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We aimed to investigate the preventive effect of vitamin D2 on COVID-19 and the improvement of symptoms after COVID-19 infection. The study recruited 228 health care workers who tested negative PCR or antigen for COVID-19. Subjects were randomly allocated to vitamin D2 or non-intervention at a ratio 1:1. Subjects recorded PCR or antigen tests and the symptoms of COVID-19 twice a week during the follow-up visit. The concentration of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), C-reaction protein (CRP), complement component C1q and inflammatory cytokines were measured. The rates of COVID-19 infection were 50.5% in the vitamin D2 group and 52.4% in the non-intervention group (P = 0.785). There was no difference in the COVID-19 symptoms between the two groups. The mean 25(OH)D level significantly increased from 14.1 to 31.1 ng/mL after administration (P < 0.001). The difference between the two groups was not significant for the concentrations of CRP, C1q and inflammatory cytokines on the thirtieth day of the trial. According to the second level of vitamin D, there was a 14.3% difference in positive infection rates between the vitamin D adequate (> 30 ng/mL) and deficient groups (< 20 ng/mL). Adequate vitamin D had a tendency to prevent COVID-19. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05673980, dated: 12/2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Optical encryption strategies utilizing fully coherent light have been widely explored but often face challenges such as speckle noise and beam instabilities. In this work, we introduce a novel protocol for multi-channel optical information encoding and encryption using vectorial spatial coherence engineering of a partially coherent light beam. By characterizing the beam's spatial coherence structure with a 2 × 2 coherence matrix, we demonstrate independent control over the three components of the coherence Stokes vector. This allows for three-channel optical information encoding and encryption, with applications in color image representation. Unlike existing methods based on fully coherent light modulations, our approach utilizes a two-point dependent coherence Stokes vector, proving resilient to random noise in experimental scenarios. Our findings provide a robust foundation for higher-dimensional optical encoding and encryption, addressing limitations associated with partially coherent light in complex environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclodextrin (CD) is an important guest material owing to the water solubility and biocompatibility. In the paper, an organic small molecule was synthesized. According to supramolecular self-assembly, the organic molecule was bounded to the cavity of Poly β-cyclodextrin, which was characterized by IR, SEM and TEM et al. After self-assembly interaction, the morphology has changed obviously comparing with precursors. Simultaneously, the supramolecular self-assembly complex exhibited good water solubility. Moreover, By Gaussian calculation, the high binding activity between organic molecule and cyclodextrin was confirmed. By fluorescence investigation, the supramolecular system showed high fluorescence sensing activity for Zn2+ in pure water environment, which could track the dynamic change of Zn2+ in organisms. In addition, the supramolecular system exhibited low cytotoxicity. The work provided an interesting pathway for constructing water-soluble and low cytotoxic fluorescence sensor for Zn2+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers how an online food delivery platform can improve last-mile delivery services' performance using multi-source data. The delivery time is one critical but uncertain factor for online platforms that also regarded as the main challenges in order assignment and routing service. To tackle this challenge, we propose a data-driven optimization approach that combines machine learning techniques with capacitated vehicle routing optimization. Machine learning methods can provide more accurate predictions and have received increasing attention in the operations research field. However, different from the traditional predict-then-optimize paradigm, we use a new smart predict-then-optimize framework, whose prediction objective is constructed by decision error instead of prediction error when implementing machine learning. Using this type of prediction, we can obtain a more accurate decision in the following optimization step. Efficient mini-batching gradient and heuristic algorithms are designed to solve the joint order assignment and routing problem of last-mile delivery service. Besides, this paper considers the mutual effect between routing decision and delivery time, and provides the corresponding solution algorithm. In addition, this paper conducts a computational study and finds that the proposed method's performance has an approximate 5% improvement compared with other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: 3,4-bis(3-nitrofurazan-4-yl)furoxan (DNTF) is a new energetic compound with high energy and high density, and it is an important component of propellant and melt cast explosive. In order to study the effect of solvent on the growth morphology of DNTF, the growth plane of DNTF in vacuum is predicted by attachment energy (AE) model, and then the modified attachment energy of each growth plane in different solvents is calculated by molecular dynamics simulation. The morphology of crystal in solvent is predicted by modified attachment energy (MAE) model. The factors affecting crystal growth in solvent environment are analyzed by mass density distribution, radial distribution function and diffusion coefficient. The results show that the growth morphology of crystal in solvent is not only related to the adsorption strength of solvent to crystal plane, but affected by the attraction of crystal plane to solute. The hydrogen bond plays an important role in the adsorption strength between solvent and crystal plane. The polarity of solvent has a great influence on the crystal morphology, and the interaction between the solvent with stronger polarity and the crystal plane is stronger. The morphology of DNTF in n-butanol solvent is closer to spherical, which can effectively reduce the sensitivity of DNTF. Methods: The molecular dynamics simulation is carried out under the COMPASS force field of Materials Studio software. Gaussian software is used to calculate the electrostatic potential of DNTF at B3LYP-D3/6–311 + G (d, p) theoretical level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic wound treatment has posed a significant challenge in clinical practice. As a kind of cell-derived nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles produced by adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC-EVs) have been reported to be potential agents for diabetic wound treatment. However, ADSC-EV yield is insufficient to meet the demands of clinical therapy. In this study, a novel method involving the use of low-intensity ultrasound stimulation on ADSCs is developed to promote EV secretion for clinical use. A proper low-intensity ultrasound stimulation parameter which significantly increases ADSC-EV quantity has been found. In addition, EVs secreted by ADSCs following low-intensity ultrasound stimulation (US-EVs) are enriched in wound healing-related miRNAs. Moreover, US-EVs promote the biological functions of fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells in vitro, and promote diabetic wound healing in db/db mice in vivo through re-epithelialization, collagen production, cell proliferation, keratinocyte differentiation and migration, and angiogenesis. This study proposes low-intensity ultrasound stimulation as a new method for promoting significant EV secretion by ADSCs and for improving the diabetic wound-healing potential of EVs, which will meet the clinical needs for these nanoparticles. The production of extracellular vesicles of adipose-derived stem cells is obviously promoted by a low-intensity ultrasound stimulation method, and the biological effects of promoting diabetic wound healing were markedly increased in vitro and in vivo [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous meditation-related studies included considerably more women than men, potentially concealing gender differences in attention training effects. Here, we present a study exploring potential gender differences in short-term meditation training (MT) effects on performance in an attentional blink (AB) task with a balanced sampling of men and women. A total of 165 college students were randomized into three groups: MT, video game training (VGT), and control (CON). Participants completed a series of pre-intervention assessments, including the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (S-TAI), and self-reported mood, arousal level, and daily time spent playing video games. Participants then completed MT, completed VGT, or had no intervention (CON group). The MT and VGT sessions consisted of 4 days of 20 min of training per day. After training, participants re-rated their arousal state and emotional state, and then performed the AB task. Relative to the CON group, the MT or VGT groups showed a significantly reduced AB. Interestingly, regarding effects on AB performance, MT was more effective in women, whereas VGT was more effective in men. MT, but not VGT, decreased anxiety scores from before to after the intervention. The current results indicate that gender plays an important role in the benefits of attention training, and thus that clinicians should take gender into consideration when implementing meditation-based therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO)–based polymer-bonded explosives (PBXs) have been widely used in insensitive munitions, but the main properties of NTO-based PBXs such as compatibility, safety performance, and mechanical properties are rarely reported. In this work, molecular dynamics simulation was carried out to study interface interactions of NTO-based PBXs, in which hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), glycidyl azide polymer (GAP), poly-3-nitratomethyl-3-methyl oxetane (Poly-NIMMO), and ester urethane (Estane5703) are selected as binders. The binding energy analysis indicates that the order of compatibility is NTO/GAP > NTO/Estane5703 > NTO/HTPB > NTO/Poly-NIMMO > NTO/EVA. Radial distribution function analysis results show that the interface interaction is mainly the hydrogen bond between H atoms of NTO and O atoms of Estane5703, HTPB, EVA, and Poly-NIMMO or N atoms of GAP. The values of cohesive energy density verify that the safety is NTO/GAP > NTO/Poly-NIMMO > NTO/HTPB > NTO/EVA > NTO/Estane5703. Mechanical properties results show that GAP and EVA would improve the plasticity of the systems effectively. Furthermore, it can be found that the most favorable interactions occur between the NTO (1 0 0) crystal face and binders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practitioners with years of mindfulness training (MT) have a reduced attentional