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The precise synthesis of miktoarm star polymers (MSPs) remains one of the great challenges in synthetic chemistry due to the difficulty in locating appropriate structural templates and polymer grafting/growing strategies with high selectivity and efficiency. Herein, ≈2 nm metal‐organic polyhedra (MOPs), constructed from the coordination of isophthalic acid (IPA) and Cu2+, are applied as templates for the precise synthesis of 24‐arm MSPs for their unique logarithmic ligand‐exchange dynamics. Six different polymers are prepared with IPA as an end group and they further coordinated with Cu2+ to afford the corresponding 24‐arm star homo‐polymers. MSPs can be obtained by mixing targeted homo‐arm star polymers in solutions upon thermal annealing. The compositions of MSPs can be facilely and precisely tuned by the recipe of the star polymer mixtures used. Interestingly, the obtained MSPs can be sorted into homo‐arm star polymers through a typical solvent extraction procedure. The hybridization and sorting process can be reversibly conducted through the cycle of thermal annealing and solvent treatment. The complex coordination framework not only opens new avenues for the facile and precise synthesis of MSPs and MOPs with hybrid functionalities, but also provides the capability to design sustainable polymer systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise synthesis of miktoarm star polymers (MSPs) remains one of the great challenges in synthetic chemistry due to the difficulty in locating appropriate structural templates and polymer grafting/growing strategies with high selectivity and efficiency. Herein, ≈2 nm metal‐organic polyhedra (MOPs), constructed from the coordination of isophthalic acid (IPA) and Cu2+, are applied as templates for the precise synthesis of 24‐arm MSPs for their unique logarithmic ligand‐exchange dynamics. Six different polymers are prepared with IPA as an end group and they further coordinated with Cu2+ to afford the corresponding 24‐arm star homo‐polymers. MSPs can be obtained by mixing targeted homo‐arm star polymers in solutions upon thermal annealing. The compositions of MSPs can be facilely and precisely tuned by the recipe of the star polymer mixtures used. Interestingly, the obtained MSPs can be sorted into homo‐arm star polymers through a typical solvent extraction procedure. The hybridization and sorting process can be reversibly conducted through the cycle of thermal annealing and solvent treatment. The complex coordination framework not only opens new avenues for the facile and precise synthesis of MSPs and MOPs with hybrid functionalities, but also provides the capability to design sustainable polymer systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammatory and non‐inflammatory acne lesions constitute a significant clinical challenge in acne subjects. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid for improving skin conditions. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included adults with comedones, post‐inflammatory erythema (PIE) and/or hyperpigmentation (PIH) in Shanghai, China in July 2021. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive the study Serum + Mask or serum alone for 8 weeks. Acne severity, comedones, papules, pustules, PIE, PIH, skin pores, skin tone evenness, sebum secretion, skin hydration, and trans‐epidermal water loss were evaluated at T0d, T1d, T7d, T14d, T28d, and T56d. Results: Eighty‐three participants were included, including 41 and 42 in the Serum + Mask and Serum groups, respectively. Acne severity, density of skin pores, skin tone evenness, PIH foci on face, PIE foci on nose, intensity of PIE and PIH, closed comedones on face, open comedones on nose, sebum secretion, and skin hydration were significantly improved from baseline after 8 weeks of treatment in both groups (all p < 0.05). Addition of the mask improved the number of closed comedones (−6.56 ± 0.39 vs. −5.19 ± 0.44, p = 0.022) and acne severity (−0.39 ± 0.08 vs. −0.12 ± 0.09, p = 0.026) substantially more than using the serum alone. No adverse reaction was reported in either group. Conclusions: The study serum improved skin conditions by regulating skin barrier function and achieving a balance of skin hydration and sebum secretion, removing comedones and improving PIE and PIH. Addition of the mask accelerated the effects without compromising safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyisocyanate and caprolactone were used to chemically functionalize nanocellulose (CNF). Composites of CNF, caprolactone-modified nanocellulose (CNF–CL) and polyisocyanate-modified nanocellulose (CNF–JQ)/MC nylon were fabricated by anionic ring-opening polymerization. The effects of the crystal structure, crystal morphology and crystallization process of MC nylon composites have been characterized by wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), polarized optical microscopy(POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Isothermal crystallization kinetics were analyzed using the Avrami equation, and the crystallization rate, half-time, and Avrami exponent were calculated. The results show that the nucleation effects of CNF–JQ/MC nylon composites is increased with the CNF–JQ increase, and it is best compared with MC nylon, CNF/MC nylon and CNF–CL/MC nylon composites, so CNF–JQ can play the role of effective nucleating agent in MC nylon. We also discussed the non-isothermal crystallization of the composites. Analysis of the Jeziorny and Mo model demonstrates that the Zc values of CNF, CNF–CL, CNF–JQ/MC nylon composites increase, and the F(T) values decrease in order. This indicates that CNF–JQ can better promote the crystallization rate of non-isothermal crystallization of MC nylon. The results of this work demonstrate that CNF–JQ can be an effective nucleation agent and increase the crystallization rate of MC nylon compared with CNF–CL. The activation energy of the composites was studied using the kissing method, and the results showed that CNF–CL decreased the activation energy of MC nylon, and CNF and CNF–JQ increased the activation energy of MC nylon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this work is to compare posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) between families of children on cancer treatment and families of healthy children in China and to analyse the association among child PTSS, parent PTSS, and depression in the cancer group. Methods: Participants were children on cancer treatment (n = 91) and their parents (n = 91), and healthy children (n = 114) and their parents (n = 96). The children were asked to self‐report PTSS, and the parents completed self‐reported measures of PTSS and depression. Results: Although the prevalence of probable PTSD in children on cancer treatment was higher than that in comparisons (8.79% vs. 0.88%, P < 0.01), no statistic differences in PTSS levels were found between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, significant differences in PTSS levels and the prevalence of severe PTSS (21.98% vs. 1.04%) between parents of children with cancer and comparisons were observed (P < 0.001). Parent PTSS and depression were positively associated with child PTSS in the cancer group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The prevalence of probable PTSD in Chinese children with cancer was low, but PTSS was remarkably prevalent in their parents. Greater parent PTSS and depression were related to greater child PTSS. Results underline the importance to provide supportive psychological care for Chinese parents of children undergoing cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling high-grade rare earth polishing powder waste (REPPW) is crucial for protecting the environment and sustainable utilization of rare earth resources. Leaching REPPW in the eco-friendly H 2 O 2 -H 2 SO 4 suffers from the lack of understanding of the leaching mechanism. Here, the leaching mechanism was investigated under the optimal leaching conditions, i.e., T = 353 K, L/S ratio = 40 mL/g, H 2 SO 4 concentration = 4 mol/L and initial H 2 O 2 concentration = 0.8 mol/L, by which leaching efficiency of Ce and La reached 99.3% and 99.1%, respectively. Furthermore, pseudo steady state kinetic analysis suggested a five-step leaching mechanism involving CeO 2 hydroxylation, H 2 O 2 -CeO 2 coordination, ≡ Ce III − H 2 O 2 deprotonation, ≡ Ce IV − H O 2 − reduction and ≡ Ce III − H O 2 ∗ protonation, which was verified by the agreement between experimental data and the proposed reaction model. This work proposes a leaching mechanism of REPPW and would help develop an effective and sustainable recycling process for rare earth secondary resources. [Display omitted] • Ce and La were effectively leached from REPPW using the H 2 O 2 -H 2 SO 4 system, resulting in leaching