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Exploring N‐type High‐entropy materials with both high thermoelectric and mechanical properties is highly desirable for all‐high‐entropy thermoelectric generators (TEGs) since the thermoelectric and mechanical properties of N‐type one are largely behind its P‐type counterparts. Herein, a new rock‐salt structure N‐type high entropy thermoelectric AgBiPbSe2S is introduced with a bandgap of ≈0.43 eV. The atomic radii difference of each component results in a large lattice distortion of 0.246, leading to a low thermal conductivity of 0.36 W m−1 K−1 at 823 K. The figure of merit (ZT) reaches 0.6 for AgBiPbSe2S at 823 K. Moreover, Ag2Se precipitates are included in AgBiPbSe2S to filter low energy carriers for high Seebeck coefficients and to scatter phonons with nanoscale wavelength for ultralow lattice thermal conductivities. Consequently, a peak ZT of ≈1.18 at 823 K and an average ZT of 0.60 at 400–823 K are obtained for Ag1.02BiPbSe2S. More importantly, high mechanical properties are also obtained in Ag1.02BiPbSe2S, of which the Vickers hardness and flexural strength are ≈209 Hv and 32 MPa, respectively, originating from the enhanced lattice friction by chemical short‐range disorder (i.e., high entropy effect) and dispersion strengthening caused by Ag2Se nanoprecipitates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The numerous defect‐induced non‐radiative recombination losses and residual stress in the preparation of perovskite film greatly hinder the further improvement of the efficiency and stability of flexible perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, a natural spice 7‐amino‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)‐2‐benzopyrone (ATB) containing amino (─NH2), carbonyl (─C═O), and trifluoromethyl (─CF3) functional groups is introduced into the perovskite precursor solution, thereby preparing high‐quality perovskite film with low defect density. It is revealed that the utilization of ATB is beneficial to comprehensively passivate the defects and release the residual stress of perovskite film through the synergistic effect of functional groups, thereby improving the crystallinity and enhancing the carrier lifetime of perovskite film. Moreover, the introduction of ATB contributes to an improved energy levels alignment between the perovskite and adjacent layers, which facilitates fast carrier transport and suppresses the recombination loss in the flexible PSCs. Combined with the multifunctional effects of ATB, the target flexible and rigid PSCs with ATB modification yield remarkable photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.08% and 23.79%, respectively. More importantly, the ATB‐modified flexible device exhibits outstanding stability and retains 87.3% and 91.6% of the original efficiency after aging for 3000 h at 50 ± 5 relative humidity and 5000 bending cycles, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge mobilization (KMb) takes a programmatic approach to empower and motivate scholars to connect research with policy‐making through disseminating research to knowledge users, acquiring information from practitioners, and responding to the acquired information. The present study aims to investigate the influence of institutional‐level factors on researchers' KMb activities. One hundred fifty‐five researchers in the field of public administration across China participated in an online survey study. The participants reported their KMb activities, perceived institutional support, and relational capital. The results demonstrate that both the strength of institutional support and relational capital are positively associated with researchers' KMb activities. Moreover, the effect of institutional support tends to be stronger when an institution has more relational capital. The study highlights that research institutions should take programmatic approaches to empower their researchers to be actively involved in the knowledge co‐production process and make a systematic effort at the institutional level to build a well‐developed collaborative network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Phaeocystis globosa frequently proliferates in eutrophic waters and forms ichthyotoxic algal blooms that cause massive fish mortalities in marine ecosystems. One of the ichthyotoxic metabolites was identified as the glycolipid‐like hemolytic toxin, reported to be initiated under light conditions. However, the association between hemolytic activity (HA) and photosynthesis of P. globosa remained unclear.Light spectra (blue, red, green, and white) and 3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea (DCMU) were selected as the stressors to stimulate the hemolytic response of P. globosa in relation to the light and dark photosynthesis reaction.Hemolytic activity in P. globosa was sensitive to the light spectrum as it decreased from 93% to nearly undetectable (1.6%) within 10 min of transfer from red (630 nm) to green light (520 nm). This indicates that the vertical transformation of P. globosa from deep to surface waters (dominated by green light and all light spectra, respectively) may drive the hemolytic response in coastal waters. However, regulation of photosynthetic electron transfer in the light reaction of P. globosa was excluded by the evidence of inconsistent response of HA to photosynthetic activity.The biosynthesis of HA may interfere with the pathway of photopigments diadinoxanthin or fucoxanthin, and the metabolism of three‐ and five‐carbon sugars (GAP and Ru5P, respectively), which ultimately lead to changes in the alga's hemolytic carbohydrate metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of high‐voltage LiCoO2 is imperative to