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• Graphene improves the electrical conductivity of iron phthalocyanine molecules. • The iron phthalocyanine exhibits different OER activity on various graphene substrates. • The defective graphene most promoted the OER activity with potential of 0.45 V. • The activity origin is the moderate adsorption of oxygen-containing intermediate by iron atoms. Electrolysis of water is a clean, sustainable and efficient way to produce hydrogen, and will be indispensable among the production of renewable energy in the future. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays a key role of water decomposition. Here, we attached iron phthalocyanine to graphene, and explored the influence of different graphene substrates to catalytic activity using the first-principles methods based on density functional theory. Graphene improves the dispersion and electrical conductivity of iron phthalocyanine molecules, and facilitates its OER activity. The introduction of substrate promotes the electron transfer between FePc and the oxygen-containing intermediates. The results indicated that the iron phthalocyanine exhibits different OER activity on various graphene substrates, among which the defective graphene most promoted the OER activity. The improved activity is originated from the axial interaction between the iron and carbon atoms on the defective graphene, leading to a moderate adsorption of oxygen-containing intermediates. Our study provides a reference for the regulation of molecular catalyst activity. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on the outcomes of restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) are limited, when the condition is complicated with arrhythmia. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), ventricular tachycardia (VT) and bradycardia (BC) and their impact on adverse outcomes (intra-cardiac thrombus, stroke and systematic embolism [SSE], heart failure and death) of RCM. Methods and Results: The retrospective cohort study used data collected from the Beijing Municipal Health Commission Information Center (BMHCIC) database from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2020. There were 745 (64.9%) patients with AF, 117 (10.2%) patients with VT and 311 (27.1%) patients with bradycardia. The presence of AF was associated with an increased risk of SSE (adjusted HR:1.37, 95%CI:1.02–1.83, p = 0.04) and heart failure (aHR:1.36, 95%CI:1.17–1.58, p < 0.001). VT was associated with an increased risk of intracardiac thrombus (aHR:2.34, 95%CI:1.36–4.01, p = 0.002) and death (aHR:2.07, 95%CI:1.19–3.59, p = 0.01). Bradycardia did not increase the adverse outcomes in RCM. The results remained consistent and steady when AF, VT and bradycardia were adjusted as competing factors. Conclusions: Cardiac arrhythmia are highly prevalent and associated with adverse outcomes in patients with RCM. AF and VT are more likely to be associated with intracardiac thrombosis, and the presence of AF increased the risk of SSE and HF. The presence of VT increased the risk of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A fundamental challenge for the visual system is to integrate visual features into a coherent scene, known as the binding problem. The neural mechanisms of feature binding are hard to identify because of difficulties in separating active feature binding from feature co-occurrence. In previous studies on feature binding [1–5], visual features were superimposed and presented simultaneously. Neurons throughout the visual cortex are known to code multiple features [6]. Therefore, the observed binding effects could be due to the physical co-occurrence of features and the sensory representation of feature pairings. It is uncertain whether the mechanisms responsible for perceptual binding were actually recruited [7, 8]. To address this issue, we performed psychophysical and fMRI experiments to investigate the neural mechanisms of a steady-state misbinding of color and motion [9], because feature misbinding is probably the most striking evidence for the active existence of the binding mechanisms [10]. We found that adapting to the color-motion misbinding generated the color-contingent motion aftereffect, as well as the color-contingent motion adaptation effect in visual cortex. Notably, V2 exhibited the strongest adaptation effect, which significantly correlated with the aftereffect across subjects. Furthermore, effective connectivity analysis using dynamic causal modeling showed that the misbinding was closely associated with enhanced feedback from V4 and V5 to V2. These findings provide strong evidence for active feature binding in early visual cortex and suggest a critical role of reentrant connections from specialized intermediate areas to early visual cortex in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrated mechanism of the catalytic oxidation of NO by NO on the metal-free support of nitrogen doped graphene (NG) is investigated using density function theory calculations. The results indicate that the NO can be intensively adsorbed on NG support, while the NO, N, NO are all weakly adsorbed. In the oxidation process, a two-step mechanism is identified: the dissociation of NO followed by the oxidation of NO with the dissociative O-atom. The present work suggests that the NG support, as a high-efficient and metal-free catalyst, is one of the promising candidates for removing the nitrogen oxides gases exhaust. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Surface alloying could stabilize the supported monolayer structure. • Alloy monolayers on tungsten carbide exhibit enhanced HER activity. • The doping modes and ratio play an important role in modulating the stability and activity. • Superior HER activity of Cu 2 Au 7 d@WC(0001) is identified. Rational design of supported catalysts with alloy monolayer on suitable substrate is of crucial importance for reducing the cost and enhancing the catalytic activity. In this work, the reactivity of Cu-Au alloy monolayer supported on WC for HER is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and the results are compared with those of the supported pure monolayer ones. It is found that the Cu-Au alloy monolayers on WC exhibit enhanced stability and tunable HER activity. Superior activity of Cu 2 Au 7 d@WC(0001) for HER (ΔG = 0.007 eV) is identified according to the calculated Gibbs free energy and the exchange current density. Geometric and electronic analyses enable to a deep understanding on the important role of the specific configuration and ratio of Cu and Au for moderate H adsorption. Cu doping leads to the synergistic ligand and stress effects in the alloy systems, which further optimize the adsorption characters and the charge redistribution around the dopants, which is essential to the high HER activity. The present study sheds light on the significance of alloy effects on tuning the geometric stability and electronic properties as well as the catalytic activity, which may benefit to the rational design and development of supported alloy materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] One-step electrodeposition method to prepare RGO/PbS-TiO2 NTs is simple and green. [•] A heterogeneous, stable and eco-friendly reusable photocatalyst is utilized. [•] The ternary photocatalyst enhances photoinduced charges separation. [•] The photocatalyst displays almost 100% photocatalytic removal of PCP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This report summarizes our study of Neutral Current (NC)-induced photon production in MiniBooNE, as motivated by the low energy excess in this experiment [A.A. Aquilar-Arevalo et al., MiniBooNE Collaboration, Phys. Rev. Lett. 98 (2007) 231801; A.A. Aquilar-Arevalo et al., MiniBooNE Collaboration, Phys. Rev. Lett. 103 (2009) 111801]. It was proposed that NC photon production with two anomalous photon-Z boson-vector meson couplings might explain the excess. However, our computed event numbers in both neutrino and antineutrino runs are consistent with the previous MiniBooNE estimate that is based on their pion production measurement. Various nuclear effects discussed in our previous works, including nucleon Fermi motion, Pauli blocking, and the Δ resonance broadening in the nucleus, are taken into account. Uncertainty due to the two anomalous terms and nuclear effects are studied in a conservative way. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Evidence for object-based attention typically comes from studies using displays with visible objects, and little is known about whether object-based attention can occur with invisible objects. We investigated this issue with a modified double-rectangle cuing paradigm, which was originally developed by Egly et al. (J Exp Psychol Gen 123:161-177, ). In this study, low-contrast rectangles were presented very briefly, which rendered them invisible to subjects. With the invisible rectangles, we found a classical object-based attentional effect as indexed by the same-object effect. We also found the instantaneous object effect-object-based attention was dependent on the orientation of the rectangles presented with the target, providing evidence for the dynamic updating hypothesis (Ho and Yeh in Acta Psychol 132:31-39, ). These results suggest that object-based attention can be guided by an invisible object in an automatic way, with a minimal influence from high-level top-down control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The neutrinoproduction of photons and pions from nucléons and nuclei is relevant to the background analysis in neutrino-oscillation experiments [for example, the MiniBooNE; MiniBooNE Collaboration, A. A. Aquilar-Arevalo et ai, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 032301 (2008)]. The production from nucléons and incoherent production with Ev ≤ 0.5 GeV have been studied in B. D. Serot and X. Zhang, Phys. Rev. C 86, 015501 (2012); and X. Zhang and B. D. Serot, Phys. Rev. C 86, 035502 (2012). Purpose: Study coherent productions with Ev ≤ 0.5 GeV. Also address the contributions of two contact terms in neutral current (NC) photon production that are partially related to the proposed anomalous ω(ρ), Ζ boson, and photon interactions. Methods: We work in the framework of a Lorentz-covariant effective field theory (EFT), which contains nucléons, pions, the Δ (1232) (As), isoscalar scalar (σ) and vector (ω) fields, and isovector vector (p) fields, and incorporates a nonlinear realization of (approximate) SU(2)L SU(2)R chiral symmetry. A revised version of the so-called "optimal approximation" is applied, where one-nucleon interaction amplitude is factorized out and the medium-modifications and pion wave function distortion are included. The calculation is tested against the coherent pion photoproduction data. Results: The computation shows an agreement with the pion photoproduction data, although precisely determining the Δ modification is entangled with one mentioned contact term. The uncertainty in the Δ modification leads to uncertainties in both pion and photon neutrinoproductions. In addition, the contact term plays a significant role in NC photon production. Conclusions: First, the contact term increases NC photon production by ~10% assuming a reasonable range of the contact coupling, which however seems not significant enough to explain the MiniBooNE excess. A high energy computation is needed to gain a firm conclusion and will be presented elsewhere. Second, the behavior of coherent neutrinoproductions computed here is significantly different from the expectation at high energy by ignoring the vector current contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the incoherent neutrinoproduction of photons and pions with neutrino energy Ev ≤ 0.5 GeV. These processes are relevant to the background analysis in neutrino-oscillation experiments [for example, MiniBooNE; A. A. Aquilar-Arevalo et al. (MiniBooNE Collaboration), Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 032301 (2008)]. The calculations are carried out using a Lorentz-covariant effective field theory (EFT), which contains nucléons, pions, the Delta (1232) (Δ), isoscalar scalar (σ) and vector (ω) fields, and isovector vector (p) fields, and has SU(2)L SU(2)R chiral symmetry realized nonlinearly. The contributions of one-body currents are studied in the local Fermi gas approximation. The current form factors are generated by meson dominance in the EFT Lagrangian. The conservation of the vector current and the partial conservation of the axial current are satisfied automatically, which is crucial for photon production. The Δ dynamics in nuclei, as a key component in the study, is explored. Introduced Δ-meson couplings explain the Δ spin-orbit coupling in nuclei, and this leads to interesting constraints on the theory. Meanwhile, a phenomenological approach is applied to parametrize the Δ width. To benchmark our approximations, we calculate the differential cross sections for quasielastic scattering and incoherent electroproduction of pions without a final-state interaction (FSI). The FSI can be ignored for photon production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this Letter we study the jet response (particularly azimuthal anisotropy) as a hard probe of the harmonic fluctuations in the initial condition of central heavy ion collisions. By implementing the fluctuations via cumulant expansion for various harmonics quantified by and using the geometric model for jet energy loss, we compute the response . Combining these results with the known hydrodynamic response of the bulk matter expansion in the literature, we show that the hard–soft azimuthal correlation arising from their respective responses to the common geometric fluctuations reveals a robust and narrow near-side peak that may provide the dominant contribution to the “hard-ridge” observed in experimental data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The bottom-up contribution to the allocation of exogenous attention is a saliency map, whose neural substrate is hard to identify because of possible contamination by top-down signals. We obviated this possibility using stimuli that observers could not perceive, but that nevertheless, through orientation contrast between foreground and background regions, attracted attention to improve a localized visual discrimination. When orientation contrast increased, so did the degree of attraction, and two physiological measures: the amplitude of the earliest (C1) component of the ERP, which is associated with primary visual cortex, and fMRI BOLD signals in areas V1–V4 (but not the intraparietal sulcus). Significantly, across observers, the degree of attraction correlated with the C1 amplitude and just the V1 BOLD signal. These findings strongly support the proposal that a bottom-up saliency map is created in V1, challenging the dominant view that the saliency map is generated in the parietal cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new ZnTe modified TiO2 nanotube (NT) array catalyst was prepared by pulse potential electrodeposition of ZnTe nanoparticles (NPs) onto TiO2 NT arrays, and its application for photocatalytic degradation of anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (9-AnCOOH) was investigated. The even distribution of ZnTe NPs was well-proportionately grown on the top surface of the TiO2 NT while without clogging the tube entrances. Compared with the unmodified TiO2 NT, the ZnTe modified TiO2 NT (ZnTe/TiO2 NT) showed significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity towards 9-AnCOOH under simulated solar light. After 70min of irradiation, 9-AnCOOH was degraded with the removal ratio of 45% on the bare TiO2 NT, much lower than 80%, 90%, and 100% on the ZnTe/TiO2 NT with the ZnTe NPs prepared under the pulsed “on” potentials of −0.8, −1.0, and −2.0V, respectively. The increased photodegradation efficiency mainly results from the improved photocurrent density as results of enhanced visible-light absorption and decreased hole–electron recombination due to the presence of narrow-band-gap p-type semiconductor ZnTe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Renewable energy technologies offer an economically viable and environmentally suitable scenario towards addressing energy requirements for rural livelihoods. China''s Renewable Energy Rural Electrification Program, initiated in 2001, is an effort to employ renewable energy technologies on a large-scale for rural electrification. The Program has been designed with several stages. This paper firstly offers an analysis of the problems encountered during the progress of this rural electrification program, using data obtained from field survey of representative areas in western China where the first stage of the program was implemented. The paper then explores feasible solutions in order to address existing rural energy issues and provide long-term reliable energy service for remote communities. In support of future course of development of renewable energy application for rural energy demands, policy recommendations are provided. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) is one of the dietary fibers that may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol and/or glucose metabolism, but its efficacy and mode of action remain unclear. Methods: In the present study, we examined the anti-hyperglycemic effect of α-CD after oral loading of glucose and liquid meal in mice. Results: Administration of 2 g/kg α-CD suppressed hyperglycemia after glucose loading, which was associated with increased glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion and enhanced hepatic glucose sequestration. By contrast, 1 g/kg α-CD similarly suppressed hyperglycemia, but without increasing secretions of GLP-1 and insulin. Furthermore, oral α-CD administration disrupts lipid micelle formation through its inclusion of lecithin in the gut luminal fluid. Importantly, prior inclusion of α-CD with lecithin in vitro nullified the anti-hyperglycemic effect of α-CD in vivo, which was associated with increased intestinal mRNA expressions of SREBP2-target genes (Ldlr, Hmgcr, Pcsk9, and Srebp2). Conclusions: α-CD elicits its anti-hyperglycemic effect after glucose loading by inducing lecithin inclusion in the gut lumen and activating SREBP2, which is known to induce cholecystokinin secretion to suppress hepatic glucose production via a gut/brain/liver axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a common malignant tumor. Laminin 5γ2 chain (LAMC2) was reported to be associated with tumorigenesis. This study explored