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In recent years, encryption algorithms have undergone rapid development, finding extensive applications across diverse industries. In the pursuit of enhancing the security of image encryption methodologies, this paper introduces a novel computational holographic encryption approach grounded in DNA coding and bit-plane decomposition. The encryption framework employs a Logistic-Sine chaotic mapping system characterized by a substantial key space to control encryption particulars. The plaintext image undergoes encryption through the input–output algorithm of computational holography. This algorithm shifts information from the spatial domain, represented by the greyscale map, to the frequency domain, concealing the distribution of pixel values. The incorporation of DNA coding and bit-plane transformations serves to intensify the chaos within the ciphertext image, thereby maximizing the efficacy of the encryption process. By integrating principles from biology and physical optics into encryption methodologies, this approach amalgamates diverse scientific domains. Simulation results and data analyses substantiate that the proposed encryption algorithm adeptly withstands various attacks, attesting to its security and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of Arctic sea ice loss on summertime weather in the Northern Hemisphere have garnered considerable attention. Despite the extensive focus on this relationship, the influence of tropical systems on Arctic regions has been relatively underexplored, with only a limited number of existing studies concentrating exclusively on either dynamic or thermodynamic effects. This study aims to address this gap by examining a barotropic anomalous circulation over the Arctic region associated with Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) rainfall. The observed anomalous circulation exhibits a distinct zonally dipole pattern, characterized by anomalous high pressure over Northern Canada and Asia, coupled with anomalous low pressure located east of Greenland. Verification through model experiments demonstrates that the diabatic heating of ISM rainfall contribute to the formation of the observed ISM-related circulation. The modulation of surface clear sky downwelling longwave radiation ( DLR clear sky ) by the circulation anomalies over the Arctic modified surface thermal conditions, thereby influencing subsequent variations in sea ice thickness and concentration. Under anomalous high pressure, DLR clear sky increases, leading to a decline in sea ice thickness, and vice versa. Additionally, from a dynamic standpoint, low-level wind-driven sea ice drift helps shape the spatial distribution and extent of sea ice cover. Besides, the impacts of ISM on Arctic sea ice are largely independent of contemporary ENSO. These findings present fresh perspectives on the role of extrapolar phenomena, such as the ISM, in driving variability in Arctic sea ice during the summer months. This enhanced comprehension holds promise for enhancing predictions of changes in summertime Arctic sea ice extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Renewable-energy-driven nitrate (NO3-) electroreduction to ammonia (NH3) (NERA) has been an attractive technology for decarbonizing NH3 production and wastewater treatment. Improving NERA efficiency requires electrocatalysts that are earth-abundant and show fantastic performance. Here we report a semiempirical activity descriptor of eg occupancy (of surface B-site cations) for identifying inexpensive perovskite oxides with extremely high efficacy toward NERA. We establish the descriptor by systematic investigations of more than 10 perovskite oxides. These investigations demonstrate that their intrinsic NERA activities display a volcano-shaped dependence on eg occupancy and the optimized intrinsic activities are accessible at near-1 eg occupancies. This could plausibly be attributed to the favorable overlaps between surface adsorbates and vertically-oriented eg orbitals. More importantly, utilizing this descriptor, we predict a highly active, selective, and durable NERA electrocatalyst with a composition of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (BSCF). Because of its close-to-1 eg occupancy (i.e. ∼ 1.2), the BSCF features a superior NH3 production rate of 0.12 g ⋅ h − 1 ⋅ mg cat. − 1 (Faradaic efficiency of 97.8%) that is at top of the volcano plot, and substantially outperforms most NERA electrocatalysts reported in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving activity and stability of Ruthenium (Ru)-based catalysts in acidic environments is eager to replace more expensive Iridium (Ir)-based materials as practical anode catalyst for proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). Here, a bicontinuous nanoreactor composed of multiscale defective RuO2 nanomonomers (MD-RuO2-BN) is conceived and confirmed by three-dimensional tomograph reconstruction technology. The unique bicontinuous nanoreactor