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Caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 (CARD9) is an adaptor protein expressed on myeloid cells and located downstream of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which transduces signals involved in innate immunity. CARD9 deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to various fungal diseases. Increasing evidence shows that CARD9 mediates the activation of p38 MAPK, NF-κB, and NLRP3 inflammasome in various CVDs and then promotes the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which contribute to cardiac remodeling and cardiac dysfunction in certain cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Moreover, CARD9-mediated anti-apoptosis and autophagy are implicated in the progression of CVDs. Here, we summarize the structure and function of CARD9 in innate immunity and its various roles in inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy in the pathogenesis of CVDs. Furthermore, we discuss the potential therapies targeting CARD9 to prevent CVDs and raise some issues for further exploring the role of CARD9 in CVDs.

Haina Zhang,1 Lou Yu,2 Gai Yun3 1Department of General Medicine, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Pudong, Shanghai, 201399, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Preventive Treatment, Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital, Shanghai, 200137, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of General Medicine, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, 200137, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Gai Yun, Chief Physician, Department of General Medicine, Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of TCM, No. 358, Datong Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200137, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13917898986, Email gaiyunlucky@163.comObjective: The study objective was to investigate the serum levels of Klotho in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had moderate cognitive impairment (MCI) and those without MCI and to determine its prediction of MCI in older patients with T2DM.Methods: Patients with diabetes were examined for MCI in 292 cases (using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment: MoCA score). Biomarkers and biochemical parameter data were accumulated.Results: Comparing T2DM patients with MCI (91 patients) and without MCI (101 patients), patients with MCI considerably reduced serum Klotho levels were observed. In all 292 hospitalized patients, serum Klotho levels were negatively correlated with age (r=− 0.184, P=0.002), body mass index (BMI) (r=− 0.151, P=0.010), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (r=− 0.197, P=0.001), creatinine (r=− 0.178, P=0.002), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r=− 0.319, P< 0.001). On the other hand, it is positively correlated with education (r=0.319, P< 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (r=0.272, P< 0.001). Considering the findings of the multivariate logistic regression models, patients with type 2 diabetes who had reduced levels of serum Klotho (OR=0.987, 95% CI=0.980– 0.994; P< 0.001), lower HDL-C, increased levels of HbA1c, creatinine, and CRP, and limited years of formal education and a longer duration of T2DM, increase the risk of developing MCI.Conclusion: The results showed that diabetic patients with MCI have lower serum Klotho levels than diabetic patients without MCI. It might be possible to do a more extensive population-based prospective investigation to confirm the correlation between serum Klotho levels and cognitive impairment or dementia.Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus, T2DM, cognitive impairment, MCI, Klotho

Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive cancer common in children and adolescents. There is still a lack of effective treatments for metastatic or recurrent osteosarcoma. The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in osteosarcoma has gradually attracted attention. Here, we identified lncRNAs that were abnormally expressed in metastatic osteosarcoma through analyzing the sequencing data of osteosarcoma tissues and selected upregulated lncRNA MELTF-AS1 for detailed study. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of MELTF-AS1 was increased in osteosarcoma tissues and cells, and the high expression of MELTF-AS1 indicated a poor prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. The high expression of MELTF-AS1 in osteosarcoma was partly due to the transcriptional activation of RREB1. The results of transwell assays, scratch wound healing assays, and the tail vein injection lung metastasis model demonstrated that knocking down MELTF-AS1 inhibited metastasis ability of osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, the results of RNA pull-down assays, luciferase reporter assays, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays revealed that MELTF-AS1 could regulate MMP14 expression through interaction with miR-485-5p. Our study suggested that MELTF-AS1 functioned as a pro-metastasis gene in osteosarcoma by upregulating MMP14 and that it could be a potential therapeutic and diagnostic target for osteosarcoma., Graphical abstract, lncRNAs play crucial roles in cancer metastasis. Ding et al. demonstrate that MELTF-AS1 acts as a pro-metastasis gene in osteosarcoma. They revealed that MELTF-AS1 was mainly located in cytoplasm and could increase MMP14 expression through acting as a molecular sponge for miR-485-5p.

