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[Display omitted] • High-performance SERS MXene-coated Au@Ag NP substrate due to the EM and CM. • Exosomes from only 0.4 mL of plasma were analyzed without additional labeling steps. • Diagnostic and staging accuracy of 96.0 %, 86.6 % for thyroid cancer based on ResNet. Exosomes (EVs), serving as one of the optimal subjects for liquid biopsies, have seen broad applications in diagnosing various diseases, including cancers. In this paper, an efficient method has been proposed for label-free profiling of exosomes in biological samples (e.g., plasma) by a combination of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) on MXene-coated gold@silver core@shell nanoparticle (Au@Ag NP) functionalized substrate and deep learning. Due to the contributions of electromagnetic enhancement (EM) and chemical enhancement (CM) of MXene-coated Au@Ag NP substrate, the as-proposed SERS sensing platform exhibits a dynamic range of 0.5 × 1010 to 2.0 × 1011 EVs mL−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 1.7 × 109 EVs mL−1 (three times standard deviation (3σ) of blank sample). Subsequently, a deep-learning classification algorithm has been developed for extracting the features of EVs from complex Raman spectra by residual neural networks. As a proof of principle, the preliminary validation of our approach is demonstrated by discrimination of thyroid cancer patients from healthy controls with diagnostic accuracy of 96.0 %, and staging of the cancer patients with accuracy of 86.6 %, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• EPO was recommended for sunlight correction. • Results support use of hand-held NIRS with varying sunlight. • Results support use of hand-held NIRS estimation of optimal harvest date. The models for hand-held near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) instrument calibrated in the laboratory are prone to failure during orchard application because of measurement conditions change especially on sunlight interference. The models transfer from lab to orchard for assessment of soluble solids content (SSC) of navel orange on tree was investigated with consideration of sunlight influence to the fruit spectra. Chemometrics methods of global model, external parameter orthogonalization (EPO) and generalized least square weighting (GLSW) were attempted to correct the influence of the sunlight. Comparison of global model, both EPO and GLSW improved the predictive ability of partial least square regression (PLSR) models. With few corrected samples requirement, EPO was recommended and validated in predicting the samples in the different harvest date and blocks. The best results of coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.73 and 0.90, root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) 0.85 and 0.63 % and ratio of standard deviation (SD) to RMSEP of 1.94 and 3.27 in predicting the samples in days after full bloom (DAFB) 237 (block A) and 164 (block B) were obtained. The best model corrected by EPO method was also adopted to estimate the optimal harvest date with a good consistency with destructive analysis. The results suggested that EPO correction aided the model transfer from lab to orchard was feasible for assessment of SSC of navel orange on tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MapReduce is a popular paradigm in distributed computing, but it is not efficient when executing iterative algorithms over a distributed big dataset due to its heavy data communication overhead. Non-MapReduce computing is an alternative for improving computing efficiency and data scalability when using iterative algorithms to process big distributed datasets on clusters. In this paper, we investigate Non-MapReduce approach in distributed computing and use Spark implementations of machine learning algorithms to discuss the problems of MapReduce in executing iterative algorithms over a big distributed dataset and the advantages of Non-MapReduce for the same tasks. We present a method to build a new machine learning library made of sequential algorithms for distributed computing. We use experiment results to show comparisons of computing efficiency and data scalability of MapReduce and Non-MapReduce in executing six machine learning algorithms over big datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are attractive biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and treatment, while it is still a challenge to precise analysis of MMP activities owing to their very low abundance in the biological samples, especially at the early stages of tumors. Herein, a peptide microarray-based metal-enhanced fluorescence assay (PMMEFA) is proposed to simultaneously detect MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -9, and -13 activities. The assay involves immobilization of Förster resonance energy transfer dye pair decorated peptides (FRET-peptides) on a poly(glycidyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) coated gold nanorod modified glass slide (GNR@P(GMA-HEMA)). To fabricate the GNR@P(GMA-HEMA) slide, GNRs are self-assembled onto an aminated glass slide, and a polymer brush (P(GMA-HEMA)) is grown through a surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization reaction (SI-ATRP). Upon the addition of MMPs, the FRET pairs are broken due to the specific cleavage of FRET-peptides by enzymes, resulting in the recovery of fluorescence signals and further enhancement by the MEF of GNRs. The fluorescence recovery degree provides a direct indicator for MMP activity. The PMMEFA exhibits excellent sensitivity, which enables to detect MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -9, and -13 activities, with