structure provides abundant active sites and rapid mass transfer capability through a cavity confinement effect. Besides, existing vacancies and grain boundaries endow MD-RuO2-BN with generous low-coordination Ru atoms and weakened Ru-O interaction, inhibiting the oxidation of lattice oxygen and dissolution of high-valence Ru. Consequently, in acidic media, the electron- and micro-structure synchronously optimized MD-RuO2-BN achieves hyper water oxidation activity (196 mV @ 10 mA cm−2) and an ultralow degradation rate of 1.2 mV h−1. A homemade PEMWE using MD-RuO2-BN as anode also conveys high water splitting performance (1.64 V @ 1 A cm−2). Theoretical calculations and in-situ Raman spectra further unveil the electronic structure of MD-RuO2-BN and the mechanism of water oxidation processes, rationalizing the enhanced performance by the synergistic effect of multiscale defects and protected active Ru sites. Developing stable water oxidation catalysts is of great importance for proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzers. Here the authors report a bicontinuous nanoreactor composed of multiscale defected RuO2 nanocrystals for robust acidic water oxidation reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic water splitting is a promising route for sustainable hydrogen production. However, the high overpotential of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction poses significant challenge. SrIrO3-based perovskite-type catalysts have shown great potential for acidic oxygen evolution reaction, but the origins of their high activity are still unclear. Herein, we develop a Co-doped SrIrO3 system to enhance oxygen evolution reaction activity and elucidate the origin of catalytic activity. In situ experiments reveal Co activates surface lattice oxygen, rapidly exposing IrOx active sites, while bulk Co doping optimizes the adsorbate binding energy of IrOx. The Co-doped SrIrO3 demonstrates high oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalytic activity, markedly surpassing the commercial IrO2 catalysts in both conventional electrolyzer and proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer. SrIrO3-based catalyst is a promising candidate for acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), but the active sites and factors responsible for its effectiveness remain ambiguous. Here, the authors reveal that dynamic dissolution of Co in Co-SrIrO3 leads to the formation of unsaturated IrOx, enabling high-efficiency OER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu-oxide-based catalysts are promising for CO2 electroreduction (CO2RR) to CH4, but suffer from inevitable reduction (to metallic Cu) and uncontrollable structural collapse. Here we report Cu-based rock-salt-ordered double perovskite oxides with superexchange-stabilized long-distance Cu sites for efficient and stable CO2-to-CH4 conversion. For the proof-of-concept catalyst of Sr2CuWO6, its corner-linked CuO6 and WO6 octahedral motifs alternate in all three crystallographic dimensions, creating sufficiently long Cu-Cu distances (at least 5.4 Å) and introducing marked superexchange interaction mainly manifested by O-anion-mediated electron transfer (from Cu to W sites). In CO2RR, the Sr2CuWO6 exhibits significant improvements (up to 14.1 folds) in activity and selectivity for CH4, together with well boosted stability, relative to a physical-mixture counterpart of CuO/WO3. Moreover, the Sr2CuWO6 is the most effective Cu-based-perovskite catalyst for CO2 methanation, achieving a remarkable selectivity of 73.1% at 400 mA cm−2 for CH4. Our experiments and theoretical calculations highlight the long Cu-Cu distances promoting *CO hydrogenation and the superexchange interaction stabilizing Cu sites as responsible for the superb performance. Cu-oxide-based catalysts are promising for CO2 electromethanation but suffer from inevitable reduction and structural collapse. Here the authors report a Cu-based rock-salt-ordered double perovskite oxide with superexchange-stabilized long-distance Cu sites for efficient and stable CO2 methanation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiotherapy is an essential component of oncology treatment. It is imperative that clinicians and medical students have a fundamental understanding of radiotherapy. However, radiation oncology education is deficient worldwide. This study introduced an hour-long online Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) as a supplement to the basic curriculum for 8-year medical students at Peking Union Medical College and Tsinghua University in China. The students' personal opinions and comprehension of radiation oncology therapy were assessed through pre- and post-test questionnaires before and after the MOOC study. The results indicated that the percentage of students interested in radiotherapy increased, and their knowledge of radiotherapy significantly improved after the online MOOC study, suggesting that short-term MOOC study may stimulate students' interest in learning and