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For a 3-manifold M, the genus of M, denoted by g(M), is defined to be the minimal Heegaard genus among all the Heegaard splittings of M. In this paper, we prove that for any two integers g ≥ 2 and n ≥ 2, there is a 3-manifold M with g(M) = g such that the minimal Heegaard splittings of M are unique up to isotopy, where the distance of the Heegaard splitting is n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) applied in aero-engines tend to be attacked by molten calcia-magnesia-alumino-silicate (CMAS) at high operating temperatures. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coatings with quasi-columnar microstructure were fabricated by plasma spray physical vapor deposition (PS-PVD) technique. The chemical changes, microstructural transformation, mechanical properties and degradation mechanisms of the CMAS-interacted TBCs in the thermal cycling tests were investigated. Feathered YSZ grains were dissolved in the CMAS melts, and then the ZrO2 grains were reprecipitated with spherical shape, accompanying with phase transformation from tetragonal (t) to monoclinic (m). The thermal cycling tests reveal that the YSZ coating fails at the early stage due to the attack of CMAS. The fractures in intra-columns lead to partial spallation of the coatings. The failure of the coating occurs at the interfaces between thermally grown oxides (TGO) layer and YSZ topcoat; especially, the hardness and Young's modulus of the YSZ coatings increase intensively, as the coatings were infiltrated by the CMAS for a long time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant global health dilemma, emerging from complex causes. Although our prior research has indicated that a deficiency in Reticulon-3 (RTN3) accelerates renal disease progression, a thorough examination of RTN3 on kidney function and pathology remains underexplored. To address this critical need, we generated Rtn3-null mice to study the consequences of RTN3 protein deficiency on CKD. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses were performed on 47,885 cells from the renal cortex of both healthy and Rtn3-null mice, enabling us to compare spatial architectures and expression profiles across 14 distinct cell types. Our analysis revealed that RTN3 deficiency leads to significant alterations in the spatial organization and gene expression profiles of renal cells, reflecting CKD pathology. Specifically, RTN3 deficiency was associated with Lars2 overexpression, which in turn caused mitochondrial dysfunction and increased reactive oxygen species levels. This shift induced a transition in renal epithelial cells from a functional state to a fibrogenic state, thus promoting renal fibrosis. Additionally, RTN3 deficiency was found to drive the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition process and disrupt cell-cell communication, further exacerbating renal fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry and Western-Blot techniques were used to validate these observations, reinforcing the critical role of RTN3 in CKD pathogenesis. The deficiency of RTN3 protein in CKD leads to profound changes in cellular architecture and molecular profiles. Our work seeks to elevate the understanding of RTN3's role in CKD's narrative and position it as a promising therapeutic contender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous works, when studying the frictional behaviour of the small intestine, the small intestine was always in a natural state. However, when a capsule endoscope is travelling through the small intestine, since the diameter of the capsule endoscope may larger than the small intestine, the small intestine is then expanded in circumferential direction, which implies that previous works are not sufficient. This work uses flat–flat contact to simulate a capsule travelling through the small intestine, comparing the frictional behaviour of the small intestine in its natural and circumferentially expanding states, analysing the effects of other factors such as load, velocity and lubrication, which provides a realistic basis for the optimisation and control of magnetically controlled endoscopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a potential method for ground improvement. It can enhance the physical and mechanical properties of soils through soil particle cementation and pore filling. However, the excessive number of injections of cementing solution required for MICP is a major limitation for practical engineering application. To reduce the number of injections and improve the efficiency of the cementing process, an enhancement method was investigated in this study in which an aluminum ion flocculant (AIF) was added to the cementing solution. It can enhance the curing rate and effect of MICP. Experiments were carried out on MICP-treated sand columns, MICP-treated glass beads and aqueous solutions, and the influence of AIF on the production of calcium carbonate and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) was studied. The effect of AIF on the composition and morphology of the deposited calcium carbonate was evaluated from SEM micrographs and other microscopic observations. The results of the study showed that the addition of AIF to the cementing solution significantly reduced the number of injections required and increased the UCS of the reinforcement compared to those of a control group without adding AIF. The proposed method resulted in the experimental sand column being reinforced after 3 treatments of the cementing solution with an UCS of 323.3 kPa. The UCS reaches 1692 kPa after 5 treatments of the cementing solution, compared to 9 treatments using the conventional method. The UCS was 3.2–12.7 times higher than that of the control group for the same calcium carbonate content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasmall copper nanoclusters have recently emerged as promising photocatalysts for organic synthesis, owing to their exceptional light absorption ability and large surface areas for efficient interactions with substrates. Despite significant advances in cluster-based visible-light photocatalysis, the types of organic transformations that copper nanoclusters can catalyze remain limited to date. Herein, we report a structurally well-defined anionic Cu40 nanocluster that emits in the second near-infrared region (NIR-II, 1000−1700 nm) after photoexcitation and can conduct single-electron transfer with fluoroalkyl iodides without the need for external ligand activation. This photoredox-active copper nanocluster efficiently catalyzes the three-component radical couplings of alkenes, fluoroalkyl iodides, and trimethylsilyl cyanide under blue-LED irradiation at room temperature. A variety of fluorine-containing electrophiles and a cyanide nucleophile can be added onto an array of alkenes, including styrenes