Search

Bistatic interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) overcomes the baseline length limit of the configuration of single-station interferometric SAR with two antennas and has become the primary method of terrain mapping using spaceborne interferometric SAR. To reduce the cost of surveying and mapping while promoting the development and application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-borne bistatic interferometric SAR, the Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences took the lead in designing and developing a UAV-borne bistatic interferometric SAR processing system and performed flight experiments at Bailing Airport in Inner Mongolia. Herein, the system design, composition, and performance are introduced, and the scheme and implementation of the first flight experiment, along with the preliminary data processing results, are presented. In addition, the key performance metrics of the system, such as 0.5 m-elevation measurement accuracy, are verified in this study. The system serves as a foundation for future research topics, such as distributed InSAR using a multiaviation platform and tomography data acquisition and processing.

Microplastics (MPs) has shown adsorption of hydrophilic organic matters (HOMs) in aqueous environments. However, it is still difficult to predict the adsorption behaviors of HOMs by different MPs, especially in authentic water systems. In this study, the adsorption behaviors and mechanisms of norfloxacin (NOR) onto polyamide (PA) MPs were investigated in both simulated and real surface water. The results showed that the adsorption equilibrium of NOR by PA in simulated surface water could be achieved within 15 h, while the adsorption rate of NOR in real surface was slowed down, with the equilibrium time of 25 h. Pseudo-second-order model could well describe the adsorption kinetics data. The experimental maximum adsorption capacity of NOR on PA in real surface water (e. g. 132.54 ug/g) was dramatically reduced by 37.5 % compared with that in simulated surface water (e. g. 212.25 ug/g), and the adsorption isotherm would obey Freundlich model. Besides, the leaching of NOR from the surface of PA could occur obviously at acidic environment. Furthermore, the salinity and natural organic matter exhibited significantly adverse effects on the NOR adsorption. Finally, the results of 2D Fourier transform infrared correlation spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the electrostatic, H-bond and van der Waals interactions were involved in the adsorption. More importantly, the sequential functional groups in the adsorption process followed the orders: 1638 (CO) > 1542 amide II (-NH-CO) > 717 (CH2) > 1445 (CO) > 973 amide IV (CONH). This study could provide an insight into the interactions between PA and NOR in different water environments.

Ketamine has gained increasing attention as a novel antidepressant. This article reviews the clinical studies on the antidepressant and anti-suicidal properties of ketamine and its enantiomers （R-ketamine， S-ketamine）.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of metformin and other anti-hyperglycemic agents in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Materials: A systematic electronic search on keywords including HCC and different anti-hyperglycemic agents was performed through electronic databases including Medline and EMBASE. The primary outcome was the overall survival (OS). The secondary outcomes were the recurrence-free survival (RFS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Six retrospective cohort studies were included for analysis: Four studies with curative treatment for HCC (618 patients with metformin and 532 patients with other anti-hyperglycemic agents) and two studies with non-curative treatment for HCC (92 patients with metformin and 57 patients with other anti-hyperglycemic agents). Treatment with metformin was associated with significantly longer OS (OR1 yr = 2.62, 95%CI: 1.76–3.90; OR3 yr = 3.14, 95%CI: 2.33–4.24; OR5 yr = 3.31, 95%CI: 2.39–4.59, all P 50%). Conclusions: Metformin significantly prolonged the survival of HCC patients with T2D after the curative treatment of HCC. However, the efficacy of metformin needs to be further determined after non-curative therapies for HCC patients with T2D.

Abstract Although numerous thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been demonstrated, efficient blue or even sky‐blue TADF‐based nondoped solution‐processed devices are still very rare. Herein, through‐space charge transfer (TSCT) and through‐bond charge transfer (TBCT) effects are skillfully incorporated, as well as the multi‐(donor/acceptor) characteristic, into one molecule. The former allows this material to show small singlet–triplet energy splitting (ΔEST) and a high transition dipole moment. The latter, on the one hand, further lights up multichannel reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) to increase triplet exciton utilization via degenerating molecular orbitals. On the other hand, the nature of the molecular twisted structure effectively suppresses intermolecular packing to obtain high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) in neat flims. Consequently, using this design strategy, T‐CNDF‐T‐tCz containing three donor and three acceptor units, successfully realizes a small ΔEST (≈0.03 eV) and a high PLQY (≈0.76) at the same time; hence the nondoped solution‐processed sky‐blue TADF‐OLED displays record‐breaking efficiency among the solution process‐based nondoped sky‐blue OLEDs, with high brightness over 5200 cd m−2 and external quantum efficiency up to 21.0%.

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer in the world, with a high degree of malignancy and recurrence. The influence of the ceRNA network in tumor on the biological function of liver cancer is very important, It has been reported that many lncRNA play a key role in liver cancer development. In our study, integrated data analysis revealed potential eight novel lncRNA biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Transcriptome data and clinical data were downloaded from the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data portal. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to identify the expression pattern of genes in liver cancer. Then, the ceRNA network was constructed using transcriptome data. Results The integrated analysis of miRNA and RNAseq in the database show eight novel lncRNAs that may be involved in important biological pathways, including TNM and disease development in liver cancer. We performed function enrichment analysis of mRNAs affected by these lncRNAs. Conclusions By identifying the ceRNA network and the lncRNAs that affect liver cancer, we showed that eight novel lncRNAs play an important role in the development and progress of liver cancer.

