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Herein, multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/silicon nitride (Si3N4)/polyaniline (PANI) ternary composites are prepared. The preparation method involves attaching carboxyl groups to acid‐modified MWCNT surfaces and amino groups to Si3N4 surfaces modified using a silane‐coupling agent. Then they are combined to binary composites using the solvent‐thermal method. Finally, the ternary composites are prepared by coating PANI on the surface of MWCNT/Si3N4 composites in situ polymerization. The morphology and structure of these composites are characterized through X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results show that the reflection loss at 8.8 GHz reaches −42.57 dB when the feeding ratio of MWCNT:Si3N4:PANI is 3:20:40 and the corresponding effective absorption bandwidth reaches 4.06 GHz when the thickness is 3.5 mm. A conductive network with effective electron leaps is formed among MWCNT, Si3N4, and PANI, which increases the conductive loss of the composites. An abundant number of interfaces have formed in the composite materials and promoted dielectric loss. Multiple loss mechanisms and good impedance matching performance endow MWCNT/Si3N4/PANI with excellent microwave absorption performance, and the incorporation of Si3N4 enables the composites to exhibit satisfactory high‐temperature resistance. Thus, these performances render the composites promising materials to address increasing electromagnetic pollution, particularly at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have investigated the relationship between serum lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio (LAR) and the prognosis of cancers. However, no studies have explored the association between serum LAR and the survival of oral cancer (OC). This study was aimed to determine the association of serum LAR with the overall survival (OS) of OC. Methods: One hundred and ninety patients with OC were included in this study between January 2018 and December 2019. Log rank test and Kaplan–Meier method were used to compare the survival rate of OC between the low LAR group and the high LAR group. The association between serum LAR and the survival of OC patients was determined via univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log rank test indicated that the OS rate in low LAR group was significantly higher than that in high LAR group (P < 0.05). Univariate cox analysis showed that TNM III-IV stage, serum LDH > 162 U/L, and serum LAR > 3.79 were significantly associated with the OS of OC patients. Multivariate Cox analysis suggested that the TNM III-IV stage (HR, 2.317; 95% CI, 1.423– 3.774, P = 0.001) and serum LAR > 3.79 (HR, 5.138; 95% CI, 2.245– 11.756, P = 0.000) were independently related with poor OS of OC patients. Conclusion: High serum LAR (> 3.79) is an independent predictor of adverse prognosis in OC patients. LAR could be used as a promising marker for predicting the OS of OC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe contamination has always been one of the most critical issues in the integrated circuit (IC) industry due to its catastrophic effect on device reliability and electrical characteristics. With complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology scaling down, this issue has been attracting more attention. In this paper, the impact of Fe impurity on the reliability of gate oxide integrity (GOI) in advanced CMOS technology is investigated. Intentional contamination of polysilicon gates was conducted in both boron- and phosphorus-doped devices. Failure analysis of the gate oxide was conducted with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and the energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) technique. The experimental results disclose that the properties of PMOS are much more sensitive to Fe contamination than those of NMOS. It is suggested that the reason for the above phenomena is that Fe precipitates at the PMOS gate/oxide interface but dissolves uniformly in the NMOS poly gate due to lower formation energy of the FeB pair (0.65 eV) in PMOS than that of the P4-Fe cluster (3.2 eV) in NMOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease (SPID) are major causes of secondary infertility. Modified Hongteng Baijiang decoction (MHTBD) has produced positive results in the treatment of patients with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease; however, its role in SPID remains elusive. Therefore, this study clarified the role of MHTBD in SPID pathogenesis. Methods: The main components in MHTBD were analyzed by using liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry (LC/MS). An SPID rat model was established, and the rats were treated with different doses of MHTBD (0.504 g of raw drug/kg, 1.008 g of raw drug/kg, and 2.016 g of raw drug/kg). Endometrial pinopodes were observed via scanning electron microscopy, endometrial thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration were assessed via HE staining, and the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), integrin β3 (ITGB3), and CD31 in the endometrium was detected by using immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression of LIF, JAK2, p‐JAK2, STAT3, and p‐STAT3 in the endometrium. Moreover, the changes in the gut microbiota were analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing. Results: MHTBD improved endometrial receptivity, attenuated endometrial pathologic damage, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased ER and PR expression in the endometrium, and promoted the expression of LIF, p‐JAK2, and p‐STAT3 in the endometrium (p <.05) in SPID rats. Additionally, MHTBD treatment affected the composition of the gut microbiota in SPID rats. Furthermore, MHTBD attenuated endometrial receptivity and pathological damage in SPID rats by promoting the LIF/JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Conclusion: MHTBD attenuates SPID in rats by promoting the LIF/JAK2/STAT3 pathway and improving the composition of the gut microbiota. MHTBD may be a valuable drug for SPID therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (TiO2/MWCNTs) are nanocomposites (NCs) prepared via click reaction of TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) with azide groups (TiO2–N3) on the surface and MWCNTs with alkynyl groups (MWCNTs–ALK) on the surface. The phase structure, graphitization degree, structure, elemental composition, the microstructure of TiO2/MWCNTs NCs were characterized by XRD, Raman, IR, XPS and SEM, and their electromagnetic (EM) parameters were determined by the vector network analyser. For TiO2/MWCNTs NCs with click reaction, the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) is up to −47.87 dB at 12.02 GHz, the matching thickness is 2.0 mm, and the bandwidth is lower than −10 dB in the range of 7.7–12.48 GHz. Compared with the physically mixed TiO2/MWCNTs composites, TiO2/MWCNTs NCs prepared by click reaction show more excellent EM absorption properties, which is mainly due to the binding of covalent bonds between the two kinds of materials that lead to the enhancement of interfacial effects, the improvement of impedance matching and the increase of electron migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe3O4/SiO2 nanocomposites (NCs) were prepared by the interaction of alkyne-functionalized ferric oxide (Fe3O4-Alk) nanoparticles (NPs) and azide-functionalized silicon dioxide (SiO2-N3) NPs via the click reaction. The morphology and structure of the Fe3O4/SiO2 NCs were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and infrared analyses, and the electromagnetic parameters were measured using a vector network analyzer. For the Fe3O4/SiO2 nanocomposites obtained via the click reaction, the minimum reflection loss reached − 