the role of LAMC2 on LSCC progression by regulating the integrinβ1/FAK/Src/AKT pathway. Methods. The level of LAMC2 in 46 LSCC patients was detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. Then the relationship between LAMC2 expression and LSCC malignancy as well as prognosis was analyzed, and the effect of LAMC2 expression on LSCC patient survival was also analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier survival curves. Afterwards, the LSCC cells were transfected with LAMC2 overexpression and knockdown vectors, the effect of LAMC2 on LSCC cell viability, proliferation ability, cell cycle, cell migration, and invasion were detected by CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing, and Transwell assays. The expression of EMT-related biomarkers and integrin β1/FAK/Src/AKT signaling-related proteins was detected by western blot. Moreover, the effect of LAMC2 on LSCC tumor growth was evaluated by in vivo xenograft experiments and western blot. Results. LAMC2 was expressed at high level in LSCC tissues and associated with poor prognosis. LAMC2 overexpression increased TU177 cell viability, proliferation ability, promoted cell cycle, cell migration, and invasion capacity. The expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, and integrinβ1/FAK/Src/AKT related proteins was increased, while the expression of E-cadherin protein was decreased. When the LAMC2 knockdown in AMC-HN-8 cells had opposite effects. Furthermore, shLAMC2 decreased tumor volume and the expression of LAMC2, Ki-67 and integrinβ1, but increased the expression of E-cadherin in LSCC tumor-bearing mice. Conclusion. The findings suggested that LAMC2 was overexpressed in LSCC and correlated with poor prognosis. LAMC2 knockdown inhibited LSCC progression by regulating the integrinβ1/FAK/Src/AKT signaling pathway. Therefore, LAMC2 could be a target for LSCC therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) observations have recently revealed seep dolomite deposits covering the seafloor on Middle Dongsha of the South China Sea (SCS). Spurred by these findings, we studied the mineralogical and geochemical properties to examine the seep dolomite's origin, precipitation mechanism, and formation environment. These carbonates mainly comprise dolomite (from 64 to 84 wt%), followed by small amounts of calcite (from 1 to 3 wt%), locally containing magnesite (∼4 wt%), and goethite (∼14 wt%). Extensively developed mineralized cells containing high Mg and Ca contents found in chimneys imply that microbially-mediated processes probably participated in the reactivation of dolomite precipitation. The moderate and concentrated δ13C values (from −36.64 to −39.16‰, V-PDB) indicated that the carbon in carbonates was mainly derived from thermogenic methane. The methane fluids most likely ascended beneath the volcaniclastic unit and inherited enriched positive Eu anomalies due to fluid–rock interactions during their seepage along tectonic faults to the seafloor. The δ18O values (4.2–4.8‰, V-PDB) of carbonate suggested that an 18O-depleted fluid was involved in carbonate precipitation. The high total Rare-Earth Element contents (ΣREE) of seep carbonates varied from 61 ppm to 92 ppm, reflecting the chemical composition of surrounding pore waters at the time of carbonate precipitation, exhibiting less mixing with seawater. It may also indicate higher alkalinity and pH of the pore water. Although the sea-like REE patterns (HREE-enriched, negative Ce anomalies) are not caused by seawater, they may be due to the complexation competition between humic acid (HA) and carbonate for REE at high pore-water alkalinity and high CO 3 2− concentrations. This is consistent with the dolomite chimney pointing toward a formation environment in relatively deep sediments, in particular, close to the sulfate-methane interface in sediments, where the bicarbonate concentration reaches its maximum due to AOM. Moderate Mo and no U enrichments appeared in the carbonates, suggesting a relatively lower intensity of methane seepages with relatively reduced AOM rates. The wide range of (Mo/U) EF values and U–Mo covariation indicates the very dynamic AOM rate (slow to moderate) and redox conditions (mostly suboxic–anoxic, occasionally sulfidic conditions) during carbonate formation due to episodically changing seepage activity. [Display omitted] • Ancient cold seep chimneys in the M-Dongsha area contain dolomite as a dominant carbonate phase. • REE patterns reflect a higher alkalinity and pH of pore waters. • Mo-U element compositions indicates lower intensity seepages, dynamic AOM rate and environment. • Formed in a semi-closed microbially-mediated sediments environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We elucidated the factors, evolution, and compensation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates under dual pressure from the intra-host environment and anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) drugs. This retrospective case-control study included 337 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis from 15 clinics in Tianjin, China, with phenotypic drug susceptibility testing results available for at least two time points between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2016. Patients in the case group exhibited acquired AMR to isoniazid (INH) or rifampicin (RIF), while those in the control group lacked acquired AMR. The whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted on 149 serial longitudinal MTB isolates from 46 patients who acquired or reversed phenotypic INH/RIF-resistance during treatment. The genetic basis, associated factors, and intra-host evolution of acquired phenotypic INH/RIF-resistance were elucidated using a combined analysis. Anti-TB interruption duration of ≥30 days showed association with acquired phenotypic INH/RIF resistance (aOR = 2·2, 95% CI, 1·0–5·1) and new rpoB mutations (p = 0·024). The MTB evolution was 1·2 (95% CI, 1·02–1·38) single nucleotide polymorphisms per genome per year under dual pressure from the intra-host environment and anti-TB drugs. AMR-associated mutations occurred before phenotypic AMR appearance in cases with acquired phenotypic INH (10 of 16) and RIF (9 of 22) resistances. Compensatory evolution may promote the fixation of INH/RIF-resistance mutations and affect phenotypic AMR. The TB treatment should be adjusted based on gene sequencing results, especially in persistent culture positivity during treatment, which highlights the clinical importance of WGS in identifying reinfection and AMR acquisition before phenotypic drug susceptibility testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2016, the ATOMKI collaboration announced [Phys. Rev. Lett. 116 , 042501 (2016)] observing an unexpected enhancement of the e + - e − pair production signal in one of the Be 8 nuclear transitions induced by an incident proton beam on a 7Li target. Many beyond-standard-model physics explanations have subsequently been proposed. One popular theory is that the anomaly is caused by the creation of a protophobic vector boson (X) with a mass around 17 MeV [e.g. Phys. Rev. Lett. 117 , 071803 (2016)] in the nuclear transition. We study this hypothesis by deriving an isospin relation between photon and X couplings to nucleons. This allows us to find simple relations between protophobic X -production cross sections and those for measured photon production. The net result is that X production is dominated by direct transitions induced by E 1 X and L 1 X (transverse and longitudinal electric dipoles) and C 1 X (charge dipole) without going through any nuclear resonance (i.e. Bremsstrahlung radiation) with a smooth energy dependence that occurs for all proton beam energies above threshold. This contradicts the experimental observations and invalidates the protophobic vector boson explanation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improved electron acceptability of phthalocyanine/ketjenblack compounds can enhance the adsorption strength of the *COOH and inhibit the rival HER in ECR, thus showing extremely high synergistic catalytic activity for converting CO 2 to CO. • NiPc/KB was synthesized by a rapid and facile one-step in-situ π-π stacking method. • TOF for converting CO 2 to CO is enhanced by greater than 251 times. • Faradaic efficiency for CO reaches to 98.2%. • DFT calculations reveal the synergistic catalytic processes of NiPc/KB in ECR. Designing a facile and high-yield strategy to prepare highly active and selective electrocatalysts for CO 2 reduction is beneficial to the industrial application. However, there are still many challenges in catalyst preparation. Besides, further mechanism studies on catalytic process for enhancing CO 2 reduction are not clear. Herein, We have found that nickel phthalocyanine facilely incorporated into defect-rich ketjenblack by π-π stacking method can greatly improve its ECR performance. Nickel phthalocyanine/ketjenblack compounds show high selectivity and activity, 251 times turnover frequency for converting CO 2 to CO compared to pristine nickel phthalocyanine, and keep above FE CO of 90% under large potentials regions from −0.65 to −1.05 V vs RHE. Fundamentally density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that nickel phthalocyanine molecules anchored onto ketjenblack enhance