efficiencies of 99.3% and 99.1% for Ce and La, respectively. • A reasonable leaching cycle of CeO 2 in the H 2 O 2 -H 2 SO 4 system was verified by a pseudo steady state analysis. • A clean and efficient method for recycling rare earth solid waste resources [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Epidural blood patches (EBPs) are rarely performed at the high-level cervical levels. The aim of the study was to investigate the imaging features, safety, and effectiveness of CT-guided percutaneous EBPs for high-level cervical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Methods: Twenty-five patients with spontaneous high-level (C1–C3) CSF leakage on MRI and CT imaging, including 2 patients with intracranial epidural hematoma caused by CSF, were treated with EBP. Two needles were inserted into the C1–3 bilateral epidural space. The needle location was confirmed by injection of both 3–5mL sterile air and a diluted iodinated contrast agent to delineate its spatial diffusion. The patient's blood 11.1 ± 3.1 mL was slowly injected to make a patch; the distribution in epidural space was monitored with intermittent CT scanning. Results: The typical manifestation of CSF leakage was the high signal outside the C1–3 cervical dura on MR T2W fat inhibition images and low density in cervical muscle space on CT images. Twenty patients suffered from headaches and were able to sit and walk 24 h after the operation. Four patients, with partial relief of headache and a small but persistent CSF leakage, were re-treated with EBS. One patient underwent a third operation because of a persistent CSF leakage on MRI. Conclusions: Imaging of water at the surrounding epidural space of high cervical level is a typical feature of dural rupture on both MRI and CT. CT-guided EBP is safe and efficient for the high-level cervical CSF leakage, especially for cases in which conservative treatments failed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in Angewandte Chemie, discusses the challenges and potential solutions in the synthesis of miktoarm star polymers. The authors, Mingxin Zhang, Panchao Yin, and their colleagues, propose the use of metal-organic polyhedra with logarithmic ligand exchange dynamics as templates for the reversible sorting and hybridization of miktoarm star polymers. This approach opens up new possibilities for the design of sustainable polymers. The article also briefly mentions other research topics such as visible-light photoswitchable benzimidazole azo-arenes, enantioselective synthesis of arylglycines, electrochemical diacetoxylation of alkenes, and the control of structural properties in supported/bulk metal oxides through catalyst post-treatment. [Extracted from the article]

This article, published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, discusses the challenges and potential solutions in the synthesis of miktoarm star polymers. The authors propose the use of metal-organic polyhedra with logarithmic ligand exchange dynamics as templates for the reversible sorting and hybridization of miktoarm star polymers with target compositions. This approach opens up new possibilities for the design of sustainable polymers. The article also briefly mentions other research topics such as visible-light photoswitchable benzimidazole azo-arenes as β-arrestin2-biased cannabinoid 2 receptor agonists, enantioselective synthesis of arylglycines, electrochemical diacetoxylation of alkenes, and the control of structural properties of supported/bulk metal oxides through catalyst post-treatment. [Extracted from the article]

• The unexpected fracture of tube-to-tubesheet joints of a circulating oil steam generator is studied. • Caustic stress corrosion cracking is the root cause of the failure. • Proposals are given about material selection, manufacture and water quality assurance of the circulating oil steam generator. Tube-to-tubesheet joints are generally considered as one of the vulnerable part of heat exchangers, as they are sensitive to stress corrosion owing to residual stress generated during manufacture processes. As a result, it is crucial to carry out failure analysis on tube-to-tubesheet joints to ensure the safety of heat exchanger operations. The unexpected fracture of tube-to-tubesheet joints of a circulating oil steam generator in a petrochemical plant is studied. In order to find out the cause of the failure, the failed tube is investigated by visual inspection, base metal inspection and fracture morphologies observation. The results show that due to insufficient expansion of the tube, a gap is formed between the tube and tubesheet, which concentrates the alkali lye and chloride deposits, leading to the formation of caustic stress corrosion cracks in the outer wall of the failed tube before fracture, and the cracks rapidly propagate under tensile stress resulting in the failure. Finally, proposals are given about material selection, manufacture and water quality assurance of the circulating oil steam generator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The copolyester poly(butylene glycol adipate-co-terephthalate/diphenylsilanediol adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBDAT) was synthesized by the melt polycondensation method using terephthalic acid, adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol, and diphenylsilylene glycol as the raw materials. The molecular chain structure, thermal properties, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and degradation behaviors of the copolyesters were investigated. The results showed that the prepared PBDAT copolyesters exhibited good thermal stability and mechanical properties. With the increase in diphenylsilanediol (DPSD) content, the thermal stability of PBDAT and the melting temperature both increased. The tensile strength and elastic modulus of PBDAT also exhibited an increasing tend. When the DPSD content was 12.5% (PBDAT-12.5), the tensile strength, the elastic modulus, and elongation at break were 30.56 MPa, 238 MPa, and 219%, respectively. With the increase in diphenylsilanediol content, the hydrophilicity of PBDAT decreased, but PBDAT still shows good degradability and the thermal degradation T5% temperature was 355 °C. The thermal degradation of PBDAT was also improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: UV rays not only cause oxidative damage to the skin, but also damage its barrier function. The use of sunscreen is crucial in preventing skin from UV radiation, but it may have an impact on the function of the skin barrier. While much research has focused on the protective effects of sunscreen against UV oxidative damage, little is known about the impact of daily sunscreen use on the skin barrier. Objective: This study mainly investigated the changes in skin barrier function of volunteers (including those with sensitive skin) before and after using a ceramide‐containing sunscreen. Methods: A total of 60 volunteers used SPF30 sunscreen containing ceramide every morning. Using non‐invasive methods to detect skin barrier changes in TEWL, hydration, facial redness based on VISIA‐CR image, and Erythema index (EI) value after 4 weeks of using ceramide‐containing sunscreen. Adverse reactions were also assessed. Results: After 4 weeks of using ceramide‐containing sunscreen, significant reductions were observed in skin redness with both an 11.89% decrease in a* value and a 5.68% decrease in skin EI, while there was also a significant decrease in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) with a reduction of 22.96%, and a significant increase in skin hydration with a 21.96% increase in the moisture content of the stratum corneum. No adverse events occurred during the entire testing process. Conclusion: Daily application of ceramide‐containing sunscreen can increase skin hydration while enhancing the function of the skin barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low‐profile Ku/K band circularly polarized phased array antenna based on crossed dipole and four parasitic elements is presented. Four parasitic patches and the outline of dipole arms which are designed as an exponentially gradual curve are intended to broaden impedance bandwidth. For better integrated design, the plated through holes at the bottom of substrate replaces the metal cavity, aiming to enhance the radiation characteristics of the positive z ${\boldsymbol{z}}$ direction. The small angle sequential ro0tation tech is adopted to further increase the axial ratio (AR) bandwidth. The 8 × 8 antenna array is operated from 15.5 to 23.5 GHz (41%), with the size of 56 mm × 56 mm × 2.54 mm. In the operating frequency, the array demonstrates an average peak realized gain of 24.3 dBic and has a 3‐dB AR beamwidth with scanning angle from −60° to 60° in the plane of ɸ = 0° and ɸ = 90°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An