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The bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) was the primary pathogen of hospital-acquired infection, but the current detection method could not rapidly and conveniently identify Kp. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) was a fast and convenient isothermal amplification technology, and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system could rapidly amplify the signal of RPA and improve its limit of detection (LOD). In this study, we designed three pairs of RPA primers for the rcsA gene of Kp, amplified the RPA signal through single-strand DNA reporter cleavage by CRISPR/Cas12a, and finally analyzed the cleavage signal using fluorescence detection (FD) and lateral flow test strips (LFTS). Our results indicated that the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a platform could specifically identify Kp from eleven common clinical pathogens. The LOD of FD and LFTS were 1 fg/μL and 10 fg/μL, respectively. In clinical sample testing, the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a platform was consistent with the culture method and qPCR method, and its sensitivity and specificity were 100% (16/16) and 100% (9/9), respectively. With the advantages of detection speed, simplicity, and accuracy, the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a platform was expected to be a convenient tool for the early clinical detection of Kp.

Introduction:Salmonella was one of the most common bacteria that caused foodborne illness, with S. typhimurium (Salmonella typhimurium) and S. enteritidis (Salmonella enteritidis) infections accounting for more than 75% of human salmonella infections.Methods: In this study, we developed a method of dual recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) combined with a lateral flow dipstick for the rapid detection of S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis in clinical specimens (stool).Results: The entire reaction process, including amplification and result reading, could be completed within 65 min. The detection limits of S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis in pure culture samples were 5.23 × 101 CFU/mL and 3.59 × 101 CFU/mL, respectively. The detection limits of S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis in artificially contaminated samples were 8.30 × 101 CFU/mL and 2.70 × 102 CFU/mL, respectively. In addition, the method had no cross-reaction with other pathogenic microorganisms. The results in clinical samples were fully consistent with those obtained using Bacterial Analysis Manual, with sensitivity and specificity were 100% (8/8) and 100% (17/17) for S. typhimurium and 100% (4/4) and 100% (21/21) for S. enteritidis, respectively.Discussion: The detection limits of S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis in artificially contaminated samples were higher than those in pure culture samples, which might be attributed to the inherent complex composition of artificially contaminated samples. In addition, the detection limits of S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis in the same sample were also different, which might be attributed to different amplification efficiency of two target genes in the same reaction system.Conclusion: This assay had potential application outdoors, as it could be performed within 1 h at 38°C without a complex instrument, and the results could be observed with the naked eye. In conclusion, the dual RPA-LFD assay established in this study had practical significance for the rapid detection of S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis in the future.

BackgroundCarbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) poses a severe nosocomial threat, prompting a need for efficient detection methods. Traditional approaches, such as bacterial culture and PCR, are time-consuming and cumbersome. The CRISPR-based gene editing system offered a potential approach for point-of-care testing of CRAB.MethodsWe integrated recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and CRISPR-Cas12a system to swiftly diagnose CRAB-associated genes, OXA-51 and OXA-23. This multiplex RPA-CRISPR-Cas12a system eliminates bulky instruments, ensuring a simplified UV lamp-based outcome interpretation.ResultsOperating at 37°C to 40°C, the entire process achieves CRAB diagnosis within 90 minutes. Detection limits for OXA-51 and OXA-23 genes are 1.3 × 10−6 ng/μL, exhibiting exclusive CRAB detection without cross-reactivity to common pathogens. Notably, the platform shows 100% concordance with PCR when testing 30 clinical Acinetobacter baumannii strains.ConclusionIn conclusion, our multiplex RPA coupled with the CRISPR-Cas12a system provides a fast and sensitive CRAB detection method, overcoming limitations of traditional approaches and holding promise for efficient point-of-care testing.

Metal halide perovskites quantum dots (QDs) stand at the forefront of multifarious photonic applications, including micro‐light‐emitting diode and further augmented reality, virtual reality, and other novel display, lighting technologies. Barriers to applications, however, lie in their toxicity of lead, instability to light, moisture and heat, and processability at the nanoscale‐particle level. Herein, a simple and versatile postprocessing approach is reported for the near‐single‐dot passivation and encapsulation of representative lead‐free double perovskite Cs2Ag0.4Na0.6InCl6:Bi through liquid‐phase processing of perhydropolysilazane and quantum dots colloid with controllable hydrolysis curing. The conventional unstable oleylamine and oleic acid ligands are replaced by ‐NCl bonding on the surface of nanocrystal, accompanied by the resulting compact and robust silica layer without compromising the optical properties of the quantum dots. With the near‐single‐dot protection, the quantum dots do not show fluorescence quenching even when stored for more than 90 days and exhibit remarkably improved stability against heat, ultraviolet irradiation and humidity compared to the raw quantum dots. The strategy offers a versatile way of creating nanoscale‐particle level protection of luminescent quantum dots, and can be universally compatible with solution‐based patterning techniques and photonics applications where quantum dots are used.

