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In this paper, we investigate a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) scheme combining transmit antenna selection and receiver maximal-ratio combining (the TASIMRC scheme). In this scheme, a single transmit antenna, which maximizes the total received signal power at the receiver, is selected for uncoded transmission. The closed-form outage probability of the system with transmit antenna selection is presented. The bit error rate (BER) of the TASIMRC scheme is derived for binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) in flat Rayleigh fading channels. The BER analysis demonstrates that the TAS/MRC scheme can achieve a full diversity order at high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), as if all the transmit antennas were used. The average SNR gain of the TASIMRC is quantified and compared with those of uncoded receiver MRC and space-time block codes (STBCs). The analytical results are verified by simulation. It is shown that the TASIMRC scheme outperforms some more complex space-time codes of the same spectral efficiency. The cost of the improved performance is a low-rate feedback channel. We also show that channel estimation errors based on pilot symbols have no impact on the diversity order over quasi-static fading channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Desensitization of postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors may be responsible for the therapeutic effectiveness of serotonin selective uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). As prenatal cocaine exposure produces long-term deficits in 5-HT neurons in offspring, it may alter the ability of post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors to be desensitized by chronic paroxetine. Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine (1) prenatal cocaine-induced changes in 5-HT1A receptor function and (2) the effectiveness of chronic treatment with paroxetine to produce 5-HT1A receptor desensitization in adult offspring exposed to cocaine in utero. Methods: Pregnant rats received saline or (−)cocaine (15 mg/ kg, s.c.) twice daily from gestational days 13 through 20. Adult male offspring from each of prenatal groups were treated with saline or paroxetine (10 mg/kg/day; i.p.) for 14 days. Eighteen hours post-treatment, rats were challenged with saline or the 5-HT1A receptor agonist (+)8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 0.04 or 0.2 mg/kg, s.c.). Plasma oxytocin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone, renin and prolactin were determined. Results: Prenatal cocaine exposure did not alter 5-HT1A receptor-mediated neuroendocrine responses. Paroxetine treatment desensitized 5-HT1A receptor-mediated increases in oxytocin, ACTH and corticosterone to a comparable extent in all offspring and reduced the Emax for ACTH only in prenatal cocaine-exposed offspring. Cortical [³H]-8-OH-DPAT- or [³H]-WAY100635-labeled 5-HT1A receptors were unaltered by prenatal cocaine or subsequent paroxetine treatment. Conclusions: Postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor function is unaltered by prenatal cocaine exposure and paroxetine can effectively desensitize 5-HT1A receptor function in adult cocaine-exposed offspring. These data suggest that paroxetine may be clinically... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The omega limit sets of a nonlinear operator $T$ which is defined on a positive cone and satisfies certain ray-contractive type conditions are discussed. Under the assumption that the restriction of $T$ to a compact subset is surjective, the following alternatives are proved: the omega limit set of a point in the cone either consists of a fixed point or forms a 2-cycle. In addition, new proofs and extensions to relevant results are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pairwise-error probability upper bounds of space-time codes (STCs) in independent Rician fading channels are derived in this letter. Based on the performance analysis, novel code design criteria for slow and fast Rayleigh fading channels are developed. It is found that in fading channels, STC design criterion depends on the value of the possible diversity gain of the system. In slow fading channels, when the diversity gain is smaller than four, the code error performance is dominated by the minimum rank and the minimum determinant of the codeword distance matrix. However, when the diversity gain is larger than or equal to four, the performance is dominated by the minimum squared Euclidean distance. Based on the proposed design criteria, new codes are designed and evaluated by simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let $\{f_{n} \}$ be a sequence of nonlinear operators. We discuss the asymptotic properties of their inhomogeneous iterates $f_{n} \circ f_{n-1} \circ \cdots \circ f_{1}$ in metric spaces, then apply the results to the ordered Banach spaces through projective metrics. Theorems on path stability and nonlinear weak ergodicity are obtained in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim of revealing the effects of low temperature on the vibration impact comminution performance of wheat bran, the impact dynamic performance of wheat bran at different temperatures was simulated by using LS-DYNA. According to the impact collision relationship between grinding medium and wheat bran, a threecomponent numerical calculation model was established. The impact collision dynamic essence of the model was analyzed, and a solution method based on LS-DYNA was proposed. On this basis, the finite element model of the numerical calculation model was obtained. By adjusting the mechanical parameters of wheat bran in the finite element model, the vibration impact comminution performance of wheat bran at different temperatures were analyzed. It is found that the contact force, contact deformation and comminution energy of wheat bran increase with the decrease of temperature, which indicates that low-temperature comminution of wheat bran is more advantageous than room temperature comminution. However, when the temperature drops from - 40 ℃ to - 80 ℃, the above index parameters almost remain, which indicates that it is more economical to apply low-temperature comminution at the temperature range from - 40 ℃ ~ 0oC. This research provided a foundation for the analysis, prediction and optimization of vibration impact comminution performance of wheat bran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electric-field induced technique has been successfully utilized to control the phase separation and the interfaces of semiconductorinsulator