the electron acceptability, decrease the formation energy of the *COOH and inhibit the rival hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), thus showing extremely high synergistic catalytic properties in ECR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalysts that can effectively capture and convert CO are important to alleviate the CO poisoning of fuel cells. In this work, we demonstrate that Ag 3 Pd alloy on WC substrate (Ag 3 Pd/WC) is promising in improving the adsorption and oxidation of CO. The electronic properties of Ag 3 Pd/WC are studied and compared with other catalysts in detail to unveil the underlying physics. The oxidation of CO on Ag 3 Pd/WC (0001) prefers to proceed efficiently through the L-H mechanism. The bimetallic alloy overlayer supported on WC would open a new perspective in designing of high-performance catalysts with low content of noble metal and high resistance to CO poisoning. Image 1 • The Ag 3 Pd alloy decorated WC(0001) surface exhibits good stability. • The Ag 3 Pd/WC catalyst dramatically enhanced the capture of CO compared to AgML/WC catalyst. • The rate-determining step of CO oxidation on Ag 3 Pd/WC(0001) is clarified. • The Ag 3 Pd/WC catalyst shows a good catalytic activity for CO oxidation though the L-H mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Refractory high-entropy alloy nanocomposites (HEA-NPs) are important class of materials with unique structure and potential applications. Although several synthetic methods have been reported, developing novel routes to prepare nanoscale HEA-based catalysts facilely is still urgently desired. This work takes advantage of confinement assisted arc and plasma shock (APS) to prepare a series of HEA-NPs by regulating the type and proportion of metal precursors. The phase constitutes and morphology of the HEA-NPs are fully characterized. The prepared refractory HEA-NPs possesses five highly dispersed metal components, including titanium (Ti), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo) and simultaneously exhibits an uniform hexagonal morphology of nanocrystals. By taking advantage of its unique corrosion resistance, TiNbTaCrMo HEA-NPs can function as a promising candidate for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in natural seawater. And its catalytic performance after alloying is significantly enhanced compared with the elemental metal. Theoretically, the promoted HER activity can be attributed to the strong adsorption for the various metal components in HEA-NPs caused by the upshifting d -band center close to the Fermi level. Furthermore, this confinement strategy can be further extended to synthesize other HEA-NPs. Our strategy provides a novel method to synthesize various HEA-NPs for further catalytic application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A CFD code and a Sub-channel code were coupled based on a generic architecture. • The generic coupling architecture adopted was presented. • The data transfer method and the transient calculation stability were checked. This paper describes a multi-scale thermal–hydraulic coupling system, which combines the capabilities of the open-source TrioCFD code and of the sub-channel code SubChanFlow (SCF) aiming to improve the description and prediction of the multi-scale thermal–hydraulic physical phenomenon inside the reactor vessel. This is a parallel coupling system based on the ICoCo (Interface for Code Coupling) concept, where each code is first wrapped by the ICoCo interface and then it is compiled to a shared library. A parallel C++ script was developed as the supervisor, which utilizes the two shared libraries and supervises the calculation of the coupled system. The MEDCoupling libraries developed by CEA provide a generic way to handle the mesh interpolation and field mapping between different domains of TrioCFD and SCF. Moreover, the explicit temporal coupling method and the domain-decomposition approach are adopted and presented in this paper. An academic problem is developed to test the multi-scale coupling code. The results indicate that the inter-code data exchange works well and that the coupled code TrioCFD/SCF can deal with various time-dependent boundary conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new nuclear reactor simulating tool – TRACE/TrioCFD was developed based on the ICoCo interface, by forming a parallel server-client system. The domain-overlapping and operator-splitting time advancing methods were adopted. A new DIAS methods and 3td party library – MEDCoupling was applied. • The simulation tool – TRACE/TrioCFD-ICoCo for thermal-hydraulic analysis of the nuclear power system was developed. • A novel domain-overlapping approach is applied. • A DIAS method is developed for this coupled code. • A 3rd-party library – MEDCoupling is used to handle the field mapping between different thermal domains of the codes. • Validation against the VVER-1000 coolant mixing benchmark indicates the right implementation of coupled code. The paper describes the development and validation of a coupled code for nuclear power systems. It involves the best-estimate system thermal-hydraulic code – TRACE and an open-source CFD code – TrioCFD - based on a standardized interface called ICoCo (Interface for Code Coupling). It is a typical server-client system coordinated by a newly developed C++ supervisor. TRACE is now equipped with a unique ICoCo module, with which, TRACE is subdivided into several functional components and several meshes are developed for the 3D vessel component of TRACE. The coupled code adopts a domain-overlapping approach for the spatial coupling. A 3rd-party library named MEDCoupling handles the mesh interpolation and field mapping. A novel DIAS method (Dynamic-Implicit-Additional-Source) was developed to defines the principles of properly using the translated data from one code to the other. An explicit OS (Operator Splitter) method was developed for the temporal coupling to control the data synchronization during time advancement. The coupled code was validated against a VVER-1000 3D coolant-mixing problem. The temperature distributions at the vessel hot-legs and the core outlet predicted by the coupled code were compared with the TRACE predictions and the measured data as well. The comparison shows that the selected parameters predicted by the coupled code are closer to the experimental data than that of TRACE standalone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myeloid sarcoma (MS), which represents a rare malignancy that comprises of myeloid blasts occurring at extra-medullary sites, closely correlates with the onset and relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other hemopoietic neoplasm. Female genital system is an uncommon location of MS, with the vulvar MS being even rarer that only eight cases have been reported in English-written literature. Case presentation: A 47-year-old woman presented with chronic ulceration on her vulva for one and a half month. Microscopic examination of incisional biopsy revealed dermal infiltration of myeloid precursor cells, which were positive for MPO, lysozyme, CD43, CD68, CD38 and CD117. Bone marrow flowcytometric analysis showed myeloblast count of 74%, which expressed CD13, CD33, CD117 and HLA-DR. A diagnosis of AML (M2 type) was made and vulvar MS was the earliest symptom. The patient achieved complete remission after chemotherapy with no evidence of recurrence in a 27-month follow-up. We reviewed the literature and identified 54 cases of Chinese patients with gynecological MS between 1999 and 2018, and discovered that in Chinese population, MS most frequently involved uterine cervix followed by the ovary and vulva, and ovarian MS onset much earlier than other sites. Remarkably, vulvar MS exhibited a high rate of concurrent AML and secondary myeloid leukemia within a short time of its occurrence. Despite its limited distribution, MS should be tackled aggressively with chemotherapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation if the appropriate donor is available. Conclusions: Female genital MS, especially vulvar MS, should be included in the differential diagnosis of gynecological neoplasm, which will facilitate its early diagnosis and prompt management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The early Cambrian arthropod clade Megacheira, also referred to as great appendage arthropods, comprised a group of diminutive and elongated predators during the early Palaeozoic era, around 518 million years ago. In addition to those identified in the mid-Cambrian Burgess Shale biota, numerous species are documented in the renowned 518-million-year-old Chengjiang biota of South China. Notably, one species, Tanglangia longicaudata, has remained inadequately understood due to limited available material and technological constraints. In this study, we, for the first time, examined eight fossil specimens (six individuals) utilizing state-of-the-art μCT and computer-based 3D rendering techniques to unveil the hitherto hidden ventral and appendicular morphology of this species. Results: We have identified a set of slender endopodites gradually narrowing distally, along with a leaf-shaped exopodite adorned with fringed setae along its margins, and a small putative exite attached to the basipodite. Our