improving their knowledge of radiation therapy. The study suggests that the combination of online and offline teaching may be a feasible way to develop radiation oncology education in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oocyte maturation defects are major phenotypes resulting in female infertility. Although many genetic factors have been found to be responsible for these phenotypes, the underlying pathogenic genes and variants remain to be identified. The anaphase promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C) is known to be essential in the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. In this study, we identified two homozygous missense variants (c.986A > G, p.Y329C and c.988C > T, p.R330C) in CDC23 that are responsible for female infertility characterized by oocyte maturation defects in three infertile individuals. CDC23 (cell division cycle 23) is one of the core subunits of the APC/C. In vitro experiments showed that the variant c.986A > G (p.Y329C) led to a decrease in CDC23 protein level and the variant c.988C > T (p.R330C) changed the localization of CDC23 in HeLa cells and mouse oocytes. In vivo studies showed that Cdc23Y329C/Y329C mice successfully mimicked the patients' phenotype by causing low expression of CDC23 and APC4 and the accumulation of securin and cyclin B1 in oocytes. AZ3146 treatment was able to rescue the phenotype. Taken together, our findings reveal the important roles of CDC23 in human oocyte maturation and provide a new genetic marker for female infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Density functional theory calculations indicates that interstitial B atoms can tune the atomic spacing of host metal Os and achieve a reversal hydrogen adsorption-distance relationship. The structure–activity relationship between the spacing of active Os atoms and catalytic activity is established. Prepared OsB2 with increasing dOs-Os of 2.96 Å presents the optimal hydrogen evolution reaction activity (8 mV @ 10 mA cm−2) and robust stability in alkaline media. Precisely tuning the spacing of the active centers on the atomic scale is of great significance to improve the catalytic activity and deepen the understanding of the catalytic mechanism, but still remains a challenge. Here, we develop a strategy to dilute catalytically active metal interatomic spacing (dM-M) with light atoms and discover the unusual adsorption patterns. For example, by elevating the content of boron as interstitial atoms, the atomic spacing of osmium (dOs-Os) gradually increases from 2.73 to 2.96 Å. More importantly, we find that, with the increase in dOs-Os, the hydrogen adsorption-distance relationship is reversed via downshifting d-band states, which breaks the traditional cognition, thereby optimizing the H adsorption and H2O dissociation on the electrode surface during the catalytic process; this finally leads to a nearly linear increase in hydrogen evolution reaction activity. Namely, the maximum dOs-Os of 2.96 Å presents the optimal HER activity (8 mV @ 10 mA cm−2) in alkaline media as well as suppressed O adsorption and thus promoted stability. It is believed that this novel atomic-level distance modulation strategy of catalytic sites and the reversed hydrogen adsorption-distance relationship can shew new insights for optimal design of highly efficient catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Three Di19-4 genes were identified in mango. Overexpression of MiDi19-4B in A. thaliana promoted earlier flowering and enhanced drought, salt, and ABA resistance. Drought-induced protein 19 (Di19) is a drought-induced protein that is mainly involved in multiple stress responses. Here, three Di19-4 genes (MiDi19-4A/B/C) in mango (Mangifera indica L.) were identified, and the coding sequences (CDS) had lengths of 684, 666, and 672 bp and encoded proteins with 228, 222, and 224 amino acids, respectively. The promoters of the MiDi19-4 genes contained phytohormone-, light-, and abiotic stress-responsive elements. The MiDi19-4 genes were expressed in every tissue and highly expressed in leaves. Moreover, MiDi19-4 genes were highly correlated with the vegetative growth period and induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) or salt stress. MiDi19-4B displayed the highest expression during the vegetative growth period and then showed decreased expression, and MiDi19-4B was highly expressed at both the late stage of the vegetative growth period and the initial stage of the flowering induction period. The 35S::GFP–MiDi19-4B fusion protein was located in the cell nucleus. The transgenic plants ectopically expressing MiDi19-4B exhibited earlier flowering and increased expression patterns of FRUITFULL (AtFUL), APETALA1 (AtAP1), and FLOWERING LOCUS T (AtFT). The drought and salt tolerance of MiDi19-4B transgenic plants was significantly increased, and these plants showed decreased sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) and considerably increased expression levels of drought- and salt-related genes