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As the second most abundant metal in the Earth's core, nickel plays an important role in determining the structure and temperature of the Earth's core. Yet, the melt line of Ni at pressures corresponding to the Earth's core has not been explored in the literature. Many previous experimental and simulation efforts have reported the melting point of Ni at pressures below 100 GPa, but there exist large discrepancies, most of which have persisted due to various experimental and simulation bottlenecks in handling extreme pressure and temperature conditions. We adopted the generalized embedded atom method, which overcomes the limitations of existing interatomic potentials, to probe phase stability and phase boundaries of Ni at pressures between 50 and 500 GPa. The potential was validated by comparing the cold curves, phonon dispersion curves, and enthalpies of fusion with ab initio density functional theory calculations. Our analysis shows that face centered cubic (FCC) is stable, and the hexagonal close packed (HCP) and body centered cubic (BCC) phases are metastable close to the melt line. Melting temperatures at different pressures were obtained from two-phase co-existence simulations and take the following functional form: T m = 1969.23 + 19.15 P − 0.012 P 2 . In contrast to iron, differences between the melting points of the stable and metastable phases of Ni are less than 250 K at 300 GPa, and the difference in melting points of the metastable BCC and HCP phases changes sign at 500 GPa, which implies that the phase transition mechanisms during solidification can be very complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate calculation of the melting point of iron at various pressures in the Earth's core is important for understanding the core structure, geodynamo, and the Earth's history. Previous studies have assessed the melt line of iron at these extreme conditions using various experimental measurement techniques as well as both ab initio and classic molecular dynamics simulations. However, experimental measurements have uncertainties up to several hundred Kelvin, and inconsistencies remain among simulation results. In this work, we propose an iterative framework that couples density functional theory (DFT) calculations and molecular dynamics simulations performed using an ensemble of interatomic potentials to assess the effect of electronic temperature on the melting point. We systematically validate the potentials by comparing lattice constants and phonon dispersion curves at 0 K and enthalpy differences between liquid and HCP, FCC, BCC phases of iron close to the melt line at 300 GPa with DFT. Our results show that HCP iron melts at 6144 K (at 300 GPa), BCC phase is thermodynamically unstable, and FCC is metastable at this temperature. The melting points of FCC and BCC phases at 300 GPa are 5858 and 5647 K, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare paraneoplastic neurological syndrome of the neuromuscular transmission. The symptoms often progress slowly and can be misdiagnosed in early stage. Seropositive SOX‐1 antibodies are support for the diagnosis of LEMS and have high specificity for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In this paper, we report a case of a 56‐year‐old man with smoking history who was admitted to hospital with progressive muscle weakness of the proximal legs. LEMS was diagnosed by repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) testing and seropositive SOX‐1 antibodies. Primary screening with chest computed tomography (CT) and integrated PET/CT did not reveal any tumor. After continuous follow‐up, SCLC was found by chest CT and confirmed with pathological examination 10 months after the diagnosis of LEMS. Long‐term follow‐up and screening for occult SCLC in LEMS patients with positive SOX‐1 antibodies are very important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are diverse reactions including spin-state crossing, especially the reactions catalyzed by transition metal compounds. To figure out the mechanisms of such reactions, the discussion of minimum energy intersystem crossing (MEISC) points cannot be avoided. These points may be the bottleneck of the reaction or inversely accelerate the reactions by providing a better pathway. It is of great importance to reveal their role in the reactions by computationally locating the position of the MEISC points together with the reaction pathway. However, providing a proper initial guess for the structure of the MEISC point is not as easy as that of the transition state. In this work, we extended the nudged elastic band (NEB) method for multiple spin systems, which is named the multiple spin-state NEB method, and it is successfully applied to find the MEISC points while optimizing the reaction pathway. For more precisely locating the MEISC point, a revised approach was adopted. Meanwhile, our examples also suggest that special attention should be paid to the criterion to define an image optimized as the MEISC point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In business-to-business (B2B) competitive marketing, less reputable suppliers must find ways to outcompete more reputable ones. As a marketing strategy, suppliers may ask their business partners or affiliates to recommend them to potential customers (supplier-initiated referrals). Referrals may help reduce potential customers' uncertainty regarding suppliers' overall capabilities and subsequently influence their supplier selection decisions. Thus, the following question arises: What is the effect of supplier-initiated referrals in B2B competitive marketing environments? To answer this question, we constructed a theoretical framework and conducted a quasi-experimental study. The results indicate that supplier-initiated referrals have a significant positive impact. Interestingly, the overall impact of referrals on a potential customer's decision is nonlinear. In other words, the marginal effect of referrer credibility on potential customers' supplier selection decisions decreases at a certain point, creating a ceiling effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aims of this work are to present a classification of "complex fracture" and "simple fracture", to compare their features, treatments and prognosis in patients with giant cell tumour with pathologic fractures around the knee, and to determine the best surgical method for patients who have giant cell tumour around the knee with different degrees of fracture.Methods: Data from 130 patients with pathologic fractures from giant cell tumour around the knee who underwent surgical treatment from March 2000 to November 2015 at 6 institutes around China were collected and analysed. A multicentric study design was used to explore the epidemiological features and to compare differences in the surgical procedures and prognosis of the two fracture groups. The mean age at diagnosis was 37.1 years old (range, 13-77 years). The median follow-up was 126.5 months, ranging from 68 to 370 months.Results: The general clinical and imaging features of the groups of patients with simple and complex fractures, namely, sex, age, the lesion site, living or working environment, eccentric growth patterns, Campanacci grading system, and duration of symptoms before treatment, showed varying degrees of differences, but with no statistical significance (p > 0.05). The incidence rate of surrounding soft tissue mass was 35.2% (32/91) in the group with simple fractures, whereas it was 87.2% (34/39) in the group with complex fractures, which showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Wide resection and reconstruction with joint replacement were performed more often in patients with complex fractures (61.5%, 24/39). Intralesional procedures were performed more often in patients with simple fractures (56.0%, 51/91). The difference showed significant differences (p < 0.05). The local recurrence rate was 17.6% (16/91) in the group with simple fractures, whereas it was 10.3% (4/39) in the complex fracture group, showing a significant difference (p < 0.05). A total of 2.3% of patients (n = 3,3/130) developed a skip lesion. The complication rates were 4.6% (4/87) and 14.7% (5/34), respectively, in the two groups with simple or complex fractures, showing a significant difference (p < 0.05). The mean MSTS and TESS scores with simple fractures were 26.6 (range, 13-30) and 84.1 (range, 29-100), respectively, whereas the mean scores in the group with complex fractures were 25.5 (range, 18-30) and 78.3 (range, 30-100), respectively, also showing a significant difference (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Our classification of "simple fracture" and "complex fracture" could guide decisions regarding the best surgical method for lesions in patients who have giant cell tumour around the knee with different degrees of fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aims of this work are to present a classification of "complex fracture" and "simple fracture", to compare their features, treatments and prognosis in patients with giant cell tumour with pathologic fractures around the knee, and to determine the best surgical method for patients who have giant cell tumour around the knee with different degrees of fracture. Methods: Data from 130 patients with pathologic fractures from giant cell tumour around the knee who underwent surgical treatment from March 2000 to November 2015 at 6 institutes around China were collected and analysed. A multicentric study design was used