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Dopamine antagonists, 5-HT 3 antagonists, and dexamethasone are frequently used in obstetrics to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). However, the superiority of any drug class is yet to be established. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of these antiemetics for PONV prophylaxis in women receiving neuraxial morphine for Caesarean delivery. We searched PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Wanfang Data for eligible randomised controlled trials. Primary outcomes were the incidences of postoperative nausea (PON) and postoperative vomiting (POV) within 24 h after surgery. We used a Bayesian random-effects model and calculated odds ratios with 95% credible intervals for dichotomous data. We performed sensitivity and subgroup analyses for primary outcomes. A total of 33 studies with 4238 women were included. In the primary analyses of all women, 5-HT 3 antagonists, dopamine antagonists, dexamethasone, and 5-HT 3 antagonists plus dexamethasone significantly reduced PON and POV compared with placebo, and 5-HT 3 antagonists plus dexamethasone were more effective than monotherapy. In the subgroup analyses, similar results were seen in women receiving epidural morphine or intrathecal morphine alone but not in women receiving intrathecal morphine with fentanyl or sufentanil. However, most included studies had some concerns or a high risk of bias, and the overall certainty of the evidence was low or very low. Combined 5-HT 3 antagonists plus dexamethasone are more effective than monotherapy in preventing PONV associated with neuraxial morphine after Caesarean delivery. Future studies are needed to determine the role of prophylactic antiemetics in women receiving intrathecal morphine and lipophilic opioids. PROSPERO CRD42023454602. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An ultra-sensitive temperature sensor is demonstrated by using an FBG and a microfiber MZI. • The FBG and MZI respectively work as a rough and a precise measurement tool. • The MZI working at DTP obtained an ultra-high sensitivity of 38 nm/°C. • The temperature measurement resolution of the MZI working at DTP is 0.0003 °C. • The measurement range is enlarged from 2 °C to 36 °C by using FBG. We proposed an ultra-sensitive seawater temperature sensor with extended measurement range by using an optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) cascaded with a microfiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) working at dispersion turning point (DTP). The FBG works as a rough temperature measurement tool, while the ultra-sensitive polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-packaged microfiber MZI plays the role of a precise measurement tool. The cooperation of these two measurement tools can realize temperature measurement with ultrahigh sensitivity and extended measurement range by using a single compact sensing structure. The proposed structure can solve the trade-off between ultrahigh sensitivity and large range of the microfiber MZI resulting from the periodic optical spectrum. A temperature sensitivity of about 38 nm/°C in the seawater temperature measurement range of 2.28–38.38 °C is obtained by the FBG-cascaded microfiber MZI which works at DTP. The corresponding temperature measurement resolution is estimated to be 0.0005 °C when the resolution of the interrogation device is 0.01 nm, which is better than that of the commercial electronic seawater temperature sensor. The temperature measurement range of the MZI can be enlarged from around 2 °C to about 36 °C with the aid of an FBG. Besides ultrahigh sensitivity and extended measurement range, the seawater temperature sensor has advantages of compact structure, easy fabrication, economical cost, low loss, making it promising in ocean monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Electric field intensity of multilayer of GNPs coupled with gold film was studied. • The RI sensitivity of the double-layer gold nanospheres sensor was 15747 nm/RIU. • The RI sensitivity of the double-layer gold nanorods sensor was 25642 nm/RIU. • The LOD of double-layer gold nanospheres biosensor is 10 ng/mL. • The LOD of double-layer gold nanorods biosensor is 4.6 ng/mL. The main challenge for all biosensors is how to measure the biological samples at very low concentrations. In this paper, a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) fiber biosensor using multi-layer gold nanoparticles (Au NPs)/Au film coupling to enhance sensitivity was proposed. The coupling effect between such longitudinally aligned multilayer nanoparticles increases the intensity of the local electromagnetic field and the depth of propagation to the outside. We used the finite element method to analyze the local enhancement effect of multi-layer Au nanospheres and Au nanorods, and the fabricated double-layer Au NPs (Au nanospheres and Au nanorods)/Au film coupling enhancement sensors. These two sensors' refractive index sensitivities are 15,747 nm/RIU and 25,642 nm/RIU, respectively. By changing biomolecules immobilized on the sensor's surface, the highly sensitive double-layer Au nanoparticle/Au film fiber sensor enables high-precision measurement of different biomarkers at low concentration. For detection of human IgG, the detection limit of gold nanosphere sensor is 10 ng/mL and gold nanorod sensor is 4.6 ng/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Networks are a general language for describing complex systems of interacting entities. In the real world, a network always contains massive nodes, edges and additional complex information which leads to high complexity in computing and analyzing tasks. Network embedding aims at transforming one network into a low dimensional vector space which benefits the downstream network analysis tasks. In this survey, we provide a systematic overview of network embedding techniques in addressing challenges appearing in networks. We first introduce concepts and challenges in network embedding. Afterwards, we categorize network embedding methods using three categories, including static homogeneous network embedding methods, static heterogeneous network embedding methods and dynamic network embedding methods. Next, we summarize the datasets and evaluation tasks commonly used in network embedding. Finally, we discuss several future directions in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motifs are regarded as network blocks because motifs can be used to present fundamental patterns in networks. Motif discovery is well applied in various scientific problems, including subgraph mining and graph isomorphism tasks. This paper analyzes and summarizes current motif discovery algorithms in the field of network science with both efficiency and accuracy perspectives. In this paper, we present motif discovery algorithms, including MFinder, FanMod, Grochow, MODA, Kavosh, G-tries, QuateXelero, color-coding approaches, and GPU-based approaches. Based on that, we discuss the real-world applications of the algorithms mentioned above under different scenarios. Since motif discovery algorithms are diffusely demanded in many applications, several challenges may be firstly handled, including high computational complexity, higher order motif discovery, same motif detection, discovering heterogeneous sizes of motifs, as well as motif discovery results visualization. This work sheds light on current research progress and future research orientations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A network is a typical expressive form of representing complex systems in terms of vertices and links, in which the pattern of interactions amongst components of the network is intricate. The network can be static that does not change over time or dynamic that evolves through time. The complication of network analysis is different under the new circumstance of network size explosive increasing. In this paper, we introduce a new network science concept called a big network. A big networks is generally in large-scale with a complicated and higher-order inner structure. This paper proposes a guideline framework that gives an insight into the major topics in the area of network