Search

Performance improvement to epoxy (EP)‐based composites is imperative yet a challenge for the application of high‐quality tribo‐materials. In this study, we reported the successful construction of a Setaria viridis‐like heterostructure using the fine nickel phyllosilicate lamellae to decorate the rod‐shaped polyaniline, and the corresponding polymer composites involving diverse mass ratios of EP resin and the heterostructures were prepared successively. The dry‐sliding tests confirmed the created composites had a significantly enhanced resistance to wear, and a concentration of 5% heterostructures dropped the wear rate to the lowest value of 1.5 × 10−5 mm3/Nm, which was ca. 78.6% lower than pure resin. The augmented wear resistance should be closely related to the enhanced strength, stiffness, and hardness. Moreover, the introduced heterostructures also improved the thermal stabilities of EP‐based composites, shifting the thermal decomposition to higher temperatures and restraining the mass loss rate to some extent. This study offered a promising pathway to develop high‐quality polymeric tribo‐materials. Highlights: A Setaria viridis‐like heterostructures of PANI@NiPS were facilely synthesized.Adequate PANI@NiPS enhanced the tensile properties and hardness moderately.PANI@NiPS showed a considerable positive influence on wear resistance.PANI@NiPS improved the thermal stabilities of EP composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐quality friction and wear resistances are very important for epoxy resin (EP) when serving as construction and coating materials. Herein, in this study, a series of nickel phyllosilicate (NiPS) nanoflowers filled EP were fabricated, and then their mechanical responses, hydrophilicity and tribological properties under wet sliding were examined thoroughly. Results showed that the compressive strength of as‐prepared nanocomposites increased first and then decreased, achieving a maximum value of 280.05 MPa at 5% filler, while the elastic modulus, hardness and hydrophilicity were all improved monotonously with elevated filler content. The presence of NiPS nanoflowers enhanced the wet‐lubricated tribological properties considerably. Both the average friction coefficient and wear rate presented similar anti‐parabolic change trends with the lowest values of 0.166 and 0.82 × 10−6 mm3/Nm obtained at 5% and 3%, which were 25.6% and 20.9% lower than pure EP, respectively. Further investigations confirmed that a relatively high applied load and sliding speed also promoted improved water‐lubricated tribological properties, suggesting a giant potential for the resulting EP nanocomposites to work safely as instrumental components under harsh conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the case of a 41‐year‐old human with third‐degree atrioventricular block caused due to intoxication with water concoction prepared from Rhododendron leaves. Such poisoning is rare. It is prone to arrhythmia with hemodynamic instability and is confused with various diseases. For these reasons, the correct diagnosis and treatment of this poisoning are particularly important. We confirmed it by analyzing the remaining liquid carried by the family members. After symptomatic and supportive treatment, the patient was discharged uneventfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The impact of ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains unknown, and abnormal esophageal motility often coexists with abnormal gastric motility. We aimed to investigate the role of IEM in GERD and its relationship with gastric electrical activity. Methods: Patients diagnosed as GERD based on GERD‐questionnaire score ≥8 in our hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 were included. All patients underwent 24‐h multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH monitoring, high‐resolution manometry, and electrogastrogram and were categorized into the normal esophageal motility (NEM) and IEM groups, respectively. Reflux characteristics and gastric electric activity were compared between the two groups, and the correlation between gastric electric activity and reflux was analyzed. Results: Acid exposure time, total reflux episodes, and DeMeester score in the IEM group were higher than those in the NEM group. Distal mean nocturnal baseline impedance was significantly lower in the IEM group. Compared with the NEM group, the power ratio (PR) of fundus, antrum and pylorus and premeal and postmeal normal wave ratio of antrum were significantly lower in IEM. The total reflux episodes were negatively correlated with the PR of fundus and pylorus, and the DeMeester score was negatively correlated with the PR of corpus and pylorus. Conclusions: IEM may lead to increased reflux, resulting in esophageal mucosal damage. There may be consistency between abnormal esophageal motility and gastric motility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study we aimed to predict the risk factors related to histopathologic upgrade after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients with pre‐ESD esophageal squamous low‐grade intraepithelial neoplasm (LGIN). Methods: A training cohort of 201 patients with biopsy‐confirmed esophageal squamous LGIN and underwent ESD at a tertiary medical center between January 2017 and July 2019 were included. Risk factors for histological upgrade were identified using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. A nomogram was then established. Internal validation was evaluated by discrimination, calibration plot, and decision‐curve analysis. Another cohort of 48 patients were prospectively collected from July 2019 to June 2021 for external validation of the nomogram. Results: The rate of histological upgrade was 34.8% (70/201) and 27.1% (13/48) in the training and validation sets, respectively. LASSO regression identified that tumor area (mm2) per biopsy, Lugol's staining pattern, background coloration, and the circumferential range of the lesion were significantly associated with histological upgrade. The final nomogram attained favorable prediction efficacy in the training cohort (area under the receiver operating curve [AUROC] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94–0.98) and validation cohort (AUROC 0.92, 95% CI 0.79 –0.99). This model generated well‐fitted calibration and clinical‐decision curves in both