and aliphatic olefins. Our current work demonstrates the viability of using readily accessible metal nanoclusters to establish photocatalytic systems with a high degree of practicality and reaction complexity. Copper nanoclusters have so far been limited in the types of organic transformations they can catalyze. Here the authors introduce a new NIR-II emissive anionic copper nanocluster with intrinsic photoredox activity, enabling efficient photocatalytic three-component radical couplings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The separation of particles such as cells and bacteria in viscoelastic fluids has significant applications in biomedical fields. At present, one of the main challenges that limit the application of microfluidic technology is to separate particles in the viscoelastic fluids with different rheological properties. For instance, most existing microfluidic devices can only work in the fluid with a specific rheological property, resulting in the requirement of time-consuming design, manufacturing, testing, and optimization of different devices to separate particles in the fluids with different rheological properties. In this work, a novel hybrid three-stage microfluidic device that was made up of a micropore structure and two gradually contracted microchannels was designed to achieve efficient continuous separation of particles in the viscoelastic fluid over a wide range of rheological properties (0.07 < El < 340.41). Different separation strategies including first focusing, then initial separation, and then precise separation (FISPS) and initial separation and then precise separation (ISPS) were found. The separation strategy ISPS occurred at El < 0.14 while the separation strategy FISPS occurred at El > 8.43. In addition, the transformation of the separation mechanism from ISPS to FISPS was found under different flow conditions in the fluid with the transitional rheological properties (0.21 < El < 1.10). The effect of the flow rate and the rheological property of the fluid on microparticle separation were systematically studied by the experiment. With simple structure, easy operation, high separation efficiency, the present microfluidic device would have great potentials in the biomedical and clinical applications, such as the separation of cells for different patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel γ–γ′ (Ni solid solution—Ni3Al) NiPtAl coating was produced on advanced single-crystal (SC) superalloy N5 by electroplating of a thin Pt coating with ~ 3 μm in thickness followed by heat treatment at 1000 °C in vacuum. For comparison, a traditional γ–γ′ NiPtAl coating was also produced by electroplating of a thick Pt coating with ~ 6 μm in thickness followed by heat treatment at 1100 °C in vacuum. The novel coating has a mass gain of ~ 0.5 mg·cm−2 after 100 h 1-h cyclic oxidation at 1150 °C, showing better oxidation resistance than the traditional coating. An oxide scale mostly consisting of α-Al2O3 grew on the novel coating because the element Cr from the SC alloy substrate contributes to the formation of α-Al2O3. Pt content in the novel coating has significant effect on the oxidation resistance. The optimized Pt content in the coating is about 16 at%, which is helpful to reduce the diffusion of harmful elements from the substrate into the coating but also to reduce the cost of the coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher plants survive terrestrial water deficiency and fluctuation by arresting cellular activities (dehydration) and resuscitating processes (rehydration). However, how plants monitor water availability during rehydration is unknown. Although increases in hypo-osmolarity-induced cytosolic Ca2+ concentration (HOSCA) have long been postulated to be the mechanism for sensing hypo-osmolarity in rehydration1,2, the molecular basis remains unknown. Because osmolarity triggers membrane tension and the osmosensing specificity of osmosensing channels can only be determined in vivo3–5, these channels have been classified as a subtype of mechanosensors. Here we identify bona fide cell surface hypo-osmosensors in Arabidopsis and find that pollen Ca2+ spiking is controlled directly by water through these hypo-osmosensors—that is, Ca2+ spiking is the second messenger for water status. We developed a functional expression screen in Escherichia coli for hypo-osmosensitive channels and identified OSCA2.1, a member of the hyperosmolarity-gated calcium-permeable channel (OSCA) family of proteins6. We screened single and high-order OSCA mutants, and observed that the osca2.1/osca2.2 double-knockout mutant was impaired in pollen germination and HOSCA. OSCA2.1 and OSCA2.2 function as hypo-osmosensitive Ca2+-permeable channels in planta and in HEK293 cells. Decreasing osmolarity of the medium enhanced pollen Ca2+ oscillations, which were mediated by OSCA2.1 and OSCA2.2 and required for germination. OSCA2.1 and OSCA2.2 convert extracellular water status into Ca2+ spiking in pollen and may serve as essential hypo-osmosensors for tracking rehydration in plants.Screening in Escherichia coli and biochemical experiments show that in Arabidopsis thaliana, OSCA2.1 and OSCA2.2 function as plant sensors of hypo-osmolarity, utilize Ca2+ oscillations as second messengers and have crucial roles in pollen germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental regulations can effectively mitigate environmental degradation, yet their impact on energy efficiency remains unclear. This study contributes to the existing literature by examining how the Environmental Protection Tax Law (EPTL) drives energy efficiency and demonstrating its environmental and economic dividends. Empirical evidence from a dataset of 271 Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2011 to 2020 reveals that EPTL significantly enhances energy efficiency by 3.8%, and it has a positive spatial spillover effect. The underlying mechanisms are improvements in environmental governance and economic development. Heterogeneity analysis highlights a particularly prominent positive impact in the eastern and western regions. Our study confirms the effectiveness of EPTL in promoting energy efficiency and supports the double dividend hypothesis, providing policymakers with insights for formulating differentiated policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the authors give some sufficient conditions for an amalgamated 3-manifold along a compact connected surface F with boundary to be ∂-irreducible in terms of distances between some kinds of vertex subsets of the curve complex and the arc complex of F. