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The primary aim of this study was to explore the impact of dietary supplementation with a postbiotic derived from Bacillus subtilis ACCC 11025 on growth performance, meat yield, meat quality, excreta bacterial populations, and excreta ammonia emissions of broiler chicks. A total of 480 day-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks, initially weighing 52.83 ± 1.38 g, were randomly allocated into 4 distinct groups. Each group was housed in 6 separate cages, each containing 20 birds. The experimental phase spanned 42 d, divided into 2 periods (d 1–21 and d 22–42). Dietary interventions were based on a basal diet, with postbiotic supplementation at levels of 0.000, 0.015, 0.030, or 0.045%. Our findings indicate that dietary supplementation with postbiotic had a positive influence on body weight gain (BWG) and feed efficiency. The most substantial improvements in BWG and feed efficiency were observed in the group of broiler chicks fed a diet containing 0.015% postbiotic. Furthermore, the inclusion of postbiotic in the diet led to an increase in the yield of breast and leg muscles, with a significant difference in meat yields observed between the control group and the group receiving 0.015% postbiotic supplementation. It's noteworthy that dietary manipulation did not exert any discernible impact on the quality of breast and leg muscle samples. Concurrently, we observed an elevation in serum albumin and total protein contents corresponding to the increasing postbiotic dosage in the diet. Additionally, dietary supplementation with postbiotic effectively controlled the emission of ammonia from excreta and reduced the abundance of Salmonella in excreta while enhancing the presence of Lactobacillus bacteria. The group receiving 0.015% postbiotic supplementation displayed the lowest levels of ammonia emission and the highest counts of Lactobacillus bacteria in excreta. In light of these results, we conclude that dietary supplementation with 0.015% postbiotic represents an efficacious strategy for increasing BWG and meat yield of broiler chicks by enhancing feed efficiency as well as mitigating ammonia emissions from excreta by modulating the composition of excreta bacterial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poor compatibility of carbonate-based electrolytes with lithium metal anodes results in unstable solid electrolyte interphase, leading to lithium dendrite formation, low Coulombic efficiency, and short cycle life. To address this issue, we propose a novel fluorinated electrolyte that leverages lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), along with fluorinated solvents. An extremely low concentration of lithium nitrate exerts a substantial impact on the Li ion solvation structure, inducing an anions-rich solvation structure, results in an inorganic-rich electrolyte interphase layer mainly composed of Li 3 N and LiF, which effectively inhibits lithium dendrite formation, enhances the interfacial stability between the electrode and electrolyte, and yields excellent cycling performance in lithium metal batteries. When coupled with a high nickel content cathode (LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2), the cells exhibit impressive cycling performance with 1000 cycles at 4 C, retaining 68.6 % capacity (with charge times under 15 min). Despite the relatively low oxidation stability of Dimethoxyethane in the electrolyte, the cell demonstrates exceptional high-voltage electrochemical performance, even up to 4.5 V, the cells do not show extensive electrolyte decomposition and structural changes, preserving 79.2 % capacity retention after 300 cycles. Using 50 µm lithium foil in the cells, remarkable capacity retention of 89.5 % is achieved after 400 cycles at 1 C. This remarkable compatibility between the anode and cathode represents a significant breakthrough in enhancing the reliability and performance of lithium metal batteries. [Display omitted] • Traces of lithium nitrate affect the solvation structure of the electrolyte leading to stable anode and cathode interfaces with the electrolyte. • The inorganic rich SEI layer enables fast Li+ diffusion and decrease the overpotential of Li deposition. • The electrolyte is resistant to high-voltage oxidation and the cell exhibits excellent performance at 4.5 V. • Li||NCM811 cells achieve an ultra-long stable cycling of 1000 cycles at 4 C rate. • A 1100 mAh pouch cell demonstrates highly reversible capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) is considered to be a promising therapeutic technology for the rehabilitation of upper extremities (UEs) post-stroke. Recently, we designed and then implemented a neuroscientifically grounded VR protocol for the rehabilitation of patients with stroke. The system provides unilateral and bilateral limb mirroring exercises in a fully immersive virtual environment that may stimulate and activate the mirror neuron system in the brain to help patients for their rehabilitation. Twelve patients with subacute stroke underwent the newly implemented VR treatment in addition to conventional rehabilitation for 8 consecutive weekdays. The treatment effect on brain reorganization and motor function was investigated using resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) and the Fugl-Meyer assessment for Upper Extremity (FM-UE), respectively. Fifteen healthy controls (HCs) also underwent rs-fMRI scanning one time. The study finally obtained usable data from 8 patients and 13 HCs. After the intervention, patients demonstrated significant improvement in their FM-UE scores (p values < 0.042). Voxel-wise functional connectivity (FC) analysis based on the rs-fMRI data found that HCs showed widespread bilateral FC patterns associated with the dominant hemispheric