cohorts. Conclusions: The nomogram may better guide clinical decision on whether performing EDS or follow‐up for suspicious lesions in patients with biopsy‐confirmed esophageal squamous LGIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Rhodotorula mucilaginosa resists heavy metal (HM) stress because of its abundant extracellular polymeric substances and functional vesicles. In this study, we provided new insights into its survival strategies at both biochemical and genetic levels. After lead exposure, carotenoid biosynthesis was initiated within 24 h incubation and then increased to the maximum after 96 h of incubation. Raman analysis confirmed that carotenoids (primarily β‐carotene) were the major identifiable chemical substances on the cell surface. Moreover, the increased carotenoid production was accompanied by a rising budding rate, ~40% higher than that in the cultures without Pb. During the 96 h of incubation, the driving force for Pb accumulation was assigned to this elevated budding rate. After 96 h, biosorption was primarily attributed to the enhanced antioxidant ability of the single cells during carotenoid production. Furthermore, the yeast budding cells demonstrated an evidently heterogeneous biosorption of Pb, i.e., the rejuvenated daughters had a relatively lower Pb level than the mother cells. This resulted in the protection of the buds from Pb stress. After investigating phosphorus uptake and the RNA sequencing data, we finally confirmed two tightly correlated pathways that resist HM stress, i.e., biochemical (carotenoid production) and reproductive (healthy buds) pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Esophagogastric junction contractile integral (EGJ‐CI) is a novel indicator to evaluate quantitatively the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) barrier function. We aimed to assess the role of EGJ‐CI in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and the correlation between EGJ‐CI and impedance‐pH monitoring characteristics. Methods: In total 82 patients with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)‐refractory gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (heartburn or regurgitation) were enrolled. These patients were further divided into two groups based on their EGJ‐CI value (39 mmHg·cm). The mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) was measured to explore its association with EGJ‐CI. Results: The median EGJ‐CI in patients with PPI‐refractory symptoms was 30.8 mmHg·cm. EGJ‐CI was inversely correlated with acid exposure time and reflux episodes; while it was positively correlated with MNBI, distal contractile integral, lower esophageal sphincter basal pressure and integrated relaxation pressure. Patients were further divided into the high (n = 27) and low (n = 55) EGJ‐CI groups using a cut‐off value of 39.0 mmHg·cm. Patients with a low EGJ‐CI had a lower MNBI level than those with a high EGJ‐CI (2703 Ω vs 3545 Ω, P = 0.034). Conclusions: In patients with PPIs‐refractory symptoms, EGJ‐CI is associated with acid exposure and conventional high‐resolution manometry parameters. EGJ‐CI may play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with refractory GERD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regions 1 and 2 (R1 and R2) field-aligned currents (FACs), manifestations of large-scale convection in Earth's magnetosphere-ionosphere (M-I) system, often contain intense FAC layers of mesoscale latitudinal width near the R1/R2 interface. We refer to such layers as "embedded" R1 and R2 FACs. Likely resulting from enhanced magnetosphere-ionosphere (M-I) convection, these FACs may indicate M-I configuration change and contribute significantly to substorm current wedges. We present several events in which embedded FACs were observed by low-altitude spacecraft in the ionosphere. All the events occurred during active geomagnetic conditions or a substorm growth phase, and most map to an equatorial location on the nightside. When an embedded FAC is upward, it coincides with inverted-V electron precipitation and a discrete auroral arc. If an upward embedded FAC is in the postmidnight-to-dawn sector, a dawnside auroral polarization stream appears immediately poleward of it, so it may be important for ionospheric heating, M-I convection, and instabilities. Our results establish embedded FACs as a frequently appearing, fundamental phenomenon for understanding and modeling the magnetosphere-ionosphere system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role a geospace plume in influencing the efficiency of magnetopause reconnection is an open question with two contrasting theories being debated. A local-control theory suggests that a plume decreases both local and global reconnection rates, whereas a global-control theory argues that the global reconnection rate is controlled by the solar wind rather than local physics. Observationally, limited numbers of point measurements from spacecraft cannot reveal whether a local change affects the global reconnection. A distributed observatory is hence needed to assess the validity of the two theories. We use THEMIS and Los Alamos National Laboratory spacecraft to identify the occurrence of a geospace plume and its contact with the magnetopause. Global evolution and morphology of the plume is traced using GPS measurements. SuperDARN is then used to monitor the distribution and the strength of dayside reconnection. Two storm-time geospace plume events are examined and show that as the plume contacts the magnetopause, the efficiency of reconnection decreases at the contact longitude. The amount of local decrease is 81% and 68% for the two events, and both values are consistent with the mass loading effect of the plume if the plume's atomic mass is ~4 amu. Reconnection in the surrounding is enhanced, and when the solar wind driving is stable, little variation is seen in the cross polar cap potential. This study illuminates a pathway to resolve the role of cold dense plasma on solar wind-magnetosphere coupling, and the observations suggest that plumes redistribute magnetopause reconnection activity without changing the global strength substantially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The engineering of supramolecular architectures needs accurate descriptions of the intermolecular interactions in crystal structures. Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) is an effective building block used in the construction of promising functional materials. The parallel packing of the neutral TTF–TTF system was studied previously using the high‐level quantum chemical method, advancing it as a valuable model system. The recently developed tight‐binding quantum chemical method GFN2‐xTB and local coupled‐cluster method DLPNO‐CCSD(T) were used to investigate the stacking interactions of TTF and selected derivatives deposited in the Cambridge Structural Database. Using the interaction energy of the TTF–TTF dimer calculated at the CCSD(T)/CBS level as the reference, the accuracies of the two methods are investigated. The energy decomposition analysis within the DLPNO‐CCSD(T) framework reveals the importance of dispersion interaction in the TTF‐related stacking systems. The dispersion interaction density plot vividly shows the magnitude and distribution of the dispersion interaction, providing a revealing insight into the stacking interactions in crystal structures. The results show that the GFN2‐xTB and DLPNO‐CCSD(T) methods could achieve accuracy at an affordable computational cost, which would be valuable in understanding the nature of parallel stacking in supramolecular systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves are the primary contributor to plasma sheet electron scattering loss, experimental verification of their most widely accepted excitation mechanism, loss-cone instability, has been lacking for decades. Using 10 years of time history of events and macroscale interactions during substorms satellite observations, we investigate ECH wave properties near dipolarization fronts, the predominant source of such waves. To our surprise we find that more than 30% of observed ECH waves have moderately oblique (∼70°) wave normal angles (WNA), much less than the ∼85° expected from classical loss-cone instability. These moderately oblique WNA ECH waves carry a strong field-aligned electric field that is used to identify them. They are often observed with cold, dense electrons that exhibit enhanced parallel flux at a few hundred eV energy, which suggests that low-energy counterstreaming beams (likely of ionospheric origin) might be their free energy source. By solving the linear dispersion relation for parameters representative of such plasma sheet electron distributions, we confirm that ECH waves at WNA ∼ 70° can indeed be driven unstable by such beams. Our work reveals a previously unknown excitation mechanism for ECH waves and exposes the need for quantifying the conditions for and relative importance of beam-driven waves compared to those excited by the loss-cone instability in Earth's plasma sheet [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substorms are closely associated with fast flows; however, many fast flows are not associated with substorm onsets and only lead to a localized, transient, and weak response in the magnetosphere and ionosphere. This study uses the midlatitude positive bay index to identify substorms. A case study investigates the magnetospheric and ionospheric responses to substorm-onset-related fast flows and nonsubstorm fast flows using observations from the THEMIS spacecraft and ionospheric currents. Statistics based on THEMIS observations made over 11 years show that substorm-onset-related fast flows are more likely to penetrate closer to the Earth and spread over a wider range of MLTs compared to nonsubstorm fast flows. The substorm-onset-related fast flow durations are slightly longer than nonsubstorm fast flow on average, and there is no significant difference between their peak velocity probability distributions. However, substorm-onset-related fast flows are statistically shown to be accompanied by substantially larger Bz increases that persist for longer periods of time, and hence result in 80% larger earthward-directed magnetic flux transport rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to disease pathogenesis and drug treatment effects. Both emodin and dexamethasone (DEX) have been used for treating severe acute pancreatitis‐associated acute lung injury (SAP‐ALI). However, lncRNA regulation networks related to SAP‐ALI pathogenesis and drug treatment are unreported. In this study, lncRNAs and mRNAs in the lung tissue of SAP‐ALI and control rats, with or without drug treatment (emodin or DEX), were assessed by RNA sequencing. Results showed both emodin and DEX were therapeutic for SAP‐ALI and that mRNA and lncRNA levels differed between untreated and treated SAP‐ALI rats. Gene expression profile relationships for emodin‐treated and control rats were higher than DEX‐treated and ‐untreated animals. By comparison of control and SAP‐ALI animals, more up‐regulated than down‐regulated mRNAs and lncRNAs were observed with emodin treatment. For DEX treatment, more down‐regulated than up‐regulated mRNAs and lncRNAs were observed. Functional analysis demonstrated both up‐regulated mRNA and co‐expressed genes with up‐regulated lncRNAs were enriched in inflammatory and immune response pathways. Further, emodin‐associated lncRNAs and mRNAs co‐expressed modules were different from those associated with DEX. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrates selected lncRNA and mRNA co‐expressed modules were different in the lung tissue of emodin‐ and DEX‐treated rats. Also, emodin had different effects compared with DEX on co‐expression network of lncRNAs Rn60_7_1164.1 and AABR07062477.2 for the blue lncRNA module and Nrp1 for the green mRNA module. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that emodin may be a suitable alternative or complementary medicine for treating SAP‐ALI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longitudinal expansion of brightening of the substorm onset arc likely represents longitudinal expansion of the substorm onset instability. We used Poker Flat radar campaign auroral observations to identify seven substorm onsets seen east or west of the radar that expanded into the radar field-of-view. The radar observations were used to show flows relative to the expanding onset aurora. Flow enhancements were found equatorward (poleward) of the westward (eastward) longitudinal expansion of the onset arc brightening that agree with plasma sheet bubble modeling. This lends significant additional supporting evidence that an incoming reduced entropy flow channel leads to onset. As a flow channel enters the auroral oval (plasma sheet) from the polar cap (magnetotail lobes) and starts to move equatorward (earthward in the plasma sheet) as a bubble, it simultaneously expands azimuthally due to the combination of electric drift along dawnward tilted equipotentials and westward magnetic drift of more energetic ions. As the azimuthally expanding bubble reaches near the equatorward boundary of the electron auroral oval, it leads to the onset instability indicated by the auroral beading and associated flows if conditions are appropriate. The instability grows in the initial onset region, as it simultaneously extends longitudinally with the continued azimuthal expansion of the bubble within the plasma sheet. Additionally, after onset, the auroral bulge expands poleward and can lead to a westward traveling surge. We observe strong flows heading toward the front of the surge that appear to bring low entropy plasma, perhaps from the polar cap, into the surge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconnection-generated earthward flows, magnetic field dipolarizations, and auroral expansions are related to substorm current wedge (SCW) development. It has been suggested that fieldaligned currents (FACs) within the SCW can be generated by flow vortices, pressure gradients, or both. Observations related to these generation mechanisms differ from one event to another, due to their different locations relative to SCW's central meridian and timing relative to the SCW's evolutionary state. A pattern of in situ observations consistent with these generation mechanisms has yet to emerge. Obtaining such a pattern of in situ observations relies on the satellite locations relative to the FAC driver regions, which are hard to determine because coincident magnetotail observations are sparse. To solve this problem, an SCW inversion technique was used to model the FAC locations and determine the connections between magnetospheric and ionospheric phenomena. Using this technique, the magnetic flux, a parameter that is relatively insensitive to FAC locations, was analyzed during an isolated substorm on February 13, 2008. We compared the temporal variations of the accumulated flux that caused magnetic dipolarization in the SCW and the flux within the auroral poleward boundary. We found them to be in good agreement with the flux transported by earthward flows. This agreement suggests that the accumulation of the magnetic flux leads to the generation of the SCW, causing magnetic dipolarization and auroral poleward expansion. The amount of accumulated flux was found to be positively correlated with the amplitudes of these substorm-related phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to identify the differences in symptoms, high‐resolution manometry (HRM) characteristics, and the efficacy of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) regarding patients' sex in achalasia. Methods: All patients diagnosed with achalasia by HRM who underwent POEM and were followed up for more than 6 months were included. The individual characteristics, symptoms and signs, POEM findings, HRM results and potentially related complications in male and female patients were reviewed. Results: Prior to POEM, dysphagia was more severe in female than male patients (P = 0.044), while regurgitation was more severe (P = 0.013) and heartburn was more common in male patients (P = 0.003). Regarding HRM characteristics, the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) was higher (P = 0.01) and length of esophagus was shorter in female patients than in male patients. Eckardt scores, LESP and integrated relaxation pressure were significantly improved after the POEM procedure (P < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the sexes regarding the efficacy of POEM, reflux symptoms, HRM data and complications after POEM. Conclusions: Before they seek treatment, female patients with achalasia may experience severe dysphagia and male patients are more likely to experience heartburn and more severe regurgitation. POEM is a safe and effective option for treating both male and female patients with achalasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commutation torque ripple is an important factor affecting the performance of brushless DC (BLDC) motor drives. In order to suppress this torque ripple, an alternating conduction control strategy between the two-phase and three-phase conduction mode has been proposed in this study. During the non-commutation periods, the conventional two-phase conduction mode is selected to drive the BLDC motor. While during the commutation period, the commutation torque ripple is reduced by employing an alternating two-phase and three-phase conduction mode. By calculating the duty cycle of the three-phase conduction mode, which indicates whether the rate of change in current in the incoming and outgoing phase is equal during the commutation interval, the commutation torque ripple is effectively reduced, while the current in the non-commutated phase is maintained constant. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method can suppress the commutation torque ripple efficiently, particularly at high rotational speeds of the motor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) seriously threatened the public health all over the world. A colloidal gold immunochromatography assay for IgM/IgG antibodies against the receptor‐binding domain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) S1 protein was established to assess its rapid diagnostic value. We first designed and manufactured all contents of the test cassette of SARS‐CoV‐2 rapid test kit: the colloidal gold‐labeled mouse‐antihuman lgM/lgG antibody, the recombinant SARS‐CoV‐2 antigen, the nitrocellulose membrane control line, and specimen diluents. Furthermore, reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay, colloidal gold immunochromatography assay, serological validation of cross reaction with other common viruses, and clinical validation were performed. The kit was finally evaluated by 75 serum/plasma samples of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection cases and 139 healthy samples as control, with the result of that the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for IgM were 90.67%, 97.84%, and 95.33%, whereas for