Search

Ba 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 ceramics with a monoclinic structure ( C 2/c ) were prepared using the conventional solid-state method at 1200 °C for 3 h in air. The as-prepared ceramics show signs of weak ferroelectricity from the P - E loop and ferroelectric domains with 90° and 103° directions. Although an ε r anomaly appears at approximately 510 °C, the Curie temperature ( T c ) of the Ba 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 ceramics is 750 °C or higher. The ceramics also display low-permittivity microwave dielectric properties ( ε r =8.09, Q × f =26,634 GHz, and τ f =−51.46 ppm/°C). Therefore, the coexistence of high- T c ferroelectricity and good microwave dielectric properties is beneficial to develop Ba 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 ceramics into tunable-microwave and millimeter-wave devices such as capacitors, phase shifters, and oscillators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O -Alkylation of 7,15,23-tri- tert -butyl-25,26,27-trihydroxy-2,3,10,11,18,19-hexahomo-3,11,19-trioxacalix[3]arene ( 1 H 3 ) with 9-chloromethylanthracene 5 was carried out under different reaction conditions. Variation of the number of anthrylmethyl group introduced at the phenolic rim of hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene 1 H 3 was achieved through selective O -alkylation using stoichiometric amounts of 9-chloromethylanthracene 5 in acetone to afford the mono- O -alkylated product 2 H 2 An, the di- O -alkylated product 3 HAn 2 and the tri-O -alkylated product partial-cone- 4 An 3 , respectively. Interestingly, by using an acetone/benzene (1:1 v/v) mixed solvent system, the cone - 4 An 3 was successfully synthesized. These results suggest that the solvent can also control the conformation of the O -alkylation products. The possible reaction routes of the cone- 4 An 3 and partial-cone - 4 An 3 are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel type of selective and sensitive fluorescent sensor having triazole rings as the binding sites on the lower rim of a hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene scaffold in a cone conformation is reported. This sensor has desirable properties for practical applications, including selectivity for detecting Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ in the presence of excess competing metal ions at low ion concentration or as a fluorescence enhancement type chemosensor due to the cavity of calixarene changing from a ‘flattened-cone’ to a more-upright form and inhibition of PET. In contrast, the results suggested that receptor 1 is highly sensitive and selective for Cu 2+ and Fe 3+ as a fluorescence quenching type chemosensor due to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) or heavy atom effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was the first time that we simultaneously quantified nimesulide and its possible metabolites M1, M2, M3 and M4 by employing liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Nimesulide-d5 was used as internal standard (IS) for validation. Analytes and IS were recovered from human plasma by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Prepared plasma samples were analyzed under the same LC–MS/MS conditions, and chromatographic separation was realized by using an Ultimate C18 column, with run time being 5 min for each sample. Our results showed that various analytes within their concentration ranges could be quantified accurately by using the method. Mean intra- and inter-day accuracies ranged from −4.8% to 4.8% (RE), and intra- and inter-assay precision ≤6.2% (RSD). The following parameters were validated: specificity, recovery, matrix effects, dilution integrity, carry-over, sample stability under a variety of storage and handling conditions (room temperature, freezer, freeze-thaw and post-preparative) and stock solution stability. Pharmacokinetics of nimesulide and its metabolites were calculated based on the analysis of samples collected from twelve Chinese healthy volunteers after single oral dose of 100 mg nimesulide tablets. By applying the pharmacokinetic determination into human samples, we preliminarily detected a new metabolite of nimesulide (M4*), and the concentration of M4* was relatively higher in plasma. Furthermore, we predicted part of conceivable metabolism pathway in plasma of after oral administration of 100 mg nimesulide tablets. This research provided an experimental basis for further studies on metabolic activation and biotransformation of nimesulide, and for more comprehensive conjecture of its metabolic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the optimization problem of simple basic group communication topology (SBGCT) in multi-USV systems. In SBGCT, not only the fewer communication connections with lower communication costs are used to group USVs and establish intra-group and inter-group communication, but also each USV can obtain the data of all the other USVs without search algorithms. A nested-ring exact algorithm (NREA) is proposed to build the communication topology of minimizing the total cost based on minimizing the max cost with a nested-ring shape. The communication cost based on distance, weather, and occlusion impact is designed to evaluate the communication reliability of wireless data transceivers commonly used on USVs. In addition, a strategy of channel allocation is proposed to avoid interfering with the co-channel. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithms. • An evaluation model of communication cost is established based on the attenuations of distance, weather, and occlusion to improve communication reliability. • The objectives of SBGCT are designed as minimizing the total communication cost based on minimizing the max communication cost. • A nested-ring exact algorithm is proposed to construct a strongly connected topology for the optimization problem of SBGCT [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexavalent chromium can promote centrosome amplification (CA) as well as tumorigenesis. Since CA can lead to tumorigenesis, it is plausible that the chromium promotes the development of cancer via CA. In the present study, we investigated the signaling pathways of the chromium-induced CA. Our results showed that sub-toxic concentration of chromium was able to cause CA in HCT116 cells, and decrease the expression of TMOD2 and NPM2. Furthermore, TMOD2 and NPM2 interacted to each other via their C-terminal and the N-terminal, respectively, which was inhibited by the chromium. Overexpression of TMOD2 and NPM2 increased their binding and significantly attenuated the CA. Moreover, TMOD2 and NPM2 were co-localized with the centrosomes. The chromium inhibited the centrosomeal localization of NPM2, which was reversed by the overexpression of TMOD2, C-terminal of TMOD2, but not the N-terminal of NPM2. Our results suggest that the chromium induces CA via inhibiting the binding between TMOD2 and NPM2 as well as the dissociation of NPM2 from centrosomes. • Hexavalent chromium inhibited TMOD2-NPM2 signaling pathway. • The inhibition of TMOD2-NPM2 induce centrosome amplification. • TMOD2 interacts with the N-terminal of NPM2 by its C-terminal. • The interaction contributes to the centrosomal localization of NPM2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An integrated energy system combining hydrogen energy storage was designed and assessed. • A hybrid operation strategy following objective function was proposed. • Capacity planning was developed considering energy, economy, environment and grid dependence. • The annual hydrogen supply of optimum scheme is as high as 81,673 kg. • The sensitivity analysis of device efficiencies and market factors was conducted. A novel grid-linked integrated energy system design combined with hydrogen energy storage for collective energy communities has been proposed and analyzed, which is driven by natural gas and solar energy to achieve coordinated supply of cooling, heating and power. The models of energy devices were established in detail, and a multi-variable multi-objective mixed integer nonlinear programming coupling maximum rectangle method and particle swarm optimization was adopted. The optimal configuration and indicators were obtained based on the comprehensive assessment of energy, economics, environment and grid dependence. A hybrid operation strategy following objective function has been developed to improve the overall performance. A real case in Xi'an of Northwest China was chosen to study according to the simulated load demand, three operation strategies were compared, hourly energy management was assessed, and four electrical energy storage schemes were contrasted. Finally, the scheme that uses surplus electricity to electrolyze water for producing hydrogen to supply consumers under hybrid operation strategy is the optimum selection and the annual hydrogen supply is as high as 81,673 kg. Besides, the effects of main device efficiencies, natural gas price and electricity price on system performance were discussed. The results