break the bottleneck of the practical energy density of lithium‐ion batteries. However, LiCoO2 suffers from severe structural and interfacial degradation at >4.55 V. Herein, a novel lattice‐matched LiCoPO4 coating is rationally designed for LiCoO2 which works at 4.6 V (vs Li/Li+) or above. This LiCoPO4 coating, derived by an in situ chemical reaction, grows epitaxially on LiCoO2 crystallite with strong bonding and complete coverage to LiCoO2, ensuring a stable cathode–electrolyte interface with fewer side reactions and alleviated intergranular cracking and phase collapse during repeated high‐voltage lithiation/delithiation processes. In addition, the formed strong covalent P–O tetrahedron configuration at the interface effectively decreases the surface oxygen activity of LiCoO2, further suppressing oxygen release and irreversible phase transition. Therefore, the LiCoPO4‐LiCoO2ǁLi cells display excellent capacity retention of 87% after 300 cycles at 4.6 V and stable operation at 4.6 V/55 °C or 4.7 V/30 °C. The strategy of lattice‐matching growth affords a new way to impact the development of high‐voltage LiCoO2 and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductors are the cornerstones of the current information age. Next‐generation integrated optoelectronics calls for ultrahigh‐resolution manufacturing of sophisticated three‐dimensional (3D) semiconductor products, which introduces tremendous challenges for conventional planar lithography techniques. State‐of‐the‐art 3D printing techniques are promising but hampered by the absence of functional precursors for semiconductor formation. Here, a facile method to synthesize versatile and customizable metal‐bound composite photoresins for 3D printing various nano‐architected metal oxide semiconductors is reported. These photoresins can be readily synthesized using metal‐organic framework (MOF) precursors and commercially available monomers, which are free of the nanoparticle‐induced scattering effect. Arbitrary 3D architectures of metal oxide semiconductors (e.g., ZnO and Co3O4) are additively manufactured with a high resolution of 170 nm, high shape fidelity, and high surface quality. A ZnO‐based micro‐ultraviolet photodetector is fabricated to demonstrate its potential applications in optoelectronic devices. The versatile photoresins are expected to have broad applicability for various functional materials and pave the way for the fabrication of 3D integrated functional devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductive hydrogels denote a strategically valuable platform associated with interdiscipline fields by double advantages of metals and organisms (eco‐friendliness, structural flexibility, mixed conduction, real‐time responsiveness, scalable fabrication, and chemical stability). Nevertheless, the orthodox chemical/physical methods processing hydrogels yield planar‐like layers or rough structures without ultrafine feature size or manipulative performance, falling short of µ‐robotics, µ‐electronics, or n‐energy industries. Thereby, scaling the device's volume down and unleashing material's potential become crucially important for broadband applications. A femtosecond laser lifting‐off technique is synthesized with self‐assembly to break conventional volume/resolution limitation, enlarge the geometry‐design capacity, and desirable electricity conduction for micro/nanosituations. Low‐dimensional high‐performance nanowires, electric circuits, ultrathin interdigital capacitors, manipulative photon filters, and metasurfaces are functionalized here. The repeated experiment concludes a high‐density integration ability with a subminiature size down to 10 × 10 × 0.02 µm3, tunable electric conductivity up to 1.17 × 105 S m−1, and areal capacitance >16.2 mF cm−2 for energy storage higher than those electrochemical double‐layer ones. Large geometry capacity with nanometric resolution provides access to future‐perspective optoelectronic products, n‐energy, bioneural recordings, or interfaces of embedding conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolificacy is an important trait of animals, specifically for sheep. The Bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B (BMPR1B) is a major gene affecting the litter size of many sheep breeds. The well‐known FecB mutation (Q249R) was associated fully with the hyper prolific phenotype of Booroola Merino. However, the identification of variation in all exonic regions of BMPR1B was rare. In this study, we sequenced all exonic regions of BMPR1B gene of Mongolia sheep breed, and ten novel variants were detected by direct sequencing. Among them, the litter size of the Mongolia ewes with the CC genotype was significantly higher (0.34 additional lambs, p <.05) than those with the TT genotype of the g.29346567C>T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The litter size of the Mongolia ewes with the TT genotype was significantly higher (0.19 additional lambs, p <.05 and.31 additional lambs, p <.01, respectively) than those with the GT and GG genotypes of the c.1470G>T SNP. The silent c.1470G>T mutation is predicted to increase the stability of the mRNA secondary structure through reducing minimum free energy and is predicted to change the mRNA secondary structure of BMPR1B. Our findings may give potentially useful genetic markers for increasing litter size in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge on how adaptive evolution and human socio‐cultural and economic interests shaped livestock genomes particularly in sub‐Saharan Africa remains limited. Ethiopia is in a geographic region that has been critical in the history of African agriculture with ancient and diverse human ethnicity and bio‐climatic conditions. Using 