37.15 dB at 16.68 GHz and a matching thickness of 5.0 mm, and the bandwidth below − 10 dB ranged from 3.2 to 6.7 GHz and 15.7 to 17.6 GHz. The Fe3O4/SiO2 composites synthesized via the click reaction exhibited better microwave absorption performance than the physically blended sample. This is mainly because Fe3O4 and SiO2 are covalently bonded through the click reaction in the composites, creating multiple heterogeneous interfaces, which enhance dielectric loss and impedance matching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tubal inflammation, endometritis, and uterine adhesions due to post-pelvic inflammatory disease (SPID) are important causes of infertility. Chronic endometritis (CE) belongs to SPID, which seriously affects women's reproductive health, quality of life, and family harmony, and is a hot and difficult problem in clinical research. The efficacy of Pen Yan Kang Fu Decoction (PYKFD) has been verified in long-term clinical practice for chronic endometritis infertility caused by the SPID. Numerous studies have confirmed that the LIF/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway is important in embryo implantation and development, and endometritis infertility is close to LIF/JAK2/STAT3. In vivo results showed that PYKFD increased endometrial receptivity, repaired uterine tissue damage, and regulates the expression of endometrial receptivity-related factors ER (estrogen receptor), PR (progesterone receptor), CD31, and integrin αvβ3, and induced the transduction of LIF/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. PYKFD can also regulate the expression of IL-6. The results of in vitro experiments showed that PYKFD regulates the behavior of rat endometrial epithelial cells (REECs) involving LIF. In conclusion, PYKFD can improve endometrial receptivity and promote endometrial repair by LIF/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing need for the multiband photodetection of a single scene has promoted the development of both multispectral coupling and broadband detection technologies. Photodetectors operating across the infrared (IR) to terahertz (THz) regions have many applications such as in optical communications, sensing imaging, material identification, and biomedical detection. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in broadband photodetectors operating in the infrared to terahertz range, highlighting their classification, operating principles, and performance characteristics. We discuss the challenges faced in achieving broadband detection and summarize various strategies employed to extend the spectral response of photodetectors. Lastly, we conclude by outlining future research directions in the field of broadband photodetection, including the utilization of novel materials, artificial microstructure, and integration schemes to overcome current limitations. These innovative methodologies have the potential to achieve high-performance, ultra-broadband photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high intensity focused ultrasound (HFIU) combined with endometrial ablation in the treatment of adenomyosis (AM) patients with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). Method A total of 199 patients with AM combined with HMB who underwent HIFU treatment at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Center of Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM from July 2020 to September 2022 were selected and divided into two groups according to the ablation range. The combined ablation group included 80 cases with lesion and endometrial ablation (endometrial ablation rate ≥ 30%), while the lesion ablation group 119 cases with simple lesion ablation. A 1:1 propensity score matching was performed on the two groups, resulting in 59 patients in each group. A 6-month follow-up was conducted. The clinical manifestations (menstrual volume, degree of dysmenorrhea, uterine and lesion volume), quality of life (MS-QOL, UFS-QOL), and postoperative adverse reactions between the two groups before and 6 months after surgery was compared. Results Menstrual volume, degree of dysmenorrhea, uterine and lesion volume, MS-QOL score, and UFS-QOL score of the both groups were improved 6 months after surgery, when compared to those before surgery (P < 0.05). Significantly reduced menstrual volume, degree of dysmenorrhea, and lower MS-QOL score were observed in the combined ablation group when compared with the lesion ablation group (P < 0.05), but there was no statistical significance in uterine and lesion volume and UFS-QOL score (P > 0.05). There was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P > 0.05), but the combined ablation group had longer vaginal bleeding and fluid flow time (P < 0.05). Conclusion The combined HIFU and endometrial ablation can effectively reduce menstrual flow, alleviate dysmenorrhea, and improve quality of life in patients with AM combined with HMB. Although it increases vaginal bleeding and fluid flow time, reasonable symptomatic management can effectively prevent the occurrence of adverse consequences such as infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the complexity of monitoring and management of robots in service, a six-axis robot control system based on digital twin is proposed. Based on 3D printing technology, a six-axis robot is developed. At the same time, the kinematics of the robot is analyzed, and its kinematics model is built using the D-H rule. The forward and reverse kinematics of the robot are solved. Through the two-way data interaction between the model layer and the entity layer, the simulation operation of the robot and the twin synchronous operation of the virtual real robot are realized. Based on the real-time data drive, the key parameters of the robot are monitored, and the health parameter table of the current, voltage, joint vibration, and other parameters of the robot system is established. Based on the idea of comparison of the same kind, the abnormal state detection of the robot is realized through quantitative analysis. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed system is verified by experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review the five main components of geopolymer raw materials and five curing methods. A review is provided on the five main components of geopolymer raw materials, which are activators, silico-aluminum precursor, modified materials, additives, and water, as well as five curing methods: thermal curing, electrocuring, vapor pressure curing, microwave curing, and solar radiation curing. Discuss the excitation principles of alkali, acid, and salt activators, compare the sources, main excitation products, and their microstructures of low-calcium and calcium-free aluminosilicate precursors. Describe the impact of modified materials on the performance enhancement of geopolymers, elaborate the effects of three commonly used admixtures on the rheological properties and mechanical strength of geopolymers, analyze the role, forms, and quantity of water in geopolymer reactions, and finally, summarize the curing principles and influencing factors of curing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogeneous cell population that plays a crucial role in remodeling the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, through the integrated analysis of spatial and single-cell transcriptomics data across six common cancer types, we identified four distinct functional subgroups of CAFs and described their spatial distribution characteristics. Additionally, the analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from three additional common cancer types and two newly generated scRNA-seq datasets of rare cancer types, namely epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), expanded our understanding of CAF heterogeneity. Cell–cell