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This paper investigates the volatility connectedness and dynamic time–frequency relationship between Bitcoin (BTC) and 15 major agricultural commodity markets during the COVID‐19 and 2022 Russia–Ukraine war periods. We employ the TVP‐VAR‐based extended joint connectedness method, minimum connectedness investment portfolio, and wavelet coherence (WC) method. The results indicate that the sudden outbreaks of the two crises brought about increased volatility connectedness between BTC and agricultural commodity markets. Throughout the entire sample period, BTC remained a net transmitter of volatility. Moreover, in terms of the total connectedness index (TCI), the overall volatility correlation surged rapidly after the outbreak of COVID‐19 and the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war. The portfolio results demonstrated that BTC exhibited a low correlation with the agricultural commodity markets, suggesting diversification potential. Additionally, only Feeder Cattle served as an effective hedging asset for BTC throughout all periods. The WC analysis confirmed that during the COVID‐19 period and the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war, most of the linkages were primarily concentrated at medium‐ to long‐term frequencies. Our analysis will contribute to a deeper understanding of the interconnection between these markets, enabling market participants to consider risk mitigation measures and support portfolio diversification when formulating policies and regulations involving relevant markets in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the ability of propolis‐coated ureteric stents to solve complications, especially urinary tract infections (UTIs) and crusting, in patients with long‐term indwelling ureteric stents through antimicrobial and anti‐calculus activities. Materials and Methods: Polyurethane (PU) ureteric stents were immersed in the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP), a well‐known antimicrobial honeybee product, and subjected to chemical, hydrophilic, and seismic tests. The antimicrobial activity of the EEP coating was then examined by in vitro investigation. Proteus mirabilis infection was induced in rats within uncoated and EEP‐coated groups, and the infection, stone formation, and inflammation were monitored at various time points. Results: The characterisation results showed that the hydrophilicity and stability of the EEP surface improved. In vitro tests revealed that the EEP coating was biocompatible, could eliminate >90% of bacteria biofilms attached to the stent and could maintain bacteriostatic properties for up to 3 months. The in vivo experiment revealed that the EEP‐coating significantly reduced the amount of bacteria, stones, and salt deposits on the surface of the ureteric stents and decreased inflammation in the host tissue. Conclusions: Compared with clinically used PU stents, EEP‐coated ureteric stents could better mitigate infections and prevent encrustation. Thus, this study demonstrated that propolis is a promising natural dressing material for ureteric stents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structurally ordered soft materials that respond to complementary stimuli are susceptible to control over their spatial and temporal morphostructural configurations by intersectional or combined effects such as gating, feedback, shape‐memory, or programming. In the absence of general and robust design and prediction strategies for their mechanical properties, at present, combined chemical and crystal engineering approaches could provide useful guidelines to identify effectors that determine both the magnitude and time of their response. Here, we capitalize on the purported ability of soft intermolecular interactions to instigate mechanical compliance by using halogenation to elicit both mechanical and photochemical activity of organic crystals. Starting from (E)‐1,4‐diphenylbut‐2‐ene‐1,4‐dione, whose crystals are brittle and photoinert, we use double and quadruple halogenation to introduce halogen‐bonded planes that become interfaces for molecular gliding, rendering the material mechanically and photochemically plastic. Fluorination diversifies the mechanical effects further, and crystals of the tetrafluoro derivative are not only elastic but also motile, displaying the rare photosalient effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at examining how romantically involved Chinese young adults' dysfunctional individuation was associated with their and their partners' perceptions of romantic relationship satisfaction. We recruited 296 Chinese couples who were currently in heterosexual romantic relationships at the university. The couples completed self‐report measures of their dysfunctional individuation and relationship satisfaction. Results from the cross‐sectional actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) indicated that (a) for both