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Self-healing hydrogels have attracted widespread attention due to their excellent biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and reparability.

Kai Yue,1,2 Chao Yang,1 Yu You,1,2 Xueying Wang,3 Xinxin Zhang1 1School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, People’s Republic of China; 2Shunde Graduate School of University of Science and Technology Beijing, Shunde, Guangdong Province, 528399, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250022, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Kai Yue, Email yuekai@ustb.edu.cnBackground: A good understanding of the adhesion behaviors of the nanocarriers in microvessels in chemo-hyperthermia synergistic therapy is conducive to nanocarrier design for targeted drug delivery.Methods: In this study, we constructed an artificial blood vessel system using gelatins with a complete endothelial monolayer formed on the inner vessel wall. The numbers of adhered NPs under different conditions were measured, as well as the interaction forces between the arginine–glycine–aspartic acid (RGD) ligands and endothelial cells.Results: The experimental results on the adhesion of ligand–coated nanoparticles (NPs) with different sizes and morphologies in the blood vessel verified that the gelatin-based artificial vessel possessed good cytocompatibility and mechanical properties, which are suitable for the investigation on NP adhesion characteristics in microvessels. When the temperature deviated from 37 °C, an increase or decrease in temperature resulted in a decrease in the number of adhered NPs, but the margination probability of NP adhesion increased at high temperatures due to the enhanced Brownian movement and flow disturbance. It is found that the effect of cooling was less than that of heating according to the observed changes in cell morphology and a decrease in cell activity under the static and perfusion culture conditions within the temperature range of 25 °C– 43 °C. Furthermore, the measurement results of change in the RGD ligand-cell interaction with temperature showed good agreement with those in the number of adhered NPs.Conclusion: The Findings suggest that designing ligands that can bind to the receptor and are least susceptible to temperature variation can be an effective means to enhance drug retention.Keywords: artificial vessel, drug delivery, nanoparticle, temperature variation, particle–wall adhesion

Poultry and its products are often referred to as reservoirs of Salmonella to infect humans. Salmonella serovars were determined from samples of terminated eggs (early-terminated eggs, EEs, and late-terminated eggs, LEs) on farms YA (layers), YB (native hybrid broilers, NHCs), and YF (NHCs); one-day-old chicks (OCs) on farm YB; and shoe covers (SCs) on farms YB, YC (broilers), YD (broilers), YE (NHCs), and YF using multiplex PCR and agglutination methods. One hundred isolates were examined for susceptibility to 13 antimicrobials and profiles of pulsotypes and plasmids. Nine serovars were identified as serogroup B Agona and Schwarzengrund, serogroup C1 Montevideo and Mbandaka, serogroup C2 Albany, Kentucky and Newport, serogroup E Weltevreden, and serogroup G Kedougou. Different from those in 2003, Albany, Kentucky, Montevideo, and Mbandaka were the predominant serovars that differed in chromosomal and plasmid variations and antibiogram profiles. Albany and Kentucky isolates had higher resistance levels to the antimicrobials than the Montevideo and Mbandaka isolates. The antibiogram differences among the serovars may be related to the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in Salmonella genomic island 1-F (SGI1-F) and plasmids in Albany isolates. Albany and Kentucky exhibited the largest chromosomal and plasmid variations, respectively. The main serovars associated with embryogenesis termination were Mbandaka and Montevideo in EEs and LEs, Newport in NHCs, and Kedougou in LEs from layers. Furthermore, Montevideo and Agona were the only serovars detected in OCs, and Albany and Kentucky were the main serovars on SCs. Farm management also affected the Salmonella prevalence and predominant serovars.

Second-messenger-mediated signaling by cyclic oligonucleotides (cOs) composed of distinct base, ring size, and 3'-5'/2'-5' linkage combinations constitutes the initial trigger resulting in activation of signaling pathways that have an impact on immune-mediated antiviral defense against invading viruses and phages. Bacteria and archaea have evolved CRISPR, CBASS, Pycsar, and Thoeris surveillance complexes that involve cO-mediated activation of effectors resulting in antiviral defense through either targeted nuclease activity, effector oligomerization-mediated depletion of essential cellular metabolites or disruption of host cell membrane functions. Notably, antiviral defense capitalizes on an abortive infection mechanism, whereby infected cells die prior to completion of the phage replication cycle. In turn, phages have evolved small proteins that target and degrade/sequester cOs, thereby suppressing host immunity. This review presents a structure-based mechanistic perspective of recent advances in the field of cO-mediated antiviral defense, in particular highlighting the ancient evolutionary adaptation by metazoans of bacterial cell-autonomous innate immune mechanisms.

