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Actively targeted nanomedicines though conceptually attractive for tumor therapy are extremely hard to realize due to problems of premature drug leakage, excessive liver accretion, inadequate tumor uptake, and/or retarded drug release inside tumor cells. Here, we systemically studied the influence of disulfide crosslinking on the in vitro and in vivo performance of integrin-targeting micellar docetaxel (t-MDTX). Of note, t-M5DTX with a high disulfide content was clearly advantageous in terms of stability, intracellular drug release, anti-tumor activity toward α V β 3 -overexpressing A549 cells, blood circulation and therapeutic efficacy in orthotopic A549-luc lung tumor-bearing mice. t-MDTX induced extraordinary tumor targetability with tumor-to-normal tissue ratios of 1.7–8.3. Further studies indicated that t-M5DTX could effectively eradicate α V β 3 -overexpressing lung and prostate cancer patient-derived xenografts (PDX), in which ca. 80% mice became tumor-free. This integrin-targeting disulfide-crosslinked micellar docetaxel emerges as a promising actively targeted nanoformulation for tumor therapy. Nanomedicines have a great potential in treating advanced tumor patients; however, their tumor-targeting ability and therapeutic efficacy remain unsatisfactory. In addition to PEGylation and ligand selection, particle size, stability and drug release behavior are also critical to their performance in vivo. In this paper, we find that small and cRGD-guided disulfide-crosslinked micellar docetaxel (t-MDTX) induces superior tumor uptake and retention but without increasing liver burden, leading to extraordinary selectivity and inhibition of α v β 3 overexpressing lung tumors. t-MDTX is further shown to effectively treat α v β 3 -positive patient-derived tumor models, lending it a high potential for clinical translation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper presents a process for the fabrication of subwavelength bilayer metal wire grid polarizers and describes the performance characterization of polarizers that were produced using the proposed method. These polarizers have a period of 278 nm and were fabricated on flexible plastic substrates using nanoimprint lithography followed by an aluminum deposition process. Transmission efficiency in excess of 0.55 and an extinction ratio of more than 32 dB were achieved in the visible range when the aluminum layer thickness of the polarizer was 70 nm. When a polarization analyzer with a six-channel sensor prototype was tested, an average error of 0.2002°was obtained, with a maximum error of 1.105°and a standard deviation of 0.7255°. The proposed fabrication method will be suitable for many applications in optics, including the manufacture of compound eye structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mixed competition–predation model is proposed where the switches between competition and predation are seasonal-dependent. The threshold values are derived above which the populations are stochastically permanent, and below which a population becomes extinct for the prey–predator interactions or the weak competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of knowledge on the destiny of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in the Tibetan Plateau region of China prevents the public from being aware of the need for protecting these unique aquatic ecosystems that are precious water resources and source areas of the Yellow River. To address this knowledge gap, this study systematically investigated the multi-residue analysis, distribution, and potential risks of six types of OMPs, namely, neonicotinoid pesticides (NEOs), fungicides, organophosphate esters (OPEs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), psychoactive substances (PSs), and antidepressants (ADs), in surface waters of major cities in Qinghai. A total of 31 compounds, consisting of 8 NEOs, 1 fungicide, 12 OPEs, 2 OPPs, 5 PSs, and 3 ADs, were detected in >50% of the sites, showing their ubiquitous nature in the study area. Results showed that the total OMP concentration in surface water was 28.3–908 ng/L, and OPEs were the dominant composition (48.6%–97.4%). The risk quotient values of the detected diazinon and dursban regularly exceeded 1 for aquatic organisms at all sampling sites, indicating moderate–high chronic ecological risk. The joint probability curves showed that dursban and NEOs have higher risk levels than other OMPs. Although the results of the non-carcinogenic total hazard quotient of the OMPs in the surface water was less than 1 in all age groups and the carcinogenic risk was lower than the negligible risk level, the potential risks to children and infants were considerably greater and should not be underestimated. In addition to pollutant concentration and exposure duration, ingestion rate and body weight (BW) are also important factors affecting health risk, with BW having a negative effect. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this report is the first to describe OMP pollution in Qinghai, and the results provide new insight into the ecological security of the water resources of the Tibetan Plateau. [Display omitted] • The occurrence of 67 organic micropollutants of surface water in Qinghai was first determined. • Organophosphate esters were dominant organic micropollutants, followed by neonicotinoid pesticides. • The environmental risks of organic micropollutants were assessed based on the risk quotient values and joint probability curves. • Diazinon and dursban had moderate to high chronic ecological risk at all sites. • The priority substances lists provide significant references on pollutant control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic field effect on the interband optical conductivity of black phosphorene (BP) is considered in the investigation of the absorptance of BP-based multilayer dielectric structures using the transfer matrix method. The BP interband optical conductivity is anisotropic and shows multi-peaks in the presence of the magnetic field because of the splitting of energy levels. The peak position of the absorptance is tuned via the magnetic field strength. In the energy region (0.5 eV - 1.7 eV), the maximum absorptance in the armchair direction is larger than that in the zigzag (ZZ) direction which depends on the angle of incidence and the dielectric structure. But the increased rate of the maximum absorptance in the presence of a magnetic field in the ZZ direction is quite obvious and increased about 10 times. An increased number of BP/Si layers makes the optical absorption in both directions much stronger. • The optical transition channels are tuned by the magnetic field. • The absorptance in the AC direction is larger than that in the ZZ direction. • The modulation of the magnetic field is very obvious along the ZZ direction. • Stronger absorptance is achieved in multilayer structures with BP inserted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the transfer matrix method, the absorption properties of multilayer dielectric structures composed of the molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2), respectively, tungsten disulfide (WS 2) in the visible light range have been investigated theoretically and numerically. The MoS 2 and WS 2 are treated as surface conductivity with infinitesimal thickness. The results show that the absorptance can be modulated by the angle and polarization direction of the incident light, the number of layers and the thickness of the dielectric layers. Under the best selection of these factors, when only a monolayer of MoS 2 or WS 2 covers the surface of silicon, the absorptance can be increased to about 49.7% and 48.9%, respectively. The average value of the absorption of MoS 2 -based structures is greater than that of WS 2 under the same parameters. The investigation would broaden the applications based on MoS 2 /WS 2 optical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Since the first introduction of sodium iodide I-131 for use with thyroid patients almost 80 years ago, more than 50 radiopharmaceuticals have reached the markets for a wide range of diseases, especially cancers. The nuclear medicine paradigm also shifts from solely molecular imaging or radionuclide therapy to imaging-guided radionuclide therapy, which is deemed a vital component of precision cancer therapy and an emerging medical modality for personalized medicine. The imaging-guided radionuclide therapy highlights the systematic integration of targeted nuclear diagnostics and radionuclide therapeutics. Regarding this, nuclear imaging serves to "visualize" the lesions and guide the therapeutic strategy, followed by administration of a precise patient specific dose of radiotherapeutics for treatment according to the absorbed dose to different organs and tumors calculated by dosimetry tools, and finally repeated imaging to predict the prognosis. This strategy leads to significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improved patient outcomes, and manageable adverse events. In this review, we provide an overview of imaging-guided targeted radionuclide therapy for different tumors such as advanced prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors, with a focus on development of new radioligands and their preclinical and clinical results, and further discuss about challenges and future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gompertz growth plays an important role in simulating the development of animal, plants and cancer cells. We study a competitive model with the Gompertz growth, which is perturbed by environmental noises. The explicit threshold conditions are obtained for the stochastic permanence and extinction of the populations, which reveal how stochastic noises affect the competitive