genders, actor effects existed: Chinese young adults' dysfunctional individuation was negatively associated with their romantic relationship satisfaction; (b) in terms of partners' effects, women's dysfunctional individuation was negatively associated with men's perceptions of relationship satisfaction; but (c) men's dysfunctional individuation was not significantly associated with women's perceptions of relationship satisfaction. The findings were the first to reveal the actor and partner effects of dysfunctional individuation on romantic relationship satisfaction. The study results provided practical implications regarding how young adults can have satisfying romantic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, the potential reactive "olefin pairs" in the molecular crystals satisfying Schmidt's criteria could undergo topological [2+2] cycloaddition. In this study, another factor that affects the photodimerization reactivity of chalcone analogues was found. The cyclic chalcone analogues of (E)‐2‐(2,4‐dichlorobenzylidene)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐1‐one (BIO), (E)‐2‐(naphthalen‐2‐ylmethylene)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐1‐one (NIO), (Z)‐2‐(2,4‐dichlorobenzylidene)benzofuran‐3(2H)‐one (BFO), and (Z)‐2‐(2,4‐dichlorobenzylidene)benzo[b]thiophen‐3(2H)‐one (BTO) have been synthesized. While the geometrical parameters for the molecular packing of the above four compounds did not exceed Schmidt's criteria, [2+2] cycloaddition did not occur in the crystals of BIO and BTO. The single crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analyses revealed that interactions of C=O⋅⋅⋅H (CH2) existed between adjacent molecules in the crystal of BIO. Therefore, the carbonyl and methylene groups linked with one carbon atom in carbon‐carbon double bond were tightly confined in the lattice, acting as a tweezer to inhibit free movement of the double bond and suppressing [2+2] cycloaddition. In the crystal of BTO, similar interactions of Cl⋅⋅⋅S and C=O⋅⋅⋅H (C6H4) prevented free movement of the double bond. In contrast, the intermolecular interaction of C=O⋅⋅⋅H only exists around the carbonyl group in the crystals of BFO and NIO, leaving the C=C double bonds to move freely and allowing the occurrence of [2+2] cycloaddition. Driven by photodimerization, the needle‐like crystals of BFO and NIO displayed evident photo‐induced bending behavior. This work demonstrates that the intermolecular interactions around carbon‐carbon double bond affect the [2+2] cycloaddition reactivity except for Schmidt's criteria. These findings provide valuable insights into the design of photomechanical molecular crystalline materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: With industrialization and spread of the westernized lifestyle, the number of people affected by non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is growing rapidly in China; this has become a major public health concern. To better understand the burden and characteristics of NAFLD/NASH in China, we aim to perform a narrative review of the literature published in this field. Materials and Methods: We carried out a comprehensive electronic search of five English‐language and three Chinese‐language databases, to identify studies regarding NAFLD or NASH published from inception to November 30, 2022. Epidemiological studies of NAFLD/NASH in China were particularly noticed and summarized. We also searched the www.clinicaltrials.gov and www.chictr.org.cn websites for the registered trials on the treatment of the disease led by Chinese investigators or located in China. Results: The increasing rate of NAFLD prevalence in China is strikingly high, reaching more than twice that in western countries. The prevalence of NAFLD is nearly 30% of the general Chinese population, making it the leading cause of chronic liver diseases. The prevalence of NAFLD/NASH varies between provinces/regions, age groups, sexes, and individuals with different metabolic profiles. NAFLD co‐exists in many Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B. Since 2020, more Chinese studies have used the term metabolic‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), emphasizing the underlying metabolic disorders that occur concurrently with this disease. Several clinical trials involving lifestyle interventions, antidiabetic drugs, or traditional Chinese medicines, registered by Chinese investigators, have been completed or are ongoing. Moreover, several innovative targeted therapies developed in China are revolutionizing the treatment of NAFLD/NASH. Conclusions: NAFLD has cast a heavy burden on the Chinese healthcare system. Chinese scholars are making efforts to achieve the optimal management of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three groups of chalcone derivatives and their analogues involving halogen atoms (X=F, Cl, Br) have been synthesized. Firstly, the nearly planar acyclic chalcone derivatives were inclined to