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Intracranial germ cell tumors (iGCTs) are rare malignant neoplasms that mainly affect children and adolescents. The incidence, clinical presentation, and prognosis of iGCTs exhibit high heterogeneity. Previous studies have primarily focused on eliminating tumors, reducing tumor recurrence, and improving survival rates, while neglecting the impact of the tumors and their treatment on neuroendocrine function. Throughout the entire course of the disease, neuroendocrine dysfunction may occur and is frequently overlooked by oncologists, neurosurgeons, and radiologists. Endocrinologists, however, are more interested in this issue and have varying priorities at different stages of the disease. From onset to the diagnostic phase, most patients with iGCTs may present with symptoms related to impaired neuroendocrine function, or even experience these symptoms as their first indication of the condition. Particularly, a minority of patients with sellar/suprasellar lesions may exhibit typical imaging features and elevated tumor markers long after the onset of initial symptoms. This can further complicate the diagnosis process. During the peritumor treatment phase, the neuroendocrine function shows dynamic changes and needs to be evaluated dynamically. Once diabetes insipidus and dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axes occur, hormone replacement therapy should be administered promptly to ensure successful tumor treatment for the patient. Subsequently, during the long-term management phase after the completion of tumor treatment, the evaluation of growth and development as well as corresponding hormone replacement therapy are the most concerning and complex issues. Thus, this paper reviews the interest of endocrinologists in iGCTs at different stages.

Purpose: In the era of information overload, the density of tourism information and the increasingly sophisticated information needs of consumers have created information confusion for tourists and scenic-area managers. The study aims to help scenic-area managers determine the strengths and weaknesses in the development process of scenic areas and to solve the practical problem of tourists' difficulty in quickly and accurately obtaining the destination image of a scenic area and finding a scenic area that meets their needs. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a variety of machine learning methods, namely, the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) theme extraction model, term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) weighting method and sentiment analysis. This work also incorporates probabilistic hesitant fuzzy algorithm (PHFA) in multi-attribute decision-making to form an enhanced tourism destination image mining and analysis model based on visitor expression information. The model is intended to help managers and visitors identify the strengths and weaknesses in the development of scenic areas. Jiuzhaigou is used as an example for empirical analysis. Findings: In the study, a complete model for the mining analysis of tourism destination image was constructed, and 24,222 online reviews on Jiuzhaigou, China were analyzed in text. The results revealed a total of 10 attributes and 100 attribute elements. From the identified attributes, three negative attributes were identified, namely, crowdedness, tourism cost and accommodation environment. The study provides suggestions for tourists to select attractions and offers recommendations and improvement measures for Jiuzhaigou in terms of crowd control and post-disaster reconstruction. Originality/value: Previous research in this area has used small sample data for qualitative analysis. Thus, the current study fills this gap in the literature by proposing a machine learning method that incorporates PHFA through the combination of the ideas of management and multi-attribute decision theory. In addition, the study considers visitors' emotions and thematic preferences from the perspective of their expressed information, based on which the tourism destination image is analyzed. Optimization strategies are provided to help managers of scenic spots in their decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate whether α-ionone, an aromatic compound mainly found in raspberries, carrots, roasted almonds, fruits, and herbs, inhibits UVB-mediated photoaging and barrier dysfunction in a human epidermal keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT cells).

The large size and complexity of most fern genomes have hampered efforts to elucidate fundamental aspects of fern biology and land plant evolution through genome-enabled research. Here we present a chromosomal genome assembly and associated methylome, transcriptome and metabolome analyses for the model fern species Ceratopteris richardii. The assembly reveals a history of remarkably dynamic genome evolution including rapid changes in genome content and structure following the most recent whole-genome duplication approximately 60 million years ago. These changes include massive gene loss, rampant tandem duplications and multiple horizontal gene transfers from bacteria, contributing to the diversification of defence-related gene families. The insertion of transposable elements into introns has led to the large size of the Ceratopterisgenome and to exceptionally long genes relative to other plants. Gene family analyses indicate that genes directing seed development were co-opted from those controlling the development of fern sporangia, providing insights into seed plant evolution. Our findings and annotated genome assembly extend the utility of Ceratopterisas a model for investigating and teaching plant biology.