to explore the epidemiological features and to compare differences in the surgical procedures and prognosis of the two fracture groups. The mean age at diagnosis was 37.1 years old (range, 13-77 years). The median follow-up was 126.5 months, ranging from 68 to 370 months. Results: The general clinical and imaging features of the groups of patients with simple and complex fractures, namely, sex, age, the lesion site, living or working environment, eccentric growth patterns, Campanacci grading system, and duration of symptoms before treatment, showed varying degrees of differences, but with no statistical significance (p > 0.05). The incidence rate of surrounding soft tissue mass was 35.2% (32/91) in the group with simple fractures, whereas it was 87.2% (34/39) in the group with complex fractures, which showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Wide resection and reconstruction with joint replacement were performed more often in patients with complex fractures (61.5%, 24/39). Intralesional procedures were performed more often in patients with simple fractures (56.0%, 51/91). The difference showed significant differences (p < 0.05). The local recurrence rate was 17.6% (16/91) in the group with simple fractures, whereas it was 10.3% (4/39) in the complex fracture group, showing a significant difference (p < 0.05). A total of 2.3% of patients (n = 3,3/130) developed a skip lesion. The complication rates were 4.6% (4/87) and 14.7% (5/34), respectively, in the two groups with simple or complex fractures, showing a significant difference (p < 0.05). The mean MSTS and TESS scores with simple fractures were 26.6 (range, 13–30) and 84.1 (range, 29-100), respectively, whereas the mean scores in the group with complex fractures were 25.5 (range, 18–30) and 78.3 (range, 30-100), respectively, also showing a significant difference (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our classification of "simple fracture" and "complex fracture" could guide decisions regarding the best surgical method for lesions in patients who have giant cell tumour around the knee with different degrees of fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The 2D MXene Mo 2 CS 2 material is employed as monoatomic dispersion substrate. • The V@Mo 2 CS 2 exhibit excellent oxygen activation and HCHO oxidation capactity. • The Bader charge is an effective index to describe HCHO catalytic activity. • Adjusting the pressure at high temperature is more conducive to the reaction. Catalytic oxidation is an efficient and environmentally friendly strategy for the removal of pollutant HCHO. Recent proof-of-concepts experiments indicate that single-atom catalysts (SACs) exhibit good activity for HCHO catalytic degradation, but a major obstacle is to look for an effective SAC. Herein, ten 3d transition metal SACs decorated on Mo 2 CS 2 substrate were designed and constructed to catalyze HCHO using periodic density functional theory calculations. The results showed that the single atoms are inclined to locate at the Mo top site on the surface and most SACs can stay stable. Among these SCAs, Ti, V, Cr, and Mn SACs have shallow energy barriers of O 2 activation and can facilitate O 2 dissociation at room temperature. Therefore, two typical HCHO oxidation pathways on TM@Mo 2 CS 2 (TM = Ti, V, Cr, and Mn) catalyst were investigated in detail. The V@Mo 2 CS 2 has the lowest energy barrier of 1.72 eV for the rate-limiting step during HCHO oxidation via path-Ⅰ (O 2 adsorption and activation, HCHO* → CHO* → CO* → CO 2 *). Correlation analysis verifies that the Bader charge and O 2 adsorption are the appropriate descriptions for HCHO catalytic oxidation activity. Microkinetic simulations are further performed to reveal the relationship between HCHO oxidation rate and temperature. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the frequency dependence of Poisson's ratio ν in partially/fully fluid-saturated rocks. Based on one dominant fluid flow mechanism at each condition, we theoretically summarized that (1) when a rock is partially saturated or transits from drained state to undrained state at full saturation, ν increases monotonously with frequency, and the associated attenuation 1 / Q ν is positive with one peak. (2) When the rock transits from undrained state to unrelaxed state at full saturation, there are three cases: 1) ν increases monotonously with frequency and has positive 1 / Q ν with one peak, 2) ν keeps constant with frequency and has no attenuation, 3) and ν decreases monotonously with frequency and has negative 1 / Q ν with one peak. In this condition, the dependence is influenced by the concentrations of stiff and soft pores, the aspect ratio of soft pores, and the pore fluid bulk modulus. (3) When it comes to the transition from drained state to unrelaxed state at full saturation, ν can exhibit two shapes with frequency: 1) step shape with two positive attenuation peaks and 2) bell shape with one positive attenuation peak and one negative attenuation peak. Then, we conducted a numerical example to indicate the effect of influence factors (the concentrations of stiff and soft pores, the aspect ratio of soft pores, and the pore fluid bulk modulus) on Poisson's ratio from undrained state to unrelaxed state, and validated the theoretical analysis by the published experimental data. In addition, based on 1 / Q ν , we reanalyzed and validated the relationship between different attenuation modes (i.e., bulk attenuation 1 / Q K , P-wave attenuation 1 / Q P , extensional attenuation 1 / Q E , and S-wave attenuation 1 / Q S ): (1) when 1 / Q ν is positive, the relationship between them is 1 / Q K > 1 / Q P > 1 / Q E > 1 / Q S ; when 1 / Q ν is 0, the relationship between them is 1 / Q K = 1 / Q P = 1 / Q E = 1 / Q S ; and when 1 / Q ν is negative, the relationship between them is 1 / Q K < 1 / Q P < 1 / Q E < 1 / Q S . The relationship between different attenuation modes does not depend on saturation state (partial or full saturation) or ν but on 1 / Q ν . This research provides the frequency dependence of Poisson's ratio in partially/fully saturated rocks, which helps better understand Poisson's ratio at different frequencies and saturation states and can be used to improve the accuracy of geophysical data interpretation, such as lithology identification, hydrocarbon characterization in conventional reservoir, and brittleness evaluation of shale/tight sandstones in unconventional reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moyamoya disease is a medical condition that shows the typical characteristics like continuous and chronic thickening of the walls and the contraction of the internal carotid artery; as a result, the internal diameter of the artery gets narrowed. There are six phases of the disease ranging from I to VI (moyamoya vessels completely disappear, followed by the complete blockage of the arteries). Surgery is a commonly recommended treatment for the moyamoya disease. Our research study identifies the effect of autologous bone marrow stem cell therapy (ABMSCT) on the levels of inflammatory factors and Conexin43 (Cx43) protein in patients suffering from moyamoya. In our study, we have selected 52 moyamoya patients admitted to our hospital from 30 July 2019 to 10 February 2020. The control group (CG) was treated with superficial temporal artery to a middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass + encephalo-duro-myosinangiosis (EDMS). The experimental group (Exp. Grp) was treated with ABMSC. The cerebral vascular tissue of the patients was treated with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Immunohistochemical staining was used to identify the levels of Cx43 protein. The concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), inflammatory factor interleukin-6 (IL6), interleukin-1β (IL1β), tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), and anti-inflammatory factor interleukin-1β (IL1β) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We have found that after treatment of the expression of Cx43 protein, the proportions of grade IV (7.7%), grade III (311.5%), and grade II (3.8%) patients in the Exp. Grp were lower than those in the CG. The proportion of grade I patients in the Exp. Grp (77%) was higher than that in the CG (38.5%). After treatment, the inflammatory factors IL6 (0.97 ± 0.82 pg/mL), IL1β (8.33 ± 1.21 pg/mL), and TNFα (1.73 ± 0.71 pg/mL) in the Exp. Grp were lower than those in the CG. The anti-inflammatory factor IL1β (15.09 ± 4.72 pg/mL) increased in the Exp. Grp compared with the CG (11.25 ± 3.48 pg/mL) post treatment. Intracranial infection, hydrocephalus, hemiplegia, and transient neurological dysfunction in the Exp. Grp were lower than those in the CG, with statistical differences P < 0.05 . Our study suggests that the treatment of autologous bone marrow stem cells (ABMSC) was beneficial to balance the inflammatory response of disorders, reduce the damage of vascular tissue in the brain, and regulate tissue repair by co-acting with various inflammatory factors as compared to traditional surgery. We conclude that the involvement of Cx43 in the occurrence and development of moyamoya. We also have found that the risk factors of intracranial infection after ABMSCT were less as compared to those after conventional surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-efficiency form-finding algorithm is crucially important for finding a stabilized tensegrity structure. In this paper, a modified Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno noise-tolerant zeroing neural network (MBFGS-NTZNN) form-finding approach is developed and investigated for the form-finding problems of tensegrity systems. A modified BFGS algorithm (MBFGS) is employed to solve the irreversibility of the Hessian matrix, which could avoid the non-positive definite circumstance of the stiffness matrix. Additionally, the approach could be utilized to make a reduction in algorithm calculation complexity. Moreover, to find a group of suitable nodal coordinates, a zeroing neural network (ZNN) based NTZNN is considered to suppress the noise, which may include rounding errors and external disturbance during the form-finding process. Besides, the 0-stable and global convergence under the pollution of noise are verified. Eventually, numerical simulations and an application example are conducted to ascertain the superiority and availability of the MBFGS-NTZNN algorithm in the fields of form-finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim was to evaluate whether using novel anchored barded suture for capsular closure can further shorten the length of stay following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) within existed enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in osteoarthritis patients.