techniques have further revealed the presence of four pairs of biramous appendages in the head, aligning with the recently reported six-segmented head in other early euarthropods. Additionally, we have discerned two peduncle elements for the great appendage. These findings underscore that, despite the morphological diversity observed in early euarthropods, there exists similarity in appendicular morphology across various groups. In addition, we critically examine the existing literature on this taxon, disentangling previous mislabelings, mentions, descriptions, and, most importantly, illustrations. Conclusions: The μCT-based investigation of fossil material of Tanglangia longicaudata, a distinctive early Cambrian euarthropod from the renowned Chengjiang biota, enhances our comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary morphology of the Megacheira. Its overall morphological features, including large cup-shaped eyes, raptorial great appendages, and a remarkably elongated telson, suggest its potential ecological role as a crepuscular predator and adept swimmer in turbid waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent internal modification in eukaryotic RNAs regulated by the so-called "writers", "erasers", and "readers". m6A has been demonstrated to exert critical molecular functions in modulating RNA maturation, localization, translation and metabolism, thus playing an essential role in cellular, developmental, and disease processes. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs with covalently closed single-stranded structures generated by back-splicing. CircRNAs also participate in physiological and pathological processes through unique mechanisms. Despite their discovery several years ago, m6A and circRNAs has drawn increased research interest due to advances in molecular biology techniques these years. Recently, several scholars have investigated the crosstalk between m6A and circRNAs. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of m6A and circRNAs, as well as summarize the crosstalk between these molecules based on existing research. In addition, we present some suggestions for future research perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory dermatologic disease clinically characterized by intense itch, recurrent eczematous lesions, and a chronic or relapsing disease course. Mild-to-moderate AD can be controlled by using moisturizers and topical immunomodulators such as topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. If topical therapies fail, phototherapy and systemic immunosuppressant therapies, such as ciclosporin, methotrexate, and azathioprine, can be considered. However, relapse and side effects could still occur. The pathogenesis of AD involves epidermal barrier dysfunction, skin microbiome abnormalities, and cutaneous inflammation. Inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, IL-31, IL-33, IL-17, IL-23, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin, are involved in AD development. Therefore, a series of biological agents targeting these cytokines are promising approaches for treating AD. Dupilumab is the first biological agent approved for the treatment of AD in patients aged 6 years and older in the United States. Tralokinumab, lebrikizumab, and nemolizumab have also been confirmed to have significant efficacy against AD in phase III or IIb clinical trials. Also, fezakinumab was effective in severe AD patients in a phase IIa trial. However, phase II trials of ustekinumab, tezepelumab, etokimab, secukinumab, and omalizumab have failed to meet their primary endpoints. Phase II trials of GBR 830 and KHK 4083 are ongoing. In general, further studies are needed to explore new therapeutic targets and improve the efficacy of biological agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The urgent need for new treatments for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (pre-XDR-TB) is evident. However, the classic randomized controlled trial (RCT) approach faces ethical and practical constraints, making alternative research designs and treatment strategies necessary, such as single-arm trials and host-directed therapies (HDTs). Methods: Our study adopts a randomized withdrawal trial design for MDR-TB to maximize resource allocation and better mimic real-world conditions. Patients' treatment regimens are initially based on drug resistance profiles and patient's preference, and later, treatment-responsive cases are randomized to different treatment durations. Alongside, a single-arm trial is being conducted to evaluate the potential of sulfasalazine (SASP) as an HDT for pre-XDR-TB, as well as another short-course regimen without HDT for pre-XDR-TB. Both approaches account for the limitations in second-line anti-TB drug resistance testing in various regions. Discussion: Although our study designs may lack the internal validity commonly associated with RCTs, they offer advantages in external validity, feasibility, and ethical appropriateness. These designs align with real-world clinical settings and also open doors for exploring alternative treatments like SASP for tackling drug-resistant TB forms. Ultimately, our research aims to strike a balance between scientific rigor and practical utility, offering valuable insights into treating MDR-TB and pre-XDR-TB in a challenging global health landscape. In summary, our study employs innovative trial designs and treatment strategies to address the complexities of treating drug-resistant TB, fulfilling a critical gap between ideal clinical trials and the reality of constrained resources and ethical considerations. Trail registration: Chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2100045930. Registered on April 29, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This article studies the problem of consensus tracking control for second‐order agents in multiagent systems over switching signed digraphs. Compared with the existing consensus tracking works on the structurally balanced signed digraph where the antagonistic relations exist only between two independent subgroups, this article explores a more general case for the first time, in the sense that the antagonistic relation is allowed between any two agents. On the basis of the design of a cooperation‐antagonism environment‐based distributed algorithm, suitable model transformation vectors are utilized to convert the stability of original system into a product convergence problem of time‐varying superstochastic matrices. By analyzing the convergence, algebraic conditions between positive and negative weights are established to ensure that all followers can eventually reach the leader's state under switching signed digraphs with arbitrary antagonistic relations. Simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the efficacy and safety of guselkumab in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.Methods: A systematic review was undertaken to identify double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched before 1 March 2020. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. All analyses were conducted with intention-to-treat basis. A range of sensitivity analyses was undertaken.Results: A total of 7 articles contained 1206 plaque psoriasis patients with guselkumab, 585 patients with placebo, and 1250 patients with adalimumab were included. The results indicated that guselkumab had better efficacy than placebo or adalimumab for Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score reductions from baseline of 75% (PASI 75) (OR = 61.37, 95% CI = 31.15 to 120.91; OR = 3.08, 95% CI = 2.35 to 4.06), Investigator's Global Assessment scores of 0 or 1 (IGA 0/1) (OR = 65.75, 95% CI = 45.54 to 94.95; OR = 2.79, 95% CI = 2.17 to 3.59), and Dermatology Life Quality Index scores of 0 or 1 (DLQI 0/1) (OR = 29.64, 95% CI = 18.80 to 46.73; OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.50 to 2.31). The guselkumab had similar safety with placebo or adalimumab about the incidence of adverse events (AEs) (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.86 to 1.29; OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.79 to 1.19) and serious adverse events (SAEs) (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.47 to 2.27; OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.44 to 1.87). Meanwhile, there was no statistically significant association of infections and serious infections compared with the placebo or adalimumab group. The guselkumab was more effective and had the similar tolerance.Conclusion: The guselkumab had excellent efficacy and great safety in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, but long-term safety remained to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is one of the most important reactions in renewable energy conversion and storage devices. The full deployment of these devices depends on the development of highly active, stable, and low‐cost catalysts. Herein, a new hybrid material consisting of Na2Ta8O21−x/Ta2O5/Ta3N5 nanocrystals grown on N‐doped reduced graphene oxide is reported. This catalyst shows a significantly enhanced ORR activity by ≈4 orders of magnitude in acidic media and by ≈2 orders of magnitude in alkaline media compared to individual Na2Ta8O21−x on graphene. Moreover, it has excellent stability in both