After the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, nucleic acid testing quickly entered people’s lives. In addition to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which was commonly used in nucleic acid testing, isothermal amplification methods were also important nucleic acid testing methods. Among several common isothermal amplification methods like displaced amplification, rolling circle amplification, and so on, recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) was recently paid more attention to. It had the advantages like a simple operation, fast amplification speed, and reaction at 37-42°C, et al. So it was very suitable for field detection. However, there were still some disadvantages to RPA. Herein, our review mainly summarized the principle, advantages, and disadvantages of RPA. The specific applications of RPA in bacterial detection, fungi detection, virus detection, parasite detection, drug resistance gene detection, genetically modified food detection, and SARS-CoV-2 detection were also described. It was hoped that the latest research progress on RPA could be better delivered to the readers who were interested in RPA.

Production line layout planning is closely related to robot structural parameter. For the intelligent production line of the headstock of a vertical machining center， in order to complete the work requirements of grabbing and flipping the workpiece， and reducing the operating space and structure size of the robot， a structural parameter optimization method for loading and unloading robots is proposed. The working space is a constraint condition， and the optimal section of the main section of the manipulator workspace is the objective function， and the structural parameter optimization model is established. Finally， the Monte Carlo method is used to verify the workspace. The results show that the size of the optimized robot workspace is significantly lower than other design schemes under the requirements of the loading and unloading workspace， which reduces the redundant waste of the workspace and further reduces the workload. The foundation of the design research of loading and unloading robot is laid.

The existing atmospheric mass density models (AMDM) would produce considerable errors in orbital prediction for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. In order to reduce these errors and correct the AMDM, this paper presents methods based on data mining with historical data of two-line element (TLE). Starting from a typical LEO satellite, TIANHUI, two orbital dynamical models are firstly proposed as the simulation environment to generate training data. The historical TLE data are regarded as actual space environment and used to generate application data. Secondly, three data mining methods, Random Forest (RF), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), are combined with the training data to investigate their feasibility in recovering the known deviation of AMDM under simulation environment. Training results show that RF displays the best performance and achieves the accuracy of 99.99%, while the other two methods only achieve 86.83% and 71.90% respectively. Thirdly, under the actual space environment, this paper uses new training and application data to research the ability of the three methods in recovering the unknown deviation of the AMDM and improve the accuracy of orbital prediction. Numerical results are evidential to the accuracy of the proposed methods based on data mining. It is concluded that the capabilities of the data mining for correction for the atmospheric model are very promising, with great potential to advance practical applications on on-orbit propagation.

As humanity is faced with various changes in social-environmental systems, adaptation efforts have become increasingly important. Significant effort and resources have been spent on devising overarching, large-scale strategies in response to climate change and associated socioeconomic challenges. However, the mechanisms of adaptation employed by individuals and households in ordinary, daily life have received insufficient scholarly examination. This research aims to demonstrate the significance of everyday adaptation strategies of smallholder pastoralists who are on the front lines of changing socioeconomic regimes in East African drylands. We analyzed the daily spatiotemporal patterns of livestock behavior to understand everyday adaptation practices. Two different pastoralist communities in the Borana Zone in southern Ethiopia were compared, one of which keeps the traditional mobile pastoralism livelihood, while the other has sedentarized because of socio-environmental changes and policy incentives. The mobile pastoralists have larger grazing areas, and their cattle spend more time on foraging and resting. In contrast, the sedentarized pastoralists utilize the land near their settlements intensively and the cattle travel longer distances on average. Our findings suggest that sedentarization is a constrained adaptation strategy at best because it increases the recursive use of rangeland and its fragmentation and forces livestock to move more intensively on a daily and seasonal basis.

Data clustering analysis is proposed to detect the orbital maneuvers of satellites at different scales. In this study, the unsupervised classification methods of K-means, hierarchical, and fuzzy C-means clustering are used to handle the two-line element (TLE) historical data. The K-means-based contour map method is applied to the characteristic variable selection and cluster number determination. The TLE data of large-, medium-, and small-scale orbital maneuvers are clustered by the aforementioned three methods. Through a series of numerical experiments, it is found that for different scales of orbital maneuvers, the clustering methods have different performances and that they can essentially fulfill the functional requirements of orbital detection. By data mining, the orbital maneuvers of the remote sensing satellites “YAOGAN-9”, “TIANHUI-1”, and “Envisat” can be easily detected, which will provide useful information for further orbital supervision and prediction.