exclusion and coexistence of two competing populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The heterostructure electrocatalyst composed of MOF-derived CoNiSe 2 and FeS 2 is synthesized. • This electrocatalyst exhibits superior OER activity and robust durability. • The interfaces of heterostructure is benefit to improved conductivity. • The relationship between catalysis activity and heterostructure are investigated by DFT calculations. Developing effective and low-cost catalysts toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is pivotal for hydrogen generation by water electrolysis. The preparation of transition metal based catalysts using the unique structure of metal–organic frameworks is considered a feasible approach. Herein, we have designed and synthesized a heterostructure electrocatalyst composed of FeS 2 and MOF-derived CoNiSe 2. The catalyst exhibits an extraordinary OER activity with a low overpotential of 230 mV to deliver the current density of 10 mA cm−2, a slight Tafel slope of 54 mV dec−1 in 1 M KOH, and robust durability up to 45 h. The result of density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveals that electronic coupling at the heterogeneous interface helps reduce reaction energy barriers and increase electrical conductivity. This work would provide some inspiration for explorations of advanced electrocatalysts with MOF-derived heterostructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel triangular cross-section Ag nanostructured grating is demonstrated in this paper, which can be used as an extremely high sensitivity bio-chemical sensing substrate. Ag films with a thickness of several nanometers and up to 40 nm were sputtered on a pre-strained PDMS substrate. After releasing the PDMS, the Ag films wrinkled and sharp structures were formed due to the mechanical stress on the continuous thin metallic nano films. Because of the electromagneticfield enhancement at the sharp peaks, extremely high Surface Enhanced Fluorescence (SEF) and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) was observed which can be used to detect Crystal Violet (CV) and Rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules with concentrations down to 10 −14 M. The method provides an effective and inexpensive technique to create wrinkled periodic singular patterns for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slope runoff acts as a driving force for soil erosion on the Loess Plateau but is also an important water source for alleviating water shortages and maintaining vegetation growth. Identifying how to regulate runoff can help solve the problems of water shortages and soil erosion. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of conservation measures on controlling slope runoff and soil loss in a 20° runoff plot using scouring experiments. The treatments included plots with bare slope (CK) and three typical soil and water conservation (SWC) measures—engineering measures (fish-scale pits, FSPs), vegetation measures (grass revegetation by alfalfa, GR), and agricultural measures (straw mulching, SM). The results showed that the SWC practices significantly (P < 0.05) controlled runoff and soil loss. The GR, FSPs, and SM significantly delayed runoff start time by 150–250%, 200–300%, and 250–400%, respectively, compared with CK, and reduced runoff coefficients by 25–60%, 7–50%, and 40–80%, respectively. The runoff reduction rate (RRB) and sediment reduction rate (SRB) averaged 33.6% and 82.1%, 43.7% and 76.4%, and 82.3% and 94.0%, respectively, for the GR, FSPs, and SM treatments. However, the effectiveness decreased with increasing inflow rate, especially for the FSPs as they were gradually destroyed and lost their ability to control runoff scour at 7.0 m3 h–1. The RRB and SRB were most affected by SM compared with FSPs and GR. All three SWC measures increased the Darcy-Weisbach friction coefficients (f) and reduced the velocity (V), Reynolds (Re), and Froude (Fr) numbers. Except for FSPs at 7.0 m3 h–1, all SWC treatments had a laminar flow regime and subcritical flow state. Gray correlation analysis (GRA) showed that stream power and Reynolds number had better relational degrees with erosion rate for conservation measures, followed by shear stress, indicating that they may be preferred descriptors of the erosional process. These results provide meaningful guidance on measures for preventing soil erosion on sloping farmland in the Loess Plateau. • Three typical soil and water conservation (SWC) measures had significant effects on runoff interception and erosion control. • These measures can greatly alter the flow line, weaken the erosive force and flow turbulence, and reduce the stream power. • Engineering measures (fish scale pits) were ineffective in controlling runoff when discharge rate was high. • These SWC measures should be effectively implemented on slopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]