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel chitosan-whey protein composite film containing persimmon leaf extract (PLE) was prepared, and its application for the preservation of chicken breast meat was investigated. The results showed that, all fillers, including whey protein, PLE, and glycerol were well mixed and homogeneously dispersed in the chitosan-polymer substrate, forming a uniform composite film material. The intermolecular interactions between the fillers involved hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. Notably, the incorporation of PLE significantly improved the mechanical properties, water and light barrier properties, and antioxidant activity of chitosan-whey protein based film. Among them, the chitosan-whey protein composite film incorporated with 0.2% (w/v) PLE (CWP-4) had a lower solubility, water content, water vapor permeability, and higher mechanical properties, light barrier properties, and antioxidant activity. Moreover, the actual application of composite films on chicken breast meat preservation indicated that this novel composite film can effectively delay chicken breast meat spoilage and the lipid oxidation process, and thus, prolong the shelf life of chicken breast meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cockayne syndrome is an inherited heterogeneous defect in transcription-coupled DNA repair (TCR) cause severe clinical syndromes, which may affect the nervous system development of infants and even lead to premature death in some cases. ERCC8 diverse critical roles in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) complex, which is one of the disease-causing genes of Cockayne syndrome. Methods and results: The mutation of ERCC8 in the patient was identified and validated using WES and Sanger sequencing. Specifically, a compound heterozygous mutation (c.454_460dupGTCTCCA p. T154Sfs*13 and c.755_759delGTTTT p.C252Yfs*3) of ERCC8 (CSA) was found, which could potentially be the genetic cause of Cockayne syndrome in the proband. Conclusion: In this study, we identified a novel heterozygous mutation of ERCC8 in a Chinese family with Cockayne syndrome, which enlarging the genetic spectrum of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to expand the existing research by uncovering the overlooked role of situational factors in shaping employee perceived shared leadership. To further advance this field of research, our study introduces a novel situational phenomenon called perceived institutional empowerment. Based on social information processing theory and adaptive leadership theory, we assume that perceived institutional empowerment may have a positive impact on perceived shared leadership via a chain mediating mechanism of perceived organizational support (POS) and psychological safety. Using a sample of 302 participants from a large Chinese service company, the hypotheses were successfully validated. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many neuroscience and neurology studies have forced a reconsideration of the traditional motor-related scope of cerebellar function, which has now expanded to include various cognitive functions. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3; the most common hereditary ataxia) is neuropathologically characterized by cerebellar atrophy and frequently presents with cognitive impairment. Objective: To characterize cognitive impairment in SCA3 and investigate the cerebellum–cognition associations. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional cohort study recruited 126 SCA3 patients and 41 healthy control individuals (HCs). Participants underwent a brain 3D T1-weighted images as well as neuropsychological tests. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and region of interest (ROI) approaches were performed on the 3D T1-weighted images. CERES was used to automatically segment cerebellums. Patients were grouped into cognitively impaired (CI) and cognitively preserved (CP), and clinical and MRI parameters were compared. Multivariable regression models were fitted to examine associations between cerebellar microstructural alterations and cognitive domain impairments. Results: Compared to HCs, SCA3 patients showed cognitive domain impairments in information processing speed, verbal memory, executive function, and visuospatial perception. Between CI and CP subgroups, the CI subgroup was older and had lower education, as well as higher severity scores. VBM and ROI analyses revealed volume loss in cerebellar bilateral lobule VI, right lobule Crus I, and right lobule IV of the CI subgroup, and all these cerebellar lobules were associated with the above cognitive domain impairments. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the multiple cognitive domain impairments in SCA3 patients and indicate the responsible cerebellar lobules for the impaired cognitive domain(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In past studies, when modeling the resistance of magnetically controlled capsules traveling through the small intestine, the small intestine was usually assumed to be a straight tube with constant diameter. However, the small intestine is curved in most cases, which means that the intestine can no longer be simplified to be a straight tube with constant diameter, meaning that existing resistance models will no longer be applicable. In this paper, based on the assumption that intestine is curved, the resistance models of the capsule running in the curved intestine is established, and then it is validated experimentally. The model provides a realistic foundation for the optimization and control of the magnetically controlled endoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additives are a cost-effective method to improve the performance of the very low profile (HVLP) copper foil coarsened layer. In this paper, the effects of 3,3'-Dithiobis-1-propanesulfonic acid disodium salt (SPS), gelatin, and sodium thiazoline dithiopropane sulfonate (SH110) concentration on the morphology, roughness, and peel strength of HVLP copper foil was reported. The results show that SH110 contributes significantly to the reduction of copper foil roughness, improvement of peel strength, and refinement of coarsened layer grains. In addition, the linear scanning voltammetry and AC impedance spectroscopy of the solution were carried out to understand the action mechanism of additives on the copper foil surface. The results demonstrate that SPS promotes the copper deposition process due to the presence of sulfonic acid groups(–SO3). The amino group(–NH2) of gelatin inhibits copper deposition. SH110 has both promoter (Sodium 3-Mercapto-1-Propane Sulfonate, MPS) and inhibitor (Tetrahydrothiazolidinone, H1) fragments, which achieve synergistic or competitive effects consistent with the composite additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interventional robot is a means for vascular diagnosis and treatment, and it can perform dredging, releasing drug and operating. Normal hemodynamic indicators are a prerequisite for the application of interventional robots. The current hemodynamic research is limited