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The Ti-MIL-125 metal-organic framework (MOF) functions as a nanoreactor, producing carbon quantum dots (CQDs) within its structure and forming CQD/MOF composites. Similarly, a Pt-CQD/MOF three-component composite is synthesized. Their properties, along with those of CQDs and MOF-free-CQDs (mf -CQDs) enclosed within the MOF, undergo assessment and comparison. Integrating CQDs and Pt minimally alters the MOF structure but reduces specific surface areas due to incorporation. The emitted wavelength of CQD/MOF (570 nm) differs from pristine CQDs (450 nm) and mf -CQDs (496 nm), indicating MOF influence on CQDs' growth and photoluminescence. HOMO and LUMO levels of CQDs/MOF, measured via ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and low-energy inverse photoelectron spectroscopy, are more positive than those of the MOF, suggesting heterogeneous junction formation, aiding electron separation. CQD/MOF exhibits a modest photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 20.4 μmol/g/h. Conversely, Pt-CQD/MOF significantly boosts the rate to 2213 μmol/g/h, underscoring Pt's pivotal catalytic role. [Display omitted] • Ti-MIL-125 MOF functioned as the nanoreactor in the synthesis of CQD. • The MOFs and the CQDs captured inside form the CQD/MOF composites. • The CQDs and those inside MOFs showed different emission wavelengths but similar QY. • Pt particles were incorporated into CQD/MOF for preparing Pt-CQD/MOF composites. • The rate of H 2 generation by Pt-CQD/MOF reached 2213 μ mol h⁻1g⁻1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the application value of preoperative multimodal image fusion technique in microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery via the suboccipital retrosigmoid approach. Comprehensive data of 13 patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and 13 patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) treated by MVD surgery via the suboccipital retrosigmoid approach at the Department of Neurosurgery in Zhuhai People's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperatively, all patients underwent cranial thin-section computed tomography and magnetic resonance examinations. Three-dimensional (3D) digital images of the skull, brainstem, nerves, and blood vessels were constructed by the 3D-slicer software or RadiAnt DICOM Viewer, which were then applied to design the surgical approach and surgical plan. The multimodal image fusion results, clinical characteristics, intraoperative data, surgical outcomes, and complications of all patients were summarized. The 3D digital images after fusion reconstruction can vividly show the anatomical relationship between the skull, brainstem, nerves, and blood vessels and was helpful to tailor the surgical strategy. All 26 patients underwent a smooth surgery. During the surgery, the key points were accurately located, the corners of the transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus were completely exposed, and no venous sinus injury occurred in all 26 patients. The key point was approximately located at the top point of the digastric groove, 12.3 ± 0.46 mm vertically above and 6.3 ± 0.6 mm laterally to the Frankfurt horizontal plane. The average cranial opening time was 30.4 (±3.6) min, and the mean operating time was 104.7 (±12.1) min. The diameter of the bone window was about 2.0 cm–3.0 cm, and the bone flap was restored. Among the 13 patients with primary TN, 12 (92.3%) exhibited complete relief of pain and 1 had significant relief. Complications of surgery included facial sensory numbness in 1 case, vertigo in 2 cases, and herpes at the corners of the mouth in 1 case. Of the 13 patients with HFS, 12 (92.3%) had complete relief of facial twitching symptoms and 1 had significant relief, and the complications included mild facial palsy in 2 (15.4%) cases and facial sensory numbness in another 2 (15.4%) cases. The mean follow-up time after surgery ranged from 6–16 months, and 1 of 26 patients experienced recurrence of HFS during the follow-up period. Preoperative multimodal image fusion technology can provide adequate preoperative assessment for patients and assistance in designing surgical approaches, which is an important guideline for MVD surgery via the suboccipital retrosigmoid approach for primary TN and facial muscle spasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, 59.6% of low-risk prostate cancer patients were under active surveillance as their first course of treatment. However, active surveillance and watchful waiting are difficult to define in population-based cohorts. The primary aim of our study is to develop and validate a population-level machine learning model for distinguishing active surveillance (AS) and watchful waiting (WW) in the conservative treatment group. A secondary aim is to investigate initial cancer management trends from 2004 to 2017 and the risk of chronic diseases among prostate cancer patients with different treatment modalities. A cohort of 18,134 cancer patients with prostate adenocarcinomas were diagnosed between 2004 and 2017 in Utah Cancer Registry. As a subset, 1,926 patients with available AS/WW information were diagnosed from 2010 to 2017 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Prostate with Watchful Waiting Database. Models were trained by four machine learning algorithms, and 10-fold cross-validation was performed. The area under the receiver operating curve, F-score, Brier score, and accuracy were used for model evaluation. Comorbidities diagnoses were identified from electronic medical records and statewide healthcare facilities data. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for the risk of chronic diseases. Logistic regression models performed better than other models in identifying AS from WW accurately. The developed model achieved a test area under the receiver operating curve of 0.73 (range 0.68-0.79), F-score of 0.79, accuracy of 0.71(range 0.66-0.76), and Brier score of 0.29 demonstrating good calibration, precision, and recall values. The top predictors were clinical factors, including Gleason Grade groups (p=0.0003), AJCC stage (p=0.017807), and T stage (p=0.0000109), and demographic characteristics, including race (p=0.007904) and birth year (p=0.046533). We noted a sharp increase in AS use between 2004 and 2016 among patients with low-risk prostate cancer and a moderate increase among intermediate-risk patients between 2008 and 2017. Compared to the AS group, radical treatment was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality;but higher risks of Alzheimer's disease, anemia, glaucoma, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. A machine learning approach accurately distinguished AS and WW groups in conservative treatment in this decision analytical model study. Our results provide insight into the necessity to separate AS and WW in population-based studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although paraquat (PQ) induces oxidative damage and inflammatory responses in the lungs, the mechanism underlying PQ-induced acute kidney injury in patients is unclear. Immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticoids and the immunosuppressant cyclophosphamide (CP) has been employed to treat patients with PQ poisoning. This study examined whether PQ could concurrently cause renal injury, inflammatory responses, and oxidative damage in the kidneys, and whether CP and dexamethasone (DEX) could suppress PQ-induced alterations. Mice were assigned to eight groups: Control, PQ, DEX, PQ plus DEX, CP, PQ plus CP, DEX plus CP, and PQ plus DEX with CP. DEX, CP, and DEX plus CP reversed PQ-induced renal injury, as indicated by urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratios and urea nitrogen levels in serum. The treatments also attenuated PQ-induced renal infiltration of leukocytes and macrophages and induction of the Il6 , Tnf , Icam , Cxcl2 , Tlr4 , and Tlr9 genes encoding the inflammatory mediators in the kidneys. However, DEX only partially suppressed the macrophage infiltration, whereas DEX plus CP provided stronger protection than DEX or CP alone for the induction of Il6 and Cxcl2. Moreover, through the detection of F 2 -isoprostanes (F 2 -IsoPs) and isofurans in the kidneys and lungs and F 2 -IsoPs in the plasma and urine, the therapies were found to suppress PQ-induced lipid peroxidation, although DEX was less effective. Finally, PQ decreased ubiquinol-9:ubiquinone-9 ratios in the kidneys. This effect of PQ was not found under CP treatment, but the ratio was lower than that of the control group. Our findings suggest that the suppression of PQ-induced inflammatory responses by DEX and CP in the kidneys can mitigate oxidative damage and acute kidney injury. [Display omitted] • Dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide (CP) are used to treat paraquat (PQ) poisoning. • Immunosuppressive therapy alleviated PQ-induced renal dysfunction in mice. • The therapy suppressed PQ-induced inflammatory responses in the kidneys. • PQ-induced elevation of renal F 2 -IsoPs and isofurans was suppressed by the therapy. • Lipid peroxidation increased by PQ in the lungs and body fluids was also inhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• AECOPD patients with high CRP exhibited a distinct serum LysoPL metabolic profile. • There is a negative correlation between CRP and some LysoPLs in AECOPD. • Four LysoPLs were significantly reduced in the AECOPD patients with high CRP. • Certain LysoPLs species correlated with prognosis in AECOPD. The precise role of lysophospholipids (LysoPLs) in the pathogenesis of acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD) remains unclear. In this study, we sought to elucidate the differences in serum LysoPL metabolite profiles and their correlation with clinical features between patients with low versus high CRP levels. A total of 58 patients with AECOPD were enrolled in the study. Patients were classified into two groups: low CRP group (CRP < 20 mg/L, n = 34) and high CRP group (CRP ≥ 20 mg/L, n = 24). Clinical data were collected, and the LysoPL metabolite profiles were analyzed using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and identified by matching with the LipidBlast library. Nineteen differential LysoPLs were initially identified through Student's t -test (p < 0.05 and VIP > 1). Subsequently, four LysoPLs, LPC(16:0), LPE(18:2), LPC(22:0), and LPC(24:0), were identified by FDR adjustment (adjusted p < 0.05). These four lysoPLs had a significant negative correlation