The scientific community has expressed interest in the potential of phased array radars (PARs) to observe the atmosphere with finer spatial and temporal scales. Although convergence has occurred between the meteorological and engineering communities, the need exists to increase access of PAR to meteorologists. Here, we facilitate these interdisciplinary efforts in the field of ground-based PARs for atmospheric studies. We cover high-level technical concepts and terminology for PARs as applied to studies of the atmosphere. A historical perspective is provided as context along with an overview of PAR system architectures, technical challenges, and opportunities. Envisioned scan strategies are summarized because they are distinct from traditional mechanically scanned radars and are the most advantageous for high-resolution studies of the atmosphere. Open access to PAR data is emphasized as a mechanism to educate the future generation of atmospheric scientists. Finally, a vision for the future of operational networks, research facilities, and expansion into complementary radar wavelengths is provided.

Conductive polymers have many advanced applications, but there is still an important target in developing a general and straightforward strategy for printable, mechanically stable, and durable organohydrogels with typical conducting polymers of, for example, polypyrrole, polyaniline, or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene). Here we report a protein crystallization-mediated self-strengthening strategy to fabricate printable conducting organohydrogels with the combination of rational photochemistry design. Such organohydrogels are one-step prepared via rapidly and orthogonally controllable photopolymerizations of pyrroles and gelatin protein in tens of seconds. As-prepared conducting organohydrogels are patterned and printed to complicated structures via shadow-mask lithography and 3D extrusion technology. The mild photocatalytic system gives the transition metal carbide/nitride (MXene) component high stability during the oxidative preparation process and storage. Controlling water evaporation promotes gelatin crystallization in the as-prepared organohydrogels that significantly self-strengthens their mechanical property and stability in a broad temperature range and durability against continuous friction treatment without introducing guest functional materials. Also, these organohydrogels have commercially electromagnetic shielding, thermal conducting properties, and temperature- and light-responsibility. To further demonstrate the merits of this simple strategy and as-prepared organohydrogels, prism arrays, as proofs-of-concept, are printed and applied to make wearable triboelectric nanogenerators. This self-strengthening process and 3D-printability can greatly improve their voltage, charge, and current output performances compared to the undried and flat samples.

OBJECTIVE The molecular pathogenesis of malignant gliomas, characterized by diverse tumor histology with differential prognosis, remains largely unelucidated. An APOBEC3 deletion polymorphism, with a deletion in APOBEC3B, has been correlated to risk and prognosis in several cancers, but its role in glioma is unclear. The authors aimed to examine the clinical relevance of the APOBEC3 deletion polymorphism to glioma risk and survival in a glioma patient cohort in Taiwan. METHODS The authors detected deletion genotypes in 403 glioma patients and 1365 healthy individuals in Taiwan and correlated the genotypes with glioma risk, clinicopathological factors, patient survival, and patient sex. APOBEC3 gene family expression was measured and correlated to the germline deletion. A nomogram model was constructed to predict patient survival in glioma. RESULTS The proportion of APOBEC3B−/− and APOBEC3B+/− genotypes was higher in glioblastoma (GBM) patients than healthy individuals and correlated with higher GBM risk in males. A higher percentage of cases with APOBEC3B− was observed in male than female glioma patients. The presence of APOBEC3B−/− was correlated with better overall survival (OS) in male astrocytic glioma patients. No significant correlation of the genotypes to glioma risk and survival was observed in the female patient cohort. Lower APOBEC3B expression was observed in astrocytic glioma patients with APOBEC3B−/− and was positively correlated with better OS. A 5-factor nomogram model was constructed based on male patients with astrocytic gliomas in the study cohort and worked efficiently for predicting patient OS. CONCLUSIONS The germline APOBEC3 deletion was associated with increased GBM risk and better OS in astrocytic glioma patients in the Taiwan male population. The APOBEC3B deletion homozygote was a potential independent prognostic factor predicting better survival in male astrocytic glioma patients.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease with no currently approved treatment. The natural compound silybin (SLN) has versatile hepatoprotective efficacy with negligible adverse effects; however, poor absorption limits its clinical applications. Gut microbiota has been proposed to play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of NAFLD and targeted for disease control. Cyclodextrins, the cyclic oligosaccharides, were documented to have various health benefits with potential prebiotic properties. This study aimed to develop a silybin-2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion (SHβCD) to improve the therapeutic efficacy of SLN and elucidate the mechanisms of improvement. The results showed that SLN formed a 1:1 stoichiometric inclusion complex with HP-β-CD. The solubility of SLN was increased by generating SHβCD, resulting in improved drug permeability and bioavailability. In high-fat diet (HFD)-fed hamsters, SHβCD modulated gut health by restoring the gut microbiota and intestinal integrity. SHβCD showed superior anti-lipid accumulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects compared with SLN alone. Transcriptome analysis in the liver tissue implied that the improved inflammation and/or energy homeostasis was the potential mechanism. Therefore, SHβCD may be a promising alternative for the treatment of NAFLD, attributing to the dual functions of HβCD on drug absorption and gut microbial homeostasis.