Garnet-type solid electrolytes have been indubitably regarded as one of the most promising solid electrolytes due to their excellent stability and high safety against Limetal. However, the poor interfacial wettability and high interfacial impedance between garnet and Li metal may lead to the formation of Li dendrites and the deterioration of electrochemical performance. In this work, a lithiophilic urea coating is prepared on the surface of solid ceramic electrolyte Li6.75La3Zr1.75Ta0.25O12by drop-casting. The lithium-nitrogen (Li–N) interlayer is formed by the chemical reaction of molten lithium with urea. This interface layer improves interfacial contact and inhibits the growth of lithium dendrites. Consequently, the interfacial resistance of symmetrical cell with urea-Li6.75La3Zr1.75Ta0.25O12reduces to 85 Ω cm2and the critical current density (CCD) reaches 1.70 mA cm−2. Full batteries assembled using LiFePO4as the cathode also have a good cycling performance. The results demonstrate the viability of the proposed strategy and offer a promising solution to the interface issue between Li metal and solid electrolytes.

Background: γ-Poly-Glutamic Acid (γ-PGA) is a naturally occurring homo-polyamide produced by various strains of Bacillus. It is made from repeating units of L-glutamic acid, D-glutamic acid, or both connected through amide linkages between α-amino and γ-carboxylic acid groups. As a biopolymer substance, the attractive properties of γ-PGA are that it is water-soluble, biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic, non-immunogenic, and edible. Therefore, it can be used as a green and environmentally friendly biological material. Methods: The review concentrates on the reports revealing the functions and potential use of γ-PGA and its derivatives in medicine. Results & Discussion: γ-PGA is described to possess several properties that may be exploited in medicine. The biopolymer reportedly has been successfully applied not only as a metal chelator, drug carrier/ deliverer, and gene vector, but also used safely as a vaccine adjuvant, tissue engineering material, and contrast agent. Conclusion: γ-PGA could be potentially considered as a potential biomedical material in the field of medicine.

A novel and efficient approach to the synthesis of benzimidazo[2,1-b]thiazoline derivatives has been developed through an addition/cyclization/intramolecular oxidative C–H functionalization process. A variety of alkylene benzimidazo[2,1-b] thiazolines were conveniently assembled from the reaction of aryl isothiocyanate and propargylic amine in the presence of Cu(OAc)2and PIFA at room temperature. The product could be further converted to substituted benzimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives.

ZnO nanostructures are exceedingly important building blocks for nanodevices due to their wide band gap and large exciton binding energy. However, their electronic transport characteristics are unstable and unrepeatable with external environment variation. Here, we demonstrate that electron transport of an individual ZnO nanowire-based device with the two same electrodes can be controllably modulated by applying a relatively large uni-/bidirectional bias. After being modulated, moreover, their electrical properties can well be maintained at relatively low operation bias and room temperature, demonstrating a memory behavior. The presence of surface states related to lattice periodicity breaking and traps associated with oxygen vacancy (Vo) and zinc interstitial (Zni) deep-level defects plays a crucial role in tunable electron transport with a memory feature. For the single nanowire-based two-terminal device, two back-to-back connected surface barrier diodes with series resistance are formed. The filling and emptying of traps near two end electrodes can remarkably adjust the width and height of the surface barrier. At a relatively low bias, the unmodulated conductance is governed by the electron hopping of bulk traps since the height of emptied traps is higher than that of the surface barrier, whereas at a relatively large bias, it is dominated by thermion emission due to a dramatic decrease of the surface barrier width resulting from the electron injection into traps from a negative electrode. Moreover, it will be beneficial for a thin surface barrier to penetrate UV light and separate photoexcited electron–hole pairs. After being asymmetrically modulated by a unidirectional injection, it can be successfully applied to realize a self-driven UV photodetector based on a photovoltaic effect in the symmetrical two-electrode structure. Our work provides a new route to tune electrical properties of nanostructures, which may inspire the development of novel electronic and optoelectronic devices.

A novel and efficient synthesis of 4-iminotetrahydropyrimidin-2-one derivatives was developed through a Cu(I)-catalyzed three-component tandem reaction employing propargylamines, isocyanates, and sulfonyl azides as starting materials. A wide range of polysubstituted 4-sulfonyliminotetrahydropyrimidin-2-ones, which might be useful in biological chemistry and medicinal science, were conveniently and efficiently assembled in one pot.

Single CdS nanobelt-based photodetectors are strongly dependent on bias and temperature. They not only show a strong photoresponse to close bandgap energy light with ultrahigh responsivity of approximately 107A W−1, large photo-to-dark current ratio of 104, photoconductive gain of 107, and fast response and recovery speed at a large bias of 20 V, but can also show a weak photoresponse to above- and below-bandgap energy light. Moreover, their spectral response range can show tunable selectivity to above- and below-bandgap light, which can be accurately controlled by temperature and bias. More importantly, the modulated spectral response characteristics show excellent memory behaviour after reversible writing and erasing by using temperature and bias. In nanostructures, abundant surface states and stacking fault-related traps play a vital role in the ultrahigh photoresponse to bandgap light and the erasable memory effect on spectral response range selectivity. Given the erasable memory of the spectral response selectivity with excellent photoconduction performance, the CdS NBs possess important applications in new-generation photodetection and photomemory devices.