interaction analysis conducted within the spatial context highlighted the pivotal roles of matrix CAFs (mCAFs) in tumor angiogenesis and inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) in shaping the immunosuppressive microenvironment. In patients with breast cancer (BRCA) undergoing anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, iCAFs demonstrated heightened capacity in facilitating cancer cell proliferation, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and contributing to the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Furthermore, a scoring system based on iCAFs showed a significant correlation with immune therapy response in melanoma patients. Lastly, we provided a web interface (https://chenxisd.shinyapps.io/pancaf/) for the research community to investigate CAFs in the context of pan-cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review summarizes and examines research in the area of salpingitis animal modeling in the last 40 years, focusing primarily on Chlamydia trachomatis animal models, which are the most numerous in the literature. Early animal models are examined, followed by a discussion of study parameters and their impact on modeling success, subsequent considerations of fertility measures in modeling, explorations of treatment options, and finally exploring recent directions with a brief discussion of models using other bacterial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of A‐site substitution on phase‐structure evolution and electrocaloric effect (ECE) in filled tungsten bronze ceramics, Sr2–3x/2LaxNaNb4.3Ta0.7O15 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06) ceramics are prepared through a two‐step solid‐state reaction method. Rietveld refinement shows that La2O3 addition achieves a partial transition from orthorhombic (Im2a) to tetragonal phase (P4bm). A decrease in phase transition temperature, enhancement in distortion degree, and relaxation behavior are observed with increasing La2O3 content, as demonstrated by dielectric, in situ Raman spectra, and ferroelectric properties. The indirectly measured ECE shows a non‐monotonic variation, with room‐temperature ECE ranging from 0.19, 0.15, 0.23 to finally 0.19 K for x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06 compositions, respectively. This evolution trend is explained by an interplay of relaxation and multiphase coexistence. Directly measured ECE is also performed and a positive ECE character with a good temperature stability is observed. This work not only establishes relationships between phase‐structure evolution and ECE in filled Sr2NaNb4.3Ta0.7O15 tungsten bronze ceramics, but also presents its possibility in applications of thermally stable EC devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For developing p-GaN gate-based enhancement-mode AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors, the removal of the p-GaN layer around the gate region is demonstrated by photo-electrochemical etching. The etching behavior of p-GaN/AlGaN/GaN heterostructures along with p-GaN/u-GaN reference samples is investigated in acidic H2SO4/H3PO4 electrolyte solution. The strong oxidant sulfate radical SO 4 − ∗ formed by H2SO4 stimulates the etching process by either extracting excess electrons from the valence band or providing supplementary holes in the valence band. By optimizing the etching parameters, an average etching rate of 0.27 nm/min with a surface roughness of 2.3 nm is achieved for removing p-GaN from the AlGaN/GaN structure. The etching dynamics of the heterostructure are attributed to the valence-band offset ΔEv caused by band discontinuity at the p-GaN/AlGaN interface. Under positive anodic bias, the etching process is also controlled by local charge transport between p-GaN and the two-dimensional electron gas channel due to a reduced barrier height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the current literature on the effect of ICU diaries on the quality of life of ICU survivors and their relatives. Design: Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods: We searched the online databases Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI and WanFang from inception to April 2021. Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) were used to assess the methodological quality. Results: Seven studies were identified. ICU diaries improved the QoL of ICU survivors (SMD 0.79, 95% CI 0.24–1.34), and a small study described no benefit of diaries in improving the QoL of relatives. Conclusion: This meta‐analysis revealed the use of ICU diaries to improve the QoL in survivors, but the ICU diaries do not have a beneficial effect on the QoL in relatives. The evidence summarized in our study is limited and biased, and more research should be carried out to verify it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MWCNTs/SiC nanocomposites were prepared by click reaction using resistive microwave absorbent MWCNTs as the matrix material and dielectric microwave absorbent SiC as the loss medium. XRT), XPS, TG, SEM and vector network analyzer were used to characterize the structure and test the microwave absorption performance of the composite. In addition, the influence of different feeding ratio on the microwave absorption properties of the composites was also discussed. The experimental results show that the MWCNTs/SiC binary nanocomposites were successfully prepared by clicking method. When the ratio of MWCNTs to SiC is 1:1, the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of the MWCNTs/SiC binary nanocomposite at the thickness of 2.0 mm reaches - 44.96 dB, and the minimum effective absorption bandwidth (RLmin < -10 dB) up to 5.04 GHz (from 12.66-17.93 GHz, covering 87.8% of the Ku band). MWCNTs/SiC binary nanocomposites can effectively absorb electromagnetic waves in the whole X-band, and the thickness range is 2.0~2.5 mm. Moreover, by adjusting the thickness of the absorption layer, almost all the electromagnetic wave of C, X and Ku bands can be effectively covered. Therefore, the composite materials with covalent bond between MWCNTs and SiC prepared by click reaction is a new method to be used as efficient microwave absorbing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing polarization as an effective strategy has attracted wide attention to improve electromagnetic wave absorption performance. In this work, a simple self-template multiple oxidation–etching method is used to prepare the fishing-net-like yolk–shell MnO2@MWCNTs (MYS@MWCNTs) absorber. The structural effects of MYS@MWCNTs and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) dispersion on the microwave absorption properties are investigated in detail. Related SEM and TEM images showed that the MWCNTs disappeared uniformly in MYS@MWCNTs after adjusting the PVP dispersant, thereby weakening the adverse influence of skin effect on impedance matching. One-dimensional MWCNTs penetrated through MnO2 yolk–shell (MYS) microsphere and formed unique fishing-net-like conductive network PVP-optimized MYS@MWCNTs with enhanced impedance matching. MYS@MWCNTs-2 obtains excellent microwave absorption performance with a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of -52.8 dB at 3.76 GHz because of interface polarization, dipole polarization, and enhanced conductive loss. Therefore, the as-prepared MYS@MWCNTs has potential applications in the field of electromagnetic wave absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: The existing particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms are only effective in deconvoluting the overlapping peaks in ion mobility spectra with fewer than four component peaks, which limits the applicability of these algorithms. Methods: A high‐performance two‐step particle swarm optimization (TSPSO) algorithm was developed. Compared