science from the viewpoint of a big network. We first introduce the structural characteristics of big networks from three levels, which are micro-level, meso-level, and macro-level. We then discuss some state-of-the-art advanced topics of big network analysis. Big network models and related approaches, including ranking methods, partition approaches, as well as network embedding algorithms are systematically introduced. Some typical applications in big networks are then reviewed, such as community detection, link prediction, recommendation, etc. Moreover, we also pinpoint some critical open issues that need to be investigated further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An illustrative example of early-stage reciprocity in scientific collaboration. It shows an extreme case that each collaboration increases Ada's h-index, while Bob does not benefit in h-index increasing all the time. We want to explore how such reciprocity in h-index influences the collaboration sustainability in terms of collaboration times, duration, and collaboration index. • A new way of quantitatively measuring scientific collaboration output, h-index reciprocity, is proposed. • Top scientists tend to have a fairer h-index reciprocity collaboration output. • Sustainable collaborations have a fairer h-index reciprocity than transient collaborations. • It is found that fairness brings about sustainable collaborations. Scientific collaboration is of significant importance in tackling grand challenges and breeding innovations. Despite the increasing interest in investigating and promoting scientific collaborations, we know little about the collaboration sustainability as well as mechanisms behind it. In this paper, we set out to study the relationships between early-stage reciprocity and collaboration sustainability. By proposing and defining h-index reciprocity, we give a comprehensive statistical analysis on how reciprocity influences scientific collaboration sustainability, and find that scholars are not altruism and the key to sustainable collaboration is fairness. The unfair h-index reciprocity has an obvious negative impact on collaboration sustainability. The bigger the reciprocity difference, the less sustainable in collaboration. This work facilitates understanding sustainable collaborations and thus will benefit both individual scholar in optimizing collaboration strategies and the whole academic society in improving teamwork efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The clinical presentations and MRI of six patients with general paresis due to neurosyphilis were reviewed. Diagnosis was based on neurological and psychiatric symptoms, positive Treponema pallidum hemagglutination in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sera, and serology that was negative for human immunodeficiency virus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Most patients had lymphocytic, monocytic pleocytosis and high protein levels in their CSF. One patient had periodic lateral epileptiform discharges, one patient had epileptiform discharges and three patients had slowing of background activity on electroencephalography. Two patients had hyperintense signal abnormalities in the anterior and mesial temporal lobe, while four patients were found by MRI to have cerebral atrophy. Three patients developed white matter lesions. Therefore, clinical, electroencephalography and MRI findings are valuable in the diagnosis of general paresis of neurosyphilis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Ultra-sensitive RI measurement in large range is realized by an optical fiber sensing system. • An ultra-high sensitivity of 44271 nm/RIU is achieved by the microfiber MZI with DTP. • Measurement range of the microfiber MZI is expanded by using a SMF-PCF-SMF MZI. • The sensing scheme solves the trade-off between high sensitivity and large measurement range. A dual-channel optical fiber sensing system for refractive index (RI) measurement with ultra-high sensitivity and large measurement range is proposed and demonstrated by combining a rough measurement sensor and a precise measurement sensor. One sensing channel consists of an optical microfiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI), which works as a RI precise measurement sensor. The microfiber MZI is fabricated on a single mode fiber (SMF) by using a two-step tapering method. The microfiber MZI operating around dispersion turning point (DTP) shows an ultra-high sensitivity of up to 44271 nm/RIU, however, its measurement range is limited to be only 0.0015 owing to the periodic interference spectrum. The other sensing channel contains an SMF-photonic crystal fiber (PCF)-SMF MZI, which works as a RI rough measurement sensor. RI sensitivity of the SMF-PCF-SMF MZI is 143.67 nm/RIU in 1.3317–1.3710. RI measurement range of the microfiber MZI is expanded by firstly read a rough RI value from the SMF-PCF-SMF MZI and then determine the observation window of the interference spectrum of the microfiber MZI. This proposed sensing scheme solves the trade-off between high sensitivity and large measurement range caused by the periodic interference spectrum, and it is promising in liquid RI-related sensing fields with high requirements of both sensitivity and measurement range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data Mining and Information Retrieval is an emerging interdisciplinary discipline dealing with Information Retrieval and Data Mining techniques. It has undergone rapid development with the advances in mathematics, statistics, information science, and computer science. In this paper, we present an empirical analysis of publication metadata obtained from 6 top-tier journals and 9 conferences for the first 16 years of the 21st Century, and evaluate the dynamic characteristics of Data Mining and Information Retrieval. We find a steady growth both in terms of productivity and impact, evidenced by the unabated number of publications/citations over the period of study. We note that the modality for co-operation in this field is changing from independent to collaborative. Furthermore, according to the citation pattern, the field is becoming open-minded as illustrated by a gradual decline of self-citation rates, which was dropped to 10% in 2015, nearly three times lower than what it was in 2000. Finally, we explore the inner structure relying on the topics evolution from the aspects of popular keywords/topics identification and evolution. Overall, this study provides insights of Data Mining and Information Retrieval behind its demonstrated growth in the recent past, with the ultimate goal of revealing its potential of driving scientific innovation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science of science has become a popular topic that attracts great attentions from the research community. The development of data analytics technologies and the readily available scholarly data enable the exploration of data-driven prediction, which plays a pivotal role in finding the trend of scientific impact. In this paper, we analyse methods and applications in data-driven prediction in the science of science, and discuss their significance. First, we introduce the background and review the current state of the science of science. Second, we review data-driven prediction based on paper citation count, and investigate research issues in this area. Then, we discuss methods to predict scholar impact, and we analyse different approaches to promote the scholarly collaboration in the collaboration network. This paper also discusses open issues and existing challenges, and suggests potential research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A miniature and highly sensitive optic fiber temperature sensor using a PDMS-filled air-microbubble Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometer (PAFPI) in a hollow-core fiber (HCF) is proposed. The sensor is fabricated by fusion splicing a single mode fiber (SMF) with a HCF, which is filled with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by capillary effect, to form an air microbubble cavity. As far as we know, this is the first time that PDMS is applied to fill the hollow core fiber. There are three main