composite film, which provided a new research approach for scientists working in related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application and development of 'green' preventive technologies in tea plantations is an important means of ensuring tea quality and ecological safety. Ecological, agronomic and biological controls are the main preventive measures used in Guizhou Province. This paper summarizes the 'green' preventive technologies being applied in Guizhou tea plantations, including the use of plant defense inducers to regulate tea plant responses to pathogens, natural enemies to control pest species causing damage to shoots and Trifolium repens to control the main weed species. In addition, it summarizes the integrated 'green' preventive technologies being used in Guizhou and provides a foundation for the ecological maintenance of tea plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the synthesis and characterization of CsSnI3 perovskite semiconductor thin films deposited on inexpensive substrates such as glass and ceramics. These films contained polycrystalline domains with typical size of 300 nm. It is confirmed experimentally that CsSnI3 compound in its black phase is a direct band-gap semiconductor, consistent with the calculated band structure from the first principles. The band gap is determined to be ∼1.3 eV at Γ point at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an efficient and robust electrochemical deposition method to fabricate large-scale two-dimensional rigid arrays of metal colloids with a precise control of the particle morphology by monitoring metal growth that is confined within a templated organic porous mold. Light transmission resonances through the metallic periodic microstructures are observed and the resonance wavelengths are found to depend on the morphology of the scattering elements. Further numerical simulations confirm these transmission resonances and reveal that they are attributed to the excitations of localized or propagating surface plasmon modes supported by the specific structures. The present method of tailoring metallic microstructures could find applications in plasmonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrated a prototype of nanoelectromechanical switch which was fabricated with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). An alternating current electric field was utilized to assemble interconnected SWCNTs suspended over the focused ion beam lithography fabricated trenches on the electrode surface. By controlling the electromechanical coupling between the electrostatic and elastostatic forces acting on the SWCNTs, we realized the on and off states of the SWCNT switches. Both two-terminal and three-terminal measurements have been conducted and indicated repeatable switch effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel phosphides (Ni2P) have been proposed as advanced anode materials for a lithium-ion battery (LIB) due to its high capacity and electrochemical activity. However, the large volume expansion and poor cycling stability limit the practical applications of a Ni2P based LIB. In this work, we report a one-step strategy to prepare Ni2P@C nanoparticles embedded in echinus-like porous carbon (Ni2P@C@EPC) as a promising anode for LIB. It is demonstrated that the Ni2P@C@EPC corresponds the hexagonal Ni2P phase very well. The Raman spectrum indicates that the defective carbon is dominant in Ni2P@C@EPC. Moreover, Ni2P@C@EPC possesses a high specific surface area of 372.953 cm2 · g−1 with an average pore size of 6.496 nm. Remarkably, the EPC plays a significant role in realizing high and stable performance by confining the reaction between Ni2P and Li+, facilitating Li+ diffusion mobility and inhibiting the volume change in charge/discharge. As a result, the Ni2P@C@EPC delivers a high specific capacity of 807.7 mAh · g−1 at 0.2 A · g−1, excellent rate capability (592.1, 455.9, 346.1, 236.4 and 160.69 mAh · g−1 at 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 A · g−1), and long cycling stability (464.8 mAh · g−1 at 0.2 A · g−1 after 100 cycles). Moreover, the structure evolution upon cycling as well as electrochemical analysis has verified the superiority of Ni2P@C@EPC anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three filamentous cyanobacteria strains were selected based on viability in digestate. • The pollutants remove ability from biogas slurry of pig farm was evaluated. • The biochemical composition of algal biomass was examined. • The biodiesel and theoretical biomethane potential of algal biomass were evaluated. • The strain J is the best strain for biogas slurry treat and bioenergy production. The study evaluates 36 filamentous heterocystous cyanobacteria for the treatment of biogas slurry from pig farm and the accumulation of biomass for bioenergy production. The results showed that only the strains B, J, and L were able to adapt to a 10% biogas slurry. The removal rates of ammonia nitrogen, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus for strains J and L were 92.46%–97.97%, 73.79%–79.90%, and 97.14%–98.46%, respectively, higher than that of strain B. Strain J had the highest biomass productivity and lipid productivity. Based on the biodiesel prediction results, it was concluded that strains J and L are more suitable for biodiesel production. The estimation of theoretical methane potential suggests that the algal biomass of strain J also have the desirable possibility of biogas generation. In summary, algal strain J (Nostoc sp.) offers great potential for biogas slurry treatment and for the production of bioenergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of size on the growth kinetics of nanowires by the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism are presented. The dependences of the growth rate and the activation energy of crystallization on size are given quantitatively. The obtained theoretical results show that the smaller the nanowire radius, the slower the growth rate, and the activation energy of crystallization will increase with decreasing radius of the nanowire. These theoretical predictions are in agreement with the experimental cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heteroatom doped carbon nanomaterials are often employed as advanced anodes for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) because of their stable structure, high capacity and low cost. In this work, we proposed a novel strategy to synthesize high density (N, Ni, P) tri-doped echinus-like porous carbon spheres (PCS) by carbonizing a metal-organophosphine framework (MOPF) directly. The MOPF employs riboflavin sodium phosphate (C17H20N4NaO9P) as an organic ligand as well as a nitrogen and phosphorus source to conjugate with Ni(NO3)2 · 6H2O. As an anode for LIBs, PCS was demonstrated with discharge capacities that were able to reach 386.5 mAh · g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.05 A · g−1. Besides, the stable reversible capacities were obtained from ∼459 mAh · g−1 to ∼91.8 mAh · g−1 when the current density was varied from 0.05 to 1 A · g−1. The good anode performance is attributed to the unique structure of PCS and (N, Ni, P) tri-doping which introduces the additional capacities due to the presence of the 'reservoir effect'. Moreover, the electrochemical analysis implied that the surface-limited capacitive behavior dominantly contributes to the lithium ion storage capacity of the PCS anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimuli-Responsive Materials: Smart Compound Eyes Enable Tunable Imaging (Adv. Funct. Keywords: compound eyes; femtosecond laser; smart materials; tunable optical components; variable-focus imaging Compound eyes, femtosecond laser, smart materials, tunable optical components, variable-focus imaging. [Extracted from the article]

Compound eyes are natural multiaperture optical imaging systems and have substantial potential in the field of modern optics. However, both natural and artificial compound eyes are composed of ommatidia with fixed focal lengths, and thus incapable of variable‐focus imaging. In this study, inspired by the tunable crystalline lens of human eyes, smart stimuli‐responsive compound eyes based on the bovine serum album (BSA) protein are fabricated via femtosecond laser direct writing. Due to the swelling and shrinking effect of BSA under different pH conditions, a tunable field of view (FOV, 35°–80°) and variable focal length of ommatidia are achieved. In addition to the direct prototyping of an entire protein‐based compound eye, the ability to flexibly integrate the smart protein ommatidia with a conventional optical lens (an SU‐8 lens in this study) to form a composite compound eye is shown. The composite compound eye achieves nearly 400% of focal length tuning at a fixed FOV. It is anticipated that femtosecond laser fabrication and the integration of smart protein‐based compound eyes may emerge as an enabler for fabricating miniature tunable imaging systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bit error rate of the Alamouti scheme with transmit antenna selection in flat Rayleigh fading channels is presented. Performance analysis reveals that this scheme achieves a full diversity order, as if all the transmit antennas were used. This scheme has a fixed low decoding complexity and provides a systematic method to construct full-rate space-time block codes with a full diversity order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carvacrol expresses a wide range of biological activities, but the studies of its mechanisms focused on bacteria, mainly involving the destruction of the plasma membrane. In this study, carvacrol exhibited strong activities against several phytopathogenic fungi and demonstrated a novel antifungal mechanism against Lasiodiplodia theobromae. RNA sequencing indicated that many genes of L. theobromae hyphae were predominately induced by carvacrol, particularly those involved in replication and transcription. Hyperchromic, hypsochromic, and bathochromic effects in the UV-visible absorption spectrum were observed following titration of calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) and carvacrol, which indicated the formation of a DNA–carvacrol complex. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy indicated that the response of DNA to carvacrol was similar to that of 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) but different from that of ethidium bromide (EB), implying the ionic bonds between carvacrol and ctDNA. Fluorescence spectrum (FS) analysis indicated that carvacrol quenched the fluorescence of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) more than single-stranded DNA, indicating that carvacrol mainly bound to dsDNA. A displacement assay showed that carvacrol reduced the fluorescence intensity of the DNA–DAPI complex through competition with DAPI, but this did not occur for DNA–EB. The FS assay revealed that carvacrol bound to the AAA sequence on the minor groove of ds-oligonucleotides. The hydroxyl of carvacrol was verified to bind to ctDNA through a comparative test in which structural analogs of carvacrol, including thymol and 4-ethyl-1,2-dimethyl, were analyzed. The current study indicated carvacrol can destruct plasma membranes and bind to the minor groove of DNA, inhibiting fungal proliferation by disturbing the stability of dsDNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 30% of patients with type 1 diabetes develop diabetic kidney disease (DKD), which significantly increases mortality risk. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and follow-up study, Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC), established that glycemic control measured by HbA1c predicts DKD risk. However, the continued high incidence of DKD reinforces the urgent need for additional biomarkers to supplement HbA1c. Here, we assessed biomarkers induced bymethylglyoxal (MG), ametabolic by-product that forms covalent adducts on DNA, RNA, and proteins, called MG adducts. Urinary MG adducts were measured in samples from patients with type 1 diabetes enrolled in DCCT/EDIC who did (case patients; n = 90) or did not (control patients; n = 117) develop DKD. Univariate and multivariable analyses revealed that measurements of MG adducts independently predict DKD before established DKD biomarkers such as glomerular filtration rate and albumin excretion rate. Elevated levels of MG adducts bestowed the greatest risk of developing DKD in a multivariable model that included HbA1c and other clinical covariates. Our work establishes a novel class of biomarkers to predict DKD risk and suggests that inclusion of MG adducts may be a valuable tool to improve existing predictors of complications like DKD prior to overt disease, and to aid in identifying at-risk individuals and personalized risk management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic fiber robots have revealed great potential for future minimally invasive robotic surgery. However, with the miniaturization of fiber robots, the integration of functional microtools at the distal end becomes extremely challenging, since it requires assembling multifunctional structures on the curved surfaces of fiber ends, which typically have very small curvature radii. In this study, a submillimeter fiber robot with integrated