extracellularly. The nanoflares released the cy5-modified oligonucleotides and bound to the targets, resulting in a fluorescence lifetime lengthening. This work puts forward another dimension of detecting specific mRNA in cells and can also open new ways for detection of many other biomolecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With feature size of device scaled down 45 nm technological node and beyond, the backend of the line (BEOL) faces too many problems such as resistance–capacitance (RC) delay, crosstalk noise, and power consumption. In order to improve RC delay, the SiCN dielectric constant had to further decrease through introducing C 2 H 4 gas to increase its carbon content. The SiCN kI ( k ~ 5.3) and SiCN kII ( k ~ 3.8) were characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometer, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry–hydrogen forward scattering (RBS–HFS), X-ray reflectivity (XRR), Hg probe, four point bending (4-PB) test, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Results indicated that the hardness and modulus and density of the SiCN kII were lower than that of the SiCN kI . RBS–HFS and FTIR examination indicated that SiCN kII barrier film had high carbon content and terminating CH 3 group to cause low cross-linking and density of dielectric films resulting in large volume. 4-PB test combined with transmission electron microscope (TEM) examination demonstrated that the crack occurred in the interface between SiCN kII film/SiCN kI bilayer barrier film and low k film. After adding SiCNkI barrier film, no crack was found using SiCN kI /SiCN kII film/SiCN kI tri-layer barrier film. In addition, the capacitance and RC reduction ratios were improved to about 7–8% using the SiCN kII /SiCN kI bilayer barrier film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The asymmetric hydrogenation of β-amino nitroolefins has been successfully achieved by rhodium/bis(phosphine)-thiourea L1 with excellent enantioselectivities and yields (up to 96% ee, 96% yield, >99% conversion, TON up to 1000) under mild conditions. Chiral β-amino nitroalkane products and their derivatives are versatile intermediates in organic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diethoxymethylsilane precursor as a network matrix and alpha-terpinene precursor as a sacrificial porogen were applied to co-deposit SiOCH film using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Subsequently, the UV radiation was performed to remove the porogens from the co-deposited SiOCH film for creating pores to form porous ultra low k (p-ULK). The main purpose of this paper was to investigate the properties of the p-ULK film treated using the different UV radiation wavelengths including single wavelength emitted from H + type bulb, dual wavelengths emitted from D type bulb, and dual wavelengths combined with single wavelength. Result indicated that the properties of the p-ULK film treated using the dual wavelength first and then single wavelength were the best among the above three kinds of the UV radiation methods. Nanoindentation and strain gauge test indicated that the hardness and modulus of the p-ULK film were improved about 43% and 38%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy examination indicated that the scission of Si–CH 3 bond was also the lowest. Transmission electron microscopy observation indicated that the undercut size in the interface between hardmask and p-ULK film was also the smallest. Therefore, the UV radiation using the D type bulb first and then H + type bulb was a potential solution to improve the properties of the p-ULK film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]