The recent years have witnessed an increasing number of manufacturers in developed markets pursuing service-led innovation to secure their sustainable growth and competitive positions. This study compares the manufacturing firm performance outcomes of two types of innovation activities in the value chain (i.e., service innovation and product innovativeness) contingent on institutional environment but in an aspirant market – China. To do so we conducted two studies: A secondary data study (Study 1) used a longitudinal panel dataset of 1,167 manufacturing firms and a robustness study (Study 2) used primary survey data from 171 manufacturing firms. Both studies offer consistent empirical results that in the dysfunctional competition environment, and in contrast to product innovativeness, service innovation is less effective for manufacturing performance but works more effectively for performance in the complicated institutional environment when government support and dysfunctional competition co-exist. The research contributes to the fields of aspirant markets and innovation by developing our understanding of the firm’s strategic responses pertaining to innovation in the context of a complicated institutional environment, the latter informed by structuration theory. The paper offers a fine-grained view to manufacturing innovation and provides the practical implications for managers and clear guidance to firms and governments in the aspirant markets in regards to innovation practice, strategy, and policy.

Leaf senescence reduces the photosynthetic capacity of leaves, thus significantly affecting the growth, development, and yield formation of cotton. Melatonin (MT) is a multipotent substance proven to delay leaf senescence. However, its potential mechanism in delaying leaf senescence induced by abiotic stress remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effect of MT on delaying drought-induced leaf senescence in cotton seedlings and to clarify its morphological and physiological mechanisms. Drought stress upregulated the leaf senescence marker genes, destroyed the photosystem, and led to excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS, e.g., H2O2 and O2−), thus accelerating leaf senescence. However, leaf senescence was significantly delayed when 100 μM MT was sprayed on the leaves of the cotton seedlings. The delay was embodied by the increased chlorophyll content, photosynthetic capacity, and antioxidant enzyme activities, as well as decreased H2O2, O2−, and abscisic acid (ABA) contents by 34.44%, 37.68%, and 29.32%, respectively. MT significantly down-regulated chlorophyll degradation-related genes and senescence marker genes (GhNAC12 and GhWRKY27/71). In addition, MT reduced the chloroplast damage caused by drought-induced leaf senescence and maintained the integrity of the chloroplast lamellae structure under drought stress. The findings of this study collectively suggest that MT can effectively enhance the antioxidant enzyme system, improve photosynthetic efficiency, reduce chlorophyll degradation and ROS accumulation, and inhibit ABA synthesis, thereby delaying drought-induced leaf senescence in cotton.

Low mountainous areas provide high-quality ecological environments, offering a high urban development value globally. However, cold low mountainous areas are greatly affected by wind environments. Therefore, this study investigates a simulated block wind environment in a typical city in a cold low mountainous area. As opposed to previous work, we put forward the block spatial modes quantitatively for cold low mountainous areas. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology is used to simulate the wind environment of building blocks, including point-type high-rise buildings and row-type multi-story buildings. We propose a new targeted wind environment measurement system developed using PHOENICS 2018 and a spatial combination model using urban information sensing for sustainable development. By comparing the average wind speed (WAS) and calm wind area ratio (SCA) under different simulation conditions, we were able find that when the building form, slope direction, and slope were constant, WAS was inversely proportional to SCA, following the order of south slope > west slope > southwest slope > southeast slope. Second, proper selection of 1:2 and 1:3 ratios for point-type high-rise buildings (HPT) can provide good ventilation for cold low mountainous areas. In addition, continuous high-rise buildings should be avoided. These strategies have been applied in practice in the spatial design of the Lianhuashan tourist resort in Changchun. Possible optimization strategies for planners and governments could include promoting pedestrian spatial environments in these special areas. Moreover, this research is significant for the collection and mining of data-based wind information in cold low mountainous areas, thereby providing scientific quantitative evaluation methods and spatial organisation optimisation guidelines.

Block-flexure toppling failure is a widespread issue in natural and excavated rock slopes. The aim of this paper was to elucidate the failure mechanism of block-flexure toppling failure using a centrifuge model. The artificial rock and a slope model were prepared. A series of mechanical tests (i.e., uniaxial compression tests, direct shear tests, and three-point bending tests) were then conducted to research the properties of the artificial rock. Three kinds of measurement methods (laser displacement meters (LDMs), digital image correlation (DIC), and fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs)) were used to acquire detailed information on the deformation and failure process associated with block-flexure toppling failure. The results of our test show that block-flexure toppling failure occurs instantaneously and that the total failure surface is stepped. More explicitly, the preceding section of the failure surface is a flat plane perpendicular to the joints that dip steeply into the face in front of the slope crest. The rear of the failure surface begins to become stepped and the heights of the steps are mainly controlled by the spacing of cross joints. The deformation and failure zone can be divided into three subzones: a toppling failure zone, a crack zone, and a deformation zone. The tensile stress in the continuous columns shows a distribution that is similar to a triangle. That is, the value of the tensile stress on the top of each column is approximately zero and gradually increases with the burial depth of the column. The tensile stress in the columns at the back of the slope is less than that in the face of the slope.

