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With the purpose to develop long chain-conjugated oligopyrrin-like compounds and their metal complexes, and thus achieve tunable near-infrared absorption, a dithienyl-blocked hexapyrrane S2-P6 was synthesized by acid-catalyzed [2+4+2] condensation, followed by oxidation with DDQ to afford dithiaoctapyrrin 1, and its mononuclear metal complexes 1-Cu and 1-Zn were synthesized by treating 1 with Cu(II) and Zn(II) acetates. All the compounds were systematically characterized by NMR/EPR, and HRMS. The crystal structures revealed that 1 adopts a double hook-like conformation. Whereas, both complexes 1-Cu and 1-Zn adopt spiral-hook hybrid conformations, showing smaller interplanar angles between the rings within the spiral part, compared with those in the hook-like counterpart of molecule 1, which is favorable for red-shifting the absorption. As expected, the absorption band edges for complexes 1-Cu and 1-Zn are red-shifted to ca. 1560 nm, compared with that of 1260 nm observed for 1.

Background and ObjectivesThe use of over-the-counter laxatives is common in the general population. The microbiome-gut-brain axis hypothesis suggests that the use of laxatives could be associated with dementia. We aimed to examine the association between the regular use of laxatives and the incidence of dementia in UK Biobank participants.MethodsThis prospective cohort study was based on UK Biobank participants aged 40–69 years without a history of dementia. Regular use of laxatives was defined as self-reported use in most days of the week for the last 4 weeks at baseline (2006–2010). The outcomes were all-cause dementia, Alzheimer disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VD), identified from linked hospital admissions or death registers (up to 2019). Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, medical conditions, family history, and regular medication use were adjusted for in the multivariable Cox regression analyses.ResultsAmong the 502,229 participants with a mean age of 56.5 (SD 8.1) years at baseline, 273,251 (54.4%) were female, and 18,235 (3.6%) reported regular use of laxatives. Over a mean follow-up of 9.8 years, 218 (1.3%) participants with regular use of laxatives and 1,969 (0.4%) with no regular use developed all-cause dementia. Multivariable analyses showed that regular use of laxatives was associated with increased risk of all-cause dementia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.51; 95% CI 1.30–1.75) and VD (HR 1.65; 95% CI 1.21–2.27), with no significant association observed for AD (HR 1.05; 95% CI 0.79–1.40). The risk of both all-cause dementia and VD increased with the number of regularly used laxative types (ptrend 0.001 and 0.04, respectively). Among the participants who clearly reported that they were using just 1 type of laxative (n = 5,800), only those using osmotic laxatives showed a statistically significantly higher risk of all-cause dementia (HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.20–2.24) and VD (HR 1.97; 95% CI 1.04–3.75). These results remained robust in various subgroup and sensitivity analyses.DiscussionRegular use of laxatives was associated with a higher risk of all-cause dementia, particularly in those who used multiple laxative types or osmotic laxative.

Background: Previous studies indicated that glucosamine supplements may have a general anticancer effect. This study aimed to assess whether the potential effect differs across different types of cancers in a large prospective cohort study. Methods: All participants from the UK Biobank who were free of cancers and had complete information on glucosamine use at baseline were included and followed up from 2006 until 2021. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the associations between regular glucosamine use and different site-specific cancers. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore potential interactions. Several sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the main findings. Results: A total of 450,207 eligible participants (mean age: 56.2 years; females: 53.3%) were included, of whom 84,895 (18.9%) reported regular glucosamine use at baseline. During a median of 12.5 years follow-up, glucosamine use was significantly associated with an increased risk of overall cancer [HR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.06], skin cancer (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07–1.15), and prostate cancer (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01–1.13), and with a reduced risk of lung cancer (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79–0.97) after adjusting for potential confounders. Statistical interaction was observed for gender, age, and education for the association of glucosamine use with overall cancer risk (all Pinteraction Conclusions: Regular glucosamine use was associated with lower risk of lung cancer but higher risk of skin cancer, prostate cancer, and overall cancer. Impact: The roles of glucosamine use potentially differ in the development of different site-specific cancers.