indicated that the power generation efficiency of gas turbine and market factors have the most conspicuous impact on the proposed system. This work may provide theoretical guidance for relevant research and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PAX5 is indispensable for the commitment of early lymphoid progenitors to the B cell lineage as well as for the development of B cells. Although previous studies have indicated that the Pax5- conditional-knockout mouse exhibited dedifferentiation of mature B cell and the development of aggressive lymphomas, the changes of Pax5 gene expressions in pre-B cells have not been analyzed. To understand the functional importance of Pax5 gene in the proliferation and survival of pre-B cells, we established a Pax5 -knockdown model using 70Z/3 pre-B cell line. Pax5 knockdown 70Z/3 cells (70Z/3-KD cells) showed down-regulations of pre-BCR compounds such as CD19, BLNK, Id2 and λ5. The signaling via pre-BCRs was significantly diminished in the 70Z/3-KD cells, and this alteration was normalized by restored Pax5 gene expression. Loss of PAX5 reduced the growth rates in the 70Z/3-KD cells, compared to the mock cells. Meanwhile, the proliferation of pre-B cells was reduced by the knockdown of Pax5 gene. Moreover, further examinations showed that PAX5 was also activated in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) as a cell proliferation enhancer. These findings suggested that pax5 is critically important for the proliferation and survival of pre-B cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Preclinical models of chemotherapy resistance and clinical observations derived from the prospective multicenter phase III collaborative trial in relapsed aggressive lymphoma (CORAL) study demonstrated that primary refractory/relapsed B cell diffuse large B cell lymphoma has a poor clinical outcome with current available second-line treatments. Preclinically, we found that rituximab resistance is associated with a deregulation on the mitochondrial potential rendering lymphoma cells resistant to chemotherapy-induced apoptotic stimuli. There is a dire need to develop agents capable to execute alternative pathways of cell death in an attempt to overcome chemotherapy resistance. Posttranscriptional histone modification plays an important role in regulating gene transcription and is altered by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). HDACs regulate several key cellular functions, including cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, migration, antigen presentation, and/or immune regulation. Given their influence in multiple regulatory pathways, HDAC inhibition is an attractive strategy to evaluate its anti-proliferation activity in cancer cells. To this end, we studied the anti-proliferation activity and mechanisms of action of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, vorinostat) in rituximab-chemotherapy-resistant preclinical models. Methods: A panel of rituximab-chemotherapy-sensitive (RSCL) and rituximab-chemotherapy-resistant cell lines (RRCL) and primary tumor cells isolated from relapsed/refractory B cell lymphoma patients were exposed to escalating doses of vorinostat. Changes in mitochondrial potential, ATP synthesis, and cell cycle distribution were determined by Alamar blue reduction, Titer-Glo luminescent assays, and flow cytometric, respectively. Protein lysates were isolated from vorinostat-exposed cells, and changes in members of Bcl-2 family, cell cycle regulatory proteins, and the acetylation status of histone H3 were evaluated by Western blotting. Finally, cell lines were pre-exposed to vorinostat for 48 h and subsequently exposed to several chemotherapy agents (cisplatin, etoposide, or gemcitabine); changes in cell viability were determined by CellTiter-Glo luminescence assay (Promega, Fitchburg, WI), and synergistic activity was evaluated using the CalcuSyn software. Results: Vorinostat induced dose-dependent cell death in RRCL and in primary tumor cells. In addition, in vitro exposure of RRCL to vorinostat resulted in an increase in p21 and acetylation of histone H3 leading to G1 cell cycle arrest. Vorinostat exposure resulted in apoptosis in RSCL cell lines but not in RRCL. This finding suggests that in RRCL, vorinostat induces cell death by alternative pathways (i.e., irreversible cell cycle arrest). Of interest, vorinostat was found to reverse acquired chemotherapy resistance in RRCL. Conclusions: Our data suggest that vorinostat is active in RRCL with a known defective apoptotic machinery, it can active alternative cell death pathways. Given the multiple pathways affected by HDAC inhibition, vorinostat can potentially be used to overcome acquired resistant to chemotherapy in aggressive B cell lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multitarget tracking is one of the most important applications of sensor networks, yet it is an extremely challenging problem since multisensor multitarget tracking itself is nontrivial and the difficulty is further compounded by sensor management. Recently, random finite set based Bayesian framework has opened doors for multitarget tracking with sensor management, which is modelled in the framework of partially observed Markov decision process (POMDP). However, sensor management posed as a POMDP is in essence a combinatorial optimization problem which is NP-hard and computationally unacceptable. In this paper, we propose a novel sensor selection method for multitarget tracking. We first present the sequential multi-Bernoulli filter as a centralized multisensor fusion scheme for multitarget tracking. In order to perform sensor selection, we define the hypothesis information gain (HIG) of a sensor to measure its information quantity when the sensor is selected alone. Then, we propose spatial nonmaximum suppression approach to select sensors with respect to their locations and HIGs. Two distinguished implementations have been provided using the greedy spatial nonmaximum suppression. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of proposed sensor selection approach for multitarget tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Robinson convolution model is mainly restricted by three inappropriate assumptions, i.e., statistically white reflectivity, minimum-phase wavelet, and stationarity. Modern reflectivity inversion methods (e.g., sparsity-constrained deconvolution) generally attempt to suppress the problems associated with the first two assumptions but often ignore that seismic traces are nonstationary signals, which undermines the basic assumption of unchanging wavelet in reflectivity inversion. Through tests on reflectivity series, we confirm the effects of nonstationarity on reflectivity estimation and the loss of significant information, especially in deep layers. To overcome the problems caused by nonstationarity, we propose a nonstationary convolutional model, and then use the attenuation curve in log spectra to detect and correct the influences of nonstationarity. We use Gabor deconvolution to handle nonstationarity and sparsity-constrained deconvolution to separating reflectivity and wavelet. The combination of the two deconvolution methods effectively handles nonstationarity and greatly reduces the problems associated with the unreasonable assumptions regarding reflectivity and wavelet. Using marine seismic data, we show that correcting nonstationarity helps recover subtle reflectivity information and enhances the characterization of details with respect to the geological record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite microbes' key roles in driving biogeochemical cycles, the mechanism of microbe-mediated feedbacks to global changes remains elusive. Recently, soil transplant has been successfully established as a proxy to simulate climate changes, as the current trend of global warming coherently causes range shifts toward higher latitudes. Four years after southward soil transplant over large transects in China, we found that microbial functional diversity was increased, in addition to concurrent changes in microbial biomass, soil nutrient content and functional processes involved in the nitrogen cycle. However, soil transplant effects could be overridden by maize cropping, which was attributed to a negative interaction. Strikingly, abundances of nitrogen and carbon cycle genes were increased by these field experiments simulating global change, coinciding with higher soil nitrification potential and carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux. Further investigation revealed strong correlations between carbon cycle genes and CO2 efflux in bare soil but not cropped soil, and between nitrogen cycle genes and nitrification. These findings suggest that changes of soil carbon and nitrogen cycles by soil transplant and cropping were predictable by measuring microbial functional potentials, contributing to a better mechanistic understanding of these soil functional processes and suggesting a potential to incorporate microbial communities in greenhouse gas emission modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cells with mammary repopulating capability can achieve mammary gland morphogenesis in a suitable cellular microenvironment. Using cell surface markers of CD24, CD29 and CD49f, mouse mammary repopulating unit (MRU) has been identified in adult mammary epithelium and late embryonic mammary bud epithelium. However, embryonic MRU remains to be fully characterized at earlier mammary anlagen stage. Here we isolated discrete populations of E14.5 mouse mammary anlagen cells. Only Lin − CD24 med CD29 + cell population was predicted as E14.5 MRU by examining their capacities of forming mammosphere and repopulating cleared mammary fat pad in vivo. However, when we characterized gene expressions of this E14.5 cell population by comparing with adult mouse MRU (Lin − CD24 + CD29 hi ), the gene profiling of these two cell populations exhibited great differences. Real-time PCR and immunostaining assays uncovered that E14.5 Lin − CD24 med CD29 + cell population was a heterogeneous stroma-enriched cell population. Then, limiting dilutions and single-cell assays also confirmed that E14.5 Lin − CD24 med CD29 + cell population possessed low proportion of stem cells. In summary, heterogeneous Lin − CD24 med CD29 + cell population exhibited mammary repopulating ability in E14.5 mammary anlagen, implying that only suitable mammary stroma could enable mammary gland morphogenesis, which relied on the interaction between rare stem cells and microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A unified solution method for intact and cracked polygonal plates is presented. • Polygonal domain of integration is divided into triangular and trapezoidal domains. • The existence of crack is determined by the stiffness of the connecting springs. • The proposed method is appropriate for thin plates with arbitrary constraints. • The proposed method is also appropriate for concave polygonal plates. A method for solving for the free vibration of intact and straight through-cracked polygonal thin plates with arbitrary boundary conditions is proposed. To obtain the expressions for the energy integral, the polygonal domain of integration is divided into triangular and trapezoidal domains by a set of parallel lines passing through the vertexes. The energy integral can then be calculated analytically in closed form using the properties of Jacobi orthogonal polynomials, which are the admissible functions of the Ritz method in the framework of the Kirchhoff plate theory. The boundary conditions are modeled using linear springs to restrain the plate edges. The model for solving polygonal thin plate vibration for arbitrary boundary conditions is thus obtained. Accordingly, the cracked polygonal plate is decomposed into several polygonal subdomains based on the crack by applying the technique of domain decomposition. Each subdomain is solved as an intact plate. The subdomains are then connected by a set of linear springs with variable stiffness, and the crack or rigid connection is determined by setting the spring stiffness to zero or infinity, respectively. The convergence and accuracy of the proposed method are verified by comparing the numerical examples with results available in the literature. The proposed method is also applied to determine the natural frequencies of a concave pentagonal plate and cracked regular hexagonal plates. The effect of crack length and inclination on the natural frequencies and mode shapes of cracked regular hexagonal plates with several boundary conditions are studied. The natural frequencies of cracked regular hexagonal plates tabulated are the first published vibration data, and can be used as a reference for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A hybrid biomass-fired power generation system is designed and analyzed. • Agriculture biomass and sludge are co-combusted integrated with solar-aided sludge drying. • Plenty of municipal sludge gets harmless stabilized disposal. • The proposal is economically feasible and profitable with a dynamic payback period of 3.73 years. • Fresh insights into renewable energy comprehensive utilization is provided. Based on the evolution of conventional sludge drying methods, a novel co-combustion power generation system integrated with solar-aided sludge drying has been developed and evaluated for advancing environmentally friendly renewable energy power generation technologies. The integration is achieved by injecting the heat collected from sunlight by parabolic trough collectors into the sludge dryer through the feedwater. In the synthetic configuration, the extraction steam of biomass-fired power plant is saved and more power output is produced compared with conventional sludge drying methods. The performance of the proposed scheme was thermodynamically and economically assessed. In addition, the performance of the new design under different co-firing proportion, sludge moisture and solar irradiation was discussed. The results indicated that the additional power output can reach 2.13 MW at the design condition while the biomass consumption is fixed. Throughout the whole year, 9640.03 MWh additional electricity can be generated with 94,608 tons wet sludge disposed. Besides, the levelized cost of electricity of the new power is 0.0834 $/kWh, the dynamic payback period is 3.73 years and the net present value of 34806.00 k$ is achievable due to the incorporation. Therefore, the proposed design is feasible and profitable, providing fresh insights into renewable energy comprehensive utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thiswork reports the hydrolysis of vegetable oils catalyzed bySO3H-functional Brønsted acidic ionic liquids at moderatehydrolysis temperature and reaction time. The results demonstratedthat the catalytic activity of ionic liquids is in the sequence 1-(4-sulfonicgroup) butylcaprolactamium hydrogen sulfate ([HSO3-bCPL][HSO4]) > 1-(4-sulfonic group) butylpyridinium hydrogen sulfate([HSO3-bPy][HSO4]) > 1-(4-sulfonic group)butyl-3-methylimidazoliumhydrogen sulfate ([HSO3-bMIM][HSO4]) > 1-(4-sulfonicgroup) butyltriethylaminium hydrogen sulfate ([HSO3-bTEA][HSO4]). In the batch reactor, the reaction conditions of the hydrolysisin the presence of [HSO3-bCPL][HSO4] were investigatedand optimized. The yield of fatty acids was greater than 95 wt % at[HSO3-bCPL][HSO4] dosage of 8 wt % (based onthe weight of oil), water/oil molar ratio of 10:1, hydrolysis temperatureof 180 °C, and hydrolysis time of 6 h. The catalytic performanceof this ionic liquid remained excellent even after reuse six times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new ligand, 1,4-bis((5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylthio)methyl)benzene (L), has been designed and synthesized. Two coordination polymers based on copper halide clusters and the ligand, CuIL(CHCN) (1) and CuClL(CHCN) (2), have been obtained by solution reactions at room temperature. Single crystal X-ray structural analyses revealed that complexes 1 and 2 both show one dimensional frameworks derived from different coordination modes of the cluster cores with the ligand. The cluster cores of 1 and 2 are unusual open ladder-shaped CuI(CHCN) and step-like CuCl(CHCN), respectively. The optical absorption spectra, the thermal stabilities and the luminescent properties of the title complexes have also been studied. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Non-linear patterns of microbial N genes occurred along precipitation gradient. • Breaking points were clearly related to certain soil types. • Attribution of different environmental factors varied by ecosystem. Despite the importance of microorganisms in soil nitrogen (N) cycling, studies on spatial patterns of microbial N-cycling gene abundances in temperate grasslands are still lacking, whose productivity is limited by N. Here, we investigated N functional genes in soil microorganisms from 60 sites in temperate grasslands across 1661 km in Inner Mongolia, China. Abundances of all N functional genes and 16S rDNA tended to decrease from northeast to southwest, consistent with the changing tend of precipitation but contrary to that of temperature. Non-linear saturation curves dominated patterns for abundances of most N functional genes and 16S rDNA along precipitation as they increased with the rising precipitation when <288–343 mm, but remained stable after these breaking points. Interestingly, these breaking points were clearly related to certain soil types, e.g. nifH did not change with precipitation in Chernozems and Gleysols, but increased with it in other soil types. Non-linear saturation patterns were also observed for most N functional gene and 16S rDNA abundances with temperature and soil total organic carbon. In contrast, no consistent spatial pattern for ratios of N functional genes: 16S rDNA was observed, which varied greatly by different N functional genes. Moreover, decay relationships were discovered for the abundance-based matrix of N functional genes over geographic distance. From the temperate meadows to typical steppes and to temperate desert