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Background: The motor function defects in stroke patients are mainly caused by damage to brain neurons and network disconnection, as viewed through neuroimaging. Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI and fMRI) are the most commonly used techniques in studying central nervous system diseases. This article reviews recent technological research to provide evidence for acupuncture research and development. Materials and Methods: Relevant articles were obtained from PubMed and China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI) databases, as well as from CNKI database from 2014 to 2023. The data were then reviewed and the citations were examined. Results: The non-invasive technique of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is highly effective in accurately identifying abnormal brain activities, making it a top choice. As MRI technology rapidly evolves, additional techniques such as diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI), and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) can be used to observe post-IS motor neural injuries and related neural reshaping. Conclusions: These techniques about MRI could help doctors better understand the biological mechanisms underlying neural pathways and motor deficits in IS, aiding in the development of targeted therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low sensitivity of working electrodes is usually the bottleneck of the electrochemical testing method. In this work, bismuth antimonate nanosheets have excellent electrochemical performance and are used as the modified materials for glassy carbon electrodes. Bismuth antimonate nanosheets were prepared by a simple coprecipitation method. By changing the calcination temperature and holding time, the effects of these factors on the morphology and structure of the bismuth antimonate nanosheets were investigated. The bismuth antimonate-modified electrode was used for the electrochemical detection of benzoic acid. The results showed that a pair of semi-reversible redox peaks appeared at − 0.48 V and + 0.05 V, and the intensity of the redox peaks gradually increased with the increase of benzoic acid concentration and scan rate. The bismuth antimonate nanomaterial-modified glassy carbon electrode has a wide linear detection range (0.0002–2 mM), low detection limit (0.053 µM) and good cycling performance for detecting benzoic acid. The good electrochemical performance shows that bismuth antimonate nanomaterials have potential application value in the detection of benzoic acid. The glassy carbon electrode modified by bismuth antimonate nanosheets can effectively detect benzoic acid, with linear detection range (0.0002–2 mM) and detection limit (0.053 µM) and good repeatability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurostimulation devices that use rotating permanent magnets are being explored for their potential therapeutic benefits in patients with psychiatric and neurological disorders. This study aims to characterize the electric field (E-field) for ten configurations of rotating magnets using finite element analysis and phantom measurements. Various configurations were modeled, including single or multiple magnets, and bipolar or multipolar magnets, rotated at 10, 13.3, and 350 revolutions per second (rps). E-field strengths were also measured using a hollow sphere ( r = 9.2   cm ) filled with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution and with a dipole probe. The E-field spatial distribution is determined by the magnets' dimensions, number of poles, direction of the magnetization, and axis of rotation, while the E-field strength is determined by the magnets' rotational frequency and magnetic field strength. The induced E-field strength on the surface of the head ranged between 0.0092 and 0.52 V/m. In the range of rotational frequencies applied, the induced E-field strengths were approximately an order or two of magnitude lower than those delivered by conventional transcranial magnetic stimulation. The impact of rotational frequency on E-field strength represents a confound in clinical trials that seek to tailor rotational frequency to individual neural oscillations. This factor could explain some of the variability observed in clinical trial outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that aberrant excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance and dysfunctional structure and function of relevant brain networks may underlie the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the nomological network linking these constructs to quantifiable measures and mechanistically relating these constructs to behavioral symptoms of ASD is lacking. Herein we describe a within-subject, controlled, proof-of-mechanism study investigating the pathophysiology of auditory/language processing in adolescents with ASD. We utilize neurophysiological and neuroimaging techniques including magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) metrics of language network structure and function. Additionally, we apply a single, individually targeted session of continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) as an experimental probe of the impact of perturbation of the system on these neurophysiological and neuroimaging outcomes. MRS, fMRI, and MEG measures are evaluated at baseline and immediately prior to and following cTBS over the posterior superior temporal cortex (pSTC), a region involved in auditory and language processing deficits in ASD. Also, behavioral measures of ASD and language processing and DWI measures of auditory/language network structures are obtained at baseline to characterize the relationship between the neuroimaging and neurophysiological measures and baseline symptom presentation. We hypothesize that local gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate concentrations (measured with MRS), and structural and functional activity and network connectivity (measured with DWI and fMRI), will significantly predict MEG indices of auditory/language processing and behavioral deficits in ASD. Furthermore, a single session of cTBS over left pSTC is hypothesized to lead to significant, acute changes in local glutamate and GABA concentration, functional activity and network connectivity, and MEG indices of auditory/language processing. We have completed the pilot phase of the study (n=20 Healthy Volunteer adults) and have begun enrollment