With the advancement of global economic integration, traditional trade barriers have been greatly reduced, and the marginal utility of tariff reductions on trade expansion has become weaker and weaker. Especially under the global value chain division of labor system, intermediate products and parts have undergone multiple cross-border trades. The cumbersome trade procedures will greatly increase trade costs and destroy the driving force of trade. After improving infrastructure and optimizing customs clearance procedures, with the improvement of convenience, more countries and enterprises can participate in the global division of labor. Considering the industry characteristics of high-tech manufacturing, this paper selects panel data of high-tech manufacturing from multiple sample countries and uses the panel data two-way fixed-effect model to empirically analyze the impact of a country’s trade facilitation level on the global value chain of high-tech manufacturing in a country. From the perspective of global value chain status, the improvement of a country’s level of trade facilitation can significantly promote the country’s high-tech manufacturing global value chain status. The level of foreign direct investment, the degree of opening to the outside world, the level of government public services, the level of human capital, and the R&D capability are all significantly positive at the 1% level, while the level of physical capital is significantly negative at the 1% level.

This study draws on the institutional void and institutional support perspectives to examine the contingent effect of institutional environments on the relationship between corporate religiosity and individual entrepreneurial activity in the context of emerging markets. We employ a composite dataset that covers 7109 individuals in 69 major cities across 25 provinces in China. Our study provides convincing evidence that individuals with strong corporate religiosity may be disinclined to conduct entrepreneurial activity in corrupted markets, but are more likely to engage in entrepreneurship in well-developed markets (ones characterized by high levels of marketization). This study displays the interplay of both institutional void and institutional support with corporate religiosity in shaping individual behaviors.

Previous research has merely explored the positive relationship between cognitive diversity and creativity, but the potential negative side of cognitive diversity might also prevail and should be examined together with its positive side. To address this gap, our study, drawing on the categorization–elaboration model framework, explored both the positive and negative effects of cognitive diversity on creativity/innovation in a single model. Using data collected from 101 teams (including both team leaders and team members) in 10 Chinese manufacturing companies, we identified a dual pathway – namely, task reflexivity (i.e., positive pathway) and relationship conflict (i.e., negative pathway) – in the linkage of cognitive diversity and innovative work behaviour (i.e., IWB). Cognitive diversity encouraged IWB via the task reflexivity pathway, but impeded IWB via the relationship conflict pathway. We further demonstrated that perceived support for innovation moderated the relationships between cognitive diversity and task reflexivity/relationship conflict, with cognitive diversity more related to task reflexivity and less related to relationship conflict when perceived support for innovation was high. Moderated mediation effects also indicated that the positive indirect effect of cognitive diversity on IWB through task reflexivity existed only when support for innovation was high and that the negative indirect effect of cognitive diversity on IWB through relationship conflict occurred only when support for innovation was low.

The engineering geological and hydrogeological conditions in the eastern mining area of the Chengchao Iron Mine are analyzed in detail. The results are combined with the results of site investigations and in situ monitoring data, allowing the characteristics of the ground-surface collapse events to be summarized. The mechanism by which ground-surface collapse is induced by underground orebody extraction or de-watering activity was then investigated. The results show that the ground-surface in the mining areas experienced three collapse processes: karst collapse, mixed collapse, and mining-induced collapse. Karst-collapse sinkholes were found during the construction stage of the mine and are generally formed in the marble part of the marble–granite contact zone. These sinkholes show a ‘bead-on-a-string’ distribution, and lines connecting their centers are consistent with the strike of the marble. Such sinkholes are mainly formed due to changes in the dynamic conditions of groundwater caused by de-watering activity. Furthermore, the development level of the collapse mainly depends on the location and scale of the karst caves within the marble. Mixed collapse occurs in the initial mining stage and mainly results from the combined effect of underground orebody excavation and de-watering activity. Mining-induced ground-surface collapse pits mostly develop in the diorite and hornstone and generally show a zonal distribution along the strike of the orebodies from east to west. Mining-induced collapse occurs in the form of chimney caving. First, a caved pipe is formed where the rock masses above the caved zone are highly fractured. Then, the rock masses around the caved pipe gradually cave, and finally a large caved-zone is formed above the mined-out area. Mixed collapse is of particular interest as it is a peculiar type of subsidence involving the superposition of collapse processes related to both mining and karst cavities, and it can provide some instructive insight into the collapsing behavior of the ground-surface.