The fear among college students of different sensory status during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing was assessed with its correlates. The total sample of 686 cases was composed of students without sensory disabilities, students that are hard of hearing, and with a visual impairment. The measure of fear was adopted from an instrument assessing people’s fear of flu published by WHO. The correlate variables beyond the demographics were all previously validated and documented tools. The students without sensory disabilities are more fearful than the students with sensory impairment. Females are more fearful than males. Social support reduces fear. Life satisfaction is negatively related to fear. While stress and anxiety increase fear, depression is negatively correlated with fear. Findings indicate that students with sensory disabilities are not the most fearful in a pandemic disaster like the current COVID-19, which may increase their risk of infection.

Hydrogen production from water electrolysis in neutral-pH electrolytes can not only avoid the corrosion and safety issues and expand the catalyst option but also potentially integrate with artificial photosynthesis and bioelectrocatalysis. However, heterogeneous catalysts that can efficiently negotiate the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in neutral solutions are considerably lacking. Herein, we report a template-assisted strategy for the synthesis of 13 kinds of tube-like nanostructured perovskite oxides (TNPOs) with markedly high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface areas. By systematic examination of these TNPOs, we found that the OER activity of TNPOs in neutral solution exhibits a volcano shape as a function of the covalency of transition metal-oxygen bonds. Consequently, our designed Sm-doped LaCoO

Phased-array radar (PAR) technology can potentially provide high-quality clear-air radial velocity observations at a high spatiotemporal resolution, usually ∼1 min or less. These observations are hypothesized to partially fill the gaps in current operational observing systems with relatively coarse-resolution surface mesonet observations and the lack of high-resolution upper-air observations especially in planetary boundary layer. In this study, observing system simulation experiments are conducted to investigate the potential value of assimilating PAR observations of clear-air radial velocity to improve the forecast of convection initiation (CI) along small-scale boundary layer convergence zones. Both surface-based and elevated CIs driven by meso-γ-scale boundary layer convergence are tested. An ensemble Kalman filter method is used to assimilate synthetic surface mesonet observations and PAR clear-air radial velocity observations. Results show that assimilating only surface mesonet observations fails to predict either surface-based or elevated CI processes. Assimilating clear-air radial velocity observations in addition to surface mesonet observations can capture both surface-based and elevated CI processes successfully. Such an improvement benefits from the better analyses of boundary layer convergence, resulting from the assimilation of clear-air radial velocity observations. Additional improvement is observed with more frequent assimilation. Assimilating clear-air radial velocity observations only from the one radar results in analysis biases of cross-beam winds and CI location biases, and assimilating additional radial velocity observations from the second radar at an appropriate position can reduce these biases while sacrificing the CI timing. These results suggest the potential of assimilating clear-air radial velocity observations from PAR to improve the forecast of CI processes along boundary layer convergence zones.