with CRP. Integrative analysis revealed that LPC (16:0) and LPC (22:0) correlated with less hypercapnic respiratory failure and ICU admission. AECOPD patients with high CRP levels demonstrated a distinctive LysoPL metabolism profile, with LPC (16:0), LPE(18:2), LPC(22:0), and LPC(24:0) being the most significantly altered lipid molecules. These alterations were associated with poorer clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sea bottom of Taiwan Strait harbors a Late Pleistocene paleo-ecosystem significantly distinct from the present ecosystem structure in Taiwan. The assemblage constitutes fossil remains from the genus Palaeoloxodon , the largest known lineage of proboscideans to have walked on Earth. Body mass holds a pivotal role in our understanding of an organism's biology, ecology, life history, and susceptibility to extinction, and thus, is a key trait while working with extinct taxa. Here we, for the first time, assess the body mass of Palaeoloxodon specimens from Taiwan using well-established allometric scaling equations derived from both extant and extinct species. Our results indicate that Palaeoloxodon individuals from Taiwan exceed 10 tonnes in body mass with a mean body mass of 9.32 tonnes, similar in size to Palaeoloxodon antiquus across Eurasia, and an average shoulder height of 3.49 m. Additionally, our statistical pairwise analysis of body mass distribution shows that Palaeoloxodon specimens from Taiwan significantly differ from the largest species in the genus, Palaeoloxodon namadicus. We further employ equations from extant proboscideans and show notable discrepancies due to differences in body shape between extinct and extant proboscideans. Our estimated body masses offer novel insights into the paleoecology and extinction pressures of the Palaeoloxodon population during the Pleistocene of Taiwan. Further research promises to reveal the habitats capable of sustaining megafaunal populations and extinction events along the easternmost margin of Eurasia. • This study provides body mass estimates of Palaeoloxodon from Taiwan. • The mean mass estimate was 9.32 tonnes, N = 15, σ = 3.89. • The highest mass estimate of 13.48 tonnes was represented by a well-preserved ulna. • Lower estimates were derived from tibia specimens, with a minimum of 3.93 tonnes. • Body mass distribution of Palaeoloxodon from Taiwan significantly differs from P. namadicus (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospun poly (γ-benzyl- l -glutamate) (PBG) scaffold felt with aligned fibers shows promising nerve regeneration and neurite growth capability due to the nerve stimulating moiety of glutamate in the PBG material. The nerve regeneration capability can be further enhanced by incorporating 4 wt% minocycline hydrochloride (MH) in the scaffold (PBGMH4). They are useful in the nerve tissue engineering to repair and regeneration damaged nerves in central nerve system or peripheral nerve system. Here we investigate the ambient storage capability of PBG and PBGMH4 by monitoring the changes over time of fiber dimension, mechanical properties of both scaffolds and amount of drug release of PBGMH4. It is interesting to observe the diameter of fibers and mechanical strength of scaffolds increases but the amount of drug release decrease with time. By carefully examining the top view of the scaffolds using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the fiber diameter of PBG increased by 58 % over the 12 months storage period, which is larger than the 32 % increase observed for PBGMH4. Furthermore, after storage for 12 months, the difference in fiber diameter between the top and bottom sides of PBG scaffold is 25.9 %, whereas for PBGMH4 is only 6.3 %. These results demonstrate that the PBGMH4 scaffold exhibits superior storage stability compared to that of PBG. Because the fibers of the scaffolds are aligned without any crosslinkage, the scaffolds are porous structure of felts. The porosity of PBGMH4 scaffold is decreased from 90 % to 72 % which can be accountable for the decrease of drug release from initial 42 % to a stabilized 26 % after 9 months of storage. The results indicate the specific surface area of the scaffolds play an important role in governing drug release kinetics. This study thoroughly investigates the storage stability of PBG and PBGMH4 electrospun fibrous scaffolds. The observed correlations between fiber diameter, mechanical properties, and drug release behavior hold implications for the design of advanced bioscaffolds. The long shelf life of optimal PBGMH4 scaffold shows potential application for the nerve regeneration and controlled drug delivery systems. [Display omitted] • A systematically investigated storage stability and drug release behavior of polypeptide-based fibrous scaffold. • Gravity impact on PBG scaffold felt storage led to an increase in fiber diameter on the bottom side of the scaffold. • The tensile strength of both PBG and PBGMH4 scaffolds increases as the storage time increases. • PBGMH4 scaffolds exhibit superior storage stability due electrostatic repulsion from MH. • The specific surface area of the scaffold plays a critical role in controlling drug release kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Preparation of bismuth based MOF SU-101 by a simple solvothermal method. • SU-101 is a green and efficient MOF material with simple preparation, low production cost, green raw material source, and high water-stability. • SU-101 has excellent adsorption and photocatalytic properties for efficient removal of Cr (VI) • SU-101 can effectively avoid secondary pollution and realize green adsorption desorption cycle. • The mechanism between SU-101 and Cr (Ⅵ) is electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding. In recent years, the environmental problems caused by heavy metal pollution have become increasingly serious. Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)), as one of the most common heavy metal pollutants, has a serious effect on humans and the natural environment, which has aroused widespread concern among many scholars. In this paper, a green metal MOF SU-101 was prepared by solvothermal method, and the adsorption characteristics of SU-101 on Cr (VI) were investigated. SU-101 was simple to prepare, with a variety of eco-friendly raw materials and great water stability. The adsorption of Cr (VI) was a multimolecular layer, non-homogeneous chemical adsorption process, which was spontaneous, entropic and heat-absorbing. The mechanism between SU-101 and Cr (VI) was electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding. In addition, SU-101 also had significant photocatalytic performance, which was applied to the subsequent treatment of adsorbent desorption, effectively solving the problem of secondary pollution and achieving a green and sustainable adsorption desorption cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy storage technology provides a solution to the contradiction between energy supply and demand, as well as the volatility and intermittency of renewable energy. As a representative energy storage system, the coil type energy storage system is of great significance in improving the reliability and cooling economy of building cooling systems. The configuration of coils has a significant impact on the ice storage process and icing rate. This study deals with the experimental and numerical analysis of the influence of different configurations on solidification process. The natural convection and density reversal at 277.15K of water have a significant impact during the cooling process. Therefore, we divide the cooling stage of water into two stages: 283.15K–277.15K and 277.15K–273.15K. Due to natural convection and density reversal of the cooling process, the thickness of the ice layer on the outer surfaces of the upper and lower sides varies unevenly in the horizontal configuration. The phenomenon where the ice layer in the vertical configuration is distributed conical, and the ice layer at the bottom is thinner than the ice layer at the top. As the ice storage process progresses, natural convection decreases from 1.5 × 10−2 m/s to 2.9 × 10−4 m/s. Within 210 min, the thickness of the ice layer in the vertical configuration is 2.27 mm thicker than that in the horizontal configuration. This article aims to study the effects of natural convection and density reversal during ice storage, explore the ice storage rate under horizontal and vertical placement, and provide reference value for practical engineering. To be conclusive, the ice storage rate of the vertical configuration increased by 13.33 % compared to the horizontal configuration. • The impact mechanism of coils arrangement on the ice storage process were analyzed. • The configuration of coils has a significant impact on the ice storage process and icing rate. • The ice layer on the outer surfaces of the coil varies in the horizontal configuration. • Ice layer at the bottom is thinner than the top in the vertical configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lost circulation materials degrade differently under various geothermal conditions. • Thermal degradation can compromise certain materials ability to act as clogging agents. • Breakdown of lost circulation materials can affect the fluid composition and strength around the borehole. • Materials should be characterized by thermal degradability for improving use in geothermal wells. Treatment of lost circulation can represent anywhere from 5 to 25 % of the cost in drilling geothermal wells. The cost of the materials used for lost circulation treatment is less important than their effectiveness at reducing fluid losses. In geothermal systems, the high temperatures (>90 °C) are expected to degrade many commonly used lost circulation materials over time. This degradation could compromise different materials ability to mitigate fluid loss, creating more non-productive time as multiple treatments are needed, but may result in recovering desired permeability zones within the reservoir section over time. This research aimed to study how thermal degradation of eight different lost circulation materials affected their properties relevant to sealing loss zones in geothermal wells. Mass loss experiments were conducted with each material at temperatures of 90–250 °C for 1–42 days to measure the breakdown of the material at geothermal conditions, collecting gases during several experiments to determine the waste produced during degradation. Compaction experiments were conducted with the degraded materials to show how