Maternal exposure to cadmium causes obesity and metabolic changes in the offspring, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-like pathology. However, whether maternal cadmium exposure accelerates liver cancer in the offspring is unknown. This study investigated the impact of early-life exposure to cadmium on the incidence and potential mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in offspring subjected to postweaning HCC induction. HCC in C57BL/6J mice was induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) injection at weaning, followed by a long-term high-fat choline-deficient (HFCD) diet. Before weaning, liver cadmium levels were significantly higher in mice with early-life cadmium exposure than in those without cadmium exposure. However, by 26 and 29 weeks of age, hepatic cadmium fell to control levels, while a significant decrease was observed in copper and iron in the liver. Both male and female cadmium-exposed mice showed increased body weight compared to non-cadmium-treated mice. For females, early-life cadmium exposure also worsened insulin intolerance but did not significantly promote DEN/HFCD diet-induced liver tumors. In contrast, in male mice, early-life cadmium exposure enhanced liver cancer induction by DEN/HFCD with high incidence and larger liver tumors. The liver peritumor tissue of early-life cadmium-exposed mice exhibited greater inflammation and disruption of fatty acid metabolism, accompanied by higher malondialdehyde and lower esterified triglyceride levels compared to mice without cadmium exposure. These findings suggest that early-life exposure to low-dose cadmium accelerates liver cancer development induced by a DEN/HFCD in male mice, probably due to chronic lipotoxicity and inflammation caused by increased uptake but decreased consumption of fatty acids.

A new form of retaining system for use in deep excavations in crowded cities is proposed in this paper. The new system, which we have coined the herringbone retaining system (HRS) involves the use of vertical and batter piles, capping beams, and wales. A numerical study was conducted (using the finite difference tool FLAC3D) to investigate various aspects of the behavior of the new system and reveal the mechanisms responsible for it. The HRS method was compared subsequently to two other commonly-used systems: the cantilever retaining structure (CRS) and horizontal-strutted retaining structure (HSRS). The results show that using the HRS method significantly reduces the deformation of the vertical piles and bending moments acting on them. More specifically, the maximum values of the deformation and bending moment were calculated to be 4.5% and 23.1% of the corresponding CRS values, respectively (the corresponding figures calculated for the HSRS method are 5.3% and 19.7%, respectively), so the HRS and HSRS methods provide similar levels of support. Finally, a real-world application of the system was presented to provide a valuable reference for the future use of HRS.

The prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury has become a key link in the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. In this study, Wistar rats were randomly divided into Sham, low-dose ginsenoside (L-CK), high-dose ginsenoside (H-CK) and nimodipine groups, and the rats in the L-CK, H-CK, and nimodipine groups were intragastrically given the corresponding agents successively once a day for 15 days before surgery. At 1 h after the last administration, a rat cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model was established by suture-occluded method and the effects of ginsenoside CK on the neurological scores, brain tissue water content, brain infarct volume, oxidative stress and inflammation were investigated. The results showed that, compared with those in the model group, the neurological behaviour scores in the L- and H-CK groups, the brain tissue water content in the H-CK group, and the brain infarct volume ratios in the L- and H-CK groups were significantly reduced. Compared with those in the model group, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities increased, whereas the malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased significantly in the brain tissue of the rats in the L- and H-CK groups. Compared with that in the model group, the content of TNF-α in the H-CK group, the content of IL-1β and the expression of HMGB1 protein in the L- and H-CK groups were significantly reduced. These results suggest that ginsenoside CK can protect against cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats, which may be related to its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and HMGB1-expression inhibitory activity.

