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A novel galvanic-polishing-assisted near net shape forming was proposed to improve the heat dissipation capacity of the liquid-cooled plates. The coarsest upper surface roughness of channels was reduced from 74 to 37 μm. The coolant flow rate and heat dissipation capacity of the liquid-cooled plates with the polished channels were increased by 35.2 and 51.0 pct compared with those of untreated liquid-cooled plates, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, an increasing number of teachers and researchers have used virtual reality (VR) to enhance English as a foreign language (EFL) learning, but the learning effects they found varied. Because of these differences, we conducted a meta-analysis. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of VR-based EFL learning methods with traditional EFL learning methods, and to determine what factors led to these results. We searched for articles published from 2015 to 2021 using Web of Science, ERIC, and Google Scholar. A total of 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental studies were included, and the effect size (ES) was calculated. The results show that the VR-based EFL learning method is significantly better than the traditional EFL learning method and has a small positive effect (g =.445). We also coded the characteristics of the samples to examine their moderating effect on the results. We found that educational levels, country/area, and EFL learning outcomes have significant differences that can explain the variance in ES among the samples. According to the analysis results, we also provide suggestions on which learning outcomes are most helpful, how to choose the best educational stages, learning materials, and type of VR to promote EFL learning performance, and directions for future research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chatbots have shown great potential for language learning. However, previous studies have reported mixed results on the efficiency of chatbot-assisted language learning (CALL). This study integrated the results of previous experimental studies on CALL by using meta-analysis to explore its effectiveness. A total of 61 samples from 18 studies were examined. The results showed that CALL had a moderate average effect (g =.527). In addition, nine potential moderating variables (educational level, target language, language domain, learning outcome, instruction duration, chatbot interface, chatbot development, task dominance, and interaction way) were identified and discussed. The results of this study provided insights into the use and design of chatbots for language learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new heavy-tailed robust Kalman filter is presented to address the issue that the linear stochastic state-space model has heavy-tailed noise with time-varying process bias. The one-step predicted probability density function (PDF) is modeled as the Student's-t-inverse-Wishart distribution, and the likelihood PDF is modeled as the Student's-t distribution. To acquire the approximate joint posterior PDF, the conjugate prior distributions of the state vector and auxiliary variables are set as the Gaussian, the inverse-Wishart, the Gaussian-Gamma, and the Gamma distributions, respectively. A new Gaussian hierarchical state-space model is presented by introducing auxiliary variables. Based on the proposed Gaussian hierarchical state-space model, the parameters of the proposed heavy-tailed robust filter are jointly inferred using the approach of the variational Bayesian. The simulation illustrates that the time-varying process bias is adaptively real-time estimated in this paper. In comparison with the existing cutting-edge filters, the presented heavy-tailed robust filter obtains higher accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-sized bimetallic nanoparticles that possess numerous accessible metal sites and optimal geometric/electronic structures show great promise for advanced synergetic catalysis but remain synthetic challenge so far. Here, an universial synthetic method is developed for building a library of bimetallic nanoparticles on mesoporous sulfur-doped carbon supports, consisting of 24 combinations of 3 noble metals (that is, Pt, Rh, Ir) and 7 other metals, with average particle sizes ranging from 0.7 to 1.4 nm. The synthetic strategy is based on the strong metal-support interaction arising from the metal-sulfur bonding, which suppresses the metal aggregation during the H2-reduction at 700 °C and ensure the formation of small-sized and alloyed bimetallic nanoparticles. The enhanced catalytic properties of the ultrasmall bimetallic nanoparticles are demonstrated in the dehydrogenation of propane at high temperature and oxidative dehydrogenations of N-heterocycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) play a key role in chemoreception in insects. In an earlier study, we identified CmedOBP14 from the rice leaf folder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, with potential physiological functions in olfaction. Here, we performed a competitive binding assay under different pH conditions as well as knockdown via RNA interference to determine the specific role of CmedOBP14 in C. medinalis. CmedOBP14 displayed broad binding affinities to many host-related compounds, with higher affinities at pH 7.4 compared with pH 5.0. After treatment with CmedOBP14-dsRNA, the transcript level of OBP14 was significantly decreased at 72 h