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The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to address vaccine coverage inequality. Despite calls from scientists and national organizations, progress in ensuring equitable access to vaccines has been slow. This study aims to reveal the COVID-19 vaccine coverage inequality and investigate the predictive effect of attitudes toward science and religion on real-word vaccination uptake. We draw on three high-quality, large-scale databases to unveil real-world vaccine coverage, which stood at an average of 53% of the population by mid-2022. The vaccination rate varies based on a country's income, with higher-income nations having higher vaccination rates and faster vaccination speed. Regression models and a multiverse analysis reveal that both country-level attitudes towards science and religion, as well as religious faith, are linked to vaccination rate at the country level. Countries where a higher proportion of the population prioritize religious beliefs over scientific evidence when the two come into conflict tend to have lower vaccination coverage rates and slower vaccination speeds. These findings suggest that scientists and policymakers must take into account social and cultural characteristics of populations when addressing vaccine inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfonyl chlorides are a class of cheap and readily available basic chemicals, which have routinely served as electrophilic reagents in their chemical transformations. Herein, we disclose a novel PPh3‐mediated nucleophilic sulfonation method of sulfonyl chlorides with arynes. Different from the classical P(III)‐mediated reductive deoxygenation reaction of sulfonyl chlorides, the valence state of the sulfur atom has not been changed. This protocol exhibits broad functional group tolerance and provides a direct approach to a variety of aryl and alkyl sulfones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origins of Cenozoic granites in the Himalaya are key to understanding the evolution of the Himalayan orogen. However, it is unclear whether these granites represent primary melts, and the nature of their magma source is controversial. Here, we present a systematic element and Sr–Nd–B–Mo isotope study of Cenozoic granites from the Yardoi area in the eastern Tethyan Himalaya, China. These granites can be divided into two groups: mid‐Eocene porphyritic two‐mica granites with low SiO2 contents (65.9−69.6 wt.%) and adakitic geochemical signatures, and mid‐Eocene to Miocene equigranular granites with high SiO2 contents (71.6−75.5 wt.%). The high‐SiO2 granites (HSG) have similar Sr−Nd isotope compositions to the low‐SiO2 granites (LSG), but they have distinct δ11B values of −19.4‰ to −11.4‰ and −10.6‰ to −6.89‰. This indicates that the two groups have different sources, with the LSG derived by partial melting dominantly of metamafic rocks at thickened lower crustal conditions, and the HSG generated by partial melting of the mid‐crust metasedimentary rocks with less enriched Nd isotope compositions. The δ98/95Mo of the LSG and HSG are highly variable with values of −0.68‰ to 0.12‰ and −1.13‰ to 0.46‰, respectively. δ11B values of the HSG correlate positively with δ98/95Mo and Sr/Y values and correlate negatively with K2O, Rb, Zr, and Rb/Sr, reflecting the addition of external metamorphic fluids during anatexis of the metapelites. The B–Mo isotope data robustly suggest source‐controlled compositional diversity of the Himalayan granites, which could provide clues to the physical and geochemical responses during the evolution of a large orogen. Plain Language Summary: Partial melts derived from crustal anatexis exhibit large compositional diversity. The relative influence of source compositions and magmatic differentiation on such heterogeneity is a subject of ongoing debate. B−Mo isotopes have the potential to trace the source compositions of crustal magmas. In this study, we present whole‐rock geochemical and B–Mo isotopic compositions of Cenozoic granites in the eastern Tethyan Himalaya. Samples with diverse mineralogical and geochemical features and ages (mid‐Eocene, early Oligocene, and Miocene) were investigated and can be divided into low‐SiO2 granites (LSG) and high‐SiO2 granites (HSG). Boron isotopes reveal different source compositions for the two groups, with the LSG derived by partial melting dominantly of metamafic rocks at thickened lower crustal conditions, and the HSG generated by partial melting of the mid‐crust metapelites. B–Mo isotopes combined with the variations in element contents/ratios provide evidence for the involvement of external fluids during the formation of the HSG. Our new data suggest that the geochemical diversity of anatectic melts is dominated by the nature of the source, including source lithology and fluid effects. This implies that the Himalayan granites could be potentially in tracing the thermal and tectonic evolution of the Himalayan orogen. Key Points: Boron isotopes reveal different source compositions for the Himalayan Cenozoic granitesB–Mo isotopes provide evidence for the involvement of external fluids during crustal anatexisHimalayan Cenozoic granites can potentially trace the evolution