steppes, the influence of relatively long-term environmental variables increased, but that of short-term ones decreased. Overall, we revealed non-linear patterns of N functional gene abundances along precipitation with a clear relationship with soil type, and discovered that attributions of geographic distance, plant community, historical-contingency and contemporary-disturbance to N functional gene community similarity decay were ecosystem–dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Metacognitive efficiency and metacognitive bias are found to be robustly positively associated across three datasets. • The effect appears in both within-subject and across-subject analyses. • Results imply that differences in confidence can be confused for differences in metacognitive efficiency. We recently found a positive relationship between estimates of metacognitive efficiency and metacognitive bias. However, this relationship was only examined on a within-subject level and required binarizing the confidence scale, a technique that introduces methodological difficulties. Here we examined the robustness of the positive relationship between estimates of metacognitive efficiency and metacognitive bias by conducting two different types of analyses. First, we developed a new within-subject analysis technique where the original n-point confidence scale is transformed into two different (n-1)-point scales in a way that mimics a naturalistic change in confidence. Second, we examined the across-subject correlation between metacognitive efficiency and metacognitive bias. Importantly, for both types of analyses, we not only established the direction of the effect but also computed effect sizes. We applied both techniques to the data from three tasks from the Confidence Database (N > 400 in each). We found that both approaches revealed a small to medium positive relationship between metacognitive efficiency and metacognitive bias. These results demonstrate that the positive relationship between metacognitive efficiency and metacognitive bias is robust across several analysis techniques and datasets, and have important implications for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common metabolic disease of the liver, characterized by hepatic steatosis in more than 5% of hepatocytes. However, despite the recent approval of the first drug, resmetirom, for the management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, decades of target exploration and hundreds of clinical trials have failed, highlighting the urgent need to find new druggable targets for the discovery of innovative drug candidates against MASLD. Here, we found that glutathione S-transferase alpha 1 (GSTA1) expression was negatively associated with lipid droplet accumulation in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of GSTA1 significantly attenuated oleic acid-induced steatosis in hepatocytes or high-fat diet-induced steatosis in the mouse liver. The hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory drug bicyclol also attenuated steatosis by upregulating GSTA1 expression. A detailed mechanism showed that GSTA1 directly interacts with fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1) and facilitates the degradation of FABP1, thereby inhibiting intracellular triglyceride synthesis by impeding the uptake and transportation of free fatty acids. Conclusion: GSTA1 may be a good target for the discovery of innovative drug candidates as GSTA1 stabilizers or enhancers against MASLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Understanding the complex interactions between trees and fungi is crucial for forest ecosystem management, yet the influence of tree mycorrhizal types, species identity, and diversity on tree‐tree interactions and their root‐associated fungal communities remains poorly understood.Our study addresses this gap by investigating root‐associated fungal communities of different arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EcM) tree species pairs (TSPs) in a subtropical tree diversity experiment, spanning monospecific, two‐species, and multi‐species mixtures, utilizing Illumina sequencing of the ITS2 region.The study reveals that tree mycorrhizal type significantly impacts the alpha diversity of root‐associated fungi in monospecific stands. Meanwhile, tree species identity's influence is modulated by overall tree diversity. Tree‐related variables and spatial distance emerged as major drivers of variations in fungal community composition. Notably, in multi‐species mixtures, compositional differences between root fungal communities of AM and EcM trees diminish, indicating a convergence of fungal communities irrespective of mycorrhizal type. Interestingly, dual mycorrhizal fungal communities were observed in these multi‐species mixtures.This research underscores the pivotal role of mycorrhizal partnerships and the interplay of biotic and abiotic factors in shaping root fungal communities, particularly in varied tree diversity settings, and its implications for effective forest management and biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addressing the substantial greenhouse gas emissions produced by the energy-intensive Haber–Bosch synthesis, this study investigates the viability of sustainable nitrogen fixation (NF) via low-temperature plasma systems energized by renewable sources. Utilizing vibrational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering as a diagnostic tool, we probed the nitrogen rovibrational temperature and population dynamics within a DC glow discharge in atmospheric air, a setting with considerable promise for eco-friendly fertilizer production. Besides, density for atomic N , O , and NO was quantified by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) or two-photon absorbed LIF methods. Our findings reveal a quasi-equilibrium between rotational and vibrational energy states in the DC glow discharge environment, reaching an approximate value of 3500 K at the discharge core. The discharge parameters, discharge current, air flow rate, and discharge gap influence the rovibrational temperature, density distribution of species of interest, and the NF energy cost. However, the influences induced by these parameters are of limitations. Further analysis implies that the high gas temperature and its induced significant vibrational-rotational and vibrational-translational energy exchange are mainly responsible for the non-ideal NF energy cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrin subunit alpha L (ITGAL) was found aberrantly expressed in multiple cancer types, suggesting its essential role in tumorigenesis. Hence, we aimed to explore its definite role in acute myeloid leukemia and emphasize its associations with immunity. Here, we found ITGAL was highly expressed in AML patients and elevated expression was associated with poor prognosis. ITGAL was associated with age and cytogenetic risk classifications, but not relevant to AML driver gene mutations. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses determined ITGAL as an independent prognostic factor. The nomogram integrating ITGAL and clinicopathologic variables was constructed to predict 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS). Functional analyses revealed that ITGAL was mainly responsible for the production and metabolic process of cytokine. As for immunity, ITGAL was positively associated with MDSCs including iDCs, and macrophages in the TCGA-LAML cohort. We also found that ITGAL was positively associated with most immune checkpoint genes and cytokines. In addition, we found that ITGAL knockdown caused substantial inhibition of cell growth and significant induction of early apoptosis in AML cells. The xenograft study indicated that ITGAL knockdown prolonged the survival of recipient mice. Overall, ITGAL is an independent prognostic factor and is closely related to the number of MDSCs and cytokine production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the bulk of solid waste from coal chemical industry, coal gasification fine slag (CGFS) mainly consists of aluminosilicates and residual carbon. Currently, the common transformation strategy for CGFS entails the preparation of porous materials. However, this method utilizes only a part of the effective components in the slag. Specifically, either the silicon is used to synthesize zeolites, or the porous carbon is obtained through intensified separation. Therefore, it is highly desirable to achieve the simultaneous utilization of silicon and carbon resources in CGFS. In this work, CGFS was used as a low-cost raw material to prepare the P-zeolite/carbon composite in situ. The composite was characterized via XRD, 27Al and 29Si NMR, SEM, FT-IR, and Raman technique. Furthermore, the adsorption removal of crystal violet onto the composite was studied. The adsorption capacity was as high as 625.00 mg g−1, which was much larger than the CGFS and most reported adsorbents. Image 1 • The P-type zeolite/carbon composite was prepared in situ from CGFS. • The composite had flower-shape P-type zeolite and porous