Background To investigate the clinical value of radiomics based on non-enhanced head CT in the prediction of hemorrhage transformation in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Materials and methods The radiomic features of infarcted areas on non-enhanced CT images were extracted using ITK-SNAP. The Max-Relevance and Min-Redundancy (mRMR) and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to select features. The radiomics signature was then constructed by multiple logistic regression. The clinicoradiomics nomogram was constructed by combining radiomics signature and clinical characteristics. All predictive models were constructed in the training group, and these were verified in the validation group. All models were evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).Results The radiomics signature was constructed by 10 radiomics features. The clinicoradiomics nomogram was constructed by combining radiomics signature and atrial fibrillation. The area under the ROC curve (AUCs) of the clinical model, radiomics signature, and clinicoradiomics nomogram for predicting hemorrhagic transformation in the training group were 0.64, 0.86, and 0.86, respectively. The AUCs of the clinical model, radiomics signature, and clinicoradiomics nomogram for predicting hemorrhagic transformation in the validation group were 0.63, 0.90, and 0.90, respectively. DCA curves showed that the radiomics signature performed well as well as the clinicoradiomics nomogram. DCA curve showed the clinical application value of radiomics signature is similar to that of clinicoradiomics nomogram.Conclusion Radiomics signature which was constructed without clinical characteristics can independently predict the hemorrhagic transformation of AIS well.

Downbursts are a rapidly evolving meteorological phenomena with numerous vertically-oriented precursor signatures, and the temporal resolution and vertical sampling of the current NEXRAD system are too coarse to observe their evolution and precursor signatures properly. A future all-digital polarimetric phased array weather radar (PAR) should be able to improve both temporal resolution and spatial sampling of the atmosphere to provide better observations of rapidly evolving hazards such as downbursts. Previous work has been focused on understanding the trade-offs associated with using various scanning techniques on stationary PAR radars; however, a rotating, polarimetric PAR (RPAR) is a more feasible and cost-effective candidate. Thus, understanding the trade-offs associated with using various scanning techniques on an RPAR is vital in learning how to best observe downbursts with such a system. This work develops a framework for analyzing the trade-offs associated with different scanning strategies in the observation of downbursts and their precursor signatures. A proof-of-concept analysis — which uses a Cloud Model 1 (CM1) simulated downburst-producing thunderstorm — is also performed with both conventional and imaging scanning strategies in an adaptive scanning framework to show the potential value and feasibility of the framework. Preliminary results from the proof-of-concept analysis indicate that there is indeed a limit to the benefits of imaging as an update time speedup method. As imaging is used to achieve larger speedup factors, corresponding data degradation begins to hinder the observations of various precursor signatures.

Supplementary Figures S1-S3 from Monochromosome Transfer and Microarray Analysis Identify a Critical Tumor-Suppressive Region Mapping to Chromosome 13q14 and THSD1 in Esophageal Carcinoma

Loss of chromosome 13q regions in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a frequent event. Monochromosome transfer approaches provide direct functional evidence for tumor suppression by chromosome 13 in SLMT-1, an ESCC cell line, and identify critical regions at 13q12.3, 13q14.11, and 13q14.3. Differential gene expression profiles of three tumor-suppressing microcell hybrids (MCH) and their tumorigenic parental SLMT-1 cell line were revealed by competitive hybridization using 19k cDNA oligonucleotide microarrays. Nine candidate 13q14 tumor-suppressor genes (TSG), including RB1, showed down-regulation in SLMT-1, compared with NE1, an immortalized normal esophageal epithelial cell line; their average gene expression was restored in MCHs compared with SLMT-1. Reverse transcription-PCR validated gene expression levels in MCHs and a panel of ESCC cell lines. Results suggest that the tumor-suppressing effect is not attributed to RB1, but instead likely involves thrombospondin type I domain-containing 1 (THSD1), a novel candidate TSG mapping to 13q14. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR detected down-regulation of THSD1 expression in 100% of ESCC and other cancer cell lines. Mechanisms for THSD1 silencing in ESCC involved loss of heterozygosity and promoter hypermethylation, as analyzed by methylation-specific PCR and clonal bisulfite sequencing. Transfection of wild-type THSD1 into SLMT-1 resulted in significant reduction of colony-forming ability, hence providing functional evidence for its growth-suppressive activity. These findings suggest that THSD1 is a good candidate TSG. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(4):592–603)

