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Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been reported to play an essential role in tumor angiogenesis and progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of vocal fold leukoplakia-associated fibroblasts (VFLFs) on the angiogenesis process in vocal fold leukoplakia (VFL) and their potential secretions of proangiogenic factors.A total of 160 lesions (86 laryngeal carcinoma, 67 vocal fold leukoplakia, 7 vocal fold polyp) were detected under narrow band imaging (NBI) mode to evaluate the relationship between pathology and intraepithelial papillary capillary loop (IPCL) grades. We characterized immortalized vocal fold CAFs, VFLFs, normal fibroblasts (NFs) cell lines using immunofluorescence cytochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The effects of fibroblast conditioned media (CM) on the proliferative, migrating and tube formation capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were investigated using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, wound healing assay, transwell migration experiment and Matrigel tube formation experiment. The expression levels of proangiogenic factors in CAFs, VFLFs, and NFs were evaluated by antibody microarray and RT-qPCR.NBI images depicted that angiogenesis was abnormally activated during laryngeal tumorigenesis. Both CAF and VFLF expressed Vimentin, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibroblast activation protein (FAP). NF expressed Vimentin and α-SMA, but not FAP. The PCR results showed that mRNA expression levels of Vimentin, α-SMA and FAP in CAFs and VFLFs were significantly increased than those in NFs. CAF-CM and VFLF-CM promoted the proliferative, migrating, and tube formation ability of HUVECs. Secretome profiling of fibroblasts by antibody microarray demonstrated that VFLFs secreted significantly more vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin, bFGF and HGF than NFs.Overall, we demonstrated that VEGF, angiogenin, bFGF and HGF derived from VFLFs may play crucial roles in the angiogenesis process of laryngeal premalignant and malignant lesions. This may contribute to the exploitation of novel therapeutic strategies for VFL.

This paper presents a new bridge-type compliant displacement amplifier embedded with Scott-Russell mechanism. Based on this design, a novel compliant XY micro-positioning stage is also designed, analyzed and tested to illustrate the advantages of the proposed amplifier. The main feature of the new amplifier is to employ Scott-Russell mechanism to replace one arm of the compound bridge-type mechanism, aiming to improve its lateral stiffness and the natural frequency in the working direction. The compliant XY micro-positioning stage is driven by two novel bridge-type amplifiers with orthogonal distribution. Double parallelogram guide mechanisms are added at the output ends of the bridge-type mechanisms to further lower the parasitic movements of the XY stage. Then, an analytical model based on the stiffness matrix transfer method is established for the static and dynamic characteristics of stage, which are also verified by performing finite element analysis. Finally, an experimental prototype is manufactured and its static and dynamic performances are tested. The test results demonstrate that the stage can realize a workspace of 181.0 μm × 179.5 μm with motion resolution of 20 nm and a maximum coupling error of 1.07%. The natural frequencies of XY stage along the working direction are 178 Hz and 248 Hz respectively when the PZTs are not installed or installed. Additionally, the trajectory tracking performance of the stage is also preliminarily evaluated. All of the results obtained from the analytical model, finite element analysis and experimental tests verify the effectiveness of the novel bridge-type displacement amplifier and the compliant XY micro-positioning stage.

A new type of microwave dielectric ceramics with low dielectric loss was fabricated through a traditional solid-phase method. X-ray diffraction and density tests showed that KSrPO4 ceramics with a single orthorhombic phase could be synthesized and densified at 950 °C, and the crystal structure of KSrPO4 was further confirmed by Rietveld refinement analysis. The densification temperature of KSrPO4 was lower than 961 °C, indicating the ceramics could be used in LTCC devices. Additionally, based on the complex chemical bond theory, some internal parameters of KSrPO4 ceramics were calculated and the effects of these parameters on the properties of KSrPO4 were systematically analyzed for the first time. Furthermore, the composite dielectric constant and loss of KSrPO4 ceramics were analyzed by infrared reflectance spectroscopy, and the theoretical loss and the actual loss were compared. Finally, a vector network analyzer was employed to measure the microwave dielectric properties of all samples. The results showed that KSrPO4 sintered at 950 °C obtain the best microwave dielectric properties, including er = 7.85, Q·f = 34,527 GHz (at 10.43 GHz) and τf = −14.82 ppm/°C.

Cell-cell interactions mediated by ligand-receptor complexes are critical to coordinating organismal development and functions. Majority of studies focus on the key time point, the mediator cell types or the critical genes during organismal development or diseases. However, most existing methods are specifically designed for stationary paired samples, there hasn't been a repository to deal with inferring cell-cell communications in developmental series RNA-seq data, which usually contains multiple developmental stages. Here we present a cell-cell interaction networks inference method and its application for developmental series RNA-seq data (termed dsCellNet) from the developing and aging brain. dsCellNet is implemented as an open-access R package on GitHub. It identifies interactions according to protein localizations and reinforces them via dynamic time warping within each time point and between adjacent time points, respectively. Then, fuzzy clustering of those interactions helps us refine key time points and connections. Compared to other published methods, our methods display high accuracy and high tolerance based on both simulated data and real data. Moreover, our methods can help identify the most active cell type and genes, which may provide a powerful tool to uncover the mechanisms underlying the organismal development and disease.