IgG were 69.33%, 99.28%, and 88.79%, respectively; the combination of IgM and IgG could improve the value: 92.00%, 97.12%, and 95.33%, respectively. Therefore, the rapid detection kit has high sensitivity and specificity, especially for IgM&IgG, showing a critical value in clinical application and epidemic control of COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Successful application of microorganisms to heavy metal remediation depends on their resistance to toxic metals. This study contrasted the differences of tolerant mechanisms between Pb2+ and Cd2+ in Enterobacter sp. Microbial respiration and production of formic acid showed that Enterobacter sp. had a higher tolerant concentration of Pb (>1000 mg l−1) than Cd (about 200 mg l−1). Additionally, SEM confirmed that most of Pb and Cd nanoparticles (NPs) were adsorbed onto cell membrane. The Cd stress, even at low concentration (50 mg l−1), significantly enlarged the sizes of cells. The cellular size raised from 0.4 × 1.0 to 0.9 × 1.6 μm on average, inducing a platelet‐like shape. In contrast, Pb cations did not stimulate such enlargement even up to 1000 mg l−1. Moreover, Cd NPs were adsorbed homogeneously by almost all the bacterial cells under TEM. However, only a few cells work as 'hot spots' on the sorption of Pb NPs. The heterogeneous sorption might result from a 'self‐sacrifice' mechanism, i.e., some cells at a special life stage contributed mostly to Pb sorption. This mechanism, together with the lower mobility of Pb cations, caused higher microbial tolerance and removal efficiency towards Pb2+. This study sheds evident contrasts of bacterial resistance to the two most common heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-level T-type inverter has higher efficiency and lower output voltage harmonics compared with the traditional two-level inverter. However, neutral-point voltage fluctuation and common-mode voltage (CMV) can negatively affect the performance of the three-level T-type inverter. This study proposes a novel hybrid variable virtual space vector (HV²SV) strategy to mitigate this problem. Based on the virtual space vector scheme, new variable virtual small and medium vectors are reconstructed with the principle that the change of neutral-point charge of each virtual vector in a switching period is zero, and the adjustment factor is further added to the virtual vector to achieve the balance of the neutral-point voltage. At the same time, the vectors with a large CMV are eliminated to ensure that the CMV is minimised. Therefore, the HV²SV has excellent neutralpoint voltage balance control capability and common-voltage suppression at both high- and low-modulation ratios. Theoretical analysis, simulations, and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed strategy for full modulation ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-efficiency inverter in a wide input voltage range is expected to be a solution for the distributed generation system. This study gives a high-efficiency two-stage topology and proposes a finite-control-set model predictive control (FCSMPC) strategy. The main objectives of the proposed model predictive controller are: (i) simultaneously controlling multi-variables in the complex buck-boost current controller, (ii) optimal design calculation for predictive current and voltage, (iii) normalisation of the state variables for cost function formulation, and (iv) low correlation between the dc-link capacitor and control algorithm. A more reasonable operation mode of high-frequency switches is provided for the two-stage topology improving system performance. In order to optimise the total harmonic distortion of the output current and the error of the dc-link voltage, a suitable weighting factor could be designed in the proposed FCS-MPC method. The steady-state characteristics of the proposed controller are simulated based on MATLAB/Simulink. Experimental results demonstrate the validity and practicability of the proposed control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the correlation between reflux disease and abnormal esophageal motility in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods: Participants (patients with GERD and controls) who underwent 24‐h impedance‐pH monitoring (MII‐pH monitoring) and high‐resolution manometry between January 2012 and February 2017 were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into two groups (acid reflux and nonacid reflux) based on their MII‐pH monitoring data. Reflux episodes, endoscopic findings, and esophageal dynamic parameters were assessed and compared. Results: A total of 142 patients were included (acid reflux [n = 58], nonacid reflux [n = 60], control group [n = 24]). There were more patients with esophagitis and more severe esophageal mucosal injury in the acid reflux group than in the nonacid reflux group. The acid reflux group had reduced lower esophageal sphincter (LES) basal pressure, shorter LES length, lower esophageal pressure and distal contractile integral index than the nonacid reflux group. Patients in the acid reflux group had more large breaks and a higher incidence of type II and III esophagogastric junction morphology than those in the nonacid reflux group. Acid exposure time, the incidence of long‐term acid reflux, recumbent acid reflux, and the incidence of acid and nonacid reflux had a significant negative correlation with esophageal body motility or LES function. Conclusion: This study suggests that an increase in esophageal acid exposure is correlated with an increase in esophageal dysmotility in patients with GERD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Environmental microorganisms have been widely applied in heavy metal remediation. This study explored the mechanisms of lead tolerance of two typical filamentous fungi, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium oxalicum. It is shown that the mechanisms of reducing Pb toxicity by these two fungi have three major pathways. The secreted oxalic acid can react with Pb (II) to form insoluble Pb minerals, primarily lead oxalate. Then, the enhanced biosorption via forming new border of cell wall prevents the transportation of Pb (II) into hypha. In addition, the fungal activity could be maintained even at high Pb concentration due to the intracellular accumulation. It was confirmed that A. niger has the higher Pb