compared with controls, and the electroantennogram response evoked by nerolidol, L-limonene and beta-ionone was reduced. Furthermore, behavioral assays revealed consistent patterns among these compounds, especially for nerolidol, with adults could no longer able to differentiate 0.1% nerolidol from controls. RNAi experiments suggest that at least in part, CmedOBP14 mediates the ability to smell nerolidol and beta-ionone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study compared the therapeutic effects of great curvature plication with duodenal-jejunal bypass (GCP-DJB) and the commonly used sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods: The rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control group (n = 6), SG group (n = 6), and GCP-DJB group (n = 6). Body weight, daily food intake, fasting blood glucose level, fasting insulin level, insulin resistance index, and fasting serum concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), and bile acid were measured. In addition, postoperative changes in body weight and daily food intake at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks were also recorded. At week 12, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin release test were performed to determine glucose tolerance. The insulin resistance index (IRI) was also measured. The postprandial secretion curves and area under the curve (AUC) of GLP-1, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), PYY, and bile acid were also calculated.Results: Before surgery, no significant differences in body weight, daily food intake, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance index, fasting GLP-1, PYY, and bile acid were found among the three groups (P > 0.05). At postoperative week 12, body weight and food intake in the SG and GCP-DJB groups were lower than those in the Control group (P < 0.05), and body weight in the GCP-DJB group was lowest (P < 0.05). Glucose tolerance, postprandial serum insulin (INS), GLP-1, PYY, and bile acid were significantly higher in the SG and GCP-DJB groups than in the Control group (P < 0.05). The parameters related to glucose metabolism in the GCP-DJB group were higher than those in the SG group with the exception of serum insulin (P < 0.05). In addition, IRI and GIP secretion were significantly lower in the SG and GCP-DJB groups than in the Control group (P < 0.05) and were lowest in the GCP-DJB group (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Both GCP-DJB and SG are surgical options for the treatment of T2DM. The underlying mechanism of these treatments may be related to the decrease in body weight, food intake, GIP, IRI, and the increase in INS, GLP-1, PYY, and bile acid. According to the various metabolic indicators related to the hypoglycemic effects in T2DM, GCP-DJB was superior to SG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, the mechanism remains unclear.Methods: The effects of RYGB on postprandial responses to three different diets (low carbohydrate (CH)-rich diet, high CH-rich diet, and fat-rich diet) of different nutritional composition in a Goto-Kakizaki (GK) diabetic rat model were assessed by measuring glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, incretin responses, and bile acid (BA) metabolism.Results: GK-RYGB group rats lost weight and preferred low CH-rich diet, but there were no significant differences in BW among the different diets. Glucose tolerance and insulin resistance were improved in rats who underwent RYGB, together with higher levels of circulating BAs, plasma GLP-1, and PYY levels. GK-RYGB rats fed high CH-rich or fat-rich diet showed increased glucose level and insulin resistance, together with high plasma BA, GIP, and PYY levels compared to those fed a low CH-rich diet.Conclusion: RYGB improves glucose tolerance and insulin resistance which may be related to BA metabolism and hormone levels, and the nutrient composition of the diet affects the treatment effect of RYGB on T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study investigated the use of great curvature plication with duodenal-jejunal bypass (GCP-DJB) in a type 2 diabetic with obesity rat model.Methods: Twenty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were given a high fat and sugar diet with subsequent intraperitoneal injection of a small dosage of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg) and randomly assigned to either GCP-DJB (n = 12) or Sham surgery (n = 10). Body weight, peripheral blood glucose, and fasting serum insulin were assayed, and insulin resistance index (IRI) was calculated, before and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery.Results: No differences were found in the preoperative characteristics of the two groups (P > 0.05). At week 1, the body weights decreased significantly, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).The fasting blood glucose was significantly lower in the GCP-DJB than in the Sham group (P < 0.05), serum insulin levels were higher (P < 0.05), and IRI began to decline (P < 0.05). From 2 to 8 weeks, the body weight of Sham group gradually recovered and continued to rise, while the GCP-DJB group remained at a relatively lower state. Compared to the Sham group, the body weight, fasting blood glucose as well as IRI of GCP-DJB rats had significantly decreased (P < 0.05). But, the fasting insulin concentrations had significantly increased (P < 0.05).Conclusion: This novel GCP-DJB procedure established a stable animal model for the study of metabolic surgery