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among osteoarthritis patients aged 18 to 80 years without major comorbidities who underwent primary unilateral TKA between January 2018 and December 2019 was conducted. The capsular closure techniques, interventions for ERAS, operation time and length of stay were collected via hospital electronic information system. Propensity-score matching was used to compensate for the difference in interventions for ERAS and patient characteristics. Subgroup comparison of patients treated under normal ERAS protocol was performed.Results: Included were 315 patients with capsular closure by barded suture and 397 patients with interrupted capsular closure by traditional suture. Patients' characteristics and interventions for ERAS were balanced after propensity-score matching. The average postoperative length of stay in barded suture group was shorter than the compared group (2.10 ± 0.57 vs. 2.33 ± 0.80 days, p = 0.004), and with a significantly higher proportion of patients discharging within 2 days post procedure (88.0% vs. 70.7%, p < 0.001). The operation time for patients with barded suture closure was shorter compared to interrupted closure technique (100.90 ± 16.59 vs. 105.52 ± 18.47 min, p = 0.004). Subgroup analysis of patients treated under different levels ERAS protocol showed comparable results.Conclusion: The use of barded suture for capsular closure was associated with shorter length of stay after TKA compared to traditional suture, suggesting that barded suturing technique could be one effective intervention for ERAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With both CNT fibers and cotton yarns processed via carbon black slurry as solar-heating and water-supply units, respectively, we demonstrate for the first time successful assembly of a twisting-integrated solar-heating yarn, which features pronounced gradient photothermal effect, robust Marangoni vapor flows and weak hydration state for high-efficiency steam generation, thereby enabling the crafted fabric evaporator with significantly higher evaporation rate (2.83 kg m−2 h−1) than other 2D fabric evaporators. [Display omitted] • Twisting-integrated solar-vaporization yarn was constructed in a scalable and controllable manner. • Unique yarn structure enables pronounced gradient photothermal effect, robust Marangoni vapor flows and weak hydration state. • Knitted fabric displays prominent evaporation rate for various wastewaters. Positioned as high-efficiency low-cost desalination technology, solar interfacial vapor generation still remains challenging in precisely managing interfacial photothermal behaviors. Here, an integral solar-heating yarn twisted by both carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers and cotton yarns processed via carbon black slurry is developed for architecting high-efficiency fabric evaporators, where modified CNT and cotton serve as the solar-heating unit and water-supply unit, respectively. The unique structure of hybrid yarns features pronounced gradient photothermal difference of 5 °C between CNT and cotton regions in dry state, and meanwhile enables robust Marangoni vapor flows and weak hydration state. As a result, the crafted fabric evaporator has a superior evaporation rate of 2.83 kg m−2 h−1, which is the highest value reported among 2D fabric evaporators. This work introduces an innovative strategy for high-efficiency interfacial solar heating, significantly boosting evaporation performance of flexible and portable evaporators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract's mucus layer serves as a critical barrier and a mediator in drug nanoparticle delivery. The mucus layer's diverse molecular structures and spatial complexity complicates the mechanistic study of the diffusion dynamics of particulate materials. In response, we developed a bi-component coarse-grained mucus model, specifically tailored for the colorectal cancer environment, that contained the two most abundant glycoproteins in GI mucus: Muc2 and Muc5AC. This model demonstrated the effects of molecular composition and concentration on mucus pore size, a key determinant in the permeability of nanoparticles. Using this computational model, we investigated the diffusion rate of polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated nanoparticles, a widely used muco-penetrating nanoparticle. We validated our model with experimentally characterized mucus pore sizes and the diffusional coefficients of PEG-coated nanoparticles in the mucus collected from cultured human colorectal goblet cells. Machine learning fingerprints were then employed to provide a mechanistic understanding of nanoparticle diffusional behavior. We found that larger nanoparticles tended to be trapped in mucus over longer durations but exhibited more ballistic diffusion over shorter time spans. Through these discoveries, our model provides a promising platform to study pharmacokinetics in the GI mucus layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel Cr and N co-doped biochar was prepared for PDS activation using MCS. • Pyrrolic N rationally regulated the Cr-N/BC surface and boosted a nonradical pathway for PDS activation. • The large practical potential of Cr-N/BC validated the superiority of the nonradical system. Efficiently inducing nonradical pathway in peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation is promising in environmental decontamination due to the oxidation selectivity and anti-interference ability, but still remains challenges, e.g., low efficiency and high cost. In this study, a series of Cr and N co-doped biochar (Cr-N/BC) was synthesized via pyrolysis by using melamine-retanned chrome shaving (MCS) as precursors, to activate PDS toward the tetracycline (TC) degradation. The introduction of pyrrolic N on Cr-N/BC not only boosted the catalyst reactivity, but also altered the complexation state of PDS, thus triggering a shift in oxidative modes from the radical pathway into a singlet oxygen (1O 2) dominated nonradical pathway, in which, the relative contribution of the nonradical oxidation to the TC degradation increased from 0 to 98%. Structure-activity relationship determination unveiled that pyrrolic N on Cr-N/BC surface greatly changed the charge distribution and chemical property of biochar, thereby facilitating the decomposition of PDS and generation of 1O 2. In addition, ecotoxicological safety of the intermediates of TC in the 1O 2 -dominated pathway was evaluated to validate the superiority of the nonradical process. This study advances our understanding of designing reaction-oriented nonradical carbon-catalysis for selective decontamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Short‐term, high altitude (HA) exposure raises pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and decreases left ventricular volumes. However, relatively little is known of the long‐term cardiac consequences of prolonged exposure in Chinese Han lowlanders, a highly adapted HA population. Aims: We studied cardiac structure and function by echocardiography to investigate short‐term adaptation and potential long‐term cardiac remodeling. Methods: This study included 301 healthy subjects of short‐term exposure (STE), acclimatized Chinese Han lowlanders (AL) at HA, native Tibetans (NT), and sea level residents (SLR) with 75, 77, 69, and 80 participants, respectively. All groups underwent standard echocardiography. Results: Compared with SLR, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate of STE and AL did not significantly increase following HA exposure, but SBP in STE was lower than AL. In lowlanders, HA exposure enlarged right heart and pulmonary artery (PA), reduced left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. This decrease in LV diastolic function increased with exposure time. Compared with SLR, ejection fraction did not change significantly in STE, but decreased in AL. Interventricular septal end‐diastolic thickness (IVSd) increased both in STE and AL compared with SLR. Compared with NT, AL population had higher SBP and the greater diameter of PA. Conclusions: In Chinese Han lowlanders, exposure to HA enlarged right ventricle and decreased the diastolic function of LV. LV systolic function was preserved after short‐term HA exposure but decreased after long‐term HA exposure. It was possible to speculate that