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A novel graphene-modified electrode with polyethylenimine (PEI) and chitosan (CS) was created to detect Pb(II) via differential pulsed anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). PEI grafted on graphene oxide (GO) by reduction reaction was prepared into PEI-rGO composite, then the material was combined with CS to successfully prepare (PEI-rGO)/CS electrodes, and the effects of PEI-rGO contents on the Pb(II) detection response were investigated. The modified electrodes showed significant improvement in electrochemical activity, effective surface area, and Pb(II) detection sensitivity. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the electrodes displayed a wide linear concentration range (1–130 μg/L) and a low detection limit (5 ng/L) on Pb(II) detection. The experimental results showed that the modified electrode had a good stability with 1.80% relative standard deviation (RSD) of 10 repetitions of Pb(II) detection. This electrode had good anti-interference and good detection on Pb(II) in real water samples. The results offered a potential sensor technique for efficient and rapid in situ Pb(II) monitoring in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the family of two-dimensional dielectrics, rhombohedral boron nitride (rBN) is considerably promising owing to having not only the superior properties of hexagonal boron nitride1–4—including low permittivity and dissipation, strong electrical insulation, good chemical stability, high thermal conductivity and atomic flatness without dangling bonds—but also useful optical nonlinearity and interfacial ferroelectricity originating from the broken in-plane and out-of-plane centrosymmetry5–23. However, the preparation of large-sized single-crystal rBN layers remains a challenge24–26, owing to the requisite unprecedented growth controls to coordinate the lattice orientation of each layer and the sliding vector of every interface. Here we report a facile methodology using bevel-edge epitaxy to prepare centimetre-sized single-crystal rBN layers with exact interlayer ABC stacking on a vicinal nickel surface. We realized successful accurate fabrication over a single-crystal nickel substrate with bunched step edges of the terrace facet (100) at the bevel facet (110), which simultaneously guided the consistent boron–nitrogen bond orientation in each BN layer and the rhombohedral stacking of BN layers via nucleation near each bevel facet. The pure rhombohedral phase of the as-grown BN layers was verified, and consequently showed robust, homogeneous and switchable ferroelectricity with a high Curie temperature. Our work provides an effective route for accurate stacking-controlled growth of single-crystal two-dimensional layers and presents a foundation for applicable multifunctional devices based on stacked two-dimensional materials.Centimetre-sized single-crystal rhombohedral boron nitride layers are achieved through bevel-edge epitaxy, and the resulting material exhibits robust, homogeneous and switchable ferroelectricity with a high Curie temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) is a distinct molecular subtype of gastric cancer (GC). At present, the clinical characteristics and prognostic implications of EBV infection and the potential clinical benefits of immune checkpoint blockade in GC remain to be clarified. Hence, this study was designed to analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of GC patients with varying EBV infection states and compare their overall survival (OS). Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 1031 consecutive GC patients who underwent gastrectomy at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from February 2018 to November 2022. EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization (ISH) was used for EBV assessment, and immunohistochemical staining was used for evaluation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and Ki67 expression. EBVaGC was defined as tumors with EBV positivity. In addition, EBV-negative GC (EBVnGC) patients were matched with EBVaGC patients based on seven clinicopathological parameters (age, gender, anatomic subsite, tumor size, Lauren classification, degree of differentiation, and tumor-node-metastasis [TNM] stage). The correlations of clinical features with HER2, PD-L1, and Ki67 expression were evaluated statistically. The survival of patients was assessed through medical records, telephone, or WeChat communication, and prognostic analysis was performed using the logrank test as well as univariable and multivariable regression analysis. Results: Out of 1031 GC patients tested, 35 (3.4%) were diagnosed with EBVaGC. Notably, the EBVaGC group exhibited a distinct predominance of males and younger patients, significantly higher Ki67 and PD-L1 expression levels, and a lower prevalence of pericancerous nerve invasion than the EBVnGC group (P < 0.01). In the 35 EBVaGC cases, Ki67 expression was negatively correlated with age (P < 0.05), suggesting that a younger onset age was associated with higher Ki67 expression. In addition, PD-L1 expression was correlated with the degree of differentiation, T-stage, and clinical stage of the patient. Furthermore, PD-L1 expression was elevated in tumors with lower differentiation or at later stages (P < 0.05). Using univariate analysis, Ki67, PD-L1, and clinical stage were identified as significant factors influencing the overall survival (OS) of EBVaGC patients (P < 0.05). Moreover, multivariate survival analysis revealed that clinical stage and Ki67 expression were independent risk factors for the OS of the patients (P < 0.05), and the three-year OS rate of EBVaGC patients was 64.2%. Conclusion: EBV-ISH is a practical and valuable method to identify EBVaGC. Owing to its unique etiological, pathological, and clinical characteristics, patients with EBVaGC might benefit from immune checkpoint blockade therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let SLAut (F q n) denote the group of all semilinear isometries on F q n , where q = p e is a prime power. In this paper, we investigate some general properties of linear codes associated with the σ duals for σ ∈ SLAut (F q n) . We show that the dimension of the intersection of two linear codes can be determined by generator matrices of such codes and their σ duals. We also show that the dimension of the σ hull of a linear code can be determined by a generator matrix of it or its σ dual. We give a characterization on the σ dual and σ hull of a matrix-product code. We give an explanation for why it is meaningful to extend the ℓ -Galois hulls of matrix-product codes to the σ hulls of matrix-product codes. We also investigate the intersection of a pair of matrix-product codes. Finally, we construct several families of σ dual-containing matrix-product codes, some of which are optimal or almost optimal according to the Database (Grassl 2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent development of new immune checkpoint inhibitors has been particularly successfully in cancer treatment, but still the majority patients fail to benefit. Converting resistant tumors to immunotherapy sensitive will provide a significant improvement in patient outcome. Here we identify Mi-2β as a key melanoma-intrinsic effector regulating the adaptive anti-tumor immune response. Studies in genetically engineered mouse melanoma models indicate that loss of Mi-2β rescues the immune response to immunotherapy in vivo. Mechanistically, ATAC-seq analysis shows that Mi-2β controls the accessibility of IFN-γ-stimulated genes (ISGs). Mi-2β binds to EZH2 and promotes K510 methylation of EZH2, subsequently activating the trimethylation of H3K27 to inhibit the transcription of ISGs. Finally, we develop an Mi-2β-targeted inhibitor, Z36-MP5, which reduces Mi-2β ATPase activity and reactivates ISG transcription. Consequently, Z36-MP5 induces a response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in otherwise resistant melanoma models. Our work provides a