blink (AB), relative to novices and non-practitioners. There is still a lack of evidence regarding the impact of relatively short-term intensive traditional MT on AB. Moreover, it is unknown which component(s) of mindfulness underlie mindfulness-associated reductions in AB. Eighty-nine Chinese subjects were randomized into a MT group (N = 44) and a control (CON) group (N = 45). The participants in the CON group were waitlisted for the opportunity to participate in the training program during the 8 weeks that the MT group underwent training. Before (pretest) and after (posttest) the MT program, the subjects completed the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Peace-of-mind questionnaire (POM), and an AB task. Ultimately, 73 participants (MT group/CON group: 35/38) completed the study. From the pretest to the posttest, the MT group exhibited increases in FFMQ scores (total scores, observing subscores, and non-reactivity subscores) and POM scores, as well as improved accuracy in the AB task and a reduction in the lag-1 sparing effect. Increases in T2 accuracy in the AB correlated with improved non-reactivity. These findings broaden our understanding of the association between mindfulness and AB, and support the supposition that the skill of mindful non-reactivity plays an important role in reducing AB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one (NTO), an excellent insensitive high explosive (IHE), is widely used in insensitive munitions (IMs). In this work, molecular dynamic (MD) was used to study the compatibility, sensitivity and mechanical properties of the interface systems composed of NTO and fluoropolymer binders (F2611, F2614, PVDF, PHFP and Viton A). In particular, given the relatively acidity of NTO explosive, the interactions between NTO and binders were analyzed. The analysis results of the atoms in molecule (AIM) method and independent gradient model based on Hirshfeld partition (IGMH) method show that although the fluorine content in PHFP is high, NTO forms more hydrogen bonds with PVDF, which means that PVDF may play a more positive role in reducing the acidity of NTO. Radial distribution function (RDF) analysis also confirms this conclusion. Besides, the analyses of binding energy and cohesive energy density demonstrate that the predicted results of compatibility and sensitivity of NTO-based PBXs are NTO/PVDF > NTO/Viton A > NTO/F2611 > NTO/F2614 > NTO/PHFP. As far as mechanical properties are concerned, the stiffness, rigidity and fracture strength of the system are significantly improved by adding F2611 and PHFP. There is no doubt that PVDF will reduce the acidity of the system to a greater extent, and in addition, it will significantly improve the compatibility and safety of PBXs systems, while F2611 and PFHP are beneficial to the improvement of its mechanical properties. This will provide valuable theoretical guidance for the selection of binders in NTO-based PBXs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has a huge population with respiratory diseases, these diseases should be managed well in primary care, however, primary care physicians' knowledge level of these diseases were unknown. The aim of the study was to assess primary care physicians' knowledge of asthma, CAP, COPD, and influenza in China. An e-questionnaire was distributed to attendees of respiratory diseases academic conferences in China from July, 2017 to December, 2018. 7391 questionnaires were returned and 4815 valid questionnaires were analyzed, 3802 (79.0%) from community health service centers and 1013 (21.0%) from township hospitals. The average score of the questionnaire was 83.3 (±20.397) and 72.1 (±20.898) in township and community hospitals, respectively (P < 0.05). 61.4%, 48.7%, and 42.5% of the primary care physicians were aware of clinical manifestations of COPD, asthma, and simple influenza. 85.7%, 8.1%, 16.1%, and 1.0% knew how to diagnose COPD, asthma, CAP and influenza, respectively. 94.4% of the physicians lacked the knowledge of treating COPD with bronchodilators; 53.7% knew non-pharmacological treatments for COPD. 73.6% were unable to deal with asthma attacks. 65.1% did not know what the most essential and important treatment for influenza was. 92% of physicians did not know the management for stable COPD; 3.0% knew all prevention and management measures for asthma. 37.9% knew all the preventive measures for CAP. 44.9% did not know the important role of influenza vaccine in preventing influenza and its complications. Primary care physicians in China had a poor knowledge of CAP, asthma, Influenza, COPD. There is a need for improved training of common respiratory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While DNA-directed nano-fabrication enables the high-resolution patterning for conventional electronic materials and devices, the intrinsic self-assembly defects of DNA structures present challenges for further scaling into sub-1 nm technology nodes. The high-dimensional crystallographic defects, including line dislocations and grain boundaries, typically lead to the pattern defects of the DNA lattices. Using periodic line arrays as model systems, we discover that the sequence periodicity mainly determines the formation of line defects, and the defect rate reaches 74% at 8.2-nm line pitch. To suppress high-dimensional defects rate, we develop an effective approach by assigning the orthogonal sequence sets into neighboring unit cells, reducing line defect rate by two orders of magnitude at 7.5-nm line pitch. We further demonstrate densely