ethnicity contributed to the observed difference in heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel high-entropy oxide of (La 1/6 Nd 1/6 Yb 1/6 Y 1/6 Sm 1/6 Lu 1/6) 2 Ce 2 O 7 was prepared using a sol–gel and high-temperature sintering technology. Additionally, its lattice structure, micro-morphology, elemental composition, and thermophysical and mechanical properties were evaluated. The results revealed that the obtained oxide powder has a typical fluorite-type lattice with particle sizes in the range of∼30–100 nm. The bulk sample has a dense microstructure and uniform elemental distribution. Owing to its low lattice order, the thermal expansion coefficient of (La 1/6 Nd 1/6 Yb 1/6 Y 1/6 Sm 1/6 Lu 1/6) 2 Ce 2 O 7 is greater than that of Sm 2 Ce 2 O 7 , which also exhibits excellent lattice stability up to 1200 °C. Further, owing to phonon scattering due to lattice distortion, oxygen vacancy, and cation substitution, the thermal conductivity of (La 1/6 Nd 1/6 Yb 1/6 Y 1/6 Sm 1/6 Lu 1/6) 2 Ce 2 O 7 is lower than that of Sm 2 Ce 2 O 7 , while its mechanical performance is inferior to that of 7YSZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stiffnesses, β-structures, hydrogen bonds, and vibrational modes of wild-type collagen triple helices are compared with osteogenesis imperfecta-related mutants using integrative structural and dynamic analysis via molecular dynamics simulations and Markov state models. Differences in these characteristics are strongly related to the unwound structural states in the mutated regions that are specific to each mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microembolic signals (MES) of the carotid artery are associated with plaque destabilization and reoccurrence of stroke. Previous studies have focused primarily on the degree of carotid artery stenosis and plaque components, and the relationship between plaque length and microembolic sign has received little attention. We aimed to find the association between carotid plaque length (CPL) and the presence of MES. We conducted a retrospective observational cross-sectional study. A total of 84 acute anterior-circulation ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis were classified into an MES-positive (MES+) group and MES-negative (MES−) group. We measured multiple parameters of carotid plaque size (length, thickness) in each patient and evaluated the relationship between different plaque parameters and occurrence of MES. We found that male, carotid artery stenosis (CAS), CPL, carotid plaque thickness (CPT), and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery were each significantly different between two groups (all P < 0.05). The multivariate analysis showed CPL (odds ratio (OR), 1.109; 95% CI, 1.044–1.177; P = 0.001) to be independently associated with the presence of MES. The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) for CPL for predicting MES were 0.777 (95% CI, 0.640–0.914; P < 0.001). The cutoff value of CPL for predicting MES was 16.7 mm, with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 77.6%. We found that CPL was a meaningful independent predictor of MES. Therefore, CPL may be useful for risk stratification of long and nonstenotic plaques in anterior circulation stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squirt flow is an essential cause of wave dispersion and attenuation in saturated rocks. The squirt flow model, proposed by Gurevich et al. has been widely applied to explain the wave dispersion and associated attenuation for saturated rocks at sonic and seismic frequency bands. In this model, the saturated bulk modulus is obtained by taking the partially relaxed frame bulk modulus as the dry frame modulus into Gassmann's formula with the mineral bulk modulus as the matrix bulk modulus. However, because of the weakening effect of soft pores on rock matrix bulk modulus, the model cannot accurately predict the saturated bulk modulus when the soft-pore fraction (the ratio of the soft porosity to total porosity) becomes large. We modified this model following Gurevich et al. by setting a different boundary condition. The modified squirt flow model can obtain correct saturated bulk modulus for large soft-pore fractions in the full range of frequencies, showing excellent consistency with the predictions of Gassmann, Mavko & Jizba (modified) at both low- and high-frequency limits, respectively. Modelling results show that the saturated bulk moduli and their dispersions calculated by the original and modified models exhibit little difference when the soft-pore fraction is small. Under this condition, the original model is as effective and accurate as the modified one. When the soft-pore fraction becomes larger, the differences in the bulk moduli and their dispersions become substantial, suggesting the original model is not applicable any longer. Furthermore, the differences calculated for the intermediate frequency range is even more obvious than other ranges, suggesting that the modified model should be used to calculate the bulk modulus and the dispersion in this frequency range. In summary, the modified squirt flow model can extend the original model's applicable range in terms of soft-pore fraction and has a potential application in rocks having a relatively large amount of soft-pore fraction such as basalts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The squirt flow model, proposed by Mavko & Jizba, has been widely used in explaining the frequency-related modulus and velocity dispersion between ultrasonic and seismic measurements. In this model, the saturated bulk modulus at high frequency is obtained by taking the so-called unrelaxed frame bulk modulus into Biot's or Gassmann's formula. When using Gassmann's formula, the mineral bulk modulus is taken as matrix bulk modulus. However, the soft pores (cracks) in rocks have a weakening effect on the matrix bulk modulus. The saturated bulk modulus at high frequency calculated with mineral bulk modulus as matrix bulk modulus is higher than the real values. To overcome this shortcoming we propose a modified matrix bulk modulus based on the Betti–Rayleigh reciprocity theorem and non-interaction approximation. This modification takes the weakening effect of soft pores (cracks) into consideration and allows calculating the correct saturated bulk modulus at high frequency under different soft-pore fractions (the ratio of soft porosity to total porosity) or crack densities. We also propose an alternative expression of the modified matrix bulk modulus, which can be directly obtained from laboratory measurements. The numerical results show that the saturated bulk modulus at high frequency using the original matrix bulk modulus (i.e. mineral bulk modulus) is approximated to that using the modified one only for rocks containing a small amount of soft-pore fraction. However, as the soft-pore fraction becomes substantial, using the original bulk matrix modulus is not applicable, but the modified one is still applicable. Furthermore, the results of the modified squirt flow model show good consistency with published numerical and experimental data. The proposed modification extends the applicable range of soft-pore fraction (crack density) of the previous model, and has potential applications in media having a relatively substantial fraction of soft pores or almost only soft pores, such as granite, basalt and thermally cracked glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate and compare the psychometric properties of the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire‐25 (NEI VFQ‐25) and the Visual Function Index‐14 (VF‐14) in a large sample of patients with cataracts. Methods: A total of 1052 patients with bilateral age‐related cataracts were recruited in the study. Patients with other comorbidities that severely impacted vision were excluded. Participants completed the two questionnaires in random order. Classical test theory and Rasch analyses were used to assess the psychometric properties of the questionnaires. Results: Complete data were obtained from 899 patients. The mean overall index score on the NEI VFQ‐25 was 76.1 ± 19.0, while that on the VF‐14 was 46.5 ± 15.0. Cronbach's α‐values for the NEI VFQ‐25 and VF‐14 were 0.89 and 0.95, respectively. Ceiling effects were observed on nine of the 12 subscales in the NEI VFQ‐25. The correlation between total scores on the NEI VFQ‐25 and VF‐14 was moderate (r = 0.600; p < 0.001), and subscales of the NEI VFQ‐25 were weakly or moderately correlated with the similar domains on the VF‐14. Rasch analysis revealed ordered category thresholds and sufficient person separation for both instruments, while the two questionnaires had critical deficiencies in unidimensionality, targeting and differential item functioning. Conclusion: Neither the NEI VFQ‐25 nor VF‐14 is optimal for the assessment of vision‐related quality of life in typical Chinese patients with cataracts. The potential deficiencies of the questionnaires should be taken into consideration prior to application of the instruments or interpretation of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional status has been related to clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases. The prognostic impact of poor nutritional status in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is not clearly understood. The aim of the present study is to investigate the prognostic value of prognostic nutritional index (PNI), calculated from serum albumin level and total lymphocyte count, in HCM patients. A total of 393 HCM patients in a