tolerance (up to 1500 mg l−1 Pb level) compared with P. oxalicum (up to 1000 mg l−1). Meanwhile, Pb levels below 1000 mg l−1 partially stimulate the bioactivity of A. niger, which was confirmed by its elevated respiration (from 53 to 63 mg C l−1 medium h−1). This subsequently enhanced microbial functions of A. niger to resist Pb toxicity. A better understanding of Pb tolerance of these two fungi sheds a bright future of applying them to remediate lead‐contaminated environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three‐dimensional (3D) hollow nanoframes with high surface‐to‐volume ratio and abundant accessible active sites are a type of promising catalysts, albeit with the challenging synthesis by a one‐step solvothermal method. In this research, uniform bimetallic PtCu alloyed hollow cubic nanoframes (HCNFs) were synthesized with high yield by a simple, template‐free, one‐step co‐reduction approach, where cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), Cl−/O2, ethanolamine, and oleylamine served as the structure director, oxidative etchant, reducing agent, and co‐reductant, respectively. The architectures were characterized by a series of characterization techniques. Combined with the 3D hollow structures, PtCu HCNFs exhibited enlarged specific/mass activities, boosted catalytic activity, and improved durability for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) compared with Pt nanocubes (Pt NCs), commercial Pt/C (20 wt %), and Pt black catalysts in alkaline solutions. This work provides guidelines for the rational design and synthesis of frame‐like nanocatalysts with superior catalytic activity and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a wide dc input voltage range of photovoltaic (PV) array, a two-stage grid-connected inverter that allows input voltage regulation is required. This study proposes a topology with time-sharing synchronous modulation in which energy transmission paths, wheeling branches and switching losses for high-frequency switches are optimised to achieve efficiency improvement. The small-signal model of proposed topology is analysed in detail. A hybrid current control strategy based on frequency-amplitude domain analysis is presented. To solve further transitional problem on boost-buck mode switching, the controller uses a carrier-overlapping pulse-width modulation (PWM)-based generator. Then, the effectiveness of the proposed topology and the control strategy under different experimental conditions are verified. Experimental results indicate hybrid current control strategy promotes current waveform quality and the burrs and oscillations in transition between buck mode and boost mode can be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, hierarchical Pt4Co multi-dendrites (MDs) with abundant active sites were synthesized by using a one-pot solvothermal co-reduction approach, where cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), citric acid, and oleylamine served as the structure director, eco-friendly reducing agent, and co-reductant, respectively. The architectures were mainly characterized by using a series of characterization techniques, demonstrating the enlarged electrochemically active surface area of 28.27 m2 g−1, much enhanced mass activity and specific activity for oxygen reduction reaction (279.14 mA mg−1Pt and 0.89 mA cm−2) and glycerol oxidation reaction (1422.56 mA mg−1Pt, 4.58 mA cm−2) comparable with commercial Pt black, along with the superior durability. These results demonstrate the potential applications of the synthesized Pt4Co MDs catalyst in energy storage and transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A distributed output feedback model predictive control (MPC) algorithm is proposed for a team of linear discrete-time subsystems, for which the states are not measurable. The subsystems are coupled by the cost function. A synchronous update strategy is adopted to formulate a tractable optimisation problem in distributed manner. The terminal controller is specified as the form of output feedback. The weight matrix shared by the terminal region and the terminal cost is designed by solving one optimisation problem. Thereby the terminal region is positively invariant with the terminal controller. Furthermore, the compatibility constraint is tailored for each subsystem to confine the deviation between the real outputs and its assumed ones. The recursive feasibility of the resulting optimisation problem is ensured and the stability of the whole system in closed-loop operation is guaranteed. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, which can perform faster than the corresponding centralised MPC in spite of a little higher cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic study was carried out to analyze the effects of mercury(II) adsorption by surface modified zeolite (SMZ) and adsorption mechanism. Cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) was used to prepare SMZ. The characterization methods by means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that both the surface and internal zeolite were covered with CPB molecules, but the main binding sites were surface. Results showed that the organic carbon and cation exchange capacity of the SMZ were 7.76 times and 4.22 times higher than those of natural zeolite (NZ), respectively. Zeta potentials before and after modification were measured at -7.80 mV and -30.27 mV, respectively. Moreover, the saturation adsorptive capacity of SMZ was 16.35 times higher than NZ in mercury-containing wastewater. The possible mechanisms of mercury elimination were surface adsorption, hydrophobic interaction, ion exchange, electricity neutralization. The adsorption process was affected little by competitive ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the prognostic value in Chinese patients of two new systems, the World Health Organization ( WHO)-2010 and the American Joint Committee on Cancer and the Union for International Cancer Control ( AJCC/ UICC) systems, for the classification of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms ( GEP-NEN). Methods One hundred and three patients with GEP-NEN treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2003 to December 2011 were included in the study. All patients were diagnosed pathologically and had complete follow-up data. Univariate and multivariate