acid and alkaline media. It also has much better methanol tolerance than the commercial Pt/C, which is relevant to methanol fuel cells. The high ORR activity arises not only from the synergistic effect among the three Ta phases, but also from the concomitant nitrogen doping of the reduced graphene oxide nanosheets. A correlation between ORR activity and nitrogen content is demonstrated. Deep insights into the mechanism of the synergistic effect among these three Ta‐based phases, which boosts the ORR's kinetics, are acquired by combining specific experiments and density functional theory calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spin-unrestricted density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed to explore the electronic structure and water-gas shift (WGS) behavior for the non-polar (001) surface of both titanium carbide (TiC) and titanium nitride (TiN). Previous researches have suggested that the unique electronic structures of these materials can effectively explain their surface adsorption and reactivity. Herein, our DFT calculations demonstrate that TiC(001) surface with occupied nonmetal C-2p states strongly binds CO molecule to the carbon site, and subsequently mediates the WGS along an associative mechanism. In contrast, TiN(001) surface dominated by metal Ti-3d states prefers to adsorb CO molecule at the titanium site, and then mediates WGS reaction through a redox mechanism. This indicates that the surface behavior of TiC(001) and TiN(001) is strongly dependent on their own electronic structure as expected. Therefore, the present studies provide an interesting perspective to understand the correlation between the electronic structure and catalytic behavior of such materials. Unlabelled Image • The difference in electronic structure is for TiC(001) with C-2p feature and for TiN(001) with Ti-3d character. • The WGS reaction on TiC(001) follows associative mechanism, while on TiN(001) goes through redox mechanism. • Substituting nonmetal elements in TiC and TiN can change electronic structure and reactivity of such materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, valleytronics researches based on 2D semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides have attracted considerable attention. On the one hand, strong spin–orbit interaction allows the presence of spin–valley coupling in this system, which provides spin addressable valley degrees of freedom for information storage and processing. On the other hand, large exciton binding energy up to hundreds of meV enables excitons to be stable carriers of valley information. Valley polarization, marked by an imbalanced exciton population in two inequivalent valleys (+ K and − K), is the core of valleytronics as it can be utilized to store binary information. Motivated by the potential applications, we present a thorough overview of the recent advancements in the generation, relaxation, manipulation, and transport of the valley polarization in nonmagnetic transition metal dichalcogenide layered semiconductors. We also discuss the development of valleytronic devices and future challenges in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric detection of spin currents is critical for integrating spintronic devices into charge-based semiconductor chips and systems. The magnetogyrotropic photogalvanic effect (MPGE) converts spin current into charge current through spin–orbit coupling in the presence of an in-plane magnetic field. A giant MPGE photocurrent implies either a large spin current or high spin-to-charge conversion efficiency, whichever is important for future spintronic devices. In this Letter, we report on the MPGE photocurrents excited by linearly polarized near-infrared radiation in a GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As heterostructure, which are increased by up to five times by an additional visible light with adjustable power. We present a theoretical model and suggest that the optical manipulation of the linear MPGE photocurrent is primarily attributed to the spin current tuned by the momentum relaxation time and spin splittings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Previous studies have considered that the wedge-shaped muddy body on the inner shelf of the East China Sea was formed by the deposition of resuspended fine-grained sediments from the Changjiang River estuary and its surrounding areas, which was transported southward by the Zhejiang-Fujian coastal currents. However, the occasional coarse-grained sedimentary layers in the muddy body have long been ignored. This study focuses on two sediment cores through the muddy wedge of the inner shelf. Grain sizes of the sediments with 0.25 cm interval and elemental compositions with 0.1 cm interval of the sedimentary cores were analyzed systematically, and the high-resolution sedimentary records of the cores were reconstructed by combining 210Pb and 137Cs isotopic dating. The event deposits resulting from intense typhoons were discerned by evidences of grain size anomalies and anomalous characteristics of elements. The possible mechanisms of the event deposits are discussed as well. The typhoon event layers (ELs) are a few mm to 8 cm in thicknesses, being in conformity with the underlying layers, having the sequences of fining upward in grain size. The ratio of Zr/Rb and content of Sr in the ELs increase sharply, are in agreement with the changes of sediments. The Core C0702 recorded 15 ELs, and Core DH6-1 recorded three in the past 150 years, the ELs were compared with the modern hurricanes. The cumulative thicknesses of the ELs account for 17.5% (C0702) and 7.6% (DH6-1) of the core total lengths. A concept model was developed to illustrate the sedimentary process of the formation of EL: coastal sediment was eroded and resuspended during intense typhoon period, transported by outward current in plume form and deposited on the inner shelf. The results suggest that summer typhoon plays an important role in the formation of the muddy wedge on the inner shelf of the East China Sea. Highlights • Event deposit of intense typhoon in the inner shelf of the East China Sea are identified and characterized. • The event layers have special sequence of fining upward in grain size, and high values of Zr/Rb and Sr. • Intense typhoon events recorded in cores are in good agreement with instrumental records of typhoons since 1949. • The event layers about 10% of total, suggesting typhoons play an important role on the formation of the muddy deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, is an antidiabetic drug. It has been shown to improve the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) in patients with type 2 diabetes and psoriasis in clinical practice, but the mechanism remains somewhat unclear. We used lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce inflammatory response in keratinocytes and explore the mechanism. Methods The HaCat cells were incubated with LPS for 16 h and then were treated with liraglutide for 30 min. Cell viability was testing by CCK-8 assay. GLP-1Rs and intracellular signaling pathways were identified by Western blot. The migration of macrophage was detecting by trans-well assay. Results Liraglutide decreased cell viability in the HaCat cells. Liraglutide restrained the migration of macrophage to the HaCat cells. LPS elevated not only the protein abundance of phospho-IKKα/β S176/S180, phospho-NF-κB p65, phospho-JAK2, phospho-STAT3 and SOCS3, but also the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the HaCat cells. These effects of LPS were reversed by liraglutide. In addition, liraglutide increased phosphorylation of AMPK. The AMPK inhibitor Compound (CC) impaired liraglutide-inhibited p-NF-κB p65 and p-STAT3. Conclusions GLP-1 impaired keratinocytes inflammatory signals by activating AMPK and restrained macrophage migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is very important for industrial production to develop a strong bonding and multifunctional soy protein (SP)-based adhesive with excellent coating property and high prepressing strength especially for wet veneer. Inspired by mussels, catechol structure was grafted to soybean protein molecules (SPU) by ring opening reaction and free radical polymerization, which endowed the adhesive excellent coating performance on wet veneer. Inspired by oysters, magnesium hydroxide with unsaturated bond (MH@A172) was synthesized, and then mixed with SPU to obtain an organic-inorganic hybrid adhesive (SPU/MH@A172). During the curing process, the synergistic enhancement of the formed cross-linking structure and inorganic mineralization strategy improved the cohesion of SPU/MH@A172 adhesive and endowed strong bonding strength of prepared plywood. That is, when the SPU/MH@A172 adhesive was applied to wood veneer of 100% moisture content, it can be evenly coated and the prepressing bonding strength at 20 °C with 3 h reached 0.53 MPa, which meets the bonding strength requirement of plate forming (≥0.4 MPa). After hot-curing process, the wet and dry shear strength of the prepared plywood reached 1.07 MPa and 2.03 MPa, respectively. In addition, the adhesive had excellent stiffness (45.21 GPa) and micro adhesion (4.62 nN). Importantly, adhesives exhibited excellent mildew resistance (14 days, grade 2), flame