low limits of detection (LODs) of 1.7 fg mL−1, 0.3 fg mL−1, 2.0 fg mL−1, 1.8 fg mL−1, 2.2 fg mL−1 and 14.0 fg mL−1, respectively. To substantiate the practicability of PMMEFA, MMP activities were measured in a range of matrices, encompassing cell culture medium, serum, and tumor tissue homogenate, and MMP activities can be detected only in 0.15 μL serum and 0.025 mg tumor tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-yielding dairy cows in early lactation often encounter difficulties in meeting the energy requirements essential for maintaining milk production. This is primarily attributed to insufficient dry matter intake, which consequently leads to sustained lipolysis of adipose tissue. Fatty acids released by lipolysis can disrupt metabolic homeostasis. Autophagy, an adaptive response to intracellular environmental changes, is considered a crucial mechanism for regulating lipid metabolism and maintaining a proper cellular energy status. Despite its close relationship with aberrant lipid metabolism and cytolipotoxicity in animal models of metabolic disorders, the precise function of diacylglycerol o-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) in bovine adipose tissue during periods of negative energy balance is not fully understood, particularly regarding its involvement in lipolysis and autophagy. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of DGAT1 on both lipolysis and autophagy in bovine adipose tissue and isolated adipocytes. Adipose tissue and blood samples were collected from cows diagnosed as clinically ketotic (n = 15) or healthy (n = 15) following a veterinary evaluation based on clinical symptoms and serum concentrations of BHB, which were 3.19 m M (interquartile range = 0.20) and 0.50 m M (interquartile range = 0.06), respectively. Protein abundance of DGAT1 and phosphorylation levels of unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1), were greater in adipose tissue from cows with ketosis, whereas phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were lower. Furthermore, when adipocytes isolated from the harvested adipose tissue of 15 healthy cows were transfected with DGAT1 overexpression adenovirus or DGAT1 small interfering RNA followed by exposure to epinephrine (EPI), it led to greater ratios and protein abundance of phosphorylated hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase (LIPE) to total LIPE and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), while inhibiting the protein phosphorylation levels of ULK1, PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. Overexpression of DGAT1 in EPI-treated adipocytes reduced lipolysis and autophagy, whereas silencing DGAT1 further exacerbated EPI-induced lipolysis and autophagy. Taken together, these findings indicate that upregulation of DGAT1 may function as an adaptive response to suppress adipocytes lipolysis, highlighting the significance of maintaining metabolic homeostasis in dairy cows during periods of negative energy balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yttrium oxide is an ideal choice for titanium aluminum alloy melting and casting, its wider use is hindered by sintering challenges and low thermal shock resistance. To address this, we propose a gel casting method for calcium oxide-doped yttrium oxide production. We pretreated yttrium oxide with phosphoric acid to prevented hydrolysis and adjusted the isoelectric point of yttrium oxide to match calcium carbonate's. Anions from calcium carbonate increased slurry solid content (up to 58 vol%) while maintaining low viscosity (57.78 mPa·s at 40 s−1 shear rate). After sintering at 1650 °C for 2 h, the material showed a flexural strength of 78 MPa, with a 90% retention rate after thermal shock test. The introduction of calcium oxide induced lattice distortion, improving mechanical properties by aiding sintering and grain boundary diffusion. XPS and STEM analysis confirmed random replacement of Y3+ by Ca2+ at the C 2 position with 1 wt% doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superhydrophobic surfaces are used in fields such as self-cleaning, anti-corrosion and anti-rust, and electromagnetic shielding because they are not wetted by water droplets. We manipulated the scanning spacing and scanning times of the femtosecond laser to control the surface morphology of alumina ceramics, resulting in the creation of two microstructures: micropillars and microhills. Subsequent heat treatment in an oven at 100 °C for 12 h formed a superhydrophobic surface without additional chemical modification, with a contact angle as high as 171.706°. Experimental results show that the superhydrophobicity of the alumina ceramic surface is due to the micro-nano structure of the ceramic surface under specific laser parameters and the hydroxylation of the alumina ceramic itself combined with organic compounds in the air. In addition, the ceramic still has excellent superhydrophobic properties up to 155° after being left in the air for 35 days and abraded by 800-grit sandpaper for 1 m under a pressure of 2.2kpa. Our work uses a new environmentally friendly method to make alumina ceramic surfaces both wear-resistant and superhydrophobic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a facile and scalable method to synthesize Pt/C catalysts with high Pt loading (10–30 wt.%) using sodium polyacrylate resin (PAANa) as a multifunctional agent. PAANa can absorb H 2 PtCl 6 solution and form a gel, which can be converted into Pt/C catalysts by pyrolysis. PAANa acts as a water absorber, a Pt stabilizer, and a carbon precursor. The optimized catalyst, pyrolyzed at 800 °C with a 20 wt.