for the main phase with adolescents with ASD (n=86; age 14-17). If successful, this study will establish a nomological network linking local E/I balance measures to functional and structural connectivity within relevant brain networks, ultimately connecting them to ASD symptoms. Furthermore, this study will inform future therapeutic trials using cTBS to treat the symptoms of ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogen isolation and identification were performed on Actinidia arguta 'Longcheng No. 2' occurring bacterial canker from Liaoning Province, China. The pathogenic bacteria were identified as Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) by the analysis of morphology,16S rRNA and gyrB sequence, which were identified as Psa biovar 2 by Psa-specific primer sequence analysis. The pathogenicity tests were carried out with the isolate 'R12' and type strain 'M228' (biovar 3) as a control; the results showed that the phloem of green stems in A. arguta 'Kuilv' could be infect rapidly by R12, and milky mucus flowed from wounds, then the phloem turned black-brown, but it had strong resistance to Psa M228. In order to evaluate the resistance on Psa R12, 54 A. arguta germplasm resources were infected by artificial inoculation of stems, with A. deliciosa cv. 'Hongyang' and A. chinensis cv. 'Xuxiang', as control plant material, and their resistance levels were classified according to the disease index. The 54 tested materials exhibited differences in resistance to Psa R12, but no immune materials were found. In general, the germplasms were divided into five disease resistance categories, including 2 accessions with high resistance 'Jianfengkuilv' and 'TL20013', accounted for 3.70% of all the inoculated accessions; there were 11 resistant accessions, 15 tolerant accessions, 21 susceptible accessions, 5 highly susceptible accessions among them, accounted for 20.37%, 27.78%, 38.89% and 9.26%, respectively. In this study, the screening of disease-resistant germplasms could lay a foundation for further research on gene mapping, resistance mechanisms and breeding-resistant varieties of A. arguta to Psa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC) shows promise as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression in adolescents. Conventional rTMS coil placement strategies include the 5 cm , the Beam F3, and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) neuronavigation methods. The purpose of this study was to use electric field (E-field) models to compare the three targeting approaches to a computational E-field optimization coil placement method in depressed adolescents. Ten depressed adolescents (4 females, age: 15.9 ± 1.1 ) participated in an open-label rTMS treatment study and were offered MRI-guided rTMS five times per week over 6–8 weeks. Head models were generated based on individual MRI images, and E-fields were simulated for the four targeting approaches. Results showed a significant difference in the induced E-fields at the L-DLPFC between the four targeting methods ( χ 2 = 24.7 , p < 0.001 ). Post hoc pairwise comparisons showed that there was a significant difference between any two of the targeting methods (Holm adjusted p < 0.05 ), with the 5 cm rule producing the weakest E-field ( 46.0 ± 17.4 V / m ), followed by the F3 method ( 87.4 ± 35.4 V / m ), followed by MRI-guided ( 112.1 ± 14.6 V / m ), and followed by the computational approach ( 130.1 ± 18.1 V / m ). Variance analysis showed that there was a significant difference in sample variance between the groups ( K 2 = 8.0 , p < 0.05 ), with F3 having the largest variance. Participants who completed the full course of treatment had median E-fields correlated with depression symptom improvement ( r = − 0.77 , p < 0.05 ). E-field models revealed limitations of scalp-based methods compared to MRI guidance, suggesting computational optimization could enhance dose delivery to the target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiwavelength variability studies of active galactic nuclei can be used to probe their inner regions that are not directly resolvable. Dust reverberation mapping (DRM) estimates the size of the dust emitting region by measuring the delays between the infrared (IR) response to variability in the optical light curves. We measure DRM lags of Zw229-015 between optical ground-based and Kepler light curves and concurrent IR Spitzer 3.6 and 4.5 µm light curves from 2010 to 2015, finding an overall mean rest-frame lag of 18.3 ± 4.5 d. Each combination of optical and IR light curve returns lags that are consistent with each other within 1σ, which implies that the different wavelengths are dominated by the same hot dust emission. The lags measured for Zw229-015 are found to be consistently smaller than predictions using the lag–luminosity relationship. Also, the overall IR response to the optical emission actually depends on the geometry and structure of the dust emitting region as well, so we use Markov chain Monte Carlo modelling to simulate the dust distribution to further estimate these structural and geometrical properties. We find that a large increase in flux between the 2011–2012 observation seasons, which is more dramatic in the IR light curve, is not well simulated by a single dust component. When excluding this increase in flux, the modelling consistently suggests that the dust is distributed in an extended flat disc, and finds a mean inclination angle of 49 |$^{+3}_{-13}$| deg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc bismuthate/bismuth oxide nanocomposites have been prepared by one-step precipitation method. Zinc bismuthate/bismuth oxide nanocomposites were used as the electrode-modified materials for the benzoic acid electrochemical sensors. The electrochemical properties were analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetric (CV) method. The results show that the intensity of the CV peaks increases obviously with the increase of benzoic acid concentration and scan rate. The sensor based on the zinc bismuthate/bismuth oxide nanocomposites shows a low detection limit of 0.053 µM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, a wide linear range of 0.0002–2 mM, good reproducibility, and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We could get many helpful information and results from satellite remote sensing images and aerial images, including disaster monitoring, grid hidden danger identification, and electricity consumption