Urban green space has significant social, ecological, cultural and economic value. This study uses social media data to examine the spatiotemporal utilization of major parks in Shanghai and explore the determinants of their recreational attraction. Methods: Based on microblog check-in data between 2012 and 2018 across 17 parks in Shanghai, we investigated the patterns at different temporal scales (weekly, seasonal and annual) and across workdays and weekends by using log-linear regression models. Results: Our findings indicate that both internal and external factors affect park utilization. In particular, the presence of sports facilities significantly contributes to higher visit frequency. Factors such as the number of subway stations nearby, scenic quality and popularity have a positive impact on check-in numbers, while negative factors affecting park use are number of roads, ticket price and average surrounding housing price. Across different temporal scales, the use patterns of visitors have obvious seasonal and monthly tendencies, and the differences of workday and weekend models lie in external factors’ impacts. Conclusions: In order to achieve the goal of better serving the visitors, renewal of urban green spaces in megacities should consider these influential factors, increase sports facilities, subway stations nearby and improve scenic quality, popularity and water quality. This study on spatiotemporal utilization of urban parks can help enhance comprehensive functions of urban parks and be helpful for urban renewal strategies.

Large-scale land transactions (LSLTs) can precipitate dramatic changes in land systems. Ethiopia has experienced one of the largest amounts of LSLTs in Africa, yet their effects on local land systems are poorly understood. In this study, we quantify the direct and indirect land use and land cover (LULC) changes associated with LSLTs at eight socio-environmentally diverse sites in central and western Ethiopia. To estimate these effects, we employ a novel, two-stage counterfactual analysis. We first use a region-growing procedure to identify a "control" site with comparable landscape-level characteristics to each LSLT. Then, we sample and reweight points within each control site to further improve covariate balance. This two-stage approach both controls for potential confounding factors at multiple spatial levels and reduces the costs of extensive LULC data classification. Our results show that the majority of the reported transacted area (62%) remained unconverted to large-scale agriculture. Most of the land that was developed into large-scale agriculture displaced smallholder agriculture (53%), followed by conversion of woodland/shrubland (35%) and forest (9%). Beyond their boundaries, LSLTs indirectly influenced rates of smallholder agricultural expansion and abandonment, pointing to site dependence in how LSLTs affect adjacent land systems. In particular, the low prevalence of forest within and around these LSLTs underscores a need to move beyond measures of deforestation as proxies for LSLT effects on land systems. Our two-stage approach shows promise as an efficient method for generating robust counterfactuals and thereby LULC change estimates in systems lacking wall-to-wall LULC data.

Interactions between neighboring cells often occur in a semiconductor silicon detector array. That is, there are high-energy particles incident on one cell of the detector that generate an electric signal for the cell, while weak signals are also generated in other neighboring cells. Therefore, isolation of the detector cells is an important factor in the performance of the detector, particularly for its energy resolution. To eliminate the dead space in the 3D-trench-electrode detector proposed by Brookhaven National Laboratory, a novel three-dimensional (3D) detector, the 3D-Open-Shell-Electrode Detector (3DOSED), was proposed in 2018, in which good isolation between cells was achieved. To verify this and determine the optimal structure design, a Silvaco technology computer-aided design simulation tool was used to simulate the electrical characteristics of the detector in 3D. The distributions of the electric field and the weighting field of 3DOSEDs were obtained with different opening gap angles. A single minimum ionizing particle was used that was incident vertically on the middle of the central collection electrode and peripheral trench electrode of the detector cell, according to the Ramo theorem of the principle of induced-current generation, and the mathematical software matlab was employed to calculate the induced current and carrier drift time. The interference current between the neighboring cells of a 3DOSED was obtained. Good isolation was found between neighboring cells in the 3DOSED.

In order to reduce dead zone of Closed Shell-Electrode Silicon Detector (CSESD), this paper introduces an optimal scheme of 3D shell electrode type detector– a novel type of Honeycomb Shell Electrode Detector– HSED (Chinese patent #zl 201710 676008.3). In this paper, we first study dead zone of the new structure and find dead zone of non-elongated HSED cell is smaller than that of CSESD. An array arrangement method of CSESD is also proposed, which makes virtually no dead zone in the array comprised by elongated detector cells. Detector electrical simulations with SILVACO TCAD, including I-V and C-V characteristic, will be given. Then, the structure with different nesting depth and dbot is simulated with SILVACO TCAD. It has been found that the closer nesting position is to the surface, the smaller dead zone is, and the deeper the nesting is, the larger the dead zone is. However, through the simulation of the weighting field, it is found that the deeper the nesting depth, the smaller the influence of the weighting field by neighboring cell.