micro‐manipulation tool at the distal end is reported using a "Swiss roll" assembly strategy. This approach enables the one‐step assembly of multiscale structures (mm‐µm) from a 2D film to a 3D tool on the curved surface of the fiber robot. The multiscale structure consists of a millimeter‐scale (mm) magnetic thin film with integrated micrometer‐scale (µm) feature structures, which is inspired from the cat tongue covered by numerous little papillae. The fiber robot can perform multiple functions including endovascular clot grabbing, liquid delivery, and sampling under the manipulation of the magnetic field. The strategy provides a universal protocol for integrating and assembling functional components at the distal end of fiber robots, contributing significantly to the functionalization and miniaturization of interventional medical robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has demonstrated the positive effect of natural environment on human restoration and well-being. Time spent in nature can often alleviate both physiological and psychological stress. However, few studies have discussed the environmental health effects of the nature's components and characteristics. Sixty volunteers were recruited and one manufactured environment and five different natural environments were randomly assigned to them, including coniferous forests (pure coniferous forest-PC and mixed coniferous forest-MC), broad-leaved forests (pure broad-leaved forest-PB and mixed broad-leaved forest-MB), and mixed forest (mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest-MCB). Each volunteer sat in a built or natural environment and looked around the environment for 15 min. Physiological (HR, HRV, BP, pulse rate and salivary cortisol) and psychological indicators (POMS and STAI) were used to evaluate the changes in their stress level. Results indicated a strong difference in HR, HRV, POMS and STAI between the built and natural environment, which showed that natural environment can lower the stress level. MC had the best effect on relieving physiological stress, whereas MCB is most successful in improving emotional state and reducing anxiety. Broad-leaved forest and mixed forest significantly affected the DBP and vigor level of the subjects, respectively. While coniferous forest did significantly increase the concentration of salivary cortisol in subjects. The study confirmed that compared to the built environment, the natural environment can relieve the human body's physical and psychological stress and negative emotions, while significantly increasing vitality. And different plant communities also have different effects on the physiological and psychological indicators of the subjects. These results will provide scientific basis for the construction and improvement of urban green space environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tremendous attention has been paid to the water-associated side reactions and zinc (Zn) dendrite growth on the electrode-electrolyte interface. However, the Zn pulverization that can cause continuous depletion of active Zn metal and exacerbate hydrogen evolution is severely neglected. Here, we disclose that the excessive Zn feeding that causes incomplete crystallization is responsible for Zn pulverization formation through analyzing the thermodynamic and kinetics process of Zn deposition. On the basis, we introduce 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium cations (EMIm+) into the electrolyte to form a Galton-board-like three-dimensional inert-cation (3DIC) region. Modeling test shows that the 3DIC EMIm+ can induce the Zn2+ flux to follow in a Gauss distribution, thus acting as elastic sites to buffer the perpendicular diffusion of Zn2+ and direct the lateral diffusion, thus effectively avoiding the local Zn2+ accumulation and irreversible crystal formation. Consequently, anti-pulverized Zn metal deposition behavior is achieved with an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.6% at 5 mA cm-2 over 2,000 cycles and superb stability in symmetric cell over 1,200 h at -30 °C. Furthermore, the Zn||KVOH pouch cell can stably cycle over 1,200 cycles at 2 A g-1 and maintain a capacity of up to 12 mAh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global polls have shown that people in high-income countries generally report being more satisfied with their lives than people in low-income countries. The persistence of this correlation, and its similarity to correlations between income and life satisfaction within countries, could lead to the impression that high levels of life satisfaction can only be achieved in wealthy societies. However, global polls have typically overlooked small-scale, nonindustrialized societies, which can provide an alternative test of the consistency of this relationship. Here, we present results from a survey of 2,966 members of Indigenous Peoples and local communities among 19 globally distributed sites. We find that high average levels of life satisfaction, comparable to those of wealthy countries, are reported for numerous populations that have very low monetary incomes. Our results are consistent with the notion that human societies can support very satisfying lives for their members without necessarily requiring high degrees of monetary wealth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of low-grade clastic metamorphic and carbonate rocks, and greenschists outcropping in the southwestern (SW) margin of the North China Craton (NCC), was originally classified as the Paleoproterozoic Xiong'er Group according to stratigraphic correlation. To verify the age, this paper carried out detrital zircon U–Pb LA-ICP-MS dating of low-grade clastic metamorphic rocks exposed in the Changqing area at the SW margin of the Ordos Block in the SW part of the NCC. Results from detrital zircon dating indicate that the metamorphic and carbonate rocks can be classified into the Neoproterozoic Nanhua System, which is the only Nanhua System stratum in this block so far, and it probably could provide new clues to Rodinia break-up and Snowball Earth of the NCC. The nine peak ages of the low-grade clastic metamorphic rocks reflected its relatively complex provenance, and almost all major geological events experienced by the NCC basement since the Neoarchean, but some age peaks were difficult to correspond to that of the NCC, indicating that the southwestern part of the Ordos Block was also affected by the Qinling and Qiliang orogenic belts during Nanhua System of Neoproterozoic. Combined with provenance analysis, it was revealed that the current southwest boundary of the Ordos Block was the previous southwest boundary of the