The objective of this study is to investigate the 3D behavior characteristics of an excavation supported by an innovative prestressed support (IPS) earth retention system. A numerical simulation was conducted in order to provide insight into the IPS system behavior by using the FLAC3D package. Prior to the parametric study, validation work was conducted by means of a comparison of the deformation between the field test data and numerical analysis results, and strong agreement was obtained. The reasonable excavation location, layered excavation thickness, and blocked excavation sequence are presented according to variable parameter analysis. In view of the previous findings, certain measurements are proposed in order to control the foundation pit deformation. The results indicate that prestress compensation has a significant effect on the IPS system behavior, while an optimized excavation sequence slightly improves its behavior. With the conclusion proposed based on the numerical results, the aim is to provide reference data for optimization design and the construction sequence.

To date, five gold masks have been found in the middle and western Himalayan region, from the Chuvthag Cemetery in Zanda County and the Gurugyam Cemetery in Gar County in Tibet, China, the Samdzong Cemetery in Mustang, Nepal and the Malari Cemetery in Uttar Pradesh, India. The dates of these gold masks are all around the 1st–2nd centuries CE; they are different in size but all made with the repoussé technique and sewn to textiles. Most of the facial features of the masks are of the Mongoloid race. This burial custom has deep root in the Eurasian Continent; the funeral masks in different areas might have independent origins and developing paths, but mutual influence and exchange among neighboring areas are also apparent.

A battery-powered aerial microrobotic System-on-Chip (SoC) has stringent weight and power budgets, which requires fully integrated solutions for both clock generation and voltage regulation. Supply-noise resilience is important yet challenging for such SoC systems due to a non-constant battery discharge profile and load current variability. This paper proposes an adaptive-frequency clocking scheme that can tolerate supply noise and improve performance when implemented with an integrated voltage regulator (IVR). Measurements from a ‘brain’ SoC, implemented in 40 nm CMOS, demonstrate 2\times performance improvement with adaptive-frequency clocking over conventional fixed-frequency clocking. Combining adaptive-frequency clocking with open-loop IVR extends error-free operation to a wider battery voltage range (2.8 to 3.8 V) with higher average performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Rh(III)-catalyzed direct amidation of aldehydes featuring Ag2CO3as the oxidant is described. This selective procedure provides a variety of N-pyridinamides and imide derivatives in good yields.

The problem of loss of prestress and compensation of prestress of Fish-Bellied Beam Support exist in foundation pit construction but seldom be considered in design. Finite Element Analysis on an existed foundation pit engineering of prestressed Fish-Bellied Beam Support by using finite element software ABAQUS. Discussed the influence on lateral deformation of foundation pit caused by loss of prestress and compensation of prestress.The results show that the influence on lateral deformation of foundation pit caused by loss of prestress and compensation of prestress is remarkable, and existing a critical loss percentage, lateral deformation of foundation pit will be well controlled by adjusting compensation of prestress in terms of considering the critical loss percentage.

Combined with the characteristics of power engineering projects, the paper introduces a kind of theoretical model that leads gray relational analysis and risk analysis into AHP appraisal method. This article describes the application steps of the model by a case. This article's main focus is the membership of risk index and the index weight. In the risk comprehensive evaluation model, the paper adopts the risk analysis method and gray relational analysis method to determine the membership and the weight of risk index. This model is considered to be the virtue of the subjective weight and the objective one. It can improve the accuracy of the evaluation.

The paper have made a preliminary exploration about the establishment of SAR image target model base on the guidance of model base theory and on the basis of study evolution on SAR image target recognition. The design have made SAR image target model base management system successfully within the platform of Visual Studio 2005 and have studied on the establishment method of SAR image target model base.

Based on analysis of different guidelines and standards for material selection of casing which belong to six companies in four countries, the main factors that influence the material selection of casing have been generalized. Through comparing the safety and corrosion resistance properties of materials recommended by different guidelines in specific conditions, a synthetic guideline has been developed, which can provide a more appropriate suggestion. The environmental conditions and materials adopted in East Sichuan region have been taken for example. By comparing the proposed results with adopted materials of field well completion, it demonstrates that the result provided by the synthetic guideline is accurate and reliable.