Efficient and value-added flowsheet for recycling rare earth polishing powder waste is proposed. • Coordination enhanced led to high leaching ratios in mild acidic conditions. • The coordination stability constant of Ce3+-ascorbic acid was determined. • High-purity mesoporous Ce-La oxide cube was synthesized by a facile chemical precipitation method. Efficient and environmental-friendly recycling of rare earth polishing powder waste (REPPW) is imperative not only to ecological well-being but also to sustainability of critical rare earth resources. However, the low leaching efficiency of rare earth elements in mild acidic conditions and complicated synthesis procedure of high-end products hindered industrial recycling of REPPW. Herein, an ascorbic acid-H 2 SO 4 system with mild conditions, i.e., ascorbic acid concentration = 0.042 mol/dm3, H 2 SO 4 concentration = 1 mol/dm3, liquid to solid ratio = 20 cm3/g and temperature = 353 K, is proposed for leaching REPPW, in which the leaching ratios of Ce and La reached 96.79 % and 93.81 %, respectively. The coordination stability constants of Ce3+-ascorbic acid, i.e., β 1 = 106.88 and β 2 = 1013.03, were determined by pH-potentiometry, which revealed that the enhanced Ce3+ dissolution in this mild leaching system was attributed to Ce3+-ascorbic acid coordination. Subsequently, a high-purity, mesoporous Ce-La oxide cube was synthesized from the leaching solution by a facile chemical precipitation method at atmospheric pressure and temperature. The product had a composition of 78.07 wt% CeO 2 and 21.93 wt% La 2 O 3 , and its average pore diameter was 7.30 nm. Its reducibility was 1.52 times higher than the theoretical value, suggesting a high potential for catalyzing redox reactions. This work proposes an efficient and value-added process for recycling REPPW, which helps to enlighten the sustainable utilization of secondary rare earth resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the misuse of various antibiotics, the problem of bacterial resistance has become more serious worldwide, and the associated diseases have significantly increased the medical burden of society. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) has received widespread attention because of its safety, efficiency, and facile implementation. Here, we report an oxygen-supply antibacterial agent (Ce6@CS/CP), which could enhance the efficacy of antibacterial PDT via photosynthesis of O 2. Ce6@CS/CP displayed a robust interaction with bacteria, hence facilitating the delivery efficiency of Ce6. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the photodynamic bactericidal potency of Ce6@CS/CP was remarkably greater than that of free Ce6. Furthermore, Ce6@CS/CP also exhibited superior significant antibiofilm activity to free Ce6. As a live oxygen-supply antibacterial agent, Ce6@CS/CP possesses excellent bacteria delivery ability of Ce6 and could enhance the potency of antibacterial PDT by photosynthesis, offering a new strategy for fighting against drug-resistant bacteria. [Display omitted] • Chitosan-coated chloroplast with sufficient photosynthesis activity would act as an oxygen-producing carrier for photosensitizer. • The constructed live oxygen-supply antibacterial agent (Ce6@CS/CP) facilitates the bacterial interaction and delivery efficiency of Ce6. • Its photodynamic antibacterial potency is remarkably greater than free Ce6. • The drug-resistant bacterial biofilm could be effectively ablated by Ce6@CS/CP plus light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • SIF and NDVI datasets had large differences on Yun-Gui Plateau and northwestern China. • Drought propagation time based on NDVI is larger than that based on SIF. • Drought had a similar impact degree in SIF and NDVI. • Both SIF and NDVI showed similar performance when monitoring crop yield. An increase in global warming has resulted in a global increase in meteorological droughts. As droughts play a key factor regulating vegetation growth, they inevitably have social and economic effects. Understanding vegetation dynamics and its response to climate change is therefor highly important to reveal the behavior mechanism of terrestrial ecosystems and to guide environmental management. In this investigation, Solar-induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were applied as vegetation indicators to describe vegetation dynamics and meteorological drought was described using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI). Bias correction of precipitation and crop yield data of major crop producing areas was also used. By employing correlation coefficient of the maximum absolute value, a drought impact degree and propagation time to vegetation were defined. Dimensions of SIF and NDVI were unified by normalization. Results indicated that: (1) SIF and NDVI generally had a high level of consistency over China, and NDVI had a higher normalized value distribution level than SIF for different vegetation types. (2) Drought generally had a negative impact on vegetation in northern China and a positive impact in southern China. (3) Drought propagation time based on NDVI was larger than that based on SIF. (4) SIF had some advantages when monitoring crop yields among different crop producing areas. Results from this investigation will enable a greater understanding of SIF and NDVI for their application to monitor droughts and crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the formaldehyde to phenol molar ratio (F/P) on the combustion behavior of phenolic foams were discussed. Phenolic foams have been prepared with different F/P of resole resin. FTIR, TG and SEM were used for assessment of the molecular structure, thermal stability, and cell structure of phenolic foam (PF) analysis, respectively. It was found that the higher the F/P, the more inflammables content in the PF that promoted the formation of the char layer, and the higher the LOI of PF. Although the closed cell proportion of PF decreases with the increase of F/P, the effect of the open and closed cell proportion on the LOI of PF was much lower than that of the content of inflammables when there was little difference in cell size. It is worth noting that the smoldering time and smoldering velocity of PF also increased with the increase of F/P. When F/P exceeds 2.3, a large number of open-cell structures appear in the PF, resulting in a phenomenon of smoldering to burnout. The relationship between smoldering velocity and F/P can be calculated by an Arrhenius type expression. Arrhenius-type expression calculation showed that when the F/P reached 2.3, the smoldering velocity increased sharply, reaching a maximum of 0.193 mm/s. • The factors affecting the combustion behavior of phenolic foam (PF) were revealed. • The effect of closed cell proportion on LOI of PF is lower than that of the content of inflammables. • The higher the formaldehyde to phenol molar ratio (F/P), the greater the smoldering time and velocity. • The relationship between smoldering velocity and F/P can be calculated by an Arrhenius type expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proposed three maintenance polices for parallel systems with two failure modes. • Analyzed and compared the cost-effectiveness of the maintenance polices. • Developed simulation model for complex scenarios. • Useful insights are gained based on the numerical analysis. The parallel structure in the reliability engineering is widely used in many industrial systems such as power generation systems, pump systems, production systems and computing systems. Designing the optimal maintenance policies for these parallel systems can minimize the operation cost while achieving a satisfying system availability. Previous studies have studied various maintenance optimization for parallel systems. However, little research has considered the multiple failure modes that widely exist in many real industrial systems. This research considers a parallel system that consists of heterogeneous components subject to two types of competing failures: a one-stage catastrophic failure and a two-stage delay-time failure. Inspections are conducted periodically to identify the state of each component. Three maintenance policies are proposed in this research. To find the optimal inspection interval, we analyze the renewal process of the system to minimize the long-term expected cost per unit time. A simulation procedure is proposed to evaluate the long-term expected cost per unit time. Numerical experiments are carried out to illustrate the applications of the proposed maintenance policies. The discussion provides useful insights on choosing the best policy under different system performance requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The protection for different skin types with impaired skin barrier in the market is insufficient. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a panthenol‐enriched mask (La Roche‐Posay Mask Pro) in addressing various skin barrier impairment subgroups, including dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin. Methods: A total of 177 participants were enrolled in the study and divided into three subgroups based on their skin type. Participants used the mask following the specified protocol, with measurements taken for skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum content, and skin redness—factors that are directly influenced by skin barrier function. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after 1 day (tested 15 min post‐application), 7 days, and 14 days of application using Sebumeter, Tewameter, Corneometer, Mexameter, and VISIA. Results: Results showed significant improvements in skin parameters across all subgroups. In the dry sensitive skin subgroup, the mask increased skin hydration, sebum content, and reduced redness. For the oily sensitive skin subgroup, the mask regulated sebum production and improved skin hydration. In the oily acne skin subgroup, the mask reduced sebum content, redness, TEWL, and post‐inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation. Tolerance was excellent for all skin types, with no adverse reactions observed. Conclusions: This study highlights the efficacy and safety of the panthenol‐enriched LRP Mask Pro for individuals with distinct skin barrier impairment subgroups. The mask's versatile formulation and proven efficacy make it a valuable skincare product for addressing various skin concerns and achieving healthier, more balanced skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prolonged use of medical masks has increased skin‐related issues. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of a facial cream and facial mask in mitigating medical mask related skin symptoms. Methods: Healthy women were randomly assigned to apply a facial cream (n = 32) or a facial mask plus a facial cream (n = 32) on half‐faces after wearing medical masks for 4 h (Tb). Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), dryness score, and redness area were assessed at Tb and 10 min after using the cream (T1) in the facial cream group, and at Tb, 1 h after using the facial mask (T2), and 10 min after using the cream (T3) in the combined use group. Results: In the facial cream group, the treated half‐face showed significantly better improvements from Tb to T1 in TEWL (−2.95 ± 0.38 vs. −0.68 ± 0.35 g/h·cm2, p < 0.001) and skin dryness score (−1.00 ± 0.12 vs. 0.00 ± 0.00, p < 0.001). In the combined use group, the treated half‐face showed significantly better improvements from Tb to T2 and T3 in TEWL (T2, −3.46 ± 0.33 vs. −0.09 ± 0.13 g/h·cm2; T3, −4.67 ± 0.31 vs. −0.28 ± 0.22 g/h·cm2) and skin dryness score (T2, −0.63 ± 0.13 vs. 0.03 ± 0.03; T3, −0.94 ± 0.17 vs. 0.19 ± 0.07) (all p < 0.001) then the untreated half‐face. The combined use group had significantly lower TEWL at T3 than T2 (p < 0.05). The reduction in redness area was similar between the treated and untreated half‐faces in both groups. Conclusions: The test facial cream and mask significantly improved skin barrier function and alleviated dryness symptoms associated with medical mask use, with the combined use offering superior benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical image segmentation is a critical and important step for developing computer-aided system in clinical situations. It remains a complicated and challenging task due to the large variety of imaging modalities and different cases. Recently, Unet has become one of the most popular deep learning frameworks because of its accurate performance in biomedical image segmentation. In this paper, we propose a contour-aware semantic segmentation network, which is an extension of Unet, for medical image segmentation. The proposed method includes a semantic branch and a detail branch. The semantic branch focuses on extracting the semantic features from shallow and deep layers; the detail branch is used to enhance the contour information implied in the shallow layers. In order to improve the representation capability of the network, a MulBlock module is designed to extract semantic information with different receptive fields. Spatial attention module (CAM) is used to adaptively suppress the redundant features. In comparison with the state-of-the-art methods, our method achieves a remarkable performance on several public medical image segmentation challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orbital angular momentum (OAM), inherent to light beams characterized by helical phase fronts, represents an alternative spatial degree of freedom for photons. In recent years, OAM-based communication has gained significant attention as a potential solution to increase the capacity and spectral efficiency of optical fiber communication systems. In optical fibers, OAM modes can be generated and manipulated by utilizing specialized optical components and techniques. One approach involves using specially designed optical fibers, such as ring–core fibers, which have the capability to support multiple OAM modes. In the manufacturing process, the ring fiber is hardly made perfectly, especially the doped-cores. The introduced defect breaks the symmetry of the ring–core, which has a serious impact on OAM mode transmission. Using a material with a slightly higher refractive index than the cladding to wrap the ring–core is effective in reducing impairment of defects. After numerical simulation, the proposed method improves the walk-off length by a factor of 2–40. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sensitive skin is a common condition affecting a significant proportion of the population, and there is a growing demand for effective and safe management. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate as an optimal care for facial sensitive skin. Methods: A total of 110 participants (64 in group A and 46 in group B) with facial sensitive skin applied the cream twice daily for 28 days. Group A evaluated their sensitive skin, product efficacy, and product use experience at D0 (15 min), D1, D14, and D28. In group B, skin barrier function‐related indicators were measured at baseline and on D1, D7, D14, and D28. Dermatologists evaluated tolerance for all participants. Results: After 28 days of use, in group A, 100% of participants reported mildness and comfort with product use. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in skin barrier function‐related indicators, including increased stratum corneum moisture content, reduced erythema index, elevated sebum content, decreased trans‐epidermal water loss, and diminished skin redness parameter a* value (all p < 0.05). Dermatologist evaluations revealed excellent tolerance among all participants. Conclusion: The panthenol‐enriched cream with prebiotics and probiotic lysate exhibited substantial clinical efficacy in ameliorating facial sensitive skin conditions, coupled with a high safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parents of children with cancer may experience persistent psychological distress and impaired physical health throughout their children's diagnosis and treatment. Objective: This study aimed to develop a mindful self-compassion program for parents of children with cancer and explore its effect. Methods: This pre-post-test study without a control group was conducted with 34 Chinese parents of children with cancer, using mixed methods. Participants received a 6-week internet-based self-help mindful self-compassion intervention. Self-compassion, post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, and sleep quality were measured at baseline and at 10 weeks post-baseline. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 completers within 10 days after the intervention was completed. Results: Significant differences were observed in self-compassion, re-experiencing, physical depressive symptoms, and sleep quality. Two participants reported feeling miserable or recalling distressing experiences, of which one withdrew from the study while the other completed the intervention. Conclusion: The program could improve self-compassion, re-experiencing, physical depressive symptoms, and sleep quality in parents of children with cancer, which demonstrated the feasibility of delivering a self-help mindful self-compassion intervention through the internet. Increasing retention rates in future studies merits further discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Oily skin, characterized by excessive sebum production, can lead to acne and have psychosocial impacts due to changes in appearance. Recent research has shown interest in treatments for oil control, with kaolin and bentonite emerging as promising options. Despite their potential, comprehensive studies on these ingredients are still in the nascent stages. AIM: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a clay mask (La Roche‐Posay Effaclar Sebo‐Controlling Mask) in reducing skin oiliness and acne, and its safety for use. METHODS: In this study, 75 adults with oily or combination skin were enrolled and provided with a clay mask for twice‐weekly use over 4 weeks. Clinical assessments, using instruments like Sebumeter, Vapometer, and Corneometer, were conducted at baseline, and after 1, 2, and 4 weeks, evaluating acne lesions, skin irritation, sebum content, and skin hydration. Participant self‐assessment questionnaires were also utilized for subjective evaluation. Statistical analyses were performed accordingly. RESULTS: The study revealed significant improvements in acne‐related outcomes, sebum content, skin evenness, stratum corneum water content, and transepidermal water loss following the application of the clay mask. Pore area and porphyrin area showed no significant changes. Tolerance assessment showed reduced dryness and irritation, with self‐assessment indicating high product acceptability and perceived oil control effectiveness. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the clay mask's efficacy in managing acne and oily skin, improving hydration and texture. Significant improvements in skin parameters and high product safety were observed, supporting its suitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is one of the most commonly used treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the poor stability of emulsified chemotherapy drugs by iodinated oil always leads to serious systemic cytotoxicity. Herein, a composite hydrogel Epi/Etpoil@MC/XG was proposed by stably distributing ethiodized poppyseed oil (Etpoil) and epirubicin (Epi) in the blend hydrogel of methylcellulose (MC) and xanthan gum (XG). Benefiting from its adjusted thermo-responsive and injectable properties, the Epi/Etpoil@MC/XG has been successfully applied in the embolization of the feeding artery for a VX2 tumor model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The treatment strategy for dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with ticagrelor has been controversial in East Asian patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Our meta-analysis aimed to demonstrate whether intensified antithrombotic regimens with ticagrelor plus aspirin have more beneficial effects and fewer adverse events compared to those of clopidogrel plus aspirin in East Asian patients with ACS undergoing PCI. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Clinical Trials, Cochrane Library, and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of DAPT with ticagrelor or clopidogrel plus aspirin for secondary prevention of ACS in East Asian patients undergoing PCI. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as the metrics of choice for assessing treatment effects. The primary endpoint was bleeding events, and the secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs, including cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction [MI], and stroke), all-cause death, and definite/probable/possible stent thrombosis. The I2 index was used to assess heterogeneity. Results: Six RCTs involving a total of 2,725 patients met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of all bleeding events with ticagrelor was higher than that with clopidogrel (RR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.31–2.07), but the incidence of MACCE was not significantly different between the two groups (RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.54–2.16). All-cause death (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.67–1.79), cardiovascular death (RR, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.68–2.98), nonfatal MI (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.48–1.78), stroke (RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.40–2.50), and stent thrombosis (RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.19–2.98) were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion: Ticagrelor increased the risk of bleeding and did not increase treatment efficacy compared to that of clopidogrel in the East Asian population who have ACS treated with PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a common modification and plays an important role in various biological processes, but m6A-related lncRNA functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been systematically clarified. Methods: The clinical data and RNA-seq transcriptome of 375 cases of HCC and 50 cases of normal tissues were obtained from the Cancer Gene Atlas database. Co-expression analysis was used to obtain m6A-related lncRNA. The independent prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Kaplan–Meier method was used in survival analysis. The core gene of the mRNA–mRNA interaction network is related to m6A-related lncRNAs obtained by the CytoHubba plugin of Cytoscape. Gene ontology and Kyoto Gene Encyclopedia were analyzed to find out the potential mechanism. CIBERSORT algorithm was used to calculate the relative proportion of immune infiltrating cells. Results: We identified two subgroups (cluster 1 and cluster 2) according to the expression level. The survival analysis curve and receiver operating characteristic curve proved that this model could predict the prognosis of HCC patients. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed the independent prognostic value. UBE2C was screened as the pivotal gene. The expression level of m6A-related lncRNAs causes changes in the tumor immune microenvironment. Conclusion: The expression levels of m6A-related lncRNAs were significantly different and the prognostic value of m6A-related lncRNAs was confirmed. The m6A-related lncRNAs are expected to be prognostic signatures in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of component with 2219 aluminum alloy consists of hot/warm forming and the subsequent heat treatment, inducing complex microstructure evolution. The microstructure simulation in forming and solution treatments is investigated using cellular automata (CA) models, consisting of initial microstructure generation model, static recrystallization (SRX) model and thermal–mechanical treatment model. The effect of parameters (temperature, strain, strain rate and pass interval time) on the microstructure characteristic is analyzed. SRX occurs during the pass interval time by the transformation from low-angle grain boundaries into high-angle grain boundaries. Low temperature, large strain and strain rate during the hot compression contribute to the SRX process during pass interval time due to the resulted higher dislocation. Warm forming is beneficial for the increased dislocation density and sub-grain structures, which change to equiaxed grains after solution treatment, indicating the total recrystallization. The increased strain and strain rate, and lower temperature in the warm forming process contribute to the grain refinement and acceleration of the velocity of the SRX process after solution treatment. Experiments of hot compression, warm compression followed by solution treatment are conducted. The CA simulated flow stress and microstructure agree with the experimental results. The CA models established can provide guidance for the microstructure evolution for the hot/warm forming and the subsequent heat treatment of aluminum alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological proton channels play important roles in the delicate metabolism process, and have led to great interest in mimicking selective proton transport. Herein, we designed a bioinspired proton transport membrane by incorporating flexible 14‐crown‐4 (14C4) units into rigid frameworks of polyimine films by an interfacial Schiff base reaction. The Young's modulus of the membrane reaches about 8.2 GPa. The 14C4 units could grab water, thereby forming hydrogen bond‐water networks and acting as jumping sites to lower the energy barrier of proton transport. The molecular chains present a vertical orientation to the membrane, and the ions travel between the quasi‐planar molecular sheets. Furthermore, the 14C4 moieties could bond alkali ions through host–guest interactions. Thus, the ion conductance follows H+≫K+>Na+>Li+, and an ultrahigh selectivity of H+/Li+ (ca. 215) is obtained. This study provides an effective avenue for developing ion‐selective membranes by embedding macrocycle motifs with inherent cavities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological proton channels play important roles in the delicate metabolism process, and have led to great interest in mimicking selective proton transport. Herein, we designed a bioinspired proton transport membrane by incorporating flexible 14‐crown‐4 (14C4) units into rigid frameworks of