Ordos Block during the Qingbaikou-Nanhua Period of the Neoproterozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banana (Musa spp.) fruits, as typical tropical fruits, are cold sensitive, and lower temperatures can disrupt cellular compartmentalization and lead to severe browning. How tropical fruits respond to low temperature compared to the cold response mechanisms of model plants remains unknown. Here, we systematically characterized the changes in chromatin accessibility, histone modifications, distal cis-regulatory elements, transcription factor binding, and gene expression levels in banana peels in response to low temperature. Dynamic patterns of cold-induced transcripts were generally accompanied by concordant chromatin accessibility and histone modification changes. These upregulated genes were enriched for WRKY binding sites in their promoters and/or active enhancers. Compared to banana peel at room temperature, large amounts of banana WRKYs were specifically induced by cold and mediated enhancer-promoter interactions regulating critical browning pathways, including phospholipid degradation, oxidation, and cold tolerance. This hypothesis was supported by DNA affinity purification sequencing, luciferase reporter assays, and transient expression assay. Together, our findings highlight widespread transcriptional reprogramming via WRKYs during banana peel browning at low temperature and provide an extensive resource for studying gene regulation in tropical plants in response to cold stress, as well as potential targets for improving cold tolerance and shelf life of tropical fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orange carotenoid protein (OCP) is a photoactive protein that participates in the photoprotection of cyanobacteria. There are 2 full-length OCP proteins, 4 N-terminal paralogs (helical carotenoid protein [HCP]), and 1 C-terminal domain-like carotenoid protein (CCP) found in Nostoc flagelliforme, a desert cyanobacterium. All HCPs (HCP1 to 3 and HCP6) from N. flagelliforme demonstrated their excellent singlet oxygen quenching activities, in which HCP2 was the strongest singlet oxygen quencher compared with others. Two OCPs, OCPx1 and OCPx2, were not involved in singlet oxygen scavenging; instead, they functioned as phycobilisome fluorescence quenchers. The fast-acting OCPx1 showed more effective photoactivation and stronger phycobilisome fluorescence quenching compared with OCPx2, which behaved differently from all reported OCP paralogs. The resolved crystal structure and mutant analysis revealed that Trp111 and Met125 play essential roles in OCPx2, which is dominant and long acting. The resolved crystal structure of OCPx2 is maintained in a monomer state and showed more flexible regulation in energy quenching activities compared with the packed oligomer of OCPx1. The recombinant apo-CCP obtained the carotenoid pigment from holo-HCPs and holo-OCPx1 of N. flagelliforme. No such carotenoid transferring processes were observed between apo-CCP and holo-OCPx2. The close phylogenetic relationship of OCP paralogs from subaerial Nostoc species indicates an adaptive evolution toward development of photoprotection: protecting cellular metabolism against singlet oxygen damage using HCPs and against excess energy captured by active phycobilisomes using 2 different working modes of OCPx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon is a promising alternative anode material since it has a ten times higher theoretical specific capacity than that of a traditional graphite anode. However, the poor cycling stability due to the huge volume change of Si during charge/discharge processes has seriously hampered its widespread application. To address this challenge, we design a silicon hollow sphere nanostructure by selective etching and a subsequent magnesiothermic reduction. The Si hollow spheres exhibit enhanced electrochemical properties compared to the commercial Si nanoparticles. The initial discharge and charge capacities of the Si hollow sphere anode are 2215.8 mAh g−1 and 1615.1 mAh g−1 with a high initial coulombic efficiency (72%) at a current density of 200 mA g−1, respectively. In particular, the reversible capacity is 1534.5 mAh g−1 with a remarkable 88% capacity retention against the second cycle after 100 cycles, over four times the theoretical capacity of the traditional graphite electrode. Therefore, our work demonstrates the considerable potential of silicon structures for displacing commercial graphite, and might open up new opportunities to rationally design various nanostructured materials for lithium ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the incidence, consequences, and predictors of serious chemotherapy‐induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with NPC between 2013 and 2015. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model and propensity score matching were used to estimate the effect of serious CIT on overall survival. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify the predictors of serious CIT. Results and Conclusion: The incidence of serious CIT was 5.21% in patients with NPC. Patients who experienced serious thrombocytopenia had a worse long‐term prognosis, while the difference in short‐term survival rate was slight. Chemotherapy regimens of gemcitabine and platinum, 5‐fluorouracil and platinum, taxane and platinum, serum potassium ion concentration, serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, platelet count, red blood cell count, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were predictors of serious CIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dysregulation of lipid metabolism is closely associated with cancer progression. The study aimed to establish a prognostic model to predict distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), based on lipidomics. Methods: The plasma lipid profiles of 179 patients with locoregionally advanced NPC (LANPC) were measured and quantified using widely targeted quantitative lipidomics. Then, patients were randomly split into the training (125 patients, 69.8%) and validation (54 patients, 30.2%) sets. To identify distant metastasis-associated lipids, univariate Cox regression was applied to the training set (P < 0.05). A deep survival method called DeepSurv was employed to develop a proposed model based on significant lipid species (P < 0.01) and clinical biomarkers to predict DMFS. Concordance index and receiver operating curve analyses were performed to assess model effectiveness. The study also explored the potential role of lipid alterations in the prognosis of NPC. Results: Forty lipids were recognized as distant