temperatures reduced the rigidity and increased packing of the materials. Viscosity tests were conducted to show the impact of different materials on drilling fluid rheology. Microscope observations were conducted to characterize the alterations to each material due to thermal degradation. Organic materials tend to degrade more than inorganic materials, with organics like microcellulose, cotton seed hulls and sawdust losing 30–50 % of their mass after 1 day of heating at 200 °C, while inorganics like magma fiber only lose ∼5–10 % of its mass after one day of heating at 200 °C. Granular materials are the strongest when compacted despite any mass loss, while fibrous and flaky materials are fairly weak and breakdown easily under stress. The materials do not generally affect fluid rheology unless they have a viscosifying agent as part of the mixture. Microscopic analysis showed that more rigid materials like microcellulose and cedar fiber degrade in brittle manners with splitting and fracturing, while others like cotton seed hulls degrade in more ductile manners forming meshes or clumps of material. The thermal breakdown of lost circulation materials tested suggests that each material should also be classified by its degree of thermal degradability, as at certain temperatures the materials can lose the capability to bridge loss zones around the wellbore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but serious condition affecting mainly children and young adults. Outer membrane vesicles (OMV) from Neisseria meningitidis have been used successfully as vaccines against the disease, although they only provide protection against a limited number of the many existing variants. There have been many attempts to identify suitable protein antigens for use in defined vaccines that provide broad protection against the disease, such as that leading to the development of the four component 4CMenB vaccine. We previously reported the use of a protein antigen microarray to screen for IgG antibodies in sera derived from human recipients of an OMV-based vaccine, as part of a Phase I clinical trial. Here, we show that computational methods can be used to cluster antigens that elicit similar responses in the same individuals. Fitting of IgG antibody binding data to 4,005 linear regressions identified pairs of antigens that exhibited significant correlations. Some were from the same antigens in different quaternary states, whilst others might be correlated for functional or immunological reasons. We also conducted statistical analyses to examine correlations between individual serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) titres and IgG reactivity against specific antigens. Both Kendall's tau and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient statistics identified specific antigens that correlated with log(SBA) titre in five different isolates. The principal antigens identified were PorA and PorB, RmpM, OpcA, and the type IV pilus assembly secretin, PilQ. Other minor antigens identified included a lipoprotein, two proteins from the BAM complex and the efflux channel MtrE. Our results suggest that consideration of the entire antigen composition, and allowance for potential interaction between antigens, could be valuable in designing future meningococcal vaccines. Such an approach has the advantages that it uses data derived from human, rather than animal, immunization and that it avoids the need to screen individual antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death induced by iron (Fe)-dependent lipid peroxidation. At present, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we hypothesized that mitochondria and the NRF2 (transcription factor nuclear factor E2-related factor 2) are potential mediators of ferroptosis, considering their well-established involvement in the oxidative stress pathway. We found that a high iron diet increased hepatic iron content and promoted glutathione (GSH) depletion, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. Dietary iron overload also decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and cystine-glutamate antiporter (SLC7A11), and increased mRNA and protein expression of acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), which are all markers of ferroptosis. Consistent with ferroptosis, iron overload promoted lipid peroxidation and the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Pre-treatment with deferoxamine mesylate (DFO, an iron chelator) alleviated ROS generation and lipid peroxidation, indicating a causative link between iron overload and lipid peroxidation. Suppression of mitochondrial oxidative stress attenuated ferroptosis. Experiments with HEK293T cells revealed that Fe-induced ferroptosis involved direct inhibition of NRF2 binding to antioxidant response elements (AREs) within the promoters of the gpx4 and slc7a11 genes, which in turn induced transcriptional silencing. In conclusion, our study provided a direct link between mitochondrial oxidative stress and ferroptosis via the NRF2-ARE pathway. [Display omitted] • Dietary iron overload induces hepatic ferroptosis in yellow catfish. • Iron overload promoted mitochondrial ROS generation and reduced the MMP. • Mitochondrial oxidative stress mediated iron-induced ferroptosis. • Fe-induced ferroptosis involved inhibition of NRF2 binding to gpx4 and slc7a11 promoters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • ENE in regional recurrence (rENE) is frequently present in OSCC neck recurrence. • Patients with advanced nodal history (N2/N3, ENE+, RT+) are at high risk of rENE. • Recurrent LN >1.5 cm is also closely related to rENE. • Extent of rENE in recurrent neck is significantly severe than in initial neck. • Individualized salvage treatment based on the presence of rENE should be recommended. Extranodal extension (ENE) is a crucial prognostic factor of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the role of ENE in regional recurrence (rENE) remains unclear. The purpose of our study is to assess the salvage outcome according to the presence of rENE in oral cancer patients with isolated nodal recurrence. Oral cancer patients diagnosed with isolated nodal recurrence at the National Taiwan University Hospital between January 2010 and December 2015 were reviewed. All patients were classified into two groups: with and without rENE. The treatment included salvage neck dissection (ND) ± metronomic chemotherapy, salvage ND and radiation (RT)/concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT), Salvage RT/CCRT alone, metronomic chemotherapy, or supportive care. We analyzed 198 patients, 156 with rENE and 42 without rENE. rENE presented more frequently in patients with initial ENE+ (OR = 3.17, p = 0.04), prior RT+ (OR = 2.96, p = 0.02), initial N2/N3 (OR = 2.76, p = 0.01), and recurrent LN size >1.5 cm (OR = 2.33, p = 0.03). The extent of rENE were also significantly different in these patients. The 2-year disease-free survival for patients with and without rENE were 15.7% and 31.7%, respectively (p = 0.002). The 2-year overall survival for patients with and without rENE were 19.6% and 43.9%, respectively (p = 0.004). For patients without rENE, those received salvage ND had better survival outcome (p < 0.001). By contrast, for patients with rENE, those received salvage RT/CCRT had better survival outcome (p < 0.001). The rENE is frequently present (78.79%) in OSCC patients with isolated nodal recurrence. Individualized treatment modalities based on the presence of rENE should be recommended to achieve better salvage outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Measurements of viscoelastic properties and cure shrinkage for epoxy molding compound (EMC). • Effect comparison of isothermal and variable-temperature conditions for P-V-T-C experiment. • Establish a series of experiments and corresponding mathematical model fitting. • A methodology development of estimating cure shrinkage using the two domain modified tait model. • Warpage prediction using cure shrinkage and viscoelastic characteristics of EMC. Product packaging processes often encounter issues, such as warping and deformation caused by the mismatch between the coefficients of thermal expansion of materials. Considerable amounts of epoxy molding compound (EMC) are used in packages. EMC exhibits viscoelastic properties and cure shrinkage, which can substantially affect the stress and warpage of packages. Mathematical models of cure shrinkage at isothermal and variable temperatures have not been comparatively discussed. Accordingly, this study aims to clarify the differences between the cure shrinkage during EMC curing estimated by the isothermal and modified two-domain Tait models. A fitting flow and calculation procedure for cure shrinkage was established to analyze the influence of these models on structural warpage. This study involved the experimental measurements of EMC material properties by using the cure reaction kinetics, isothermal and variable-temperature cure shrinkage, and generalized Maxwell models and degree of cure at gel point. Structural warpage was estimated by developing a process-oriented finite element method simulation and validating simulation results against experimental results. Analysis revealed good agreement between the warpage estimated by the two cure shrinkage models and experimental warpage. Compared with those of the other model, the results of the two-domain modified Tait model better matched the experimental results, with a deviation of approximately 1 %, because this model considered cure shrinkage that precisely corresponds to the actual process. Furthermore, the stress relaxation of viscoelastic behavior was validated through a parameterized post-curing process. Results indicated that although warpage occurrence reduced by extending the post-curing process time, it eventually converged to a certain value. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate and efficient inspection of rebar dimensions has proven to be a persistent challenge for researchers and practitioners. This paper introduces a semantically enriched 3D model-based system that employs computer vision and deep learning for location-aware identification and tracking of rebar issues. The system comprises four modules: (A) digital twin generation, (B) segmentation, (C) inspection, and (D) issue identification and tracking. The generation module constructs 3D models from rebar structures. The segmentation and inspection modules analyze the 3D models, enriching them with semantic information. The issue identification and tracking module exchanges information between the semantically enriched 3D models and the building information models across time. An experiment on a column rebar cage is conducted. A precision of over 90% and a recall of over 97% are reported in 3D instance segmentation. Diameter inspection achieves an accuracy of 95.5% for large-size rebars. Spacing inspection achieves a mean relative error of 0.98%. The defective spacing is identified and tracked. • Fuses deep learning and computer vision to construct 3D semantic rebar model. • BIM- and digital-twin-based information system fulfills rebar quality control. • Autonomous rebar inspection pipeline directly generates issue reports from images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The primary innovation lies in its comprehensive exploration of the structure and photocurrent characteristics of β-Ga 2 O 3 and GaN two-dimensional materials synthesized via liquid metals. • The focus is on quantitative discussions regarding β-Ga 2 O 3 and GaN photocurrent detectors. • Moreover, the investigation delves into distinctions in photoresponse and recovery times, employing concepts like energy bandgap (Eg) and crystallinity structure. This study uses liquid gallium metal to synthesize two-dimensional gallium oxide and gallium nitride ultra-thin layers. Addressing the challenges of conventional methods, this approach combines liquid metal properties with Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) transfer printing, resulting in large-area, highly clean, and low-residue amorphous Ga-based wide bandgap semiconductors. Transformation of amorphous Ga 2 O 3 into crystallized β-Ga 2 O 3 and GaN is achieved through annealing and ammoniation. Comprehensive characterizations confirm successful changes. Photodetector devices are fabricated and characterized, revealing Ga 2 O 3 photosensitive nature with distinct performance metrics. GaN, while exhibiting lower photoresponse, displays rapid photocurrent recovery, making it promising for photodetector applications. This research offers a scalable method for two-dimensional gallium-group semiconductor synthesis, holding potential for diverse optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Methodology for fracture energy estimation of pores located at bonded interface is proposed. • Extended J-integral approach with proper integral path is utilized and demonstrated. • Several porosity levels and distribution of porous materials are modeled by Monte Carlo approach. • Semiconductor low-k stacked films are given as an example by using the present estimation. • Important factors of interfacial fracture are found by the response surface methodology. In view of the fracture failure mechanism induced by low interfacial strength in porous low-dielectric materials, this study establishes an approach based on fracture mechanics theory and finite element simulation to analyze different pore distribution scenarios and interfacial cracks. The study investigates the estimation method of energy release rate for the fracture tip on concerned interfaces with pores and cracks in porous stacked thin films. By incorporating the proposed finite element simulation into J-integral calculations for fracture energy release rate and comparing with previous research, the approach is reliably verified. Subsequently, using the developed simulation approach, cracks and pores in porous materials are analyzed to understand the variations of energy release rates under different structural parameters. Finally, a Monte Carlo method is considered to model porous materials and analyze the fracture energy between dissimilar material interfaces under varying porosity levels. The simulation methodology developed in this study can be applied to estimate the critical value of interfacial fracture energy for corresponding porous materials and heterogeneous material interfaces under external loads. It can serve as a criterion for structural failure assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is an efficient and information-rich technique for detecting lithium-ion batteries. However, the measurement of EIS takes much time, and the lower the measurement frequency, the longer the measurement takes. To address this problem, this study innovatively proposes an EIS prediction method based on a sparrow search algorithm optimized deep neural network (SSA-DNN). The overall measurement time is reduced by extracting features from the medium-high frequency segments, where the EIS measurement is less time-consuming, and predicting the medium-low frequency segments that consume more measurement time. After evaluating the EIS prediction results at different cycling temperatures and states of charge (SOC), it is concluded that the EIS prediction method proposed in this paper has the advantages of fast measurement speed, high accuracy and applicability. Finally, the predicted EIS is used to estimate the state of health (SOH), and the distribution of relaxation time (DRT) is calculated. The results show that the proposed EIS prediction method has a maximum prediction RMSE of 29.15 m Ω , and the measurement time is reduced to 2.94 % of the original measurement time, which can be widely used in various scenarios based on EIS technology. • Proposing an EIS prediction method based on optimized deep neural network. • Reducing acquisition time for complete full-band EIS with less than 2 % error. • The method is applicable to different SOC, SOH, and temperature status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of cancer in the lower respiratory tract is often performed using sputum smears, which is a convenient method. However, due to its high viscosity, it can be difficult to concentrate target cancer cells from sputum. To improve sputum smear and cancer cell detection, it is highly desirable to have efficient sputum liquefaction approaches. Our study focused on the development of a vertical bubble acoustic microfluidic sputum liquefier that can mix sputum and lysis buffer in a harmless and efficient manner. The system can automatically process sputum samples with a wide range of viscosities without vortexing. Moreover, well-liquefied sputum samples can easily concentrate cancer cells, leading to improved efficiency and accuracy of diagnosis compared to the direct smear method. We expect that our device will increase the positive rate of pathological examination of sputum smears in patients with lung cancer in the future. [Display omitted] • A vertical bubble acoustic microfluidic with high efficiency for sputum sample liquefaction. • An automatic, portable, biosafety and easy-to-use sputum liquefier for laboratory workers. • Shorten the liquefaction time and improve the density of cancer cells on sputum smears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of event-based adaptive prescribed-time control for a class of nonlinear systems with uncertain time-varying parameters is considered in this paper. The existence of uncertain time-varying parameters makes the system in question intrinsically different from that in prescribed-time stabilization or event-triggered control. Moreover, the existing prescribed-time control methods require the real-time continuous control input. For this reason, a novel event-based adaptive prescribed-time control strategy is presented by skillfully utilizing a key scaling technique and a new event-triggering mechanism. It is proved that the proposed event-triggering mechanism can enlarge the trigger time interval and effectively reduce the number of trigger moments compared with the existing event-triggered control methods. An important stability criterion is proposed based on the defined prescribed-time adjustment function. Furthermore, the proposed control algorithm can effectively reduce the computational burden and save the control effort. Finally, a numerical simulation verifies the effectiveness of the proposed prescribed-time control algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of locating obnoxious facilities has gained attention, as do environmental issues. Particularly, in view of the impacts of facilities on their clients, Labbé et al. formulated a model, called the obnoxious p -median problem, to locate obnoxious facilities away from the clients. However, this model is a difficult 0–1 programming problem, involving a large number of 0–1 variables. Actually, many of the 0–1 variables can be relieved in some alternative formulations. This paper presents three alternative formulations for the obnoxious p -median problem. Numerical examples show that the formulation based on distance-sorting appeared to be the most efficient one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) not only adversely impact cardiovascular and pulmonary functions but also reduce the quality of life. This study attempted to investigate the severity and related factors of SRBD among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected people with sleep complaints.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected people with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) values above 5 points. SRBDs were defined as Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) over 5 events/hour by full channel home-based polysomnography (PSG). An AHI greater than 30 was categorized as moderate to severe apnea. All of the participants were asked to rate the severity of their snoring, complete a snore outcomes survey (SOS) and complete the PSQI. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associated factors of severity of SRBD among HIV-infected people.Results: Of 54 male HIV-positive patients with sleep complaints, 34 subjects (62.96%) were diagnosed with SRBDs, and 29.63% were categorized as having moderate to severe SRBD. SOS score was significantly associated with HIV patients with moderate to severe SRBD (adjusted odds ratio = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87-1.00, p = 0.045).Conclusions: SRBDs is highly prevalent in male HIV-infected people with sleep complaints. Intensive snoring was one of the indicators associated with the occurrence of moderate to severe SRBDs among HIV-infected people. Healthcare professionals should include snoring screening in the regular course of clinical HIV care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mixed-spin (5/2, 3/2) Ising model is established to describe the antiferroelectric/ferroelectric (AFE/FE) BiFeO 3 /Co bilayer structure. We study the effects of the crystal field, exchange coupling and external longitudinal electric field on the dielectric properties of the bilayer based on Monte Carlo simulation. We illustrate the temperature dependence of polarization, susceptibility, internal energy and specific heat of the system in detail. As well, we depict the phase diagram and point out the rule of the blocking temperature with various parameters. In particular, we find rich and interesting multi-cycle electric hysteresis behaviors. The results show that these parameters play a crucial part in the physical properties of the AFE/FE BiFeO 3 /Co bilayer structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides an overview of intraocular pressure (IOP) changes due to surgery and anesthesia. Intubation and pneumoperitoneum with CO 2 are associated with increased IOP. Trendelenburg, prone, and lateral decubitus positions are associated with increased IOP. Propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) attenuates elevated IOP, and may reduce postoperative visual loss. Attenuation of an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) is crucial to preventing devastating postoperative visual loss following surgery. IOP is affected by several factors, including the physiologic alteration due to pneumoperitoneum and patient positioning and differences in anesthetic regimens. This study aimed to investigate the effects of propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and volatile anesthesia on IOP. We searched multiple databases for relevant studies published before October 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of propofol-based TIVA and volatile anesthesia on IOP during surgery were considered eligible for inclusion. Twenty studies comprising 980 patients were included. The mean IOP was significantly lower in the propofol-based TIVA group after intubation, pneumoperitoneum, Trendelenburg positioning, and lateral decubitus positioning. Moreover, mean arterial pressure and peak inspiratory pressure were also lower after intubation in the propofol-based TIVA group. Trial sequential analyses for these outcomes were conclusive. Propofol-based TIVA is more effective than volatile anesthesia during surgery at attenuating the elevation of IOP and should be considered, especially in at-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic breathing disorder characterized by intermittent sleep state-dependent upper airway (UA) collapse. The tongue comprises the primary UA dilator muscle and plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of OSA. We examined whether tongue stiffness measurement using ultrasound (US) shear wave elastography (SWE) is useful for predicting the existence of OSA. Forty-six participants (20 healthy controls and 26 patients with OSA) underwent transcutaneous submental SWE using a US system. Quantification with a shear modulus of 0-200 kPa was recorded during normal breathing and Müller's maneuver (MM). Polysomnography was used as the reference standard. Mid-sagittal tongue stiffness was significantly higher in awake patients with OSA than in controls during normal breathing and the MM (p < 0.0001). The posterior third of the tongue in patients with OSA had the highest value of shear modulus during the MM (p < 0.001). With cut-offs of 27.6 and 35.2 kPa for the whole tongue and posterior third during the MM, respectively, the sensitivity obtained was 69.2% and 76.9%, and the specificity was 85% and 95%, respectively, for detecting OSA. The corresponding areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.82 and 0.88, respectively. US SWE may have the potential for non-invasive tongue stiffness measurement in OSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technology had been adopted to analyze the structures and properties of Cu2+ and VO2+ in Biochar (BG1 and BG2), but the local structural properties have not been clarified up to now. In present work, three possible structures (orthorhombically, rhombically and tetragonally elongated octahedra) are proposed for Cu2+ in BG1 and BG2 samples, and the former seems most reasonable in view of the best agreement between the theoretical EPR parameters based on the perturbation formulae and the experimental data. As for the VO2+ center, unlike the previous assignment of the tetragonally elongated [VO 5 ]6− cluster based on the simple formulae of EPR parameters, presently proposed tetragonally compressed [VO 6 ]8− cluster and the high order perturbation formulae of the EPR parameters yields good agreement with the observed values. This point is also supported by the d-d optical absorption 2B 1g →2B 2g for tetragonally compressed octahedral 3 d1 systems. • Local structure of amorphous biochar is investigated for Cu2+ and V4+. • Based on the analysis of experimental work, several improved discussions are completed. • High concentration of O in biochar may induce strong distortion along C 4 axis. • Cu2+ and VO2− in BG1 and BG2 form orthorhombically elongated octahedra and tetragonally compressed octahedra, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the leader-following consensus problem for high-order stochastic nonlinear multi-agent systems. Each agent is in the strict feedback form with nonlinear functions in drift and diffusion terms and admitting time-varying incremental rates. A novel distributed observer-type consensus protocol is proposed based only on the relative output measurements of neighboring agents. The dynamic gains in controller are designed to compensate for the time-varying coefficients of nonlinear functions. By using appropriate state transformation, it is proved that the 1th moment exponential leader-following consensus is guaranteed by the proposed protocol. Different from some existing approaches, the proposed method only requires the output information of neighboring agents to be shared and does not need the observers' full state variables to be transmitted, thus the network bandwidth is saved. In addition, the controller is constructed without using the traditional backstepping method, which makes the design procedure simple and convenient for use. Finally, a simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty five novel chemical analogs of the previously reported Aurora kinase inhibitor BPR1K653 (1-(4-(2-((5-chloro-6-phenylfuro[2,3- d ]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)ethyl)phenyl)-3-(2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)urea) have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated by Aurora-A and Aurora-B enzymatic kinase activity assays. Similar to BPR1K653 , analogs 3b - 3h bear alkyl or tertiary amino group at the ortho position of the phenylurea, and showed equal or better inhibition activity for Aurora-B over Aurora-A. Conversely, preferential Aurora-A inhibition activity was observed when the same functional group was moved to the meta position of the phenylurea. Compounds 3m and 3n , both of which harbor a tertiary amino group at the meta position of the phenylurea, showed 10–16 fold inhibition selectivity for Aurora-A over Aurora-B. The in vitro kinase inhibition results were verified by Western blot analysis, and indicated that compounds 3m and 3n were more than 75-fold superior in inhibiting T-loop autophosphorylation of Aurora-A (Thr288), compared to Aurora-B (Thr232) in HCT116 colon carcinoma cells. The computational docking analysis suggested that the tertiary amine at the meta position of the phenylurea formed a more stable interaction with residues in the back pocket of Aurora-A than in Aurora-B, a possible explanation for the observed discrepancy in the selectivity. These results support an alternative small molecule design strategy targeting the back pocket of Aurora kinases for selective isoform inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor selective near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent contrast agents has the potential to greatly enhance the efficiency and precision of tumor surgery by enabling real-time tumor margin identification for tumor resection guided by imaging. However, the development of these agents is still challenging. In this study, based on the acidic tumor microenvironment (TME), we designed and synthesized a novel pH-sensitive NIR fluorescent contrast agent OBD from β-carboline. The fluorescence quantum yield of OBD exhibited a notable increase at pH 3.6, approximately 12-fold higher compared to its value at pH 7.4. After cellular uptake, OBD lighted up the cancer cells with high specificity and accumulated in the mitochondria. Spraying OBD emitted selective fluorescence in xenograft tumor tissues with tumor-to-normal tissue ratios (TNR) as high as 11.18, implying successful image-guided surgery. Furthermore, OBD was also shown to track metastasis in spray mode. After simple topical spray, OBD rapidly and precisely visualized the tumor margins of clinical colon and liver tissues with TNR over 4.2. Therefore, the small-molecule fluorescent contrast agent OBD has promising clinical applications in tumor identification during surgery. [Display omitted] • Fluorescent contrast agent OBD derived from β-carboline was rapidly activated under acidic TME. • The fluorescence quantum yield of OBD at pH 3.6 was 12-fold higher than pH 7.4. • OBD selectively lighted up cancer cells with tumor-to-normal fluorescent ratios of 4∼6. • OBD traced both xenograft and metastatic tumors to guide surgical resection in vivo. • OBD identified tumor margins of clinical colon/liver tissues after simple spray with TNR >4.2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amygdala plays crucial roles in emotional processing, motivated behaviors, and stress responses. It receives sensory information and modulates fear- and anxiety-related behaviors. Neuronal activations are induced in the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA) and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) when exposing to acute stress, leading to increased alertness and proper behavioral adaptation. Previous studies have shown that animals displayed a decrease in appetitive motivated behaviors under stress conditions. However, whether the hyperactive amygdala is responsible for the decrease in appetitive motivated behaviors remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of BLA or CeA activation in effort-based motivated behavior. We pharmacologically activated the BLA or the CeA with N -methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA) before the lever-pressing for food reward test on different fixed-ratio (FR) schedules (FR1, FR16, or FR32) in male Long-Evans rats. Our data showed that activation of either the BLA