aligned metal nano-line arrays by depositing metal layers onto the assembled DNA templates. The ultra-scaled critical pitches in the defect-free DNA arrays may further promote the dimension-dependent properties of DNA-templated materials. DNA nanofabrication techniques have huge potential for the patterning of electronic materials and devices but suffer from defects which become more significant at lower scales. Here, the authors report on a study into the causes of line defects and develop criteria for reducing defects demonstrating this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the influencing factors of Hantzsch reaction have been investigated and a simple spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of acyclovir, ganciclovir, famciclovir, oxiracetam, and prazosin hydrochloride developed. The proposed method is based on the Hantzsch reaction of acetyl acetone-formaldehyde reagent with drugs. The results indicate that the drugs fluorescence in H2O is inhibited and enhanced in DMSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1-Methyl-4,5-dinitroimidazole (MDNI)/1-methyl-3,4,5-trinitropyrazole (MTNP) mixtures with different mass ratios were investigated by a combination of theory and experiment. The melting points were predicted using the relationships of specific volume versus temperature, non-bond energy versus temperature, and diffusion coefficient versus temperature, and compared with the experimental values. It was found that the melting point values obtained from the three relationships were in good agreement with the experimentally measured melting points with little error. The interactions between MDNI/MTNP were analyzed by binding energy and RDF, and the results showed that, as the temperature increased, the intermolecular interactions weakened, the binding energy decreased, and the stability of the system decreased. The comprehensive results show that mixture 4 (MDNI/MTNP = 60/40) has a low melting point value and good compatibility, and the detonation velocity and density are improved compared with TNT and MDNI, which is expected to be further applied in melt-cast explosives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the characteristics of the phenotype and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in the general population in China. We analyzed spirometry-confirmed COPD patients who were identified from a population-based, nationally representative sample in China. All participants were measured with airflow limitation severity based on post-bronchodilator FEV1 percent predicted, bronchodilator responsiveness, exacerbation history, and respiratory symptoms. Among a total of 9134 COPD patients, 90.3% were non-exacerbators, 2.9% were frequent exacerbators without chronic bronchitis, 2.0% were frequent exacerbators with chronic bronchitis, and 4.8% were asthma-COPD overlap. Less than 5% of non-exacerbators ever had pulmonary function testing performed. The utilization rate of inhaled medication in non-exacerbators, exacerbators without chronic bronchitis, exacerbators with chronic bronchitis, and asthma-COPD overlap was 1.4, 23.5, 29.5, and 19.4%, respectively. A comprehensive strategy for the management of COPD patients based on phenotype in primary care is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CL-20/HMX-solvent interface models were established to understand the effect of DMSO-acetonitrile co-solvent on the formation of CL-20/HMX cocrystal. The molecular dynamics simulations were applied to theoretically investigate the interactions of CL-20/HMX cocrystal surfaces and dimethyl sulfoxide/acetonitrile co-solvents. The binding energies were calculated, and the interaction between solvent molecules and CL-20/HMX cocrystal faces was analyzed. The results show that molecular interactions would be affected by the mole ratios of solvent, and the comparison of the binding energies with different mole ratios revealed that dimethyl sulfoxide/acetonitrile with mole ratio of 1:3 favors the formation of CL-20/HMX cocrystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics, clinical features, diagnoses, and treatments of hospitalized exacerbation COPD patients, as well as their disease prognoses and economic costs. The study planned to enroll 7600 hospitalized patients (aged ≥18 years with main diagnosis as AECOPD). Study patients were recruited since September 2017, followed up with a 3-year observing period. In the baseline visit, information on demographic characteristics, clinical features, diagnoses, and treatments were collected. In the following visits, treatments and examinations, recurrence of AECOPD, re-admission to hospital, complications, and mortality were recorded. Several validated questionnaires were applied at specific visits. This study included data from 1 September 2017 until 31 December 2022. The data would be used to estimate all-cause mortality during hospital stay, AECOPD recurrence within 1 month after discharge, all-cause and cause-specific mortality, frequency of AECOPD recurrence, lung function, life quality, healthcare costs in the study period, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for the determination of glutathione was established based on the principle of fluorescence quenching. The reaction mechanism has been studied by the measurement of fluorescence lifetime and based on the Stern–Volmer plot. The binding constant, K = 9.86 × 105 J mol−1 and the number of binding sites n = 1.12 were obtained against this reaction. The thermodynamic parameters were estimated. The