Summary: The ALMT1 transporter aids malate secretion, chelating Al3+ ions to form nontoxic Al–malate complexes, believed to exclude Al from the roots. However, the extent to which malate secreted by ALMT1 is solely used for the exclusion of Al3+ or can be reutilized by plant roots for internal Al tolerance remains uncertain.In our investigation, we explored the impact of malate secretion on both external and internal Al resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana. Additionally, we delved into the mechanism by which the tonoplast‐localized bacterial‐type ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter complex STAR1/ALS3 promotes the degradation of the Al resistance transcription factor STOP1 to regulate ALMT1 expression.Our study demonstrates that the level of secreted malate influences whether the Al–malate complex is excluded from the roots or transported into root cells. The nodulin 26‐like intrinsic protein (NIP) subfamily members NIP1;1 and NIP1;2, located in the plasma membrane, coordinate with STAR1/ALS3 to facilitate Al–malate transport from root apoplasm to the symplasm and eventually to the vacuoles for the internal Al detoxification. ALS3‐dependent STAR1 interacts with and promotes the degradation of STOP1, regulating malate exudation.Our findings demonstrate the dual roles of malate exudation in external Al exclusion and Al absorption for internal Al detoxification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects 15%‐30% of children and 10% of adults globally, with its incidence being influenced by genetic, environmental, and various other factors. While the immune plays a crucial role in the development, the composition of gut microbiota and serum metabolites also contribute to its pathogenesis. Subject: Study the characteristics of gut microbiota and serum metabolites in patients with atopic dermatitis Method: In this study, we collected stool and serum samples from 28 AD patients and 23 healthy individuals (NC) for metagenomic sequencing of gut microbiota and non‐targeted metabolomic sequencing of serum. Result: Our results revealed a lower diversity of gut microbiota in the AD group compared to the NC group. The predominant Phylum in AD patients were Bacteroidetes, Pseudomonas, and Verrucomicrobia, with the most dominant bacterial genus being Faecalibacterium. At the species level, Prevotella copri and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were found to be the most abundant bacteria. Significant differences in serum metabolite profiles were observed between NC and AD patients, with noticeable variations in metabolite expression levels. The majority of metabolites in the serum of AD patients exhibited low expression, while a few showed high expression levels. Notably, metabolites such as Cholesterol glucuronide, Styrene, Lutein, Betaine, Phosphorylcholine, Taurine, and Creatinine displayed the most pronounced alterations. Conclusion: These findings contribute to a further understanding of the complexities underlying this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters have become increasingly prominent due to their promising applications across various fields, prompting a continuous demand for developing reliable synthetic methods to access them. This review aims to highlight the progress made in the last decade in synthesizing organic TADF compounds through C-H bond activation and functionalization. The review begins with a brief introduction to the basic features and design principles of TADF emitters. It then provides an overview of the advantages and concise development of C-H bond transformations in constructing TADF emitters. Subsequently, it summarizes both transition-metal-catalyzed and non-transition-metal-promoted C-H bond transformations used for the synthesis of TADF emitters. Finally, the review gives an outlook on further challenges and potential directions in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-quality patient care requires nurses with strong clinical competency. Thus, it is essential to examine the factors associated with clinical competency. Purpose: This studywas designed to (a) investigate head nurse leadership, staff nurse demographics, and clinical competency; (b) examine the impact of demographics on the clinical competency of staff nurses; (c) analyze the correlation between head nurse leadership and staff nurse clinical competency; and (d) examine the effects of demographics on clinical competency after controlling for the head nurse leadership. Methods: A cluster sampling method was used to collect data from 200 staff nurses at a national medical center in Taiwan. Questionnaires were used to gather information on head nurse leadership style and staff nurse clinical competency. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted, including Mann--Whitney U test, Kruskal--Wallis test, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The average score for transformational leadership style among the head nurses was 2.89, whereas transactional leadership style scored an average of 2.49. The average scores for the components of clinical competency, listed from highest to lowest, were as follows: patient care (3.35), professionalism (3.28), communication skills (3.18), management (2.84), and knowledge (2.73). In addition, statistically significant differences were found in clinical competency based on demographic factors, including age, marital status, educational level, job title, and length of employment. Also, a statistically significant, positive correlation between the head nurse transformational leadership style and nurse clinical competency was found. The main effect of length of employment on the five competency components was statistically significant after controlling for transformational leadership. Furthermore, post hoc analysis of covariance revealed a significant effect of length of employment on patient care, knowledge, communication skills, and management. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate transformational leadership and employment length impact the clinical competency of staff nurses, particularly in terms of patient care, communication skills, management, and knowledge. Providing education and training in leadership and management to current and prospective head nurses may be expected to enhance clinical competency in staff nurses and create a more nurturing work environment. Moreover, targeted training may help current head nurses gain insight into their leadership styles and acquire skills to promote transformational leadership. In addition, leadership development may help equip prospective head nurses with critical competencies before assuming leadership responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]