Knowledge of land cover and land use nationally is a prerequisite of many studies on drivers of land change, impacts on climate, carbon storage and other ecosystem services, and allows for sufficient planning and management. Despite this, many regions globally do not have accurate and consistent coverage at the national scale. This is certainly true for Ethiopia. Large-area land-cover characterization (LALCC), at a national scale is thus an essential first step in many studies of land-cover change, and yet is itself problematic. Such LALCC based on remote-sensing image classification is associated with a spectrum of technical challenges such as data availability, radiometric inconsistencies within/between images, and big data processing. Radiometric inconsistencies could be exacerbated for areas, such as Ethiopia, with a high frequency of cloud cover, diverse ecosystem and climate patterns, and large variations in elevation and topography. Obtaining explanatory variables that are more robust can improve classification accuracy. To create a base map for the future study of large-scale agricultural land transactions, we produced a recent land-cover map of Ethiopia. Of key importance was the creation of a methodology that was accurate and repeatable and, as such, could be used to create earlier, comparable land-cover classifications in the future for the same region. We examined the effects of band normalization and different time-series image compositing methods on classification accuracy. Both top of atmosphere and surface reflectance products from the Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) were tested for single-time classification independently, where the latter resulted in 1.1% greater classification overall accuracy. Substitution of the original spectral bands with normalized difference spectral indices resulted in an additional improvement of 1.0% in overall accuracy. Three approaches for multi-temporal image compositing, using Landsat 8 OLI and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, were tested including sequential compositing, i.e., per-pixel summary measures based on predefined periods, probability density function compositing, i.e., per-pixel characterization of distribution of spectral values, and per-pixel sinusoidal models. Multi-temporal composites improved classification overall accuracy up to 4.1%, with respect to single-time classification with an advantage of the Landsat OLI-driven composites over MODIS-driven composites. Additionally, night-time light and elevation data were used to improve the classification. The elevation data and its derivatives improved classification accuracy by 1.7%. The night-time light data improve producer’s accuracy of the Urban/Built class with the cost of decreasing its user’s accuracy. Results from this research can aid map producers with decisions related to operational large-area land-cover mapping, especially with selecting input explanatory variables and multi-temporal image compositing, to allow for the creation of accurate and repeatable national-level land-cover products in a timely fashion.

In order to improve the radiation resistance of semiconductor detector, 3D trench electrode Si detector structures have been proposed by the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in 2009. In this paper, we propose a 3D trench electrode Si detector with adjustable central collection electrode, which integrates advantages of cylindrical units and parallel units. For those combined units, we use 1D Poisson equation as the first order approximation to study the changing of depletion in different regions. These results have been compared to those obtained from the full 3D simulation using a 3D-TCAD tool. According to calculations, we design a 3D trench electrode Si detector with adjustable central collection electrode. Furthermore, electrical characteristics of this type of detectors with different lengths of central collection electrode (lp+) have been simulated using the 3D-TCAD. Regarded as the main factor of signal-noise ratio, the geometric capacitance obtained from Silvaco TCAD simulations is compared with which is calculated by physical models when detectors size varies. Finally, the physic model of charge collection is established using Ramo theorem. The CCE (Charge Collection Efficiency) of detector unit is studied with this model (after Φ=1016 neq/cm2, average CCE is 38%).