to the absence of interventional devices or interventional devices in fixed positions. Considering the coupling effect of blood, vessels and robots, based on the bi-directional fluid–structure interaction, using the computational fluid dynamics and particle image velocimetry methods, combined with the sliding and moving mesh technologies, we theoretically and experimentally study the hemodynamic indicators such as blood flow lines, blood pressure, equivalent stress, deformation and wall shear stress of blood vessels when the robot precesses, rotates or does not intervene in the pulsating blood flow. The results show that the intervention of the robot increase the blood flow rate, blood pressure, equivalent stress and deformation of the vessels by 76.4%, 55.4%, 76.5%, and 346%, respectively. The operating mode of the robot during low-speed operation has little impact on the hemodynamic indicators. Using the methyl silicone oil as the experimental fluid, the elastic silicone pipe as the experimental pipe, and the intervention robot having a bioplastic outer shell, the velocity of the fluid around the robot is measured on the developed experimental device for fluid flow field in a pulsating flow when the robot runs. The experimental results are similar to the numerical results. Our work provides an important reference for the hemodynamic study and optimization of the mobile interventional devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling the selectivity of the electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals continues to be a major challenge. Bulk and surface lattice strain in nanostructured electrocatalysts affect catalytic activity and selectivity. Here, we unravel the complex dynamics of synergistic lattice strain and stability effects of Cu-Ag tandem catalysts through a previously unexplored combination of in situ nanofocused X-ray absorption spectroscopy and Bragg coherent diffraction imaging. Three-dimensional strain maps reveal the lattice dynamics inside individual nanoparticles as a function of applied potential and product yields. Dynamic relations between strain, redox state, catalytic activity and selectivity are derived. Moderate Ag contents effectively reduce the competing evolution of H2 and, concomitantly, lead to an enhanced corrosion stability. Findings from this study evidence the power of advanced nanofocused spectroscopy techniques to provide new insights into the chemistry and structure of nanostructured catalysts. Combining in situ nanoprobe techniques paves the way for gaining insights into structure-selectivity relations for electrocatalysts. Herein, the dynamic evolution of lattice strain in individual nanoparticles is directly visualized with nanoscale resolution in Cu-Ag tandem catalysts during the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous clinic models for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) mainly focused on the overall survival, whereas a simple-to-use tool for predicting the response to the first TACE and the management of risk classification before TACE are lacking. Our aim was to develop a scoring system calculated manually for these patients. A total of 437 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent TACE treatment were carefully selected for analysis. They were then randomly divided into two groups: a training group comprising 350 patients and a validation group comprising 77 patients. Furthermore, 45 HCC patients who had recently undergone TACE treatment been included in the study to validate the model's efficacy and applicability. The factors selected for the predictive model were comprehensively based on the results of the LASSO, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The discrimination, calibration ability and clinic utility of models were evaluated in both the training and validation groups. A prediction model incorporated 3 objective imaging characteristics and 2 indicators of liver function. The model showed good discrimination, with AUROCs of 0.735, 0.706 and 0.884 and in the training group and validation groups, and good calibration. The model classified the patients into three groups based on the calculated score, including low risk, median risk and high-risk groups, with rates of no response to TACE of 26.3%, 40.2% and 76.8%, respectively. We derived and validated a model for predicting the response of patients with HCC before receiving the first TACE that had adequate performance and utility. This model may be a useful and layered management tool for patients with HCC undergoing TACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The anatomical basis of pituitary adenomas (PAs) with oculomotor cistern (OC) extension as a growth corridor is overlooked in the literature. In this paper, the authors use the technique of epoxy sheet plastination to study the membranous structure of the OC and validate the results by retrospective analysis of patients with OC extension. Methods: Eighteen specimens were used to study the membranous anatomy surrounding the OC using the epoxy sheet plastination technique. Thirty-four patients with OC extension were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The OC consisted of two thin membranous layers. The inner layer was extended by the arachnoid layer from the posterior fossa, and the lateral layer consisted of the dura mater sinking from the roof of the cavernous sinus. The oculomotor nerve is more likely to displace with a superolateral trajectory due to the weakness of the posterior dura and the relatively large space in the medial and posterior trajectories, which is consistent with the intraoperative observations. Among the anatomical factors that affect the PA by OC extension, we found that the relative position of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and posterior clinoid process may lead to the narrowing of the OC. Of 34 cases, 28 patients achieved total resection. Among 24 preoperative patients with oculomotor nerve palsy, 16 cases were relieved to varying degrees postoperatively. There was no ICA injury or severe intracranial infection found in any of the patients. Conclusions: Extension into the OC is influenced by two anatomical factors: a weak point in the dura in the posterior OC and a potential space beyond this region of the dura. Meticulous knowledge of the membranous anatomy in endoscopic endonasal surgery is required to safely and effectively resect PA with OC extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microthrombosis plays an important role in secondary brain injury after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but the specific mechanism of microthrombosis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in microthrombosis after SAH. SAH was induced in male C57BL/6 mice using an endovascular perforation technique. The marker protein of