to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PET hydrolase (PETase), which hydrolyzes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into soluble building blocks, provides an attractive avenue for the bioconversion of plastics. Here we present the structures of a novel PETase from the PET-consuming microbe Ideonella sakaiensis in complex with substrate and product analogs. Through structural analyses, mutagenesis, and activity measurements, a substrate-binding mode is proposed, and several features critical for catalysis are elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of reverse chemical ecology, the fluorescence competitive binding assays of functional odorant binding proteins (OBPs) is a recent advanced approach for screening behaviorally active compounds of insects. Previous research on Dastareus helophoroides identified a minus-C OBP, DhelOBP21, which preferably binds to several ligands. In this study, only (+)-β-pinene proved attractive to unmated adult beetles. To obtain a more in-depth explanation of the lack of behavioral activity of other ligands we selected compounds with high (camphor) and low (β-caryophyllene) binding affinities. The structural transformation of OBPs was investigated using well-established approaches for studying binding processes, such as fluorescent quenching assays, circular dichroism, and molecular dynamics. The dynamic binding process revealed that the flexibility of DhelOBP21 seems conducive to binding specific ligands, as opposed to broad substrate binding. The compound (+)-β-pinene and DhelOBP21 formed a stable complex through a secondary structural transformation of DhelOBP21, in which its amino-terminus transformed from random coil to an α-helix to cover the binding pocket. On the other hand, camphor could not efficiently induce a stable structural transformation, and its high binding affinities were due to strong hydrogen-bonding, compromising the structure of the protein. The other compound, β-caryophyllene, only collided with DhelOBP21 and could not be positioned in the binding pocket. Studying structural transformation of these proteins through examining the dynamic binding process rather than using approaches that just measure binding affinities such as fluorescence competitive binding assays can provide a more efficient and reliable approach for screening behaviorally active compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the issue of improvement of disadvantages of different type meshes.Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 101 gastroesophageal reflux disease patients who underwent reinforcement of crura with or without prosthetic mesh. Three types of mesh, 4-ply biologic small intestine submucosa (SIS, Surgisis(®), since November 2010), 6-ply SIS (Biodesign™ Surgisis(®), since March 2011), and composite synthetic mesh (Crurasoft(®), since May 2010), were used. All patients were assigned to simple suture group (n = 35), 4-ply SIS group (n = 13), 6-ply Biodesign™ group (n = 26) or Crurasoft(®) group (n = 27). Postoperative follow-up was performed via clinical visit or phone call contact. Subjective assessment included dysphagia, patients' symptomatic outcome judgment according to Visick and patients' satisfaction. Objective evaluation included hiatal hernia recurrence according to upper endoscopy and barium contrast swallow. Follow-up was completed in 83 patients with a mean duration of 45 months (range 16-149 months).Results: For the objective outcomes, although anatomic recurrence of hiatal hernia did not significantly differ between groups at 6 months postoperatively, long-term results showed a protective effect of mesh implantation on hernia recurrence (p = 0.047). For the subjective outcomes, the mesh group had a more significant improvement in Visick score (p = 0.020) compared to the simple suture group. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the mesh group (p = 0.014), and subgroup analysis showed a clear trend as follows: Crurasoft(®) ≈ Biodesign(®) > SIS(®). A higher frequency of postoperative dysphagia was presented in the Crurasoft group compared with other two groups at 6 months postoperatively, but the difference was not significant over time (p = 0.227).Conclusion: Mesh cruroplasty results in satisfactory symptom control with a low recurrence rate. 6-ply biologic mesh is promising with respect to the reduction in anatomic recurrences. Postoperative dysphagia does not occur commonly following mesh cruroplasty with PTFE/ePTFE mesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of carbon nanoparticles (CNs) in identifying lymph nodes and preserving parathyroids in endoscopic total thyroidectomy (ETT) with central neck dissection (CND), and to further explore the role of CNs in recovering postoperative parathyroid function.Method: Fifty-five patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were randomized to either CN group (n = 28) or control group (n = 27). The primary outcome measures were pathological results (e.g., amount of incidental removed parathyroids and lymph nodes dissected) and follow-up results [e.g., recovery of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels]. The secondary end-points were the rates of neuromuscular symptoms, in-hospital postoperative hormonal assay, and lymph node metastases.Results: A total of 193 lymph nodes in the CN group and 123 lymph nodes in the control group were detected. The mean number of detected lymph nodes was significantly higher in the CN group than in the control