retardancy (HRC = 114 kJ/g), low smoke suppression (Ds_max = 95.09) and volatile organic compound release (6.43*106 mg/m2⋅h). Therefore, this collaborative bionic strategy provides a possibility for the development and functional modification of underwater adhesive, film, hydrogels and composite materials. [Display omitted] • A multifunctional soy protein-based adhesive was developed by constructing organic-inorganic mineralization structure. • The prepressing strength of veneer with 100% moisture content at 20 °C and 3 h reaches 0.53 MPa. • The wet and dry shear strength of the prepared plywood reach 1.07 MPa and 2.03 MPa. • The adhesive has excellent stiffness, micro adhesion, mildew resistance, flame retardancy. • The adhesive has low volatile organic compound release and is a product with ecological value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The effectiveness and sustainability of masking policies as a pandemic control measure remain uncertain. Our aim was to evaluate different masking policy types on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) incidence and to identify factors and conditions impacting effectiveness. Methods Nationwide, retrospective cohort study of US counties from 4/4/2020–28/6/2021. Policy impacts were estimated using interrupted time-series models with the masking policy change date (eg, recommended-to-required, no-recommendation-to-recommended, no-recommendation-to-required) modeled as the interruption. The primary outcome was change in SARS-CoV-2 incidence rate during the 12 weeks after the policy change; results were stratified by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk level. A secondary analysis was completed using adult vaccine availability as the policy change. Results In total, N = 2954 counties were included (2304 recommended-to-required, 535 no-recommendation-to-recommended, 115 no-recommendation-to-required). Overall, indoor mask mandates were associated with 1.96 fewer cases/100 000/week (cumulative reduction of 23.52/100 000 residents during the 12 weeks after policy change). Reductions were driven by communities with critical and extreme COVID-19 risk, where masking mandated policies were associated with an absolute reduction of 5 to 13.2 cases/100 000 residents/week (cumulative reduction of 60 to 158 cases/100 000 residents over 12 weeks). Impacts in low- and moderate-risk counties were minimal (<1 case/100 000 residents/week). After vaccine availability, mask mandates were not associated with significant reductions at any risk level. Conclusions Masking policy had the greatest impact when COVID-19 risk was high and vaccine availability was low. When transmission risk decreases or vaccine availability increases, the impact was not significant regardless of mask policy type. Although often modeled as having a static impact, masking policy effectiveness may be dynamic and condition dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a fascinating phenomenon in nuclear physics that states with a pronounced few-body structure can emerge from the complex dynamics of many nucleons. Such halo or cluster states often appear near the boundaries of nuclear stability. As such, they are an important part of the experimental program beginning at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). A concerted effort of theory and experiment is necessary both to analyze experiments involving effective few-body states, as well as to constrain and refine theories of the nuclear force in light of new data from these experiments. As a contribution to exactly this effort, this paper compiles a collection of “perspectives” that emerged out of the Topical Program “Few-body cluster structures in exotic nuclei and their role in FRIB experiments” that was held at FRIB in August 2022 and brought together theorists and experimentalists working on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of Au dimer on MgO(100), CaO(100), BaO(100), TiO 2 (110) and YSZ(100) surfaces is comparatively studied using ab initio density functional theory calculations. It is found that Au dimer prefers upright adsorption on MgO(100), CaO(100), BaO(100) surfaces and parallel adsorption on TiO 2 (110) and YSZ(111) surfaces. According to the analysis of the metal-metal cohesive energy (E Au-Au ) and the metal-substrate adhesion energy (E Au-Support ), we find that Au adatoms prefer 2D cluster on BaO(100) and TiO 2 (110) surfaces and 3D cluster on MgO(100), CaO(100) and YSZ(111) surfaces. We also find a linear relationship between E Au-Support /E Au-Au and E b (binding energy of metal atom on the substrate). Furthermore, an interesting correlation between association energies and the amount of transferred charge is found. The findings may help to gain further insight into the structure-property correlation and provide valuable information on crucial parameters in catalyst design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron (Fe), sulfur (S), and molybdenum (Mo) geochemistry in marine sediments impacted by hydrothermal plumes and/or cold seeps is complex and has not been systematically documented. Here we characterize Fe, S, and Mo diagenesis in sediments between the Minami‐Ensei Knoll hydrothermal field and a cold‐seep site of the middle Okinawa Trough. Results show that distances away from the hydrothermal field and the steep trough slope may significantly affect the transport of hydrothermal Fe. The transformation of hydrothermal reactive Fe to poorly reactive or unreactive Fe‐bearing phyllosilicates decreased the relative fractions of highly reactive Fe (FeHR) in total Fe (FeHR/FeT). Despite this, the standing stocks of Fe oxides in the methane‐free sediments have not been dampened, indicating no net impacts of hydrothermal Fe inputs on the size of Fe oxides. In the methane‐free sediments, low ratios of total reduced inorganic sulfide (TRIS) to total organic carbon (TOC) (TRIS/TOC), highly 34S‐depleted pyrite, and low Mo contents suggest that organoclastic sulfate reduction is at low rates and plays a limited role in carbon cycle. In the cold‐seep sediments, however, intense sulfate reduction coupled to anaerobic methane oxidation significantly elevate TRIS/TOC ratios, Mo enrichment, and isotope compositions of Mo and pyrite‐S. This pathway is expected to be important in carbon cycle in the basin due to the wide occurrence of cold seeps. Our results highlight the important controls of the local extreme depositional/diagenetic conditions on sedimentary S and Mo records, with implications for the reconstruction of paleoredox states of the past earth's surface. Plain Language Summary: Submarine methane‐rich cold seeps and hydrothermal venting exert important influences on the geochemistry of iron, sulfur, and molybdenum. However, the influences of the two extreme environments on the three interlinked elements in seafloor have not been well documented. Here, we used solid‐phase chemistry of four sediment cores located between a hydrothermal field and a cold‐seep site in the middle Okinawa Trough to document the impacts of the two extreme environments on the geochemistry of iron, sulfur, and molybdenum. Results show that hydrothermal Fe signature in the sediments is largely controlled by the distances away from the hydrothermal field and the steep slope of the trough; the hydrothermal Fe inputs have no net impacts on sedimentary iron oxide contents due to simultaneous inactivation of reactive Fe. In the methane‐free sediments, sulfate reduction (SR) is coupled mainly to oxidation of sedimentary organic carbon. In the cold‐seep site, however, SR coupled to anaerobic methane oxidation is the main pathway of carbon cycle, leading to significant enrichments of molybdenum and isotopically heavy pyrite. The differences highlight the important control of local extreme depositional/diagenetic conditions on geochemical records of iron, sulfur, and molybdenum, with implications for the reconstruction of paleoredox states in the past. Key Points: Distances away from the vent, steep basin slope and Fe inactivation control the signature of hydrothermal Fe in the basin sedimentsLow lability of organics limits sulfate reduction (SR) in CH4‐free sediments, while CH4 largely facilitates SR in cold‐seep sedimentsLocal extreme conditions exert key controls on S‐Fe‐Mo diagenesis in the basin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benvitimod (Tapinarof), as a small-molecule topical therapeutical aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-modulating agent, is in clinical development for treating psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Benvitimod reduces proinflammatory cytokines in psoriasis by specifically binding and activation of AHR. However, whether benvitimod can inhibit keratinocyte proliferation remains unclear. Minichromosome maintenance protein 6 (MCM6) is a key element of the prereplication complex (pre-RC) assembly which is one of the essential steps in the initiation of DNA replication for cell proliferation. This study aimed to determine whether benvitimod could reduce the excessive proliferation of psoriatic keratinocytes by inhibiting MCM6. We examined the inhibitory effect of benvitimod on MCM6-mediated proliferation of keratinocytes by HaCaT cells in vitro and an IMQ-induced psoriatic model of mice in vivo. Epidermal