polyimine films by an interfacial Schiff base reaction. The Young's modulus of the membrane reaches about 8.2 GPa. The 14C4 units could grab water, thereby forming hydrogen bond‐water networks and acting as jumping sites to lower the energy barrier of proton transport. The molecular chains present a vertical orientation to the membrane, and the ions travel between the quasi‐planar molecular sheets. Furthermore, the 14C4 moieties could bond alkali ions through host–guest interactions. Thus, the ion conductance follows H+≫K+>Na+>Li+, and an ultrahigh selectivity of H+/Li+ (ca. 215) is obtained. This study provides an effective avenue for developing ion‐selective membranes by embedding macrocycle motifs with inherent cavities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous liquids (PLs) have improved the understanding ofthe porous properties of matter; however, rational tuning ofthe viscosities and gas absorption properties ofPLs lag far behind the explosive growth of PL applications. Herein, neat molecular PLs are constructed by grafting polymers onto the surface of 2 nm molecular nanocages with precisely tuned graft densities and molecular weights Mws. The flowability ofthe PLs showed a non-monotonic dependence on the Mw of the polymers due to the interplay between the surface confinement effect and polymer chain entanglements, enabling optimization of their viscosities, similar to those of conventional liquids. The surface layer dynamics and gas absorption kinetics are quantified, correlation between the two properties is confirmed, and gas permeation process is regulated by surface layer dynamics. From the understanding of the structure-property relationship, the surface layer grafting densities are tuned to promote surface layer dynamics to achieve improved gas sorption performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological ion channels existing in organisms are critical for many biological processes. Inspired by biological ion channels, the heterogeneous electrospinning nanofiber membranes (HENM) with functional ion channels are constructed by electrospinning technology. The HENM successfully realizes ion‐gating effects, which can be used for tunable energy conversions. Introduction of pyridine and carboxylic acid groups into the HENM plays an important role in generating unique and stable ion transport behaviors, in which gates become alternative states of open and close, responding to symmetric/asymmetric pH stimulations. Then we used the HENM to convert osmotic energy into electric energy which reach a maximum value up to 12.34 W m−2 and the output power density of HENM‐based system could be regulated by ion‐gating effects. The properties of the HENM provide widespread potentials in application of smart nanofluidic devices, energy conversion, and water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological ion channels existing in organisms are critical for many biological processes. Inspired by biological ion channels, the heterogeneous electrospinning nanofiber membranes (HENM) with functional ion channels are constructed by electrospinning technology. The HENM successfully realizes ion‐gating effects, which can be used for tunable energy conversions. Introduction of pyridine and carboxylic acid groups into the HENM plays an important role in generating unique and stable ion transport behaviors, in which gates become alternative states of open and close, responding to symmetric/asymmetric pH stimulations. Then we used the HENM to convert osmotic energy into electric energy which reach a maximum value up to 12.34 W m−2 and the output power density of HENM‐based system could be regulated by ion‐gating effects. The properties of the HENM provide widespread potentials in application of smart nanofluidic devices, energy conversion, and water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital anomaly involving the myocardial tissue encasement of a segment of the coronary artery. The purpose of the present study was to assess safety and efficacy of two surgical methods used for treating MB patients at our institute. Methods. Off-pump MB unroofing was performed in 45 adult patients between January 2016 and December 2021 by traditional surgical unroofing techniques (conventional group, n = 26) and blunt dissection techniques (blunt dissection group, n = 19). We retrospectively reviewed our patients by examining the baseline clinical characteristics, risk factors, medications, and diagnostic data for coronary artery disease. The Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) was used to assess angina symptoms both preoperatively and 6 months postsurgery. Results. No significant difference in preoperative clinical characteristics was observed between the two groups. The blunt dissection group had shorter unroofed period (14.69 vs. 18.91 mins, P = 0.001), less ventilator time (16.26 vs. 24.62 hours, P < 0.001), and a shorter hospital stay (8.74 vs. 12.89 days, P < 0.001). Although both traditional and blunt dissection techniques significantly improved postoperative SAQ scores including physical limitation due to angina, anginal stability, anginal frequency, treatment satisfaction, and quality of life (P < 0.001), no significant difference was observed between the traditional and blunt dissection techniques for SAQ. No cases of left anterior descending (LAD) injury in the blunt dissection group were observed although seven patients in the conventional group had LAD injuries. Conclusions. In our single-center experience of MB unroofing, the blunt dissection technique is a safe, effective technique that significantly reduces surgical and ventilator time and hospital stay. MB patients with severe angina who underwent the blunt dissection for surgical unroofing experienced significant improvements in anginal symptoms and quality of life six months after the surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Fear of progression (FoP) is a common psychosocial problem among adult cancer patients, but data on parents of children undergoing cancer treatment are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FoP in parents of children undergoing cancer treatment and explore the associated factors.Methods: Overall, 285 parents of children undergoing cancer treatment were recruited from three general hospitals in China. FoP in the parents was assessed using the Chinese version of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-parent version (FoP-Q-SF/PR). Other questionnaires included the Self-Compassion Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version, and items on socio-demographic and medical characteristics. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with FoP.Results: A total of 75.1% of the participants showed dysfunctional levels of FoP. The mean FoP-Q-SF/PR score was 39.98 (standard deviation = 9.18). Parental FoP was significantly associated with a shorter time since diagnosis, lower levels of self-compassion, poor sleep quality, and severe posttraumatic stress symptoms (Adjusted R Squared = 0.369, F = 12.838, p < 0.01).Conclusions: FoP is a frequently reported problem among parents of children undergoing cancer treatment. In this cohort, parents of children with a shorter time since cancer diagnosis were at higher risk of suffering from FoP. Interventions to enhance self-compassion, improve sleep quality, and mitigate posttraumatic stress symptoms may help with the psychological adjustment and well-being of parents whose children are undergoing cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For enhancing channel capacity and spectrum efficiency, vortex beam carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) has been ardently investigated in optical communication. However, the crosstalk among OAM modes induced by mode coupling has seriously hindered the development of vortex beam communication (OBC). A novel concept of mitigating crosstalk within an OAM-mode group for a short-haul optical fiber communication (OFC) is proposed by reversing the transmission matrix. To support more OAM modes propagation, a step-index OAM fiber with ring-shaped profile is also designed and fabricated, which can support 6 vector/OAM modes propagation. A proof-of-concept experiment is performed for verifying the feasibility of the proposed concept, where a quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK) signal is utilized as an excitation signal. Bit-error-ratio (BER) and constellation diagram (CD) are employed to evaluate the performance of the proposed system. The captured intensity profiles and interference diagrams demonstrate that the propagated four OAM beams within the 2rd OAM-mode group are successfully received. The measured BER and CD illustrate that the crosstalk within the mode group can be significantly mitigated. Further, although the data speed or fiber