potential therapeutic strategy to convert immunotherapy resistant melanomas to sensitive ones. Mi-2β is an enzyme of the chromodomain helicase DNA family with roles in chromatin assembly, genomic stability and gene repression. Here the authors report that Mi-2β promotes immune evasion by activating EZH2 methylation and that loss of Mi-2β or its inhibition promote anti-tumor immune responses in preclinical melanoma models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence suggests that key cancer-causing driver genes continue to exert a sustained influence on the tumor microenvironment (TME), highlighting the importance of immunotherapeutic targeting of gene mutations in governing tumor progression. TP53 is a prominent tumor suppressor that encodes the p53 protein, which controls the initiation and progression of different tumor types. Wild-type p53 maintains cell homeostasis and genomic instability through complex pathways, and mutant p53 (Mut p53) promotes tumor occurrence and development by regulating the TME. To date, it has been wildly considered that TP53 is able to mediate tumor immune escape. Herein, we summarized the relationship between TP53 gene and tumors, discussed the mechanism of Mut p53 mediated tumor immune escape, and summarized the progress of applying p53 protein in immunotherapy. This study will provide a basic basis for further exploration of therapeutic strategies targeting p53 protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), specifically the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)–MAPK subfamily, play a crucial role in the development of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the specific roles of JNK1/2 and their upstream regulators, MKK4/7, in HCC carcinogenesis remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we performed differential expression analysis of JNK–MAPK components at both the transcriptome and protein levels using TCGA and HPA databases. We utilized Kaplan–Meier survival plots and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to evaluate the prognostic performance of a risk scoring model based on these components in the TCGA-HCC cohort. Additionally, we conducted immunoblotting, apoptosis analysis with FACS and soft agar assays to investigate the response of JNK–MAPK pathway components to various death stimuli (TRAIL, TNF-α, anisomycin, and etoposide) in HCC cell lines. Results: JNK1/2 and MKK7 levels were significantly upregulated in HCC samples compared to paracarcinoma tissues, whereas MKK4 was downregulated. ROC analyses suggested that JNK2 and MKK7 may serve as suitable diagnostic genes for HCC, and high JNK2 expression correlated with significantly poorer overall survival. Knockdown of JNK1 enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells, while JNK2 knockdown reduced TNF-α/cycloheximide (CHX)—and anisomycin-induced apoptosis. Neither JNK1 nor JNK2 knockdown affected etoposide-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, MKK7 knockdown augmented TNF-α/CHX- and TRAIL-induced apoptosis and inhibited colony formation in hepatoma cells. Conclusion: Targeting MKK7, rather than JNK1/2 or MKK4, may be a promising therapeutic strategy to inhibit the JNK–MAPK pathway in HCC therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2006, Brun, Devetak and Hsieh developed the theory of entanglement-assisted quantum error-correcting codes (EAQECCs), which generalizes that of quantum stabilizer codes. The study of EAQECCs is currently a hot topic in coding theory and quantum information theory. Let q = p e be a prime power and let ℓ be an integer with 0 ≤ ℓ ≤ e - 1 . The ℓ -Galois hulls of MDS codes are an effective tool for constructing MDS EAQECCs. In this paper, we construct twenty-two families of q-ary MDS codes with ℓ -Galois hulls satisfying 2 (e - ℓ) ∣ e , which are not covered by those available in Cao (Galois hulls of MDS codes and their quantum error correction, 2020. https://arxiv.org/abs/2002.12892v2, IEEE Trans Inf Theory 67(12):7964–7984, 2021) when ℓ ≠ e 2 . From these families of MDS codes with ℓ -Galois hulls, we obtain twenty-two families of q-ary MDS EAQECCs. Compared with the MDS EAQECCs from Cao (Galois hulls of MDS codes and their quantum error correction, 2020. https://arxiv.org/abs/2002.12892v2, IEEE Trans Inf Theory 67(12):7964–7984, 2021), some of the MDS EAQECCs constructed in this paper have much larger dimensions. As an application, we give new families of p-ary entanglement-assisted concatenated quantum codes (EACQCs) by combining an arbitrary p-ary [ [ n ′ , e , d ′ ; c ′ ] ] p EAQECC with the q-ary MDS EAQECCs constructed in this paper. It turns out that the parameters of these EACQCs are very flexible, e.g., the possibility of the lengths of these EACQCs is far greater than the one of the lengths of these MDS EAQECCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the association of ectopic fat deposition in the liver and pancreas quantified by Dixon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with insulin sensitivity and β-cell function in patients with central obesity. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study of 143 patients with central obesity with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), prediabetes (PreD), and untreated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was conducted between December 2019 and March 2022. All participants underwent routine medical history taking, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory tests, including a standard glucose tolerance test to quantify insulin sensitivity and β-cell function. The fat content in the liver and pancreas was measured with MRI using the six-point Dixon technique. Results: Patients with T2DM and PreD had a higher liver fat fraction (LFF) than those with NGT, while those with T2DM had a higher pancreatic fat fraction (PFF) than those with PreD and NGT. LFF was positively correlated with homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), while PFF was negatively correlated with homeostatic model assessment of insulin secretion (HOMA-β). Furthermore, using a structured equation model, we found LFF and PFF to be positively associated with glycosylated hemoglobin via HOMA-IR and HOMA-β, respectively. Conclusions: In patients with central obesity, the effects of LFF and PFF on glucose metabolism. were associated with HOMA-IR and HOMA-β, respectively. Ectopic fat storage in the liver and pancreas quantified by MR Dixon imaging potentially plays a notable role in the onset ofT2DM. Clinical relevance statement: We highlight the potential role of ectopic fat deposition in the liver and pancreas in the development of type 2 diabetes in patients with central obesity, providing valuable insights into the pathogenesis of the disease and potential targets for intervention. Key Points: • Ectopic fat deposition in the liver and pancreas is associated with T2DM. • T2DM and prediabetes patients had higher liver and pancreatic fat fractions than normal individuals. • The results provide valuable insights into pathogenesis of T2DM and potential targets for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, we first explore a novel problem of training the robust Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) against noisy graphs and noisy labels. To the problem, we propose a general Self-supervised Robust Graph Neural Network framework that consists of three modules: graph structure learning, sample selection, and self-supervised learning. Specifically, we first employ a graph structure learning approach to obtain an optimal graph structure. Next, using this structure, we use a clustering algorithm to generate pseudo-labels that represent the clusters. We then design a sample selection strategy based on these pseudo-labels to select nodes with clean labels. Additionally, we introduce a self-supervised learning technique where low-level layer parameters are shared with GNNs to predict pseudo-labels. We jointly train the graph structure learning module, the GNNs model, and the self-supervised