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Diabetes is not solely a metabolic disorder but also involves inflammatory processes. The immune response it incites is a primary contributor to damage in target organs. Research indicates that during the initial phases of diabetic nephropathy, macrophages infiltrate the kidneys alongside lymphocytes, initiating a cascade of inflammatory reactions. The interplay between macrophages and other renal cells is pivotal in the advancement of kidney disease within a hyperglycemic milieu. While M1 macrophages react to the inflammatory stimuli induced by elevated glucose levels early in the disease progression, their subsequent transition to M2 macrophages, which possess anti-inflammatory and tissue repair properties, also contributes to fibrosis in the later stages of nephropathy by transforming into myofibroblasts. Comprehending the diverse functions of macrophages in diabetic kidney disease and regulating their activity could offer therapeutic benefits for managing this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the major patterns of large-scale tilted ridges (LSTRS) over the Eurasian continent and their connections with large-scale surface air temperature during boreal winter. A total number of 134 LSTR events with zonal extent exceeding 90° of longitude on the peak day are identified. Using self-organizing map (SOM), the LSTRs are classified into five clusters that are characterized by different spatial distributions and orientations. The leading two clusters are closely associated with extensive and persistent cold events over different places. Considering the first cluster, LSTRs extend from the Ural Mountains to Northeast Asia and are favorable for the amplification and southeastward extension of the Siberian high. Therefore, this cluster is closely associated with the occurrence of extensive and persistent cold events in china. In comparison with the first cluster, the LSTRs of second group are situated to the west, with starting points from the Kola Peninsula, and cause extensive and persistent cold events over Eastern Europe, central Asia, and central Siberia. The results suggest that the vertical coupling between LSTRs and the corresponding anomalous sea level pressure is crucial for the persistent cold temperature events associated with the leading two SOM clusters.

Redox is a constant phenomenon in organisms. From the signaling pathway transduction to the oxidative stress during the inflammation and disease process, all are related to reduction-oxidation (redox). Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor targeting many antioxidant genes. In non-stressed conditions, NRF2 maintains the hemostasis of redox with housekeeping work. It expresses constitutively with basal activity, maintained by Kelch-like-ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1)-associated ubiquitination and degradation. When encountering stress, it can be up-regulated by several mechanisms to exert its anti-oxidative ability in diseases or inflammatory processes to protect tissues and organs from further damage. From acute kidney injury to chronic kidney diseases, such as diabetic nephropathy or glomerular disease, many results of studies have suggested that, as a master of regulating redox, NRF2 is a therapeutic option. It was not until the early termination of the clinical phase 3 trial of diabetic nephropathy due to heart failure as an unexpected side effect that we renewed our understanding of NRF2. NRF2 is not just a simple antioxidant capacity but has pleiotropic activities, harmful or helpful, depending on the conditions and backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment for glomerular diseases has been extrapolated from the experience of other autoimmune disorders while the underlying pathogenic mechanisms were still not well understood. As the classification of glomerular diseases was based on patterns of juries instead of mechanisms, treatments were typically the art of try and error. With the advancement of molecular biology, the role of the immune agent in glomerular diseases is becoming more evident. The four-hit theory based on the discovery of gd-IgA1 gives a more transparent outline of the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and dysregulation of Treg plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of minimal change disease (MCD). An epoch-making breakthrough is the discovery of PLA2R antibodies in the primary membranous nephropathy (pMN). This is the first biomarker applied for precision medicine in kidney disease. Understanding the immune system's role in glomerular diseases allows the use of various immunosuppressants or other novel treatments, such as complement inhibitors, to treat glomerular diseases more reasonable. In this era of advocating personalized medicine, it is inevitable to develop precision medicine with mechanism-based novel biomarkers and novel therapies in kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carboxyl end-functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT-COOH) was grafted chemically with CdSe nanocrystals (NCs) by a phosphine-free method. The particle quality of P3HT-COOH/CdSe nanocomposites was better than that of P3HT/CdSe nanocomposites, which were synthesized using the same method. Nanocrystals with controllable particle size exhibited a wurtzite crystalline structure and showed excellent nanocrystal dispersion in the P3HT-COOH matrix. Photoluminescence (PL) characterization performed on nanocomposites suggested the efficient charge transfer at the P3HT-COOH/CdSe interface. This approach based on the phosphine-free method is not only environmentally friendly but also highly efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Da-Wei Lin, Yi-Ming Chen The web is the most widely available service on the internet, but it is difficult to bullet-proof a web system. In this research, an integrity-based web page protection method is proposed to ensure that the service provided is as expected from the original business logic design. In our method, integrity violation means that an error has occurred. The proposed method is lightweight and the false alarm rate is extremely low. Management of signature updating is not needed. Finally, the experimental performance of the system is better than that of the traditional signature-based detection systems, and has little impact on system performance.