A hexapyrrane P6 with a terminal N-confused pyrrole was synthesized by acid-catalyzed [3+3] condensation followed by oxidation with DDQ, which did not afford the expected N-confused hexaphyrin. In stead, a rearranged product, i.e., [Formula: see text]-dipyrrin appended N-confused porphyrin 1 was obtained in a yield of 46%. Chelation of 1 with Pt(II) afforded the peripheral complex 1-Pt, which was further coordinated with Rh(I) in the cavity to afford the corresponding bimetallic complex 1-Pt-Rh. Both 1-Pt and 1-Pt-Rh exhibit split Soret-like bands and noticeable Q-like bands tailing to the NIR region up to ca. 1200 nm. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of 1 and 1-Pt revealed that the peripheral coordination of Pt(II) slightly modifies the interplanar angle between the porphyrin macrocycle and the dipyrrin unit, which may modulate the absorption spectra. The results of this work compose an interesting example of synthesizing porphyrinoids appended with conjugated peripheral chains by the oxidative ring closure reaction of an oligopyrrane containing a terminal N-confused pyrrole, and such compounds may be used for both inner and peripheral coordination to afford complexes with tunable NIR absorption.

Correction to Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 7: 627-47. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Aug;7(8):704. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(22)00210-2. PMID: 35809605. Background: Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Given the recent increasing trends in colorectal cancer incidence globally, up-to-date information on the colorectal cancer burden could guide screening, early detection, and treatment strategies, and help effectively allocate resources. We examined the temporal patterns of the global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer and its risk factors in 204 countries and territories across the past three decades. Methods: Estimates of incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for colorectal cancer were generated as a part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 by age, sex, and geographical location for the period 1990-2019. Mortality estimates were produced using the cause of death ensemble model. We also calculated DALYs attributable to risk factors that had evidence of causation with colorectal cancer. Findings: Globally, between 1990 and 2019, colorectal cancer incident cases more than doubled, from 842 098 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 810 408-868 574) to 2·17 million (2·00-2·34), and deaths increased from 518 126 (493 682-537 877) to 1·09 million (1·02-1·15). The global age-standardised incidence rate increased from 22·2 (95% UI 21·3-23·0) per 100 000 to 26·7 (24·6-28·9) per 100 000, whereas the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 14·3 (13·5-14·9) per 100 000 to 13·7 (12·6-14·5) per 100 000 and the age-standardised DALY rate decreased from 308·5 (294·7-320·7) per 100 000 to 295·5 (275·2-313·0) per 100 000 from 1990 through 2019. Taiwan (province of China; 62·0 [48·9-80·0] per 100 000), Monaco (60·7 [48·5-73·6] per 100 000), and Andorra (56·6 [42·8-71·9] per 100 000) had the highest age-standardised incidence rates, while Greenland (31·4 [26·0-37·1] per 100 000), Brunei (30·3 [26·6-34·1] per 100 000), and Hungary (28·6 [23·6-34·0] per 100 000) had the highest age-standardised mortality rates. From 1990 through 2019, a substantial rise in incidence rates was observed in younger adults (age

Supplementary Table S3 shows baseline characteristics of all study participants and those included in the main analysis.

Supplementary Figure S2 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of lung cancer.

Supplementary Figure S6 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of esophageal cancer.

Supplementary Figure S8 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of melanoma cancer.

Supplementary Figure S18 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of skin cancer.

Supplementary Figure S3 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of brain cancer.

Supplementary Figure S5 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of colorectal cancer.

Supplementary Figure S11 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of stomach cancer.

Supplementary Table S4 shows baseline characteristics of all participants by cancer diagnosis.

Background:Previous studies indicated that glucosamine supplements may have a general anticancer effect. This study aimed to assess whether the potential effect differs across different types of cancers in a large prospective cohort study.Methods:All participants from the UK Biobank who were free of cancers and had complete information on glucosamine use at baseline were included and followed up from 2006 until 2021. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the associations between regular glucosamine use and different site-specific cancers. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore potential interactions. Several sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the main findings.Results:A total of 450,207 eligible participants (mean age: 56.2 years; females: 53.3%) were included, of whom 84,895 (18.9%) reported regular glucosamine use at baseline. During a median of 12.5 years follow-up, glucosamine use was significantly associated with an increased risk of overall cancer [HR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.06], skin cancer (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07–1.15), and prostate cancer (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01–1.13), and with a reduced risk of lung cancer (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79–0.97) after adjusting for potential confounders. Statistical interaction was observed for gender, age, and education for the association of glucosamine use with overall cancer risk (all Pinteraction Conclusions:Regular glucosamine use was associated with lower risk of lung cancer but higher risk of skin cancer, prostate cancer, and overall cancer.Impact:The roles of glucosamine use potentially differ in the development of different site-specific cancers.