and ABA signalling pathway genes. Additionally, bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) experiments revealed that the MiDi19-4B protein interacted with CAULIFLOWER (MiCAL1), MiCAL2, MiAP1-1, and MiAP1-2. Taken together, these results highlighted the important regulatory roles of MiDi19-4B in tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses and in flowering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the main limiting step of overall water splitting, oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is urgent to be enhanced by developing efficient catalysts to promote the process of electrolytic water. Based on theoretical analysis, the Ni-metal-organic framework (Ni-MOF) and NiFe-layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) (NiFe-LDH/MOF) heterostructure can optimize the energy barrier of the OER process and decrease the adsorption energy of oxygen-containing intermediates, effectively accelerating the OER kinetics. Accordingly, layered NiFe-LDH/MOF heterostructures are in situ constructed through a facile two-step reaction process, with substantial oxygen defects and lattice defects that further improve the catalytic performance. As a result, only 208 and 275 mV OER overpotentials are needed for NiFe-LDH/MOF to drive the current densities of 20 and 100 mA·cm−2 in 1 M KOH solutions, and even maintain catalytic stability of 100 h at 20 mA·cm−2. When applied to seawater oxidation, only 235 and 307 mV OER overpotentials are required to achieve the current densities of 20 and 100 mA·cm−2, respectively, with almost no attenuation for 100 h stability test at 20 mA·cm−2, all better than commercial RuO2. This work provides the theoretical and experimental basis and a new idea for efficiently driving fresh water and seawater cracking by heterostructure and defect coupling design toward catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we selected eight cis-elements: AAAG, ACGTG, CCGA, ACTCAT, GGTCA, TATCC, TGAC and GATAA, which are closely related to plant growth and development, signal transduction and stress response. The CEAP primers were 18 nucleotides long and consisted of a central cis-element nucleotide core flanked by a filler sequence at the 5' end and di- or tri-nucleotides at the 3' end. A total of two hundred and twenty-four primers were developed, and the PCR procedure consisted of 5 cycles of low-temperature annealing and 35 subsequent cycles of annealing at 50°C. The PCR products are electrophoretically separated by 1.8–2.3% agarose. The polymorphism of the CEAP marker was amplified in eight mango (Mangifera indica L.) species. The results showed that the CEAP primers could amplify clear, repeatable bands in mango and combine at least four cis-elements from which a large number of bands were amplified and six highly polymorphic primers for each cis-element can reach an accurate clustering result. The results of CEAP marker assays compared with ISSR, CBDP and iPBS marker assays showed that CEAP marker was better than the other three markers in the number of fragment bands, H and I indexes. In addition, we also tested the CEAP markers in rice, tomato, potato, wax gourd, citrus and longan and the results showed that the CEAP marker assay could amplify clear polymorphic bands in different species. Our results indicate that the CEAP markers could be universally used in different species for genetic diversity analysis, relationship analysis, and marker-assisted selection for breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical and physical properties of lignocellulosic materials are closely related to the orientation and interaction of the polymers within cell walls. In this work, Imaging Polarized FTIR, combined with directional chemical removal, was applied to characterize the spatial orientation and interaction of cell wall polymers in bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells from two bamboo species. The results demonstrate the cellulose in bamboo fibers is nearly axially oriented whereas it is almost transversely arranged in parenchyma cells. Xylan and lignin are both preferentially oriented alongside cellulose, but with less orientation degree in the parenchyma cells. After lignin removal, the average orientation of xylan and cellulose is little affected, suggesting a strong interaction between cellulose and xylan. However, the alkaline treatment significantly weakens the orientation of lignin in both fibers and parenchyma cells, and more significant for the latter, indicating the easy-degradable nature of lignin in parenchyma cells. Additionally, it seemed the lignin and xylan in fibers were more difficult to remove as compared to parenchyma cells, supporting the assumption that stronger interaction exists between lignin and xylan in the fibers. In a word, it is believed parenchyma cells are more suitable for biorefinery owing to their less ordered and relatively loose molecular assembly, as compared to fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angularity