primary motor cortex (M1). However, the FC patterns in patients revealed intra-hemispheric association with the ipsilesional M1 seed and this association became visible in the contra-hemisphere after the intervention. Moreover, the change of FC values between the bilateral M1 was significantly correlated with the changes in FM-UE scores (p values < 0.037). We conclude that unilateral and bilateral limb mirroring exercise in an immersive virtual environment may enhance cortical reorganization and lead to improved motor function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we successfully designed and synthesized Ge nanoparticles encapsulated in a carbon matrix and supported by three-dimensional interconnected porous N-doped carbon foam (3D Ge/C-NCF) nanoarchitecture. When applied as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, the obtained composite electrode exhibits high capacity of 878.1 mAh g −1 at a current density of 0.5 A g −1 after 150 cycles. Additionally, it also achieves excellent rate capability and cycling stability. The significant improved electrochemical performance of Ge/C-NCF can be attributed to the synergetic effects of the carbon matrix and the N-doped carbon framework: including a highly conductive carbon network and a structure with large porous for mitigates volume changes of Ge nanoparticles. This study of the composite electrode may provide an interesting method to creating efficient and practical electrodes for those that suffer from huge volume expansion for energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NASICON-type electrolytes such as Li 1.5 Al 0.5 Ge 1.5 (PO 4) 3 (LAGP) potentially enable high safety and high energy for solid-state batteries. However, the poor interfacial stability with lithium metal remains a main issue. To overcome this challenge, we proposed a bilayer solid electrolyte architecture implementing a novel ultrathin solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) film in combination with LAGP to improve the interface with lithium metal. The SPE film is composed of a bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide-based ionic liquid and polyethylene oxide, which shows a remarkable ionic conductivity of 1.25 × 10−3 S cm−1 at room temperature. The application of this thin interlayer leads to an outstanding interface stability, allowing >2000 h of continuous Li stripping/plating in symmetric Li|SPE/LAGP/SPE|Li cells without any increase in polarization or indication of a short circuit. As a result, this approach enables Li|SPE/LAGP|NCM811 cells with a discharge capacity of ∼200 mAh g−1 at 0.1C and stable cycling for >400 cycles at 0.2C with a capacity retention of 83%. Additionally, the cell shows an extremely high average Coulombic efficiency of 99.96% demonstrating that the approach enables to achieve high-energy and long-term stable solid-state lithium-metal batteries. [Display omitted] • High energy lithium metal batteries. • Hybrid electrolytes enabled solid-state batteries. • Artificial interphases in high energy batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1), an endogenously produced polypeptide, is the ligand of cardiomyocyte ErbB receptors, with cardiovascular protective effects. In the present study, we explored whether the cardioprotective effect of NRG-1 against I/R injury is mediated by inhibiting myocardial endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In vitro , NRG-1 directly inhibited the upregulation of ER stress markers such as glucose-regulated protein 78, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein and cleaved caspase-12 induced by the ER stress inducers tunicamycin or dithiothreitol in both neonatal and adult ventricular myocytes. Attenuating ErbB signals by an ErbB inhibitor AG1478 or ErbB4 knockdown and preincubation with phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors all reversed the effect of NRG-1 inhibiting ER stress in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Concurrently, cardiomyocyte ER stress and apoptosis induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation were decreased by NRG-1 treatment in vitro . Furthermore, in an in vivo rat model of myocardium ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), intravenous NRG-1 administration significantly decreased ER stress and myocardial infarct size induced by I/R. NRG-1 could protect the heart against I/R injury by inhibiting myocardial ER stress, which might be mediated by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lithium metal anode is regarded as ideal for high-energy rechargeable batteries. Unfortunately, the uncontrolled lithium dendritic growth and the infinite volume expansion upon cycling result in low Coulombic efficiency, fast capacity decay and safety issues. Herein, a mismatch electrical-conductivity framework has been designed as a stable host to regulate lithium deposition behaviour. Due to the ionic conductivity of the lithiophilic layer and the electron conductivity of hollow carbon nanofibres (HCF), lithium metal is preferentially deposited into and encapsulated by the HCF, resulting in greatly improved electrochemical performance. The heat generation upon lithium storage and release in the Al 2 O 3 coated HCF (A–HCF) during cycling is lower compared to the plating/stripping on copper foil. The A-HCF electrodes show high Coulombic efficiency (97%) upon 500 cycles employing a conventional, alkyl carbonate-based electrolyte, demonstrating improved reversibility of Li plating/stripping. Complete cells assembled employing LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 (NMC811)-based positive electrodes exhibit high capacity retention (94%) after 120 cycles at 1 C, delivering a high energy density (363 Wh per kg of NMC811). Even upon cycling at 5 C rate, the