The lotus seedpod-based activated carbon (LSAC) is derived from pyrolysis of lotus seedpod as biomass carbon precursor, and Co3O4 is then deposited to LSAC by oxidation-precipitation and crystallization process of Co ions from Co(NO3)2 solution. The Co3O4 particles uniformly decorate on the surface and/or the inner channels of LSAC. The optimal reflection loss (RL) value of LSAC/Co3O4-paraffin wax (PW) composite reaches −39.8 dB, and the bandwidth for RL below −10 dB and −20 dB are 10.3 and 3.0 GHz, respectively, much better than that of LSAC-PW composite for the higher magnetic loss. The addition of Co3O4 particles in LSAC-PW composite significantly enhance the RL values in various thicknesses. The channels of the LSAC and decorated Co3O4 can improve the abilities of multiple scattering, dipole polarization, interface polarization and magnetic loss. This composite provides a promising method to construct high performance absorbers by using biomass carbon to tune the dielectric properties of the ferromagnetic materials.

Novel Ce2(MoO4)2(Mo2O7) (CMO) ceramics were prepared by a conventional solid-state method, and the microwave dielectric properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction results illustrated that pure Ce2(MoO4)2(Mo2O7) structure formed upon sintering at 600 °C-725 °C. [CeO7], [CeO8], [MoO4], and [MoO6] polyhedra were connected to form a three-dimensional structure of CMO ceramics. Analysis based on chemical bond theory indicated that the Mo–O bond critically affected the ceramics’ performance. Furthermore, infrared-reflectivity spectra analysis revealed that the primary polarisation contribution was from ionic polarisation. Notably, the optimum microwave dielectric properties of er = 10.69, Q·f = 49,440 GHz (@ 9.29 GHz), and τf = −30.4 ppm/°C were obtained in CMO ceramics sintered at 700 °C.

Ce2[Zr1–x(Al1/2Sb1/2)x]3(MoO4)9 (CZ1–x(AS)xM) (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) ceramics were prepared via a solid-state reaction route, and their microstructure was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. A single phase, belonging to the space group of R 3 ‾ c , was confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns. On the basis of the Rietveld refinement results, the chemical bond ionicity, lattice energy and bond valence were calculated. The intrinsic dielectric constants and losses were evaluated by Far-infrared reflectivity spectroscopy. Optimal microwave dielectric properties: er = 10.12, Q×f = 82,382 GHz and τf = −14.01 ppm/°C were obtained for Ce2[Zr0.98(Al1/2Sb1/2)0.02]3(MoO4)9 ceramics sintered at 850 °C for 4 h.

With the continuous expansion of the city scale and the continuous deepening of the innovation-driven concept, an innovative city pilot program, as a momentous spatial measure of the national innovation strategy, is of great significance for China's transformation to an innovative economy. Based on the Malmquist-Luenberger index, this paper estimates the ecological efficiency of 270 prefecture-level cities in China from 2005 to 2016. At the same time, the difference in differences (DID) method is applied to test the net effect of innovative city pilots on urban ecological efficiency, and the mediating effect model is used to analyze the transmission mechanism of innovative city pilots on ecological efficiency. The empirical results show that (1) innovative city construction is conducive to improving ecological efficiency. The validity of the conclusion is proven after a series of robustness tests, such as placebo test and propensity score matching and difference models (PSM-DID). (2) The heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the pilot policy has a more significant effect on improving ecological efficiency in cities with higher education expenditure, science and technology investment and human capital. (3) The mechanism test results indicate that innovative city pilots can have a positive impact on urban ecological efficiency through technological innovation, adjusting the industrial structure and giving full play to the direct intervention effect of the government. Accordingly, this paper argues that the pilot scope of innovative cities can be further expanded. To promote the improvement of urban ecological efficiency, the circular accumulation of knowledge and technology and the construction of a green and innovative development atmosphere need to be considered.