Supplementary Table S5 shows sensitivity analyses for the association between glucosamine use and risk of overall cancer after censoring certain cancers by gender.

Supplementary Figure S15 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of other male cancer.

Supplementary Figure S1 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of prostate cancer in male participants.

Supplementary Table S2 shows covariates used in the present study.

Supplementary Figure S17 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of endometrium cancer in female participants.

Supplementary Figure S7 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of kidney cancer.

Supplementary Figure S19 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of all other cancer.

Supplementary Figure S16 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of other female cancer.

Supplementary Figure S14 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of hepatobiliary cancer.

Supplementary Figure S10 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of pancreas cancer.

Supplementary Figure S13 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of cervical cancer in female participants.

Supplementary Table S1 shows ICD codes used for identification of cancer diagnosis in the UK Biobank.

Supplementary Figure S12 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of thyroid cancer.

Supplementary Figure S9 shows subgroup analyses for the association between glucosamine use and incidence of ovary cancer in female participants.

Background Previous studies found that about 24% of the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients reverse to cognitively normal (CN) status. However, it is unclear which modifiable factors are associated with this reversion. Method We conducted a prospective community-based cohort study based on 2002-2018 Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Of 35,474 older adults from 22 provinces in China in the 5 waves of CLHLS, 7,422 eligible participants with MCI were included. Multivariable Cox regression with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalty for variable selection was adopted to investigate the associations between reversion to CN and potential modifiable dietary/lifestyle, cardiometabolic, and psychological factors. Results Our analysis included 7,422 MCI participants [average age: 90.0 (SD 9.5) years]. Among these participants, 1,604 (21.6%) reversed from MCI to CN with a mean (SD) follow-up of 2.9 (1.8) years. Several dietary/lifestyle factors, including daily consumption of fresh fruits (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.42; P༜.001), engagement in reading (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.54; P =.047), housework (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.35; P =.001), and mah-jong or other card games (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.39; P =.001), were positively associated with possibility of reversion. Cigarette smoking (HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.84 to 1.00; P= .041) and duration of alcohol drinking (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94 to 0.99; P = .012) were negatively associated with possibility of reversion. None of the modifiable cardiometabolic and psychological factors was found to be significantly associated with reversion to CN. Difference was identified among different age and gender group. Conclusion This study identified several dietary/lifestyle factors associated with MCI reversion that may transfer into large-scale dementia prevention practices.

A novel pathway is demonstrated for preparing the high-value pharmaceutical intermediate 2-furylglyoxylic acid from 2-keto-l-gulonic acid, a bio-based sugar acid, via dehydration.

Catalytic conversion of CO2 into methanol utilizing green hydrogen produced from renewable energy is a promising route to realize carbon neutrality. Although ZnZrOx solid solution catalyst displays excellent catalytic performance, it is still highly desired to make any further improvement. Herein, we found the promoting effect of incorporating Ga into ZnZrOx solid solution catalyst in CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. Ga promoted ZnZrOx (GaZnZrOx) solid solution catalyst exhibits CO2 conversion of 8.8% and methanol space time yield of 630 mg gcat−1 h−1 that are higher than those of ZnZrOx solid solution catalyst (7.7%, 556 mg gcat−1 h−1) at 320 °C, while the highly selectivity toward methanol remains unchanged. Chemisorption and H2-D2 exchange results show that GaZnZrOx solid solution catalyst displays higher capacity for the adsorption and activation of H2 than ZnZrOx solid solution catalyst. Electron paramagnetic resonance result suggests that more oxygen vacancies are derived after incorporating Ga into ZnZrOx solid solution catalyst. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectra indicate that the HCOO* and CH3O* species are the main intermediate species. The higher IR intensity of intermediate species and lower CH3O*/HCOO* ratio on GaZnZrOx solid solution catalyst suggest that the hydrogenation of HCOO* to CH3O* is boosted. These results reveal the promoting effect of incorporated Ga into ZnZrOx solid solution catalyst that improves the adsorption and activation of H2 and CO2, thus enhancing catalytic performance of methanol synthesis from CO2 hydrogenation.