management. In the recent years, novel computer vision and deep neural network have got a lot of attention in many fields because of mimicking mammalian cognitive mechanism as much as possible. With the in-depth of mammalian cognitive and motor mechanisms research, people trend to adopt these reliable and efficient methods for power grid management and maintenance.For utilizing computing resources and improving analysing efficiency flexibly, we propose an assessing and verification framework based on bio-inspired perception and understanding, which summarizes the most appropriate image scale in the electric facilities place recognition. The proposed framework consists of different scenes aerial images datasets, several electric facilities place recognition methods, and credible evaluating methods mimicking mammals. Firstly, we gather satellite remote images and aerial images of sufficient electric power facilities in the United States via Google Earth and other public datasets. Then, several typical place recognition methods are adopted to testing recognition ability of multi-scale perception results, like SAD, NetVLAD, and GIST descriptor. To get more reliable result, multi-units and multi-scenes experiments are implemented roundly. After all experiments and evaluations, we could get that the most appropriate image scale is 1000 m size and the highest recognition accuracy of electric power facilities location is 500 m. Conclusion in our article shows the recommended perception form and scale closest to human cognition in the power grid management and maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural disasters cause considerable losses to people's lives and property. Satellite images can provide crucial information of the affected areas for the first time, conducive to relieving the people in disaster and reducing the economic loss. However, the traditional satellite image analysis method based on manual processing drains workforce and material resources, which slowed the government's response to the disaster. Aiming at the natural disasters like floods and earthquakes that often happen in the south of China, we propose a dual-stage damage assessment method based on LEDNet and ResNet. Our method detects the changes between the satellite images captured before and after a disaster of the same area, segments the buildings, and evaluates the damage level of affected buildings. In addition, we calculate influence maps based on the damage scale to the building and estimate the damage situation for electrical facilities. We used images related to earthquakes and floods in the xBD dataset to train the network model. Moreover, qualitative and quantitative evaluations demonstrated that our method has higher accuracy than the xBD baseline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation management is important to the power transmission and distribution networks. The encompassed towering tree is always the key factor of the high impedance faults(HIFs).LiDAR is an efficient way to detect trees with 3D point cloud. The classical tree detection algorithm can handle the tree with high and distinct trunk,but limited to the tree with messy trunks. While the deeplearning based detection algorithms are also suffered from the terrain noise points. In this paper, we propose an efficient LiDAR reconstruction system which can efficiently reconstruct the point cloud of surrounding vegetation without the ground plane noise. We also use different weight strategies to improve the localization accuracy. We have conducted our system on the real power network environment and the height detection result shows that our algorithm has a better accuracy and robustness compared with the classical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulations were done to gain insight whether the shock response of dry sand at low stresses would vary with porosity and whether the effects of friction between grains under confinement could be extracted from the planar plate impact experimental data. The sand sample was modeled as grains separated by voids representing porosity. The simulation procedure coupled grain deformations with frictional sliding at grain boundaries. The shock response of dry sand varied considerably with porosity. The sample compacted through pore closure followed by inelastic pore collapse mechanisms affecting the inhomogeneous response and shock rise time. The sample attained final compaction in the shock state long after attaining peak longitudinal velocity/stress. The calculated shock Hugoniot for a sample of high (40%) porosity was in agreement with experimental data. The Us-Up slopes for sand of 10% and 20% porosity were found to be negative. The calculated σH-ρH Hugoniot suggested that the two slopes would become positive at higher stresses in order to approach the solid Z-cut quartz Hugoniot at full compaction. High porosity sand may never exhibit negative slopes. It is concluded that the effects of friction between grains can be successfully extracted from a coupled experimental-computational approach. This requires measuring the velocity profile in the back buffer, elastic buffer material, and code capable of simulating frictional sliding between grains. The dispersion effect increased the slope of the velocity profile with propagation distance but did not result in a wave speed reduction or shock attenuation. This may be due to the small grain size and sample thickness as well as the absence of grain fragmentation in the present simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramsites have been prepared from iron ore tailings and sludge by controlling the content of the iron ore tailings and sludge, and calcination parameters. Effect of the sintering temperature, duration time and content of the iron ore tailings on the physical properties of the ceramsites have been analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optimal component of tailings/sludge ceramsites is as follows: Iron ore tailings 90 wt.%, sludge 10 wt.