We aimed to explore the mechanism of pramipexole (PPX) actions in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Genes related to PD and PPX were screened through bioinformatics retrieval. The PD model was constructed by applying 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MMP+). The RNA expression levels of circSNCA, SNCA, apoptosis-related genes (BCL2, CASP3, BAX, PTEN and P53) and miR-7 were detected by qRT-PCR. Protein expression was determined by western blot. The interactions between circSNCA-miR-7-SNCA were verified by dual luciferase assay and immunofluorescence localization. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. SNCA and circSNCA expression levels in PD were downregulated after PPX treatment, consistent with the levels of pro-apoptotic genes. CircSNCA increased SNCA expression by downregulating miR-7 in PD as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA). Lower circSNCA expression was associated with the reduced expression of pro-apoptotic (CASP3, BAX, PTEN and P53) proteins. CircSNCA downregulation could decrease apoptosis and induce autophagy in PD. In conclusion, the downregulation of circSNCA by PPX treatment reduced cell apoptosis and promoted cell autophagy in PD via a mechanism that served as a miR-7 sponge to upregulate SNCA.

Flexural toppling failure (FTF) is one of the main types of toppling failures and frequently occurs in anti-inclined rock slopes. A new UDEC Trigon approach for simulating FTF of a model slope was presented in this paper. FTF of anti-inclined rock slopes characterized by tensile failure of rock columns was successfully captured with the new method. Subsequently, special effort was made to investigate the effects of joint cohesion and joint friction angle on flexural toppling movements' mechanisms. Furthermore, a limit equilibrium method, which can reflect the effects of the joint cohesion, was proposed to quantitatively evaluate the stability of anti-inclined rock slopes against FTF. The results demonstrate that the deformation process of FTF can be divided into three stages: elastic deformation due to cohesion, development of FTF after interlayer slip, and formation of the total failure surface. The inter-column normal forces will suddenly decrease when the failure surface begins to initiate inside the slope, which can be regarded as an instability indicator of anti-inclined rock slopes against FTF. Joint cohesion and joint friction angle were found to have significant effects on the stability of anti-inclined rock slopes, but make an insignificant impact on the shape, location, and formation process of the failure surface. The simulated results indicate that joint cohesion should be considered when using the limit equilibrium method to evaluate the stability of anti-inclined rock slopes against FTF. Inaccurate result will be predicted if the joint cohesion is neglected in the limit equilibrium method.

Background/Aims: We aimed to explore the protective role of curcumin (Cur) in a cell model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and its underlying mechanism. Methods: In this study, genes concerned with PD-related keywords were screened within DiGSeE database. The association network between Cur and selected genes was downloaded from STITCH, with the interactions analyzed by STRING. We built a mitochondrial toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced SH-SY5Y cell model of PD. Cell morphology was observed under an electron microscope. MTT assay was applied to detect cell proliferation rate. Western blot assay was conducted to determine the level of apoptotic markers, including cleaved caspase 3, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (Bcl-xl). Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT) protein levels and dopamine (DA) concentration were identified as dopaminergic neuron markers and measured by western blotting or Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Cur rescued the toxicity effects of MPP+ on SH-SY5Y cells, by controlling morphological change, promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. Of all PD-related genes, HSP90 played an important role in Cur-gene network. HSP90 protein level was elevated by MPP+, whereas Cur could reverse this effect. Silencing of HSP90 significantly attenuated the curative effect introduced by Cur, while HSP90 overexpression enhanced the impact of Cur on PD. Conclusion: Cur can effectively inhibit the toxic effect of MPP+ on SH-SY5Y cells and significantly reduce the adverse effects of MPP+ on dopaminergic neurons via up-regulation of HSP90.

In natural or agricultural environments, plants are constantly exposed to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses. Given the forecasted global climate changes, plants will cope with heat waves, drought periods and pathogens at the same time or consecutively. Heat and drought cause opposing physiological responses, while pathogens may or may not profit from climate changes depending on their lifestyle. Several studies have been conducted to find stress-specific signatures or stress-independent commonalities. Previously this has been done by comparing different single stress treatments. This approach has been proven difficult since most studies, comparing single and combined stress conditions, have come to the conclusion that each stress treatment results in specific transcriptional changes. Although transcriptional changes at the level of individual genes are highly variable and stress-specific, central metabolic and signaling responses seem to be common, often leading to an overall reduced plant growth. Understanding how specific transcriptional changes are linked to stress adaptations and identifying central hubs controlling this interaction will be the challenge for the coming years. In this review, we will summarize current knowledge on plant responses to different individual and combined stresses and try to find a common thread potentially underlying these responses. We will begin with a brief summary of known physiological, metabolic, transcriptional and hormonal responses to individual stresses, elucidate potential commonalities and conflicts and finally we will describe results obtained during combined stress experiments. Here we will concentrate on simultaneous application of stress conditions but we will also touch consequences of sequential stress treatments.