Aim: to screen the pulmonary metastasis-associated molecules of Osteosarcoma and evaluate their functions concerning prognosis prediction. Methods: cDNA microarrray analysis has been applied to 2 pairs of osteosarcoma cell sublines with differential metastatic potentials to the lung. Immunohistochemistry and survival analysis have been performed to clinical samples of osteosarcoma patients. Result: Analysis detected 484 differentially expressed genes between the high metastatic subline, F5M2, and the low metastatic subline, F4. There were 1257 genes differentially expressed between newly established high-metastatic sublines named Saos-2M2 and its parental cell line Saos-2. Furthermore, 16 commonly up-regulated genes and 5 commonly down-regulated genes were identified by clustering analysis. EREG and CHST2, two genes not previously described in osteosarcoma, were finally seen to be differentially expressed in all examined osteosarcoma cell lines and in samples between the different prognosis sample groups. Survival analysis also confirmed these two molecules could be used to predict the outcome of OSA patients. Conclusion: This work represents a rationale approach to the evaluation of microarray data and will be useful to identify genes that may be causally associated with metastasis. EREG and CHST2 will be likely considered as clinical molecular markers to predict the outcome of OSA.

Fluorinated diamond-like carbon (F-DLC) thin films are deposited using radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition under various gas flow ratios. The surface morphology of the F-DLC thin films deposited at lower gas flow ratios is a compact and uniform structure, and it became rough with the increase of gas flow ratios. The relative atomic contents of fluorine and chemical bonding configurations of C-Fx (x=1, 2, 3) in the thin films increases with the increase of gas flow ratios. The optical band gap of the thin films presents a decrease of different degree with the increase of gas flow ratios.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor, with high rates of metastasis. Here, we examined the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) in osteosarcoma cell lines with different metastatic potential, finding that the expression was correlated with metastasis of implanted tumors. We then introduced an expression vector encoding the e23sFv-PEA II-Bid ∆1-60 gene, composed of a HER2-specific single-chain antibody fused with domain II of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PEA) and the carboxy end of truncated active Bid. We demonstrated that the e23sFv-PEA II-Bid ∆1-60 molecule selectively recognized and killed HER2-overexpressing osteosarcoma cells in vitro. Subsequently, we introduced the e23sFv-PEA II-bid ∆1-60 gene into BALB/c athymic mice bearing HER2-positive osteosarcomas using i.m. injections of liposome-encapsulated vector. Expression of the e23sFv-PEA II-Bid ∆1-60 gene suppressed tumor growth, significantly prolonged animal survival, and inhibited metastasis, thereby suggesting it may represent a competitive approach to treating HER2/neu-positive osteosarcoma.

Ultrafast laser micromachining provides many advantages for precision micromachining. One challenging problem, however, particularly for multilayer and heterogeneous materials, is how to prevent a given material from being ablated, as ultrafast laser micromachining is generally material insensitive. We present a real-time feedback control system for an ultrafast laser micromachining system based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The characteristics of ultrafast LIBS are reviewed and discussed so as to demonstrate the feasibility of the technique. Comparison methods to identify the material emission patterns are developed, and several of the resulting algorithms were implemented into a real-time computer control system. LIBS-controlled micromachining is demonstrated for the fabrication of microheater structures on thermal sprayed materials. Compared with a strictly passive machining process without any such feedback control, the LIBS-based system provides several advantages including less damage to the substrate layer, reduced machining time, and more-uniform machining features.

The global pandemic of diabetes and diabetes complications confers heavy pressure on public health. Novel antidiabetes strategies with negligible unwanted effects are urgently needed. Currently, the anti-hyperglycemic potential of plant-based functional ingredients has been explored to provide alternative strategies. As a kind of dietary bioactive compound, oleuropein has aroused the growing interest of researchers in diabetes and diabetes complications management. This review reveals the research progress of oleuropein in treating diabetes and diabetes complications and summarizes the molecular mechanisms involved in these beneficial effects of oleuropein. Oleuropein achieves amelioration of diabetes, the mechanisms of which include the modulation of insulin secretion, the repairment islet morphology, the activation of hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase singling, and the improvement of glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. Oleuropein also can relieve diabetes complications including diabetic nephropathy, diabetes cardiovascular complications, diabetic retinopathy, poor wound healing, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic testicular dysfunction. Oleuropein reverses cell apoptosis, regenerates tissues, restores the histological organization, and decreases oxidative stress in treating diabetes complications. Taken together, oleuropein is a promising compound for diabetes and diabetes complications management and can be used as a nutraceutical to fight against these diseases.

To evaluate antihypertensive and antioxidant activities of Allium hookeriroot (AHR) fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Weissella cibaria.

A letter to the editor is presented Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Eureka," by Nick Waplington in the June 16, 2004 issue, "Stayin' Alive," by Ray Kurzweil in the June 16, 2004 issue, and "Free: Why $0.00 Is the Future of Business," by Chris Anderson in the June 16, 2004 issue.