reflected surfaces in the PAFPI sensor, and the superimposed interference spectrum of double FPI (a thin FPI and a thick FPI) is formed. Hence, the proposed sensor combines two advantages that are the large free spectral range (FSR) of the thin FPI and the high resolution of the thick FPI, which improve the resolution of spectral demodulation while ensuring a large dynamic range. Experimental results show that the sensor has the high temperature sensitivity of 2.7035 nm/℃ with a high linear response (R-square: 0.9962) in the range of 51.2–70.5 ℃, which is almost three orders larger than that of the conventional all-fiber air-cavity FP temperature sensors (about 10 pm/℃). The stability experiment is also carried out, and the maximal variations of the wavelength shift and the extinction ratio of the interference fringes are 20.3 pm and 0.1262 dB, respectively, for a long-term testing. Therefore, it may be applied to the surrounding temperature sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ⚫Peptide α-connexin carboxyl terminal peptide (ACT1) protects graft livers during cold storage by steadying cell junctions. • ⚫ACT1 reduces hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury following transplantation. • ⚫ACT1 inhibits acute and chronic inflammation after transplantation. • ⚫The effect of ACT1 on cell junctions is long term. Ischemia-reperfusion injury is an inevitable process that the liver must go through after liver transplantation. Because of the worldwide shortage of grafts, reliable intervention strategies should be explored to protect grafts. α-Connexin carboxyl terminal peptide (ACT1), which is a synthetic peptide containing 25 amino acids, has the effect of stabilizing cell junctions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of ACT1 on ischemia-reperfusion injury after liver transplantation in mice. Experimental results showed that injury to livers that underwent extended cold preservation was reduced by ACT1. After 6 hours of reperfusion, ACT1-treated livers showed less necrosis and acute inflammation and the cell junctions were strengthened. Moreover, after 28 days of reperfusion, the application of ACT1 distinctly alleviated hepatic damage and later cholangiopathy as well as conspicuously consolidated the cell junctions. This study indicated that ACT1 produced affirmative effects in suppressing hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in liver transplantation with extended cold preservation in mice by protecting cell junctions and may be a potential strategy to extend the cold preservation time of grafts for liver transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SCR catalysts V 2 O 5 –WO 3 –TiO 2 (VWT) with various V 2 O 5 content (0–5 wt.%) were prepared by impregnation method in this work. Crystalline structures of the synthesized powder were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction. Different VWT catalysts were used as sensing materials to prepare mixed potential ammonia sensors based on 5YSZ (ZrO 2 doped 5 mol% Y 2 O 3 ) solid electrolyte. The sensing electrodes were characterized by XRD and environmental scanning electron microscopy. NH 3 sensitivity was tested at 550 °C for the sensors with different V 2 O 5 content sensing electrodes. With the increment of V-content, the slope of semi-logarithmic characteristic curves increased but began to fall when V-content was more than 2 wt.%. High-contented V 2 O 5 promoted anatase TiO 2 grains growing up to be rod-shaped and block-shaped morphology in sintering, leading to the reduction of specific surface area. The decreased dispersion of V 2 O 5 , resulting from the growing up of the carrier TiO 2 , was responsible for the reduced activity of sensing electrode catalytic. The suitable content of V 2 O 5 in VWT catalysts for NH 3 sensors is 1–2 wt.% based on various factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huntington disease is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder that arises from an expanded polyglutamine region in theNterminus of the HD gene product, huntingtin. Protein inclusions comprised of N-terminal fragments of mutant huntingtin are a characteristic feature of disease, though are likely to play a protective role rather than a causative one in neurodegeneration. Soluble oligomeric assemblies of huntingtin formed early in the aggregation process are candidate toxic species in HD. In the present study, we established an in vitro system to generate recombinant huntingtin in mammalian cells. Using both denaturing and native gel analysis, we have identified novel oligomeric forms of mammalian-derived expanded huntingtin exon-1 N-terminal fragment. These species are transient and were not previously detected using bacterially expressed exon-1 protein. Importantly, these species are recognized by 3B5H10, an antibody that recognizes a two-stranded hairpin conformation of expanded polyglutamine believed to be associated with a toxic form of huntingtin. Interestingly, comparable oligomeric species were not observed for expanded huntingtin shortstop, a 117-amino acid fragment of huntingtin shown previously in mammalian cell lines and transgenic mice, and here in primary cortical neurons, to be non-toxic. Further, we demonstrate that expanded huntingtin shortstop has a reduced ability to form amyloid-like fibrils characteristic of the aggregation pathway for toxic expanded polyglutamine proteins. Taken together, these data provide a possible candidate toxic species in HD. In addition, these studies demonstrate the fundamental differ in early aggregation events between mutant huntingtin exon-1 and shortstop proteins that may underlie the differences in toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterococcus faecalis , a severe nosocomial and community opportunistic pathogen, is difficult to control due to its multidrug resistance. Through heredity and the recombination of intrinsic resistance genes and horizontally acquired resistance genes, E. faecalis can rapidly evolve drug resistance. Nisin, an important antimicrobial peptide, is extensively employed in the healthcare and food industries to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria and may induce the emergence of nisin-resistant bacteria worldwide. However, the mechanism governing nisin resistance in E. faecalis has not been fully elucidated. This study utilizes transposon insertion sequencing (TIS) to comprehensively explore novel genes related to nisin resistance. According to the analysis of TIS results, hundreds of genes appear to be essential for nisin resistance in E. faecalis. The phosphate transport system (OG1RF_10018−10021, named PTS), which is screened by TIS results, enhances the resistance of E. faecalis to nisin, the mechanism of which may be involved in potA and/or OG1RF_10526 (hypothetical gene). Meanwhile, PTS also strongly represses the biosynthesis of ribosomes to increase the sensitivity of E. faecalis to gentamycin. In addition, the overexpression of PTS increases the sensitivity of E. faecalis to daptomycin, the mechanism of which is independent of the LiaFSR system. This study first demonstrated that E. faecalis utilizes PTS to mediate the resistance to multidrug, which may help to elucidate the mechanism governing drug resistance and to establish guidelines for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by E. faecalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Both HF-NMR and LF-NMR methods were used to analyze edible bird's nests. • Forty-one components were identified and quantified and the nutrients were analyzed. • The geographical markers of each origin were accurately identified by using pattern recognition. • Adulteration was effectively identified through the LF-NMR method. Edible bird's nest (EBN) is a high-value health food with various nutrients and bioactive components. With increasing demand for EBN, they are often adulterated with cheaper ingredients or falsely labeled by the origin information, thus harming consumer interests. In this study, high- and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (HF/LF-NMR) technology combined with multivariate statistical analysis was used to identify the geographical marker of EBN from different origins and