length is increased, the system performance using the proposed concept is still superior to the case without increasing fiber length or data speed when the proposed concept is missed. Therefore, the proposed concept is effective for mitigating the crosstalk and can be then used for a short-haul OAM-based OFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) exhibit great potential for industrial application thanks to their low complexity and low fabrication temperature. Aiming at commercial applications, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the material consumption and its corresponding electrical performance. Here, a simple strategy has been proposed to obtain inverted PSCs with comprehensive performance, that is, reaching an acceptable electrical performance by reducing the usage of perovskite. More precisely, the inverted PSCs, whose perovskite film is prepared by 1.0 M precursor, yields a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.50%, fulfilling the requirement for real commercial application. In addition, the thickness of the electron transport layer (C60 in this work) in the above inverted PSCs was further optimized by comparing the simulated absorption spectrum, J-V characteristics and impedance with three different thicknesses of C60 layer. More excitingly, the optimized device displays high storage stability which maintains more than 90% of its initial PCE for 28 days. Therefore, our work provides a simple and cost-effective method to reach good comprehensive performance of inverted PSCs for commercial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Phosphated lignocellulose nanofibrils were combined with MXene and gelatin; • The aerogel exhibited excellent fire retardancy with fire-warning performance; • Performance of electromagnetic interference shielding also achieved highly. Lightweight electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material with environment-friendly and high fire-safe has imperative practical significance in civil electronic devices. Herein, a distinct strategy was proposed to integrate phosphated lignocellulose nanofibrils (PLCNFs), gelatin, and MXene into a hybrid composite aerogel (PGM aerogel) with ultralight weight and high porosity. Due to the synergistic flame retardant effect of the ternary mixture, PGM aerogel exhibited excellent fire retardancy, whose dramatical changes in electronic resistance was supposed to achieve a short fire-warning signal (∼1 s). The limiting oxygen index (LOI) was as high as 32 % and the peak heat release rate (PHRR) was relatively as low as 30.1 W/g. Furthermore, the aerogel also displayed great specific EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of SSE/t (14230 dB cm2 g−1) at 8.2 GHz. Therefore, this PGM aerogel can be a potential candidate in both EMI shielding and fire-warning fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The CagA (cytotoxin-related gene A, CagA) protein is an important factor for the pathogenicity of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Although H. pylori has previously been shown to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, it remains unclear what role CagA plays in this process. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of CagA on NLRP3 activation and how it is linked to gastric cancer cell migration and invasion. Methods: CagA positive H. pylori strain (Hp/CagA+) and CagA gene knockout mutant (Hp/ΔCagA) infected and the pcDNA3.1/CagA plasmid transfected gastric epithelial cell lines, respectively. The morphological alterations of cells under a microscope; the NLRP3 inflammasome-related markers: NLRP3, caspase-1, and ASC protein levels were detected by Western blot, IL-1β and IL-18 levels were determined by ELISA; cell migration and invasion were determined by transwell assay; and the pyroptosis levels and intracellular ROS were determined by flow cytometry analysis. Then, pretreated with 5 mM NAC for 2 h and subsequently transfected with the pcDNA3.1/CagA plasmid for 48 h, the effects of NAC pretreatment on CagA-induced NLRP3 inflammasome-related markers expression and cell pyroptosis were examined, finally assessed the effect of CagA on migration and invasion in NLRP3-silenced cells. Results: We found that Hp/CagA+ strain infection and pcDNA3.1/CagA vector transfection result in NLRP3 inflammasome activation, generation of intracellular ROS, and increased invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells. Moreover, we found that ROS inhibition via NAC effectively blocks NLRP3 activation and pyroptosis. Silencing of NLRP3 reduces the effects of CagA on gastric cancer cell migration and invasion. Conclusion: Our study shows that CagA can promote the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells by activating NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanism of gastric cancer induction by H. pylori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at exploring the effects of combined epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia on the cognitive function and stress responses of elderly patients undergoing liver cancer surgery. One hundred and fifteen elderly patients were enrolled as research subjects. They were admitted to our hospital and underwent liver cancer surgery from August 2017 to May 2019. Fifty five cases were treated with general anesthesia (GA) (GA group), while the other sixty cases were treated with combined epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia (joint group). Scoring standards of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used to evaluate the patients before and after operation. Their operating time, total fluid input (TFI), spontaneous breathing recovery time (SBRT), preoperative and postoperative indices of stress responses (epinephrine (EPI), cortisol (Cor), and norepinephrine (NE)), and postoperative adverse reactions were observed. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to anesthesia time, TFI, postoperative SBRT, and postoperative directional recovery time (DRT) (c P < 0.05). There was no difference in operating time, total fluid loss (TFL), and hospitalization time (P > 0.05). After operation, patients in both groups experienced a cognitive decline of different degrees and the MMSE scores decreased. There was no significant difference in the score between the two groups before operation and 3 days and 7 days after operation (P > 0.05). The score was significantly better in the joint group than that in the GA group at 6 hours and 1 day after operation (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in levels of EPI, Cor, and NE between the two groups before operation (P > 0.05), but there were significant differences after operation. The total incidence of postoperative adverse reactions was 11.67% in the joint group and 25.45% in the GA group. In conclusion, combined epidural anesthesia and general anesthesia can significantly reduce postoperative cognitive dysfunction and inhibit postoperative stress responses in elderly patients undergoing liver cancer surgery. It has good application value in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the integrated navigation system using extended Kalman filter (EKF), the state error conventionally uses linear approximation to tackle the commonly nonlinear problem. However, this error definition can diverge the filter in some adverse situations due to significant distortion of the linear approximation. By contrast, the nonlinear state error defined in the Lie group satisfies the autonomous equation, which thus has distinctively better convergence property. This work proposes a novel strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) nonlinear state error defined in the Lie group and derives the SINS equations of the Lie group EKF (LG-EKF) for the MIMU/GNSS/magnetometer integrated navigation system. The corresponding measurement equations are also derived. A land vehicle field test has been conducted to evaluate the performance of EKF, ST-EKF (state transformation extended Kalman filter) and LG-EKF, which verifies LG-EKF's superior estimation accuracy of the heading angle as well as the other two horizontal angles (pitch and roll). The LG-EKF proposed in this paper is unlimited in the choice of sensors, which means it can be applied with both high-end and low-end inertial sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A mitigating crosstalk method is proposed by simultaneously propagating a probe beam with a data beam when the multiplexed vortex beam are propagated over a atmosphere turbulence (AT) free space. • A conjugated crosstalk is achieved by the probe beam during the square-law mixture in a photoelectric detector. • The conjugated crosstalk phase can effectively synthesize the crosstalk of data beam induced by AT. • A proof of concept is built to investigate the