or the CeA with NMDA (0.05 μg in 0.5 μl per site) decreased the lever-pressing behavior on higher FR schedules of FR16 and FR32, but not on the FR1 test. Importantly, locomotor activity and free-feeding food intake were intact under amygdala activation, suggesting that the decrease in lever-pressing behavior was not due to motor disablement or decreased appetite. These results suggested that activation of the BLA or the CeA negatively impaired the effort-based motivated behavior that the animals were less willing to work for food reward. • Amygdala activation left locomotor activity and free food-intake intact. • Amygdala activation transiently suppressed lever-pressing behavior. • Amygdala activation did not interfere with low-effort motivated behavior. • Hyperactive amygdala impaired the motivated behavior that required higher effort. • Amygdala played roles in the effort-based motivated behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A method was developed to remove extranuclear DNA in isolated cell nuclei. • The method enabled quantification of pDNA copy number per nucleus post electrotransfection. • The experimental data improved a theoretical framework of electrotransfection. • The study predicted spatiotemporal profile of pDNA in individual cells. Electrotransfection is a non-viral method for delivery of nucleic acids into cells. In our previous study, we have determined the minimal copy number of plasmid DNA (pDNA) per cell required for transgene expression post electrotransfection, and developed a statistical framework to predict the pDNA copy number in the nucleus. To experimentally verify the prediction, the current study was designed to quantify the average copy number of pDNA per nucleus post electrotransfection. To achieve it, we developed a novel approach to effectively obtain isolated nuclei with minimal contamination by extranuclear pDNA. This sample preparation method enabled us to accurately measure intranuclear pDNA using quantitative real-time PCR. The data showed that the copy number of pDNA per nucleus was dependent on the period of cell culture post pulsing and the pDNA dose for electrotransfection. Additionally, the data were used to improve the statistical framework for understanding kinetics of pDNA transport in cells, and predicting how the kinetics depended on different factors. It is expected that the framework and the methodology developed in the current study will be useful for evaluating factors that may affect kinetics and mechanisms of pDNA transport in cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of herbal drug pharmacokinetic interactions on the biotransformation of molnupiravir and its metabolite β-D-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) in the blood and brain. To investigate the biotransformation mechanism, a carboxylesterase inhibitor, bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP), was administered. Not only molnupiravir but also the herbal medicine Scutellaria formula-NRICM101 is potentially affected by coadministration with molnupiravir. However, the herb-drug interaction between molnupiravir and the Scutellaria formula-NRICM101 has not yet been investigated. We hypothesized that the complex bioactive herbal ingredients in the extract of the Scutellaria formula-NRICM101, the biotransformation and penetration of the blood brain barrier of molnupiravir are altered by inhibition of carboxylesterase. To monitor the analytes, ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC MS/MS) coupled with the microdialysis method was developed. Based on the dose transfer from humans to rats, a dose of molnupiravir (100 mg/kg, i.v.), molnupiravir (100 mg/kg, i.v.) + BNPP (50 mg/kg, i.v.), and molnupiravir (100 mg/kg, i.v.) + the Scutellaria formula-NRICM101 extract (1.27 g/kg, per day, for 5 consecutive days) were administered. The results showed that molnupiravir was rapidly metabolized to NHC and penetrated into the brain striatum. However, when concomitant with BNPP, NHC was suppressed, and molnupiravir was enhanced. The blood-to-brain penetration ratios were 2% and 6%, respectively. In summary, the extract of the Scutellaria formula-NRICM101 provides a pharmacological effect similar to that of the carboxylesterase inhibitor to suppress NHC in the blood, and the brain penetration ratio was increased, but the concentration is also higher than the effective concentration in the blood and brain. [Display omitted] • Pharmacokinetic interaction between the herbal extract Scutellaria formula-NRICM101 with the anti-COVID-19 molnupiravir. • Bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP) is a carboxylesterase inhibitor that blocks the biotransformation of molnupiravir. • The active metaboliteβ-D-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) was inhibited by the herbal extract of the Scutellaria formula-NRICM101. • With concomitant administration of molnupiravir and the Scutellaria formula-NRICM101, the NHC is also higher than the effective concentration 50 (EC 50). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is one of the most indispensable elements for human beings. People can live without food for a couple of weeks but cannot live without water for a couple of days. Unfortunately, drinking water is not always safe around the world; in many areas, the water for drinking could be contaminated with various microbes. However, the total viable microbe count in water still relies on culture-based methods in laboratories. Therefore, in this work, we report a novel, simple, and highly efficient strategy to detect live bacteria in water via a nylon membrane-integrated centrifugal microfluidic device. A handheld fan and a rechargeable hand warmer were utilized as the centrifugal rotor and the heat resource for reactions, respectively. The bacteria in water can be rapidly concentrated >500-fold by our centrifugation system. After incubation with water-soluble tetrazolium-8 (WST-8), the color change of the nylon membranes can be visually interpreted directly by the naked eye or recorded with a smartphone camera. The whole process can be finished in 3 h, and the detection limit can reach 102 CFU/mL. The detection range ranges from 102 CFU/mL to 105 CFU/mL. The cell counting results of our platform are highly positively correlated with the results of cell counting by the conventional lysogeny broth (LB) agar plate approach or the commercial 3 M Petrifilm™ cell counting plate. Our platform provides a convenient and sensitive strategy for rapid monitoring. We highly anticipate that this platform can improve water quality monitoring in resource-poor countries in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fault diagnosis method for electric vehicle power batteries based on a time-frequency diagram is proposed. First, the original voltage signal is decomposed by improved variational mode decomposition to eliminate the influence of battery inconsistency on battery feature extraction. Then, the continuous wavelet transform is used to transform the one-dimensional signal into a two-dimensional time-frequency diagram, and the image entropy is used to reflect the characteristic parameters of the battery fault. Finally, the abnormal battery is marked with clustering algorithm. It is verified by real vehicle data that the proposed method can identify the battery fault and advance the identification time. • Decomposing voltage signals to reduce the impact of battery inconsistencies. • Extract battery fault features from time-frequency domains to improve sensitivity. • The clustering algorithm is used to realize the recognition of the fault battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a working environment which requires professional knowledge and judgment-making ability, professional trainers play an important role; through effective professional training, they can help newcomers to successfully apply their expertise in the workplace. Hence, how to cultivate excellent professional trainers has become an important issue of talent cultivation for various enterprises. In a hospital, professional trainers with excellent teaching ability can not only help new nursing staff develop their ability for handling practical cases, but may also affect their sense of identity recognition for the nursing profession. Teaching plan design and materials production courses for professional trainers in general hospitals are still taught using a conventional lecturing method. Such training mostly focuses on medical professional content and techniques, rather than teaching plan design and content organization. A few training institutions have attempted to use digital storytelling (DST) to train professional trainers in teaching plan design and content organization. However, conventional DST pays more attention to the content of the story, and lacks emotional expression and interaction. In order to tackle this problem, the present study proposed a robot-based DST approach based on the Brainstorming, Selection, Forming, and Evaluation (BSFE) model. To verify its effectiveness, this study conducted an experiment in a Diabetes Teaching Plan Design and Materials Production course. The results showed that in comparison with the conventional DST (C-DST) learning approach, the R-DST learning approach could enhance professional trainers' learning achievement, learning attitude, critical thinking awareness, and learning satisfaction. On the other hand, it also increased their cognitive load. • A robot-based digital storytelling approach for professional trainers is proposed. • The approach is based on a Brainstorming, Selection, Forming and Evaluation model. • An experiment was conducted in a nursing training program of a hospital. • The approach improved professional trainers' learning effectiveness and quality. • The approach improved trainers' learning attitude, satisfaction and critical thinking awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Enhanced hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions utilizing active pure PAW water. • The proposed strategy being applicable to inert and catalytic electrodes for OERs. • Active and stable PAW-C as a green solvent applicable to more-effective OERs and HERs. Noble metals, like platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and gold (Au), that possess special electronic configurations, are popularly used in renewable energy technologies of oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions (OER and HER). Recently, approaches for renewable energies have focused on earth-abundant and cheap