In this study, novel three-dimensional (3-D) nanoscale structures and methodology are demonstrated for application in high-efficiency core–shell nanorod (NR) light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The key to our successful growth of the structures is the introduction of passivation, which can be used to selectively grow active layers in desired structures. Through the fabrication methodology, core–shell NR green LEDs exhibiting large nonpolar active region and homogeneous indium distributions without a point tip shape were achieved. Stable light emission at a central wavelength of 518 nm was achieved as the injected current increased to more than 40 mA. The improved NR LEDs exhibited a stable luminescence emission wavelength (blueshift of 62 nm) and low-efficiency droop (18.1%) at 200 mA. Our scheme is scalable and compatible with current technologies, which provides a new perspective for developing high-performance, 3-D nanoscale optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, the light emission performance from nonpolar a -plane gallium nitride (GaN)-based photonic crystal (PC) slabs with line-type defect cavities has been investigated. Via the focused ion beam milling technique, thin membrane structures of the nonpolar GaN PC defect cavities were engineered, exhibiting one dominated resonant mode occurred at 419.3 nm with a high quality factor of 1.9\times 10^{3} in the photoluminescence emission characterizations. In the far-field region, light emission performance shows a high polarization degree of 50% with the beam direction perpendicular to the defect cavity. Compared with the PC defect cavity patterns fabricated on c$ -axial oriented GaN materials, the $a$ -plane PC defect cavities display not only the linear light output–input power dependence, but also an invariant resonant mode of constant light emission behavior with increasing the injection carriers, therefore providing a new perspective for the future development of promising optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This letter developed the high-performance GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for ultraviolet (UV) light emission at 385 nm with the light output power enhanced by up to 52% compared with that of the conventional UV-LEDs. The high-power-efficiency UV-LEDs include sidewall-passivated Al2O3 dielectric nanoscale air voids, which were created using the atomic layer deposition method and act as intermediate media for improving the internal quantum efficiency, reducing threading dislocation, and relaxing strain. The fabricated air void nanostructure also enhanced the light extraction efficiency by $\sim 32.7$ %, resulting in a high-power UV light-emitting device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we successfully transferred the patterns of a cone-shaped patterned sapphire substrate (CPSS) into \SiO2 layer to fabricate a cone-shaped \SiO2 patterned template by using nanoimprint lithography (NIL). The GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were grown on this template by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images suggest that the stacking faults formed near the cone-shaped \SiO2 patterns during the epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELOG) can effectively suppress the threading dislocations, which results in an enhancement of internal quantum efficiency. The Monte Carlo ray-tracing simulation reveals that the light extraction efficiency of the LED grown on cone-shaped \SiO2 patterned template can be enhanced as compared with the LED grown on CPSS. As a result, the light output power of the LED grown on cone-shaped \SiO2 patterned template outperformed the LED grown on CPSS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study presents the green InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells light-emitting diodes (LEDs) grown on a GaN nanorods template with SiO2 nanomasks by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. By nanoscale epitaxial lateral overgrowth, microscale air voids were formed between nanorods and the threading dislocations were efficiently suppressed. The electroluminescence measurement reveals that the LEDs on nanorods template with SiO2 nanomasks suffer less quantum-confined Stark effect and exhibit higher light output power and lower efficiency droop at a high injection current as compared with conventional LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile method to prepare monodisperse polystyrene (PS)/cross-linked PS particles was studied by combining hydrothermal process with dispersion polymerisation. Compared to traditional dispersion polymerisation, in this way the polymerisation of styrene in ethanol-water media could be carried out in a relatively wide ethanol/water ratio range from 10/90 to 70/30, consequently monodisperse particles from 160 to 1300 nm in size were generated at 80°C. It implies that the monodisperse PS particles could be acquired simply and the significant change in PS particle size could be adjusted by only varying the ethanol/water ratio. The phenomenon could be inferred that the hydrothermal process improved the solubility of the monomer in the media under a higher reaction pressure, which enabled this method to expand the ethanol/water ratio range for traditional dispersion polymerisation. Furthermore, the monodisperse cross-linked PS particles could also be obtained even at the cross-linking agent being up to 2% without addition of stabiliser through this method. Not using stabiliser could enlarge the application range of the cross-linked monodisperse PS particles. The formation process of the particles was detected using scanning electron microscopy. The particle morphology transformation along with hydrothermal reaction in the early stage was demonstrated, that is, the initial irregular