to the existing PSO algorithms, TSPSO can narrow the search ranges of all coefficients for the overlapping peaks through Gaussian model calculation, and thus can deconvolute various overlapping peaks with high accuracy, even for 30‐component overlapping peaks. In addition, the TSPSO could be further applied to enhance the resolution of the spectra by narrowing the peak widths after the peak deconvolution. Results: Simulated overlapping peaks were first used to evaluate the performance of TSPSO as compared to the dynamic inertia weight particle swarm optimization (DIWPSO) algorithm. The results showed that the profiles of the peaks deconvoluted by using TSPSO were more consistent with the original ones. The fitness values and the standard deviations of the fitness values from TSPSO were also at least an order of magnitude less than those from DIWPSO. By applying TSPSO, the overlapping peaks from both mass spectrometry (MS) and field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) spectra can also be well deconvoluted. In addition, the resolutions of the MS and FAIMS spectra can be effectively enhanced after peak deconvolution. The enhanced spectra matched excellently with the experimental ones acquired at high‐resolution modes. Conclusions: The experiment results convincingly demonstrate that the TSPSO algorithm is capable of both deconvoluting complex overlapping peaks and enhancing the spectrum resolution with high accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven tumor necrosis factor receptor- (TNFR-) associated factors (TRAFs) have been found in mammals, which are primarily involved in the signal translation of the TNFR superfamily, the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, and the retinoic acid-inducible gene I- (RIG-I-) like receptor (RLR) family. TRAF3 is one of the most diverse members of the TRAF family. It can positively regulate type I interferon production while negatively regulating signaling pathways of classical nuclear factor-κB, nonclassical nuclear factor-κB, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). This review summarizes the roles of TRAF3 signaling and the related immune receptors (e.g., TLRs) in several preclinical and clinical diseases and focuses on the roles of TRAF3 in immune responses, the regulatory mechanisms, and its role in disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perinatal hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy is the leading cause of neonatal death and permanent neurological deficits, while the basal ganglia is one of the major nuclei that is selectively and greatly affected in the brains of hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy patients, especially in severe cases. Human embryonic stem cell-derived neurons have shown great potential in different types of brain disorders in adults. However, it remains unknown whether and how grafted human embryonic stem cell-derived neurons can repair immature brains with hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy. Here, by administrating genetically labelled human embryonic stem cell-derived striatal neural progenitors into the ipsilateral striatum of hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy-injured mice, we found that the grafted cells gradually matured into GABA spiny projection neurons morphologically and electrophysiologically, and significantly rescued the area loss of hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy-injured brains. Intriguingly, using immunohistochemical staining combined with enhanced ascorbate peroxidase-based immunoelectron microscopy and rabies virus-mediated trans-synaptic tracing, we show that the grafts start to extend axonal projections to the endogenous target areas (globus pallidus externa, globus pallidus internus, substantia nigra), form synapses with host striatal, globus pallidus and nigra neurons, and receive extensive and stable synaptic inputs as early as 2 months post-transplantation. Importantly, we further demonstrated functional neural circuits re-established between the grafted neurons and host cortical, striatal and substantial nigra neurons at 3–6 months post-transplantation in the hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy-injured brain by optogenetics combined with electrophysiological recording. Finally, the transplanted striatal spiny projection neurons but not spinal GABA neurons restored the motor defects of hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy, which were reversed by clozapine- N -oxide-based inhibition of graft function. These findings demonstrate anatomical and functional reconstruction of the basal ganglia neural circuit including multiple loops by striatal spiny projection neurons in hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy-injured immature brains, which raises the possibility of such a cell replacement therapeutic strategy for hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy in neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The temporal pattern of cognitive and functional change before and after incident diabetes remains unknown.Research Design and Methods: Data from wave 2 to wave 9 (2004-2018) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing were used. Global cognition (assessed by orientation, memory, and executive function) and daily functioning (calculated as the sum of impaired basic and instrumental activities of daily living) were measured in each wave. Incident diabetes was defined as glycated hemoglobin A1c ≥6.5% (47.5 mmol/mol), self-reported doctor diagnosis of diabetes, or glucose-lowering medication use during follow-up.Results: Among the 6,342 participants (mean age 65.0 years, 57.8% women) included, 576 participants (9.1%) with incident diabetes were identified during a median follow-up of 13.3 years. The annual rates of change in global cognition (β = -0.035 SD/year; 95% CI -0.054 to -0.015), orientation (-0.031 SD/year; -0.060 to -0.002), memory (-0.016 SD/year; -0.029 to -0.003), and executive function (-0.027 SD/year; -0.042 to -0.013) were accelerated after diabetes diagnosis compared with before the event. The postdiabetes annual changes in daily functioning (0.093 points/year; 95% CI 0.056-0.131) were also accelerated compared with the prediabetes diagnosis. However, the rate of cognitive and functional decline before the diabetes diagnosis in participants with future incident diabetes was similar to the rate in participants without diabetes. Also, no significant acute change was observed during its onset.Conclusions: Incident diabetes is associated with accelerated cognitive and functional decline after, but not before, the event. We suggest careful monitoring for cognitive and physical dysfunction after a diabetes diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, quasi-vertical Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) based on AlN/Al0.6Ga0.4N heterostructure are fabricated and temperature-dependent current transport is systematically investigated. Benefited from the AlN/Al0.6Ga0.4N heterostructure with high net doping concentration of ∼1 Ă— 1018 cmâˆ'3 in Al0.6Ga0.4N, the device demonstrates lower ideality factor of 2.95, high on/off current ratio of ∼108, the on-current of above 40 A cmâˆ'2 which is two order magnitude higher than that of the state-of-the-art AlN SBDs. The barrier inhomogeneity is characterized by the model of Gaussian distribution, and the reverse current observed is identified to be traps-related leakage process such as Pooleâ€"Frenkel emission and trap assisted tunneling. This work reveals the heterostructure engineering is an alternative pathway to overcome the difficulty of AlN-based SBDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbolometers based on the CMOS process has the important advantage of being automatically