undergo photo‐induced stereospecific [2+2] cycloaddition, which triggered the crystals to exhibit macroscopic motions of bending or cracking. In particular, the single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformation happened upon UV irradiation of the crystals, which was helpful for the understanding photomechanical effects. Cyclic 3,4‐dihydronaphthalene‐based chalcone analogues possess a more twisted conformation, and they tend to undergo trans‐cis isomerization. No photomechanical effect was observed for the crystals of the cyclic chalcone analogues due to the lower isomerization rate. The twist degree of chroman‐based molecules was in between of the first two, [2+2] cycloaddition and trans‐cis isomerization simultaneously took place in crystals. Photo‐induced bending and twisting were observed for the crystals of chroman‐based chalcone analogues. Therefore, the differences in molecular dihedral angles in α,β‐unsaturated ketones were responsible for their photochemical characters and in turn to tune the photomechanical effects. In this work, a bridge between the molecular structures and solid‐state photochemical reactions triggered photomechanical crystals is built. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysin (CHR) is a flavonoid with extensive pharmacological activity. The molecular formula of CHR is C15H10O4. CHR is reported to have antioxidative, antitumour and antiviral functions. To evaluate its potential function as a vaccine adjuvant, we prepared a melanoma vaccine using a soluble protein extract of B16F10 melanoma cells as antigen and CHR as an adjuvant. The melanoma model was developed after two immunizations, and it was discovered that combining B16F10 soluble protein antigen‐mixed CHR vaccine could inhibit tumour growth in the mouse model, and the overall survival rate was higher than that of the B16F10 antigen vaccine alone. In vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to determine whether CHR functioned as an adjuvant by activating antigen‐presenting cells (APCs). We discovered that CHR activated APCs both in vivo and in vitro and may enhance Th1 cell function by activating the IL12‐STAT4 signal pathway, thereby enhancing the antitumour response of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in vivo. Next, to verify the critical role of CD8+ T cells in suppressing melanoma development, we transplanted CD8+ T cells from immunized mice to B16F10 tumour‐bearing mice and discovered that the survival rate of tumour‐bearing mice was significantly prolonged. In summary, our experimental results indicate that CHR can be used as a potential adjuvant to enhance antigen immunogenicity, inhibit B16F10 tumour growth in mice and improve tumour immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photomechanical effects of crystals of halogen‐substituted 9‐anthracenecarbonitrile were investigated. The needle‐like crystals of 10‐fluoroanthracene‐9‐carbonitrile (FCNA) bend rapidly under irradiation with 365 nm, 410 nm light and even white light, and the bent crystal could almost recover to its original shape upon exposure to 254 nm light or heating. The reversible photo‐induced mechanical behaviors originated from [4+4] cycloaddition and the reverse reaction. This type of photoactuator, in response to light irradiation over a broad wavelength range from UV to the visible region, might have important applications in biomimetic systems, biomedicine, artificial muscles, and smart microrobotics. The rapid photo‐induced mechanical movements of the crystals inspired us to fabricate a hybrid polymer film of polyvinylidene difluoride incorporated with the microcrystals of FCNA, which not only showed bending toward or away from the light source depending on the initial bending direction of the film, but also could lift small objects induced by remote light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymorphs of 2ClChMe‐4 in Form I (ribbon‐like crystal) and Form II (block‐like crystal) were prepared, and they exhibited curling/flipping and expansion upon heating on account of single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformations. The irreversible phase transformations occurred separately at 53.2 °C and 57.8 °C for the crystals in Form I and Form II, during which the molecular conformation of 2ClChMe‐4 changed and the molecules slipped along the (100) plane. Movement at the molecular level resulted in changes of cell parameters, which in turn led to macroscopic motions of the crystals upon heating. Additionally, the ribbon‐like crystals of 2ClChMe‐4 showed photo‐induced bending driven by [2+2] cycloaddition. Accordingly, an actuator showing reversible bending behavior was fabricated triggered by light and heat successively. Like biomimetic self‐actuators, such multi‐stimuli mechanical responsive molecular crystals might have potential applications in soft robots, artificial muscles and microfluidic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]