Sapphyrin is a pentapyrrolic expanded porphyrin with a 22π aromatic character. Herein, we report the synthesis of a 20π antiaromatic sapphyrin isomer 1 by oxidative cyclization of a pentapyrrane precursor P

Summary Background Prevention, control, and treatment of respiratory tract cancers are important steps towards achieving target 3.4 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a one-third reduction in premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases by 2030. We aimed to provide global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 methodology, we evaluated the incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of respiratory tract cancers (ie, tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer). Deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer attributable to each risk factor were estimated on the basis of risk exposure, relative risks, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input from 204 countries and territories, stratified by sex and Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Trends were estimated from 1990 to 2019, with an emphasis on the 2010–19 period. Findings Globally, there were 2·26 million (95% uncertainty interval 2·07 to 2·45) new cases of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer, and 2·04 million (1·88 to 2·19) deaths and 45·9 million (42·3 to 49·3) DALYs due to tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer in 2019. There were 209 000 (194 000 to 225 000) new cases of larynx cancer, and 123 000 (115 000 to 133 000) deaths and 3·26 million (3·03 to 3·51) DALYs due to larynx cancer globally in 2019. From 2010 to 2019, the number of new tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer cases increased by 23·3% (12·9 to 33·6) globally and the number of larynx cancer cases increased by 24·7% (16·0 to 34·1) globally. Global age-standardised incidence rates of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer decreased by 7·4% (−16·8 to 1·6) and age-standardised incidence rates of larynx cancer decreased by 3·0% (−10·5 to 5·0) in males over the past decade; however, during the same period, age-standardised incidence rates in females increased by 0·9% (−8·2 to 10·2) for tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and decreased by 0·5% (−8·4 to 8·1) for larynx cancer. Furthermore, although age-standardised incidence and death rates declined in both sexes combined from 2010 to 2019 at the global level for tracheal, bronchus, lung and larynx cancers, some locations had rising rates, particularly those on the lower end of the SDI range. Smoking contributed to an estimated 64·2% (61·9–66·4) of all deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and 63·4% (56·3–69·3) of all deaths from larynx cancer in 2019. For males and for both sexes combined, smoking was the leading specific risk factor for age-standardised deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer per 100 000 in all SDI quintiles and GBD regions in 2019. However, among females, household air pollution from solid fuels was the leading specific risk factor in the low SDI quintile and in three GBD regions (central, eastern, and western sub-Saharan Africa) in 2019. Interpretation The numbers of incident cases and deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer increased globally during the past decade. Even more concerning, age-standardised incidence and death rates due to tracheal, bronchus, lung cancer and larynx cancer increased in some populations—namely, in the lower SDI quintiles and among females. Preventive measures such as smoking control interventions, air quality management programmes focused on major air pollution sources, and widespread access to clean energy should be prioritised in these settings. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Background The ApoB/ApoA-1 (ApoB/A1) ratio is a predictor of atherosclerotic vascular disease. In this study, we aimed to explore whether ApoB/A1 ratio is related to arteriosclerosis parameters, including subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness, in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 256 type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients, including 152 patients with carotid atherosclerosis, were recruited. Traditional fasting lipid profiles and ApoB and ApoA-1 levels were measured. Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and subclinical arteriosclerosis was assessed by ankle brachial index (ABI) and carotid atherosclerosis. Results The ApoB/A1 ratio in T2D patients with no carotid atherosclerosis was significantly higher than that in T2D patients with carotid atherosclerosis (p < 0.05). The arterial stiffness parameters baPWV and ABI were significantly lower among T2D patients with no carotid atherosclerosis (all p < 0.05). Moreover, the baPWV and ABI were significantly decreased across the ApoB/A1 ratioquartiles (all p for trend < 0.05). Additionally, baPWV and ABI were both inversely related to ApoB/A1 ratio (r = –0.223 and –0.224, respectively, p < 0.001). Using univariate logistic regression analyses, ApoB/A1 ratio, sex, age, duration, baPWV, HbA1c, and statin use were found to be independent contributors to carotid atherosclerosis, and the corresponding odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.242 (0.090–0.646), 0.326 (0.178–0.599), 2.730 (1.619–4.603), 6.833 (3.024–15.44), 1.204 (1.103-1.314), 0.842 (0.745-0.953),and 2.704 (1.228, 5.954), respectively. After adjusting for clinical covariates by multiple logistic regression analyses, the corresponding odds ratio (OR) for the ApoB/A1 ratio of carotid atherosclerosis was 0.216 (0.062-0.759). Conclusions The ApoB/A1 ratio was independently and inversely associated with baPWV and ABI and independently contributed to carotid atherosclerosis.