A series of Ce2(Zr1−xSnx)3(MoO4)9 (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) (CZ1−xSxM) ceramics were synthesized to investigate the effect of Sn4+ doping on the crystal structure, chemical bond parameters, and dielectric properties of Ce2Zr3(MoO4)9 ceramics. X-ray diffraction patterns illustrated the formation of the single-phase trigonal system solid solution in all samples. Rietveld refinement result showed that the lattice volume decreased linearly, which can be explained by the fact that the effective radius of Sn ion is smaller than that of Zr ion. As the Sn content increased, scanning electron microscope images showed that the CZ1−xSxM ceramics transformed from bar-like grains to disk-like grains and the grain size declined gradually. The structure–property correlation was estimated by using P–V-L theory; the descending er was mainly consistent with the reduced polarizability and total bond ionicity. The Q × f was associated with the lattice energy of the Ce–O1 bond. The change of τf value was mainly attributed to the bond energy (EMo1–O1 and EMo1–O4) and the coefficients of thermal expansion (αMo1–O1 and αMo1–O4). Infrared analysis indicated that the dielectric properties of the CZ1−xSxM ceramics were primarily ascribed to the absorption of phonon oscillation. Notably, when x = 0.08, outstanding microwave dielectric properties could be achieved, namely, er = 10.22, Q × f = 72,390 GHz, τf = −7.54 ppm/°C.

The acceptance of renewable energy technologies is a complicated and multifaceted process influenced by a broad range of factors. Therefore, this study aims to examine the factors influencing consumer intention to utilize renewable energy (RE). Moreover, the current research highlights the factors that encourage or discourage consumers from utilizing RE by expanding the structural context of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by integrating three new considerations (the perception of self-effectiveness, beliefs about the benefits of RE, and perception about neighbor participation). The data used for analysis were collected from 351 households in four large cities, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Faisalabad, in Pakistan. We utilized the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach to check the relationship between constructs and latent variables. The results reveal that the driving factors, i.e., the perception of self-effectiveness, awareness, and perception about neighbor participation have significant and positive effects on consumer intention to utilize RE. However, consumer beliefs related to the cost of RE utilization have a negative effect on their intention to utilize RE. More interestingly, it was observed that beliefs about the benefits of RE and environmental concern have insignificant effects. The outcomes of this study can assist policy makers, experts and consumers in understanding renewable energy consumption and gaining awareness about environmental problems while simultaneously improving environmental sustainability practices.

A series of trigonal system Ce2Zr3(Mo1-xWxO4)9 (CZM1-xWx) (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) ceramics with space group R-3c were fabricated by solid-state synthesis method. The impacts of substituting W6+ for Mo6+ on the apparent morphology, structural parameters, microwave dielectric performances, and crystalline phase composition were comprehensively discussed in the CZM1-xWx solid solutions. The X-ray diffraction and classical Rietveld refinement were performed to analysis the crystalline structure, which identified that all the as-synthesized CZM1-xWx ceramic samples only contained a single phase without additional impurities. SEM photographs revealed that clear grain boundaries and well-densified microstructure could be acquired at the optimal temperature of 875 °C for the CZM1-xWx ceramics. Combined with the extrinsic and intrinsic factors, the reduction of er was associated with porosity, ionic polarizability of primitive unit cell and average bond ionicity. The change in Q·f values could be explained by packing fraction and lattice energy of Mo-site. The variation in τf values were governed by bond valence, bond energy and thermal expansion coefficient of Mo/W–O bond. Besides, the relationship between IR spectra and intrinsic dielectric properties were investigated. In total, the considerable and comprehensive microwave dielectric properties with er = 10.27, Q·f = 65,553 GHz (at 9.86 GHz), and τf = −10.13 ppm/°C were realized at the low temperature of 875 °C for the CZM1-xWx ceramics with x = 0.04.

Environmental pollution and its effects have attracted increasing attention, but few studies have examined the impact of environmental pollution on the crime rate. This study adopted panel data of 30 provinces in China for the period 2005 to 2016 to examine the relationship between environmental pollution and the crime rate. In addition, a mediating effect model is used to study the mechanism through which environmental pollution influences the crime rate. This study considers the threshold effect of government official corruption on the link between environmental pollution and the crime rate. The generalized method of moments and a newly developed dynamic threshold panel model are employed to manage potential endogeneity problems. The estimation results indicate that environmental pollution significantly promotes China's crime rate. Environmental pollution can indirectly affect the crime rate through residents' health level, education level and inequality. The magnitude of the effect of environmental pollution on the crime rate will be greater after corruption reaches the threshold value. Regional heterogeneity analysis shows that a significant positive impact of environmental pollution on the crime rate exists in the eastern and western regions of China but not in the middle region. Based on the findings, we propose a series of policy implications to reduce criminal activities in China from the perspective of environmental pollution.

A new kind of Eu3NbO7 ceramic with a monoclinic structure (C2221) had been fabricated using the solid-state method. The X-ray diffraction results confirmed that all samples were pure phase and without secondary phases observed. Dense ceramics achieved in the sintering temperatures range from 1550 °C to 1650 °C and revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric properties were further investigated using the far-infrared spectrum and chemical bond theory of complex crystals and the results show that the Nb–O bonds with higher lattice energy and coefficient of thermal expansion have the primary contributions to Q × f and τf. Optimum dielectric characteristics for the sample sintered at 1600 °C, er of 43.0, Q × f of 10,953 GHz, and τf of 27.9 ppm/°C, was achieved. The Eu3NbO7 has enriched the microwave dielectric material systems.