Zhang, H.N.; Chen, Z.Y., Holguin-Veras, J., 2020. Optimization of evaluation model for ocean logistics enterprises based on sparse neural network. In: Bai, X. and Zhou, H. (eds.), Advances in Water Resources, Environmental Protection, and Sustainable Development. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 115, pp. 575-578. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.For a long time, marine transportation is one of the important modes of goods transportation between countries. The development of marine transportation is the embodiment of a country's foreign trade level and marine economic competitiveness, which reflects its position in marine transportation. However, the degree of opening to the outside world is gradually increasing, and the estimation error in the method of logistics volume estimation is also gradually increasing. Neural network algorithm is used in this paper to upgrade the material flow model. According to the operation principle of port logistics and the principle of neural network algorithm, based on the historical data of material flow, the final logistics volume estimation results are carried out. Compared with the traditional method, the logistics quantity model described in this paper improves the efficiency and reduces the error.

Zhang, H. and Chen, Z., 2020. Design of risk guarantee platform for financial support of port logistics industry. In: Yang, Y.; Mi, C.; Zhao, L., and Lam, S. (eds.), Global Topics and New Trends in Coastal Research: Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 103, pp. 749–752. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.With the rapid growth of China's port economic scale, the demand for financial support of port logistics industry is also increasing. In order to reduce the risk of financial support of port logistics industry, the risk guarantee platform design of financial support of port logistics industry is proposed. Through the design of risk assurance server and risk assurance information trigger, the hardware design of the platform is completed; Based on the establishment of risk guarantee model of financial support in port logistics industry and the design of risk guarantee process of financial support in port logistics industry, the software design of the platform is completed and the risk guarantee of financial support in port logistics industry is realized. The experimental results show that the proposed risk guarantee platform can reduce the risk of financial support in port logistics industry.

Block-flexure toppling failure is frequently encountered in rock slopes. In this paper, we first proposed two theoretical models to calculate the factor of safety against block-flexure toppling, namely, step by step analysis model (LEM-SSAM) and overall analysis model (LEM-OAM). Then, we developed two special MATLAB codes for a quick stability estimation based on the proposed methods, respectively. Next, the universal distinct element code (UDEC) was used to study the failure mechanisms of block-flexure toppling. In order to realistically simulate the excavation of slope and obtain the detailed damage information of joints, we developed two FISH functions in UDEC. Finally, we conducted a comparative analysis of the limit equilibrium method and the numerical simulations through twelve theoretical models. The results show that many aspects of block-flexure toppling failure have been captured using UDEC combined with the developed FISH functions. The LEM-OAM and UDEC agree well while a larger factor of safety is obtained using the LEM-SSAM. It is found that the dip angles and friction angles of the joints dipping steeply into face have a great influence on block-flexure toppling failure while the influence of the cross joint spacing is less significant.