crosstalk, bit error rate, constellation plot, stability of system, etc. for verifying the feasibility of the proposed concept in practice. To overcome the upcoming famine of channel capacity driven by explosive increases of new applications, optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) carried by a vortex beam has been considered to be a promising candidate for space-division multiplexing (SDM) in a novel physics domain. However, owing to the inescapable disturbance induced by atmosphere turbulence (AT), the performance of OAM-based free-space optical communication (FSOC) is seriously restrained, which can be ascribed to the crosstalk among different OAM modes induced by the distorted helical phase. For promoting the development of OAM-based FSOC, a synthesizing-crosstalk method is proposed for mitigating the AT by coaxially propagating an OAM-probe beam (OPB), wherein the OAM mode of the extra OPB is identical to the OAM mode of the propagated OAM-data beam (ODB). The corresponding theory analysis of the proposed method demonstrates that the conjugated distortion of the crosstalk can be generated by a hybrid of the OPB and the ODB in a photoelectric receiver/detector (PD/PR). The generated conjugate distortion of the OPB can effectively counteract the crosstalk of ODB induced by the turbulence. To verify the feasibility of the proposed scheme, an experimental setup is built. The measured results demonstrate that the bit error rate (BER) and constellation plot (CP) of the employed two OAM channels can be significantly improved under different atmosphere turbulence (AT) by utilizing the proposed scheme. A continuous 30 min-long-BER-testing results depict that the proposed concept can stably work well. The proposed concept can be also suitable for multiplexing other OAM modes as well as the employed two OAM channels. Besides, with the increase of data speed, the proposed scheme can also effectively mitigate the crosstalk and improving the system performance. Consequently, the proposed concept is valid and feasible both in theory and practice, which can be used for compensating the distorted helical phase and improving the system performance of an OAM-based FSOC in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) have been extensively studied to enhance communication capacity and spectral efficiency by supporting orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes. However, the structural fragility resulting from the central air hole in PCFs undermines the fiber's roundness. We introduce a hybrid PCF that replaces the central air hole with a material with a high refractive index. This innovation not only enhances the fiber's structural strength but also introduces an additional communication channel. Furthermore, this method increases the amount of OAM modes supported for transmission in the ring. Numerical results demonstrate that significant differences in refractive indices exist between adjacent vector modes, with high mode quality (ranging from 74.6% to 97.6%) and a small effective mode area (ranging from 23.5 to 59.5 μm2). The proposed hybrid PCF can transmit 20 OAM modes in the inner core and 54 OAM modes in the outer ring. The spacing between the two layers of air holes has a minimal impact on the effective mode area and mode quality. However, the effective mode area decreases and the mode quality increases with the enlargement of the diameter of air holes. In addition, a decrease in doping concentration results in lower mode quality and a larger effective mode area. Moreover, the proposed hybrid PCF can be employed in OAM-based mode division multiplexing for high-capacity short-range fiber optic communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystalline porous covalent frameworks (COFs) have been considered as a platform for uranium extraction from seawater and nuclear waste. However, the role of rigid skeleton and atomically precise structures of COFs is often ignored in the design of defined binding configuration. Here, a COF with an optimized relative position of two bidentate ligands realizes full potential in uranium extraction. Compared with the para-chelating groups, the optimized ortho-chelating groups with oriented adjacent phenolic hydroxyl groups on the rigid skeleton endow an additional uranyl binding site, thereby increasing the total number of binding sites up to 150%. Experimental and theoretical results indicate that the uranyl capture is greatly improved via the energetically favored multi-site configuration and the adsorption capacity reaches up to 640 mg g−1, which exceeds that of most reported COF-based adsorbents with chemical coordination mechanism in uranium aqueous solution. This ligand engineering strategy can efficiently advance the fundamental understanding of designing the sorbent systems for extraction and remediation technology. [Display omitted] • The COFs were used as bio-inspired folded scaffold structure to regulate the configuration of chelating groups. • The COFs with different configurations were synthesized by introducing isomeric building units. • The optimized configuration provides more UO 2 2+ binding sites without redundant chelating groups introduced. • 2,3-DhaTat-COF achieved high uranium adsorption capacity of 640 mg∙g−1 and short adsorption equilibrium time. • Selectivity for capturing uranium from nuclear wastewater and seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether the resistive switching (RS) behavior can be triggered in macroscopic level or not is still decade-long controversy because the mobile ion migration is extremely limited in such level. To demonstrate this point, ultra-long hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite halide (HOIPH; CH 3 NH 3 PbI x Cl 3-x) single nanowire is deliberately synthesized by three-steps: heating, vacuuming, and exposing to air atmosphere. A typical bipolar RS behavior with resistance ON/OFF ratio of >105 is observed in the HOIPH-based memristor. The MAPbI 3 -type perovskite crystal, I−, PbI 3 − and MA+ surrounded by the transition phase crystal to form the ultra-long HOIPH nanowire is verified by the HR-TEM observation. The observed RS memory behavior is ascribed to the ion long-distance migration in the transition phase. The Joule heat-based sublimation leads to the HOIPH structure collapse and then causes the RS invalidation. We disclose a novel RS memory mechanism that involves the ion abnormal migration in transition phase CH 3 NH 3 PbI x Cl 3-x ultralong single nanowire. This work provides a deep comprehension on the HOIPH system in various nanoscale electronic devices. [Display omitted] • CH 3 NH 3 PbI x Cl 3- x single ultralong nanowire is synthesized using three steps. • Bipolar digital-type RS memory behaviors are observed in ultralong nanowires. • Transitional phase-based PbI 3 − migration dynamic is verified by HR-TEM observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is a primary risk factor for gastric cancer. The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is associated with the development and progression of various cancer types such as glioma, leukemia, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Hp infection on the expression of FTO and its roles in gastric cancer. It was found that the expression levels of both FTO mRNA and protein were significantly increased in Hp-infected human gastric mucosal epithelial cells and Mongolian gerbil gastric tissues. The expression of FTO in gastric cancer tissues was higher than that in para-cancer tissues. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas demonstrated that FTO expression in gastric cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. Patient survival rate was significantly decreased in patients with high expression levels of FTO. It was also demonstrated that FTO expression was associated with several pathological parameters, such as tumor stage, metastasis stage and the American Joint Committee on Cancer stage. The FTO gene was positively correlated with 16,601 genes in gastric cancer and negatively correlated with 3,623 genes. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis demonstrated that FTO was significantly enriched in the regulation of gene expression and oxidative RNA demethylase activity, and it was associated with components such as the RNA N6-methyladenosine methyltransferase complex and nuclear speckle. In addition, knockdown of the FTO gene inhibited the migration and invasion of Hp-infected cells. In conclusion, the data suggests that Hp infection leads to upregulation of the FTO gene, which may be related to patient survival rate, tumor staging and other pathological parameters of patients with gastric cancer. It also suggests that FTO promotes proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of Hp-induced gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]