data, ΔG = −34.19 KJ mol−1, ΔH = −182.2 KJ mol−1, and ΔS = −496.8 J K−1 mol−1 showed that the reaction was spontaneous and exothermic. The calibration curve was found to be linear between the fluorescence quenching (F0/F) and the concentration of glutathione with the range of 3.0 × 10−5–3.6 × 10−3 g/L. The detection limit was 4.5 μg/L and the relative standard derivative was 3.32% for 11 replicate determination of 6.0 × 10−4 g/L glutathione. This method can be used for the determination of glutathione in fresh vegetables with satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a new kind of partially coherent beam with nonconventional correlation function named rectangular Laguerre-Gaussian-correlated Schell-model (LGCSM) beam, whose degree of coherence is of rectangular symmetry, and analyze its propagation properties. We find that the rectangular LGCSM beam exhibits self-splitting properties on propagation in free space, i.e., the initial single beam spot evolves into ( m + 1) × ( n + 1) beam spots on propagation with m and n being the beam orders, which are totally different from that of a circular or elliptical LGCSM beam. The self-splitting properties of a rectangular LGCSM beam are also different from other self-splitting beam whose initial single beam spot only splits into two or four beam spots on propagation in free space. We also find that a focused rectangular LGCSM beam exhibits splitting and combining properties on propagation. Furthermore, we carry out experimental generation of a rectangular LGCSM beam and verify the splitting and combining properties of such beam focused by a thin lens. The rectangular LGCSM beam will be useful for manipulating multiple particles or attacking multiple targets simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the help of a tensor method, we derive an explicit expression for the on-axis scintillation index of a circular partially coherent dark hollow (DH) beam in weakly turbulent atmosphere. The derived formula can be applied to study the scintillation properties of a partially coherent Gaussian beam and a partially coherent flat-topped (FT) beam. The effect of spatial coherence on the scintillation properties of DH beam, FT beam and Gaussian beam is studied numerically and comparatively. Our results show that the advantage of a DH beam over a FT beam and a Gaussian beam for reducing turbulence-induced scintillation increases particularly at long propagation distances with the decrease of spatial coherence or the increase of the atmospheric turbulence, which will be useful for long-distance free-space optical communications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary tracheobronchial amyloidosis (TBA) is a rare pulmonary disease. A systematic review was performed on 64 cases of primary TBA in China and progress in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease is discussed. The Chinese biological and medical databases from 1970 to 2010 were searched and 75 cases of complete clinical and pathological data were identified. The clinical characteristics of the disease were summarized and longitudinal comparisons were made of diagnostic and treatment methods over time. The results showed that the morbidity associated with primary TBA has increased over recent years. The clinical manifestations were non-specific. Progressive dyspnea, cough and sputum were the most common symptoms. The percentage of patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) scan has increased over the years. The bronchoscopy and transbrochial lung biopsy (TBLB) were usually sufficient to establish the diagnosis. Treatment was reported for a total of 44 cases. Bronchoscopic Nd:YAG laser irradiation, argon plasma coagulation (APC) and drugs administration such as steroids and colchicines were reported to be effective in some patients. It is concluded that the demographic characteristics and clinical manifestations of primary TBA patients in China are largely consistent with findings reported in other countries. Dramatically more cases were reported in recent years, mainly due to the extensive application of bronchoscopy since 1990s. Chest CT scan provides important clues for the diagnosis of the disease. The definite diagnosis was confirmed by bronchoscopic findings and Congo red staining of biopsy specimen. Bronchoscopic Nd:YAG laser irradiation, argon plasma coagulation (APC) and drugs administration, such as steroids and colchicines were reported to be effective in some patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly sensitive and simple spectrophotometric method for the determination of thiamine based on inhibitory effect of thiamine on the hemoglobin-catalyzed reaction of H2O2 with acid chrome blue K was developed. The concentration of thiamine is linear with the percentage inhibition of system under the optimal experimental conditions. The calibration curve is linear in the range 3 × 10−7 to 3.00 × 10−5 M with the detection limit of 1.2 × 10−8 M. This method can be used for the determination of thiamine in food with satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inert metal explosive, a new kind of explosive, is a mixture of high explosive and inert metal particle. When this kind of explosive is detonated, an inert metal particle flow will be formed by the explosive product driving. To determine the characteristics of the movement of the metal particle flow, a series of aluminium plates were designed to be the targets on which the metal particle flow impacted. The test result was presented and a numerical