Tracking environmental change is important to ensure efficient and sustainable natural resources management. East Africa is dominated by arid and semi-arid rangeland systems, where extensive grazing of livestock represents the primary livelihood for most of the human population. Despite several mapping efforts, East Africa lacks accurate and reliable high-resolution rangeland health maps necessary for management, policy, and research purposes. Earth Observations offer the opportunity to assess spatiotemporal dynamics in rangeland health conditions at much higher spatial and temporal coverage than conventional approaches that rely on in-situ methods, while complimenting their certainty. Using machine learning-based classification and linear unmixing, this paper produced Landsat-based time series at 30 m spatial resolution for mapping of land cover classes (LCC) and vegetation fractional cover (VFC, including photosynthetic vegetation PV, non-photosynthetic vegetation NPV, and bare ground BG), two major data assets to derive metrics for rangeland health in East Africa. Due to scarcity of in-situ measurements in a large, remote and highly heterogeneous landscape, an algorithm was developed to combine very high-resolution WorldView-2 and -3 satellite imagery at < 2 m resolutions with a limited set of ground observations to generate reference labels across the study region. The LCC analysis yielded an overall accuracy of 0.856 using our validation dataset, with Kappa of 0.832; VFC, yielded R² = 0.801, p < 2.2e-16, normalized root mean squared error (nRMSE) = 0.123. Our products represent the first multi-decadal high-resolution dataset specifically designed for mapping and monitoring rangelands health in East Africa including Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, covering a total area of 745,840 km², dominated by arid and semi-arid extensive rangeland systems. These data can be valuable to a wide range of development, humanitarian, and ecological conservation efforts and are available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7106166 (Soto et al., 2023) and Google Earth Engine (GEE; details in data availability section). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uterine receptivity to the embryo is crucial for successful implantation. The establishment of uterine receptivity requires a large amount of energy, and abnormal energy regulation causes implantation failure. Glucose metabolism in the endometrium is tissue specific. Glucose is largely stored in the form of glycogen, which is the main energy source for the endometrium. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an important energy-sensing molecule, is a key player in the regulation of glucose metabolism and its regulation is also tissue specific. However, the mechanism of energy regulation in the endometrium for the establishment of uterine receptivity remains to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the energy regulation mechanism of mouse uterine receptivity and its significance in embryo implantation. The results showed that the AMPK, p-AMPK, glycogen synthase 1, and glycogen phosphorylase M levels and the glycogen content in mouse endometrial epithelium varied in a periodic manner under regulation by the ovarian hormone. Specifically, progesterone significantly activated AMPK, promoted glycogenolysis, and upregulated glycogen phosphorylase M expression. AMPK regulated glycogen phosphorylase M expression and promoted glycogenolysis. AMPK was also found to be activated by changes in the energy or glycogen of the endometrial epithelial cells. The inhibition of AMPK activity or glycogenolysis altered the uterine receptivity markers during the window of implantation and ultimately interfered with implantation. In summary, consistency and synchronization of AMPK and glycogen metabolism constitute the core regulatory mechanism in mouse endometrial epithelial cells involved in the establishment of uterine receptivity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intracranial solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare and aggressive tumor. We conducted this retrospective study to investigate the outcome of patients after treatment, the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy, and the factors not conducive to total resection. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of patients harboring fresh intracranial solitary fibrous tumor/HPC treated from January 2009 to December 2019 in our hospital. We reviewed their clinical presentations, radiologic appearances, tumor size and location, extent of resection, estimate intraoperative blood loss, treatment modalities and results, and duration of follow-up. Results: There were seven consecutive patients (three males and four females). The ages of the patients at the time of diagnosis ranged from 35 to 77 years (mean: 52.86 years). Five patients (71.43%) got tumor bigger than 5 cm in dimension and only 1 patient (14.29%) underwent gross total tumor resection in the first operation without complication. Five patients (71.43%) underwent postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. Follow-up period ranged from 4.24 to 123.55 months and the median follow-up period was 91.36 months. Three patients had favorable outcome with Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) equal to 4; four patients had unfavorable outcome with GOS equal to 2 or 3. No mortality was happened. Conclusion: Gross total tumor resection in the initial surgery is very important to achieve a better outcome. Massive intraoperative bleeding and venous sinus or major vessels adjoining are factors not conducive to total resection. Radiotherapy can be administered as adjuvant therapy for cases showing an aggressive phenotype or not treated with gross total resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the influence of the changes of sagittal balance index of lumbar spine on the natural absorption after lumbar disc rupture and protrusion. Methods: From August 2016 to August 2017, 64 patients with ruptured lumbar disc herniation and treated with natural absorption in our hospital were selected as the research subjects. According to the size of the herniated discs after 2 years, the subjects were divided into the reabsorption lumbar disc herniation group (group 1, 2, 3, and 4) and the non-reabsorption group (group 0). The pelvic incidence angle (PI), the sacral slope (SS), the pelvic