authenticate the adulterated EBN with various adulterants at different adulteration rates. Authentic EBN samples from Malaysia were used to simulate adulteration using gelatin (GL), agar (AG) and starch (ST) at 10 %, 20 %, 40 %, 60 %, 80 %, and 100 % w/w, respectively. The results showed significant differences in composition among EBN from different origins, with isocaproate and citric acid serving as geographical markers for Malaysia and Vietnam, respectively. Leucine, glutamic acid, and N-acetylglycoprotein serving as geographical markers for Indonesia. In addition, PLS model further verified the accuracy of origin identification of EBN. The LF-NMR results of adulteration EBN showed a linear correlation between the transverse relaxation (T 2 , S 2) and the adulterated ratio. The OPLS-DA based on T 2 spectra could accurately identify authentic EBN from adulterated with GL, AG and ST at 40 %, 20 %, and 20 %, respectively. Fisher discrimination model was able to differentiate at 20 %, 20 %, and 40 %, respectively. These results show that the 1H NMR combined with multivariate statistical analysis method could be a potential tool for the detection of origin and adulteration of EBN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, superlens realized by a two-dimensional (2D) triangular lattices graded photonic crystal (GPC) was studied. The graded photonic crystal (GPC) was obtained by varying the radius in each row so that its effective refractive index changes along the transverse direction. Plane wave expansion (PWE) method and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) were adopted to show that negative refraction and superlens can be realized in the designed graded photonic crystal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology has effectively bolstered optic fiber sensing in fields of life science, clinical diagnosis, medicine, food safety and so on. The current review outlines the research status of fiber optic biosensor based on SPR, and the merits of optical fiber sensor and the development of optical fiber sensor based on SPR are completely covered. An in-depth review of four devices for generating SPR is presented, and optical fiber is finally adopted for a substrate to generate SPR. Different prototypes of optical fiber biosensor based on SPR are meticulously outlined: optical fiber grating biosensor based on SPR and optical fiber structured type biosensor based on SPR, and representative instances from literature are presented to verify the latest advancements in this potentially valuable research avenue. In addition, the sensing performance of different optical fiber structured type biosensor based on SPR are compared. What's more, simultaneous multi-parameter detection and improvement of sensitivity are discussed and summarized. The article concludes identify key challenges and develop orientation of optical fiber biosensor based on SPR. • This paper reviews the research status of fiber optic biosensors based on SPR. • Firstly, the SPR generation methods are systematically summarized. • The fiber grating biosensor and the optical fiber biosensor which can produce SPR effect are analyzed. • The double or multi-parameter measurement of SPR-based optical fiber biosensor is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene can be utilized in designing tunable photonic devices due to its unique properties such as high optical transparency and tunable conductivity. In this paper, a tunable triple-band perfect absorber is designed and numerically demonstrated, which is composed of a stacked graphene nanodisk, L-shape graphene layer and a gold ground plane spaced by insulator layers. The results show that there are three higher than 99% absorption peaks in the infrared range with a wide incident angle range up to 50°, and the absorber is insensitive for TE and TM polarized incident light. Moreover, the perfect absorption peak wavelength can be tuned by changing Fermi levels or geometric parameters of graphene layers. The findings above indicate that the designed perfect absorber can be used in the field of photodetectors, thermal emitters and photovoltaics. Image 105556 As shown in the Figure (a) the tunable triple-band perfect absorber which is composed of a stacked graphene nanodisk, L-shape graphene layer and a gold ground plane spaced by insulator layers and the absorption can be significantly enhanced due to the SPPs in graphene layers. Absorption spectra for the structure shown in Figure. (b) (black solid line), the structure without an array of L-shaped graphene (yellow dashed line), and the structure without an array of graphene nanodisks (red dashed line). Figure (c) shows absorption spectra for TE wave with different incident angles θ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NiFe 2 O 4 was synthesized using sol-gel method for sensing electrode material of YSZ based ammonia sensor. NiFe 2 O 4 -SEs sintered at 1100 °C, 1150 °C and 1200 °C were characterized by XRD, the BET method and ESEM. By testing the NH 3 response of different sensors at 650 °C, it was observed that the 1150 °C sintered sensor had the largest response value (−104.3 mV for 320 ppm NH 3) and the highest sensitivity (−77.56 mV/decade), which were related to the most TPB sites and the moderate gas phase catalytic reaction. The response values of the sensor varied almost linearly with the logarithm of 20–320 ppm NH 3 at 600–750 °C, which was consistent with mixed-potential mechanism testified by polarization and EIS tests. When the oxygen concentration was at 7–10 vol %, its effect on the response value was within 3%. When the water vapor concentration was 3, 6 and 9 vol %, the ammonia response value was 95.1%, 92.9% and 88.7% of the values when there was no water vapor, respectively. The sensor showed very weak cross sensitivities to NO x , but non-negligible SO 2 cross sensitivity. It also displayed slight signal drifts in weekly tests in eight weeks, which showed that the sensor attached with NiFe 2 O 4 -SE has a good long-term stability. Image 1 • NiFe 2 O 4 was firstly used as sensing electrode of potentiometric NH 3 sensor based on the proposed novel concept. • NH 3 sensor based on NiFe 2 O 4 -SE exhibits good selectivity and long term stability. • NiFe 2 O 4 material has a good application prospect for NH 3 detection in diesel vehicle exhaust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A spinel-type metal oxide NiFe 2 O 4 prepared by solid state synthesis was utilized as sensing electrode on a YSZ (yttria stabilization zirconia) based mixed potential NO 2 sensor. NO 2 sensing performances were evaluated at an operating temperature range of 350–500 °C. The sensor exhibited maximum response (81.3 mV to 100 ppm NO 2) at 400 °C and optimal sensitivity of 82.8 mV/decade at 450 °C. Both cycling response and cross-sensitivity were evaluated, indicating good stability and selectivity. Furthermore, the EIS (electrochemical impedance spectrum) was also investigated to claim its sensing mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Graphene as a promising material for terahertz-infrared region plays an important role in nanoplasmonic devices owing to its tunability. We propose a hybrid graphene nanoplasmonic waveguide and analyze its propagation properties by finite element method. The results show that the light in terahertz-infrared region can be confined at low-index material and the fundamental mode can be tuned flexibly by changing Fermi energy level of graphene. Then an application of the designed waveguide, an electrically controllable directional coupler is designed and its performance is numerically verified. This approach can be extended to novel designs of nanoscale integrated photonic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a novel class of important gene-regulatory molecules, correlates with tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and chemo resistance in gastric cancer (GC). Microarray analysis revealed that aberrant expressed microRNA-17 (miR-17) and DEDD were identified in GC. DEDD has been found to act as an endogenous suppressor of tumor growth and metastasis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. However, the role of miRNA-17 (miR-17) has