Obesity, which has unknown pathogenesis, can increase the frequency and seriousness of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study evaluated effect of Huayu Qutan Recipe (HQR) pretreatment on myocardial apoptosis induced by AMI by regulating mitochondrial function via PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway in rats with obesity. For in vivo experiments, 60 male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham group, AMI group, AMI (obese) group, 4.5, 9.0 and 18.0 g/kg/d HQR groups. The models fed on HQR with different concentrations for 2 weeks before AMI. For in vitro experiments, the cardiomyocytes line (H9c2) was used. Cells were pretreated with palmitic acid (PA) for 24 h, then to build hypoxia model followed by HQR-containing serum for 24 h. Related indicators were also detected. In vivo, HQR can lessen pathohistological damage and apoptosis after AMI. In addition, HQR improves blood fat levels, cardiac function, inflammatory factor, the balance of oxidation and antioxidation, as well as lessen infarction in rats with obesity after AMI. Meanwhile, HQR can diminish myocardial cell death by improving mitochondrial function via PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway activation. In vitro, HQR inhibited H9c2 cells apoptosis, improved mitochondrial function and activated the PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway, but effects can be peripeteiad by LY294002. Myocardial mitochondrial dysfunction occurs following AMI and can lead to myocardial apoptosis, which can be aggravated by obesity. HQR can relieve myocardial apoptosis by improving mitochondrial function via the PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway in rats with obesity.

Introduction: Maternal immune activation (MIA) is closely related to the onset of autism-like behaviors in offspring, but the mechanism remains unclear. Maternal behaviors can influence offspring’s development and behaviors, as indicated in both human and animal studies. We hypothesized that abnormal maternal behaviors in MIA dams might be other factors leading to delayed development and abnormal behaviors in offspring.Methods: To verify our hypothesis, we analyzed poly(I:C)-induced MIA dam’s postpartum maternal behavior and serum levels of several hormones related to maternal behavior. Pup’s developmental milestones and early social communication were recorded and evaluated in infancy. Other behavioral tests, including three-chamber test, self-grooming test, open field test, novel object recognition test, rotarod test and maximum grip test, were performed in adolescence of pups.Results: Our results showed that MIA dams exhibit abnormal static nursing behavior but normal basic care and dynamic nursing behavior. The serum levels of testosterone and arginine vasopressin in MIA dams were significantly reduced compared with control dams. The developmental milestones, including pinna detachment, incisor eruption and eye opening, were significantly delayed in MIA offspring compared with control offspring, while the weight and early social communication showed no significant differences between the two groups. Behavioral tests performed in adolescence showed that only male MIA offspring display elevated self-grooming behaviors and reduced maximum grip.Discussion: In conclusion, MIA dams display abnormal postpartum static nursing behavior concomitantly with reduced serum levels of testosterone and arginine vasopressin, possibly involving in the pathogenesis of delayed development and elevated self-grooming in male offspring. These findings hint that improving dam’s postpartum maternal behavior might be a potential regime to counteract delayed development and elevated self-grooming in male MIA offspring.

Analyses of the genomic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 found that some sites across the genome appear to have mutated independently multiple times with frequency significantly higher than four-fold sites, which can be either due to mutational bias, i.e., elevated mutation rate in some sites of the genome, or selection of the variants due to antagonistic pleiotropy, a condition where mutations increase some components of fitness at a cost to others. To examine how different forces shaped evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020–2021, we analyzed a large set of genome sequences (~ 2 million). Here we show that while evolution of SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic was largely mutation-driven, a group of nonsynonymous changes is probably maintained by antagonistic pleiotropy. To test this hypothesis, we studied the function of one such mutation, spike M1237I. Spike I1237 increases viral assembly and secretion, but decreases efficiency of transmissionin vitro. Therefore, while the frequency of spike M1237I may increase within hosts, viruses carrying this mutation would be outcompeted at the population level. We also discuss how the antagonistic pleiotropy might facilitate positive epistasis to promote virus adaptation and reconcile discordant estimates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission bottleneck sizes in previous studies.

Biomineralized tough hydrogels (BTHs) have advanced applications in the fields of soft bioelectronics and biomimetic tissue engineering. But the development of rapid and general photomineralization strategies for one-step fabrication of customizable BTHs is still a challenging task. Here we report a straightforward, low-cost visible-light-mediated nano-biomineralization (VLMNB) strategy

The rotating phased array radar (RPAR) has the potential to improve the capabilities of the current U.S. Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) operational network and can be more affordable than other candidate phased array radar (PAR) architectures that have been evaluated to replace the WSR-88D. Considering the demanding functional requirements for the future U.S. weather surveillance radar, it is expected that several advanced RPAR scanning techniques will need to be applied simultaneously to achieve them. In this letter, we present the integration of two such RPAR scanning techniques: motion-compensated steering (MCS) and distributed beams (DBs). MCS exploits beam agility to mitigate beam smearing, while DB exploits digital beamforming to reduce the scan time or the standard deviation (SD) of estimates. The integration of these techniques is demonstrated with the National Severe Storms Laboratory's (NSSL) dual-polarization advanced technology demonstrator (ATD) radar system. Results show that these techniques can be used simultaneously to enhance azimuthal resolution and reduce the SD of estimates without impacting data quality if certain obtainable tradeoff considerations are incorporated in the radar design process.