%. The optimal sintering parameters of the ceramsites are 1100°C for 30 min. The cylinder compressive strength of the obtained ceramsites is 10.1 MPa. XRD analysis shows that the ceramsites are composed of CaSiO3, Al2SiO5, MgSiO3, Ca7Si2P2O16, CaAl2Si2O8 and Ca2Fe2O5 phases. SEM observations show that the ceramsites consist of pore structure with a size of less than 50 μm. The volume of the ceramsites shrinks and the density increases, which remarkably increase the cylinder compressive strength with increasing the sintering temperature and duration time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A resonant-ring-assisted large mode area segmented cladding fiber (RR-SCF) with a high-index ring in the core is proposed. Numerical investigations of the effects of the high-index ring on the leakage losses of guiding modes, mode area, and electric field distribution of FM of the proposed fiber show the high-index ring not only increases the ratio of the loss between the fundamental mode (FM) and the higher-order modes (HOMs) but also improves the electric field distribution of the FM to be flat. By taking these advantages of the high-index-ring-assisted core, the effective single-mode (SM) operation is achieved in the proposed fiber bent in any orientation, which makes up the defect of the conventional RR-SCF that the SM output is affected by the bending orientation. Meanwhile, the mode area is enlarged. Furthermore, the effects of the heat load, duty cycle, bending, and operation wavelength on the fiber performance are analyzed. The results show single-mode operation in all bending orientations with a mode area larger than 824 μm2 can be achieved at a tight bending radius of 15 cm to 16 cm when the operating wavelength ranges from 1.06 μm to 1.76 μm. This fiber shows great potential in high-power fiber lasers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, we achieve the primary goal of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) STORM campaign by recovering velocity–delay maps for the prominent broad emission lines (Lyα, C iv , He ii , and Hβ) in the spectrum of NGC 5548. These are the most detailed velocity–delay maps ever obtained for an AGN, providing unprecedented information on the geometry, ionization structure, and kinematics of the broad-line region. Virial envelopes enclosing the emission-line responses show that the reverberating gas is bound to the black hole. A stratified ionization structure is evident. The He ii response inside 5–10 lt-day has a broad single-peaked velocity profile. The Lyα, C iv , and Hβ responses extend from inside 2 to outside 20 lt-day, with double peaks at ±2500 km s−1 in the 10–20 lt-day delay range. An incomplete ellipse in the velocity–delay plane is evident in Hβ. We interpret the maps in terms of a Keplerian disk with a well-defined outer rim at R = 20 lt-day. The far-side response is weaker than that from the near side. The line-center delay days gives the inclination i ≈ 45°. The inferred black hole mass is MBH ≈ 7 × 107M⊙. In addition to reverberations, the fit residuals confirm that emission-line fluxes are depressed during the "BLR Holiday" identified in previous work. Moreover, a helical "Barber-Pole" pattern, with stripes moving from red to blue across the C iv and Lyα line profiles, suggests azimuthal structure rotating with a 2 yr period that may represent precession or orbital motion of inner-disk structures casting shadows on the emission-line region farther out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Soluble ST2 (sST2) is a promising biomarker in inflammation, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the association between serum sST2 and poor outcome in patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/ischaemic stroke. Methods: Patients within 24 h after onset and with measured serum sST2 were prospectively enrolled in this study. Poor outcome was a combination of a new stroke event (ischaemic or haemorrhagic) and all‐cause death within 90 days and 1 year. The associations of serum sST2 with poor outcome were analysed by Cox proportional hazards. Results: Among the 430 patients included, the median (interquartile range) sST2 was 17.72 (9.31–28.84) ng/mL. A total of 19 (4.4%) and 38 (8.8%) patients experienced poor outcome within 90 days and 1 year, respectively. Compared with the lowest sST2 tertile, hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence intervals (CI)] for the highest tertile were 5.14 (1.43–18.51) for poor outcome within 90 days and 3.00 (1.29–6.97) at 1 year after multivariate adjustments. Adding sST2 to a prediction model significantly improved risk stratification of poor outcome in TIA/ischaemic stroke, as observed by the continuous net reclassification improvement of 60.98% (95% CI, 15.37–106.6%, P = 0.009) and integrated discrimination improvement of 2.63% (95% CI, 0.08–5.18%, P = 0.043) at 90 days and the continuous net reclassification improvement of 41.68% (95% CI, 8.74–74.61%, P = 0.013) at 1 year. Conclusions: Increased serum sST2 levels in TIA/ischaemic stroke were associated with increased risks of poor outcome within 90 days and 1 year, suggesting that serum sST2 may be a potential long‐term prognostic biomarker for TIA/ischaemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The best management strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with heart failure (HF) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is unknown. Methods and Results: This cohort study was conducted in Olmsted County, Minnesota, with resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Patients with incident AF occurring between 2000 and 2014 with a prior or concurrent HF were included. Patients with LVEF ≥ 50% were designated as HF and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and those with LVEF < 50% were designated as HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Rhythm control in the first year after AF diagnosis was defined as prescriptions for an antiarrhythmic drug, catheter ablation, or maze procedure. The primary endpoint was all‐cause mortality. The secondary endpoints were cardiovascular death, cardiovascular hospitalization, and stroke or transient ischemic attack. Of 859 patients (age, 77.2 ± 12.1 years; 49.2%, female), 447 had HFpEF‐AF, and 412 had HFrEF‐AF. There was no difference in all‐cause mortality (10‐year mortality, 83% vs 79%; p =.54) or secondary endpoints between the HFpEF‐AF and HFrEF‐AF, respectively. Compared with the rate control strategy, rhythm control in HFpEF‐AF patients (n = 40, 15.9%) offered no survival benefits (adjusted HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.42–1.16; p =.16), whereas rhythm control in HFrEF‐AF patients (n = 52, 22.5%) decrease cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17–0.86; p =.02). Conclusions: Patients with HFpEF‐AF and HFrEF‐AF had similar poor prognoses. Rhythm control strategy was seldom adopted in community care in patients