is a class of event-shape observables that can be measured in deep-inelastic scattering. With its continuous parameter a one can interpolate angularity between thrust and broadening and further access beyond the region. Providing such systematic way to access various observables makes angularity attractive in analysis with event shapes. We give the definition of angularity for DIS and factorize the cross section by using soft-collinear effective theory. The factorization is valid in a wide range of a below and above thrust region but invalid in broadening limit. It contains an angularity beam function, which is new result and we give the expression at O (αs). We also perform large log resummation of angularity and make predictions at various values of a at next-to-next-to-leading log accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four studies investigated the differential effects of giving time vs. giving money on well-being and related mechanisms. Studies 1 and 2 used a recall paradigm, Study3 was a laboratory experiment, and Study 4 combined daily surveys with a recall procedure. Across the studies, we failed to find any substantial difference in happiness or meaningfulness associated with the two types of prosocial behaviors, which was probably due to insufficient statistical power. Yet, we found that individuals tended to recall experiences of giving time (vs. money) that were associated with higher satisfaction of the needs for relatedness and competence. Moreover, for both types of prosocial behaviors, the fulfillment of the three basic needs in SDT, autonomy, competence, and relatedness, as well as beneficence (i.e., perceived prosocial impact), all acted as important predictors of happiness and meaningfulness. Implications for research on the psychological consequences of prosocial behaviors, and the roles of basic needs and beneficence in promoting well-being are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo, with a high cellulose content comparable to that of wood, is a potential feedstock for biofuel and nanocellulose production. Mechanically isolated bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells exhibited remarkable differences in enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency as reported in a recent comparative study. It was assumed that cellulose microfibrils in bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells differ in their supramolecular structures. In the present study, X-ray diffraction and solid-state CP/MAS13C NMR studies indicated that, the two types of cells showed similar cellulose crystallinity index. The cellulose from bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells also exhibited differences in microfibril sizes, with lateral sizes of ca. 26.0–41.3 Å and ca. 22.7–39.3 Å for bamboo fibers and parenchyma cells respectively. It was further found that cellulose chains in bamboo fibers were more closely packed, supported by its smaller d-spacing than that of parenchyma cell cellulose. In addition, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy revealed that there was a higher Iβ content in fibers than parenchyma cells. These differences in the crystalline structure of cellulose should be related to the lower recalcitrance to chemical degradation of parenchyma cells compared to bamboo fibers. These differences in the crystalline structure of cellulose should be related to the lower recalcitrance to chemical degradation of parenchyma cells compared to bamboo fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction applied to fuel cells and metal-air batteries, atomic-dispersed transition metal-nitrogen-carbon materials are emerging, but the genuine mechanism thereof is still arguable. Herein, by rational design and synthesis of dual-metal atomically dispersed Fe,Mn/N-C catalyst as model object, we unravel that the O2 reduction preferentially takes place on FeIII in the FeN4 /C system with intermediate spin state which possesses one eg electron (t2g4eg1) readily penetrating the antibonding π-orbital of oxygen. Both magnetic measurements and theoretical calculation reveal that the adjacent atomically dispersed Mn-N moieties can effectively activate the FeIII sites by both spin-state transition and electronic modulation, rendering the excellent ORR performances of Fe,Mn/N-C in both alkaline and acidic media (halfwave positionals are 0.928 V in 0.1 M KOH, and 0.804 V in 0.1 M HClO4), and good durability, which outperforms and has almost the same activity of commercial Pt/C, respectively. In addition, it presents a superior power density of 160.8 mW cm−2 and long-term durability in reversible zinc–air batteries. The work brings new insight into the oxygen reduction reaction process on the metal-nitrogen-carbon active sites, undoubtedly leading the exploration towards high effective low-cost non-precious catalysts. The working mechanism of several low-cost electrocatalyst materials is still arguable. Here the authors show a model Fe,Mn/N-C catalyst where the oxygen reduction