model. Finally, we conduct extensive experiments on four real-world datasets, demonstrating the superiority of our methods compared with state-of-the-art methods for semi-supervised node classification under noisy graphs and noisy labels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CdZnTe (CZT) is an II–VI compound semiconductor with a zinc blende structure and has a wide range of applications in nuclear radiation detectors. As the device size becomes nanoscale, the displacement damage caused by high-energy proton irradiation in space environment has become one of the main factors affecting the electrical properties of components. In this paper, Monte Carlo software Geant4 is used to simulate the types and proportions of physical processes generated by different particles incident on CZT crystals, the proportion and depth distribution of NIEL of particles with different energy/angle. The results show that the type, energy and angle of incident particles will affect the proportion of energy deposition and the distribution of energy deposition with depth during irradiation. The physical effects are different under different irradiation conditions. The simulation results have reference value for studying the displacement damage law of CZT irradiated by particles under different conditions and the stability of CZT detector in radiation environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the real-time monitoring of the internal damage state of fiber metal laminates (FMLs) under quasi-static loading was conducted by measuring the rate of change of resistance using graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)/epoxy resin conductive matrix. Initially, GNPs/epoxy resin matrices with varying GNPs content were prepared, and their conductivity was measured. A 1.5 vol.% GNPs/epoxy resin mixture was selected as the FMLs matrix. Subsequently, FMLs with 1.5 vol.% GNPs content were fabricated using wet lamination. The resistance changes of the FMLs under three-point bending and stretching loads were tested. The obtained curves confirmed the feasibility of establishing a conductive network in the FMLs matrix by incorporating an appropriate amount of GNPs into the epoxy resin matrix, thereby enabling real-time damage monitoring of FMLs. Experimental results revealed that as the conductive matrix in FMLs was subjected to quasi-static loads and damage occurred at different deformation stages, the resistance of the specimens under three-point bending and tensile loads increased gradually by 5% and 10%, respectively, during the elastic deformation stage, and then increased rapidly to 25% and 50%, respectively, during the plastic deformation stage with the emergence of matrix cracks. Finally, the resistance showed a precipitous increase when the load and deformation reached the damage threshold, indicating a cliff-like rise in the rate of resistance change, which allowed for a more accurate assessment of the damage mode in FMLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core data from the hydraulic fracturing test site 2 (HFTS-2) show that a complex fracture network is created. In this work, a novel fracturing-reservoir simulator is applied to the HFTS-2 data to provide a thorough assessment of the impact of the fracture network on well performance. A methodology is also presented to effectively represent the dynamic propagation of hydraulic fractures in complex naturally fractured formations. First, data that characterize the natural fractures at HFTS-2 are used to create a realistic representation of the reservoir (a discrete fracture network, DFN). Then, a fracturing simulator that fully couples fluid flow, fracture mechanics, and a black oil reservoir simulator is used to first create the fracture network and then simulate flowback and production. A comparison of our simulation results with core data shows good agreement with the characteristics of the natural fracture network based on the post-frac core analysis. The production/flowback results are compared with the field results and are found to agree well with actual production data. While it is possible to use planar fractures to history match production, the results provide unrealistic fracture dimensions and reservoir drainage volumes. This directly impacts design and operational decisions related to well spacing and fracture size, which demonstrates the importance of incorporating realistic complex fracture networks into reservoir simulators for production evaluation and forecasting as well as fracture design and well spacing selection. Highlights: A novel integrated DFN-fracturing-reservoir model is developed that allows us to dynamically model hydraulic fracture propagation in a naturally fractured reservoir followed by multi-phase fluid flowback during production. The model allows us to assess the impact of the natural fracture network on well performance. Natural fractures are represented by a discrete fracture network (DFN), and the interaction of multiple hydraulic fractures with natural fractures is captured by the displacement discontinuity method (DDM). A methodology is presented to automatically calibrate pre-existing natural fractures with core data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) on Chlorine (Cl2)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Female BALB/c mice were exposed to Cl2 at 400 ppm for 15 min. H&E staining was used to observe the degree of lung injury. scRNA-seq was conducted to analysis of normal and Cl2-exposed mice lung tissues. Immunofluorescence was used to observe genes of interest. Thirty-two mice were randomly divided into four groups: Control, Cl2, Cl2+Fer-1, Cl2+PTX. TEM, WB and ELISA were used to detect ferroptosis-related indicators. The 5, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20 clusters were epithelial cells and 4, 15, 18, 19, 21 clusters were endothelial cells. Pseudo-time analysis revealed the differentiation trajectory of epithelial cells and key regulatory genes (Gclc, Bpifa1, Dnah5 and Dnah9) during the process of injury. Cell–cell communication analysis identified several important receptor–ligand complexes (Nrp1-Vegfa, Nrp2-Vegfa, Flt1-Vegfa and Flt4-Vegfa). Ferroptosis were found up-regulated in epithelial and endothelial cells by GSVA analysis. Highly expressed genes to which closely related ferroptosis were found by SCENIC analysis. PTX could significantly decrease the levels of MDA and abnormal high expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11, the key transporter of cystine) as well as increase the expression of GSH/GSSG and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) (p < 0.05). This study revealed novel molecular features of Cl2-induced ALI. PTX may be a potential specific drug by inhibiting the process of ferroptosis in epithelial and endothelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct conversion of ethanol to 1,1-diethoxyethane (DEE) through one-pot dehydrogenation-acetalization has attracted broad interest from both academia and industry. Based on thermodynamics, the oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohol to acetaldehyde requires high temperature to activate oxygen to realize the C−H cleavage, while the acetalization of acetaldehyde with ethanol is exothermic reversible reaction favorable at low temperature. The mismatching of the reaction condition for the two consecutive steps makes it a great challenge to achieve both high ethanol conversion and high DEE selectivity. This work reports a highly efficient bi-functional catalysis by Bi/BiCeOx for one-pot oxidative dehydrogenation-acetalization route from ethanol to DEE under 150 °C and ambient pressure, affording a selectivity of 98.5% ± 0.5% to DEE at an ethanol conversion of 87.0% ± 1.0%. An efficient tandem catalysis has been achieved on the interfacial Biδ+−Ov−CeIII sites in Bi/BiCeOx established by strong metal-support interaction, in which Biδ+−Ov- sites contribute to the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethanol at mild temperature, and −Ov−CeIII