model was set up to analyze the impact of the high speed inert metal particles on aluminium plate. Based on the numerical analysis, the relationship between the characteristic of the mark on the target plate and the initial condition of the inert metal particles was proposed. From the analysis of the impact on target plates, more information about the movement of the metal particles could be reconstructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composition B is a melt-cast explosive consisting of mixtures of TNT and RDX. It has many excellent properties, but there are still multiple safety problems when it is used. Therefore, it is of importance to understand the thermal decomposition mechanism of Composition B. In this paper, during the establishment of the supercell model, the mass ratio of TNT to RDX is about 2:3, which accords with the actual proportion of formula of Composition B. Afterward, the thermal decomposition reaction of Composition B is conducted at various temperatures (2000 K, 2500 K, 3000 K, 3500 K, and 4000 K) by using molecular dynamics simulation of ReaxFF/lg. In terms of potential energy (PE) evolution, primary reaction, intermediate product, final product, and clusters, the thermal decomposition mechanism of Composition B is made an analysis. The activation energy of Composition B is 141.8 kJ/mol by fitting the kinetic parameters of the reaction. During the decomposition process of Composition B, the decay rate of RDX is faster than that of TNT, and the decay rates of TNT and RDX is accelerated significantly with the increasing temperature. The higher the temperature, the shorter the time difference between the two to fully decompose. It can be revealed from the result that the initial reaction path of Composition B decomposition is N–NO2 of RDX cleavage to form NO2, followed by the reaction of TNT with NO2 and other molecules. The initial decomposition reaction path of Composition B is the similar at different temperatures. The main products are small molecules (NO2, NO, N2O, H2O, CO2, N2, H2, HNO2, and HNO). Temperature can make a great difference for the structure of clusters. Large clusters in the system will break down into smaller molecules at high temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a class of shape-invariant partially coherent beams with a moving guiding center which we term self-steering partially coherent beams. The guiding center of each such beam evolves along a straight line trajectory which can be engineered to make any angle with the x-axis. We show that the straight line trajectory of the guiding center is the only option in free space due to the linear momentum conservation. We experimentally generate a particular subclass of new beams, self-steering Gaussian Schell beams and argue that they can find applications for mobile target tracing and trapped micro- and/or nanoparticle transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity has been recognized as a global epidemic by WHO, followed by many empirical evidences to prove its infectiousness. However, the inter-person spreading dynamics of obesity are seldom studied. A distinguishing feature of the obesity epidemic is that it is driven by a social contagion process which cannot be perfectly described by the infectious disease models. In this paper, we propose a novel belief decision model based on the famous Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence to model obesity epidemic as the competing spread of two obesity-related behaviors: physical inactivity and physical activity. The transition of health states is described by an SIS model. Results reveal the existence of obesity epidemic threshold, above which obesity is quickly eradicated. When increasing the fading level of information spread, enlarging the clustering of initial obese seeds, or introducing small-world characteristics into the network topology, the threshold is easily met. Social discrimination against the obese people plays completely different roles in two cases: on one hand, when obesity cannot be eradicated, social discrimination can reduce the number of obese people; on the other hand, when obesity is eradicable, social discrimination may instead cause it breaking out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the ultralong afterglow, room temperature decay phosphorescence nanomaterials have aroused enough attention. In the work, by simple one-pot solid-state thermal decomposition reaction, aggregate carbon dots (CDs) was prepared from trimesic and boric acid. Based on the intermolecular hydrogen bonds and intramolecular π-π stacking weak interaction from precursors, CDs was encapsulated in boron oxide matrix and formed aggregation. The aggregate state of CDs facilitated the triplet excited states (Tn), which could induce the room temperature decay phosphorescence properties. By careful investigation, under different excitation wavelengths at 254 and 365 nm, the aggregate CDs showed > 15 s and > 3 s room temperature phosphorescence emission in the naked eye, which was associated with 1516.12 ms and 718.62 ms lifetime respectively. And the aggregate CDs exhibited widespread application in encoding encryption, optical anti-counterfeiting and fingerprint identification etc. The interesting aggregate CDs revealed unexpected ultralong-afterglow room temperature decay phosphorescence properties and the work opened a window for constructing ultralong-afterglow room temperature decay phosphorescence aggregate CDs nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]