merged with circuits in the fabrication of larger arrays, but they typically suffer from low detectivity due to the difficulty in realizing high-sensitivity thermistors in the CMOS process. In this paper, two resistive microbolometers based on polysilicon and metal Al thermistors, respectively, are designed and fabricated by the standard CMOS process. Experimental results show that the detectivity of the two resistive microbolometers can reach a maximum of 1.78 × 109 cmHz1/2/W at 25 μA and a maximum of 6.2 × 108 cmHz1/2/W at 267 μA. The polysilicon microbolometer exhibits better detectivity at lower bias current due to its lower effective thermal conductivity and larger resistance. Even though the thermal time constant of the polysilicon thermistor is three times slower than that of the metal Al thermistor, the former is more suitable for designing a thermal imaging system with sensitive and low power consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel approach that combines technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation and machine learning (ML) techniques is demonstrated to assist the analysis of the performance degradation of GaN HEMTs under hot-electron stress. TCAD is used to simulate the statistical effect of hot-electron-induced, electrically active defects on device performance, while the artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm is tested for reproducing the simulation results. The results show that the ML-TCAD approach can not only rapidly obtain the performance degradation of GaN HEMTs, but can accurately predict the progressive failure under the work conditions with a mean squared error (MSE) of 0.2, informing the possibility of quantitative failure data analysis and rapid defect extraction via the ML-TCAD approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, flower sphere alumina was synthesized autonomously by hydrothermal and annealing processes. The in situ polymerization of polypyrrole on the surface of alumina at low temperatures based on the principle of component synergy has enabled the construction of a core–shell structure for Al2O3@ppy materials, resulting in excellent electromagnetic wave absorption properties. The effect of the addition of alumina and the morphology of the materials on the microwave absorption properties of Al2O3@ppy composites was also discussed. Various methods are used for the characterization of the material. The Al2O3@ppy composites were effective in matching thicknesses of 2.5 mm with a minimum reflection loss (RL) of − 65.8 dB at a frequency of 11.52 GHz and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 5.6 GHz at a matched thickness of 2.0 mm. The results show that Al2O3@ppy composites can provide a reference for EMW absorber material research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the risk factors of postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly gastric cancer (GC) patients after laparoscopic gastrectomy and construct a predictive model. Methods: Elderly GC patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrectomy were enrolled and grouped based on the status of POD development within postoperative 7 days. Independent risk factors were selected out by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and then enrolled in the nomogram prediction model. Results: A total of 270 elderly GC patients were enrolled, and POD occurred in 74 (27.4%) patients within postoperative 7 days. The results of multivariate regression analysis indicated that age (OR: 3.30, 95% CI: 1.41–6.85, P < 0.001), sleeping pills (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.12–3.09, P = 0.012), duration of ICU stay (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.02–2.37, P = 0.029), albumin/fibrinogen ratio (AFR) (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.03–2.76, P = 0.019), and neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio (NLR) (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.11–4.01, P = 0.016) were five independent risk factors for POD in elderly GC patients. The AUC of the constructed nomogram model based on these five factors was 0.807. Conclusions: This study highlighted that age, AFR, NLR, sleeping pills taking, and duration of ICU stay were independent risk factors for POD, and the nomogram model based on these factors could effectively predict POD in elderly GC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequela of pelvic inflammatory disease (SPID) is a common and frequently occurring disease clinically. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provided unique advantages in the treatment of SPID. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective mechanism of Shipi Shugan Decoction (SSD), a Chinese herbal formula, on SPID using a SPID rat model. Mixed bacterial infection and mechanical injury were used for modeling. The chemical composition of SSD was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). The inflammatory factors were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot techniques. We found that SSD dose-dependently inhibited the content of IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in serum samples of SPID rats. The results from the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain showed that SSD improved pathological injury of the uterus and fallopian tubes induced by a pathogen. In addition, SSD dose-dependently inhibited mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress of SPID rats. The expression of SIRT1 was promoted, and NLRP3 inflammasome was deactivated by SSD gavage compared with the SPID group. Specifically, SIRT1 inhibitor EX-527 cotreatment significantly reversed the improvement effect of SSD on pelvic inflammatory disease in rats. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that Shipi Shugan Decoction may be an effective TCM for the treatment of SPID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For electromagnetic wave-absorbing materials, organic-derived carbon materials and metal sulfides are highly preferred. In this paper, ZnS/C microsphere composites were prepared using calcination and hydrothermal method. The carbon microsphere material derived from d-xylose was used as a substrate, and zinc sulfide was grown on its surface, thus enhancing the interfacial polarization loss of the material. Considering the defects that originate from within the carbon microspheres and the excellent conductive properties, the composite material involved dipole polarization and conduction losses. These loss mechanisms are coordinated with the optimum impedance match obtained by adjusting the addition of carbon microspheres, resulting in the RLmin value of − 44.86 dB and the EABmax of 5.68 GHz for the ZnS/C microsphere composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance dielectric materials are widely used in energy storage applications, and temperature stability at extreme conditions is rarely considered yet. In this work, the Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–Sr0.7Bi0.2□0.1TiO3–xNaNbO3 (x = 0, 0.05, and 0.15) system is designed with a room-temperature ergodic relaxor character to explore energy storage evolution with temperature. The addition of NaNbO3 increases tetragonal (P4bm) phase content and relaxor disorders and leads to a downshift of transition temperature, as verified by Rietveld refinement, dielectric analysis, and in situ Raman spectra. Superior temperature stability of recoverable energy storage density (WRec, change rate: δ ≤ 14%) and efficiency (η = 0.79–0.98) is found in x = 0.15 composition in a wide temperature range of 243–373 K, in contrast to a significant variation for x = 0 (δ ≤ 85%, η = 0.08–0.88) and 0.05 (δ ≤ 36%, η = 0.60–0.96) compositions. The dielectric relaxation speed is faster in x = 0.15, as characterized by