We present and test a self-consistency theory framework for gossip: that perceived negative workplace gossip influences our self-perceptions and, in turn, this influences our behaviors. Using supervisor-subordinate dyadic time-lagged data (n = 403), we demonstrated that perceived negative workplace gossip adversely influenced target employees’ organization-based self-esteem, which, in turn, influenced their citizenship behavior directed at the organization and at its members. Moreover, by integrating victimization theory into our framework, we further demonstrated that negative affectivity, an individual’s dispositional tendency, not only moderated the self-consistency process but also predicted perceived negative workplace gossip. Our study therefore shifts attention to the target of negative workplace gossip and in doing so offers a promising new direction for future research. Implications to theory and practice are discussed. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Endometrial cancer tends to be an aggressive malignancy. Although the disease prognosis can be good at the early stages of disease, the advanced condition is not curable. Chemotherapy regimens and hormone-based therapy in combination with surgery are major approaches for the management of endometrial cancers. However, intrinsic chemoresistance reduces the success rate and increases the possibility of disease relapse. Investigation of underlying mechanisms revealed altered activation of PI3K/AKT, MAPK, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), mTOR and WNT pathways and reduced gene expression of tumor suppressor p53 in recurrent endometrial cancer. A PTEN mutation, deletion or degradation induces positive p-AKT expression, while PI3K knock-down increases the level of pro-apoptotic proteins and decreases the level of anti-apoptotic ones in cancerous cells. Additionally, RAS proteins trigger both the RAF-MEK-ERK and PI3K-PTEN-AKT signalling mechanisms, thus conferring resistance to anti-tumor agents. FGF up-regulates angiogenesis via receptor-mediated tyrosine kinase activation. Single nucleotide polymorphism, gene amplification or missense mutations of FGFR2 are associated with endometrial cancer. The mTOR complex integrates the nutrient and mitogen signals via AMPKs, S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and eukaryotic initiation factors, causing unrestricted endometrial cellular proliferation. WNT signalling molecules, such as frizzled receptors, β-catenin, PORCN, RSPO3 and DKK1 undergo dysregulation, and drugs targeting these pathways are under clinical trials in patients with endometrial cancer. Common therapies for endometrial tumor include platinum-based anti-neoplastics, taxanes, nucleoside analogues, immune modulators, FGFR and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, small-molecule mTOR inhibitors and drugs that trigger cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Taken together, the current review elucidates the mechanism underlying endometrial cancer, existing therapies and chemoresistance, and points towards the need for novel therapeutics that may promote disease-free survival.

The present study investigated the crossover effects of employee perceptions of servant leadership and job social support on the family satisfaction and quality of family life experienced by the employees’ spouses. These effects were explored through a focus on the mediating role of employee organization-based self-esteem (OBSE). Results from a three-wave field survey of 199 employee–spouse dyads in the People’s Republic of China support our hypotheses, indicating that OBSE fully mediates the positive effects of servant leadership and job social support on family satisfaction and quality of family life. These findings provide new theoretical directions for work–family research.

In contrast to traditional strategic approaches that are based on complexity reduction, this paper aims to develop an alternative way of understanding entrepreneurial strategy and managing complexity from a processual perspective. The new perspective is developed from a processual perspective integrating insights from an understanding of complexity to engage with philosophical accounts of Chinese processual thought particularly as it is applied to entrepreneurial strategy. The new theoretical framework is empirically investigated through case studies of 30 entrepreneurial organizations in China. The findings confirm that timing and action, context/situation, and efficacy are the three key components in complexity absorption as preferred entrepreneurial strategic approaches.

A new cobalt(II)–organic framework, [Co{sub 2}(L)(py){sub 2}(DMSO)]{sub n}• 0.5nDMF• 2nDMSO (1) [H{sub 4}L=5,5'-((naphthalene-2,6-dicarbonyl)bis(azanediyl))diisophthalic acid, py=pyridine, DMSO=dimethyl sulfoxide, DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide], has been solvothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TGA, PXRD and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The structural analysis reveals that complex 1 is a 3D framework built from nanosized acylamide-containing tetracarboxylate ligands (L{sup 4−}) and dinuclear [Co{sub 2}(CO{sub 2}){sub 4}] secondary building units (SBUs), exhibiting a uninodal (4,4)-connected crb topology with the Schlafli symbol of (4• 6{sup 5}). The desolvated complex (1a) displays higher adsorption capability for CO{sub 2} than N{sub 2}, which may be due to the relatively strong binding affinity between the CO{sub 2} molecules and acylamide groups in the framework. The magnetic investigation shows that the dominant antiferromagnetic interaction is observed in complex 1. - Graphical abstract: A new 3D Co(II)–organic framework with nanosized acylamide-containing tetracarboxylate ligand was solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized, its thermal stability, gas adsorption and magnetic property were studied. - Highlights: • A new 3D Co(II)–organic framework with nanosized acylamide-containing tetracarboxylate ligand has been solvothermally synthesized and characterized. • Complex 1 exhibits a uninodal (4,4)-connected crb topology. • The thermal stability, gas adsorption and magnetic property were studied.