of a large orogen [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel strategy of bisphosphorylation of anhydrides with P(O)–H reagents via a DMAP-catalyzed and DBU-promoted process has been developed. These one-step transformations proceed efficiently to provide convenient access to a variety of P–O–C–P motif containing organophosphorus compounds. In addition, the gram-scale synthesis and the efficient recovery of the by-product highlight the sustainability and applicability of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A TFAA/DMSO/NaF‐based system for the efficient fluorination of P(O)−H and P(O)−OH compounds has been developed. Without adding highly toxic and expensive fluorination reagents, this novel transformation provides direct and compatible access to a variety of fluorophosphonates and phosphonofluoridates in a one‐pot manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone defect seriously affects the quality of life. Meanwhile, osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs could regulate the progression of bone defect. Transcription factors are known to regulate the osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs. The study aimed to investigate the detailed mechanism by which TP53 regulates the osteogenic differentiation. To study bone defect in vitro, BMSCs were isolated from spinal cord injury rats. CCK-8 assay was applied to test the cell viability. The mineralized nodules in BMSCs was tested by alizarin red staining. Meanwhile, TUNEL staining and flow cytometry were performed to test the cell apoptosis. mRNA expression was tested by qRT-PCR. Starbase and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to predict the downstream mRNA of miR-2861. Moreover, western blot was applied to detect the protein expressions (TP53 and Smad7). BMSCs were successfully isolated from rats. The expressions of miR-2861 were significantly upregulated in osteogenic medium, compared with growth medium. MiR-2861 inhibitor significantly decreased the levels of OCN, ALP, BSP, and Runx2 in BMSCs. In addition, miR-2861 inhibitor notably inhibited the mineralized nodules, viability, and induced the apoptosis of BMSCs. Smad7 was identified to be the downstream target of miR-2861, and knockdown of Smad7 notably reversed miR-2861 inhibitor-induced inhibition of osteogenic differentiation and promotion of apoptosis in BMSCs. Moreover, miR-2861 was transcriptionally regulated by TP53 in BMSCs. TP53-meidiated miR-2861 promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by targeting Smad7. Thereby, our research might provide new methods for bone defect treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The damage effect characteristics of GaAs pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) under the irradiation of C band high-power microwave (HPM) is investigated in this paper. Based on the theoretical analysis, the thermoelectric coupling model is established, and the key damage parameters of the device under typical pulse conditions are predicted, including the damage location, damage power, etc. By the injection effect test and device microanatomy analysis through using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), it is concluded that the gate metal in the first stage of the device is the vulnerable to HPM damage, especially the side below the gate near the source. The damage power in the injection test is about 40 dBm and in good agreement with the simulation result. This work has a certain reference value for microwave damage assessment of pHEMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magmatic differentiation of cooling arc lavas on their way to the surface is dominated by fractional crystallization, which predominantly occurs at lower crustal arc levels (25–40 km) at continental margins. The magmatic storage in the deep crust is complex and remote, and rarely studied compared to shallow magma fractionation, but carries key information for the formation and evolution of the lower continental crust. At convergent continental margins, mantle‐derived melts must pass through a complex system of rocks in the lower arc crust. In particular, melts inevitably transition through deep "hot" (melt‐rich) or "cold" (i.e., water‐rich) zones, collectively termed here lower crustal arc zones (LoCAZ) to account for both scenarios. Their role in driving melt modification, including formation and oxidation of calc‐alkaline suites, remains unclear. Here we report stable Fe isotope compositions of 40 well‐characterized Neoproterozoic mafic dikes from the northwestern margin of the Yangtze Block, representing three stages of continental arc evolution. Rocks from the Tongde dikes display strong correlations between δ57Fe values and trace element indices of garnet fractionation (e.g., high La/Yb and depleted heavy REE patterns). An increase in heavy Fe isotopes with garnet fractionation indicates a redox‐filtering of melts through LoCAZ. We thus propose that retention of Fe2+ in deep crustal garnet is one driver for elevated fO2 and the calc‐alkaline trend in continental margin rocks. With continental arc rocks being on average more oxidized than intra‐oceanic arc lavas, garnet redox‐filtering may be an additive oxidizer