preferentially takes place on Fe(III) sites with the intermediate spin state (t2g4 eg1) caused by the adjacent Mn-N moieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Recent advances of non-metal nanocarbon materials for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are comprehensively summarized in terms of co-engineering of heteroatom doping and defect inducing. The characteristics, ORR performance, and the related mechanism of non-metal nanocarbon are emphatically analyzed and discussed. The current issues and perspectives in developing carbon-based electrocatalysts from both of heteroatom doping and defect engineering are pointed out and proposed.Exploring low-cost and earth-abundant oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst is essential for fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Among them, non-metal nanocarbon with multiple advantages of low cost, abundance, high conductivity, good durability, and competitive activity has attracted intense interest in recent years. The enhanced ORR activities of the nanocarbons are normally thought to originate from heteroatom (e.g., N, B, P, or S) doping or various induced defects. However, in practice, carbon-based materials usually contain both dopants and defects. In this regard, in terms of the co-engineering of heteroatom doping and defect inducing, we present an overview of recent advances in developing non-metal carbon-based electrocatalysts for the ORR. The characteristics, ORR performance, and the related mechanism of these functionalized nanocarbons by heteroatom doping, defect inducing, and in particular their synergistic promotion effect are emphatically analyzed and discussed. Finally, the current issues and perspectives in developing carbon-based electrocatalysts from both of heteroatom doping and defect engineering are proposed. This review will be beneficial for the rational design and manufacturing of highly efficient carbon-based materials for electrocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the structural, chemical, and multi-scale mechanical properties of windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) leaf sheath fiber, which were frequently wasted. Significant variation was observed in fiber diameter and cross-sectional morphology among different layers in a single leaf sheath, whereas the chemical composition, relative crystallinity index, and the microfibrillar angle (MFA) of palm fibers were almost the same among different layers. Windmill palm fibers had low cellulose contents (34.70–35.5%), low relative crystallinity index (45.7–49.2%), and high MFA (38.8°–29.4°), resulting in low strength and modulus, but high failure strain under tensile load. The tensile fracture surface of windmill palm fibers was assessed through SEM studies and its ductile fracture was confirmed, which can potentially enhance the toughness of composites when used as reinforcement material. Nanoindentation was carried out among different leaf sheath layers, and the results showed the modulus and hardness values of windmill palm fibers are in the same range as other plant fibers. The experimental results may help guide selection of suitable reinforcing fibers for use in composites in different applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pifithrin-α (PFT-α) is a small molecule which has been widely used as a specific inhibitor of p53 transcription activity. However, its molecular mechanism of action remains unclear. PFT-α has also been described to display potent p53-independent activity in cells. In this study, we addressed the mechanism of action of PFT-α. We found that PFT-α failed to prevent the effects of Mdm2 inhibitor Nutlin-3 on cell cycle and apoptosis in several cancer cell lines. However, PFT-α rescued normal primary fibroblasts from growth inhibition by Nutlin-3. PFT-α displayed a very limited effect on p53-dependent transcription upon its activation by Nutlin-3. Moreover, PFT-α inhibitory effect on transcription was highly dependent on the nature of the p53 target gene. PFT-α attenuated post-translational modifications of p53 without affecting total p53 protein level. Finally, we found that PFT-α can decrease the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species through activation of an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-Nrf2 axis in a p53-independent manner. In conclusion, PFT-α inhibits only some aspects of p53 function, therefore it should be used with extreme caution to study p53-dependent processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl.) is a typical vascular plant containing parenchyma cells and vascular bundles. The study of palm vascular bundles and their mechanical properties is of primary importance for a better understanding of the mechanical properties of the culm of windmill palm. Various microscopic techniques were used to observe and quantify the variation in vascular bundles along the radial direction, and micromechanical testing machines were used for the determination