tilting (PT), and the lumbar lordosis (LL) were measured and compared at the time of admission and 2 years after follow-up. Results: There were no significant differences in the PI value and the change of PI value during the entry and re-examination of different groups. There was no significant difference in the PT, SS, and LL values among the patients in each group; At the time of reexamination, the PT had a decreasing trend and the SS and LL had an increasing trend. With the increase of the patient's score, the changes in PT, SS, and LL values showed an increasing trend. Conclusion: The PT, SS and LL values of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation had significant changes before and after treatment. Changes in the sagittal balance index of the lumbar spine were important factors affecting the natural absorption of lumbar disc herniation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although entrepreneurship orientation (EO) facilitates firms to achieve competitive advantage, researches pay little attention to elaborate the link between EO and new product innovation performance. As such, we investigate how EO affects new product innovation performance through innovation capability (exploitation and exploration). This study further argues the effects of EO on innovation capability vary with different situations. A sample of 246 new product development teams is utilized to verify the hypotheses. By using a hierarchical regression analysis, the results show that the mediating effects of innovation capability link between EO and new product innovation performance. Moreover, the effects of EO on exploration competence vary with market orientation and technological knowledge. Specifically, the effect of EO on exploration competence is greater under high levels of customer orientation, inter-functional coordination and technological knowledge than low levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two bisimide compounds, TPA--TPDI and NPC--TPDI, consisting of a triptycene core and two triphenylamine (TPA) or N-phenylcarbazole (NPC) end groups were successfully synthesized by the condensation reactions from 1,4-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)triptycene dianhydride with 4-aminotriphenylamine and N-(4-aminophenyl)carbazole, respectively. These two monomers could polymerize electrochemically via the oxidative coupling reactions of triarylamine units. The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of the electro-generated triptycene poly(ether-imide)s (TPA--TPPI and NPC--TPPI) were studied. Both polymers have two colored oxidation states, and TPA--TPPI showed better electrochromic performance than NPC--TPPI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the antimicrobial property and food package capability of polymethylpentene (PMP) substrate with silicon oxdie (SiOx) and organic silicon (SiCxHy) stacked layers deposited by an inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposition system were investigated. The experimental results show that the stacked pair number of SiOx/SiCxHy on PMP is limited to three pairs, beyond which the films will crack and cause package failure. The three-pair SiOx/SiCxHy on PMP shows a low water vapor transmission rate of 0.57 g/m²/day and a high water contact angle of 102°. Three-pair thin-film coated PMP demonstrates no microbe adhesion and exhibits antibacterial properties within 24 h. Food shelf life testing performed at 28 °C and 80% humidity reports that the three-pair thin-film coated PMP can enhance the food shelf-life to 120 h. The results indicate that the silicon-based thin film may be a promising material for antibacterial food packaging applications to extend the shelf-life of food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are emerging contaminants that raise the concerns of potential risk in the aquatic environment. It has been estimated that the environmental ZnO-NPs concentration is 76 μg/l in the aquatic environment. Our aim was to determine the aquatic toxicity of ZnO-NPs with chronic exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . Two simulated environmentally relevant mediums—moderately hard reconstituted water (EPA water) and simulated soil pore water (SSPW)—were used to represent surface water and pore water in sediment, respectively. The results showed that the ZnO-NPs in EPA water has a much smaller hydrodynamic diameter than that in SSPW. Although the ionic release of Zn ions increased time-dependently in both mediums, the Zn ions concentrations in EPA water increased two-fold more than that in SSPW at 48 h and 72 h. The ZnO-NPs did not induce growth defects or decrease head thrashes in C. elegan s in either media. However, chronic exposure to ZnO-NPs caused a significant reduction in C. elegan s body bends in EPA water even with a relatively low concentration (0.05 μg/l); similar results were not observed in SSPW. Moreover, at the same concentrations (50 and 500 μg/l), body bends in C. elegan s were reduced more severely in ZnO-NPs than in ZnCl 2 in EPA water. The ATP levels were consistently and significantly decreased, and ROS was induced after ZnO-NPs exposure (50 and 500 μg/l) in EPA water. Our results provide evidences that chronic exposure to ZnO-NPs under environmentally relevant concentrations causes metabolic and locomotive toxicities implicating the potential ecotoxicity of ZnO-NPs at low concentrations in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new type of temperature sensor device was developed. The circular electrode of the thermally sensitive sensor was modified with tetramethyltin (TMT) and O2 plasma to form a thin SnOxCy conductive layer on the electrode surface. The nano-Au particles (AuNPs) were subjected to O2 plasma pretreatment to form peroxide groups on the surface. The thermally sensitive sensor made by mixing the treated AuNPs with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) solution and then applying UV-induced grafting polymerization of the NIPAAm-containing solution onto the electrode substrate. The composite hydrogels on the electrode introduce thermo-sensitive polymeric surface films for temperature sensing. Using the ambient environment resistance test to measure the resistance, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of AuNPs mixed with NIPAAm hydrogel was found to be 32 °C. In common metallic materials, the resistance increased during environmental temperature