in thicker arc crust. The Tongde dike swarms may represent a rare, volumetrically small, direct example of melts ejected out of the lower arc crust. The complex mixing and mingling of melts reported for most arcs and their plutons may obscure this redox process contributing to continental crust growth. Plain Language Summary: Calc‐alkaline rocks are widely distributed at convergent continental margins, where oceanic lithosphere is subducted beneath continental lithosphere (e.g., Andes). They generally display low Fe concentrations and high oxygen fugacity, and have important information of formation and evolution of the continental crust. However, generation and oxidation of calc‐alkaline rocks are still unclear. Here, we report stable Fe isotopes for a series of Neoproterozoic basaltic to andesitic dikes in South China. Some of them consist of calc‐alkaline rocks that experienced fractional crystallization of garnet‐bearing assemblages, suggesting that they were formed in the deep crust and reached garnet saturation under high pressures. Considering that garnet contains large proportions of ferrous iron and has much light Fe isotopes, we thus propose that garnet fractionation in deep crust is one dominant factor controlling formation of the oxidized calc‐alkaline rocks at convergent continental margins. Garnet acts as an additive oxidizer in thick arc crust and results in elevated oxygen fugacity in continental arc rocks over intra‐oceanic arc rocks. Key Points: The Tongde dikes formed by fractional crystallization of garnet‐bearing assemblages in lower continental crustal arc zoneGarnet acts as a redox filter in lower continental arc crust but only during the early stages of melt evolutionEarly Fe depletion (forging a calc‐alkaline trend) forms a possible additive process for creating oxidized arc melts at convergent continental margins [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the effect and mechanism of Huayu Wan (化瘀丸, HYW) in combination of chemotherapy of tumor treatment. Methods: HYW serum was added in Lewis cells to assess its impact on fluorescent doxorubicin delivery in vitro. Then, Lewis tumor cells was implanted in C57BL/6 mice via xenograft transplantation. Tumor growth was measured and signal intensity corresponding to blood flow was assessed by laser doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI). Finally, the effect of HYW on the effificacy of doxorubicin was studied. Results: HYW can improve the transfer of fluorescent doxorubicin into cells. The blood flow signal in the tumor tissues of the HYW group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). Furthermore, HYW improved drug delivery of doxorubicin to tumor tissues, and this activity was associated with HYW-induced microvascular proliferation (P<0.01). Conclusions: HYW can promote microangiogenesis and increase blood supply in tumor tissues, which in turn may increase the risk of metastasis. At the same time, HYW increases drug delivery and improves the effificacy of chemotherapy drugs through vascular proliferation. Therefore, rational judgment must be exercised when considering applying HYW to an antitumor regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hiccup refers to the disease mainly manifesting as continuous sounds between the throat with short and frequent characteristics and difficulty to suppress the sounds by patients themselves caused by ascending counterflow of stomach qi against the diaphragm and the counterflow qi rushing up to the upper. Intractable hiccup is the hiccup lasting more than 48 h or the hiccups recurring repeatedly [1]. Primary liver cancer is one of the common malignant tumors in our country. Interventional therapy is the preferred way of non-surgical therapy for treatment of liver cancer. The hiccup is one of the complications after intervention operation of liver cancer, especially in the patients with location of tumor close to the diaphragm. Hiccups after interventional therapy is generally more intractable, which would aggravate pain of patient after the operation, influence the diet and sleep of patient, and increase anxiety emotion of patient. Even the upper gastrointestinal bleeding would occur, which could seriously affect the quality of life of patient after the operation [2, 3]. For the treatment of this disease, the western medicine mainly applies drugs with effects of protecting the gastric mucosa, spasmolysis and sedation, or takes the phrenic nerve block treatment. However, these treatments are limited in clinical application due to the efficacy or safety problems. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are diverse therapeutic methods to treat this disease. Among the TCM therapeutic methods, acupuncture treatment has more advantage in clinic. The author applied acupuncture at jia ji points to treat the intractable hiccup after intervention operation of primary liver cancer, and the efficacy was satisfactory. The report is as follows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a common and distressing side effect. We conducted this clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of true acupuncture vs. sham acupuncture in controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) among patients with advanced cancer. Methods: A total of 134 participants were randomly allocated into true acupuncture (TA) (n = 68) and sham acupuncture (SA) (n = 66) groups. Participants in both groups received acupuncture session twice on the first day of chemotherapy, and once consecutively on the following 4 days. The primary outcome was using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) to assess CINV. The secondary outcome measures were the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score (ECOG), Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS). Results: Compared to the SA group, the TA group didn't show significant improvement in complete response rates of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (all P > 0.05). However, the TA group could modestly reduce the severity of nausea (from day-3 to day-21, P < 0.05) or vomiting (from day-4 to day-21, P < 0.05), which is notably superior to the control group. Besides, TA promoted the nutritional status of patients with a significantly higher score comparing to the SA group on day 14 (21.82 vs.20.12, P = 0.003) and day 21 (22.39 vs. 20.43, P = 0.001). No apparent differences were found in anxiety and depression assessment between these groups. Participants in both groups were well tolerant of acupuncture therapy. There was no adverse event occurs in our study. Conclusion: Acupuncture as an adjunctive approach could alleviate the severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting compared to the sham control, even though the effect of acupuncture in preventing CINV occurring is relatively modest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most common and distressing side effects in patients with cancer. The introduction and development of antiemetic drugs have significantly improved the ability of clinicians to control CINV, but it is not easy to translate to practical application, owing to financial issues, provider-related barriers, and patient factors. Nondrug therapies are needed to alleviate the symptoms of CINV. Acupuncture is an appropriate adjunctive treatment for CINV, but additional evidence is needed.Methods/design: This study is a multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled prospective clinical trial. A total of 136 participants will be randomly allocated into the intervention group (verum acupuncture) or the control group (sham acupuncture) in a 1:1 ratio. All treatment will be given for 5 days. Participants in both groups will receive acupuncture sessions twice on the first day of chemotherapy and once consecutively on the following 4 days. Each session takes approximately 30 minutes. The primary outcome measure will be the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events to assess CINV. The secondary outcome measures will be the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Safety will be assessed at each visit.Discussion: The results of this trial will provide clinical evidence for the effect and safety of acupuncture for CINV.Trial Registrations: ISRCTN Registry identifier: ISRCTN13287728 ). Registered on 28 February 2015. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02369107 . Registered on 17 February 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacteria, which are known as rapidly growing bacteria, are pathogens that are responsible for cutaneous or subcutaneous infections that especially occur after injection, trauma, or surgery. In this report, we describe a species of Mycobacterium abscessus that was isolated from a breast abscess in a patient who was previously diagnosed with granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM). This current case is the first ever presented case of GLM associated with M. abscessus documented in South China. The case presentation highlights the role of M. abscessus in GLM. The association of M. abscessus and GLM is discussed and a summary of breast infection due to Mycobacteria is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introgression of Erianthus arundinaceus has been the focus of several sugarcane breeding programs in the world, because the species has desirable traits such as high biomass production, vigour, ratooning ability and good resistance to environmental stresses and disease. In this study four genetic maps were constructed for two intergeneric populations. The first population (BC1) was generated from a cross between an Erianthus/Saccharum hybrid YC96-40 and a commercial sugarcane variety CP84-1198. The second population (BC2) was generated from a cross between YCE01-116, a progeny of the BC1 cross and NJ57-416, a commercial sugarcane cultivar. Markers across both populations were generated using 35 AFLP and 23 SSR primer pairs. A total of 756 and 728 polymorphic markers were scored in the BC1 and BC2 populations, respectively. In the BC1 population, a higher proportion of markers was derived from the Erianthus ancestor than those from the Saccharum ancestor Badila. In the BC2 population, both the number and proportion of markers derived from Erianthus were approximately half of those in the BC1 population. Linkage analysis led to the construction of 38, 57, 36 and 47 linkage groups (LGs) for YC96-40, CP84-1198, YCE01-116, and NJ57-416, encompassing 