ObjectivesTo examine whether and to what extent hospital strain will increase the risk of death from Covid-19.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingEngland.ParticipantsData on all the 147,276 Covid-19 deaths and 601,084 hospitalized Covid-19 patients in England during the period between 9 April 2020 and 11 March 2022 were extracted on a daily basis from the UK Health Security Agency.Main outcome measuresThe number of Covid-19 patients currently in hospitals was used as the measure of hospital strain. Daily case fatality was estimated as the measure of risk of death from Covid-19. The study was divided into 4 periods, which represented largely the wild, Alpha, Delta and Omicron waves. Weighted linear regression models were used to assess the association between hospital strain and Covid-19 fatality with adjustment for potential confounders including vaccination score, hospital admission rate, percentage of deaths outside hospitals, study period and interaction between patients currently in hospitals and study period.ResultsThe daily case fatality from Covid-19 increased linearly as the number of patients currently in hospitals increased in the 4 study periods except the Omicron wave. After adjusting for potential confounders, an increase in 1000 patients currently in hospitals was associated with a relative increase of 6.3% (95% CI: 5.9%~6.8%), 1.4% (95% CI: 1.3% ~ 1.5%) and 12.7% (95% CI: 10.8%~14.7%) in daily case fatality during study periods 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Compared with the lowest number of patients currently in hospitals, the highest number was associated with a relative increase of 188.0% (95% CI: 165.9%~211.6%), 69.9% (95% CI: 59.0%~81.8%) and 58.2% (95% CI: 35.4%~89.0%) in daily case fatality in the first 3 study periods respectively. Sensitivity analyses using the number of patients in ventilation beds as the measure of hospital strain showed similar results.ConclusionsThe risk of death from Covid-19 was linearly associated with the number of patients currently in hospitals, suggesting any (additional) effort to ease hospital strain or maintain care quality be beneficial during large outbreaks of Covid-19 and likely of other similar infectious diseases.Summary boxWhat is already known on this topic-During the Covid-19 pandemic, tremendous efforts have been made in many countries to suppress epidemic peaks and strengthen hospital services so as to avoid hospital strain with an ultimate aim to reduce the risk of death from Covid-19.-These efforts were made according to the widely held belief that hospital strain would increase the risk of Covid-19 death but good empirical evidence was largely lacking to support the hypothesis.-A few small studies showed that shortage in intensive care was associated with an increased Covid-19 fatality but strains may occur in many areas in the healthcare system besides intensive care and they may all increase the risk of death from Covid-19.-The totality of hospital strain can be approximated by the number of patients currently in hospitals but its effects on the risk of Covid-19 death has not been demonstrated.What this study adds-We found the risk of death from Covid-19 was linearly associated with the number of patients currently in hospitals before the Omicron period.-Compared with the lowest number of patients currently in hospitals in an outbreak, the highest number could be associated with a relative increase in the risk of death between 58.2% and 188.0%.-The number of patients currently in hospitals during the Omicron period was not found associated with the risk of death but there remains uncertainty if the number of patients currently in hospitals reached a level much higher than that actually occurred in England or in places other than England.How this study might affect research, practice, or policy-Facing the on-going Covid-19 pandemic and future outbreaks alike, the linear relation between hospital strain and fatality suggests importantly any (additional) effort to reduce hospital strain would be beneficial during a large Covid-19 outbreak.