NETs, citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3), was significantly elevated in the cerebral cortex after SAH, and was co-labeled with microthrombi. Both depletion of neutrophils by anti-Ly6G antibody and DNase I treatment significantly reduced the formation of NETs and microthrombi, and ameliorated neurological deficits, brain edema, BBB disruption, and neuronal injury at 24 h after SAH induction. Cerebral hypoperfusion in the first hours after SAH is a major determinant of poor neurological outcome; in this study, we found that DNase I treatment significantly improved the restoration of early cortical perfusion after SAH. In addition, DNase I treatment also significantly attenuated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow after SAH, which was associated with the diffusion barrier caused by microthrombi in the paravascular space after SAH. In conclusion, NETs are associated with early microthrombosis after SAH; they may be a novel therapeutic target for early brain injury (EBI) after SAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid-liquid mixing, including homogeneous and heterogeneous mixing, widely exists in the chemical industry. How to quantitatively characterize the mixing performance is important for reactor assessment and development. As a convenient and direct method for mixing characterization, the chemical probe method uses some special test reactions to characterize the mixing results. Here, the working principle and selection requirements of this method are introduced, and some common chemical probe systems for homogeneous and heterogeneous mixing processes are reviewed. The characteristics and applications of these systems are illustrated. Finally, the development of the new system is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study advances voice research by offering a formal system view of the drivers of voice. The organizational behavior discipline focuses mainly on job conditions, individual traits, and organizational characteristics but seldom considers the role of formal factors. One overlooked yet important formal factor that may motivate voice behavior is the due process voice appraisal system. Drawing on the proactive motivation model, we propose that the implementation of the due process voice appraisal system will promote employee voice efficacy, organizational identification, and promotion focus, motivating employee voice behavior. We further consider the moderating role of authoritarian leadership in the proposed relationships through social information processing theory. Based on a sample of 265 participants in China, we conducted a field quasi-experiment and found that due process voice appraisal system was positively related to voice behavior via voice efficacy, organizational identification, and promotion focus. Further, the positive indirect effects of due process voice appraisal system on voice behavior via voice efficacy and organizational identification were attenuated by authoritarian leadership. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BiFeO3-based ceramics is the high-temperature piezoelectric material with great potential applications. In this paper, the evolution of structure and properties of BiFeO3–(Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.9Hf0.1)O3 (BFO–BCTH) ceramics was investigated. XRD analysis showed that rhombohedral R3c phase and pseudocubic (PC) phase coexisted in all samples, and the content of PC phase increased with the increase of BCTH content. Two dielectric anomalies were observed for all BFO–BCTH samples. Among them, the dielectric relaxation at 300–500 °C exhibited a significant frequency dispersion. Besides, a frequency-independent dielectric anomaly was detected for all samples, accompanied with thermal hysteresis, indicating the primary ferroelectric phase transition, and the peak temperature slightly decreased with increasing BCTH content. The leakage current density significantly decreased with increasing doping BCTH content, and the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were enhanced for x = 0.25–0.27 samples. The magnetic properties of the moderately doped ceramics were significantly improved, but the magnetic dilution due to the increase in doping content led to a decrease in magnetization intensity instead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancers determine spatiotemporal gene expression programs by engaging with long-range promoters1–4. However, it remains unknown how enhancers find their cognate promoters. We recently developed a RNA in situ conformation sequencing technology to identify enhancer–promoter connectivity using pairwise interacting enhancer RNAs and promoter-derived noncoding RNAs5,6. Here we apply this technology to generate high-confidence enhancer–promoter RNA interaction maps in six additional cell lines. Using these maps, we discover that 37.9% of the enhancer–promoter RNA interaction sites are overlapped with Alu sequences. These pairwise interacting Alu and non-Alu RNA sequences tend to be complementary and potentially form duplexes. Knockout of Alu elements compromises enhancer–promoter looping, whereas Alu insertion or CRISPR–dCasRx-mediated Alu tethering to unregulated promoter RNAs can create new loops to homologous enhancers. Mapping 535,404 noncoding risk variants back to the enhancer–promoter RNA interaction maps enabled us to construct variant-to-function maps for interpreting their molecular functions, including 15,318 deletions or insertions in 11,677 Alu elements that affect 6,497 protein-coding genes. We further demonstrate that polymorphic Alu insertion at the PTK2 enhancer can promote tumorigenesis. Our study uncovers a principle for determining enhancer–promoter pairing specificity and provides a framework to link noncoding risk variants to their molecular functions.Using RNA in situ conformation sequencing technology, the role of Alu elements in mediating the interaction between enhancers and promoters is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the potential of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM) for preoperative prediction of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: This study prospectively enrolled 90 patients (62 males, 28 females, 60.79 ± 9.99 years old) who received radical gastrostomy. Abdominal MRI examinations including IVIM were performed within 1 week before surgery. Patients were divided into LVI-positive and -negative group according to pathological diagnosis after surgery. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and IVIM parameters, including true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and pseudodiffusion fraction (f), were compared between the two groups. The relationship between MRI parameters and LVI was studied by Spearman's correlation analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent predictors of LVI. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were applied to evaluate the efficacy. Results: The ADC, D in LVI-positive group were lower, whereas tumor thickness and f parameter in LVI-positive group were higher than those in LVI-negative group, and they were statistically correlated with LVI (p < 0.05). D, f and tumor thickness were independent risk factors of LVI. The area under the curve of ADC, D, f, thickness, and the combined parameter (D + f + thickness) were 0.667, 0.754, 0.695, 0.792, and 0.876, respectively. The combined parameter demonstrated higher efficacy than any other parameters (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The ADC, D, and f can effectively distinguish LVI status of GC. The D, f and thickness were independent predictors. The combination of the three predictors further improved the efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dry and windy climate and low ground cover in spring in the black soil region of Northeast China make the soil strongly affected by wind erosion, which seriously threatens the food security and ecological security of this region. In this paper, based on the daily observation data of 124 meteorological stations in study area from 1961 to 2020, seasonal and monthly wind erosion climate factor (C) in spring (March to May) were calculated by using the method proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the wind erosion characterization in spring were systematically analyzed based on C by various statistical analysis methods. The results showed that in the past 60 years, spring wind erosion climate factor (CSp) and monthly C of the whole region and each province (region) all showed highly significant decreasing trend, but they began to show rebounded trend in the middle or late 2000s. CSp of the study area showed a significant upward trend since 2008 with an increase of 4.59 (10a)−1. The main contributors to this upward trend are the changes of C in March and in April. For the four provinces (regions), CSp in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning and eastern Inner Mongolia all showed rebounded since 2008, 2011, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The rebounded trend of CSp in eastern Inner Mongolia was the most obvious with a tendency rate of 11.27 (10a)−1, and its mutation occurred after 1984. The rebound trend of CSp in Heilongjiang Province takes the second place, with a trend rate of 4.72 (10a)−1, but there's no obvious time mutation characteristics. The spatial characteristics of CSp and monthly C are similar, showing decreasing characteristics centered on the typical black soil belt of Northeast China. Compared with 1961–1990, in the period from 1991 to 2020, the proportion of high value areas (CSp>35, monthly C>10) has decreased to varying degrees, while the proportion of low value areas (CSp ≤10, monthly C ≤4) has increased. The trends of seasonal and monthly C in 82.2%∼87.7% of the stations show significant decreases at 95% confidence level. CSp is closely related to wind speed at 2m height, temperature difference, minimum temperature and precipitation in the same period, of which the correlation between CSp and wind speed is the strongest, indicating that the main control factor for CSp in the study area is wind speed, but the impact of the change of temperature and precipitation on CSp cannot be ignored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2) has been considered an inducer to improve bone repair ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods and results: Twenty-four rabbits were used to establish Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) and randomly devided into four groups: Adenovirus Runx2 (Ad-Runx2) group, Runx2-siRNA group, MSCs group and Model group. At 1 week after model establishment, the Ad-Runx2 group was treated with 5 × 107 MSCs transfected through Ad-Runx2, the Runx2-siRNA group was treated with 5 × 107 MSCs transfected through Runx2-siRNA, the MSCs group was injected with 5 × 107 untreated MSCs, and the Model group was treated with saline. The injection was administered at 1 week and 3 weeks after model establishment. The expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), Runx2 and Osterix from the femoral head was detected at 3 and 6 weeks after MSCs being injected, and Masson Trichrome Staining, Gross Morphology, X-ray and CT images observation were used to evaluate the repair effect of ONFH. The data revealed that the expression of BMP-2, Runx2 and Osterix in the Runx2-siRNA group was reduced at 3 weeks compared with the MSCs group, and then the expression further reduced at 6 weeks, but was still higher than the Model group besides Osterix; The expression of these three genes in the Ad-Runx2 group was higher than in the MSCs group. Masson Trichrome Staining, Gross Morphology and X-ray and CT images observation revealed that necrotic femoral head of the MSCs group was more regular and smooth than the Runx2-siRNA group, which has a collapsed and irregular femoral head. In the Ad-Runx2 group, necrotic femoral head was basically completely repaired and covered by rich cartilage and bone tissue. Conclusions: Overexpression of Runx2 can improve osteoblastic phenotype maintenance of MSCs and promote necrotic bone repair of ONFH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an equivalent force method is proposed to solve the problem of using the equivalent beam model for the control design of the original truss structure. The main achievement is to convert the external forces acting on the original truss structure into the equivalent beam model to obtain the equivalent forces. Hence, the control force of the actuator in the original truss structure is obtained by the control design of the equivalent beam model, which makes the vibration of the original truss structure controlled. Finally, the numerical simulation arithmetic example shows that the control force acting on the equivalent model is different from the force acting on the original truss structure, further demonstrating the necessity and validity of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interface engineering in atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is becoming an important and powerful technique to alter their properties, enabling new optoelectronic applications and quantum devices. Interface engineering in a monolayer WSe2 sample via introduction of high-density edges of standing structured graphene nanosheets (GNs) is realized. A strong photoluminescence (PL) emission peak from intravalley and intervalley trions at about 750 nm is observed at the room temperature, which indicated the heavily p-type doping of the monolayer WSe2/thin graphene nanosheet-embedded carbon (TGNEC) film heterostructure. We also successfully triggered the emission of biexcitons (excited state biexciton) in a monolayer WSe2, via the electron