with HF and AF. A rhythm control strategy may provide survival benefit for patients with HFrEF‐AF and the benefit of rhythm control in patients with HFpEF‐AF warrants further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is composed of particles of various sizes. Once some particles are removed in a physical or chemical process, the particle contacts and soil microstructure will change, leading to irreversible soil deformations and changes in soil behavior. Understanding soil deformation characteristics caused by particle removal under realistic stress conditions is of great importance to the safety of earth structures. In this study, soil deformations induced by particle removal under complex stress states were investigated through a series of tests on a triaxial internal erosion test apparatus in which fine soil particles were removed through salt dissolution. These tests were performed under common realistic stress conditions: isotropic stress state, triaxial compression stress state, and triaxial extension stress state. Soil deformations, both local and global, were systematically measured using a photographic method. With a gradual loss of soil particles, both the axial and radial strains and the void ratio increased. Greater soil deformations developed under a larger shear stress ratio or a higher mean effective stress. The test results provide solid evidence for verifying numerical analyses of particulate materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) are members of a multifunctional enzyme superfamily. Forty‐one GSTs have been identified in Tribolium castaneum; however, none of the 41 GSTs has been functionally characterized. Here, three delta‐class GSTs, TcGSTd1, TcGSTd2 and TcGSTd3, of T. castaneum were successfully cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. All of the studied GSTs catalysed the conjugation of reduced glutathione with 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene. Insecticide treatment showed that the expression levels of TcGSTd3 and TcGSTd2 were significantly increased after exposure to phoxim and lambda‐cyhalothrin, whereas TcGSTd1 was slightly upregulated only in response to phoxim. A disc diffusion assay showed that overexpression of TcGSTD3, but not TcGSTD1 or TcGSTD2, in E. coli increased resistance to paraquat‐induced oxidative stress. RNA interference knockdown of TcGSTd1 caused metamorphosis deficiencies and reduced fecundity by regulating insulin/target‐of‐rapamycin signalling pathway‐mediated ecdysteroid biosynthesis, and knockdown of TcGSTd3 led to reduced fertility and a decreased hatch rate of the offspring, probably caused by the reduced antioxidative activity in the reproductive organs. These results indicate that TcGSTd3 and TcGSTd2 may play vital roles in cellular detoxification, whereas TcGSTd1 may play essential roles in normal development of T. castaneum. These delta‐class GSTs in T. castaneum have obtained different functions during the evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulk-quantity single crystalline Ge dioxide nanowires (GeONWs) have been prepared via a facile and simple hydrothermal deposition process using GeO2 powder. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations show that the GeONWs have a high purity, diameter ranging from 30 to 300 nm, and length of longer than 10 μm. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, high-resolution TEM, and selected area electron diffraction pattern of the GeONWs indicate that the nanowires are single crystalline GeO2 with hexagonal structure. Room temperature photoluminescence measurement shows that the synthesized GeONWs have intense violet light emission and blue light emission at 370 and 476 nm, respectively. It is proposed that the GeONWs may follow the vapor-solid growth mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smooth silicon nanowires (SiNWs) without metallic catalysts have been prepared using silicon monoxide as starting material by hydrothermal deposition on silicon substrates. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy demonstrate that SiNWs have smooth surfaces and around 170 nm in diameter as well as larger than 10 μm in length. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that each nanowire consists a polycrystalline silicon core and an amorphous silica sheath. Si and silicon oxide, is proposed, are generated from silicon monoxide under high temperature and high pressure of hydrothermal conditions. The growth mechanism of silicon nanowires is proposed as the oxide-assisted growth mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The segregation and pile-up of arsenic atoms at the Si/SiO2 interface in steady state was investigated in detail by a combination of gracing incidence x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (GI-XRF) measurements, electrical measurements, etching on the nanometer scale, and measurements of the step heights by interferometry. Using GI-XRF measurements and removal of the highly doped segregation layer by a sensitive etching process it was possible to distinguish clearly between the piled-up atoms and the arsenic atoms in the bulk over a large range of implantation doses, from 3×1012 to 1×1016 cm-2. The samples were annealed at different temperatures from 900 °C to 1200 °C for time periods long enough to make sure that the segregation reflects an equilibrium state. With additional step height measurements at line-space structures, the thickness of the layer with the piled-up arsenic and the shape of the segregation profile was determined. Electrical measurements indicated that the segregated arsenic atoms are deep donors with an electrical activity that increases eventually to full electrical activation for high sheet concentrations of the segregated atoms. The measured data can be modeled as a steady state of neutral arsenic atoms in the segregation layer with positively charged substitutional arsenic atoms and free electrons. For the highest concentration, a saturation of the sheet concentration of segregated arsenic atoms was observed that correlates with the increase in electrical activation. For the use in process simulation programs, a three-phase segregation model was adapted and calibrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale amorphous silicon oxide nanowires (SiONWs) have been synthesized from silicon monoxide powder under supercritically hydrothermal conditions. The chemical bonding of amorphous SiONWs were investigated with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectrometry. Our results show that the SiONWs are tens of microns long with a diameter from tens to hundreds of nanometers. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) shows that the samples are amorphous. Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDX) analysis reveals that the SiONWs consist of Si and O elements in an atomic ratio approximately equal to 1:1.5. The results of FTIR and NEXAFS indicate that some OH groups are located on the surface of the SiONWs in the form of =Si–OH. The relation between the chemical bonding and the possible growth mechanism was also discussed. During the growth process, water is an important species, which can provide H+ and OH- under supercritically hydrothermal conditions. The H+ and OH- block the defects of =Si–O• and =Si•, respectively, in the form of =Si–OH and stabilize the structure. The =Si–OH can reduce the adsorption activity of the SiONW surface which may be in favor of preventing the growth from the cross section and assisting the growth along the axial direction of the SiONWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional SiC nanotubes with small diameter without metallic catalysts were prepared under supercritically hydrothermal conditions. The SiC nanotubes were characterized by x-ray diffraction, energy dispersive x-ray spectrum, selected area electron diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Raman and infrared spectra. The results show that the samples are SiC nanotubes composed with crystalline β-SiC structure and some residual carbon nanoscale grains. The SiC nanotubes with small inner pores have an outer diameter of less than 10 nm and length of micrometers. The structures of SiC nanotubes are hollow inner pores, multiwall crystalline SiC layers, and thin amorphous silicon oxide outer layers. The substitution reaction model is proposed to explain the formation of SiC nanotubes. C atoms diffuse into Si nanotubes and Si atoms in Si nanotubes are partially substituted for C atoms by substitution chemical reaction, resulting in the formation of SiC nanotubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rocks are heterogeneous multiscale porous media: two rock samples with identical bulk properties can vary widely in microstructure. The advent of digital rock technology and modern 3‐D printing provides new opportunities to replicate rocks. However, the inherent trade‐off between imaging resolution and sample size limits the scales over which microstructure and macrostructure can be identified and related to each other. Here, we develop a multiscale digital rock construction strategy by combining X‐ray computed microtomography and focused‐ion beam (FIB)‐scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, and we apply the technique to a tight sandstone. The computed tomography (CT) scanning images characterize macroscale pore structures, while the FIB‐SEM images capture microscale pore textures. The FIB‐SEM images are then coupled to CT images via a template‐matching algorithm and superposition. Bulk properties, including porosity and pore and throat size distribution, can be recovered with this approach. Permeability prediction with a pore network model for the largest connected pore network are 3 orders and 1 order of magnitude greater than the bulk rock measured value using the CT‐only and the SEM‐CT coupled images, respectively. Key Points: High‐resolution images are used to define templates of microscopic rock texturesTemplates are used to locally refine the details of macroscopic structures in lower‐resolution imagesMultiscale reconstruction recovers the bulk density and pore and throat size distribution of natural tight sandstone samples [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyaniline/bismuth nickelate nanorod composites with different polyaniline mass percentage have been obtained by a simple in-situ polymerizing process. The structure and morpho-logy of the composites are analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The composites have cubic Bi12NiO19 phase. Amorphous sphere-shaped polyaniline with nanoscale size attaches firmly to the surface of the crystalline bismuth nickelate nanorods. A glassy carbon electrode is modified with polyaniline/bismuth nickelate nanorod composites for the electrochemical detection of tartaric acid. Electrochemical responses of tartaric acid have been investigated by controlling such parameters as the scan rate and tartaric acid concentration. The peak current is linearly raised with increasing the scan rate and tartaric acid concentration. The linear range increases from 0.001–2 mM to 0.0005–2 mM and the limit of detection decreases from 0.37 to 0.18 μM as increasing the polyaniline mass percentage from 10 to 40 wt %. Compared with a bare glassy carbon electrode and a bismuth nickelate nanorods modified polyaniline one greatly enhances the electrochemical detection performance of tartaric acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Several clinical trials have demonstrated that dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) benefited patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) with an ABCD2 score ≥4. The present study aimed to investigate whether the ABCD3‐I score could be a more appropriate tool for selection of patients with TIA to receive DAPT in real‐world settings. Methods: We derived data from the TIA database of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The predictive outcome was ischaemic stroke at 90 days. The additive interaction effect was presented by the attributable proportion due to interaction. Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted to present cumulative stroke rates in different risk categories with monotherapy and DAPT. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine risk factors associated with stroke. Results: Among 785 patients, the mean (SD) age was 56.95 (12.73) years and 77 patients (9.8%) had an ischaemic stroke at 90 days. A total of 55.8% of patients (attributable proportion due to interaction; 95% confidence interval, 20.8%–90.9%) were attributed to additive interaction of ABCD3‐I score and antiplatelet therapy. Kaplan–Meier curves showed a significant difference between patients receiving monotherapy and DAPT in high‐risk patients with TIA (P = 0.021). DAPT reduced 90‐day stroke risk in high‐risk patients with TIA as assessed independently by ABCD3‐I score (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.20–0.92, P = 0.031). The benefit did not exist in low‐ and medium‐risk patients by ABCD3‐I score (patients with ABCD2 score ≥ 4 or <4). Conclusions: High‐risk patients with TIA assessed by ABCD3‐I score received the most pronounced clinical benefit from early use of DAPT in real‐world clinical experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chilling injury is an important natural stress that can threaten cotton production, especially at the sowing and seedling stages in early spring. It is therefore important for cotton production to improve chilling tolerance at these stages. The current work examines the potential for glycine betaine (GB) treatment of seeds to increase the chilling tolerance of cotton at the seedling stage. Germination under cold stress was increased significantly by GB treatment. Under low temperature, the leaves of seedlings from treated seeds exhibited a higher net photosynthetic rate (P N), higher antioxidant enzyme activity including superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase, lower hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and less damage to the cell membrane. Enzyme activity was correlated negatively with H2O2 content and degree of damage to the cell membrane but correlated positively with GB content. The experimental results suggested that although GB was only used to treat cotton seed, the beneficial effect caused by the preliminary treatment of GB could play a significant role during germination that persisted to at least the four-leaf seedling stage. Therefore, it is crucial that this method is employed in agricultural production to improve chilling resistance in the seedling stage by soaking the seeds in GB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) on Li doped Bi oxide nanorods has been prepared to study the electrochemical responses of tartaric acid. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows that Li doped Bi oxide nanorods have high electron transfer ability between the electrolyte and the modified GCE. Two pairs of cyclic voltammogram peaks are located at-0.49, +0.04 V (cvp1 and cvp1′) and +0.68,-0.39 V (cvp2 and cvp2′), respectively. The linear range is 0.001-2 mM, and the detection limit is 0.69 and 0.77 μM for cvp1 and cvp2, respectively. The modified GCE on Li doped Bi oxide nanorods shows a wide linear range, a low detection limit, good repeatability and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: IRX3 expression has been functionally associated in obesity‐associated long‐distance susceptibility loci, but the effect of the IRX3 genetic variants on human obesity and obesity‐related metabolism remains uncertain. Methods: To determine the genetic role of IRX3, we conducted a molecular epidemiological analysis using three haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs8053360, rs3751723 and rs12445085) and one nonsynonymous SNP (rs1126960) at the IRX3 locus in 333 junior and senior high school students from a northeast Chinese population. Results: We identified significant associations between IRX3 SNPs and birth weight, body mass index (BMI), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and AST/ALT ratio. The rs8053360 CC and rs1126960 GG genotypes were associated with increased birth weight and BMI, especially in females. Individuals with the rs12445085 TT genotype had significantly higher levels of AST and ALT, whereas individuals with the rs1126960 GG genotype had a significantly lower AST/ALT ratio than did individuals with other genotypes. However, no significant relationships were found between any of the IRX3 SNPs and metabolic syndrome or diabetes. Conclusions: IRX3 genetic variants associate with birth weight, BMI and AST/ALT‐related transaminase metabolism, supporting the role of IRX3 as an obesity‐associated susceptibility gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth tellurate nanospheres have been successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that the nanospheres are composed of orthorhombic Bi2Te2O7 phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) displays that the diameter of the nanospheres is 100-500 nm. The bismuth tellurate nanospheres (BTS) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) has been prepared for the electrochemical detection of L-cysteine (L-CySH). A pair of semi-reversible CV peaks at +0.14 V and -0.84 V, respectively are observed. The BTS modified GCE displays high electrocatalytic activity toward L-CySH and exhibits a linear relationship in the range of 0.0001-2 mM with a detection limit of 0.046 μM in KCl solution. The broad linear range, low detection limit, good reproducibility and stability make the BTS modified GCE valuable for the practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SiC nanotubes have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Research results show that SiC nanotubes consist of hollow inner pore, crystalline SiC wall layers, and thin amorphous silica sheath. Besides most abundant normal nanotubes, bamboo-shaped SiC nanotubes and elliptically hollow SiC nanospheres were also observed. The different morphologies of the SiC nanotubes are closely relative to the diameter of the SiC nanotubes. The confinement effect of other SiC nanotubes may play an important effect retarding the growth of SiC nanotubes to form the hollow SiC nanospheres. Defect inducing growth is proposed to explain the formation of bamboo-shaped SiC nanotubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review, we will describe the immunopathogies of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, IRIS. IRIS occurs in a small subset of HIV patient, initiating combination antiretroviral therapy ( ART), where immune reconstitution becomes dysregulated, resulting in an overly robust antigen-specific inflammatory reaction. We will discuss IRIS in terms of the associated coinfections: mycobacteria, cryptococci, and viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residential solid fuels are widely consumed in rural China, contributing to severe household air pollution for many products of incomplete combustion, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAHs) and their polar derivatives. In this study, concentrations of nitrated and oxygenated PAH derivatives ( nPAHs and oPAHs) for household and personal air were measured and analyzed for influencing factors like smoking and cooking energy type. Concentrations of nPAHs and oPAHs in kitchens were higher than those in living rooms and in outdoor air. Exposure levels measured by personal samplers were lower than levels in indoor air, but higher than outdoor air levels. With increasing molecular weight, individual compounds tended to be more commonly partitioned to particulate matter ( PM); moreover, higher molecular weight nPAHs and oPAHs were preferentially found in finer particles, suggesting a potential for increased health risks. Smoking behavior raised the concentrations of nPAHs and oPAHs in personal air significantly. People who cooked food also had higher personal exposures. Cooking and smoking have a significant interaction effect on personal exposure. Concentrations in kitchens and personal exposure to nPAHs and oPAHs for households using wood and peat were significantly higher than for those using electricity and liquid petroleum gas ( LPG). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Background: b Patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory (R/R) DLBCL and iNHL who are ineligible for, or relapse after, high-dose chemotherapy (HDC)/autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) have a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. B Methods: b Pts with R/R DLBCL or iNHL were eligible for study enrollment but only R/R DLBCL were permitted in dose-escalation phase. SELINXOR COMBINED WITH LENALIDOMIDE AND RITUXIMAB (R2) IN ADULTS WITH DIFFUSE LARGE B CELL LYMPHOMA (DLBCL) AND INDOLENT NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA (INHL) (SWATCH STUDY). [Extracted from the article]

The electrochemical responses of ascorbic acid at the Cu-sulfide modified glassy carbon electrode have been analyzed by adjusting the scan rate, ascorbic acid concentration and species of the electrolytes. Two anodic cyclic voltammogram peaks (cvp1, cvp2) are located at +0.56 V and +0.33 V, and two cathodic cyclic voltammogram peaks (cvp1′, cvp2′) are located at +0.10 V and-0.40 V, respectively. The intensities of the cyclic voltammogram peaks increase linearly with the increase of the ascorbic acid concentration in a range of 0.0005-2 mM and scan rate ranging from 25 to 200 mV s. A Cu-sulfide modified glassy carbon electrode shows good determination ability for ascorbic acid in neutral solutions with the detection limit of 0.18 μM and 0.12 μM for cvp1 and cvp2, respectively, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. Cu sulfide modified glassy carbon electrode shows good reproducibility and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified by copper-doped titanium dioxide nanoneedles has been fabricated and used for the electrochemical detection of ascorbic acid (AA) in KCl solution. Two pairs of peak currents on quasi-reversible electrochemical cyclic voltammogram peaks (cvps) are located at +0.16 V,-0.03 V (cvp 1 and cvp 2) and +0.01 V,-0.44 V (cvp 1′ and cvp 2′), respectively. The relationship between the peak current and AA concentration is linear in the concentration range from 0.0005 to 2 mM. There is also a linear relationship between the peak current and the scan rate. The detection limit is 0.37 μM and 0.25 μM for cvp 1 and cvp 2, respectively, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. A GCE modified by copper-doped titanium dioxide nanoneedles exhibts good stability and has promising characteristics for the detection of AA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAHs) are a group of pollutants of widespread concerns. Gaseous and size-segregated particulate-phase PAHs were collected in indoor and outdoor air in rural households. Personal exposure was measured and compared to the ingestion exposure. The average concentrations of 28 parent PAHs and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) were 9000 ± 8390 and 131 ± 236 ng/m3 for kitchen, 2590 ± 2270 and 43 ± 95 ng/m3 for living room, and 2800 ± 3890 and 1.6 ± 0.7 ng/m3 for outdoor air, respectively. The mass percent of high molecular weight ( HMW) compounds with 5-6 rings contributed 1.3% to total 28 parent PAHs. Relatively higher fractions of HMW PAHs were found in indoor air compared to outdoor air. Majorities of particle-bound PAHs were found in the finest PM0.25, and the highest levels of fine PM0.25-bound PAHs were in the kitchen using peat and wood as energy sources. The 24-h personal PAH exposure concentration was 2100 ± 1300 ng/m3. Considering energies, exposures to those using wood were the highest. The PAH inhalation exposure comprised up to about 30% in total PAH exposure through food ingestion and inhalation, and the population attributable fraction ( PAF) for lung cancer in the region was 0.85%. The risks for inhaled and ingested intakes of PAHs were 1.0 × 10−5 and 1.1 × 10−5, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photosynthetic performance of variegated leaves can be very important in the cultivation and management of variegated plants. Actinidia kolomikta (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. leaves have striking color variation. To clarify the variegated leaf type and photosynthetic cost, we measured leaf structure and ultrastructure, spectral properties, chlorophyll fluorescence and net photosynthetic rate (Pn). The study was conducted in Jilin during spring, summer, and fall in 2013. Leaf anatomy and ultrastructure were observed with light and electron microscopy. Leaf reflectance and pigment content were measured with a Unispec spectrometer and high performance liquid chromatography. Photosynthetic characterization was performed with a photosynthesis system and plant efficiency analyzer. In the palisade tissue of variegated areas, intercellular spaces were found, and cells contained fewer and abnormally developed chloroplasts. Normal chloroplasts were distributed mostly in spongy tissue. The reflectance of the adaxial surface was higher in variegated leaves than in green leaves. The Pn of variegated leaves was 80 to 94% of green leaves, the maximum photosystem II efficiency of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces in variegated leaves was similar to green leaves, and the quantum use efficiency of the abaxial surface was higher than the adaxial surface in variegated leaves. These results show that the photosynthetic performance of variegated leaves was retained well. Th us, variegated leaves are not a limiting factor for cultivation and application in A. kolomikta, and do not need to be removed as parasitic leaves during cultivation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]