group (P = 0.009). Parathyroids were present in the thyroid or central nodal specimens of five patients, which were all in the control group. The control group had a relatively higher incidence of incidental parathyroidectomy compared to the CN group (P = 0.023). Compared to the CN group, the incidence of paresthesia was higher in the control group even if not statistically significant. During follow-up, the serum calcium levels were higher in the CN group than in the control group; however, there was no statistically significant difference. For the serum PTH levels, the CN group recovered rapidly to the preoperative levels, whereas the control group climbed steadily to the normal range. The serum PTH levels in the CN group were apparently higher than in the control group at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively.Conclusion: CNs play an important role in protecting parathyroid glands, dissecting lymph nodes thoroughly, and promoting rapid recovery of parathyroid in ETT with CND (ChiCTR-TRC-14005042). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present high efficiency and stable inverted PSCs (i-PSC) by employing sol-gel processed simultaneously doped ZnO by Indium and fullerene derivative (BisNPC60-OH) (denoted as InZnO-BisC60) film as cathode interlayer and PTB7-Th:PC71BMas the active layer (where PTB7-Th is a low bandgap polymer we proposed previously). This dual-doped ZnO, InZnO-BisC60, film shows dual and opposite gradient dopant concentration profiles, being rich in fullerene derivative at the cathode surface in contact with active layer and rich in In at the cathode surface in contact with the ITO surface. Such doping in ZnO not only gives improved surface conductivity by a factor of 270 (from 0.015 to 4.06 S cm-1) but also provides enhanced electron mobility by a factor of 132 (from 8.25*10-5 to 1.09*10-2 cm2 V-1 s-1). The resulting i-PSC exhibits the improved PCE 10.31% relative to that with ZnO without doping 8.25%. This PCE 10.31% is the best result among the reported values so far for single junction PSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum phase transition is one of the most interesting aspects in quantum many-body systems. Recently, geometric quantum discord has been introduced to signature the critical behavior of various quantum systems. However, it is well-known that topological quantum phase transition can not be described by the conventional Landau's symmetry breaking theory, and thus it is unknown that whether previous study can be applicable in this case. Here, we study the topological quantum phase transition in Kitaev's 1D p-wave spinless quantum wire model in terms of its ground state geometric quantum discord. The derivative of geometric quantum discord is nonanalytic at the critical point, in both zero temperature and finite temperature cases. The scaling behavior and the universality are verified numerically. Therefore, our results clearly show that all the key ingredients of the topological phase transition can be captured by the nearest neighbor and long-range geometric quantum discord. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus (Ad5-LFA-3/IgG1) that encodes secreted LFA-3/IgG1 was constructed for gene therapy treatment of psoriasis. The purpose of this study was to develop a real-time PCR method for pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies of Ad5-LFA-3/IgG1 within the circulation and organs. This method showed good specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility over a wide dynamic range of concentrations. Quantitative measurement of recombinant adenoviral DNA suggested that the level of Ad5-LFA-3/IgG1 DNA in circulating blood peaked within 10 min following intravenous injection in rhesus macaques. Following this peak, the adenoviral DNA level dropped significantly to a very low level. Real-time PCR revealed that Ad5-LFA-3/IgG1 DNA was enriched in the spleen, lung and liver after injection of the adenovirus into rats through the tail vein. The adenoviral DNA was barely detected in other tissues. These data provide important information for clinical trials of Ad5-LFA-3/IgG1 and confirm the utility of the real-time PCR assay for monitoring gene therapy trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endoscopic thyroidectomy has been known to surgeons for only 20 years. Related studies still are needed to make up for the deficiency of clinical experience. Research on the learning curve for the endoscopic thyroidectomy could be the method for investigating the operation experience.Methods: This retrospective study investigated 300 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy by a single endoscopist during the past 7 years. The study population was equally divided into 10 groups chronologically. Pearson's chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare differences in the demographic data, operative time, operation score system, and follow-up data.Results: The mean operative time was 98.07 min. The mean operation score was 6.00, and the rate of conversion to open surgery was 3.7%. There were no differences in demographic data or complications among the 10 groups. Subcutaneous edema occurred in five cases and transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in five cases. There were significant differences in the mean operative time (p < 0.01) and the mean operation score (p < 0.01) among the 10 groups. Comparison of two neighboring groups showed differences in both operative time (p < 0.05) and