on–off-electric field dielectric curves. This work demonstrates that the weak-dipolar-interaction system retards dipolar coalescence under cryogenic temperature and, thus, maintains high energy storage efficiency, which predicts their suitability in energy storage applications at an extreme condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane technology is seen as one of the useful strategies for the treatment of oily wastewater, but the membrane fouling in the process of membrane filtration seriously may affect some properties and time‐consuming. Hydrophilic membrane surface can reduce membrane fouling. The appropriate design for membrane composition and surface structure can transform membrane surface with expected performance. In this work, hydrophilic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes with micro‐nanostructure are fabricated by in situ synthesis and layer‐by‐layer assembly strategies. A zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) and tannic acid are used to construct microstructure and support hydrophilic groups. The water contact angle and water flux of initial PVDF membrane are 110.67° and 6585.7 L m−2 h−1, respectively, while the optimally modified membrane possesses water contact of 14.5° and water flux of 13641.8 L m−2 h−1. The modified membrane not only owns good underwater oil repellency and oil adhesion resistance but also processes good separation performance for surfactant stable oil‐in‐water emulsion. Furthermore, the modified membranes exhibit constant permeability and underwater oleophobicity in cycling experiments and harsh environments, indicating that the modified coating has stability against shedding of the modified materials. This method supports valuable references for MOF application in the field of oil–water separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of Calu-3 cells as a model to examine the toxicological responses of inhalable substances. Calu-3 cells were grown to the confluence at an air-liquid interface (ALI) using a Transwell® permeable support system. The ALI resulted in biomimetic native bronchial epithelium displaying pseudostratified columnar epithelium with more microvilli and secretory vesicles. We further characterized and optimized the Calu-3 cell line model using ALI culturing conditions, immunolabeling of protein expression, ultrastructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements, and then screened for the cytotoxicity of tobacco flavoring extracts. Calu-3 cells displayed dose-dependent responses when treated with the flavoring extract. Within 8–10 days, cell monolayers developed TEER ≥1000 Ω·cm2. During this time, Calu-3 cells exposed to flavoring extracts X01 and X06 exhibited a loss of cellular integrity and decreased ZO-1 and E-cadherin protein expression. In conclusion, we investigated the Calu-3 cell line culture conditions, culture time, and barrier integrity and tested the effect of six new synthetic tobacco flavoring extracts. Our data demonstrate that the Calu-3 human bronchial epithelial cell monolayer system is a potential in vitro model to assess the inhalation toxicity of inhalable substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying defects/traps is of vital importance for the implementation of high-performance Ga2O3 power devices. In this work, majority and minority carrier traps in beta-gallium oxide ($\beta $ -Ga2O3) have been investigated and identified by means of deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) in Ni/ $\beta $ -Ga2O3 Schottky barrier diode (SBD) and NiO/ $\beta $ -Ga2O3 p+-n heterojunction diode (HJD). For both diodes, a dominant energy level of majority carrier (electron) trap states is determined to be ${E}_{C}-$ (0.75–0.79) eV with a concentration of (2.4–4.1) $\times 10^{{13}}$ cm $^{-{3}}$. Meanwhile, an additional trapping level at ${E}_{V} +0.14$ eV with a concentration of 1.2 $\times 10^{{14}}$ cm $^{-{3}}$ yield is present in NiO/ $\beta $ -Ga2O3 bipolar HJD but absent in the Ni/ $\beta $ -Ga2O3 SBD unipolar counterpart. The detection of such minority carrier traps originates from the hole injection through trap-assisted tunneling (TAT) from $\text{p}^{+}$ -NiO to $\beta $ -Ga2O3. The bias- and frequency-dependent DLTS characteristics identify that such shallow-level minority carrier traps are located in the $\beta $ -Ga2O3 bulk region rather not interfacial states at the NiO/ $\beta $ -Ga2O3 heterointerface. The identification of both majority and minority carrier traps in this work may shed light on the in-depth understanding of carrier transport mechanisms in Ga2O3-based unipolar and bipolar power devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we proposed a Many‐to‐One Input Network Architecture (MOINA) for the classification of similar structured vehicles (bus, truck and car). The inputs of the architecture are the multiple‐masked region‐of‐interest of the same detected vehicle from Range‐Doppler maps, which are acquired by FMCW radar. The proposed method is trained with a supervised system yielding a classification accuracy of 98%. MOINA shows good classification performance in a practical situation. Besides, the F1‐score of buses, trucks and cars are 98.7%, 98.0% and 97.6%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we studied the preparation and microwave absorption properties of D-xylose-derived carbon materials modified by CuFe2O4 nanoparticles and discussed the influence of the addition amount of carbon materials. It was prepared with a simple hydrothermal method, and various methods are used to characterize its microscopic morphology, chemical structure and microwave absorption properties.Results show that the modification of copper ferrite nanoparticles is effective in mitigating polarization and magnetic losses, enhancing the microwave absorption properties of the samples and absorption curves of the composite materials change from a single peak to double peaks. Comparing all samples it can be concluded that the effective absorption bandwidth of CuFe2O4 composite materials containing carbon microspheres (CuFe2O4/CMs-0.3) is 6.24 GHz. The minimum reflection loss (RL) is − 50.4 dB at 14.64 GHz. The thickness of the above corresponds to 2.5 mm. This work not only provides a reference method for the preparation of microwave absorbing materials but also contributes to the understanding of absorption mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geopolymer materials have excellent properties such as high strength, high toughness, corrosion resistance, fire resistance and sealing of heavy metals. It has always been a research hotspot in the field of civil engineering, but the research on geopolymer materials is still lack of systematicness. According to the research results of geopolymer materials by scholars at home and abroad in recent years, aiming at the unique performance characteristics and the excellent chemical stability of geopolymer, the freeze-thaw cycle and calcination test of geopolymer were analyzed and summarized from the macroscopic and microscopic perspectives, and the difference in corrosion resistance between geopolymer and ordinary Portland cement was compared. The toughening modification methods and research results of geopolymer materials were reviewed. The application of geopolymer materials in construction industry is summarized, and the application prospect of geopolymer materials in construction industry is briefly analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ridge-channel AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT) utilizing selective-area growth and epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) technique is proposed in this work to achieve high-performance normally-off devices. It has a c-plane platform for the source and the drain contacts, and sidewalls of