analyses of their clinicopathological characteristics were performed. Results The 5-year survival rates were 95%, 74%, 24% and 15% based on the AJCC/ UICC stages I to IV, and 92%, 62% and 29% according to WHO-2010 grades 1 to 3, respectively, in patients with GEP-NEN. A higher mortality was observed in patients with AJCC/ UICC stage III and IV tumors compared with those at stage I- II, and patients with stage II compared with those with stage I, whereas there was no difference in survival between stage IV and III patients. Based on the WHO-2010 grading classification, patients with grade 3 tumors had the lowest survival rate than those with grade 1 and 2 tumors, followed by patients with grade 2 tumors. Conclusion The WHO-2010 and AJCC/ UICC staging systems can effectively evaluate the prognosis of patients with GEP-NEN, although the latter might not accurately discriminate the prognosis of patients with local metastasis from those having distant metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planting geometries directly affect crop yields in intercropping systems. Two different field experiments were conducted in 2012-2013 to analyze how different planting geometries in maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] relay strip intercropping systems at 2:2 maize-to-soybean affect yields. Maize plants were planted in narrow-row planting patterns, whereas soybean was planted in wide rows. The effects of bandwidth, row spacing, plant spacing, and the distance between maize and soybean rows on crop yields were studied. Total intercrop yields were higher than those of sole crop maize and soybean, and the land equivalent ratios of the intercropping systems were above 1.3. The yield of the intercropped maize increased with bandwidth reduction at the same plant density, and similar results were found with increased maize narrow-row spacing at the same bandwidth. Plant spacing had a dominant function when the bandwidth of the intercropped soybean was >200 cm. By contrast, the distance between maize and soybean rows had a dominant function when bandwidth was <200 cm. The optimum bandwidth and maize narrow-row spacing in maize-soybean relay intercropping systems were 200 and 40 cm, respectively. These results suggest that the appropriate reduction in the spacing of the narrow maize rows and increase in the distance between maize and soybean rows could be used to achieve high yields in maize-soybean intercropping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GC is usually used for xenon concentration and radon removal in the International Monitoring System of the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test- Ban Treaty. In a gas chromatograph, the injection volume is defined to calculate the column capacity. In this paper, the injection volume was investigated and a fitting formula for the injection volume was derived and discussed subsequently. As a consequence, the xenon injection volume exponentially decreased with the column temperature increased, but exponentially increased as the flow rate increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori has been recognized as a definite carcinogen for gastric cancer (GC); however, the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection remains unclear. Runt-related transcription factor 3 ( RUNX3) is a candidate tumor suppressor gene whose deficiency is causally related to GC. However, in H. pylori infection-associated GC, the role of RUNX3 has not been studied. METHODS: The authors used real-time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis to determine methylation status of the RUNX3 promoter in a spectrum of gastric lesions, including 220 samples of chronic atrophic gastritis, 196 samples of intestinal metaplasia, 134 samples of gastric adenoma, 102 samples of dysplasia, and 202 samples of GC with paired noncancerous mucosa tissues and corresponding blood specimens. The association of abnormal methylation with precancerous gastric lesions was evaluated along with the association between RUNX3 methylation and H. pylori infection, and the concordance of methylation levels was investigated between serum and tissues. RESULTS: The results indicated that increasing RUNX3 promoter methylation was correlated with distinct stages of GC progression. GC tissues had the highest methylation proportion (75.2%) compared with precancerous gastric lesions, including chronic atrophic gastritis (15.9%), intestinal metaplasia (36.7%), gastric adenoma (41.8%), and dysplasia (54.9%). H. pylori infection, a major risk factor for GC, contributed to the inactivation of RUNX3 in gastric epithelial cells through promoter hypermethylation. The levels of RUNX3 methylation in serum were in significant concordance with the methylation levels observed in GC tissues ( P = .887). CONCLUSIONS: The current findings supported RUNX3 methylation as a risk factors for the carcinogenesis of chronic atrophic gastritis with H. pylori infection and indicated that circulating RUNX3 methylation is a valuable biomarker for the detection of early GC. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocarps of the genus Prunus (family Rosaceae) have been described from early Eocene clay deposits in the Wutu Coal Mine, Shandong Province, China. Endocarps are elliptical or ovoid in lateral view, with a long canal that approaches the apex of the endocarp and contains the ventral vascular bundle. Comparisons with related living and fossil species of Prunus indicate that these endocarps should be assigned to Prunus wutuensis sp. nov. The endocarps from Wutu represent the earliest record of Prunus in Asia. Based on the distribution of fossil Prunus endocarps, the palaeobiogeographic history of the genus is shown on palaeogeographic maps of the Northern Hemisphere. The fossil data suggest that the genus first appeared in the early Eocene of North America and Asia, and then extended to Europe in the middle Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The aim of the present study is to elucidate whether endoplasmic reticulum stress involved in the course of lipogenesis in fatty acids induced hepatic steatosis and the potential effect of metformin on endoplasmic reticulum stress. Methods: HepG2 cells were exposed to different types of culture media. After incubation for 24 h, cells were harvested to evaluate cell survival rate and lipid level among