enhancement. In this study, at ambient temperatures higher than the LCST, the electrode resistance decreases linearly due to the shrinkage structure with AuNPs contacting the circuit electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic is a prevalent environmental toxin. Arsenic is associated with a wide variety of adverse effects; however, studies on whether As-induced toxicities can be transferred from parents to offspring have received little attention. Caenorhabditis elegans has become an important animal model in biomedical and environmental toxicology research. In this study, transgenerational reproductive toxicity by arsenite exposure and the underlying mechanisms in C. elegans were investigated over six generations (F0-F5). Following arsenite maternal exposure of the F0 generation, subsequent generations (F1-F5) were cultured under arsenite-free conditions. We found that the brood size of C. elegans was significantly reduced by arsenite exposure in F0 and that this reduction in brood size was also observed in the offspring generations (F1-F5), after the toxicant had been removed from the diet. In addition, adult worms from F0 and F1 generations accumulated arsenite and arsenate when F0 L4 larvae were exposed to arsenite for 24 h. We found that the mRNA level of H3K4me2 demethylase LSD/KDM1, spr-5, was significantly reduced in the F0 exposed generation and subsequent unexposed generations (F1-F3). Likewise, the mRNA levels of spr-5 were also significantly decreased in the F1-F3 generations. Moreover, dimethylation of global H3K4 was increased in the F0-F3 generations. Our study demonstrates that maternal arsenite exposure causes transgenerational reproductive effects in C. elegans, which might be associated with H3K4 dimethylation and SPR-5 downregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DEHP is commonly found in the environment, biota, food, and humans, raising significant health concerns. Whether developmental stage and exposure duration modify the obesogenic effects of DEHP is unclear, especially the underlying mechanisms by which chronic exposure to DEHP as well as its metabolites remain largely unknown. This study investigated the obesogenic effects of chronic DEHP exposure, with levels below environmentally-relevant amounts and provide the mechanism in Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that early-life DEHP exposure resulted in an increased lipid and triglyceride (TG) accumulation mainly attributed to DEHP itself, not its metabolite mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP). In addition, developmental stage and exposure timing influence DEHP-induced TG accumulation and chronic DEHP exposure resulted in the most significant effect. Analysis of fatty acid composition shows that chronic DEHP exposure altered fatty acid composition and TG, resulting in an increased ω-6/ω-3 ratio. The increased TG content by chronic DEHP exposure required lipogenic genes fat-6 , fat-7 , pod-2 , fasn-1 , and sbp-1. Moreover, chronic DEHP exposure induced XBP-1-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress which might lead to up-regulation of sbp-1. This study suggests the possible involvement of ER stress and SBP-1/SREBP-mediated lipogenesis in chronic DEHP-induced obesogenic effects. Results from this study implies that chronic exposure to DEHP disrupts lipid metabolism, which is likely conserved across species due to evolutionary conservation of molecular mechanisms, raising concerns in ecological and human health. [Display omitted] • Chronic DEHP exposure increased lipid and triglyceride (TG) accumulation in C. elegans. • Chronic DEHP exposure increased the ω-6/ω-3 ratio in free fatty acid and TG fractions. • DEHP increased TG level via SBP-1 and lipogenic genes pod-2 , fasn-1 , fat-6, and fat-7. • Endoplasmic reticulum stress and SBP-1/SREBP-mediated lipogenesis in DEHP-induced obesogenic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the recent development of automated writing evaluation (AWE) technology and the growing interest in applying this technology to language classrooms, few studies have looked at the effects of using AWE on reducing grammatical errors in L2 writing. This study identified the primary English grammatical error types made by 66 Taiwanese university students in order to examine how using AWE in a process-writing approach affected improvements in these error types in revisions and new text composition. The study adopted a time-series research design, in which measurements of grammatical errors in student writing were taken at various points during a nine-week pedagogical programme. An AWE system was employed as the writing and assessment tool. The AWE feedback reports on the student essays were analysed using descriptive analysis and paired-samples t tests. Using AWE in a process-writing approach seemed to exert a reducing effect on the number of grammatical errors during both revisions and new text composition, although the patterns regarding the precise appearances of effects varied amongst the error types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although differentiated instruction and assessment correspond with various motivation and learning theories, few studies have examined the use of differentiated assessment in English as a foreign language (EFL) contexts. Therefore, in this study, the manner in which EFL learners perceived aspects of differentiated assessment regarding validity, fairness, backwash, and ways to improve differentiated assessment task construction was examined. The effects of group learning orientation (GLO) and English proficiency on learner perceptions were also investigated. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by administrating questionnaires to 300 university sophomores and interviewing 6 participants. Descriptive analyses, one-way and two-way analyses of variance, simple effect analyses, and the constant comparative method were used for data analyses. Overall positive perceptions were observed, thus supporting the implementation of differentiated assessment to facilitate language development in mixed-ability second language (L2) speaking classes. Learner perceptions were found to be affected by the level of English proficiency and GLO. Interaction effects between proficiency and GLO were also observed. The findings are discussed in terms of pedagogical recommendations for using differentiation in L2 contexts and suggestions for conducting further research concerning differentiated assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The medulla oblongata is the lower half of the brainstem. It contains the cardiac, respiratory, vomiting, and vasomotor centers and deals with autonomic functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure. Primary medulla oblongata germinoma is very rare and less than 20 cases have been reported in the English literature. Case Description: A 22-year-old female without any particular past medical history presented to us in October 2012 with the chief complaint of dyspnea and frequent choking for 1 month. Neurological examination revealed lower cranial nerve palsies and nystagmus. Her brain computed tomography (CT) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a mass lesion at the dorsal surface of medulla oblongata with extension into the inferior fourth ventricle and foramen magnum. She underwent bilateral suboccipital craniotomy and C1 laminoplasty with the grossly total resection of the tumor. The histological examination of the tumor proved germinoma. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy was arranged. The latest brain MRI and whole spine MRI done 1 year after surgery showed neither residual nor recurrent tumor in the whole axis. She is regularly followed-up at our outpatient department and is doing well except having left vocal cord palsy, which occurred before surgery. Conclusion: Medulloblastoma, ependymoma, glioma, hemangioblastoma, and cavernous angioma are common intraaxial tumors in the medulla oblongata and fourth ventricle. Intracranial germ cell tumors originate from extragonadal seminal cells and have been found in 0.4-3.4% of patients with primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors in Western countries, while the incidence is reported to be 5-8 times greater in Japan and the Far East. Although germinoma of medulla oblongata is rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of medulla masses with fourth ventricle extension, especially in Asian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aimed at discussing the home care experience of a inpatient who went through tracheostomy due to respiratory failure and, after the condition stabilized, were taught on nursing knowledge and skills with the provision of Passy-Muir tracheostomy speaking valve to assist in speech communication and social resources for long term care. The nursing period lasted from December 28th, 2010 to May 19th, 2011. The author collected objective and subjective data through home visits, telephone interviews, observation and physical assessment, and employed Gordon 11 functional health patterns to assess the patient's health. The primary nursing issues were established: ineffective airway clearance, impaired verbal communication and lack of family coping. The author taught the primary caregiver in home preparation and nursing knowledge and skills by employing empathy, care, listening and companionship during the care period, and raised the quality of care by engaging in joined discussion, providing information regarding disease care, drafting a plan for the attachment of tracheostomy speaking valve and actively arranging the assistance of long-term care center and available social and economical resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the effects of a vocabulary strategy game program on compound noun learning and consolidation, a 20-hour quasi-experimental single group time-series research study was designed. A total of 79 low-motivated Taiwanese college students at the CEFR A1 (pre-basic) and A2 (basic) English proficiency levels participated in the study. Poker, Chinese chess, and gobang, along with several memorization-enhancing techniques, were utilized to facilitate vocabulary learning. Four specific research questions guided the study. The first looked independently at the effects of the invented poker, chess, and gobang games on vocabulary learning; the second at the holistic effect of the vocabulary program; the third at the effect of the game program on lexical retention one month later; and, finally, the fourth examined the effects across subgroups of different proficiency levels. Data were collected via the administration of a 174-item compound-noun test as pretest, after-poker test, after-chess test, posttest, and retention test. The data were analyzed with one-way repeated measures ANOVAs with subsequent protected t tests on top of descriptive statistics and independent-samples t tests. The results have shown that the vocabulary games, whether utilized independently or as a whole program, effectively facilitate learners' lexical growth and retention. Pedagogical implications and suggestions for further studies are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Monascus-fermented products are mentioned in an ancient Chinese pharmacopoeia of medicinal food and herbs. Monascus-fermented products offer valuable therapeutic benefits and have been extensively used in East Asia for several centuries. Several biological activities of Monascus-fermented products were recently described, and the extract of Monascus-fermented products showed strong antioxidant activity of scavenging DPPH radicals. To evaluate whether Monascus-fermented dioscorea products have potential as nutritional supplements, Monascus-fermented dioscorea's modulation of oxidative-stress resistance and associated regulatory mechanisms in Caenorhabditis elegans were investigated. Principal Findings: We examined oxidative stress resistance of the ethanol extract of red mold dioscorea (RMDE) in C. elegans, and found that RMDE-treated wild-type C. elegans showed an increased survival during juglone-induced oxidative stress compared to untreated controls, whereas the antioxidant phenotype was absent from a daf-16 mutant. In addition, the RMDE reduced the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species in C. elegans. Finally, the RMDE affected the subcellular distribution of the FOXO transcription factor, DAF-16, in C. elegans and induced the expression of the sod-3 antioxidative gene. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the RMDE acts as an antioxidative stress agent and thus may have potential as a nutritional supplement. Further studies in C. elegans suggest that the antioxidant effect of RMDE is mediated via regulation of the DAF-16/FOXO-dependent pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]