trapping centers of edge quantum wells of a TGNEC film. The PL emission of a monolayer WSe2/GNEC film is quenched by capturing the photoexcited electrons to reduce the electron-hole recombination rate. This study can be an important benchmark for the extensive understanding of light—matter interaction in TMDs, and their dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Plant adventitious root (AR) culture is an alternative route to obtain plant raw material. Hypericum perforatum L. is a precious medicinal herb and its ARs have been mass produced in bioreactors. To utilization of the cultured H. perforatum ARs in the production of food products, this study explored the effect of crude extract (CE) of ARs and its five fractions (i.e., petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butyl alcohol, and water) from stepwise extraction with different solvents on antibacterial activity against four foodborne pathogenic bacterial species (i.e., Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella choleraesuis); and antibacterial mechanisms of petroleum ether fraction were investigated in terms of cell permeability and respiration. The results showed that CE and five fractions all had antibacterial effects on the tested four bacterial species, and the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration against B. cereus and S. aureus was found in the fraction of petroleum ether (PE-F). PE-F increased the leakage of alkaline phosphatase, electrolyte, nucleic acid, and protein of B. cereus and S. aureus, indicating that bacterial cell permeability was increased. Meanwhile, PE-F inhibited respiration of B. cereus and S. aureus, and the superposition rate of the combination group of PE-F and iodoacetic acid (IA) was lowest, demonstrating that PE-F might be involved in regulation of IA-represented respiratory pathway, namely, tricarboxylic acid cycle. This study suggested that H. perforatum ARs have potential application value and could be used in the food industry. Key message: 1. Adventitious roots of Hypericum perforatum possessed antibacterial activity. 2. The highest antibacterial activity was in fraction of petroleum ether. 3. Fraction of petroleum ether affected cell permeability and respiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Network Function virtualization (NFV), network functions are virtualized as Virtual Network functions (VNFs). A network service consists of a set of VNFs. One of the major challenges in implementing this paradigm is allocating optimal resources to VNFs. Most existing work assumes that services are represented as service functional chains (SFC), which are chains. However, for more complex and diversified network services, a more appropriate representation is Virtual Network Function Forwarding Graph (VNF-FG), namely directed acyclic Graph (DAGs). Previous works failed to take advantage of this special graph structure, which makes them unsuitable for complex and diverse network service scenarios. Aiming at the problem of virtual network function Forwarding Graph mapping (VNF-FGE) represented by DAG, this paper proposes a virtual network function (VNF) deployment algorithm based on graph convolution network (GCN) and deep reinforcement learning (DRL), called GDRL-VNFP. First, we describe the VNF-FGE problem as an integer linear programming (ILP) problem and the virtual network service request (NSR) as a DAG. Secondly, in order to overcome the challenges brought about by the different sizes and dynamic arrival of the DAG representation of NSR, an efficient algorithm based on GCN and DRL is proposed, which can generate deployment solutions in real time under the premise of meeting the quality of service and minimize the total cost of deployment. We use GCN to extract features from the physical network topology and VNF-FG represented by DAG, and in addition, and construct a sequence-to-sequence model based on the attention mechanism for the output mapping scheme. Finally, we trained the model using a policy-based gradient-based reinforcement learning algorithm that could quickly find a near-optimal solution for the problem instance. Simulation results show that our GDRL-VNFP outperforms state-of-the-art solutions in terms of deployment cost, service request reception rate and runtime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to expound on the present situation and potential risk of road dust heavy metals in major cities, a total of 114 literatures mainly over the past two decades, involving more than 5000 sampling sites in 61 cities of 21 countries, were screened through the collection and analysis of research papers. The concentration, sources, distribution, health risk, sample collection, and analytical methods of heavy metal research on road dust in cities around the world are summarized. The results show that Cd, Zn, and Cu in many urban road dusts in the world are higher than the grade II of the Chinese maximum allowable concentration of potentially toxic elements in the soil. Geo-accumulation index values show that Pb > Cd > Zn > Cu had the highest contamination levels. Hazard index assessment indicates Pb and Cr had the highest potential health risk, especially for children in which ingestion was found as the main exposure pathway. Moreover, through comparative analysis, it is found that some pollutants are higher in developed and industrialized cities and transport (53%) followed by industrial emissions (35%) provide the major contributions to the sources of heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors are promising in channel length scaling of field-effect transistors (FETs) due to their excellent gate electrostatics. However, scaling of their contact length still remains a significant challenge because of the sharply raised contact resistance and the deteriorated metal conductivity at nanoscale. Here, we construct a 1D semimetal-2D semiconductor contact by employing single-walled carbon nanotube electrodes, which can push the contact length into the sub-2 nm region. Such 1D–2D heterostructures exhibit smaller van der Waals gaps than the 2D–2D ones, while the Schottky barrier height can be effectively tuned via gate potential to achieve Ohmic contact. We propose a longitudinal transmission line model for analyzing the potential and current distribution of devices in short contact limit, and use it to extract the 1D–2D contact resistivity which is as low as 10−6 Ω·cm2 for the ultra-short contacts. We further demonstrate that the semimetal nanotubes with gate-tunable work function could form good contacts to various 2D semiconductors including MoS2, WS2 and WSe2. The study on 1D semimetal contact provides a basis for further miniaturization of nanoelectronics in the future. 