particles in different size congregated gradually to form monodisperse particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We presented a study of high-performance GaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs) using a GaN nanopillars (NPs) structure grown on sapphire substrate by integrating RF-plasma molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Nanoscale air voids were clearly observed at the interface between GaN NPs and the overgrown GaN layer by cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy. It can increase the light-extraction efficiency due to additional light scattering. The transmission electron microscopy images suggest the air voids between GaN NPs introduced during nanoscale epitaxial lateral overgrowth of GaN can suppress the threading dislocation density. Moreover, Raman spectrum demonstrated that the strain of the GaN layer grown on GaN NPs was effectively eliminated, resulting in the reduction of quantum-confined Stark effect in InGaN/GaN quantum wells. Consequently, the LEDs fabricated on the GaN NPs template exhibit smaller electroluminescent peak wavelength blue shift and great enhancement of the light output (70% at 20 mA) compared with the conventional LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: A low insertion loss single-pole-single-throw (SPST) pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) switch utilizing the n+-type doping in AlAs etching stop layer was fabricated and investigated. This novel design reduces device sheet resistance resulting in an improvement of dc and rf power performance. In addition, the gate recess selectivity for GaAs/AlAs interface was not sacrificed after highly n+-type doping in AlAs etching stop layer. The pHEMT with n+-AlAs etching stop layer, also named Modified pHEMT (M-pHEMT), demonstrated a lower sheet resistance (R sh) of 65.9Ω/γ, a higher maximum drain-to-source current (I dmax) of 317.8mA/mm and a higher peak transconductance (g m) of 259.3mS/mm which are superior to standard pHEMT performance with values of 71.9Ω/γ, 290.3mA/mm and 252.1mS/mm, respectively. Due to a significant sheet resistance improvement from this novel epitaxial design, an SPST pHEMT switch was realized to manifest its industrial application potential. The results achieved an on-state insertion loss of 1.42dB, an off-state isolation of 13.02dB at 0.9GHz, which were superior to traditional pHEMT switch under same condition of operation with values of 1.68dB and 11.42dB, respectively. It is proved that dual n+-doping AlAs etching stop layers scheme is beneficial for low loss microwave switches applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) are powerful tools for understanding metabolism from a systems-level perspective. However, GEMs in their most basic form fail to account for cellular regulation. A diverse set of mechanisms regulate cellular metabolism, enabling organisms to respond to a wide range of conditions. This limitation of GEMs has prompted the development of new methods to integrate regulatory mechanisms, thereby enhancing the predictive capabilities and broadening the scope of GEMs. Here, we cover integrative models encompassing six types of regulatory mechanisms: transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs), post-translational modifications (PTMs), epigenetics, protein–protein interactions and protein stability (PPIs/PS), allostery, and signaling networks. We discuss 22 integrative GEM modeling methods and how these have been used to simulate metabolic regulation during normal and pathological conditions. While these advances have been remarkable, there remains a need for comprehensive and widespread integration of regulatory constraints into GEMs. We conclude by discussing challenges in constructing GEMs with regulation and highlight areas that need to be addressed for the successful modeling of metabolic regulation. Next-generation integrative GEMs that incorporate multiple regulatory mechanisms and their crosstalk will be invaluable for discovering cell-type and disease-specific metabolic control mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asia Pacific Mercury Monitoring Network (APMMN) cooperatively measures mercury in precipitation in a network of sites operating in Asia and the Western Pacific region. The network addresses significant data gaps in a region where mercury emission estimates are the highest globally, and available measurement data are limited. The reduction of mercury emissions under the Minamata Convention on Mercury also justifies the need for continent-wide and consistent observations that can help determine the magnitude of the problem and assess the efficacy of reductions over time. The APMMN's primary objectives are to monitor wet deposition and atmospheric concentrations of mercury and assist partners in developing their own monitoring capabilities. Network planning began in 2012 with wet deposition sampling starting in 2014. Currently, eight network sites measure mercury in precipitation following standardized procedures adapted from the National Atmospheric Deposition Program. The network also has a common regional analytical laboratory (Taiwan), and quality assurance and data flagging procedures, which ensure the network makes scientifically valid and consistent measurements. Results from our ongoing analytical and field quality assurance measurements show minimal contamination in the network and accurate analytical analyses. We are continuing to monitor a potential concentration and precipitation volume bias under certain conditions. The average mercury concentration in precipitation was 11.3 (+9.6) ng L−1 for 139 network samples in 2018. Concentrations for individual sites vary widely. Low averages compare to the low concentrations observed on the U.S. West Coast; while other sites have average