sites to the subsequent acetalization between the generated acetaldehyde and ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we look at distance-regular graphs with induced subgraphs K r , t , where 1 ≤ r ≤ t are integers. In particular, we show that if a distance-regular graph Γ with diameter D ≥ 5 contains an induced subgraph K 2 , t (t ≥ 2) , then t is bounded above by a function of b 1 θ 1 + 1 , where θ 1 is the second largest eigenvalue of Γ . Using this bound we obtain that the intersection number c 2 of a μ -graph-regular distance-regular graph with diameter D ≥ 5 and large a 1 is bounded above by a fuction of b = ⌈ b 1 θ 1 + 1 ⌉ . We then apply this bound to thin Q-polynomial distance-regular graphs with diameter D ≥ 5 and large a 1 to show that c 2 is bounded above by a function of ⌈ b 1 θ 1 + 1 ⌉ . At last, we again apply the bound to thin distance-regular graphs with classical parameters (D , b , α , β) to show that the parameter α is bounded above by a function of b 1 θ 1 + 1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies have revealed a role of the ligand for glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related protein (GITRL) in mediating functional dysregulations of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), but the underlying molecular mechanism is largely unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate GITRL-mediated signaling pathways in MDSCs during the development of experimental SS (ESS). Methods: MDSCs were stimulated with recombinant GITRL, the activation of PTEN, AKT and STAT3 in MDSCs was analyzed by Western blot. MDSCs with different treatment were adoptively transferred to ESS mice. ELISA was used to detect the level of autoantibodies. Proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells were examined by flow cytometry. Histological evaluation of glandular destruction was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The interaction of GITR, TRAF3 and PP2A was detected by CoIP. Results: Upon the engagement of GITR on MDSCs, PTEN was activated and led to the inhibition of downstream AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway, therefore, resulting in the impaired immunosuppressive function of MDSCs. In ESS mice, blocking the activity of PTEN could efficiently restore the immunomodulatory effect of MDSCs and alleviate the progression of ESS. Furthermore, TRAF3 was found to bind to GITR, and then recruited PP2A to dephosphorylate PTEN, thus enhancing the activity of PTEN. Conclusion: This study elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of GITRL in regulating the function of MDSCs, which may provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of pSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, nitric acid-modified activated carbon was used as an electrode in the electrosorption process for the removal of Co2+, Mn2+, and Ni2+ from wastewater. The effects of applied voltage, initial pH, and coexisting ions on removal efficiency were investigated. The adsorption process was evaluated by adsorption isotherm models. The results indicated that the electrosorption process was consistent with the Langmuir model, proving that the electrosorption process was a monolayer adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacities of Co2+, Mn2+, and Ni2+ were 131.58 mg/g, 102.04 mg/g, and 103.09 mg/g. Electrochemical tests revealed that the specific capacitance of AC-HNO3 was 54.11 F/g when the scanning rate was 5 mV/s, while the specific capacitance of AC was 36.51 F/g. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that the content of oxygen groups on the surface of activated carbon increased after modification, which provided more adsorption sites for electrosorption. When the selected concentration of HCl was used as the eluent, the elution efficiency of Co2+, Mn2+, and Ni2+ could reach 94.23%, 93.65%, and 90.61%. The removal efficiency could reach more than 95% after three cycles. The results of the study can be used as a reference significance for the removal of cobalt, manganese, and nickel ions from heavy metal wastewater by electrosorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a series of lands have been built or enlarged on the top of some natural coral reefs by the means of reclamation in the South China Sea (SCS). The reclamation material used is the calcareous coral sand extracted from nearby lagoons. As a kind of special geotechnical material, its mechanical characteristics are different from that of conventional terrestrial soil. It is of great significance to study the time-dependent creep characteristics of the calcareous coral sand for evaluating the post-construction settlement of some important structures built on these reclaimed lands. In this study, a series of drained triaxial tests are conducted to study the long-term creep characteristics of calcareous coral sand under different loading types (single-level and multi-level tests). Based on the experimental results, it is found that calcareous coral sand indeed shows considerable time-dependent creep deformation under a constant stress state. There are two development modes for the volumetric strain versus axial strain curves during creeping under single-level loading; while there is only one development mode under multi-level loading. It is shown that the unfavorable effect of the air entrapped in the micro inner cavities of coral sand particles leads to a spurious volumetric strain measured in the middle and late stages of creep. The determination of the particle size distribution after the tests shows that the relative slippage and rearrangements of sand particles play the leading role in the creep deformation process for calcareous coral sand. The effect of sand particle breakage on creeping is not obvious. Based on these test data, a novel four-parameter mathematical model is proposed to model the creep characteristics of the calcareous coral sand in the South China Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It has been shown that activation of autophagy promotes the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Meanwhile, forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) has been found to induce autophagy in several types of cancer. However, it is still unclear whether FOXM1 mediates autophagy activation in PAH, and detailed mechanisms responsible for these processes are indefinite. Method: PAH was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline (MCT) to rats. The right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI), percentage of medial wall thickness (%MT), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) staining, and Ki67 staining were performed to evaluate the development of PAH. The protein levels of FOXM1, phospho-focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK), FAK, and LC3B were determined by immunoblotting or immunohistochemistry. Results: FOXM1 protein level and FAK activity were significantly increased in MCT-induced PAH rats, this was accompanied with the activation of autophagy. Pharmacological inhibition of FOXM1 or FAK suppressed MCT-induced autophagy activation, decreased RVSP, RVHI and %MT in MCT-induced PAH rats, and inhibited the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and pulmonary vessel muscularization in MCT-induced PAH rats. Conclusion: FOXM1 promotes the development of PAH by inducing FAK phosphorylation and subsequent activation of autophagy in MCT-treated rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of four combined treatments (A, CO2-filled packaging and heat convection treatments; B, composite preservatives and CO2-filled packaging treatments; C, composite preservatives and heat convection treatments; D, composite preservatives, CO2-filled packaging and heat convection treatments) on the shelf life and quality characteristics of fresh raw noodles. The Group D could preserve the fresh raw noodles for more than 17 days at 25 °C by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and mold, affecting the migration of moisture, and