2D semiconductors are attracting increasing attention as potentially scalable channels for future transistors, but the scaling of their contact length remains challenging. Here, the authors report the realization of 1D semimetal-2D semiconductor contacts based on individual carbon nanotubes with contact length down to 2 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeromonas hydrophila is a Gram-negative pathogen that can infect various fish, including largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), which have caused huge economic losses. In present study, largemouth bass anti-A. hydrophila antibodies were produced, then a highly immunogenic outer membrane proteins, AHA_3793, was identified by combined western blotting and mass spectrometry analysis. Moreover, AHA_3793 was expressed, and its immunogenicity was further verified by western blotting. Subsequently, the protective efficacy of AHA_3793 were evaluated in largemouth bass. The results showed that rAHA_3793 could produce a relative percentage survival (RPS) of 61.76% for largemouth bass against A. hydrophila challenge. ELISA analysis showed the specific serum antibodies of largemouth bass against rAHA_3793 and A. hydrophila in vaccinated group in weeks 4 and 5 after immunization were significantly higher than those in control group, which suggested that rAHA_3793 induced production of specific serum antibodies against rAHA_3793 and A. hydrophila. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that expressions of CD4-2 and MHC IIα were also significantly up-regulated after immunization. These results collectively demonstrated that rAHA_3793 could induce a strong humoral immune response of largemouth bass, and then produce high immune protection effects against A. hydrophila infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the molecular docking simulation and structure of larotrectinib, some larotrectinib derivatives as antitumor compounds were designed and synthesized. The antitumor activities of the synthesized compounds were tested by A549 and H1975 cell lines with larotrectinib as the positive control drugs. The molecular docking of the selected compounds with protein was carried out to further explain the binding modes and the ADME data of the compounds were predicted, which showed that the compounds had good physicochemical property and biological characteristics. The results showed that the selected compounds had further research potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goldfish (Carassius auratus) have long fascinated evolutionary biologists and geneticists because of their diverse morphological and color variations. Recent genome-wide association studies have provided a clue to uncover genomic basis underlying these phenotypic variations, but the causality between phenotypic and genotypic variations have not yet been confirmed. Here, we edited proposed candidate genes to recreate phenotypic traits and developed a rapid biotechnology approach which combines gene editing with high-efficiency breeding, artificial gynogenesis, and temperature-induced sex reversal to establish homozygous mutants within two generations (approximately eight months). We first verified that low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 2B (lrp2aB) is the causal gene for the dragon-eye variation and recreated the dragon-eye phenotype in side-view Pleated-skirt Lion-head goldfish. Subsequently, we demonstrated that the albino phenotype was determined by both homeologs of oculocutaneous albinism type II (oca2), which has subfunctionalized to differentially govern melanogenesis in the goldfish body surface and pupils. Overall, we determined two causal genes for dragon-eye and albino phenotypes, and created four stable homozygous strains and more appealing goldfish with desirable traits. The developed biotechnology approach facilitates precise genetic breeding, which will accelerate re-domestication and recreation of phenotypically desirable goldfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic regulation of nucleic acid hybridization is fundamental for switchable nanostructures and controllable functionalities of nucleic acids in both material developments and biological regulations. In this work, we report a ligand-invasion pathway to regulate DNA hybridization based on host–guest interactions. We propose a concept of recognition handle as the ligand binding site to disrupt Watson–Crick base pairs and induce the direct dissociation of DNA duplex structures. Taking cucurbit[7]uril as the invading ligand and its guest molecules that are integrated into the nucleobase as recognition handles, we successfully achieve orthogonal and reversible manipulation of DNA duplex dissociation and recovery. Moreover, we further apply this approach of ligand-controlled nucleic acid hybridization for functional regulations of both the RNA-cleaving DNAzyme in test tubes and the antisense oligonucleotide in living cells. This ligand-invasion strategy establishes a general pathway toward dynamic control of nucleic acid structures and functionalities by supramolecular interactions. Direct dissociation of nucleic acid duplex structures without heating or specific binding proteins is challenging. Here the authors use the cucurbit[7]uril-based host–guest system to construct a ligand-invasion pathway for controllable DNA hybridisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for the early prediction of the pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC). Methods: Fifty patients with LAGC who were treated with NAC followed by radical gastrectomy were enrolled. Uncontrasted and DCE-MRI were performed within 1 week before NAC. According to tumor regression grading (TRG), patients were labeled as responders (TRG = 0 + 1) and non-responders (TRG = 2 + 3). Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) and DCE-MRI kinetics (Ktrans, Ve, and Kep) were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to screen independent factors to predict the NAC efficacy. The relationship between MRI parameters and TRG was studied by Spearman's correlation analysis. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were applied to evaluate the efficacy. Results: ADC, Ktrans, and Kep values were higher in responders than in non-responders (p < 0.05) and correlated with TRG (p < 0.05). The ADC and Kep values were independent markers for predicting TRG. The area under the curve, sensitivities, specificities of ADC, Ktrans, Kep, and ADC + Kep were 0.813, 0.699, 0.709, 0.886;73.64%, 65.54%, 63.21%, 70.37%; 86.47%, 54.97%, 79.47%, 95.65%; respectively. ADC + Kep demonstrated a higher efficacy than Ktrans and Kep (p = 0.012, 0.011), but without improvement compared with ADC (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both DWI and DCE-MRI can effectively predict the pathologic response to NAC in LAGC. A combination of ADC and Kep increased the efficacy, and ADC is the most valuable imaging parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]