116, 174, 97 and 159 markers (including single dose, double dose and bi-parental markers), respectively. These LGs could be further placed into four, five, five and six homology groups (HGs), respectively, based on information from multi-allelic SSR markers and repulsion phase linkages detected between LGs. Analysis of repulsion phase linkage indicated that Erianthus behaved like a true autopolyploid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been rapid economic development in China in recent decades, and demand for energy has consequently been increasing rapidly. Development and utilisation of clean and renewable energy has been promoted by the Chinese government to help sustain long-term and stable development. Sugarcane is being increasingly used in several countries as feedstock for renewable energy products, and is a major and expanding crop in southern China. In this paper, we discuss the potential of sugarcane as a feedstock for bioenergy production in China. It includes a review of (1) the existing sugarcane industry in China and key bio-physical factors affecting the extent to which sugarcane-based industries could supply feedstock for renewable energy production in China, (2) the economic and policy factors which are likely to affect production of bioenergy from sugarcane in China, and (3) recommendations on actions and policies that may assist with appropriate development of bioenergy production from sugarcane in China. Existing and expected future economic conditions are unlikely to favour production of biofuel from the sugar component in cane. However, the fibre component of cane remains an under-utilised resource component. A conclusion is made that sugarcane fibre has potential to contribute towards renewable electricity production in China. However, at present, favourable incentives do not exist to encourage this production. It is suggested that policies to facilitate cost-effective production of renewable electricity by sugar mills, consistent with national objectives regarding production of renewable energy, be considered by governments. Priorities for future research are in improving biomass yields per unit area of land and technologies for low-cost conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with pseudoachondroplasia have complex, difficult to correct deformities including angular deformity, rotational deformity, and ligament laxity. We retrospectively reviewed seven patients (two children, five adults) with 26 segmental deformities (12 femora, 14 tibiae). We performed bilateral femoral and tibial osteotomies in six patients and bilateral tibial osteotomies in one patient. Distraction osteogenesis was used in 20 segments and acute deformity correction was done in six segments. External fixation was applied to all segments. Of 26 segments, there were five good, 12 fair, and nine poor radiographic results with nine major and 12 minor complications. Recurrent deformity in children and refracture in adults were related to poor results. Of 14 limbs, there were four good, five fair, and five poor clinical results with five major and 14 minor complications. Knee stiffness was the most common complication related to poor results in our series, and occurred particularly in patients with simultaneous correction of the ipsilateral tibial and femoral deformities. Therefore, two-stage surgery including bilateral tibial osteotomies first and then bilateral femoral osteotomies is recommended instead of simultaneous correction of the ipsilateral tibial and femoral deformities to avoid knee stiffness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) gene are responsible for two dominantly inherited skeletal dysplasias, pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED). Mutation analysis of the COMP gene in Korean patients with PSACH and MED was performed. All nine patients with PSACH had mutations in the COMP gene, while three of the five patients with MED had detectable COMP mutations. Eight mutations, including three novel mutations, were identified in the COMP gene in the patients with PSACH and MED. Six mutations were found within the calmodulin-like repeats (CLRs) domain, especially in the seventh CLR and the other two mutations were in exon 16 outside of CLRs, which encode the C-terminal globular domain. Among the three novel mutations, two were missense mutations (Asp473Tyr, Asp482His) and one was a consecutive two-codon deletion, delAspAsp(469-473) in the five consecutive aspartic acid residues. All three novel mutations produced the PSACH phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fourth-order bandpass filter scheme and its implementation with multilayer substrates are proposed in this letter. The filter is composed of two second-order filters and an impedance matching network between them, which provides one additional controllable transmission zero. By using two different feedback capacitors, two additional transmission zeros are introduced. The physical layout is fully interpreted and an experimental prototype is fabricated and measured. Good agreement between measured results and simulated results is observed. The results show the high out-of-band suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]