lamellar carbon. • The composite had large specific surface area and abundant functional groups. • The adsorption amount of crystal violet onto the composite was up to 625 mg g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid renewable energy system for combined heat and power production has been developed and evaluated. The integration is achieved by feeding the heat harvested from sunlight by parabolic trough collectors into the steam cycle of a biomass-fired cogeneration plant. Under the cogeneration mode or power generation mode, the obtained solar heat is exploited to drive the absorption heat pump for providing heat or warm the feedwater into the boiler, saving the extraction steam and contributing to additional power output. The thermodynamic and economic performance of the hybrid system was assessed based on a typical biomass-fired cogeneration plant. The performance of the new design under different operation modes and various solar conditions was also explored. The results indicated that the solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency can reach 19.38% or 16.92% at the design points under different operation modes (cogeneration or power generation); while the biomass consumption and thermal efficiency of the biomass plant are fixed, the cogeneration mode is superior to the power generation mode. Throughout the year, the solar based electricity of 2803.04 MWh can be generated with an annual solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 16.16%. Besides, the levelized cost of solar aided electricity is only 0.1306 $/kWh. • A hybrid renewable energy system simultaneously using solar energy and biomass. • Solar thermal heat is fed into the steam cycle of a biomass-fired cogeneration plant. • The annual solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency attainable is 16.16%. • The levelized cost of solar aided electricity is only 0.1306 $/kWh. • The cogeneration mode is preferable over the power generation mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rab proteins constitute the largest family of small GTPases, which play pivotal roles in intracellular membrane trafficking in all eukaryotes. A number of Rab genes have been identified in eukaryotes; however, very little information about these genes has been reported in insects. In the current study, for the first time we identified and characterized 27 Rab family genes from Locusta migratoria. Phylogenetic analysis and comparison of domain architecture indicated that Rab family genes are highly conserved among insect species. Tissue‐dependent expression profiles indicated that expression of Rab genes was highest in the ovary, except for LmRab3, which was most highly expressed in hemolymph. The biological function of each Rab gene was investigated using RNA interference (RNAi). Double‐stranded RNA targeting each Rab gene was injected into the hemocoel of nymphs and revealed that suppression of two Rab genes (LmRab5 and LmRab11A) caused 100% mortality. In addition, nymphs injected with dsLmRab5 exhibited severe phenotypic defects in the gastric caeca and midgut, while dsLmRab11A arrested the molting process. We then applied the RNAi of RNAi technique to test if silencing either of these two genes would affect the suppression of the lethal giant larvae (LmLgl) reporter gene and found that suppression of LmRab5 diminished the RNAi efficiency of LmLgl, whereas suppression of LmRab11A enhanced RNAi efficiency of LmLgl. These results indicate that Rab genes contribute differently to RNAi efficiency in different tissues. Our study provides a foundation for further functional investigations of Rab genes and their contributions to RNAi efficiency in L. migratoria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Robust and accurate road profile estimation method using smartphone data. • HC vehicle model identification through the automatic processing of smartphone data. • The influences of drive speed differences and changes are small. • The influences of differences in the left and the right paths are clarified. • The differences in drive speeds and vehicle dynamics are accurately compensated. This paper proposes a robust road profile estimation method and vehicle parameter identification method through an optimization with an objective function and constraint conditions on estimated profiles. The methods require only vehicle response measurements, enabling easy and inexpensive, yet effective, road condition monitoring through the automated processing of smartphone data. A half-car (HC) model, representing both bouncing and pitching motions, is employed for the profile estimation. The road profiles at the front and rear tire locations are included as state variables in the augmented state vector and are estimated by combining the augmented Kalman filter (AKF), Robbins–Monro (RM) algorithm, and Rauch–Tung–Striebel (RTS) smoothing. The two independent state variables, however, correspond to a single physical profile, while their distance coordinates differ by the wheelbase. Therefore, the vehicle parameters are optimized through the minimization of the difference between the identified road profiles at the front and rear tire locations using a genetic algorithm. Three objective functions and three constraint conditions are proposed to automatically select the best vehicle parameters. With this HC model, the road profile is subsequently estimated by combining the AKF, RM, and RTS methods. Through numerical simulations, the accuracy of the profile estimation and validity of the parameter identification are clarified. The influences of different drive speeds and difference between the left and the right profiles are numerically investigated. Drive tests with three different vehicles and a reference laser profiler show that the algorithm can automatically compensate for differences among vehicles with different drive speeds and estimate profiles accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plantago lanceolata has been increasingly cultivated in recent years as a forage crop due to its high feeding quality, good adaptability and medicinal benefits. Between 2015 and 2023, Alternaria leaf spot (ALS), appearing as reddish‐brown necrotic spots with a greyish white to pale brown centre, was commonly observed in two forage germplasm nurseries of P. lanceolata of Sichuan Province, China. Initially, 139 Alternaria strains were isolated from leaf lesions, and then identified using the identity of rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences in the NCBI database and the similarity of morphological characteristics. By pure culture technique, six representative isolates were finally obtained for the present study. Based on both multilocus phylogeny (SSU, LSU, ITS, gapdh, rpb2, tef1, endoPG, OPA10‐2, alt a 1, KOG1058 and KOG1077) and morphology, four Alternaria species were identified: three new records of A. alternata, A. arborescens species complex and A. gossypina on this host in China, belonging to section Alternaria, and a new species of section Porri, namely, A. lanceolatae sp. nov. Pathogenicity tests by inoculation on both detached leaves and whole plants revealed that A. lanceolatae was the most important causal agent of ALS, while the other three species were nonpathogenic to P. lanceolata. This study characterized a novel pathogenic Alternaria species of section Porri from P. lanceolata in China and could contribute as useful research for possible ALS management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this paper is to establish an analysis model of laminated composite rectangular plate with/without cutouts on the basis of three-dimensional elasticity theory and provide the exact three-dimensional solution. In the present work, the effect of the cutout is considered by subtracting the energies of cutouts from the total energy of the entire plate. The standard three-dimensional trigonometric cosine Fourier series and auxiliary Fourier series are chosen as admissible functions, and the Hamilton's principle and Rayleigh-Ritz procedure are used to obtain the exact solution. In order to verify the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method, some numerical results are obtained, and the results are compared with the ones available in the literature or finite element analysis. Finally, the effects of some key parameters which will affect the vibration characteristics are analyzed, and the non-dimensional frequency parameters are obtained, which can serve as benchmark data for the future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin, a phenolic compound extracted from the rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), has been reported to have broad biological functions including potent antioxidant and renoprotective effects. It has been reported that Curcumin has a certain protective effect on the kidney. However, its mechanism of action needs further study. The present research aims at investigating the therapeutic effects and its underlying mechanism of curcumin on NS. The conditionally immortalized mouse podocyte cell