cells, employing less than three times excess lithium, deliver a very high capacity (133 mAh per g of NMC811) for 50 cycles. The mismatch electrical conductivity skeleton effectively regulates the lithium deposition behavior, guiding the Li metal uniform plating on the inside and along the surface of the hollow nanofibers and by this restraining dendritic Li formation as well as decreasing heat generation during cycling. [Display omitted] • Effect of a mismatch electrical conductivity framework host (A-HCF) with plentiful cavities to regulate Li deposition behavior. • Li storage mechanism and deposition morphology. • Li storage upon long-term cycling. • Heat generation upon Li storage and release by microcalorimetry. • Electrochemical performance of Li metal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Surgery is the definitive treatment for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). • Patients at advanced age with multiple co morbid conditions may not be appropriate for surgery. • These patients are offered radiation therapy which has high success rate. • Photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be a nonsurgical treatment option with minimal adverse effects. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) as an alternative treatment in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) patients who are not fit for surgery. Thirty-three invasive cSCC patients who, for some reasons, cannot undergo surgery were enrolled in this study. All patients received plum blossom needle (PBN) pretreated ALA-PDT combined with topical application of 5% imiquimod cream. Two patients dropped the study because of severe pain and two patients discontinue treatment due to lack of response. Of 29 patients, who completed the treatment, 5 patients had complete response after 2–9 sessions of PDT and these patients had no recurrence till 18 months after treatment. Twenty-four patients achieved partial response and are satisfied with treatment outcome in terms of decreased symptoms and improved quality of life. PBN pretreated PDT in combination with topical imiquimod may be a viable treatment option for non resectable cSCC lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendritic cell (DC)-derived exosomes (Dexo) has been confirmed to be able to induce the specific anti-tumor immune response ex vivo and in vivo. Here, the aim of this study was to evaluate the application of the antigen-pulsed Dexo as a new vaccination platform in immunotherapy for cervical cancer. The immunogenic profile of the different Dexo was assessed by the cell proliferation, cytokines secretion and effector functions of CD8 + T cells and the splenocytes from Dexo-vaccinated mice. Furthermore, the anti-tumor immunity elicited by Dexo was further compared in cervical cancer-bearing mice. Dexo from DCs loaded with E7 49–57 peptide could efficiently induce the cytotoxic activity of CD8 + T cells on TC-1 tumor cells ex vivo, the proliferation and IFN-γ excretion of CD8 + T cells. Moreover, Dexo vaccine promoted the immune responses of vaccinated mice splenocytes induced by antigen E7 in vitro restimulation. Of note, poly(I:C) was significantly more potent inducer of the antigen-loaded Dexo mediated protective immunity responses for cervical cancer and further evidenced by that Dexo(E7 + pIC) markedly inhibited the tumor growth and improved the survival rate of the tumor-bearing mice. We provided evidence that poly(I:C) dramatically increased the potent antitumoral immunity induced by antigen-pulsed Dexo for ameliorating cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A palladium-catalyzed cycloisomerisation reaction of 1,6-enyne acetic esters have been developed. This cyclization reaction shows excellent regioselectivity and good functional group tolerance to obtain five-membered nitrogenated heterocyclic conjugated trienes in moderate to excellent yields. The resulting conjugated trienes could be facilely converted to highly substituted benzenes through Diels-Alder reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic energy consumption estimation is significant for the sustainable transportation. However, it is difficult to directly employ macro traffic flow data to accurately estimate the traffic energy consumption due to many traffic energy consumption models need second-by-second vehicle trajectory. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a traffic energy consumption model based on the macro-micro data, which the macro data derived from the fixed-location sensors and sparse micro data derived from the Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs). The completed vehicle trajectories are constructed by the nonparametric kernel smoothing algorithm and variational theory. To test the performance of the proposed method, the Next Generation Simulation micro (NGSIM) dataset and Caltrans Performance Measurement System macro dataset obtained from the same road and time are used. The results indicate that the proposed method not only can reflect the characteristics of traffic kinematic waves caused by traffic congestion, but also minimize the errors generated by the macro-micro transformation. In addition, it can significantly improve the accuracy of energy consumption estimation. • Estimation of fuel consumption and emissions is closer to the real values than other methods. • Reconstructing second-by-second vehicle trajectories based on macroscopic traffic data. • Introduces CAVs trajectory data as a reference in the process of estimating the road spatio-temporal speed evolution. • Proposes a spatio-temporal consistency validation framework by using macro and micro data. • Experimental tests the effect of cell size and probe vehicle penetration on reconstruction accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]