catalysts with different chemical compositions and structures. In this work, we propose an alternative strategy for OERs and HERs, focusing on water itself, utilizing Au-free condensed water (PAW-C) from heated trace Au-containing plasmon-activated water (PAW). Compared to active PAW, the electron-doping structure of PAW-C was reduced, while the degree of reduced hydrogen bonds (HBs) in PAW-C was enhanced. Encouragingly, compared to deionized water (DIW)-based 0.1 M KOH solutions, the measured current densities of OERs on a catalytic Pt electrode were significantly higher by average magnitudes of 45% and 23% for the PAW-C-based and PAW-based 0.1 M KOH solutions, respectively. Compared to the DIW-based 0.1 M H 2 SO 4 solution, the measured current density of HER on a catalytic Pt electrode was significantly higher by an average magnitude of 20% for the PAW-C-based 0.1 M H 2 SO 4 solution (an average higher magnitude of 15% for the PAW-based solution). Moreover, this proposed strategy was applicable to inert carbon and stainless steel electrodes for OERs. After aging for 3 days, the activity of the PAW-C of enhancing OERs was reduced by only ca. 5%. This fact indicates that its practical applications are promising. Active and stable PAW-C has emerged as a promising green solvent applicable to more-effective OERs and HERs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three molar fossils of murine rodents were newly discovered from an outcrop in the Tsailiao area of Tainan City, ROC. They were dated to the early Middle Pleistocene (ca. 0.7 Ma) based on the stratigraphic and chronological data for the layers distributed at and around the outcrop. A detailed systematic analysis of the fossils reliably referred them to Bandicota indica. This species is now distributed widely in the Oriental Region, including Taiwan, where it usually lives in human-associated environments. Therefore, it is generally believed that this species was introduced artificially into Taiwan very recently. However, the fossils demonstrate that B. indica inhabited Taiwan in the early Middle Pleistocene. They also imply that this species has inhabited Taiwan continuously since the early Middle Pleistocene, although this inference must be tested with nonmorphological methods. The literature on the fossil record of Bandicota was examined to understand its chronospatial distribution throughout the Oriental Region, and indicates that the fossils from the Tsailiao area represent the earliest record of B. indica. The history of the species is discussed on the basis of these data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The advent of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) was considered as a potential improvement in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after the groundbreaking development of drug eluting stents (DES). However, the clinical performance, long-term safety and efficacy of BVS in complex coronary lesions remain uncertain. COMPARE ABSORB, a multicenter, single blind, prospective randomized trial, aims to compare the clinical outcomes between the Absorb BVS and Xience everolimus-eluting metallic stent (EES) in patients with coronary artery disease and a high risk of restenosis.Design: COMPARE ABSORB is designed to enroll 2100 patients at up to 45 European sites. Enrolled patients will possess high risk for restenosis due to clinical profile or coronary lesion complexity and will undergo elective or emergent PCI. Once included in the study, patients will receive either Absorb BVS or Xience EES. Specific advice on implantation technique including mandatory pre-dilatation, sizing and post-dilatation (PSP), will be used in the Absorb BVS arm. The primary endpoint is target lesion failure (TLF), a device-oriented composite endpoint (cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction and clinically-indicated target lesion revascularization). The trial is powered to assess non-inferiority of Absorb BVS compared with Xience EES with a predetermined non-inferiority margin of 4.5% at 1 year after index procedure. The clinical follow-up will continue for 7 years.Conclusions: The prospective COMPARE ABSORB randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.govNCT02486068) will help to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of Absorb BVS compared with Xience EES in the treatments of patients with complex coronary artery disease and a high attendant risk of restenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Under a fixed directed graph, the leader-following output consensus problem is investigated for a class of nonlinear time delay multiagent systems with the less conservative condition on nonlinear functions. It is the first time that the output feedback consensus algorithms are proposed for nonlinear multiagent systems with time delays on the state. Moreover, the proposed algorithms have a simple design procedure and can be used to address the consensus problem of nonidentical multiagent systems. A novel dynamic compensator is designed for each follower and the distributed memoryless controller is constructed based on the compensator. The controller is independent of time delays, which depends only on the follower output and the relative output information of its neighbor agents, and it can render that all outputs of the agents achieve a consensus. Furthermore, it is proved that the resulting closed-loop system is stable in the sense of semi-global (global) boundedness. Finally, the effectiveness of the output feedback distributed consensus algorithms is demonstrated by a simulation example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Basolateral amygdala (BLA) was activated in rats with no stress history. • Rats demonstrated inconsistency in anxiety levels depending on task demands. • No difference in performance in despair-like behavior of forced swim test. • BLA activation down-regulated dopamine activity. Abstract All individuals face different challenges every day. Under threats, the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) is engaged to initiate proper physiological and behavioral responses. In this study, we pharmacologically activated the BLA in rats with no stress history to examine how animals regulated their anxiety- and despair-like behaviors in face of different task demands, as well as their dopamine (DA) activity in ventral tegmental area (VTA). The number of spontaneously firing VTA DA neurons, defined as "population activity", decides the amplitude of DA response to external stimuli, which can be assessed by the behavioral responses of the animals to amphetamine (AMPH) administration; several studies have shown that the level is positively correlated with the AMPH-induced increase in locomotor activity. Our results showed that for anxiety-like behaviors, rats displayed lower anxiety levels in elevated plus maze (EPM) and marble burying test, but increased anxiety level in social interaction test. For despair-like behaviors, there was no difference in performance in the forced swim test (FST) we conducted. Finally, systemic injection of AMPH increased locomotor activity, which was dampened with BLA activation. The inconsistency in anxiety levels in different tasks demonstrated that rats adapted their behavioral strategies to different experimental settings. Together, our results suggested that BLA activation prepared the animals towards different modality of challenges and down-regulated their DA reward system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In Escherichia coli , ClpYQ (HslUV) is a two-component ATP-dependent protease, in which ClpQ is the peptidase subunit and ClpY is the ATPase and unfoldase. ClpY functions to recognize protein substrates, and denature and translocate the unfolded polypeptides into the proteolytic site of ClpQ for degradation. However, it is not clear how the natural substrates are recognized by the ClpYQ protease and the mechanism by which the substrates are selected, unfolded and translocated by ClpY into the interior site of ClpQ hexamers. Both Lon and ClpYQ proteases can degrade SulA, a cell division inhibitor, in bacterial cells. In this study, using yeast two-hybrid and in vivo degradation analyses, we first demonstrated that the C-terminal internal hydrophobic region (139th∼149th aa) of SulA is necessary for binding and degradation by ClpYQ. A conserved region, GFIMRP, between 142th and 147th residues of SulA, were identified among various Gram-negative bacteria. By using MBP-SulA(F143Y) (phenylalanine substituted with tyrosine) as a substrate, our results showed that this conserved residue of SulA is necessary for recognition and degradation by ClpYQ. Supporting these data, MBP-SulA(F143Y), MBP-SulA(F143N) (phenylalanine substituted with asparagine) led to a longer half-life with ClpYQ protease in vivo. In contrast, MBP-SulA(F143D) and MBP-SulA(F143S) both have shorter half-lives. Therefore, in the E. coli ClpYQ protease complex, ClpY recognizes the C-terminal region of SulA, and F143 of SulA plays an important role for the recognition and degradation by ClpYQ protease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • There was a 61–80% mean reduction in seizures with a median follow-up of 54 months. • Open-loop electrical cortical stimulation can stop EPC immediately with a sustainable effect. • Open-loop electrical stimulation can control seizures in developmental cortical malformation. Abstract Objective To report the long-term seizure control and safety of open-loop electrical cortical stimulation in patients with refractory focal epilepsy of diverse etiologies. Methods Six patients who received a therapeutic trial of cortical stimulation were included retrospectively. The frequency of seizures was recorded before and after implantation. Surgical procedure- and stimulation-related adverse effects were also recorded. Results The mean reductions in seizures were 61% at 1 year, 68% at 2 years, and 80% at 3–7 years post-implantation. The median follow-up time was 54 months (range 36–156 months). The etiologies of epilepsy included polymicrogyria in two patients, post-traumatic in one patient, and periventricular heterotopia, post-encephalitis, and familial lateral temporal lobe epilepsy in the remaining three patients. Status epilepticus stopped immediately after stimulation in three patients with focal status epilepticus or epilepsia partialis continua at baseline, with a long-term reduction in seizures of more than 90% and improvements in conscious level. Tissue incompatibility with the connection wire was