not been clearly evaluated in GC, thereby a series of in vitro experiments were performed in this study. The levels of miR-17 and DEDD in GC tissues from patients diagnosed with GC and in five GC cell lines (SGC-7901, MKN-45, HGC-27, BGC823, and AGS) were detected. It was found that miR-17 up-regulated and DEDD down-regulated in GC, and SGC-7901 and AGS cells were adopted for the in vitro cell experiments, in which the expression of miR-17 or DEDD was regulated by transfection. DEDD was validated to be a target gene of miR-17. Inhibition of miR-17 impaired EMT in GC cells. In addition, transwell assay and scratch test results revealed that inhibition of miR-17 hindered GC cell invasion and migration. Moreover, inhibition of miR-17 reduced resistance to cisplatin- or 5-Fu in GC cells and induced cisplatin- or 5-Fu-treated GC cell apoptosis, which evaluated by using CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays. From the short review above, the key findings emerge that inhibition of miR-17 may have tumor suppressive effects on GC and enhance its chemosensitivity by promoting DEDD, highlighting a novel target for GC therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the microstructure and sensing property for electrode material BiVO 4 of potentiometric ammonia sensor, different MgO-doped (0, 1, 3, 5 and 8 at.%) BiVO 4 powders were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. There is no significant difference in XRD spectrum for the different powders, but the particle size of the sensing electrode has an obvious refinement with the doping of MgO. The NH 3 sensitivity of the sensor had a enhancement from 41.7 mV/decade to the highest value of 61.8 mV/decade when Mg-content reaches 5 at.%. The interfacial resistance R i between the electrode and YSZ decreases with the increment of NH 3 concentration and the Mg-doping based on impedance spectroscopy. The reduction of interface resistance is due to the enhancement of electrode reactions. The dopant MgO improves the conductivity of BiVO 4 and the TPB area, and leads to a greater charge exchange rate for the electrode electrochemical reactions. The increased specific surface area due to the grain size refinement gets more NH 3 involved in the reactions. This eventually leads to the increased sensitivity and decreased interface resistance. The optimal operating temperature is 600 °C based on the synthetical effects of various factors such as conductivity, the catalytic and gas adsorption performances of the sensing material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trap-controlled mechanoluminescence (ML) enables the direct observation of stress concentration of load-bearing objects through imaging the ML distribution, showing numerous prospects in stress detection, bio-imaging and optical displays. However, the applications of trap-controlled ML materials universally require long-time delay to fade the noise of symbiotic persistent luminescence (PersL) in order to achieve high-contrast ML images. In view of the difficulty to solve the PersL problem through individually eliminating the PersL traps, herein we propose a novel strategy of sacrificing trap density which decreases PersL and ML traps as a whole. By employing Sr 2+ substitution to decrease the trap density of Ca 2 Nb 2 O 7 :Pr 3+ , we identify a novel composition of (Ca 0.5 Sr 0.5 ) 2 Nb 2 O 7 :Pr 3+ displaying short-delay and high-contrast ML images, and evaluate its practicability through a 2-dimensional in-situ imaging experiment of dynamic stress distribution. The underlying mechanism is ascribed to the greater decrease ratio of PersL intensity than ML intensity as a result of the larger detrapping rate of traps due to stress (leading to ML) than that due to thermal energy (PersL). Furthermore, multi-spectral investigations of (Ca,Sr) 2 Nb 2 O 7 :Pr 3+ system reveal a distinctive electron transition process co-regulated by trap levels, charge transfer state and crystal field. The proposed strategy and the associated phosphors are expected to initiate the reconstruction of PersL-type ML materials and bring important implications for real-world stress imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aim of this study was to determine the effect of anatomic resection (AR) versus non-anatomic resection (NAR) on recurrence rates in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Eligible patients were randomized to AR or NAR from January 2006 to July 2007 at a single center. The primary outcome was the 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS). Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, time to first recurrence, 1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS, and overall survival (OS). Results Fifty-three (51%) and 52 (50%) patients underwent NAR and AR, respectively. A larger proportion of patients achieved margins ≥20 mm in the AR group (52% vs. 30%; P = 0.023). Complications (blood loss, transfusion requirement, and hospital stay) were similar between the two groups. Median follow-up was 33 (range, 2–77) months. Incidence of local recurrence at 2 years was 30% and 59% in the AR and NAR groups, respectively. Median time to first local recurrence in the AR group was significantly longer than in the NAR group (53 vs. 10 months, P = 0.010). There was no difference in overall RFS between the two groups (P = 0.290). Discussion AR decreased the 2-year local recurrence rate and increased the time to first local recurrence compared to NAR in patients with HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

V 2 O 5 -WO 3 -TiO 2 mixed metal oxide catalyst was synthesized by impregnation method for fabricating sensing electrodes of potentiometric ammonia sensor in this paper. The sensing electrodes were sintered from 650 °C to 900 °C to obtain different electrode microstructures. Crystalline structures of the sensing materials were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction, and the sensing electrode microstructures were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy. Sintering temperature strongly affects the microstructure and the sensitivity of the sensing electrode. With the increment of sintering temperature, the slope of semi-logarithmic characteristic curves increased but began to fall when temperature was more than 750 °C. The effect of sintering temperature on the response and recovery property has similarities, the sensors sintered at 750 °C and 700 °C show the shortest response/recovery times. The increase of the sintering temperature is beneficial for a stronger bond between sensing electrode and YSZ electrolyte, and this could increase the amount of three-phase boundary, and improve the sensor performance. High temperature promotes the V 2 O 5 volatilization, anatase TiO 2 grains growing up and the anatase to rutile phase transition, further cause the reduction of the electrode specific surface area. The volatilization of V 2 O 5 and the destruction of high dispersion V 2 O 5 resulted from the growing up of the carrier TiO 2 , are responsible for the degraded properties of sensing electrode. The suitable operating temperature for this type NH 3 sensor is 550 °C based on the compromise of various factors which could influence the sensor performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed potential ammonia sensors based on 5YSZ (ZrO 2 doped 5 mol% Y 2 O 3 ) were prepared, with ferrite CoFe 2 O 4 as sensing electrode material. Co-sintering of electrode and electrolyte has been realized. Sensors with different electrode microstructure characterized by Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) were made by different sintering process, and its influences on the sensors’ performance were investigated. The co-sintered sensor, with a porous three dimensional network structure electrode and great adhesion with electrolyte, exhibits the largest response (about 81 mV for 320 ppm NH 3 ) and the highest NH 3 sensitivity (55 mV/decade) with the response time (8–10 s) and recovery time (10–12 s) at 450 °C, it also shows satisfying NH 3 selectivity compared with NO x , and O 2 has few influence on the sensor responses. The enhancement of the NH 3 sensitivity may owe to the porous three dimensional network structures, which is beneficial to adsorption and diffusion of the target gas, and better bonded interface between the electrode and electrolyte also provides more quantity of triple-phase boundary (TPB). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 (NBT) based oxide-ion conductor ceramics have great potential applications in intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and oxygen sensors. Na 0.5 Bi 0.49 Ti 1−x Mg x O 3−δ ceramics with x=0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.08 were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction. XRD measurement and SEM analysis revealed the formation of pure perovskite structures without secondary phase. MgO doping greatly decreased the sintering temperature and inhibited grain growth. AC impedance spectroscopy measurement was adopted to measure the total conductivity, which was found to increase with MgO doping content ranging from 0 to 3 mol% and subsequently to decrease. High oxygen ionic conductivity σ t =0.00629 S/cm was achieved for sample doped with 3 mol% MgO at 600 °C in air atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using eight years (2006–2014) of passive (MODIS/Aqua and OMI/Aura) and active (CALIOP/CALIPSO) satellite measurements of aerosols, we yield a three-dimensional (3D) distribution of the frequency of occurrence (FoO) of aerosols over China. As an indicator of the vertical heterogeneity of aerosol layers detected by CALIOP, two types of Most Probable Height (MPH), including MPH_FoO and MPH_AOD, are deduced. The FoO of “Total Aerosol” reveals significant geographical dependence. Eastern China showed much stronger aerosol FoD than northwestern China. The FoO vertical structures of aerosol layer are strongly dependent on altitudes. Among the eight typical ROIs analyzed, aerosol layers over the Gobi Desert have the largest occurrence probability located at an altitude as high as 2.83 km, as compared to 1.26 km over Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei. The diurnal variation (nighttime–daytime) in MPH_AOD varies from an altitude as low as 0.07 km over the Sichuan basin to 0.27 km over the Gobi Desert, whereas the magnitude of the diurnal variation in terms of MPH_AOD is six times as large as the MPH_FoO, mostly attributable to the day/night lidar SNR difference. Also, the 3D distribution of dust and smoke aerosols was presented. The multi-sensor synergized 3D observations of dust aerosols, frequently observed in the zonal belt of 38°N–45°N, is markedly different from that of smoke aerosols that are predominantly located in the eastern and southern parts. The 3D FoO distribution of dust indicates a west-to-east passageway of dust originating from the westernmost Taklimakan Desert all the way to North China Plain (NCP). The findings from the multi-sensor synergetic observations greatly improved our understanding on the long-range aerosol dispersion, transport and passageway over China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yttria-stablized zirconia (YSZ)-based mixed-potential type NH 3 sensors using Mg 2 Cu x Fe 1 O 3.5+ x mixed metal oxides ( x =0, 0.25, 0.50, 1) as sensing electrode material were fabricated for ammonia (NH 3 ) detection at different working temperatures ( T =350 °C, 400 °C, 450 °C, 500 °C). The Mg 2 Cu x Fe 1 O 3.5+ x electrodes were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. The effects of Cu-content on phase composition, microstructures, NH 3 response performances and electrochemically catalytic-activity of Mg 2 Cu x Fe 1 O 3.5+ x electrodes were discussed. Magnesium copper oxide (Mg 0.78 Cu 0.22 O) may be a functional phase that improved NH 3 sensitivity of Mg 2 Cu x Fe 1 O 3.5+ x electrodes, but magnesium dicopper oxide (Cu 2 MgO 3 ) played an opposite role as a suppressive phase. The Mg 2 Cu 0.25 Fe 1 O 3.75 electrode exhibits the biggest response (about 267 mV for 200 ppm of NH 3 ), the highest NH 3 sensitivity (220 mV/decade NH 3 ) and the highest electrochemically catalytic-activity may be attributed to its suitable Cu-content for functional phase (Mg 0.78 Cu 0.22 O) with higher NH 3 adsorptivity, which can absorb more NH 3 to the triple-phase boundary (TPB) for the electrochemically reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposed and studied a Mach-Zehnder mode interferometric refractive index sensor, which is based on splicing points tapered SMF-PCF-SMF (SMF, single-mode fiber; PCF, photonic crystal fiber) structure. For the reason that the effective refractive index of photonic crystal fiber cladding high-order modes near fiber core are more sensitive to surrounding refractive index changes, the refractive index measurement sensitivity of splicing points tapered SMF-PCF-SMF Mach-Zehnder mode interferometer can be enhanced further through tapering the splicing points. Relations between refractive index measurement sensitivity and photonic crystal fiber length and taper waist diameter are studied through numerical simulations and experiments. Simulation and experimental results show that sensitivity will be increased with the increase of photonic crystal fiber length and the decrease of taper waist diameter. In the refractive range of 1.3333–1.3737, splicing points tapered SMF-PCF-SMF Mach-Zehnder mode interferometer with PCF length of 4 cm and taper waist diameter of 60.4 μm has refractive index measurement sensitivity of 260.8 nm/RIU, compared with sensitivity of 224.2 nm/RIU of direct splicing SMF-PCF-SMF Mach-Zehnder mode interferometer with PCF length of 4 cm, the sensitivity increased by 16.3%. The research shows that the sensing structure is with good linearity and repeatability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mg 2 Cu 0.25 Fe 1 O 3.75 mixed metal oxides have been synthesized by a co-precipitation method for fabricating NH 3 sensors electrodes. The sensor electrodes were sintered at 1000 °C, 1100 °C, 1200 °C, and 1300 °C to obtain different electrode microstructures. The electrodes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM). NH 3 response performances of the NH 3 sensors to different concentrations of test gases (20–400 ppm NH 3 ) were evaluated at 400 °C. The influences of sintering temperature on the microstructures, NH 3 sensing performances, and electrochemically catalytic activity of Mg 2 Cu 0.25 Fe 1 O 3.75 electrodes were investigated. The electrode sintered at 1200 °C exhibited the biggest response (about 110 mV for 400 ppm NH 3 ) and the highest NH 3 sensitivity (72 mV/decade NH 3 ) of all the electrodes. Moreover, the response time and recovery time were within 8–4 s and 8–14 s, respectively. The enhanced NH 3 sensing performances of the Mg 2 Cu 0.25 Fe 1 O 3.75 electrodes may be attributed to electrodes׳ larger electrochemically catalytic activity and more quantity of triple-phase boundary (TPB) of the sintered three-dimensional network electrode structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CACNA1F gene encodes a member of the alpha-1F subunit family in the voltage-dependent calcium channel (Cav1.4) complex. Mutations in this gene result in incomplete congenital stationary night blindness (iCSNB2) in humans. And Cav1.4 mutation could affect the functions of the skeletal muscle. This study investigated the role of Cacna1f mutations in alteration of the skeletal muscle functions in a Cacna1f mutation rat model ( Cacna1f CSNB2 rat). We found that the muscle endurance behaviors of Cacna1f CSNB2 rats were significantly lower than those of the wild-type rats. The high-frequency fatigue resistance of the soleus muscle was decreased in Cacna1f CSNB2 rats under continuous tetanic stimulation. The expression levels of the syntaxin (SYN) proteins in the soleus of the Cacna1f CSNB2 rats were lower than those of wild-type rats. SYN was expressed in the soleus muscle, but not in the extensor digitorum longus. The Ca v 1.4 protein was not detected in the skeletal muscle of Cacna1f CSNB2 rats. The Cacna1f mRNA level in the soleus of Cacna1f CSNB2 rats was decreased compared with that in wild-type rats. This study demonstrated for the first time that the Cacna1f mutation reduces the function of slow-twitch skeletal muscle. And it also demonstrated that the Cacna1f gene affects synapse-associated