Alterations in the microbiota-gut-brain axis are associated with the onset of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Numerous studies have reported that the gut microbiota (GM) is significantly altered in individuals with ASD and animal models of ASD. However, few studies have focused on sex-specific differences in the GM and fecal metabolites of ASD.In this study, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics in parallel on fecal samples from a valproic acid (VPA)-induced rat model of autism (VPA rats). Based on these data, we analyzed differentially abundant metabolites in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database to reveal the possible mechanism of ASD. Data derived from male and female rats were analyzed separately. Finally, we analyzed the correlation between characteristic genera and characteristic fecal metabolites in VPA rats of both sexes.The results showed that VPA rats of both sexes presented remarkable alterations in the GM and fecal metabolites. Sex-specific differences were noticeably detected. We identified 51 annotated differentially abundant fecal metabolites and 1 differentially enriched KEGG pathway between the male VPA and male control groups. Ruminococcus_2, Candidatus_Soleaferrea, Desulfovibrio, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Intestinimonas, [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group, [Eubacterium]_brachy_group and [Bacteroides]_pectinophilus_group were the characteristic genera of male VPA rats. Between the female VPA and female control groups, 124 annotated differentially abundant fecal metabolites were identified without differentially enriched KEGG pathways. Ruminiclostridium, Acetatifactor, Desulfovibrio, [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group and Candidatus_Saccharimonas were the characteristic genera of female VPA rats. Correlation analysis revealed a tight relationship between the GM and fecal metabolites in VPA rats of both sexes.In conclusion, alterations in the GM and fecal metabolites in VPA rats showed sex-specific differences. The therapy for ASD might be different between sexes in the future.

— Populations of Balanophora from southern China are often identified by local botanists as B. laxiflora based on their long cylindric male inflorescence, subsessile male flowers with slender rudimentary bracts, and subdiscoid synandria. In this study, we clarify the identity of seven such populations based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis using nuclear 18S and ITS ribosomal DNA sequences. We confirmed the occurrence of dioecious populations of B. yakushimensis and two previously unrecognized species, which we describe here as B. parajaponica and B. appressa. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that B. parajaponica, B. yakushimensis, B. appressa, B. laxiflora, and the agamospermic B. japonica, formed a well resolved clade, viz. the B. laxiflora clade. The four dioecious species, although highly similar in the morphology of male inflorescence and flowers, can be separated by leaf morphology and arrangement, ovary color, and arrangement of female flowers. The species limit of B. laxiflora, however, remains unresolved.

The rotating phased array radar (RPAR) is an architecture that could improve the capabilities of the current weather surveillance radar--1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) operational network and is likely to be more affordable than other candidate PAR architectures. However, continuous antenna rotation coupled with the need to perform coherent processing of multiple samples results in a degraded effective beamwidth (referred to as beam smearing) compared to architectures based on stationary antennas. The RPAR's beam agility can be exploited to reduce beam-smearing effects by electronically steering the beam on a pulse-to-pulse basis within the coherent processing interval. That is, the motion of the antenna can be compensated to maintain the beam pointed at the center of resolution volume being sampled. This motion-compensated steering (MCS) could reduce the effects of antenna motion and lead to a reduction in the effective beamwidth. The purpose of this article is to present and demonstrate the MCS technique for a dual-polarization RPAR system. In this article, we provide a formulation for the MCS technique, simulations to quantify its performance in mitigating beam-smearing effects, its impacts on the quality of dual-polarization radar-variable estimates, and a practical implementation on the National Severe Storms Laboratory's Advanced Technology Demonstrator (ATD) system. Experiments were carried out using two alternative concepts of operations (CONOPS) described in this article. Results show that a system designed with sufficient pointing accuracy can be operated as an RPAR using MCS, and the impact on radar-variable estimates is comparable to that obtained when operating the same system as a stationary PAR.