tertiary medical centre were enrolled. The primary and secondary endpoints were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death. The association between PNI and endpoints was analysed. During a mean follow-up duration of 4.8 years, patients with high PNI values (PNI ≥ 48.8) had significantly lower incidence of all-cause mortality (9.3% vs. 33.1%, P < 0.001) and cardiovascular death (7.1% vs. 21.0%, P < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, PNI was independently associated with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death (hazard ratio per 1 SD increase: 0.46 [95% CI: 0.34–0.62, P < 0.001] and 0.44 [95% CI: 0.30–0.63, P < 0.001]). In subgroup analysis stratified by age, gender, New York Heart Association class, atrial fibrillation, estimated glomerular filtration rate, left ventricular ejection fraction or left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, PNI was consistently related to mortality. PNI is an independent prognostic factor for mortality in patients with HCM. • Prognostic nutritional index (PNI) reflects individual's immunonutritional status. • It has been regarded as a useful indicator for poor prognosis in several diseases. • The prognostic value of PNI in HCM patients was initially assessed. • PNI significantly predicts all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death in HCM. • The best cut-off value of PNI was 48.8 for our HCM population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to establish a simple and efficient nonlinear optimization problem form-finding model in noise environments is the main concern of this paper, thereby, a sequential quadratic programming form-finding (SQP) approach via a noise-tolerant zeroing neural network (NTZNN) is presented to solve the proposed problem. First, the rank of force density matrix is selected as optimization objective due to its crucial physical property. In addition, linear relations between the force density vectors and force density matrix are selected as the constraint conditions, which can ensure the tensegrity mechanism in a stable status. Furthermore, the simulations are shown that the presented SQP-NTZNN algorithm has superiority with anti-noise performance and computation efficiency, which by comparing the computational rate in the same noise environment with the novel form-finding algorithm. Eventually, the form-finding simulations under different initial conditions are formed to verify the importance of the constrained conditions, it can prove the high efficiency of the proposed nonlinear constrained optimization model which is transformed from the form-finding problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted stress–strain oscillation experiments on dry and partially oil-saturated Fontainebleau sandstone samples over the 1–2000 Hz band at different confining pressures to investigate the wave-induced fluid flow (WIFF) at mesoscopic and microscopic scales and their interaction. Three tested rock samples have similar porosity between 6 and 7 per cent and were partially saturated to different degrees with different oils. The measurement results exhibit a single or two attenuation peaks that are affected by the saturation degree, oil viscosity and confining pressure. One peak, exhibited by all samples, shifts to lower frequencies with increasing pressure, and is mainly attributed to grain contact- or microcrack-related squirt flow based on modelling of its characteristics and comparison with other experiment results for sandstones. The other peak is present at smaller frequencies and shifts to higher frequencies as the confining pressure increases, showing an opposite pressure dependence. This contrast is interpreted as the result of fluid flow patterns at different scales. We developed a dual-scale fluid flow model by incorporating the squirt flow effect into the patchy saturation model, which accounts for the interaction of WIFFs at microscopic and mesoscopic scales. This model provides a reasonable interpretation of the measurement results. Our broad-frequency-band measurements give physical evidence of WIFFs co-existing at two different scales, and combining with modelling results, it suggests that the WIFF mechanisms, related to pore microstructure and fluid distribution, interplay with each other and jointly control seismic attenuation and dispersion at reservoir conditions. These observations and modelling results are useful for quantitative seismic interpretation and reservoir characterization, specifically they have potential applications in time-lapse seismic analysis, fluid prediction and reservoir monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The relation between industrial structure and eco-environment was explored. • Industrial investment structure and eco-environmental state had the greatest effect. • The comprehensive level of eco-environment surpassed that of industrial structure. • The coupling degree of two systems kept in the process of continuous optimization. • The scissors difference of two systems tended to be stable. Tremendous economic growth creates increasing pressure on the eco-environment, and the industrial structure has an important influence on the eco-environment. To explore the relation between the industrial structure and the eco-environment, we established a new evaluation index system for both the industrial structure and the eco-environment; then, using data on Beijing from 1992 to 2016, we applied an integrated approach involving the combination weight method, the coupling coordination degree model, the dynamic coupling coordination degree model and the scissors difference model with the following results. (1) The industrial investment structure and the eco-environment status account for the largest proportion of the industrial structure and the eco-environment index systems, respectively. (2) The comprehensive level of the industrial structure is initially higher than that of the industrial structure system and then gradually slows and lags behind. (3) The coupling coordination degree between the industrial structure and the eco-environment in Beijing shifts from "barely coordinated development" stage to "superior coordinated development" stage. (4) The dynamic coupling coordination degree of the whole system presents an S-shaped curve evolving from the "low-grade symbiosis" stage to the "harmonious development" stage and approaching the "utmost development" stage. (5) The scissors difference presents a V-shaped curve, and the gap in the development trend between the industrial structure and the eco-environment diminishes. This study discusses the relationship between the industrial structure and the eco-environment of Beijing from 1992 to 2016, which should be beneficial in promoting the coordinated development between the industrial structure and the eco-environment of Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the innovation and entrepreneurship guidance system, first of all, hierarchical analysis algorithm in clustering analysis was analysed and applied in the construction of professional innovation and entrepreneurship classification model. However, the mining results obtained with limitation of the algorithm had great optimization space. Then, new fusion algorithm was proposed by combining the algorithm with the hierarchical analysis algorithm for making up for each other. After analysis and research, the fusion algorithm was applied to the construction of professional innovation and entrepreneurship classification model, and a better clustering result was obtained, which met the requirements of building the model. Finally, the knowledge analysis was carried out on the clustering results extracted by the fusion algorithm. The results showed that the knowledge expression which was easy to accept and understand was obtained. To sum up, it briefly describes the new ideas of innovation and entrepreneurship to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, which provides a new method for data mining technology and its important branch of cluster analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the stress–strain oscillation method, we conducted experiments on a sandstone over a frequency range of 1–100 Hz at a differential pressure of 5 MPa to investigate the effects of oil saturation and oil/water substitution on modulus dispersion and attenuation. We first saturated the sandstone with a low viscosity oil (2#) at different saturation degrees, then replaced the 2# oil with a more viscous oil (68#) and finally injected distilled water in the oil-saturated sample. Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and extensional attenuation were measured during these saturation processes. The measured moduli of this sandstone, when saturated with the 2# oil at different saturation degrees (0% to 100%) or when fully saturated with the 68# oil, manifest little dispersion over the frequency range of 1–100 Hz, and low attenuation was observed. The measured bulk modulus for the oil-saturated sandstone agrees well with the prediction of Gassmann's fluid-substitution theory, suggesting that wave-induced fluid flow (WIFF) plays an insignificant role in control of the bulk modulus when the sandstone is filled with oil. However, as oil saturation and viscosity increase, the shear modulus keeps increasing, violating the Gassmann's fluid-substitution theory, which may be caused by the viscous coupling mechanism. When water was injected into sandstone fully saturated with the 68# oil, distinct modulus dispersion and attenuation were observed. The characteristics of the modulus dispersion and attenuation are consistent with mesoscopic WIFF theory, indicating that mesoscopic WIFF is the main cause of modulus dispersion and attenuation for this sandstone saturated with oil–water mixture at seismic frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fields of computer vision and graphics, keypoint-based object tracking is a fundamental and challenging problem, which is typically formulated in a spatio-temporal context modeling framework. However, many existing keypoint trackers are incapable of effectively modeling and balancing the following three aspects in a simultaneous manner: temporal model coherence across frames, spatial model consistency within frames, and discriminative feature construction. To address this problem, we propose a robust keypoint tracker based on spatio-temporal multi-task structured output optimization driven by discriminative metric learning. Consequently, temporal model coherence is characterized by multi-task structured keypoint model learning over several adjacent frames; spatial model consistency is modeled by solving a geometric verification based structured learning problem; discriminative feature construction is enabled by metric learning to ensure the intra-class compactness and inter-class separability. To achieve the goal of effective object tracking, we jointly optimize the above three modules in a spatio-temporal multi-task learning scheme. Furthermore, we incorporate this joint learning scheme into both single-object and multi-object tracking scenarios, resulting in robust tracking results. Experiments over several challenging datasets have justified the effectiveness of our single-object and multi-object trackers against the state-of-the-art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A defect-induced preferential etching mechanism of MACE for SiNW formation is proposed. • Theoretical mechanism of Ag modification in NO 2 -response enhancement is demonstrated. • The doped effect of Ag is investigated for understanding the sensing mechanism. • Dissociation reaction and spillover-effect are clarified for NO 2 adsorption on the Ag atom. • The catalyst nature of modified Ag for NO 2 adsorption and reaction is revealed. Abstract Surface modification by noble metal nanoparticles has been proved highly effective on response enhancement of a semiconductor gas sensor. In this work, the adsorption of NO 2 on Ag-modified silicon nanowire (Ag@SiNW) was investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations with aim to explore the nature and theoretical mechanism of Ag modification for sensing response enhancement. Ag surface modification tunes the electronic structure of SiNW considerably, which is further moderated by the spontaneous adsorptions of NO 2 on surface Si site and on the modified Ag atom. The modified Ag as a donor creates an n-doping state, activating the surface Si atom and promoting the adsorption of Si surface to NO 2 gas. Nevertheless, Mulliken charge transfer calculations clarify that the enhanced response observed experimentally for an Ag@SiNW sensor is mainly attributed from the gas adsorption right on Ag atom. The adsorbed NO 2 on modified Ag atom captures 1.27 e from the nanowire surface, which is more than twice as much as that with Si site adsorption. The calculations on geometry and charge density difference reveal the catalyst nature of the modified Ag for NO 2 adsorption and further clarify theoretically the possible reaction of NO 2 , i.e., dissociation and spillover, occurring on the Ag atom. Besides, a defect-induced preferential etching mechanism of metal (Ag)-assisted chemical etching (MACE) for SiNW was proposed from a new perspective based on the lattice distortion analysis induced by Ag modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a typical air pollutant that severely endangers human health. The Cu–Mn spinel-structure catalyst exhibits good catalytic oxidation activity for HCHO removal. Theoretical calculation study of density functional theory (DFT) was performed to provide an atomic-scale understanding for the oxidation mechanism of HCHO over CuMn 2 O 4 surface. The results indicate that the (110) surface containing alternating three-coordinated Cu atom and three-coordinated Mn atom is more active for HCHO and O 2 adsorption than the (100) surface. The Mars-van-Krevelen mechanism is dominant for HCHO catalytic oxidation. This reaction pathway of MvK mechanism includes HCHO adsorption and dehydrogenation dissociation, CO 2 formation and desorption, O 2 adsorption, H 2 O formation and surface restoration. In the complete catalytic cycle of HCHO oxidation, the second dehydrogenation (CHO* → CO* + H*) shows the highest energy barrier and is recognized as the rate-limiting step. The relationship of temperature and reaction rate constant is found to be positive by the kinetic analysis. The minimum activation energy of the MvK mechanism via the direct dehydrogenation pathway is 1.29 eV. This theoretical work provides an insight into the catalytic mechanism of HCHO oxidation over CuMn 2 O 4 spinel. [Display omitted] • HCHO oxidation mechanism over CuMn 2 O 4 catalyst was studied by quantum chemistry. • The (110) surface is more active for reactants adsorption than the (100) surface. • The lattice oxygen is catalytically active for HCHO oxidation. • Direct dehydrogenation pathway is dominant to the HCHO oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: Rationally developing efficient and durable bifunctional catalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is critical for rechargeable zinc‐air batteries (ZABs). Herein, a bead‐like CoSe2@NC@NCNFs bifunctional catalyst was designed and fabricated by confining cubic CoSe2 nanoparticles to three‐dimensional (3D) porous MOFs‐derived nitrogen‐doped carbon (NC) and one‐dimensional (1D) N‐doped carbon nanofibers (NCNFs) through a facile encapsulate strategy. The 1D/3D continuous network structure contributes to the improvement of specific surface area and electronic conductivity, while the strong synergistic effect between CoSe2 sites and Co‐Nx‐C sites can effectively enhance electron/mass transfer and reduce the diffusion resistance. The as‐constructed CoSe2@NC@NCNFs catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity and stability toward ORR/OER with a high half‐wave potential of 0.80 V (vs. RHE) in ORR and a low overpotential of 280 mV at 10 mA·cm−2 in OER. More encouragingly, the rechargeable ZABs with CoSe2@NC@NCNFs cathode deliver high peak power densities (126.8 mW·cm−2), large specific capacities (763.1 mA·h·g−1), and robust charge‐discharge cycling stability over 240 cycles. This study provides a facile strategy for designing efficient bifunctional catalysts for rechargeable energy conversion applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histone acetyltransferase GCN5 is a critical component of the TGF‑β/Smad signaling pathway in breast cancer cells; however, it remains unknown whether it is involved in the development and progression of breast cancer. The present study investigated the role of GCN5 in the induction of the EMT by TGF‑β1 in breast cancer cells and its underlying molecular mechanism of action. GCN5 activity was elevated and GCN5 mRNA expression and protein expression were increased in MDA‑MB231 cells following stimulation with TGF‑β1. Furthermore, TGF‑β1 stimulation decreased expression of the epithelial cell marker E‑cadherin and increased expression of the mesenchymal cell markers, N‑cadherin and vimentin, as well as the expression of other EMT markers, including snail and slug. However, these changes were reversed following GCN5 knockdown leading to the downregulation of GCN5 expression. GCN5 knockdown also inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of MDA‑MB231 cells, decreased the expression of p‑STAT3, p‑AKT, MMP9 and E2F1, and increased the expression of p21 in MDA‑MB231 cells compared with cells stimulated with TGF‑β1 alone. Therefore, GCN5 may work downstream of TGF‑β/Smad signaling pathway to regulate the EMT in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), the core effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, has been identified as a key regulator of tissue homeostasis and organ development by controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. Previous studies have shown that YAP1 regulates multiple steps during skeletal development and bone remodeling, including the self-renewal and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, its role in osteoclastogenesis remains largely unknown. Here, we report that YAP1 is an essential regulator for osteoclast differentiation and activity. Both mRNA and protein levels of YAP1 were downregulated during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of YAP1 in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) prevented the formation and function of multinucleated osteoclasts, and markedly abrogated the expression of osteoclast marker genes. Furthermore, the suppression of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption activity were also observed in the BMM treated with verteporfin, a small molecule that inhibits the association of YAP1 with the transcriptional enhancer-associated domain (TEAD) family of transcription factors, the major partner of YAP1. Mechanistically, the interaction of YAP1/TEADs with AP-1 and cooperation on downstream gene transcription were confirmed, and RANKL-induced NF-κB signaling was also impaired in the YAP1-inhibited condition. Our results revealed the essential role of YAP1 and