reducing the water activity and the free water content. In addition, gelatinization temperature increased from 91.4 to 94.5 °C with the extension of storage time (17 d), while enthalpy of noodles decreased from 0.77 J/g to 0.41 J/g and peak viscosity decreased from 2124.3 cP to 1523.2 cP with the extension of storage time. The sensory properties of the stored noodles during shelf life could be maintained to a certain extent, and the texture properties of Group C and D noodles kept stable during storage compared with those before storage. In particular, the quality of Group D noodles was superior to the quality of other test noodle groups. In brief, the combination treatment in Group D could greatly delay deterioration time to 17 d and improve the quality of fresh raw noodles. However, more comprehensive and detailed studies are needed to deeply understand the effects of this combination treatment on the quality of noodles during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Pruning could significantly promote branch formation, root development, and leaf growth, especially, improve flavonol glycoside and terpene lactones accumulation in leaves of ginkgo seedlings. Ginkgo biloba, an economically important tree species, is used as a medicinal plant due to the various secondary metabolites in its leaves. Pruning is the process of cutting branches to facilitate vegetative or reproductive growth. However, little is known about the effects of pruning on active compound accumulation in medicinal plants. Here, we found that after pruning 2-year-old ginkgo seedlings, branch number, ground diameter, and root size increased significantly; in particular, leaf size and crack number increased dramatically. Importantly, after pruning, fresh and dry leaf weights increased. Meanwhile, the total flavonoid, flavonol glycoside, and isorhamnetin contents of the leaves increased significantly, by about 24%, 20%, and 22%, respectively, and the contents of terpene lactones in leaves and roots increased by 8% and 28%, respectively. Through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, we detected upregulation of flavonoid synthesis-associated genes, including chalcone synthase (CHS), flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase (F3'H), flavonol synthase (FLS), flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) and anthocyanin synthase (ANS), and the terpene lactone synthesis-related genes acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase (AACT) in leaves after pruning. These results indicate that pruning promotes leaf growth and bioactive compound accumulation in ginkgo seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass fibre aluminium laminate (Glare) is widely used in various fields because of its excellent performance. However, its properties can be further enhanced by adding nanofillers, such as graphene, to the matrix. Graphene is a cost-effective toughening agent because of its excellent specific strength, economy and good compatibility. The interlaminar mechanical and dynamic impact properties of Glare were improved by uniformly dispersed graphene (0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 wt%). The interlaminar mechanical properties (short beam shear and single lap test) of the graphene-modified (0.5 wt%) Glare were increased by 42.24% and 25.65 %, respectively, compared with the pure epoxy resin matrix. At a graphene content of 1.0 wt%, the Charpy impact energy and strength increased by 163.58 % and 126.33 %, respectively, and reached the maximum value. The microscopic images and schematic diagrams illustrated the toughening mechanism of graphene, including the enhancement of the aluminium/resin and fibre/resin interfaces and the performance of the resin matrix. The toughening of the resin matrix was achieved through the formation of a mechanical linkage between the graphene and the matrix, which indicated that more time and energy would be required to destroy it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effect of different inflation volume on the measurement accuracy of the modified cuff pressure measurement method in different shapes of cuffs, so as to provide reference for the correct monitoring of cuff pressure in clinic. In vitro study: The traditional cuff pressure measurement method (the cuff pressure gauge before measurement shows 0 cm H2O) and the modified cuff pressure measurement method (the cuff pressure before measurement shows 25 cm H2O, 28 cm H2O, 30 cm H2O or 32 cm H2O) were used to measure cylindrical and tapered cuffs, and the effect of different inflation volume on cuff pressure was analyzed statistically. Clinical study: patients with the artificial airway established by orotracheal intubation or tracheotomy in Neuro-ICU were prospectively selected as subjects, and the measurement procedure was the same as in vitro study. In vitro study showed that the pressure loss values of cylindrical cuff and tapered cuff using the traditional cuff pressure measurement method were (3.75 ± 0.31) cm H2O and (4.92 ± 0.44) cm H2O, respectively, and clinical study showed that the pressure loss values were (5.07 ± 0.83) cm H2O and (5.17 ± 0.93) cm H2O, respectively. The actual measured values measured by the traditional cuff pressure measurement method of the two cuff shapes were compared with the corrected target value of 28 cm H2O, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.000). Both in vitro and clinical study had shown that all differences between the actual measured value and the corrected target value using the modified cuff pressure measurement method (measured with 25 cm H2O, 30 cm H2O, 32 cm H2O) were statistically significant (P < 0.000), and the range of overall differences was (0–1.23 ± 0.25) cm H2O. In vitro study had shown that the pressure variation coefficient (CV) of the tapered cuff was greater than that of the cylindrical cuff, and the difference was statistically significant (3.08 ± 0.25 VS 2.41 ± 0.21, P < 0.000). The traditional cuff pressure measurement method can directly lead to the cuff pressure drop, which is easy to cause the leakage of secretions on the cuffs and the misjudgment of the cuff pressure by medical personnel. However, the modified cuff pressure measurement method can effectively reduce cuff pressure loss, and taking the actual cuff pressure value as the inflation volume is the highest measurement accuracy.The tapered cuff is more susceptible to air volume, so it is necessary to pay attention to its measurement and correction in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cluster-based functional materials have made remarkable progress owing to their wonderful structures and distinctive physicochemical performances, one of on-going advancements of which is basically driven by synthetic chemistry of exploring and constructing novel nanosized gigantic polyoxometalate (POM) aggregates. In this article, an unprecedented nanoscale hexameric arsenotungstate aggregate Na9K16H4[Er0.5K0.5(H2O)7][Er5W10O26(H2O)14][B-α-AsW9O33]6·102H2O (1) has been synthesized by the combined synthetic strategy of simultaneously using the arsenotungstate precursor and simple tungstate material in a highly acidic aqueous solution. The {[Er5W10O26(H2O)14][B-α-AsW9O33]6}31− polyanion in 1 consists of an intriguing dumbbell-shaped pentadeca-nuclear W-Er heterometal {Er5W10O26(H2O)14}23+ cluster connecting six trilacunary [B-α-AsW9O33]9− moieties, which has never been seen previously. Furthermore, through electropolymerization of 1 and pyrrole on the conductive substrate, a thickness-controllable and robust 1-PPY (PPY = polypyrrole) hybrid film was successfully prepared, which represents the first POM-PPY film assembled from high-nuclear lanthanide (Ln) encapsulated POM and PPY hitherto. The 1-PPY film-based electrochemical biosensor exhibits a favorable recognition performance for ochratoxin A in multiple media. This work not only provides a feasible combined synthetic strategy of the POM precursor and simple tungstate material for constructing complicated