The title complex, {[Ni(C15H11N4O2S)2(C10H8N2)(H2O)2]·H2O}n, was synthesized by the reaction of nickel chloride, 4-{[(1-phenyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)sulfanyl]methyl}benzoic acid (HL) and 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) under hydrothermal conditions. The asymmetric unit contains two half NiIIions, each located on an inversion centre, twoL−ligands, one bpy ligand, two coordinated water molecules and one unligated water molecule. Each NiIIcentre is six-coordinated by two monodentate carboxylate O atoms from two differentL−ligands, two pyridine N atoms from two different bpy ligands and two terminal water molecules, displaying a nearly ideal octahedral geometry. The NiIIions are bridged by 4,4′-bipyridine ligands to afford a linear array, with an Ni...Ni separation of 11.361 (1) Å, which is further decorated by two monodentateL−ligandstransto each other, resulting in a one-dimensional fishbone-like chain structure. These one-dimensional fishbone-like chains are further linked by O—H...O, O—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions to form a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture. The thermal stability of the title complex was investigatedviathermogravimetric analysis.

C3 plant Reaumuria soongorica and C4 plant Salsola passerina are super xerophytes and coexist in a mixed community in either isolated or associated growth, and interspecific facilitation occurs in associated growth. In the present study, the root traits including root distribution, root length (RL), root surface area (RSA), root weight (RW) and specific root length (SRL) of both species in two growth forms were investigated to clarify their response to facilitation in associated growth. Six isolated plants of each species, as well as six associated plants similar in size and development were selected during the plant growing season, and their roots were excavated at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50 cm soil depths at the end of the growing season. All the roots of each plant were separated into the two categories of fine roots (

The existing researches of the magnetic liquid rotation seal have been mainly oriented to the seal at normal temperature and the seal with the smaller shaft diameter less than 100 mm. However, the large-diameter magnetic liquid rotation seal at low temperature has not been reported both in theory and in application up to now. A key factor restricting the application of the large-diameter magnetic liquid rotation seal at low temperature is the high breakaway torque. In this paper, the factors that influence the breakaway torque including the number of seal stages, the injected quantity of magnetic liquid and the standing time at normal temperature are studied. Two kinds of magnetic liquid with variable content of large particles are prepared first, and a seal feedthrough with 140 mm shaft diameter is used in the experiments. All experiments are carried out in a low temperature chamber with a temperature range from 200°C to −100°C. Different numbers of seal stages are tested under the same condition to study the relation between the breakaway torque and the number of seal stages. Variable quantity of magnetic liquid is injected in the seal gap to get the relation curve of the breakaway torque and the injecting quantity of magnetic liquid. In the experiment for studying the relation between the breakaway torque and the standing time at the normal temperature, the seal feedtrough is laid at normal temperature for different period of time before it is put in the low temperature chamber. The experimental results show that the breakaway torque is proportional to the number of seal stages, the injected quantity of magnetic liquid and the standing time at the normal temperature. Meanwhile, the experimental results are analyzed and the torque formula of magnetic liquid rotation seal at low temperature is deduced from the Navier-Stokes equation on the base of the model of magnetic liquid rotation seal. The presented research can make wider application of the magnetic liquid seal in general. And the large-diameter magnetic liquid rotation seal at low temperature designed by using present research results are to be used in some special fields, such as the military field, etc.

The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating roles of hostile attribution bias and negative reciprocity beliefs in the relationship between workplace incivility, as perceived by employees, and their interpersonal deviance. Data were collected using a three-wave survey research design. Participants included 233 employees from a large manufacturing company in China. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to test the hypothesized relationships. Our study revealed that hostile attribution bias and negative reciprocity beliefs strengthened the positive relationship between workplace incivility and interpersonal deviance. This relationship was the most positive when both hostile attribution bias and negative reciprocity beliefs were high. The findings provided evidence that directing employees to depress hostile attribution bias and negative reciprocity beliefs may attenuate the effects of workplace incivility on interpersonal deviance. Implications for theory, research, and management practice are discussed.

A new thiotetrazole compound, 4-((1-phenyl-1H-tetrazol-5-ylthio)methyl) benzoic acid (1), has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, 1H and 13C NMR, ESI-MS, FT-IR, UV–vis, fluorescence spectra, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The structural analysis reveals that compound 1 adopts a nonplanar geometric structure and exhibits an extensive but not uniform π delocalization with all members of the tetrazolyl ring and the exocyclic sulfur atom. A density functional theory (DFT) calculation at B3LYP/6-31G** level of theory was performed to elucidate the structure of this thiotetrazole system. And the time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations of absorption spectra reveal two electron-transition bands derived from the contribution of π → π* transitions, which are in agreement with experimental results. Moreover, compound 1 exhibits a blue-light emission (λem = 441 nm) in the solid state at room temperature. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:435–443, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.21034