operation score (p < 0.01) between groups 2 and 3 and in operation score between groups 5 and 6 (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The first 60 cases constitute the early stage of the learning curve for endoscopic thyroidectomy. The proficiency and stability of the operation reach the advanced level after 150 cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A flow-through CL method for the determination of lead combined with controlled-reagent-release technology has been developed. Chemiluminescence (CL) reagents luminol and potassium permanganate were immobilized on anion exchange resin by electrostatic interaction. Lead ion was determined by its enhancing effect on the CL reaction between luminol and potassium permanganate. Both luminol and potassium permanganate were eluted from the anion exchange resin column by sodium phosphate solution. The linear range of the system was 10 μg mL−1, and the detection limit was 5 × 10–9 g mL−1 lead (3 σ). A complete analysis could be performed in 1 min with a relative SD 3.2% (1.0 × 10–7 g mL−1, n = 9). The column shows remarkable stability and can be reused over 350 times and 21 days. The method has been applied to determine lead in human blood samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the study which investigates racial differences on the use of mental health services as well as treatment costs in the U.S. According to the study, the white ones get newer forms of medications as compared to the minorities who are often presented with premature treatment. In addition, it states that critics have admonished that the disparity in capitation could affect ethnic minorities as it would make them vulnerable to receive mental treatments.

Slant fracture is widely observed during crack growth in thin sheet specimens made of ductile materials, providing a good case for investigating three-dimensional criteria for mixed-mode ductile fracture. To gain an understanding of slant fracture events and to provide insight for establishing a slant fracture criterion, stable tearing fracture experiments on combined tension-torsion (nominal mixed-mode I/III) specimens and nominal Mode I Arcan specimens made of Al 2024-T3 are analyzed using the finite element method under three-dimensional conditions. Two types of finite element models are considered for the study of slant fracture: (a) combined tension-torsion specimens containing stationary, flat and slant cracks subject to loads corresponding to the onset of crack growth, and (b) stable tearing crack growth with slanting in a nominal Mode I Arcan specimen. Analysis results reveal that there exists a strong correlation between certain features of the crack-front effective plastic strain field and the orientation of the slant fracture surface. In particular, it is observed that (a) at the onset of crack growth in the combined tension-torsion experiments, the angular position of the maximum effective plastic strain around the crack front serves as a good indicator for the slant fracture surface orientation during subsequent crack growth; and (b) during stable tearing crack growth in the Mode I Arcan specimen, which experiences a flat-to-slant fracture surface transition, the crack growth path on each section plane through the thickness of the specimen coincides with the angular position of the maximum effective plastic strain around the crack front. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of intragastric balloon (IGB) for the treatment of obesity in ethnic Chinese in Hong Kong. Methods: 15 Chinese patients (10 females; median age 40 years (range 21-58)) completed IGB treatment over a 10-month period since November 2004. Median baseline body weight (BW) and BMI were 100.1 (range 78.5-170.3) kg and 39.4 (range 29.6-56.9) kg/m2 respectively. Coexistent obesity-related morbidities were present in 80% of patients. The Bioenterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB®) was employed, and all placement and removal were performed endoscopically under intravenous conscious sedation. A restricted balanced diet (∼1200 kcal/day) and 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity exercise were prescribed after balloon placement in a multidisciplinary approach. Outcome measures were collected and assessed in a prospective manner. Results: Median procedure time was 25 (range 19-45) minutes and median hospital stay was 2 (range 1-6) days. Median BW and BMI loss were 15.3 (range 5.3-30.9) kg and 5.6 (range 1.9-12.5) kg/m2 after IGB. The median waist circumference (WC) loss was 9 (range 4-23) cm, and 66.7% of patients were highly satisfied with the treatment. No serious complication related to IGB was observed. Conclusion: IGB is a safe and effective device that achieves moderate weight loss in obese ethnic Chinese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 81-year-old woman had an early carcinoma invading focally into the upper submucosa of the middle-transverse colon, which was accompanied by extensive lymph node metastases and resulted in a poor prognosis. Although her tumor was small and flat, a rim of pale yellow-speckled mucosa adjacent to the tumor enabled its earlier detection. To further study the exceptional lymph node metastases we studied the expression of intestinal trefoil factor and sialyl Tn antigen immunohistochemically on the resected specimen. Their simultaneous expression in lymph node metastasis further supports the aggressive nature of this tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]