multi-Ln-inserted POM aggregates, but also offers a promising electrochemical platform constructed from POM-based conductive films for identifying trace biomolecules in complex environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco bushy top disease (TBTD) is a devastating tobacco disease in the southwestern region of China. TBTD in the Yunnan Province is often caused by co-infections of several plant viruses: tobacco bushy top virus (TBTV), tobacco vein distorting virus (TVDV), tobacco bushy top virus satellite RNA (TBTVsatRNA) and tobacco vein distorting virus-associated RNA (TVDVaRNA). Through this study, two new poleroviruses were identified in two TBTD symptomatic tobacco plants and these two novel viruses are tentatively named as tobacco polerovirus 1 (TPV1) and tobacco polerovirus 2 (TPV2), respectively. Analyses of 244 tobacco samples collected from tobacco fields in the Yunnan Province through RT-PCR showed that a total of 80 samples were infected with TPV1 and/or TPV2, and the infection rates of TPV1 and TPV2 were 8.61% and 29.51%, respectively. Thirty-three TPV1 and/or TPV2-infected tobacco samples were selected for further test for TBTV, TVDV, TBTVsatRNA and TVDVaRNA infections. The results showed that many TPV1 and/or TPV2-infected plants were also infected with two or more other assayed viruses. In this study, we also surveyed TBTV, TVDV, TBTVsatRNA and TVDVaRNA infections in a total of 1713 leaf samples collected from field plants belonging to 29 plant species in 13 plant families and from 11 provinces/autonomous regions in China. TVDV had the highest infection rates of 37.5%, while TVDVaRNA, TBTV and TBTVsatRNA were found to be at 23.0%, 12.4% and 8.1%, respectively. In addition, TVDV, TBTV, TBTVsatRNA and TVDVaRNA were firstly detected of co-infection on 10 plants such as broad bean, pea, oilseed rape, pumpkin, tomato, crofton weed etc., and 1 to 4 of the TBTD causal agents were present in the samples collected from Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Liaoning, Inner mongolia and Tibet autonomous regions. The results indicated that TBTD causal agents are expanding its host range and posing a risk to other crop in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss maximality of Seidel matrices with a fixed largest eigenvalue. We present a classification of maximal Seidel matrices of largest eigenvalue 3, which gives a classification of maximal equiangular lines in a Euclidean space with angle arccos 1 / 3 . Motivated by the maximality of the exceptional root system E 8 , we define strong maximality of a Seidel matrix, and show that every Seidel matrix achieving the absolute bound is strongly maximal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that C-reactive protein (CRP) participates in multiple types of cancer development. Here, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of CRP in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) chemoresistance. Immunohistochemical staining showed that CRP expression was upregulated in TSCC tissues from cisplatin-resistant patients compared with that in cisplatin-sensitive TSCC samples. The CRP expression level was positively correlated with that of the drug-resistant marker MDR1. Moreover, functional experiments showed that CRP increased cell viability and decreased cisplatin-induced apoptosis. CRP also increased the expression levels of MDR1 and Bcl-2 and decreased the expression level of Bax. Furthermore, CRP decreased the activity of caspase-3. Mechanistically, CRP could bind to Fcγ receptor I (FcγRI, also known as CD64) and activate the AKT/mTOR pathway to inhibit the activation of caspase-3/9, as shown by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay and western blotting assays. In addition, CRP promoted tumour growth and decreased cleaved caspase-3/9 expression in BALB/c nude mice. Taken together, our findings indicate that CRP promotes TSCC chemoresistance by inhibiting the activation of caspase-3/9 via the FcγRI/AKT/mTOR pathway. Thus, CRP could potentially be considered as a therapeutic target for reducing TSCC chemoresistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give a survey on graphs with fixed smallest adjacency eigenvalue, especially on graphs with large minimal valency and also on graphs with good structures. Our survey mainly consists of the following two parts: Hoffman graphs, the basic theory related to Hoffman graphs and the applications of Hoffman graphs to graphs with fixed smallest adjacency eigenvalue and large minimal valency; recent results on distance-regular graphs and co-edge regular graphs with fixed smallest adjacency eigenvalue and the characterizations of certain families of distance-regular graphs. At the end of the survey, we also discuss signed graphs with fixed smallest adjacency eigenvalue and present some new findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, rapid and accurate triage of patients at the emergency department is critical to inform decision-making. We propose a data-driven approach for automatic prediction of deterioration risk using a deep neural network that learns from chest X-ray images and a gradient boosting model that learns from routine clinical variables. Our AI prognosis system, trained using data from 3661 patients, achieves an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.786 (95% CI: 0.745–0.830) when predicting deterioration within 96 hours. The deep neural network extracts informative areas of chest X-ray images to assist clinicians in interpreting the predictions and performs comparably to two radiologists in a reader study. In order to verify performance in a real clinical setting, we silently deployed a preliminary version of the deep neural network at New York University Langone Health during the first wave of the pandemic, which produced accurate predictions in real-time. In summary, our findings demonstrate the potential of the proposed system for assisting front-line physicians in the triage of COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) can be a devastating complication of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We aimed to assess risk factors associated with ICH in this population. We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to NYU Langone Health system between March 1 and April 27 2020 with a positive nasopharyngeal swab polymerase chain reaction test result and presence of primary nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage or hemorrhagic conversion of ischemic stroke on neuroimaging. Patients with intracranial procedures, malignancy, or vascular malformation were excluded. We used regression models to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (OR, 95% CI) of the association between ICH and covariates. We also used regression models to determine association between ICH and mortality. Among 3824 patients admitted with COVID-19, 755 patients had neuroimaging and 416 patients were identified after exclusion criteria were applied. The mean (standard deviation) age was 69.3 (16.2), 35.8% were women, and 34.9% were on therapeutic anticoagulation. ICH occurred in 33 (7.9%) patients. Older age, non-Caucasian race, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and therapeutic anticoagulation were associated with ICH on univariate analysis (p < 0.01 for each variable). In adjusted regression models, anticoagulation use was associated with a five-fold increased risk of ICH (OR 5.26, 95% CI 2.33–12.24, p < 0.001). ICH was associated with increased mortality (adjusted OR 2.6, 95 % CI 1.2–5.9). Anticoagulation use is associated with increased risk of ICH in patients with COVID-19. Further investigation is required to elucidate underlying mechanisms and prevention strategies in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although vaccination is available, mumps remains a public health concern in many countries including China. Previous studies have indicated the impact of meteorological factors and mumps, but findings vary across different regions with limited evidence