52K genome‐wide data analysed in 646 individuals from 13 Ethiopian indigenous goat populations, we observed high levels of genetic variation. Although runs of homozygosity (ROH) were ubiquitous genome‐wide, there were clear differences in patterns of ROH length and abundance and in effective population sizes illustrating differences in genome homozygosity, evolutionary history, and management. Phylogenetic analysis incorporating patterns of genetic differentiation and gene flow with ancestry modelling highlighted past and recent intermixing and possible two deep ancient genetic ancestries that could have been brought by humans with the first introduction of goats in Africa. We observed four strong selection signatures that were specific to Arsi‐Bale and Nubian goats. These signatures overlapped genomic regions with genes associated with morphological, adaptation, reproduction and production traits due possibly to selection under environmental constraints and/or human preferences. The regions also overlapped uncharacterized genes, calling for a comprehensive annotation of the goat genome. Our results provide insights into mechanisms leading to genome variation and differentiation in sub‐Saharan Africa indigenous goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies demonstrated that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their antagonists contribute to the development of cancers. Chordin‐like 2 (CHRDL2) is a member of BMP antagonists. However, the role and its relative mechanism of CHRDL2 in osteosarcoma remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that the expression of CHRDL2 was significantly upregulated in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines compared with adjacent tissues and human normal osteoblast. Inhibition of CHRDL2 decreased the proliferation and colony formation of osteosarcoma cells in vitro, as well as the migration and invasion. CHRDL2 overexpression induced the opposite effects. CHRDL2 can bind with BMP‐9, thus decreasing BMP‐9 expression and the combination to its receptor protein kinase ALK1. It was predicted that BMP‐9 regulates PI3K/AKT pathways using gene set enrichment analysis. Inhibition of CHRDL2 decreased the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway, while overexpression of CHRDL2 upregulated the activation. Increasing the expression of BMP‐9 reversed the effects of CHRDL2 overexpression on the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway, as well as the proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells. Take together, our present study revealed that CHRDL2 upregulated in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines, and promoted osteosarcoma cell proliferation and metastasis through the BMP‐9/PI3K/AKT pathway. CHRDL2 maybe an oncogene in osteosarcoma, as well as novel biomarker for the diagnosis of osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Intratumor hypoxia is a hallmark of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is associated with an aggressive tumor phenotype. Although it has been shown that AQP9 plays an important role in HCC, the relevance between hypoxia and AQP9 is still unknown. Methods: We established in vitro normoxic or hypoxic models to investigate the role of AQP9 in the regulation of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) and hypoxia‐enhanced invasion of hepatoma cells. Molecular expression was detected using western blot or quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell invasion ability was determined using Transwell invasion assay. In vivo xenograft experiment was used to detect the role of AQP9 on tumor growth. Results: Our present study revealed a decrease in the expression levels of AQP9 in hypoxic microenvironments. Overexpression of AQP9 led to a decreased expression of HIF‐1α; conversely, suppression of AQP9 in HCC cells had an opposite effect. Furthermore, up‐regulated AQP9 blocked the hypoxic‐enhanced invasion of HCC cells. The overexpression of AQP9 inhibited the growth of tumors and HIF‐1α expression in vivo. Conclusions: These data suggest that AQP9 acts as a tumor suppressor in HCC invasion via the regulation of HIF‐1α expression in the tumor hypoxic microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural and interfacial instability of the LiCoO2 cathode under a voltage exceeding 4.5 V (vs Li/Li+) severely hinders its practical applications for high‐energy‐density lithium batteries. Herein, a modified electrolyte with nitriles (suberonitrile or 1,3,6‐hexanetricarbonitrile) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) coadditives is demonstrated to form an ultrathin and uniform interface layer on LiCoO2 cathode under a synergetic effect. As such, LiCoO2/Li cells display excellent cyclability at a cutoff voltage of 4.6 V with a capacity retention over 72% after 300 cycles and 60% after 200 cycles at 30 and 55 °C, respectively, even achieving operation at a high current rate (10 C) upon 500 cycles as compared to the controls with fast‐falling capacity to zero. Furthermore, an adsorption‐coordination mechanism between nitriles and cobalt and synergetic effect of coadditives are explored by the alliance of spectroscopic analysis and theoretical calculations. The contributed lone‐pairs on the N 2p orbital of nitriles in coordination lowers the real oxidation state of Co3+/4+ so that it decreases its catalysis on electrolytes, and the synergy from nitrile‐derived species regulates FEC to form an LiF‐containing electron‐insulated interface layer. This work shares a new insight to nitriles with the synergy of coadditives and paves a way to refine (ultra)high‐voltage LiCoO2 cathode for high‐energy‐density energy