different groups. Moreover, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blot for glucose-regulated protein-78 (GRP78), sterol response element-binding protein-1c (SREBP1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were applied. Results: The levels of triglyceride (TG), mRNA of FAS, mRNA and protein of GRP78 and SREBP1c significantly increased in the free fatty acids (FFA)-induced hepatic steatosis group. Then, HepG2 cells with hepatic steatosis induced by FFA were treated by metformin, levels of TG, GRP78 mRNA, SREBP1c mRNA and FAS mRNA as well as GRP78 and SREBP1 protein levels were partially decreased but without significant differences. Conclusion: Endoplasmic reticulum stress might be involved in lipogenesis in fatty acids-induced hepatic steatosis. Therefore, endoplasmic reticulum stress might serve as a novel target in the pathogenesis and therapy of non- alcoholic fatty liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new design of segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is presented in this paper. The small cone-shaped anode tubes were fabricated by slip casting and the yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte membranes were deposited onto the anode tubes by dip coating. After sintering at 1400°C for 4 h, a dense and crack-free YSZ membrane with a thickness of 20 μm was successfully obtained. The single cell, using moist hydrogen as a fuel and ambient air as an oxidant, provides maximum power densities of 1.15, 0.8, 0.47, 0.26, 0.14, and 0.07 W/cm2 at 850°C, 800°C, 750°C, 700°C, 650°C, and 600°C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anode-supported cone-shaped tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are successfully fabricated by a single-step cosintering process. The cone-shaped tubular single cell, NiO+YSZ/YSZ/LSM+YSZ/LSM, is comprised of a Ni+yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anode, YSZ electrolyte, a La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSM)+YSZ cathode layer, and an LSM cathode current collector layer. The fabrication process involves slip casting of the anode, colloidal spray coating of the electrolyte, slurry coating of the cathode, and single-step cosintering of the cone-shaped tubular cells in the temperature range of 1200°–1400°C. The cells are tested with humidified hydrogen (75 mL/min) as fuel and ambient air as oxidant. Cell electrochemical test results and scanning electron microscope graphs show that the optimal temperature of the single-step cosintering process is 1300°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a pyramid recurrent neural network is applied to characterize the hepatic parenchymal diseases in ultrasonic B-scan texture. The cirrhotic parenchymal diseases are classified into four types according to the size of hypoechoic nodular lesions. The B-mode patterns are wavelet transformed, and then the compressed data are fed into a pyramid neural network to diagnose the type of cirrhotic diseases. Compared with the three-layer neural networks, the performance of the proposed pyramid recurrent neural network is improved by a more efficient utilization of lower layers. Simulation results show that the proposed system is suitable for diagnosis of cirrhosis diseases. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 91(7): 10–19, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10121 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A colloidal deposition without any binder was developed to prepare a dense La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.85Mg0.15O3−δ (LSGM) film on porous NiO/YSZ substrates, using an incompletely crystallized LSGM powder as starting material. Both the dense LSGM film with a thickness of 15 μm and the required phase composition of the LSGM were achieved simultaneously by sintering at 1400°C for 6 h. The conductivity of the supported LSGM film attained 0.102 S/cm at 800°C, which was comparable with those of the self-supported LSGM films. The maximum power density of the LSGM film cell was 480 at 800°C and 614 mW/cm2 at 850°C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelitic schists from Qingshuigou in the Northern Qilian Mountains of China contain mainly glaucophane, garnet, white mica, clinozoisite, chlorite and piemontite. Isotopic age dating of these schists provides new constraints on the formation of the high-grade blueschists at Qingshuigou. White mica 40Ar/39Ar ages range from 442.1 to 447.5 Ma (total fusion age of single grain) and from 445.7 to 453.9 Ma (integrated age of white mica concentrates). These ages (442.1–453.9 Ma) represent the peak metamorphic ages or cooling ages of the blueschists during exhumation shortly after peak metamorphism. The 40Ar/39Ar dates in the present study are similar to ages previously reported for eclogites and blueschists in the area; this suggests that both the eclogites and pelitic sediments underwent high-grade metamorphism during the same subduction event. From this chronological evidence and the presence of well-developed Silurian remnant-sea flysch and Devonian molasse, it is concluded that the Northern Qilian Ocean had closed by the end of the Ordovician, and rapid orogenic uplift followed in the Devonian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With recent spread of network environments, exchange of diverse and voluminous data between computers gains increasing importance. Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) was proposed as a language to define data structures and representation formats irrespective of computer architectures. ASN.1-based applications are constantly growing in number, but development efficiency is impeded by the fact that unique methods of data storage and management are employed for different applications. This paper offers an implementation of ASN.1 compiler that allows one to apply data storage and management functions of OODBMS to ASN.1-based applications. Using this ASN.1 compiler, data storage and management functions become easily available by means of several additional compiler directives. For the purpose of evaluation of the proposed method, directory information base was developed for OSI Directory, and an acceptable database access time was obtained. © 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 28(7): 56–64, 1997 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]