to inform local public health responses. We aim to examine the impacts of meteorological variables on mumps in Jinan, a temperate city of China, and explore the interactions of temperature with humidity or wind speed. Weekly meteorological data and notified cases of mumps in Jinan were collected for 2014–2018. Regression analyses using the generalized additive model were performed with considerations of multicollinearity, lag effects, school holidays, long-term trend, and seasonality. A stratification model was applied to investigate the interaction. We found a non-linear relationship between weekly mean temperature and the number of cases. Between 1.2 and 24.5 °C, the excess risk (ER) of mumps for a 1 °C increase in weekly mean temperature was 3.08% (95% CI 1.32 to 4.87%) at 0-week lag. The lagged effects could last for 3 weeks. There were interactions between mean temperature and relative humidity or wind speed. The effect of mean temperature was enhanced in days with low relative humidity or high wind speed. This study suggests that temperature is positively associated with mumps cases with thresholds in the temperate city of China, and the effect can be modified by relative humidity and wind speed and is independent of vaccine coverage. Findings could be integrated into current early warning systems of mumps in order to protect people's health from the risk of changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The effects of gestational BPA exposure on hepatic lipid accumulation in offspring are not fully understood. Here, we investigate the sex-dependent effects of gestational BPA exposure on hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism in the offspring of mice to reveal the mechanisms underlying gestational BPA exposure-associated NAFLD. Pregnant mice were administered gavage with or without 1 μg kg−1 day−1 BPA at embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5)–E16.5. Hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism were evaluated in these models. Both male and female offspring mice exhibited hepatic fatty liver after BPA treatment. Lipid accumulation and dysfunction of glucose metabolism were observed in male offspring. We revealed abnormal expression of lipid regulators in the liver and that inhibition of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) repressed hepatic lipid accumulation induced by gestational BPA exposure. We also found a sex-dependent decrease of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1b (HNF1b) expression in male offspring. The transcriptional repression of PPARγ by HNF1b was confirmed in L02 cells. Downregulation of HNF1b, upregulation of PPARγ, and subsequent upregulation of hepatic lipid accumulation were essential for NAFLD development in male offspring gestationally exposed to BPA as well as BPA-exposed adult male mice. Dysregulation of the HNF1b/PPARγ pathway may be involved in gestational BPA exposure-induced NAFLD in male offspring. These data provide new insights into the mechanism of gestational BPA exposure-associated sex-dependent glucose and lipid metabolic dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camphor leaf (CL) was widely used to extract camphor oil and thus led to abundant forestry waste. In order to reduce pollution, the waste CL was used to prepare bio-adsorbent for Pb(II) removal after alkali treatment and functional modification. The effects of solution pH, initial Pb(II) concentration, contact time and solution temperature were investigated on adsorption process to evaluate the potential application in heavy metal ions' removal. It was found that the massive hydroxyl groups released and plenty of micro-pores formed after the alkali treatment of CL bio-adsorbent, which obviously increased the Pb(II) adsorption. And the adsorption performance promoted continually after further functional modification by ionized 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA). The increase of pH was favourable for the adsorption even though the precipitation effect was deducted. Linear fitting method was more suitable to describe the adsorption process than nonlinear fitting method, including adsorption isotherms and adsorption kinetics research. The adsorption thermodynamics was better to be described by nonlinear fitting method due to its lower root mean square error (RMSE) value and higher R2 value. Among which, the adsorption isotherm and adsorption kinetics were fitted well to Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order model, respectively. The adsorption thermodynamics was exothermic in nature and the process was spontaneous at low solution temperature. The adsorption mechanism was revealed as the combination of dominant chemical adsorption and assistant physical adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2001, Blackmore and Norton introduced an important tool called matrix-product codes, which turn out to be very useful to construct new quantum codes of large lengths. To obtain new and good quantum codes, we first give a general approach to construct matrix-product codes being Hermitian dual-containing and then provide the constructions of such codes in the case s ∣ (q 2 - 1) , where s is the number of the constituent codes in a matrix-product code. For s ∣ (q + 1) , we construct such codes with lengths more flexible than the known ones in the literature. For s ∣ (q 2 - 1) and s ∤ (q + 1) , such codes are constructed in an unusual manner; some of the constituent codes therein are not required to be Hermitian dual-containing. Accordingly, by Hermitian construction, we present two procedures for acquiring quantum codes. Finally, we list some good quantum codes, many of which improve those available in the literature or add new parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the development of low or ultra-low permeability oil resources, the alternative energy supply becomes a prominent issue. In recent years, carbon dots (CDs) have drawn much attention owing to their application potential in oil fields for reducing injection pressure and augmenting oil recovery. However, carbon dots characterized of small size, high surface energy are faced with several challenges, such as self-aggregation and settling. The preparation of stably dispersed carbon dots nanofluids is the key factor to guarantee its application performance in formation. In this work, we investigated the stability of hydrophilic carbon dots (HICDs) and hydrophobic carbon dots–Tween 80 (HOCDs) nanofluids. The influences of carbon dots concentration, sorts and concentration of salt ions as well as temperature on the stability of CDs were studied. The results showed that HICDs are more sensitive to sort and concentration of salt ions, while HOCDs are more sensitive to temperature. In addition, the core flooding experiments demonstrated that the pressure reduction rate of HICDs and HOCDs nanofluids can be as high as 17.88% and 26.14%, respectively. Hence, the HICDs and HOCDs nanofluids show a good application potential in the reduction of injection pressure during the development of low and ultra-low permeability oil resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cd1−xZnxTe films were prepared on borosilicate glass substrate using RF magnetron sputtering in this work. The effects of sputtering power, sputtering pressure and substrate temperature on the properties of the films were investigated in detail. The films were annealed in CdCl2 atmosphere for 2 h at 200 °C, 300 °C, and 400 °C, respectively. The effects of annealing treatment on the properties of the films were also investigated. The properties of the films were investigated by x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and current–voltage (I–V) characterization. The results indicate that crystalline quality and the average grain size of the films increases with the increases of sputtering power. The grain size of the films becomes larger as the substrate temperature increases. The Zn concentration of the films rises as the sputtering pressure increases. After