the YAP1-TEADs complex in regulating osteoclastogenesis and related gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible bird's nest (EBN) has a high nutritional and medicinal value. In this study, physicochemical and processing properties of EBN proteins were investigated for better application of EBN. EBN proteins were extracted by combination of several methods. Electrophoresis showed that EBN contained proteins with molecular weight of 128, 106, 80, 55, 43, and 34 kDa. The denaturation temperature of EBN proteins was 62.5°C and heating promoted hydrophobicity as well as dramatically affecting the gel microstructure of EBN proteins. EBN proteins also showed excellent emulsifying activity and stability while their foaming properties were not good enough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a combined experimental and theoretical study on ultrathin nanobelts of vanadium pentoxide (V 2 O 5 ) for ethanol-sensing applications is preformed. The ultrathin V 2 O 5 nanobelts were experimentally prepared by an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-medicated hydrothermal method followed by a mild annealing at 350 °C in air. The chelating and capping effect of EDTA facilitate the one-dimensional (1D) preferential growth of ultrathin nanobelts. Gas-sensing measurement reveals that the as-synthesized ultrathin V 2 O 5 nanobelts are highly sensitive to ethanol gas with several ppm level at operating temperature of 250 °C. Based on the structural characterization of experimental sample, the nanobelt model was constructed and the surface adsorption of ethanol molecule was investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculation. It is found that surface adsorption of ethanol tunes the electronic structure of V 2 O 5 nanobelt considerably and cause an n-doping effect. Further atomic Mulliken charge population analysis reveals quantitatively the donation of electrons from the adsorbed ethanol to the surface. The calculated electronic properties are correlated to the experimental measurement of sensing response. Meanwhile the possible adsorption reaction of ethanol on V 2 O 5 nanobelt is proposed based on the geometrical calculation for adsorption configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of electron beam irradiation on quality and protein nutrition values of spicy yak jerky (SYJ), irradiation doses of 0, 2, 5, 7 and 9 kGy were used to treat SYJ. The results showed that the color preference, taste, hardness, and gumminess of SYJ decreased with the increase in the irradiation dose, while the drip loss, off-odor of SYJ increased with increase in irradiation dose. Free radicals produced by electron beam irradiation might be the reason for these quality changes of SYJ. This is supported by the increase in the TBARS and decrease in the capsanthin content of SYJ with the increase in irradiation dose. Low dose of irradiation didn't result in obvious changes of the protein biological value of SYJ, but an irradiation dose of 9 kGy led to significant (P < 0.05) decrease of biological efficiency of protein in SYJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrodriven bilayer actuator is designed and fabricated by spin-coating a reduced graphene oxide solution onto a polymer substrate. The bonded interface properties, electrical and thermal conductivities are characterized through scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The bilayer actuator exhibits fast and large bending response when a direct current voltage is applied to the graphene layer. Whereas it exhibits oscillation when an alternating current voltage is applied to the bilayer actuator. The effects of the layer structure and the electro-operation methods on the bending motions are studied. Two new actuation modes are explored to broaden the applications of electrodriven bilayer actuator, which are achieved by the actuator structure design and the driven current control. Electrically responsive graphene bilayer soft actuator provides the potential applications in the fields of thin-film electronics, sensors, and energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between defence spending, other components of public spending and economic growth for the 1952–2012 period in China using Granger causality tests and generalised impulse response functions based on vector error correction models. The empirical results reveal two long-run equilibrium relationships among the variables and also show that defence spending inversely and unidirectionally Granger impacts economic growth. Furthermore, empirical findings point to a trade-off relationship between defence spending and public expenditures in China. From a policy maker’s perspective, the findings reported herein imply that a decrease in defence spending may stimulate economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite manganites La x (Ca 1- y Sr y) 1- x MnO 3 have conspicuous electrical transport properties used for the application of uncooled bolometers. Thus, considerable attention has paid to the researches on electrical transport properties of La x (Ca 1- y Sr y) 1- x MnO 3. Temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) and the corresponding peak temperature (T k) are crucial parameters for uncooled bolometers. Optimal La 0.7 Ca 0.18 Sr 0.12 MnO 3 (LCSMO) films with highly oriented growth were prepared on (00 l) LaAlO 3 substrate at different sintering temperature (T s) using a facile sol-gel spin coating method. Based on the analysis of microstructure, ionic valence, surface morphology and electrical transport properties, LCSMO films exhibit high crystallinity and large room-temperature TCR at higher T s. Theoretical Curie temperature and the coupling of the electron lattice weaken gradually with the increase in T s , which is the dominant factor for the optimization of electrical transport properties. Additionally, the results suggest that the active energy and theoretical Curie temperature play a crucial role in adjusting TCR and T k. With the increase in T s , the former increases while the latter decreased, resulting in a high TCR value (12.10%/K) at room temperature (297.38 K). The peak TCR value of LCSMO sintered at 1673 K is about 25% higher than that of the film sintered at 1473 K. The resulting LCSMO films demonstrate great potential for application in uncooled bolometers. Further theoretical basis on the effects of T s on electrical transport properties was provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective photo-induced β-elimination of an alcohol leading to a vinyl compound is introduced for the first time. 9-Fluorenylmethanol was irradiated in a solution using a Xe lamp and was efficiently converted to dibenzofulvene (DBF) (9-methylenefluorene) in the absence of base which is necessary in the corresponding ground-state reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver carp myofibrillar protein films were prepared with tannins (tannic acid and apple procyanidins) at various concentrations (30 and 50 g/kg protein) under alkaline and heating condition. Phenolics-protein interaction as well as related properties of incorporated film was evaluated. Available amino and total sulfhydryl groups in film-forming solution (FFS) were decreased especially by tannic acid, whereas protein solubilities in the film were more sharply reduced by apple procyanidin. SDS-PAGE pattern suggested that non-sulfide covalent bonds were formed between tannins and protein molecules, and more protein polymerization was induced by apple procyanidin. On the other hand, the incorporation of tannic acid and apple procyanidin led to an increased tensile strength (TS) with accompanying decreases in elongation at break (EBA) and water vapor permeability (WVP). The film with apple procyanidin had higher TS and EBA as well as lower WVP than that with tannic acid. Tannins especially condense tannin could covalently crosslink with protein molecules to form protein-phenolics- protein polymers, and thus improve some physicochemical properties of the resulting protein films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As valuable resources for incubating firms, knowledge resources have received gradually increasing attention from all types of business incubators, and business incubators use a variety of knowledge services to stimulate rapid growth in incubating firms. Based on previous research, we generalize the knowledge transfer and knowledge networking services of two main forms of knowledge services and further divide knowledge transfer services into knowledge depth services and knowledge breadth services. Then, we construct the business incubators’ knowledge supernetwork model, describe the evolution mechanism among heterogeneous agents and utilize a simulation to explore the performance variance of different business incubators’ knowledge services. The simulation results show that knowledge stock increases faster when business incubators are able to provide knowledge services to more incubating firms and that the degree of discrepancy in the knowledge stock increases during the process of knowledge growth. Further, knowledge transfer services lead to greater differences in the knowledge structure, while knowledge networking services lead to smaller differences. Regarding the two types of knowledge transfer services, knowledge depth services are more conducive to knowledge growth than knowledge breadth services, but knowledge depth services lead to greater gaps in knowledge stocks and greater differences in knowledge structures. Overall, it is optimal for business