metastasis-associated (P < 0.05) by univariate Cox regression. The concordance indices of the proposed model were 0.764 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.682–0.846) and 0.760 (95% CI, 0.649–0.871) in the training and validation sets, respectively. High-risk patients had poorer 5-year DMFS compared with low-risk patients (Hazard ratio, 26.18; 95% CI, 3.52–194.80; P < 0.0001). Moreover, the six lipids were significantly correlated with immunity- and inflammation-associated biomarkers and were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways. Conclusions: Widely targeted quantitative lipidomics reveals plasma lipid predictors for LANPC, the prognostic model based on that demonstrated superior performance in predicting metastasis in LANPC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To develop and validate a predictive nomogram for tumor residue 3–6 months after treatment based on postradiotherapy plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), clinical stage, and radiotherapy (RT) dose in patients with stage II–IVA nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Methods: In this retrospective study, 1050 eligible patients with stage II–IVA NPC, who completed curative IMRT and underwent pretreatment and postradiotherapy (-7 to +28 days after IMRT) EBV DNA testing, were enrolled from 2012 to 2017. The prognostic value of the residue was explored using Cox regression analysis in patients (n=1050). A nomogram for predicting tumor residues after 3–6 months was developed using logistic regression analyses in the development cohort (n=736) and validated in an internal cohort (n=314). Results: Tumor residue was an independent inferior prognostic factor for 5-year overall survival, progression-free survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival (all P<0.001). A prediction nomogram based on postradiotherapy plasma EBV DNA level (0 vs. 1–499 vs. ≥500 copies/ml), clinical stage (II vs. III vs. IVA), and RT dose (68.00–69.96 vs. 70.00–74.00 Gy) estimated the probability of residue development. The nomogram showed better discrimination (area under the curve (AUC): 0.752) than either the clinical stage (0.659) or postradiotherapy EBV DNA level (0.627) alone in the development and validation cohorts (AUC: 0.728). Conclusions: We developed and validated a nomogram model integrating clinical characteristics at the end of IMRT for predicting whether tumor will residue or not after 3–6 months. Thus, high-risk NPC patients who might benefit from immediate additional intervention could be identified by the model, and the probability of residue can be reduced in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One-year dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), generally aspirin in combination with a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor, has been a standard treatment for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Prolonged DAPT has proven itself effective in further reducing cardiovascular events, yet with increased risk of bleeding. Thus, it is of great necessity to find an alternative drug that is as effective but safer and more economic than the P2Y12 inhibitors after termination of one-year DAPT.Methods: We will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial in 3600 eligible post-PCI patients from 36 tertiary hospitals (100 patients per hospital) across mainland China. The hospitals served as clusters are randomized in a 2:1 ratio to Guanxinning tablet (GXNT) plus aspirin or aspirin alone for 12 months, with other conventional treatment applied in both groups. After the treatment period, all patients will be followed up for another 12 months. The primary outcome measure is composite cardiovascular events including cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, revascularization, ischemic stroke, and re-admission due to unstable angina. Secondary outcome measures are all-cause mortality, each individual component of the primary outcome measure, and stopping or reducing the rate of nitroglycerin administration. Adverse events, including bleeding, will be closely monitored during the whole trial period. In addition, a cost-effectiveness study of GXNT for the study population will be conducted along with this trial.Discussion: This trial aims to determine whether the addition of GXNT will further improve prognosis without increasing bleeding risk for patients with coronary artery disease who have switched from DAPT to aspirin alone after PCI. Completion of this clinical trial might provide a novel, promising, and safer alternative to P2Y12 inhibitors for prolonged antiplatelet therapy in post-PCI patients.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IIR-17010688 . Registered on 20 February 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to topographically structure and fast controllably actuate hydrogel in two and three dimensions is the key for their promising applications in soft robots, microfluidic valves, cell and drug delivery, and artificial muscles. Inspired by evaporation-induced concentration differentiation phenomenon in the production process of beancurd sheet, we introduce a facile one-step evaporation process to create laminated layer/porous layer heterogeneous structure within graphene oxide-clay-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel in vertical direction and pattern the heterogeneous structure in lateral direction to form tunable, fast, and robust hydrogel actuators. The laminated layer/porous layer architecture is highly stable and robust without possibility of delamination. The evaporation-programmed heterogeneous structures tune thermoresponsive actuations from global bending/unbending for global heterogeneous structure to local bending/unbending and site-specific folding/unfolding for segment-patterned heterogeneous structure, then to directional bending/unbending and chiral twisting/untwisting for stripe-patterned heterogeneous structure. These actuations are instant and reversible without detectable fatigue after many cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rich ecological resources in underdeveloped resource-rich areas are difficult to transform into economic advantages under the system of low-cost resources, a priceless environment and highpriced industrial products, resulting in a backward economic development level, serious relative poverty and a possible return to poverty at any time. Correctly evaluating the effect of green poverty reduction in underdeveloped resource-rich areas holds great significance for reducing relative poverty and ending the phenomenon of returning to poverty. Taking Jiangxi Province as an example, this