of mechanical properties of windmill palm culm blocks and pure parenchyma cells. It was observed that the proportional area of vascular tissue and parenchyma cells increased markedly with the decrease in the proportional area of fibrous sheaths and the number density of vascular bundles along the radial direction. The same trend was also observed for the shape of the vascular bundles changing from oval to round. From the inner to the outer layers, the value of the apparent Young's modulus and compressive strength continuously increased with increase in fibrous sheath volume fraction, varying from 0.54 to 1.07 GPa, and 26.83 to 69.33 MPa, respectively. The theoretical average value of the compressive Young's modulus of the fibrous sheath was 2.74 GPa, which is similar to that of the windmill palm leaf sheath fiber. These results provide a better understanding of the compressive performance of windmill palm culm associated with its hierarchical structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The prognostic value and clinicopathological features of NM23 (non-metastasis 23) have previously been assessed, but the results are controversial. Here, we attempted to clarify the correlation between NM23 expression and its prognostic value and the clinicopathological features in ovarian cancer (OC).Methods: The relevant studies were identified using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. We calculated the pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and clinicopathological features. We used OS to evaluate the prognostic value of NM23 expression in patients with OC. Subgroup analyses were used to explore the source of heterogeneity.Results: We included 10 studies involving 894 patients in our assessment of the association between NM23 expression and OS for OC. Our data indicated that NM23 expression was not associated with improved OS (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.41-1.68, P = 0.61) or PFS (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.39-1.24, P = 0.22). Elevated NM23 expression was associated with differentiation grade (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.2-0.6, P = 0.0002) and N status (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.14-0.78, P = 0.01), whereas there was no significant difference between NM23 expression and tumor stage (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.45-2.66, P = 0.84). Subgroup analysis did not reveal any potential source of heterogeneity. No obvious publication bias was found.Conclusions: In OC, there is poor statistical significance between NM23 expression and OS and PFS, but NM23 expression is related to differentiation grade and N status. This meta-analysis reveals that NM23 expression is a potential factor of poor prognosis in OC. The prognostic role of NM23 in different OC stages in combination with the clinical characteristics suggests a novel approach for developing future therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two aspects of meaning in life have drawn much attention in previous research: presence of meaning and search for meaning. We proposed four additional aspects concerning individuals’ thoughts and feelings about meaning in life: need for meaning, meaning confusion, meaning avoidance, and meaning anxiety. We developed items to measure these dimensions. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the data fit the factors well. Convergent and discriminant validities of the four dimensions were demonstrated though their distinct patterns of correlations with other variables, such as personality traits, need satisfaction, personal aspirations, life satisfaction, anxiety and depression. Moreover, cluster analysis revealed that individuals could be divided into meaningful groups according to these dimensions, with each group demonstrating unique psychological features. Implications for future studies on meaning in life are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influences of diverging angle, excitation frequency and volume change rate of the pump chamber on the valveless piezoelectric micropump with planar diffuser/nozzle elements are studied. The diverging angle ranges from 5° to 60°, the amplitude of the membrane ranges from 0.5 to 80 μm, the excitation frequency ranges from 10 to 5000 Hz. The deformation model of the membrane is verified by experiments. The performance of the micropump is predicted by numerical simulation. The simulation results agree with the experiment results very well. Statistical analysis of the location and duration of vortexes in internal flow field is used to reveal the relationships among efficiency, diverging angle, frequency and chamber volume change rate. As the frequency ranges from 100 to 1000 Hz, the efficiency increases sharply because the tube is partially blocked by vortexes at suction stage. The vortexes in the diffuser/nozzle elements is brought by the great adverse pressure gradient at the high frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]