incubators to select a single knowledge service or portfolio strategy based on the amount of time and energy expended on the two types of knowledge services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maillard reaction products ( MRP) were prepared from an aqueous chicken bone hydrolysate ( CBPH) - galactose systems by heating at 100 °C for up to 7.5 h without pH control, and then separated into the <3-, 3- to 10- and >10- kDa fractions using ultrafiltration. Antioxidant capacity and spectral properties of these MRP fractions were studied. The scavenging activity towards DPPH and hydroxyl radicals as well as reducing power of each MRP fraction increased with the heating time, in accordance with the increase in UV absorbance, browning and fluorescence intensity. For the same MRP, the fraction with high molecular weight ( MW) demonstrated the stronger radical scavenging activity and reducing power than that with low MW. Radical scavenging activities of MRP fractions largely depended on their MW, while their reducing powers were more related to the reaction progress. These results suggested that antioxidant capacity of MRP fractions should be positively related to its molecular size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work considered a tripartite cooperation-competition game model for the convergence product market, whose products are compounds of two base products or services. An early convergence product firm monopoly in this market and two potential entrants from the base products decide to cooperate with another to compete with the monopolist. We analyzed factors that affect existence and local stability of the Nash equilibrium. Rich nonlinear dynamic behaviors like bifurcation, chaos, and attractors are presented to explain the complex relationships between the three players. Results showed that the pulling effect on profit for the united R&D activity can significantly enlarge the stable region. Too frequently adjusted price strategy will bring the system into chaos. A parameter feedback control method is given to control the chaotic system and we numerically verified its effectiveness. This study has significant values to understand the fluctuations in related convergence product market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • New Ln-MOFs can serve as multifunctional platforms. • Low cost CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 @Ln-MOFs show tunable luminescence behaviour. • CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 @Sm-MOF exhibits excellent electrical bistability behaviour with high ON/OFF ratio of 104. • CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 @Ln-MOFs can be utilized as a new generation of photovoltaic, light-emitting and switching memory devices. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) contain ordered pores capable of encapsulating varied types of guests and provide a platform to expand the flexibility and versatility of the host-guest composites. Herein, by encapsulating CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 NP S into Ln-MOFs (Ln = La, Nd, Pr, Sm), four CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 @Ln-MOFs host-guest composites were fabricated and served as a bifunctional platform. The temperature-dependent luminescence properties of the CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 @Ln-MOFs were explored and the results revealed their tuneable green luminescence performance. In particular, the CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 @Sm-MOF exhibits a variety of colours from green to blue to purple and an excellent quantum yield of 0.98. The photocurrent responses and theoretical calculations reveal the enhancement mechanism of CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 on charge-hole separation owing to its unique host-guest synergy. Moreover, the CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 @Sm-MOF exhibits the excellent electrical bi-stability with a high ON/OFF ratio of 104. Hence, the CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 @Ln-MOFs host-guest composites are promising candidates for a new generation of photovoltaic, light-emitting, and switching memories devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The SNP of ALB was significantly associated with ADG. • The SNP of AHSG was significantly associated with ADG and FCR. • The SNP of GC was significantly associated with BW, BH and BL. • ALB , AHSG , and GC expression levels were significantly higher in H_BW group. Growth traits are economically important traits in sheep breeding. This study was conducted to evaluate the polymorphisms of ALB , AHSG and GC genes and their association with growth traits in Hu sheep. We measured and recorded the body weight (BW), body height (BH), body length (BL) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1418 male Hu sheep raised in the same environment from 80 to 180 days of age. The total of four SNPs in the ALB , AHSG and GC genes were identified by direct sequencing technology. The results of association analysis showed that two loci (g.8699 A>T and g.13458 T>C) of ALB gene significantly affect average daily gain (ADG; P < 0.05). The genotypes of SNP g.2454 T>C in AHSG gene were significantly associated with ADG and FCR (P < 0.05). There were significant associations between GC g.19484 A>C and BW, BH and BL (P < 0.05). The results of qRT-PCR showed that ALB , AHSG , and GC genes were extremely significantly higher in H_BW sheep compared with those in the L_BW sheep (P < 0.01). These results revealed that ALB-1 g.8699 A>T, ALB-2 g.13458 T>C, AHSG g.2454 T>C and GC g.19484 A>C loci are potential molecular markers for Hu sheep breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • 1. A bimetal biochar (Fe-Co/BC) was prepared as a PDS activator using collagen fiber. • 2. The optimized Fe-Co/BC-3 showed excellent catalytic activity for 99.9 % of TC degradation within 60 min. • 3. Synergism mechanism between Fe and Co promoted PDS activation to degrade TC. • 4. The as-prepared Fe-Co/BC exhibited the large potential in practical applications. In this study, a low-cost and stable bimetallic biochar (Fe-Co/BC) was synthesized and used to activate peroxydisulfate (PDS) for tetracycline (TC) degradation. The optimized Fe-Co/BC-3 exhibited excellent catalytic activity with a k obs of 0.082 min−1, which was over 70, 25, 20 and 13 times those of PDS, pure BC, Fe/BC and Co/BC, respectively. The significantly enhanced catalytic performance can be attributed to the synergistic effects of iron and cobalt, where Co was inferred to be the dominant catalytic site for SO 4 •− generation, while Fe played a key role to the synergism with Co by acting as the primary adsorption site for the reaction substrates. The excellent anti-interferences of the Fe-Co/BC-3/PDS system in the environmental background further validated the superiority of the synergistic effects. This study is expected to improve the efficiency of the synthesis for bimetallic materials and elucidate the rational design for PDS activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3D interconnected topological hydrogel was proposed with abundant hydrophilic capillary nanochannels and weak water-polymer polarity interaction, enabling a significant decrease of evaporation enthalpy. As a result, the hybrid hydrogel delivered a boosting water evaporation rate of 3.55 kg m−2h−1 under 1 sun irradiation and an excellent self-evaporation rate of 0.49 kg m−2h−1. More importantly, such hydrogel exhibited superior evaporation performance under weak solar irradiation and high humidity, endowing it enormous potential for practical water treatment. [Display omitted] • Porous CNT hydrogel was constructed via a topological interface engineering strategy. • The resultant hydrogel featured confined capillary channels and modulable hydration. • The unique architecture favored water transport, low enthalpy and thermal management. • CNT hydrogel delivered superior water evaporation in weak sunlight or high humidity. Photothermal hydrogel, with an inherently modifiable hydrated network, has been widely demonstrated as a promising candidate for efficient water treatment. However, there are still great challenges in architecting abundant interfacial mass transfer channels and avoiding excessive polarity interaction in polymeric hydrogels. Here, a 3D interconnected topological porous hydrogel was proposed to enable cellular carbon nanotube (CNT) structures filled with hydrophilic and thermosensitive nanonetworks via infiltration and crosslinking of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethyleneimine (PEI) and carbon black particles (CBs). A detailed comparative investigation revealed that hosting with CBs/PVA/PEI polymeric nanonetworks in CNT cellular structures facilitated the interfacial dehydration and the decrease of evaporation enthalpy, confirming that such a novel topological structure leaded to a remarkable increase in hydratable and heatable interfaces. In this regard, the obtained hybrid hydrogel achieved a high water evaporation rate of 3.55 kg m−2h−1 with an efficiency of 92.0 % under 1 sun irradiation, and particularly a superior self-evaporation rate of 0.49 kg m−2h−1 in the dark. More importantly, such hybrid hydrogel demonstrated excellent evaporation performance in weak sunlight and highly humid environments. This work has shed light on new insights to manufacture porous and low-enthalpy photothermal hydrogels for advanced solar-driven water treatment technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]