paper uses the entropy weight method and the coefficient of variation to calculate the green poverty reduction index and each subdimension index of 80 counties (cities/districts) in Jiangxi Province, and analyzes the characteristics of the province's spatial and temporal evolution. It is found that the green poverty reduction index of Jiangxi Province rises overall, but the regional differences are obvious, and the increase in each subdimension index leads to an increase in the green poverty reduction index. The increase in the economic poverty reduction index is the main reason. The regional differences will persist, and balanced development will not be achieved in the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because effective control measures are lacking, tea leaf spot caused by Didymella segeticola results in huge tea (Camellia sinensis) production losses on tea plantations in Guizhou Province, southwestern China. Screening for natural antimicrobial agents with higher control effects against this pathogen and studying their modes of action may contribute to disease management. Here, Penicillium griseofulvum-derived antimicrobial griseofulvin (GSF) can inhibit the hyphal growth of D. segeticola strain GZSQ-4, with a half-maximal effective concentration of 0.37 μg/ml in vitro and a higher curative efficacy at a lower dose of 25 μg/ml for detached tea twigs. GSF induces deformed and slightly curly hyphae with enlarged ends, with protoplasts agglutinated in the hyphae, and higher numbers of hyphal protuberances. GSF alters hyphal morphology and the subcellular structure's order. The integrated transcriptome and proteome data revealed that the transport of materials in cells, cellular movement, and mitosis were modulated by GSF. Molecular docking indicated that beta-tubulin was the most potent target of GSF, with a binding free energy of −13.59 kcal/mol, and microscale thermophoresis indicated that the dissociation constant (Kd) value of GSF binding to beta-tubulin 1, compared with beta-tubulin 2, was significantly lower. Thus, GSF potentially targets beta-tubulin 1 to disturb the chromosomal separation and fungal mitosis, thereby inhibiting hyphal growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) has spread from the south of China to the north of Vietnam in the past few years and severely influenced rice production. Its long incubation period and early symptoms are not evident; thus, controlling it is difficult. Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) is a green plant immunomodulator. Early studies showed that preventing and controlling SRBSDV have a certain effect and reduce disease infection rate, but its underlying controlling and preventing mechanism is unclear. In this study, label-free proteomics was used to analyze differentially expressed proteins in rice after COS treatment. The results showed that COS can up-regulate the plant defense-related proteins and down-regulate the protein expression levels of SRBSDV. Meanwhile, quantitative real-time PCR test results showed that COS can improve defense gene expression in rice. Moreover, COS can enhance the defense enzymatic activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase through mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade pathway, and enhance the rice disease resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hematopoietic stem cell-enriched miR-125family microRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of hematopoiesis. Overexpression of miR-125a or miR-125b is frequent in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and the overexpression of these miRNAs in mice leads to expansion of hematopoietic stem cells accompanied by perturbed hematopoiesis with mostly myeloproliferative phenotypes. However, whether and how miR-125 family miRNAs cooperate with known AML oncogenes in vivo, and how the resultant leukemia is dependent on miR-125overexpression, are not well understood. We modeled the frequent co-occurrence of miR-125b overexpression and MLL translocations by examining functional cooperation between miR-125b and MLL-AF9. By generating a knock-in mouse model in which miR-125b overexpression is controlled by doxycycline induction, we demonstrated that miR-125b significantly enhances MLL-AF9-driven AML in vivo, and the resultant leukemia is partially dependent on continued overexpression of miR-125b. Surprisingly, miR-125b promotes AML cell expansion and suppresses apoptosis involving a non-cell-intrinsic mechanism. MiR-125b expression enhances VEGFA expression and production from leukemia cells, in part by suppressing TET2. Recombinant VEGFA recapitulates the leukemia-promoting effects of miR-125b, whereas knockdown of VEGFA or inhibition of VEGF receptor 2 abolishes the effects of miR- 125b. In addition, significant correlation between miR-125band VEGFA expression is observed in human AMLs. Our data reveal cooperative and dependent relationships between miR-125b and the MLL oncogene in AML leukemogenesis, and demonstrate a miR-125b-TET2-VEGFA pathway in mediating non-cell-intrinsic leukemia-promoting effects by an oncogenic miRNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review evaluates the effectiveness and safety of injection of shenqi fuzheng with chemotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer in China. The study included 20 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) involving 1,609 patients. It was shown that shenqi fuzheng could improved the treatment efficiency, Kamofsky Performance Status (KPS), weight and autoimmune; reduced fatigue, gastrointestinal reaction and the toxicity of bone marrow; protected liver, kidney and heart from damage by chemotherapy. However, the quality of all the studies was relatively low and there was great heterogeneity between various studies. Further well-designed research is needed to estimate the beneficial effects of shenqi fuzheng. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomedicine delivery systems can achieve precise drug delivery and reduce toxic side effects compared with traditional drug delivery methods, but further development is still needed to eliminate obstacles such as multiple drug co-delivery, uncontrolled drug-release, and drug-resistance. Herein, we designed a dual drug-loaded nanosystem (THCD-NPs) that selectively transports and targets tumor cells for the treatment of liver cancer. In this drug delivery system, hyaluronic acid (HA)-conjugated curcumin (Cur) and D-a-tocopherol acid polyethylene glycolsuccinate (TPGS) were used as selective drug-carrying vehicles to deliver dasatinib (DAS) to cancer cells for combined administration. The mean size of the nanoparticles was approximately 66.14 ± 4.02 nm with good in vitro stability. The nanoparticles were pH sensitive and could accelerate drug release at low pH conditions. In vitro experiments showed that THCD-NPs were significantly cytotoxic to HepG2 cells and could be effectively taken up by these cells. Detailed investigations also demonstrated its pro-apoptotic activity. In vivo NIR fluorescence imaging showed that the nanoparticles could accumulate efficiently at the tumor site. Meanwhile, in vivo experiments showed that THCD-NPs significantly inhibited tumor growth and reduced the toxic side effects of free drugs in a mouse solid tumor model. In short, the nanoparticles we prepared provide a new idea for the treatment of liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The Chinese herbal prescription JieZe-1 (JZ-1) is effective against HSV-2 (Herpes simplex virus type 2) infection. However, its mechanism remains unclear. Objective: To explore the mechanism of JZ-1 in protecting against HSV-2 infection. Materials and methods: Using the methods of network pharmacology, the hub components and targets were screened and functionally enriched. We established a genital herpes (GH) mouse model and observe the disease characteristics. Then, the GH mice in different groups (10 per/group) were treated with 20 lL JZ-1 gel (2.5, 1.5, and 0.5 g/mL), acyclovir gel (0.03 g/mL), or plain carbomer gel twice a day. The symptom score, vulvar histomorphology, and virus load were measured. The critical proteins of caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis were analysed by microscopy, co-immunoprecipitation, western blotting, and ELISA. Molecular docking was also performed. Results: Network pharmacology analysis identified 388 JZ-1 targets related to HSV-2 infection, with 36 hub targets and 21 hub components screened. The TCID50 of HSV-2 was 1×10-7/0.1 mL. JZ-1 gel (2.5 g/mL) can effectively reduce the symptom score (81.23%), viral load (98.42%) and histopathological changes, and significantly inhibit the proteins expression of caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in GH mice (p< 0.05). The molecular docking test showed a good binding potency between 11 components and caspase-1 or interleukin (IL)-1β. Discussion and conclusions: The present study demonstrated that JZ-1 protected mice from HSV-2 infection and inhibit the caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis in GH mice. It is of significance for the second development of JZ-1 and the exploration of new drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a mathematical model has been developed to quantitatively examine the effect of viscosity and heterogeneity on dispersion in porous media at the pore scale during miscible flooding processes. More specifically, the Navier-Stokes equation and advection-diffusion equation are coupled with supplementary equations to describe the solvent transport behaviour. Two-dimensional heterogeneous models are numerically developed as a function of porosity and permeability, assuming that the grain sizes satisfy normal distribution. In addition, the performance of miscible hydrocarbon gas injection in heterogeneous porous media is comprehensively evaluated. It is found that a larger aspect ratio (ratio of pore throat size) in the single non-flowing pore model results in a greater asymmetry of the concentration curve. As for single non-flowing pore models and heterogeneous models, the dispersion coefficients increase with the expansion of the non-flowing domain. Both the heterogeneity of porous media and the variable viscosity of the fluid mixture contribute to the asymmetry of the concentration curve in the heterogeneous model. A negative correlation is established between the sorting coefficients of pore throat size and the power-law coefficients. As for slug injection, the injected solvent slug size along the longitudinal direction does not effectively influence the longitudinal length of the mixing zone for a given porous medium and fluids, though the Peclet number and the porosity greatly affect the length and concentration distribution of the mixing zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a scanning focused laser technique for pixel-by-pixel activation of the screen-printed carbon nanotube cathodes for field emission flat panel displays. The turn-on and working field of the cathodes became as low as 1.96 V µm[?]1 and 2.70 V µm[?]1, respectively, after 57 kW cm[?]2 laser irradiation. The current density even reached 4.00 mA cm[?]2 at 2.90 V µm[?]1, which was 1285 times larger than the untreated one. This dramatic enhancement is due to the fact that the focused laser can remove not only the surface contamination, but can change the geometric structure of the treated pixel as well. More importantly, these laser activated carbon nanotube cathodes show much more uniform field emission performances, as required by flat panel displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the lack of effective disease management measures, tea leaf differenspot-caused by the fungal phytopathogen Didymella segeticola (syn Phoma segeticola)-is an important foliar disease. The important and metabwidely used agricultural antimicrobial kasugamycin (Ksg), produced by reducthe Gram-Positive bacterium Streptomy, <:s kastigaensis, effects high levels control against crop diseases. The results of this study indicated that Ksg could inhibit the growth of D. segencola hyphae in vitro with a half-maximal effec-segetitive concentration *C-O) of 141.18 pg ml-' Meanwhile. the curative effect in vivo on the pathogen in detached tea leaves also demonstrated that Ksg induced some moiphological changes iii organelles, septa, and cell walls observed by optical mici'Oscopy and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. This may indicate that Ksg disturbs biosynthesis of key metabo-lites. inhibiting hyphal growth. Integrated transcriptomic. proteomic. and bioinformatic analyses revealed that differentially expressed genes or differenspottially expressed proteins in D, segeticola hyphae in response to Ksg exposure were involved with metabolic processes and biosynthesis of secondary metabwidely olites. Molecular docking studies indicated that Ksg may target nitrate reducthe tase (NR). and microscale thermophoresis assay showed greater affinity with NR. potentially disturbing nitrogen assimilation and subsequent metabolism. The results indicated that Ksg inhibits the pathogen of tea leaf spot, D. segetitive rola. possibly by binding to NR, disturbing fungal metabolism, and inducing subsequent changes in hyphal growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]