line was utilized to evaluate the podocyte-protective effect of curcumin and its effects on NF-κB pathway and Nrf2/ARE pathway in podocyte in vitro. Furthermore, the DOX-induced NS rats were utilized to investigate the therapeutic effects and its underlying mechanism of curcumin against NS in vivo. The consequences of this study revealed that curcumin activated Nrf2, inhibited NF-κB pathway and up-regulated podocin in DOX-induced podocyte. Further research results showed that curcumin can considerably alleviate proteinuria and improve hypoalbuminemia in NS rats, and lower blood lipid levels to alleviate hyperlipidemia in NS rats, indicating that curcumin has significant therapeutic effects on rat NS. Further observation by electron microscopy and detection showed that curcumin can improve renal function and podocyte injury, which may be related to the repairment of mRNA expression and podocin protein. Interestingly, the results of the blood rheology test showed that curcumin can effectively reduce whole blood viscosity (WBV) and plasma viscosity (PV), and reduce hematocrit (Hct). In addition, the oxidative stress state of kidney in NS rats was considerably reversed by curcumin, which may be achieved by activating Nrf2 and increasing the expression of antioxidant enzymes HO-1, NQO-1. We also found that NF-κB pathway is activated in the kidney of NS rats, and curcumin can inhibit the activation of NF-κB by down-regulating the expression of NF-κB p65, reducing the level of p-IκBα and up-regulating the expression of IκBα. These findings suggest that curcumin, as a multifunctional agent, exerts a protective effect on DOX-induced nephrotic syndrome in rats, which provides a pharmacological basis for the further development of curcumin and also provides a basis for the advantages of multi-targeted drugs in the processing of NS. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most prevalent types of cancer worldwide with unfavorable patient outcomes and relatively low survival rates. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to participate in the progression of HNSCC. The present study aimed to investigate the functional mechanism of lncRNA LINC00460 in HNSCC by mediating microRNA-206 (miR-206)/stanniocalcin-2 (STC2) axis. The interactions among miR-206, LINC00460 and STC2 were identified, and the expression of LINC00460, miR-206 and STC2 in tissues and cells was determined. Gain- and loss-of function experiments were conducted to analyze effects of LINC00460, miR-206 and STC2 on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, autophagy-related proteins, and the extents of AKT, ERK phosphorylation. Cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and the production of autophagosomes after transfection were evaluated to further explore the role of LINC00460/miR-206/STC2 axis in HNSCC. LINC00460 and STC2 were highly expressed while miR-206 was poorly expressed in HNSCC. Besides, miR-206 was found to bind to both LINC00460 and STC2. After the transfection of HNSCC cells with miR-206 mimic or si-LINC00460, the expression of STC2, AKT, ERK, as well as the extent of AKT, ERK phosphorylation all decreased, which facilitated the apoptosis and autophagy of HNSCC cells. Collectively, the apoptosis and autophagy of HNSCC can be facilitated by downregulating LINC00460, which highlights a novel target in the treatment of HNSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monte Carlo algorithm is adopted to simulate linear, ring, H-shaped and three-arm star polymer melts, and the dependence of relaxation times defined by different methods on polymer size is investigated. Statistical and dynamic properties of several unentangled polymer melts are also revealed for comparison. It is obviously that the numerical difference is small when relaxation times defined by the ratio of maximum mean-square end-to-end distance of several polymers as a function of corresponding mean-square radius of gyration, and data for different architectures collapse onto a universal curve in unentangled regime. The relaxation times for several polymer exhibits weak dependence on architecture. However, the special relationship cannot be found through the relaxation times defined by the position of the intersection of g2 and g3, end-to-end correlation function and mean-square radius of gyration, with stronger architecture dependence. The correctness of the relationship is also reflected by mean-square monomer displacement. The result provides a new understanding of the correlation between relaxation time and polymer size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: (Pro)renin receptor has emerged as a new member of the renin‐angiotensin system implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Herein we report characterization of the therapeutic potential of (pro)renin receptor (PRR) antagonist PRO20 in 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6Nx) rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats underwent 5/6Nx followed by treatment with vehicle or received daily injections of a PRR inhibitor PRO20 (700 μg/kg) via the 3 s.c. Sham group served as a control. Results: As compared with the sham control, the 5/6Nx rats exhibited significant increases in proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, tubular injury, and interstitial inflammation in the remnant kidneys. Treatment with PRO20 significantly attenuated these abnormalities, as evidenced by reduced expression of fibronectin, α‐SMA, collagen 1, TGF‐β1, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1β, MCP‐1 and increased expression of E‐cadherin. Increased urinary/renal levels of renin activity, angiotensinogen (AGT), and Angiotensin II (Ang II) by 5/6Nx, which were all ameliorated by PRO20. Renal PRR, the secreted proteolytic fragment of PRR (sPRR) in renal and urinary, were all elevated in 5/6Nx rats. Moreover, our results revealed that renal Wnt3A and β‐catenin expression were upregulated during 5/6Nx, which were all attenuated by PRO20. Conclusions: Overall we conclude that in vivo antagonism of PRR with PRO20 will improve 5/6Nx‐induced CKD mainly through inhibition of intrarenal RAS and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The foregut, located at the front of the digestive tract, serves a vital role in insects by storing and grinding food into small particles. The innermost layer of the foregut known as the chitinous intima, comes into direct contact with the food and acts as a protective barrier against abrasive particles. Knickkopf (Knk) is required for chitin organization in the chitinous exoskeleton, tracheae and wings. Despite its significance, little is known about the biological function of Knk in the foregut. In this study, we found that LmKnk was stably expressed in the foregut, and highly expressed before molting in Locusta migratoria. To ascertain the biological function of LmKnk in the foregut, we synthesized specific double‐stranded LmKnk (dsLmKnk) and injected it into locusts. Our findings showed a significant decrease in the foregut size, along with reduced food intake and accumulation of residues in the foregut after dsLmKnk injection. Morphological observations revealed that newly formed intima became thinner and lacked chitin lamella. Furthermore, fluorescence immunohistochemistry revealed that LmKnk was located in the apical region of new intima and epithelial cells. Taken together, this study provides insights into the biological function of LmKnk in the foregut, and identifies the potential target gene for exploring biological pest management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, frequency‐dependent coupling (FDC) is introduced into the design of metal stripline filters and diplexers for the first time. FDC is a popular research method to introduce the finite‐position transmission zeros in the synthesis and design of filters in recent years. Finite transmission zeros are critical for filters to enhance the rejection ratios. To verify the realizability and effectiveness of FDC, a filter centered at 3.52 GHz and a diplexer operating at 2.55 and 2.65 GHz have been designed and fabricated. The planar filter and diplexer are compact in structure with multiple transmission zeros, whose resonators and cavity are integrated and formed, the cavity and cover plate are soldered together. We designed, assembled and tested the filter and diplexer, the synthesis results, the simulation results, and the tested results are well matched with each other. Compared with the dielectric waveguide filter, the planar stripline filter has better insertion loss, better harmonic suppression, and higher reliability, which is expected to be widely used in 5G base station filters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP has attracted more attention in recent years, due to its association with more severe disease and reduced steroid responsiveness. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) has been found to modulate neutrophils infiltration in other neutrophilic inflammation including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. The aim was to evaluate the expression and regulator role of LCN2 in neutrophilic inflammation in CRSwNP, and its role as a potential biomarker predicting non-eosinophilic CRSwNP (neCRSwNP). Bioinformatic analysis, immunostainings, real-time PCR and ELISA were used to analyze the expression and location of LCN2 in nasal tissues. The expression of proinflammatory mediators were assessed in nasal tissues and secretions. LCN2 production in human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) and neutrophils, as well as its role in neutrophilic inflammation was evaluated by in vitro experiments. LCN2 was mainly located in neutrophils and HNECs of nasal polyps. LCN2 expression was also significantly higher in the polyp tissue and nasal secretions from patients with neCRSwNP. The LCN2 levels were positively correlated with type 3 inflammation markers, including G-CSF, IL-8, and IL-17. LCN2 expression could be upregulated by IL-17 A and TNF-α in HNECs, and LCN2 could also promote the expression of IL-8 in dispersed polyp cells and HNECs. LCN2 could serve as a novel biomarker predicting patients with neCRSwNP, and the increased expression of LCN2 may participate in the pathogenesis of neCRSwNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The formation of thermokarst lakes could make a large amount of carbon accessible to microbial degradation, potentially intensifying the permafrost carbon‐climate feedback via carbon dioxide/methane emissions. Because of their diverse functional roles, prokaryotes could strongly mediate biogeochemical cycles in thermokarst lakes. However, little is known about the large‐scale patterns and drivers of these communities. Location: Permafrost regions in the Northern Hemisphere. Time period: Present day. Major taxa studied: Prokaryotes. Methods: Based on a combination of large‐scale measurements on the Tibetan Plateau and data syntheses in pan‐Arctic regions, we constructed a comprehensive dataset of 16S rRNA sequences from 258 thermokarst lakes across Northern Hemisphere permafrost regions. We also used the local contributions to beta diversity (LCBD) to characterize the variance of prokaryotic species composition and screened underlying drivers by conducting a random forest modelling analysis. Results: Prokaryotes in thermokarst lake water were dominated by the orders Burkholderiales, Micrococcales, Flavobacteriales and Frankiales. The relative abundance of dominant taxa was positively associated with dissolved organic matter (DOM) properties, especially for the chromophoric/aromatic compounds. Microbial structure differed between high‐altitude and high‐latitude thermokarst lakes, with the dominance of Flavobacterium in high‐altitude lakes, and the enrichment of Polynucleobacter in high‐latitude lakes. More importantly, climatic variables were among the main drivers shaping the large‐scale variation of prokaryotic communities. Specifically, mean annual precipitation was the best predictor for prokaryotic beta diversity across the Northern Hemisphere, as well as in the high‐altitude permafrost regions, while mean annual air temperature played a key role in the high‐latitude thermokarst lakes. Main conclusions: Our findings demonstrate significant associations between dominant taxa and DOM properties, as well as the important role of climatic factors in affecting prokaryotic communities. These findings suggest that climatic change may alter DOM conditions and induce dynamics in prokaryotic communities of thermokarst lake water in the Northern Hemisphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first example of macroscalar helices co‐assembled from temperature‐responsive carbohydrate‐based bolaamphiphiles (CHO‐Bolas) and 1,4‐benzenediboronic acid (BDBA). The CHO‐Bolas contained hydrophilic glucose or mannose moieties and a hydrophobic coumarin dimer. They showed temperature‐responsive reversible micelle‐to‐vesicle transition (MVT) in aqueous solutions. After the binding of carbohydrate moieties with boronic acids of BDBA in their alkaline solutions, right‐handed helices were formed via the temperature‐driven chirality transfer of d‐glucose or d‐mannose from the molecular to supramolecular level. These helices were co‐assembled by unreacted BDBA, boronate esters (B−O−C bonds) between CHO‐Bolas and BDBA, as well as boroxine anhydrides (B−O−B bonds) of self‐condensed BDBA. After heating at 300 °C under nitrogen, the helices displayed excellent morphological stability. Moreover, they emitted bright blue luminescence caused by strong self‐condensation of BDBA and decomposition of coumarin dimers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wir zeigen das erste Beispiel von Helices, die durch temperaturresponsive, Kohlenhydrat‐basierte Bolaamphiphile (CHO‐Bolas) und 1,4‐Phenylenbisboronsäure (BDBA) auf der Makroskala coassembliert wurden. Die CHO‐Bolas enthielten hydrophile Glucose‐ oder Mannose‐Einheiten und ein hydrophobes Cumarin‐Dimer. Sie zeigten in wässriger Lösung einen reversiblen, temperaturresponsiven Mizellen‐zu‐Vesikel‐Übergang (MVT). Nach dem Binden der Kohlenhydrat‐Einheiten mit den Boronsäure‐Gruppen des BDBA in alkalischer Lösung wurden rechtshändige Helices über einen temperaturgetriebenen Chiralitätstransfer der d‐Glucose oder d‐Mannose von der molekularen auf die supramolekularen Ebene gebildet. Diese Helices wurden durch nicht umgesetztes BDBA, aus CHO‐Bolas und BDBA gebildete Boronsäureester (B‐O‐C‐Bindungen) sowie Boroxinanhydride (B‐O‐B) aus der Selbstkondensation von BDBA coassembliert. Nach Erhitzen bei 300 °C unter Stickstoff zeigten die Helices eine exzellente morphologische Stabilität. Darüber hinaus emittierten sie helle, blaue Lumineszenz infolge von starker Selbstkondensation des BDBA und Zerfall des Cumarin‐Dimers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart ports represent the current trend of port development. Intelligent operations reduce the daily production cost of ports, facilitate efficient production, strengthen the risk mitigation ability and comply with the requirements for long-term development. However, a systematic and scientific smart port evaluation method is missing to nail down the evaluation indicators of a smart port and enable accurate evaluation of a port's degree of intelligence. This paper analyzes the concept of the smart port, establishes a set of smart port evaluation indicator systems, and applies a single-valued neutrosophic exponential similarity measure to port evaluation to enable quantitative evaluation of port integrity. This evaluation method is capable of decision-making in the event of incomplete, uncertain, and inconsistent information during general evaluation, opening up a new method for smart port evaluation, and acting as a helpful tool for ports to carry out improvements during actual application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Pectin can achieve selectively separation between apatite and dolomite. • Quantum chemistry was used to predict the reactive site of the polymer depressant molecule. • FTIR spectrum and Raman spectrum were used to analysis the selectively mechanism of pectin. • Pectin adsorbed on the dolomite surface by chelating with calcium and magnesium ions due to COO. The difficulty of apatite and dolomite to be efficiently separated by froth flotation due to similar physical and chemical properties of both minerals in using fatty acid collectors without any depressants. In this study, pectin was explored as an efficient and environment-friendly depressant in flotation to separate apatite and dolomite. In the micro-flotation experiments, pectin displayed an intense depressing effect in dolomite flotation and slightly affected apatite flotation. Quantum chemical calculation was used to predicated the reactive site of pectin, the results demonstrated that oxygen atoms of COO , OH and C O C in pectin display the most negative regions. The Zeta potential results indicated pectin was adsorbed on the dolomite surface selectively and depressed the adsorption of sodium oleate on the dolomite surface due to electrostatic repulsion effect. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum measurements uncovered that the selective separation of pectin was due to OH of pectin molecules. The Raman spectrum demonstrated that weak adsorption of pectin on the apatite surface was due to C O of pectin molecule, while the strong adsorption is regard as COO and C O C of pectin for dolomite. XPS results indicated that COO of pectin can chelate with Ca2+ and Mg2+ of dolomite surface and depress dolomite flotation. Hence, pectin was be utilised as an eco-friendly and highly selective depressant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of yttrium fluoride (YF 3) on the densification behavior, microstructure, phase composition and thermal conductivity of aluminium nitride (AlN) ceramics with yttrium oxide (Y 2 O 3) and YF 3 additives were studied. Since YF 3 provided liquid phases and promoted densification at a lower temperature, the sintering temperature required to reach the full density of AlN samples decreased with the increase in YF 3 content. Appropriate addition of YF 3 could improve the thermal conductivity of AlN ceramics, but the values of thermal conductivity decreased as YF 3 increased further. It is attributed to the ability of YF 3 to react with oxygen impurity was worse than that of Y 2 O 3. Moreover, the reducing atmosphere significantly affected the phase composition, and the oxygen content in grain boundary phases decreased at 1750 °C and 1800 °C. Therefore, the proper proportion of Y 2 O 3 –YF 3 additives could simultaneously improve densification and the thermal conductivity of AlN samples at a low sintering temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest ecosystems are critical for their carbon sequestration potential. Increasing tree diversity has been shown to enhance both forest productivity and litter decomposition. Litter diversity increases litter decomposability by increasing the diversity of substrates offered to decomposers. However, the relative importance of litter decomposability and decomposer community in mediating tree diversity effects on decomposition remains unknown. Moreover, tree diversity modulation of litterfall spatial distribution, and consequently litter decomposition, has rarely been tested. We studied tree diversity effects on leaf litter decomposition and its mediation by the amount of litterfall, litter species richness and decomposability, and soil microorganisms in a large‐scale tree diversity experiment in subtropical China. Furthermore, we examined how litter functional identity and diversity affect leaf litter decomposability. Finally, we tested how leaf functional traits, tree biomass, and forest spatial structure drive the litterfall spatial distribution. We found evidence that tree species richness increased litter decomposition by increasing litter species richness and the amount of litterfall. We showed that soil microorganisms in this subtropical forest perform 84–87% of litter decomposition. Moreover, changes in the amount of litterfall and microbial decomposition explained 19–37% of the decomposition variance. Additionally, up to 20% of the microbial decomposition variance was explained by litter decomposability, while litter decomposability itself was determined by litter functional identity, diversity, and species richness. Tree species richness increased litter species richness and the amount of litterfall (+200% from monoculture to eight‐species neighborhood). We further demonstrated that the amount of species‐specific litterfall increased with increasing tree proximity and biomass, and was modulated by leaf functional traits. These litterfall drivers increased the spatial heterogeneity of litter distribution, and thus litter decomposition. We highlighted multiple biomass‐ and diversity‐mediated effects of tree diversity on ecosystem properties driving forest nutrient cycling. We conclude that considering spatial variability in biotic properties will improve our mechanistic understanding of ecosystem functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells against CD19 have been proven to be effective in treating B-cell hematological malignancies. However, the efficacy of this promising therapy is limited by many factors. Methods: In this study, the germinal center B-cell-like diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (GCB-DLBCL) cell line OCI-Ly1, and patient-derived xenografted (PDX) mice (CY-DLBCL) were used as the CAR-T cell-resistant model. Meanwhile, the activated B-cell-like (ABC) DLBCL cell line OCI-Ly3 and PDX mice (ZML-DLBCL) were defined as the CAR-T sensitive model. The enhancement of CAR-T cell function by lenalidomide (LEN) was examined in vitro and in vivo. Results: Lenalidomide effectively enhanced the function of third-generation CD19-CAR-T cells by polarizing CD8+ CAR-T cells to CD8 early-differentiated stage and Th1 type, reducing CAR-T cell exhaustion and improving cell expansion. It was further demonstrated that CAR-T cells combined with LEN substantially reduce the tumor burden and prolong the survival time in various DLBCL mouse models. LEN was also found to promote the infiltration of CD19-CAR-T cells into the tumor site by modulating the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion: In summary, the results of the present study suggest that LEN can improve the function of CD19-CAR-T cells, providing a basis for clinical trials using this combination therapy against DLBCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three novel blue fluorescence isomer emitters, namely 2,5-bis(6,9-bis(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-9H-carbazol-3-yl)pyrazine (TCz-3PA-TCz), 9-(5-(6,9-bis(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-9H-carbazol-3-yl)pyrazin-2-yl)-3,6-bis(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-9H-carbazole (TCz-3,9PA-TCz) and 2,5-bis(3,6-bis(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-9H-carbazol-9-yl)pyrazine (TCz-9PA-TCz), with a donor–acceptor–donor structure were synthesized and characterized. TCz-3,9PA-TCz in the thin solid powder state showed much higher thermal stability than TCz-3PA-TCz and TCz-9PA-TCz. The maximum photoluminescent emission wavelengths of TCz-3PA-TCz, TCz-3,9PA-TCz and TCz-9PA-TCz in toluene solution were 423, 435 and 454 nm, which were aggregation-induced quenching active. The absolute photoluminescent quantum yields of doped films for TCz-3PA-TCz, TCz-3,9PA-TCz and TCz-9PA-TCz were 10.75%, 4.46% and 16.70%, which were considerably improved relative to those of the pure film. The driving voltage, maximum external quantum efficiency, current efficiency, power efficiency and luminance of doped OLEDs based on TCz-9PA-TCz fabricated by spin coating were 4.0 V, 2.67%, 4.12 cd A−1, 2.46 lm w−1 and 8052 cd m−2. Furthermore, the doped OLEDs with TCz-3,9PA-TCz as a dopant fabricated by thermal deposition in vacuum showed a driving voltage of 3.5 V, maximum luminance of 6369.67 cd m2 and maximum external quantum efficiency of 3.85% at a brightness of 100 cd m−2. The linking model analogous to TCz-3,9PA-TCz was validated to be a more feasible way to combine pyrazine with carbazole moieties to produce highly efficient and stable electroluminescent blue light materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ba 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 ceramic was prepared by conventional solid-state method and sintering under four different atmospheres (air, O 2 , N 2 , and N 2 –1 vol% H 2). The Ba 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 ceramic exhibited a single phase under air, O 2 , and, N 2 , whereas two phases (including BaSiO 3 impurity) were observed under the N 2 –1 vol% H 2 atmosphere due to Zn2+ evaporation. Dielectric loss was proportional to oxygen partial pressure due to the conduction mechanism of dominant holes. The Ba 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 ceramic exhibited good microwave dielectric properties (ε r = 8.3, Q × f = 27200 GHz, τ f = −41.5 ppm/°C) under the N 2 –1 vol% H 2 atmosphere, making it a novel candidate with good anti-reductive characteristics for base metal electrode–multilayer ceramic capacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pavement of a road that is subject to deterioration due to vehicle loads needs quantitative and frequent evaluation. The road profile, which determines the ride quality, is an important property, though its estimation is usually costly and thus, infrequent. In this study, a road profile estimation method using an ordinary-vehicle's responses measured by only a smartphone is developed. The algorithm consists of two steps. At first, an ordinary vehicle is modelled as a half car (HC) and a genetic algorithm (GA) identifies its parameters by using the responses of the vehicle passing over a known-size hump. With the estimated vehicle model, an augmented Kalman filter, in which the road profile is included in the state vector, estimates the road profile; Rauch-Tung-Streiber (RTS) smoothing is employed to improve the accuracy. The observation variables and locations are determined based on an observability analysis. A numerical simulation is conducted to investigate the profile estimation performance in terms of drive speeds, model error, and measurement noise. The experiment is carried out on a 13 km road. The profiles estimated by three types of ordinary vehicles are compared with a reference profile obtained by a laser profiler to validate the proposed method. Results from both the simulation and the experiment show that the combination of the vehicle parameter estimation and the profile estimation methods accurately estimates the road profile with a high degree of accuracy and robustness. • Response-based road profile estimation using a smartphone on a vehicle is proposed. • A pitching HC model with 10 unknowns is calibrated when it passes over a hump. • The difference in dynamic properties, sensor locations, and speeds are compensated. • The accuracy of estimation is confirmed using a high-accuracy laser profiler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]