protein expression, which may block the signal transmission in synaptic connectivity of the retina and skeletal muscle in Cacna1f -mutant rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, (La 0.8 Sr 0.2 ) 2 FeMnO 6−δ (LSFM) oxide powder with double-perovskite structure has been prepared by using Pechini method to fabricate sensitive electrode (SE) for NO 2 potentiometric sensors based on yttria-stablized zirconia (YSZ). The sensing electrodes of LSFM sintered at different temperatures (1000, 1100, 1200 and 1300 °C) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). NO 2 sensitivity was tested at 550–700 °C respectively for the sensors with the sensing electrodes of LSFM. The result demonstrated that the phase composition of LSFM sensing electrode was affected by the sintering temperature. The NO 2 sensitivity of the sensor was found to be modulated by the morphology of LSFM sensing electrode. The catalytic activity of the gas-phase decomposition of NO 2 was influenced by the microstructures of the LSFM powders sintered at different temperatures. The sensor with 1200 °C-sintered LSFM sensing electrode, which had relatively perfect three-dimensional network structure, exhibited the highest NO 2 sensitivity. The selectivity to NO 2 for the sensor with 1200 °C-sintered LSFM sensing electrode is good at 550 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a (La0.8Sr0.2)2FeNiO6−δ (LSFN) powder semiconductor oxide with a double-perovskite structure was synthesized by a polymeric precursor method to fabricate a sensitive electrode (SE) for a NO x sensors based on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). The LSFN powder and the LSFN-SEs sintered at different temperatures (1000, 1100 and 1200°C) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphologies of LSFN-SEs were observed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The sensors with LSFN-SEs were tested over a temperature range of 550–800°C. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was also performed to investigate the electrochemical processes that are affected by the NO2 concentration. The results demonstrated that the double-perovskite type electrode material possessed good thermal stability. The NO2 sensitivity of the sensor was found to be modulated by the morphology of LSFN–SE. The sensor showed a higher sensitivity and a better selectivity to NO2 than that to NO. The impedance changed when the NO2 concentration was varied, which was attributed to the interaction of the NO2 with the SE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Poly(ethylene glycol)(400)dimethacrylate (PEG(400)DMA) was used as main binder and cross-linker to gelcast 3YSZ, while acrylamid (AM) as minor monomer. Influences of PEG(400)DMA and dispersant content on rheological property (including zeta potential and viscosity) of the slurry as well as on the flexural strength of green body were discussed. Effect of PEG(400)DMA on surface exfoliation of green body gelcast in air was also investigated. Zeta potential of the slurry was significantly affected by PEGDMA after substituting PEGDMA for AM. Improved rheological property and flexural strength of green body were obtained by adding 1.35wt% dispersant to slurry. Flexural strength of green body prepared by 45vol% solid loading slurry reached 18.7MPa at 6.5wt% monomer concentration. Surface exfoliation of green body was eliminated when slurry was solidified in air at 70°C with 3.5wt% PEG(400)DMA/AM in slurry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Compared to the Feed-in tariff in China, the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) could not only help to change the driving force of renewable energy industry development, but also provide the renewable energy industry with incentives to achieve the governments' planned goal. This paper first compares the features of RPS of the major industrialized countries. Second the barriers of implementing the Renewable Portfolio Standard in China are analyzed from five aspects. Finally, based on the above analysis, this paper puts forward relative institutional arrangements for the implementation of Renewable Portfolio Standard in China making recommendations for the development of renewable energy industry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] HDAC inhibitors suppress cell growth and self-renewal of liver CSCs. [•] HDAC3 is selectively expressed in liver CSCs and participates in self-renewal of liver CSCs. [•] HDAC3 regulates expression of pluripotency factors through histone modification. [•] Overexpression of HDAC3 is associated with poor outcome of liver cancer. [•] HDAC inhibitors render liver CSCs sensitive to sorafenib. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sweet oranges with distinguished origin label have been becoming a fraud target by confusing or hiding origins. In this study, high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in combination with chemometrics was used to discriminate the geographical origins of China's sweet oranges from four main producing regions (Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan and Guangxi). Sixty-two components, including various saccharides, amino acids, organic acids, alcohols, ketone, flavanones and other compounds, were identified and quantified via their 1H NMR spectra, and the producing region-specific geographical indication components of China's sweet orange were further screened out. The sweet oranges in Hubei show favorable antioxidant properties due to their rich phenolic compounds, and those in Sichuan show rich and fresh flavors due to their wealthy amino acids. Our results are readily available for nutritional recommendation in human consumption, and helpful to distinguish the geographical origin of sweet oranges based on their nutritional characteristics especially geographical indication markers. • A rapid and inexpensive NMR method was used to analyze sweet orange. • 62 nutritional components in China's sweet oranges were identified and quantified. • The geographical indication markers of each geographical origin were screened out. • The results are available for nutritional recommendation in human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Studies have shown that inhalation of hydrogen gas, which acts as an antioxidant, can protect the brain against free radicals in rats with ischemia-reperfusion. The neuronal damage caused by acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is partly free radical mediated. We hypothesize that hydrogen may prevent neurological damage from CO poisoning. Objectives: This study is designed to test whether hydrogen (H2)-rich saline will have a protective effect on rats with acute CO poisoning. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to CO poisoning. H2-rich saline was administered by peritoneal injection (6mL/kg/24h). We used the Morris water maze and the open field test to determine cognitive function. After cognitive function studies, rats were decapitated and the levels of trace elements copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) in serum and brain were assessed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Necrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy of neurons were assessed by H-E staining and immunohistochemical staining in another group of rats. Results: H2-rich saline treatment improved the cognitive deficits and reduced the degree of necrosis, apoptosis, and cell autophagy in rats. Additionally, H2-rich saline decreased the content of Fe in serum and brain in these rats, and increased the content of serum Cu related to free radical metabolism. Conclusions: H2-rich saline may effectively protect the brain from injury after acute CO poisoning. The mechanism of this protection may be related to lessening oxidative damage by affecting trace elements in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with surgical resection (RES) in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A total of 168 patients with small HCC with nodular diameters of less than 4cm and up to two nodules were randomly divided into RES (n=84) and RFA groups (n=84). Outcomes were carefully monitored and evaluated during the 3-year follow-up period. Results: The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates for the RES and RFA groups were 96.0%, 87.6%, 74.8% and 93.1%, 83.1%, 67.2%, respectively. The corresponding recurrence-free survival rates for the two groups were 90.6%, 76.7%, 61.1% and 86.2%, 66.6%, 49.6%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in overall survival rate (p =0.342) or recurrence-free survival rate (p =0.122). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the independent risk factors associated with survival were multiple occurrences of tumors at different hepatic locations (relative risk of 2.696; 95% CI: 1.189–6.117; p =0.018) and preoperative indocyanine green retention rate at 15min (ICG-15) (relative risk of 3.853; 95% CI: 1.647–9.015; p =0.002). Conclusions: In patients with small hepatocellular carcinomas, percutaneous RFA may provide therapeutic effects similar to those of RES. However, percutaneous RFA is more likely to be incomplete for the treatment of small HCCs located at specific sites of the liver, and open or laparoscopic surgery may be the better choice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work was conducted to determine whether congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), which is caused by a Cacna1f mutation, could affect development of second-order neurons in the retina, such as horizontal cells (HCs). The CSNB rats and age-matched wild type rats were sacrificed at postnatal days (PND) 15, 30 and 60. Morphometric analyses of HCs, which were labeled by a primary antibody to calbindin D-28K, were performed at the light microscopic level on retinal cross sections and whole mount retinas. Calbindin D-28K was measured by western blotting in retinal samples. We found that the average number and density of HCs, Calbindin level and thickness of OPL were all decreased significantly in CSNB group compared to control group. These results indicated that second-order retinal neurons, such as horizontal cells, are affected by retinal degeneration. The relationship between the absence of HCs and the gene defect of CSNB requires further research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In a pervasive computing environment, mobile users often roam into foreign domains. Consequently, mutual authentication between the user and the service provider in different domains becomes a critical issue. In this paper, a fast and secure inter-domain authentication and key establishment scheme, namely IDAS, is proposed. IDAS adopts Biometrics to guarantee the uniqueness and privacy of users and adopts signcryption to generate a secure session key. IDAS can not only reduce the burden of certificates management, but also protect the users and authentication servers against fraud. Compared with some other authentication methods, our approach is superior with faster key exchange and authentication, as well as more privacy. The correctness is verified with the Syverson and Van Oorschot (SVO) logic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Phase equilibrium of the Mg–Gd–Y system in Mg-rich corner was calculated in detail by phase diagram calculation software Pandat and thermodynamic database for Mg alloys. The calculated phase diagrams were compared with the key experimental results of DSC analysis for the alloys Mg–1wt%Gd–7wt%Y and Mg–5wt%Gd–2wt%Y. The solidification and precipitation process of the newly developed alloy Mg–12wt%Gd–4wt%Y–0.6wt%Zr were analyzed. The detailed comparison strongly supports the reliability of the selected thermodynamic description based on the results of thermodynamic calculation. It is clarified that when the Mg–1Gd–7Y alloy ends its solidification and cools down continuously, the second phase Mg24Y5 firstly precipitated from solid solution of magnesium and then the GdMg5 phase precipitated at relative lower temperature. But for Mg–5Gd–2Y alloy, the precipitation sequence of Mg24Y5 and GdMg5 are in reverse order. Referring the calculated Mg–Gd–Y system phase diagrams, the suitable thermal mechanical processing and heat-treatment processes of newly designed and developed alloy Mg–12wt%Gd–4wt%Y–0.6wt%Zr has been done. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• This paper reveals the problem of unbalanced semantic information of different feature representations in cross-modal retrieval and explores the semantic augmentation for cross-modal retrieval. • A semantic augmentation strategy based on the intermediate semantic space is proposed to augment the semantic information of the modality data with weak semantics. • Extensive experiments on four datasets using typical cross-modal hashing methods, as well as real-valued, partial-paired, semi-paired, and completely unpaired cross-modal retrieval approaches are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of semantic augmentation, and the results show that the gap between cross-modal retrieval results can be decreased substantially. Hashing methods for cross-modal retrieval has drawn increasing research interests and has been widely studied in recent years due to the explosive growth of multimedia big data. However, a significant phenomenon which has been ignored is that there is a large gap between the results of cross-modal hashing in most cases. For example, the results of Text-to-Image frequently outperform that of Image-to-Text with a large margin. In this paper, we propose a strategy named semantic augmentation to improve and balance the results of cross-modal hashing. An intermediate semantic space is constructed to re-align the feature representations that embedded with weak semantic information. By using the intermediate semantic space, the semantic information of visual features can be further augmented before being sent to cross-modal hashing algorithms. Extensive experiments are carried out on four datasets via seven state-of-the-art cross-modal hashing methods. Compared against the results without semantic augmentation, the Image-to-Text results of these methods with semantic augmentation are improved considerably, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed semantic augmentation strategy in bridging the gap between the results of cross-modal retrieval. Additional experiments are conducted on the real-valued, semi-supervised, semi-paired, partial-paired, and unpaired cross-modal retrieval methods, the results further indicates the effectiveness of our strategy in improving performance of cross-modal retrieval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet the requirement of social influence analytics in various applications, the problem of influence maximization has been studied in recent years. The aim is to find a limited number of nodes (i.e., users) which can activate (i.e. influence) the maximum number of nodes in social networks. However, the community diversity of influenced users is largely ignored even though it has unique value in practice. For example, the higher community diversity reduces the risk of marketing campaigns as you should not put all your eggs in one basket; the diversity can also prolong the effect of a marketing campaign in the future promotion. Motivated by this observation, this paper investigates Community-diversified Influence Maximization (CDIM) problem to efficiently find k nodes such that, if a message is initiated and spread by the k nodes, the number as well as the community diversity of the activated nodes will be maximized at the end of propagation process. This work proposes a metric to measure the community-diversified influence and addresses a series of computational challenges. Two algorithms and an innovative CPSP-Tree index have been developed. This study also investigates the situation that community definition is not specified. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed solutions have been verified through extensive experimental studies on five real-world social network datasets. • A new problem, named community-diversified influence maximization (CDIM), is introduced in this paper. • A deliberately designed metric has been proposed in this paper to evaluate the CDIM. • Two algorithms (greedy and upper bound) are developed in this paper to solve the CDIM problem effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]