lattice plane for the gate contact. The sidewalls have characteristics of weak polarization and thin barrier, which are advantageous for realizing normally-off operation. Two ridge HEMTs with triangular and trapezoid channel are designed. Theoretical simulation demonstrates a threshold voltage of 0.03 V for the sidewall channel with reduced polarization and barrier thickness, and a threshold voltage of 1.1–1.3 V for the ridge HEMTs assuming no polarization charge in sidewall channel. The ridge-channel device also exhibits high saturation drain current. The ELO-based ridge-channel opens a new way to achieve normally-off AlGaN/GaN HEMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles encapsulated in the N-doped carbon framework (Fe2O3@C–N) were synthesized via a one-step thermal decomposition reaction of commercial C10H12FeN2NaO8 (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid monosodium ferric salt), which can serve as the source of Fe, O, C, and N. As an anode material for lithium storage, the Fe2O3@C–N sample exhibits a reversible capacity of 1072 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.2 A g−1 and 553 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g−1. Furthermore, the synthetic strategy can be simply extended to prepare other similar products, e.g. MnO@C–N and ZnO@C–N. The MnO@C–N anode also shows good cycling performances (915 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.2 A g−1 and 768 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The imaging signs which can accurately predict survival prognosis after standard treatment of high-grade glioma (HGG) are highly desirable. This study aims to explore the role of new enhancement beyond radiation field (NERF) in the survival prediction in patients with post-treatment HGG. The present study included 142 pathologically confirmed HGG patients who had received standard treatment. NERF, as well as other conventional MR findings and clinical variables, were included in univariate and multivariate analyses for evaluating their impactions on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Univariate analysis showed that histological grade (p = 0.008) and NERF (p = 0.001) were the prognostic variables for poor PFS, whereas histological grade (p = 0.017), NERF (p = 0.001), and new subventricular zone enhancement (nSVZE) (p = 0.001) were prognostic variables for poor OS. The multivariate analysis showed that NERF (HR 3.93; 95% CI 1.93–8.01; p = 0.001) and nSVZE (HR 3.92; 95% CI 1.95–7.89; p = 0.001) were the prognostic variables for poor OS. However, only nSVZE was (HR 3.29; 95% CI 2.04–5.28; p = 0.001) the prognostic variable for poor PFS. When combining the NERF with the clinical and other MR variables, the highest AUC (0.924) and specificity (0.899) for predicting poor OS were achieved. The location of new developed enhancements relevant to high dose radiation field appears to be the main determinant of their prognostic value. Our results suggest that the new enhancement beyond radiation field can improve the survival prediction in patients with HGG after standard treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore a type of high-performance microwave absorber with lightweight and thin thickness, the flowerlike γ-AlOOH hollow spheres decorated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method. The microscopic morphology characterization showed the γ-AlOOH microspheres consisted of a hollow inner core and a shell made of numerous flakes. The γ-AlOOH/MWCNTs composites exhibited excellent microwave absorption performance with the reflection loss of − 49.8 dB at 11.1 GHz and effective absorption bandwidth of 4.56 GHz (from 13.44 to 18 GHz) at a thickness of 1.5 mm, which covered almost the entire X band. Furthermore, the unique microstructure of γ-AlOOH exerted a considerable effect on the obtained microwave absorption capacity of the composites, leading to interfacial polarization, multiple reflections, and scattering of electromagnetic wave. Meanwhile, the suitable MWCNTs additive amount played a crucial role in the improvement of impedance matching, conduction loss, and dipole polarization, which benefit the performance of microwave absorption. It is expected that the flowerlike hollow spheres structure in our work can provide a method of designing the novel microwave absorbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ternary hardening-accelerating admixture for Portland cement, comprising calcium fluoroaluminate (11CaO.7Al2O3.CaF2), calcium thiocyanate (Ca(SCN)2) and triethanolamine (C6H15NO3), was studied. The cement paste was investigated using compressive strength tests, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and porous medium surface area analysis. The results showed that the setting time of the cement had been shortened using the ternary admixture; the fluidity and early strength were improved compared with traditional admixtures cured at ambient temperature (20°C). The compressive strength reached 14·5 MPa at 1 d, which was twice that of cement without admixtures and 0·35 times higher than cement with a sodium chloride (NaCl) triethanolamine admixture. Moreover, the total pore volume in the cement with the ternary admixture was much less than the cement with the sodium chloride–triethanolamine admixture. When the ternary admixture was included, not only was the concentration of calcium ions (Ca2+) in the liquid phase increased, but there was also a complexation reaction between the ternary admixture and clinker, which accelerated the cement hydration reaction, and the concentrations of calcium silicate hydrates and ettringite were increased at an early age. The new admixture is a promising non-chloride accelerator and offers more options in hardening-accelerating admixtures for Portland cement systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hierarchical core–shell architectures with multi-walled carbon nanotubes as core and MnO2 sheets shaped in an array mode as shell (MWCNTs@MnO2) were successfully synthesized via a simple wet chemical method. X-ray diffraction patterns and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that the composites were successfully prepared. Morphological characterizations were made by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Vector network analyzer was employed to investigate the electromagnetic parameters of the composites. A possible attenuation mechanism was discussed, and the high-performance microwave absorption properties were attributed to the porous microstructure, polarization effect, dielectric loss and the synergistic action between MWCNTs and δ -MnO2. A minimum reflection loss (RL) of − 50.6 dB was achieved at a thickness of 1.4 mm, and an effective absorption bandwidth (RL < − 1 0 dB) covered 4.2 GHz (from 13.8 GHz to 18 GHz) at a thickness of 1.3 mm. Therefore, these results suggested that the MWCNTs@ δ -MnO2 composites can be an excellent candidate for microwave absorption materials. The cross-linked δ-MnO2 nanoflakes attached on the sidewalls of MWCNTs and the unique open porous 3D conductive structure of the nanocomposites contributed to the multiple reflections and scattering of microwaves in long propagation periods. Moreover, MWCNTs with high electrical conductivity can generate loss current and energy dissipation by electron migration and hop across the interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol-induced intestinal dysbiosis disrupts and inflammatory responses are essential in the development of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). Here, we investigated the effects of Fmo5 on changes in enteric microbiome composition in a model of AFLD and dissected the pathogenic role of Fmo5 in AFLD-induced liver pathology. Methods: The expression profile data of GSE8006 and GSE40334 datasets were downloaded from the GEO database. The WGCNA approach allowed us to investigate the AFLD-correlated module. DEGs were used to perform KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Four PPI networks were constructed using the STRING database and visualized using Cytoscape software. The Cytohubba plug-in was used to identify the hub genes. Western blot and immunohistochemistry assays were used to detect protein expression. ELISA assay was used to detect the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines. Lipid droplets in the cytoplasm were observed using Oil Red O staining. Apoptosis was detected using a TUNEL assay and flow cytometry analysis. ROS levels were detected using flow cytometry analysis. Nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 was observed using immunofluorescence staining. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect the co-expression of PPARα and Fmo5 in L02 cells. 16S rDNA sequencing defined the bacterial communities in mice with AFLD. Results: Fmo5 is a key DEG and is closely associated with the gut microbiota and PPAR signaling pathway. Gut microbiome function in AFLD was significantly related to the PPAR signaling pathway. AFLD induced shifts in various bacterial phyla in the cecum, including a reduction in Bacteroidetes and increased Firmicutes. Fmo5 and PPARα co-expression in cell and animal models with AFLD, which decreased significantly. Silencing of Fmo5 and PPARα aggravated the functions of AFLD inducing apoptosis and inflammatory response, promoting liver injury, and activating the NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. The NF-κB inhibitor abolished the functions of silencing of Fmo5 and PPARα promoting AFLD-induced apoptosis, inflammatory response, and liver injury. Conclusion: Our data indicated that the co-expression of Fmo5 and PPARα was involved in AFLD-related gut microbiota composition and alleviated AFLD-induced liver injury, apoptosis, and inflammatory response by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 to inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dark current mechanism of extended wavelength InxGa1-xAs photo-detectors is still a debated issue. In this paper, the deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and dark current characteristics of InxGa1-xAs/InP detectors are investigated. Using trap parameters obtained from DLTS measurement, the device simulations of current-voltage characteristics are carried out by Silvaco Altas. The results reveal that the dark current at the low reverse bias voltage is associated with deep level trap induced trap assisted tunneling and Shockley-Read-Hall generation mechanism. The reduction of the deep level trap concentration in InxGa1-xAs absorption layer could dramatically suppress the dark current near zero bias in extended wavelength InxGa1-xAs/InP detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Al@MnO2 composites were synthesized by flake aluminum powder and potassium permanganate via a facile one-step method. As a multi-band stealth material, the composites have both enhanced microwave absorbing property and low infrared emissivity. We can use XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM to detect structure and performance, respectively. The microwave absorbing properties and infrared emissivity were investigated by vector network analyzer and dual-band infrared emissometer. It was found that the MnO2 nanoparticles were anchored on the aluminum sheets densely, and the concentration of MnO2 nanoparticles had a certain effect on absorption performance and infrared emissivity. As an absorber, with its polarization effect, resonance effect, and good impedance matching, the composite with the filler loading is 60 wt% can perform excellent microwave absorption performance (Chen et al. in Optik (Stuttg) 172:840–846, 2018). The minimum reflection loss reached − 42.93 dB at 12.72 GHz with a thickness of 1.0 mm, and the bandwidth that exceed − 10 dB ranged from 12.08 GHz to 13.36 GHz (Li et al. in J Colloid Interface Sci 507:131–138, 2017). As an infrared stealth material, the composite exhibits low infrared emissivity in the band range of 8–14 µm, which was attributed to the existence constituent of flake aluminum powder. The infrared emissivity reached 0.55 at the lowest, as well as enlarged with the increase of MnO2 concentration. Therefore, the Al@MnO2 composites could be a potential superior microwave and infrared compatible stealth material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two MWCNTs@ZnO/NiO composites, TS-A and TS-B, were synthesized through two methods, respectively, and a series of microscopic morphology characterization and electromagnetic test were performed. Microstructure characterization results suggested that TS-A dispersed well with hierarchical and porous structure, while TS-B grew unevenly as a result of tight bound. Electromagnetic tests show that the unique hierarchical and porous structure was key to the superior absorption performance of TS-A over TS-B, and played an important role in optimizing impedance matching and enhancing dielectric loss. The minimum reflection loss of TS-A reached − 46.65 dB at the thickness of 3.3 mm and the frequency of 3.58 GHz, and the EAB reached 3.89 GHz at the thickness of 1.5 mm. The above results indicate that the synthesis of hierarchical and porous structure is one of the effective ways to enhance the electromagnetic wave absorption ability of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although semiconductor nanowire (NW) photodetectors are promising building blocks for nanoscale on‐chip optoelectronic integration applications, poor absorption, and strong light polarization dependence due to their inherent anisotropic geometry remain an issue. Here, a polarization‐insensitive photodetector is designed and experimentally demonstrated, which consists of an InP NW embedded in a dual‐split bull's eye (DSBE) plasmonic antenna. The resultant photodetector exhibits a low noise equivalent power of 0.97 pW and a photoresponsivity of 0.96 A W‐1 at 740 nm with an external quantum efficiency of 163%. Importantly, the device exhibits an ultralow polarization dependence characteristic with a polarization degree significantly reduced from 91% down to 6%. The improved performance stems from the intrinsic symmetry of the orthogonal DSBE and the strong surface plasmon coupling, which significantly boosts the optical concentration abilities at all polarization angles as compared to the bare NW photodetector. This NW photodetector‐antenna design provides a pathway for the development of high‐performance nanoscale photodetectors for applications in advanced sensing, imaging, and quantum communications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical mechanism of VT degradations under negative bias temperature stress below room temperature has been studied for SiO2 and plasma nitrided oxide (PNO-based) pMOSFETs. It is found that VT degradations in both devices exhibit strong dependence on the electric field and temperature. The analysis shows that this strong dependence follows multi-phonon field-assisted tunneling theory, which indicates the inelastic hole trapping mechanism in the low temperature negative bias temperature instability (NBTI). On the other hand, by applying a low temperature sweeping technique, the energy distribution of these NBTI-induced hole traps below room temperature is indentified. The energy distribution of hole traps has two obvious peaks, one in the lower and one in the upper half of the silicon band gap. Both peaks gradually develop with increasing the stress time and temperature. We attempt to compare the energy profile for SiO2 and PNO devices to identify the trap precursors in NBTI below room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]