annealing, the grain size of the films becomes larger, furthermore, the resistivity decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) is considered to be an ideal material for manufacturing high-energy radiation detectors with large scale and long-term stability. To solve the problem of film fragmentation during the process of preparing CdZnTe thick films using the close-spaced sublimation method, Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) was chosen as the substrate for CdZnTe film growth, since it has a similar thermal expansion coefficient, lower lattice mismatch, and better adhesion compared with CdZnTe. For comparison, borosilicate glass and fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates were also used to deposit CdZnTe under the same preparation conditions. The structure and physical properties of the CdZnTe film were investigated in detail by using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometry, x-ray diffraction analysis, and current–voltage (I–V) measurements. The results indicated that CdZnTe film grown on GZO film substrate has large grain size, high growth rate, high quality, and good adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) immobilized TEMPO macromolecular catalysts were prepared by condensation reduction reactions between carbonyl groups in 4-O-TEMPO and primary amines in PAMAM. The macromolecular catalyst and NaBr/NaClO were used as catalytic system for selective oxidation of cellulose in aqueous medium. Effects of various factors, such as TEMPO loading ratios and PAMAM generations, were studied on the catalytic performances. Compared with free TEMPO, the macromolecular catalyst with less than 50 % TEMPO loading ratio had a higher reaction rate in the initial stage of the reaction. Especially, the reaction rate of G1.0 PAMAM with 30 % TEMPO loading ratio was comparable to free TEMPO in the whole reaction process. Its cellulose oxidation degree (or catalytic activity) was also equivalent to the level of free TEMPO. Interestingly, the cellulose depolymerization degree of macromolecular catalyst was not affected by the cellulose oxidation degree and was lower than that of free TEMPO. The macromolecular catalyst could be recycled efficiently by the combination of supernatant circulation and salting-out extraction, and the recycling performance was excellent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of tourism destination images is of great significance in the tourism discipline. Tourism user-generated content (UGC), i.e., the feedback on tourism websites, provides rich information for constructing a destination image. However, it is difficult for tourism researchers to obtain a relatively complete and intuitive destination image due to the unintuitive destination image display, the significant variance in departure time and data length, and the destination type in UGC. We propose TDIVis, a carefully designed visual analytics system, aimed at obtaining a relatively comprehensive destination image. Specifically, a keyword-based sentiment visualization method is proposed to associate the cognitive image with the emotional image, and by this method, both time evolution analysis and classification analysis are considered; a multi-attribute association double sequence visualization method is proposed to associate two different types of text sequences and provide a dynamic visual encoding interaction method for the multi-attribute characteristics of sequences. The effectiveness and usability of TDIVis are demonstrated through four cases and a user study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe-doped ZnO (Fe–ZnO) mesoporous nanoparticles have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method, which utilizes pluronic triblock copolymer polyethylene glycol–polypropylene glycol–polyethylene glycol (PEO-PPO-PEO) as the pore-forming agent. Fe–ZnO composites have an unique porous structure. Their pore sizes increase with Fe-doping concentration and reach a maximum as Fe concentration is 15 at.%; the specific surface area of synthesized mesoporous Fe–ZnO nanoparticles reaches a maximum as the Fe concentration is about 11 at.%. Electron microscopy, vapor pressure isotherm measurements and photoluminescence (PL) were used to characterize synthesized Fe–ZnO composites. Fe–ZnO-based gas sensors exhibit excellent response in detecting ethanol; the sensing response of Fe(11 at.%)–ZnO reaches 319.8, which is significantly higher than most of the ZnO-based gaseous sensors. The improved sensitivity is ascribed to the increase of oxygen-related defects and specific surface area of Fe–ZnO composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luteolin is a natural flavonoid compound derived from vegetables, fruits, and herbs with potent anti-inflammatory activity. Macrophage polarization is important in the development and progression of inflammation. However, whether luteolin can inhibit inflammation by regulating the polarized phenotypes of macrophages remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of luteolin on the inflammatory polarization of macrophages and the underlying mechanisms. RAW264.7 macrophages were induced to M1 polarization by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide plus interferon-γ or to M2 polarization with interleukin 4 (IL-4), simultaneously, accompanied with different concentrations of luteolin. Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe cell morphology; flow cytometry was employed to detect the expression of membrane surface molecule CD86 and CD206; qPCR was performed to examine the mRNA expression of M1 markers (iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6) and M2 markers (Arg1, CD206, CD163, IL-10, and IL-13), respectively; ELISA was used to examine the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10; and Western blotting was used to evaluate the p-STAT3 and p-STAT6 protein pathway. The morphology of activated M1 macrophages changed significantly, developing dendritic characteristics. After luteolin treatment, the expression of M1-type proinflammatory mediators and the surface marker CD86 were decreased evidently, but those of M2-related anti-inflammatory factors and CD206 were increased markedly. Moreover, p-STAT3 was downregulated and p-STAT6 was upregulated in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion, luteolin can alter the M1/M2 polarization of macrophages, thereby playing an anti-inflammatory role via downregulation of p-STAT3 and upregulation of p-STAT6. Therefore, luteolin may be potentially valuable to inhibit inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In biometrics research, face-appearance based age estimation (AE) becomes an important topic and has attracted a great deal of attention due to its potential applications. To achieve the goal of AE, a variety of methods have been proposed in the literature, among which the cumulative attribute (CA) coding based methods have achieved promising performance by preserving both ordinality and neighbor-similarity of ages. However, the sub-regressors responsible for regressing each of the CA coding elements are learned separately, while all of them are trained on the same dataset, leading to that potential correlation relationships of inter/intra-CA coding are not exploited. To this end, we herein propose a novel correlation learning method to model and utilize such inter/intra-CA relationships for AE, through self-learning from the training data. In addition, we extend the proposed method to perform gender-aware AE by further exploiting the correlations between and within gender groups. Furthermore, we introduce an alternating optimization algorithm for the proposed methods. Extensive experiments are conducted to demonstrate that the proposed methods can significantly improve the accuracy of AE, and more importantly that they can model well both inter/intra CA coding and gender relationships, regardless whether they are related (positive or negative) or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]