Important requirements for a future generation of weather surveillance radars include improvements in data quality and more rapid update of volumetric data. Phased array radar (PAR) is a candidate technology capable of providing the required functionality. The rotating PAR (RPAR) is a potential architecture that could improve the capabilities of the current parabolic-reflector-based US Weather Surveillance Radar—1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) operational network and is more affordable than other candidate PAR architectures. However, RPAR concept of operations that support observational needs has to be developed. The Distributed Beams (DB) technique introduced in this article provides a way to either reduce the scan times or to reduce the variance of radar-variable estimates by azimuthally spoiling the transmit beam while receiving multiple digital beams as the radar rotates in azimuth. Specifically, the rotation speed of the pedestal is derived from the duration of the coherent processing interval (CPI) to produce the desired spatial sampling. This results in beams from subsequent CPIs in approximately the same directions, which increases the number of available data samples for processing. The increased number of available samples can be coherently processed to reduce the variance of estimates. Alternatively, by reducing the number of samples per CPI and increasing the RPAR’s rotation rate, the scan time can be reduced without increasing the variance of estimates. Results presented demonstrate both applications of the DB technique for dual-polarization observations. Given that this technique makes use of spoiled transmit beams, its benefits come at the expense of degraded angular resolution (beamwidth and sidelobe levels), and reduced sensitivity compared with the use of pencil beams. The technique could be implemented as part of an RPAR concept of operations to meet requirements for the future weather surveillance network if certain tradeoffs are accounted for in the radar design process.

Much research has focused on massive open online courses (MOOCs) but little of it has focused on university students in China who can only participate in MOOCs in their free time. To address this gap, this research adopted unified theories of acceptance and a usage of technology model, and added three new moderating variables, which are the network learning channel of MOOC, free time management, and leisure-study conflict. Seven hundred seventy-one valid questionnaires were collected from 11 universities in China. LISREL and AMOS were used to conduct confirmatory factor analysis, model fit analysis, and path coefficients analysis and to analyze the moderating roles of the three moderating factors. Most hypotheses concerning the three moderating variables were valid, indicating that the three moderating variables did exhibit some moderating effects. Some suggestions are put forward for regulating and promoting the development of MOOCs from the perspectives of government, universities, and developers of network learning platforms.

Ab initio calculations have been carried out to investigate the adsorption, dissociation, and diffusion of atomic and molecular hydrogen on the Fe-doped ZrCo (110) surface. It is found that the adsorption of H2 on doped surface seems thermodynamically more stable with more negative adsorption energy than that on the pure surface, and the dissociation energy of H2 on doped surface is much bigger therefore. However, compared with the pure system, there are fewer adsorption sites for spontaneous dissociation. After dissociation, the higher hydrogen adsorption strength sites would promote the H atom diffusion towards them where they can permeate into the bulk further. Furthermore, the ZrCo (110) surface possesses much higher hydrogen permeability and lower hydrogen diffusivity than its corresponding ZrCo bulk. Moreover, further comparison of the present results to analogous calculations for pure surface reveals that the Fe dopant facilitates the H2 molecule dissociation. Unfortunately, this does not improve the hydrogen storage performance of ZrCo alloy due to the H atom diffusion on the surface and into bulk are prevented with higher reaction energetic barriers by doping Fe. Consequently, ZrCo (110) surface modified with Fe atoms should not be preferred as a result of its terrible hydrogen permeability. A clear and deep comprehending of the inhibiting effect of Fe dopant on the hydrogen storage of ZrCo materials from the perspective of the surface adsorption of hydrogen are obtained from the present results.