Lithography for the next generation of integrated-circuit manufacturing at the 3 nm node requires sub-1-nm misalignment measurement accuracy, which is almost impossible for existing systems due to the optical diffraction limit. Herein, we propose a misalignment sensing strategy based on structured illumination. By virtue of the distinctive modulation effect of a Talbot diffractive illuminated field on moiré fringes, the measurement signals can pass unhindered through the optical system and be used for sensing. Experiments are used to demonstrate that the proposed method can implement real-time-lapse (100 Hz) misalignment sensing with an accuracy of sub-1-nm (0.31 nm @ 3σ), making it suitable for various lithography techniques (e.g., proximity, x ray, projective, and nanoimprint lithography) and fields requiring advanced precision measurement (e.g., quantum measurement, gravitational wave detection, and molecular biology).

The gram-scale synthesis of 5,6-, 6,7-, and 7,8-chromene/chromane-type aryne precursors and their applications in regioselective transformation to other functional derivatives is reported. Chromene/chromane-type arynes are generated under mild conditions, which can further undergo [2 + 2], [3 + 2], and [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions, nucleophilic addition reactions, and σ-insertion reactions to produce structurally novel substituted chromenes and chromanes. The excellent regioselectivity of the reaction is facilitated by the oxygen-containing guiding groups at the ortho-position of the triple bond, which can be removed or switched to other functional groups including alkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and arylamino groups.

CO2 hydrogenation to methanol is becoming a potential route for reducing CO2 emission, benefiting from the worldwide growth of renewable energy for H2 production. In this work, the ZnO-ZrO2 solid solution catalysts with ordered mesoporous structure were constructed by the evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) process using triblock copolymer P123 as the template. The 20% ZnO-ZrO 2 catalyst prepared by the evaporation-induced self-assembly process shows a methanol formation rate of 22.1 mmol·h-1·gcat-1 at 320°C, 5.5 MPa, which is 1.35 times that of the catalyst prepared by co-precipitation. Characterizations prove that the EISA catalysts have larger specific surface areas and more sites for the activation of CO2 and H2, which are related to the higher CO2 conversion.

PurposeThe study discusses organic agricultural product persuasion using an empirical survey. This study argued that strong argument persuasive advertising message would trigger individuals' self-reference to the harm of pesticide residue in non-organic agricultural product, which would raise their purchase intention of organic agricultural product.Design/methodology/approachThe present study conducted an empirical investigation in Taiwan by recruiting 527 Taiwanese participants using the convenience sampling procedure. The current research performed structural equation modeling analysis and used LISREL software to report the analytical results.FindingsIndividuals with health consciousness may perceive a high-level risk of non-organic agricultural product, which would raise individuals' fear perception to the harm of pesticide residue. Fear perception will increase individual's purchase intention of organic agricultural product. Results can help industry practitioners benefit from the results by enabling them to develop their advertising strategy for organic food.Originality/valueResults can help industry practitioners benefit from the results by enabling them to develop their advertising strategy for organic food.

Since 1973, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”) government has succeeded in decentralizing its population from the overcrowded urban area to the satellite towns. During this time, many low-income people had also relocated to the new satellite towns for affordable public rental housing (“PRH”) where originally the government expected manufacturing factories in urban areas to relocate there during suburbanisation. However, instead, the factories mostly moved to Mainland China, while service jobs still clustered at the central business districts in Hong Kong, resulting in “Spatial Mismatch” between jobs and residents in the new towns. Poor people living in PRH may suffer from high travel costs for remote job opportunities and are thus more likely to be unemployed than their urban counterparts. To tackle this problem, in 2007, the HKSAR government launched the Transport Support Scheme (“TSS”) that provides transport allowance to job seekers and low-income employees in the four remote districts to encourage cross-district employment. In this study, the effectiveness of this scheme in reducing unemployment and extending the commuting distances for job opportunities for the PRH residents are evaluated. A difference-in-difference model is used to compare the probabilities of being unemployed and the commuting distances between residents in the eligible and the non-eligible areas before and after the launch of the TSS. It is observed that the TSS has significantly decreased the probability of unemployment among the PRH residents living in the four eligible districts, especially among the young and middle-aged male residents. Conditional upon employment, the TSS also increased cross-district employment among the middle-aged female residents. This study provides strong evidence on the effectiveness of the TSS and casts practical implications for transport support policies in compact cities that heavily rely on their public transport system.