% Pt loading, demonstrates Pt nanoparticles measuring 3.5 nm in size. It exhibits excellent stability and achieves a low overpotential of 43 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for the hydrogen evolution in alkaline media. The enhanced catalytic activity is due to the combined influence of the nanoscale Pt particles, the higher degree of graphitization, and the porous carbon substrate with a large surface area. We also demonstrate the scalability of the method by producing 100 g of the catalyst in the laboratory. [Display omitted] • Using PAANa as a multifunctional agent solves challenge of synthesizing high Pt loading Pt/C. • Pt/C catalyst demonstrates excellent performance with low overpotential and high stability. • Scalable method enables synthesis of Pt/C (100 g) for potential industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of RE(OH)SO 4 layered compounds (RE = La–Tb lanthanides) were successfully synthesized via hydrothermal reaction under near-neutral solution pH and the mild temperature of 180 °C for 24 h, and the temperature/pH/time courses of phase/morphology evolution were clarified with RE = Tb for example. The compounds were characterized in detail for crystallite morphology, crystal structure, thermal behavior and vibrational property, and the intrinsic influence of lanthanide contraction was unveiled. Tb(OH)SO 4 was analyzed to be isostructural with its La–Gd analogues (CN = 9 for Tb), instead of the reportedly Dy–Yb ones (CN = 8), and have parameters of a = 4.3806 Å, b = 12.1729 Å, c = 6.7674 Å and β = 106.3967° for its monoclinic unit cell (P 2 1 / n space group). The Eu and Tb compounds exhibited red (λ ex = 395 nm, λ em = 616 nm) and green (λ ex = 369 nm, λ em = 545 nm) emissions, and have fluorescence lifetimes of ∼0.84 and 1.07 ms and chromaticity coordinates of around (0.632, 0.365) and (0.295, 0.481), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of high-power laser-driven lighting is limited by the insufficient heat dissipation of phosphor converters and the poor color quality of white light. In this study, the Al 2 O 3 (Gd,Ce) 3 (Al,Ga) 5 O 12 (Al 2 O 3 GAGG:Ce) composite ceramics were designed to improve thermal performance of phosphors, while maintaining excellent color rendering under high-power laser excitation. Dense composite ceramics were fabricated by pre-sintering at 1600 °C in air followed by HIP at 1700 °C through the investigation of the phase evolution and sintering process. The emission spectrum of GAGG:Ce shows a red shift of 31 nm and a high full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 128 nm. Meanwhile, the thermal conductivity was increased to 13.2 W·m−1K−1 by addition of Al 2 O 3 , which is 72% higher than that of single-phase GAGG:Ce ceramic. Therefore, warm white light with high color rendering index (CRI) of 71.4 and low correlated color temperature (CCT) of 4352 K was attained under excitation of high-power LDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum nitride (AlN) ceramics possess exceptional comprehensive properties in terms of thermal, electrical, and mechanical aspects. The joining of AlN ceramics with metals enables the full exploitation of the advantages offered by AlN ceramics. Brazing is the most employed method for joining AlN ceramics with metals. However, brazing AlN ceramics to metals is challenging due to the differences in chemical bonding and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between these two materials. This review provides a summary of methods that enhance the wettability and alleviate the residual stress of active metal brazing (AMB) AlN/metal joints. Additionally, it discusses the causes of residual stress and various methods to detect and evaluate the magnitude and distribution of residual stress, with a focus on finite element method (FEM). Finally, it identifies the existing challenges and future directions for further enhancing the wettability and reliability of AMB AlN/metal joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By pre-treating and component design of the ceramic powders, cubic (Lu,Gd) 2 O 3 :Eu solid-solution ceramics with high optical quality were achieved by the solid-state reaction method combined with vacuum sintering. The effects of Gd3+ doping (x = 0.05–0.6) on powder characteristics, phase compositions, microstructures and optical performances of the (Lu 0.95- x Gd x Eu 0.05) 2 O 3 ceramics were systematically investigated to obtain the optimum Gd3+ content. The results indicated that the incorporation of moderate amounts of Gd3+ (5–50 mol%) effectively promoted mass diffusion and grain growth during sintering. The 50 mol% Gd3+-doped Lu 2 O 3 :Eu transparent ceramic (using the powder calcined at 1200 °C) sintered at 1750 °C for 5 h exhibited the optimum transmittance of 77.0 % in the visible spectral region (∼1 mm in thickness), which was significantly higher than the reported transmittance of vacuum sintered (Lu,Gd) 2 O 3 :Eu ceramics (less than 65.0 %). Owing to the lower electronegativity of Gd3+ relative to Lu3+, the bandgap energies of the final ceramics decreased gradually with increasing Gd3+ substitution, and the redshift of the CTB centre was observed with more Gd3+ addition. Under CTB excitation, the incorporation of Gd3+ enhanced the red emission intensity and shortened the fluorescence lifetime. • Highly transparent (Lu,Gd) 2 O 3 :Eu ceramics were achieved by pre-treating and component design of ceramic powders. • Gd3+ doping promotes mass diffusion and grain growth during sintering. • The (Lu 0.45 Gd 0.5 Eu 0.05) 2 O 3 ceramic exhibits the transmittance of 77.0 % in the visible range. • Incorporation of Gd3+ results in enhanced luminescence intensity and shortened lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]