Upper-neck irradiation (UNI) at the uninvolved neck has shown similar regional relapse-free survival as standard whole-neck irradiation (WNI) in N0-1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. However, whether UNI at the contralateral uninvolved neck is feasible in unilateral N3 disease, defined as6 cm and/or below the caudal border of the cricoid cartilage, remains unclear.Data for 291 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with unilateral N3 disease, who were treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy from 2009 to 2015, were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 190 received bilateral WNI (WNI group); the remaining 101 received WNI at the involved neck and UNI at the contralateral uninvolved neck (UNI group). Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and difference between groups were compared using the log rank tests.The median follow-up was 79.4 months (interquartile range, 56.0-89.3). Twenty-five patients had regional lymph node relapses (UNI: 10.9%, 11/101 vs. WNI: 7.4%, 14/190, p=0.31). Of these, 23 patients relapsed within the previously involved neck regions, while only two patients had relapses in the contralateral uninvolved neck (one each in the UNI and WNI groups). Five-year regional relapse-free survival rates were similar between groups (89.7% vs. 92.7%, p=0.29). Similar between-group findings were also observed for 5-year overall survival (76.1% vs. 80.4%, p=0.40), distant metastasis-free survival (74.9% vs. 79.2%, p=0.44), and local relapse-free survival (95.6% vs. 94.7%, p=0.64). Furthermore, oncologic outcomes in subgroup and multivariable analyses were similar between groups.Regional control and survival outcomes were comparable in UNI at the contralateral uninvolved neck and standard WNI in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with unilateral N3 disease. Our findings provide evidence for future radiotherapy guidelines of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose Age has been confirmed to be a very aggressive biological factor and associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer (BC) patients, but the effect of pathological complete response (pCR) rate after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is still controversial, with the development of time, young women breast cancer(YWBC) gradually into people's vision, the understanding of YWBC(≤35y) is scarce. This study compares and evaluates the clinical characteristics and pCR rate after NAC in YWBC and other age women with breast cancer. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data, molecular subtypes, chemotherapy regimen, and pCR rates of 1424 non-metastatic BC patients from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2019. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test for multivariate data using Logistic regression models. Any predictor variable with P Results A total of 879 patients in this study were eligible for analysis, and 71(8.1%) female patients were ≤35 years old.YWBC were more likely to get pCR (25.4%vs15.6%, P= 0.033). The proportion of patients with a higher clinical stages was higher. Compared with elderly patients, YWBC patients were more likely to undergo breast-conserving surgery(BCS), multivariate analyses found similar results in different age groups, and more patients with Her-2 positive and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In the whole group, Age, PR expression, HER-2 expression, KI67 expression, and clinical stage were the independent predictors of pCR after NAC in BC patients (P Conclusion Our study found that age is the main factor affecting the achievement of pCR in patients with BC. YWBC has a higher clinical stage and a high proportion of HER-2 positive patients, which is the leading cause of poor prognosis.YWBC has a higher effect on chemotherapy therapy. We need to pay more attention to this group and achieve individualized treatment, which will help us treat BC better and provide new targets and blueprints for our clinical therapy.

Volatile pesticides are a growing environmental and public health concern. However, little attention has been paid to its olfactory neurotoxic effect on pests and non-target organisms. Dichlorvos is a widely used organophosphorus fumigant that is ubiquitous in the environment. This study aims to explore the mode of action of the volatile dichlorvos-mediated olfactory impairment using a lepidopteran insect Spodoptera litura as a model. It was indicated that electroantennogram amplitudes of the male moths' response to sex pheromones and phenylacetaldehyde were reduced by approximately 20 % after 12-h fumigation exposure. RNA-Sequencing analysis revealed that down-regulation of trypsin and CLIC2 might be responsible for inhibition of odor recognition in the antenna, the peripheral olfactory tissue. In the head, 822 (84.05 %) of the 978 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were up-regulated, of which seven DEGs encoding transcription factors may mainly modulate the stress-regulatory networks. Combining transcriptome with brain calcium imaging and Annexin V-mCherry staining experiments showed that volatile dichlorvos mainly disrupts Ca

Artesunate, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2020 as a new treatment for severe malaria, also shows anti-tumour activity against acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). However, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) of artesunate-induced apoptosis and differentiation of AML is not clearly elucidated.The biological effects of artesunate on AML were explored in vitro, using cells from AML patients and leukaemia cell lines, and in vivo, using female C57BL/6 or nude nu/nu BALB/c mice. Underlying mechanisms in vitro were examined with the Trypan blue dye exclusion assay, western blotting and flow cytometry. Effects of artesunate in C57BL/6 mice intravenously injected with murine AML cells (C1498-GFP) were assessed by numbers of AML cells and by survival.In vitro, artesunate promoted apoptosis and differentiation in both leukaemia cell lines and patient-derived primary leukaemia cells. Mechanistically, artesunate promoted cell apoptosis by triggering reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increasing expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bim. Interestingly, transferrin receptor 1 (TFRC)-mediated regulation of intracellular iron homeostasis also played an essential role in AML cell differentiation induced by artesunate. In vivo, artesunate slowed AML progression and prolonged survival in a mouse leukaemia model. Notably, artesunate displayed no apparent toxicity towards healthy haematopoietic stem cells, bone marrow mononuclear cells or experimental animals.Artesunate is a safe agent with significant anti-leukaemia effects in mice and may serve as a promising chemotherapeutic strategy for patients with AML, based on two different mechanisms, targeting the ROS/Bim and the TFRC/Fe