noted in one patient, which subsided after the system was removed. Conclusions Open-loop cortical stimulation of epileptic foci improved seizure control in our patients with refractory focal epilepsy of diverse etiologies. Electrical cortical stimulation stopped epilepsia partialis continua/focal status epilepticus immediately after the intervention and exhibited a sustained effect in reducing seizures. No procedure-related complications were observed. Further case cohort studies are needed to clarify which patients respond to open-loop cortical stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The structural order in metallic supercooled liquids and glasses is a long-standing issue. Unlike the medium-range order (MRO) which involves at least hundreds of atoms, short-range order (SRO) only concerns the central atom and its neighbors, which can be described more easily. Here, we use the molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the SRO in supercooled liquids and glasses of two pure metals Ta and Ni respectively with the body-centered cubic (BCC) and the face-centered cubic (FCC) crystalline lattice and two binary alloys Cu50Zr50 and Ni50Al50 both with a B2 crystalline phase. To compare, a ternary alloy of Cu 47.5 Zr 47.5 Al 5 is also investigated. Hexagonal closed-packed (HCP) and icosahedron (ICO) clusters are found to dominate the SRO in both supercooled liquids and glasses. As expected, the glass is found more structurally ordered than the supercooled liquid. The glass transition is found to be linked to the kink of the temperature dependence of SRO. The binary system, as the relatively good glass-former, is less structurally ordered than the monatomic system as a poor glass-former, but it is more structurally ordered than the ternary one. These findings have profound implications for understanding the glass transition and designing new metallic glasses. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • The HCP and ICO symmetries dominate the SRO in metallic SCLs and glasses. • The SRO is closely related with the glass transition. • The ICO clusters are not responsible for the glass forming ability. • A good glass former is structurally disordered like liquid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract The [18F] isotope-labelled CB1 inverse agonist 3 was elaborated and synthesized for positron emission tomography scanning studies. After immediate purification and calibration with its unlabeled counterpart, compound 3 was intravenously injected in mice and revealed that its distribution percentage in brain over 90-min scans among five region of interests, including brain, liver, heart, thigh muscle and kidney was lower than 1%, thus providing direct evidence to justify itself as a peripherally restricted CB1 antagonist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Imbibition and supercritical CO 2 dissolution experiments were conducted in four micromodels possessing different pore-scale characteristics. • We present the fundamental process of the non-equilibrium CO 2 dissolution and coupling with water flow. • We investigate the impacts of pore characteristics on the coupled processes. • A diagram is proposed to quantify the equilibrium/non-equilibrium dissolution transition and network-dependent coupled processes. Abstract Dissolution trapping is one of the most important mechanisms for geological carbon storage (GCS). Recent laboratory and field experiments have shown non-equilibrium dissolution of supercritical CO 2 (scCO 2) and coupled scCO 2 dissolution and water flow, i.e., scCO 2 dissolution at local pores/pore throats creating new water-flow paths, which in turn enhance dissolution by increased advection and interfacial area. However, the impacts of pore-scale characteristics on these coupled processes have not been investigated. In this study, imbibition and dissolution experiments were conducted under 40°C and 9 MPa using a homogeneous/isotropic hexagonal micromodel, two homogeneous elliptical micromodels with low or high anisotropy, and a heterogeneous sandstone-analog micromodel. The four micromodels, initially saturated with deionized (DI)-water, were drained by injecting scCO 2 to establish a stable scCO 2 saturation. DI water was then injected at different rates with logC a (the capillary number) ranging from −6.56 to −4.34. Results show that bypass of scCO 2 by displacing water is the dominant mechanism contributing to the residual CO 2 trapping, triggered by heterogeneity in pore characteristics or pore-scale scCO 2 -water distribution. Bypass can be enhanced by pore heterogeneity or reduced by increasing transverse permeability, resulting in relatively low (<2% of CO 2 solubility) or high (9–13% of CO 2 solubility) dissolved CO 2 concentration in displacing water. The overall dissolution of residual scCO 2 increases with decreasing C a , and approaches to their solubility at low C a value with sufficient residence time. This main trend is similar to a capillary desaturation curve that represents the relationship between the residual saturation and C a. Spatially, dissolution initiates along the boundary of bypassed scCO 2 cluster(s) in a non-equilibrium manner, and the coupling of water flow and dissolution occurs which fragments the bypassed scCO 2 clusters and enhance scCO 2 dissolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Multi-element nitride films of AlCrNbSiTiV high-entropy alloy (HEAs) are deposited on a cermet cutter (T1200A) and glass substrates using reactive direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) and high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) with a single equimolar AlCrNbSiTiV HEA target. This study determines the effect of the ratio of the nitrogen flow (varying from 0 to 40%) on the chemical composition, microstructure, mechanical properties and cutting tool performance of the (AlCrNbSiTiV)N film. The films are found to have increased hardness and elastic recovery when the nitrogen flow ratio is increased. The (AlCrNbSiTiV)N film adheres well to the substrate and the Rockwell indentation results are HF1. (AlCrNbSiTiV)N films that are grown using DCMS and HIPIMS feature only a simple face-center-cubic structure. The samples that are deposited using HIPIMS exhibit a higher film density, a smoother surface and excellent hardness and elastic recovery, compared to coatings that are deposited using DCMS. The (AlCrNbSiTiV)N films are coated onto cutters for the dry turning of a SCM440 steel work-piece. The machining surface of a coated tool that is deposited using a HIPIMS system exhibits fewer surface defects and the tool flank wear is decreased. Highlights • TEM pattern of (AlCrNbSiTiV)N film shows a simple NaCl-type FCC phase. • Nitride films shows good adhesion strength to the substrate be classified as HF1. • The distribution of elements is homogeneous through the depth of the nitride film. • The films deposited with the HIPIMS are smoother, better crystallized and good mechanical property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) are promising for future renewable sources. By addressing the issues on liquid-electrolyte leakage and sluggish charge transportation, a class of graphene oxide tailored polyacrylamide (PAAm/GO) gel electrolytes are synthesized for quasi-solid-state QDSC applications. The conducting pathways with interconnected GO species can catalyze reduction reaction from S n 2− to S 2− and therefore shorten charge-transfer length. Upon illumination by simulated sunlight (AM1.5, 100 mW cm −2 ), the optimized QDSC with PAAm/0.9% GO yields a maximized power conversion efficiency of 4.10% in comparison with 1.78% for the device free of GO. Arising from the good retention of liquid electrolyte by three-dimensional PAAM/GO framework, the final quasi-solid-state QDSCs present good long-term stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scaling of dimensions for traditional Si-based metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) is limited. Thus, a promising transistor material and a corresponding fabricated process should be selected to improve the electrical performance of advanced nanodevices. According to the viewpoint of material survey, germanium-based MOSFET, which exhibits intrinsic high mobility, is considered a promising candidate for next-generation transistors. With the suitable introduction of stress-induced thin coating, such as silicon nitride contact etch stop layer (CESL), the electron mobility of devices can be further enhanced to compensate for the significant degeneration of lattice-mismatched stress resulting from rigorous dimensional shrinkage. The tensile CESL is commonly adopted to induce a biaxial tensile stress on the wide scope of n-type MOSFETs. However, the induced tensile stress that occurs along the transverse direction of a concerned device channel decreases the carrier mobility. Hence, this study proposes special layout designs with dummy gates placed on the transverse direction of the device channel. The effect of stress magnification from CESL coating on Ge-based n-type MOSFET is presented via a finite element analysis and a high-order piezoresistance model. Result shows that an enhanced carrier mobility gain of approximately 16.47% is obtained when a 50 nm-thick CESL with a tensile of 2.0 GPa is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass-based interposer is a promising candidate for novel 3D-IC integrations because of its characteristics, such as low cost, low coefficient of thermal expansion, smooth surface quality, and large size fabrication. However, an inherent behavior of brittle material such as glass is its low fracture toughness, which easily induces both interfacial delamination and fracture failure modes, particularly for bonds with neighboring passivation coating of silicon nitride (SiN x ). Accordingly, this research proposes a simulated methodology based on the index of interfacial strain energy released rate (G-value) to estimate the glass/SiN x interface using a J-integral approach and modified virtual crack closure technique. Adhesion measurement of glass/SiN x was also implemented by means of four-point bending architecture to validate the predicted accuracy. The results show that a 17.95 J/m 2 of G-value for aforementioned interface is obtained. A higher modulus of SiN x coating as determined by different deposited conditions utilized at the concerned glass/SiN x interface also had an effect on the critical fracture energy of the crack after it begins to advance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]