concentrations similar to the high values reported from many urban areas in China. Future APMMN goals are to (1) foster new network partnerships, (2) continue to collect, quality assure, and distribute results on the APMMN website, (3) provide training and share best monitoring practices, and (4) establish a gaseous concentration network for estimating dry deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric mercury (Hg) has been monitored at the Lulin Atmospheric Background Station (LABS) in Taiwan since April 2006 and is still continuing. Here we reported the trend in gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) concentrations at LABS between April 2006 and December 2016, before the Minamata Convention on Mercury entered into force in 2017. Previous research indicated nighttime (0–8 am) data collected at LABS are better representative of regional influence. Therefore, only nighttime GEM data were used for trend analysis. A significant decreasing trend in GEM at a rate of −1.5% yr−1 (−0.022 ng m−3 yr−1, p < 0.01) was found, comparable to the decreasing trends observed in Europe, North America, South Africa, and over the North Atlantic Ocean. Five major GEM source regions to the LABS were identified, including northern Indochina Peninsula, China, Northeast Asia, the Pacific Ocean, and South China Sea. Significant decreasing trends in GEM were found for air masses coming from northern Indochina Peninsula (−0.042 ng m−3 yr−1, −2.6% yr−1, p < 0.01), China (−0.041 ng m−3 yr−1, −2.4% yr−1, p < 0.01), Northeast Asia (−0.031 ng m−3 yr−1, −2.0% yr−1, p < 0.05), and the Pacific Ocean (−0.022 ng m−3 yr−1, −1.7% yr−1, p < 0.05). Decreasing GEM trend (−0.020 ng m−3 yr−1, −1.5% yr−1), but insignificant (p > 0.05), was also found for air masses coming from South China Sea. The decreasing trends observed with air from the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea indicated declining background GEM concentrations in Northern Hemisphere. Decrease in GEM concentrations at the LABS was in agreement with the reduction in atmospheric Hg export from the East Asia continent caused by changes in Hg emission quantity and speciation, and temporal and spatial distribution in emission sources that have been suggested by recent research. Additionally, changes in the frequency distribution of air mass origins and transport paths may also contribute to the changes in GEM concentrations at LABS. Unlabelled Image • The first long-term (2006–2016) GEM trend reported from a mountain site downwind of the East Asia continent • A significant decreasing GEM trend was found, comparable to decreasing trends observed in Europe and North America. • Reduction in atmospheric Hg export from East Asia is suggested to contribute to the decreasing GEM trend at LABS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tumour suppressor p53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer. Reactivation of mutant p53 by small molecules is an exciting potential cancer therapy. Although several compounds restore wild-type function to mutant p53, their binding sites and mechanisms of action are elusive. Here computational methods identify a transiently open binding pocket between loop L1 and sheet S3 of the p53 core domain. Mutation of residue Cys124, located at the centre of the pocket, abolishes p53 reactivation of mutant R175H by PRIMA-1, a known reactivation compound. Ensemble-based virtual screening against this newly revealed pocket selects stictic acid as a potential p53 reactivation compound. In human osteosarcoma cells, stictic acid exhibits dose-dependent reactivation of p21 expression for mutant R175H more strongly than does PRIMA-1. These results indicate the L1/S3 pocket as a target for pharmaceutical reactivation of p53 mutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a study of semi-polar (1101) InGaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs) grown on patterned (001) Si substrates by atmospheric-pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition. A transmission electron microscopy image of the semi-polar template shows that the threading dislocation density was decreased significantly. From electroluminescence measurement, semi-polar LEDs exhibit little blue-shift and low efficiency droop at a high injection current because the reduction of the polarization field not only made the band diagram smoother but also restricted electron overflow to the p-GaN layer as shown in simulations. These results indicate that semi-polar InGaN-based LEDs can possess a high radiative recombination rate and low efficiency droop at a high injection current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a high-performance GaN-based light-emitting diode (LED) was achieved using a nanocolumn patterned sapphire substrate (NCPSS) with low-pressure metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (LP-MOCVD). The surface roughness was evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The mechanisms of carrier localization in the GaN-based LED fabricated on NCPSS were discussed referring to the results obtained from the power-dependent photoluminescence measurements. Moreover, from the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image, the threading dislocation densities (TDDs) through the GaN-based LED fabricated on NCPSS were found to be about 10 times lower than those fabricated on planar substrates. Finally, the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of the GaN-based LED fabricated on NCPSS was as high as 48% at 30 mW, corresponding to a current of 20 mA, which is higher than that of a GaN-based LED fabricated on a planar sapphire substrate by 8%. The use of NCPSS is suggested to be effective for elevating the emission efficiency of the GaN-based LED owing to an improvement in crystal quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]