storages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We retrospectively analyzed 17 patients with esophageal stent who underwent cervical esophageal and/or hypopharyngeal stenosis after total laryngectomy (TL) from January 2014 to January 2018. The success rate of stent implantation was 100%. Dysphagia in 16 patients improved to class 0 or 1 (16/17, 94.12%) after stent implantation and in 1 patient was improved to class 2 (1/17, 5.88%). Two patients died of tumor progression at 7 months and 11 months after stent implantation, respectively, but both could eat semi-solid/solid food before death. Dysphagia was resolved in the remaining 15 patients, and there was no recurrence of dysphagia including feeding obstruction during follow-up. Therefore, this case series concludes that the esophageal stent position after TL can be much higher than that of patients with normal pharyngeal structures. Esophageal stent implantation is a feasible and effective treatment for patients with laryngopharyngeal/esophageal stenosis following TL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Partitioning evapotranspiration (ET) into evaporation (E) and transpiration (T) in wetlands is important for understanding the hydrological processes in wetlands and the contribution of wetland ET to local and regional water cycling and for designing effective wetland management strategies. Stable water isotopes are useful in the application of ET partitioning through the evaluation of the isotopic compositions of E (δE), T (δT), and ET (δET) obtained from observation or modelling methods. However, this approach still suffers from potentially large uncertainties in terms of estimating the isotopic endmembers. In this study, we modified the traditional isotope‐based ET partitioning methods to include leaf‐level biological constraints to separately estimate the relative contributions of T from Scirpus triqueter and Phragmites australis and the relative contributions of E from the standing surface water in a semiarid marsh wetland in northeastern China. The results showed that although the δT values of S. triqueter and P. australis were rather similar, the mean δT values of the 2 species were different from the values of δE, making it possible to distinguish the relative contributions of E and T through the use of isotopes. The simulation of leaf water using a non‐steady‐state model indicated obvious deviations in leaf water enrichment (δLb) from isotopic steady states for both species, especially during early mornings and evenings when relative humidity was highest. The isotopic mass balance showed that E accounted for approximately 60% of ET, and T from S. triqueter and P. australis each contributed approximately 20% to ET; this implied that the transpiration of one reed was equivalent to that of 5.25 individuals of S. triqueter. Using the estimated ratio of T to ET and the measured leaf transpiration, the total ET was estimated to be approximately 10 mm day−1. Using the NSS‐Tr method, the estimated ET was higher than the water loss calculated from the water level gauge. This indicated that the river water and surrounding groundwater were the sources of the marsh wetland, with a supply rate of 8.3 mm day−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The application of neural probes in clinic has been challenged by probes' short lifetime when implanted into brain tissue. The primary goal is to develop an evaluation system for testing brain tissue injury induced by neural probe's insertion using microscope based digital image correlation method. Methods: A brain tissue phantom made of silicone rubber with speckle pattern on its surface was fabricated. To obtain the optimal speckle pattern, mean intensity gradient parameter was used for quality assessment. The designed testing system consists of three modules: (a) load module for simulating neural electrode implantation process; (b) data acquisition module to capture micrographs of speckle pattern and to obtain reactive forces during the insertion of the probe; (c) postprocessing module for extracting tissue deformation information from the captured speckle patterns. On the basis of the evaluation system, the effects of probe wedge angle, insertion speed, and probe streamline on insertion induced tissue injury were investigated. Results: The optimal quality speckle pattern can be attained by the following fabrication parameters: spin coating rate--1000 r/min, silicone rubber component A: silicone rubber component B: softener: graphite = 5 ml: 5 ml: 2 ml: 0.6 g. The probe wedge angle has a significant effect on tissue injury. Compared to wedge angle 40° and 20°, maximum principal strain of 60° wedge angle was increased by 40.3% and 87.5%, respectively; compared with a relatively higher speed (500 μm/s), the maximum principle strain within the tissue induced by slow insertion speed (100 μm/s) was increased by 14.3%; insertion force required by probe with convex streamline was smaller than the force of traditional probe. Based on the experimental results, a novel neural probe that has a rounded tip covered by a biodegradable silk protein coating with convex streamline was proposed, which has both lower insertion and micromotion induced tissue injury. Conclusions: The established evaluation system has provided a simulation environment for testing brain tissue injury produced by various insertion conditions. At the same time, it eliminates the adverse effect of biological factors on tissue deformation during the experiment, improving the repeatability of measurement results. As a result, the evaluation system will provide support on novel neural probe design that can reduce the acute tissue injury during the implantation of the probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial variation, potential sources, and ecological risk of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in surface sediments from the typical inflow rivers in Taihu Basin were investigated in June 2010. The results showed that the heavy metal concentrations varied greatly and spatially, and higher metal contamination mainly occurred in the northern and northwestern regions in Taihu Basin. Multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that Mn might originate from natural sources, whereas Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn were primarily delivered from anthropogenic activities. The geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor values indicated that Cd, Cu, Cr, and Zn were moderately severe enriched, Ni and Pb were moderate enriched, while Co and Hg were at a minor enrichment level, which indicated that their contamination was not a major concern in the inflow rivers of the basin. Compared with the "Consensus-Based Sediment Quality Guidelines," Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn were most likely to result in ecological toxicity for aquatic organisms. Although Cd was at moderately severe enrichment level, the probable effect concentration quotients of Cd<1 implied it had no or low adverse effects on organisms. The results also suggest that Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn contamination in the north and northwest of the basin should be addressed as the first priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of origination and diversification of integument derivatives in vertebrates is still a challenge. The homeobox ( Hox) genes Hoxc13 control integument formation in vertebrate. Hoxc13 show strong expression in the integument development, are highly conserved across vertebrates, and show mutations that are associated with skin and appendages. To test whether the evolution of the integument is associated with positive selection or relaxation of Hoxc13, we obtained these genes in a wide range of vertebrates. In Hoxc13, we found evidence of diversifying selection after speciation during the origin of vertebrates. In addition, we found the glycine-rich regions in Hoxc13 protein in mammals, but not among non-mammalian taxa. Our results strongly implicate that Hoxc13 genes could have played an important role in the evolution of integument structure. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 320B: 412-419, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, consensus problems for second-order multi-agent systems with nonuniform and switching topologies are investigated. Each agent has a self-delay, and each delay is independent of the others. As a measure of the disagreement dynamics, a class of positive semi-definite Lyapunov- Krasovskii functions are introduced. Using algebraic graph theory and these Lyapunov- Krasovskii functions, sufficient conditions are derived by contradiction under which all agents asymptotically reach consensus. Finally, the effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results is demonstrated through numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question Do the three chosen species ( Caltha palustris, Veratrum nigrum and Stellera chamaejasme) in humid alpine meadows take up water from different depths? Do these species differ in their responsiveness to rainfall? Location Mt. Balang, China. Methods Rainwater, soil water and plant water were collected from three plots over a 15-day period during June-July 2006, and water isotopes analysed. The linear mixed models procedure was used to compare δD and δ18O values across soil depths, while three-factor ANOVA was performed to compare δD and δ18O values among the three species. The contributions of different soil depths to plant water sources were analysed using Mix Sir. A classic two-endmember linear mixed model was used to calculate the proportion of rainwater in plant stem water. Results Soil water showed substantial temporal shifts in isotopic profile from day to day, as influenced by rainwater input. The three plant species, C. palustris ( CP), V. nigrum ( VN) and S. chamaejasme ( SC), acquired water from different soil depths, with their reliance on deeper soil water increasing in the order of CP < VN < SC. Moreover, CP, VN and SC absorbed 69.18%, 35.50% and 13.46% of their stem water, respectively, from the 4 July rainwater, suggesting that their responsiveness to rain pulses significantly differed in the order of CP > VN > SC. Conclusions The isotopic profiles of soil water shifted dramatically in response to rainfall, suggesting rapid movement of soil water. There was separation of the plant water uptake depths among the three species, with SC depending less on surface soil and being associated with drier soil habitats compared with CP and VN. Moreover, CP absorbed rainwater before it percolated below the root zone, while VN and SC did not; the differential responsiveness to water pulses may be related to their different water requirements as a result of adaptation to different soil water conditions. Our study demonstrates inter-specific differentiation in plant water uptake in humid alpine meadows. Such information is important for species co-existence and plant community composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study which investigated the tribological properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/Hydroxy apatite (HA) composite that were prepared from aqueous solution of the polymer and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The study found that wear loss of PVA-H/HA increases with increasing loads and HA content. It also discovered a correlation between friction coefficient and wear loss.