MCM6 expression was enhanced in the skin lesions of psoriatic patients. The experiments further revealed that MCM6 was required for the proliferation of keratinocytes and governed by the IL-22/STAT3 pathway. In addition, the antiproliferation effect of benvitimod is achieved by the inhibition of p-JAK1 and p-JAK2, which further restrained the activation of STAT3 in keratinocytes. Lastly, benvitimod could repressed imiquimod-induced skin lesions and the expression of epidermal MCM6 and p-STAT3 in mice. Moreover, knockdown of AHR in keratinocytes enhanced the activation of JAK1 and JAK2. The findings reveal that benvitimod could decrease MCM6-mediated proliferation of keratinocytes by affecting the JAK/STAT3 pathway, thereby serving as a new treatment modality for psoriasis. • MCM6 is upregulated in psoriatic lesions and required for keratinocytes proliferation. • MCM6 is regulated by the JAK/STAT3 pathway in keratinocytes. • Benvitimod could inhibit the JAK/STAT3 pathway by activating AHR of keratinocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption and dissociation of O 2 on the supported small nickel clusters with one-, two-, three-Ni atoms on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) (111) surfaces, as well as those on the bare YSZ(111) and Ni(111) surfaces are comparatively studied using ab initio density functional theory calculations. It is found that the dissociation of O 2 on the YSZ(111) surface is largely enhanced by the supported Ni dimer, which is predicted to be the smallest Ni cluster needed for efficient O 2 dissociation. The results would provide an important reference to improve the activity and efficiency of the Ni/YSZ(111) nanocomposite catalysts in cost-effective materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Psoriasis is a high-incident T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease mainly affecting the skin. Interleukin (IL)-27 is a novel member of the IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family, which plays a versatile role in the differentiation and function of distinct T cell subsets. Previous studies uncovered that IL-27 promoted the onset of psoriasis through enhancing the differentiation of T helper (Th) 1 cells. However, the role of IL-27 in other psoriasis-related Th lineages, especially Th17 cells, remains elusive. Objects The study aimed to investigate the role of IL-27 in the progression of psoriasis and its underlying mechanisms, particularly its influence on Th1 and Th17. Methods IL-27 and IL-27 receptor α (IL-27Rα) expressions in normal and lesional skin were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Serum levels of IL-27 and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Expression levels of IL-27 and IL-27 receptor (IL-27R) mRNA in the skin tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. To explore the function of IL-27 in vivo , we used imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis mouse model. We treated mice with IL-27 or its antagonist, evaluated disease severity and detected the cytokine secretion from splenic CD4+ T cells by flow cytometric analysis and the expression levels of IL-17 and IFN-γ in serum and skin lesion. Results The expression levels of IL-27 and IL-27Rα were significantly reduced in the moderate-to-severe psoriatic lesions, along with a consistent decrease in serum IL-27 levels, compared with those of healthy control subjects. Moreover, subcutaneous administration of IL-27 recombinant protein lessened severity of IMQ-induced psoriasis-like cutaneous lesions, whereas IL-27p28 antagonist exaggerated the disease severity. Further analysis revealed that IL-27 significantly repressed IL-17 secretion from CD4+ T lymphocytes. Also administration of IL-27 decreased IL-17A level while IL-27p28 antagonist increased IL-17A level in serum and psoriasis-like lesion in the IMQ-treated mice. Conclusion Our results suggest that IL-27 might predominantly play a protective role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis through abrogating Th17 differentiation. The potential therapeutic benefit of harnessing IL-27 in treating psoriasis awaits future investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] FK506 is a local drug that is commonly used in the treatment of psoriasis. Its clinical application, however, is limited by its transdermal drug delivery rate, the time-consuming, and the greasy therapy. In this study, which was inspired by local block injection used in the clinical treatment for keloid, a hyaluronic acid (HA) based system to transport FK506 into the skin to treat psoriasis, named blocking patch (BP) was developed. BP has a complete appearance, sufficient puncture strength, and is virtually non-irritating in vivo. By confocal fluorescence microscopy, BP loaded with FK506 (FK506-BP) showed satisfactory transdermal release ability in vivo. Further animal studies revealed that FK506-BP showed a good anti-inflammatory ability in the imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse psoriasis-like dermatitis and inhibited the activation of associated immune cells. This study indicates that BP as a novel delivery system, realizes an efficient local delivery of FK506 in psoriasis and holds great potential in transdermal delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] FK506 is a local drug that is commonly used in the treatment of psoriasis. Its clinical application, however, is limited by its transdermal drug delivery rate, the time-consuming, and the greasy therapy. In this study, which was inspired by local block injection used in the clinical treatment for keloid, a hyaluronic acid (HA) based system to transport FK506 into the skin to treat psoriasis, named blocking patch (BP) was developed. BP has a complete appearance, sufficient puncture strength, and is virtually non-irritating in vivo. By confocal fluorescence microscopy, BP loaded with FK506 (FK506-BP) showed satisfactory transdermal release ability in vivo. Further animal studies revealed that FK506-BP showed a good anti-inflammatory ability in the imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse psoriasis-like dermatitis and inhibited the activation of associated immune cells. This study indicates that BP as a novel delivery system, realizes an efficient local delivery of FK506 in psoriasis and holds great potential in transdermal delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider pion production in parity-violating electron scattering (PVES) in the presence of nucleon strangeness in the framework of partial wave analysis with unitarity. Using the experimental bounds on the strange form factors obtained in elastic PVES, we study the sensitivity of the parity-violating asymmetry to strange nucleon form factors. For forward kinematics and electron energies above 1 GeV, we observe that this sensitivity may reach about 20% in the threshold region. With parity-violating asymmetries being as large as tens p.p.m., this study suggests that threshold pion production in PVES can be used as a promising way to better constrain strangeness contributions. Using this model for the neutral current pion production, we update the estimate for the dispersive γZ -box correction to the weak charge of the proton. In the kinematics of the Qweak experiment, our new prediction reads Re □ γ Z V ( E = 1.165 GeV ) = ( 5.58 ± 1.41 ) × 10 − 3 , an improvement over the previous uncertainty estimate of ± 2.0 × 10 − 3 . Our new prediction in the kinematics of the upcoming MESA/P2 experiment reads Re □ γ Z V ( E = 0.155 GeV ) = ( 1.1 ± 0.2 ) × 10 − 3 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major fatal infectious disease globally, exhibiting high morbidity rates and impacting public health and other socio-economic factors. However, some individuals are resistant to TB infection and are referred to as "Resisters". Resisters remain uninfected even after exposure to high load of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). To delineate this further, this study aimed to investigate the factors and mechanisms influencing the Mtb resistance phenotype. We assayed the phagocytic capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from Resisters, patients with latent TB infection (LTBI), and patients with active TB (ATB), following infection with fluorescent Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Phagocytosis was stronger in PBMCs from ATB patients, and comparable in LTBI patients and Resisters. Subsequently, phagocytes were isolated and subjected to whole transcriptome sequencing and small RNA sequencing to analyze transcriptional expression profiles and identify potential targets associated with the resistance phenotype. The results revealed that a total of 277 mRNAs, 589 long non-coding RNAs, 523 circular RNAs, and 35 microRNAs were differentially expressed in Resisters and LTBI patients. Further, the endogenous competitive RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed from differentially expressed genes after screening. Bioinformatics, statistical analysis, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used for the identification and validation of potential crucial targets in the ceRNA network. As a result, we obtained a ceRNA network that contributes to the resistance phenotype. TCONS_00034796-F3, ENST00000629441-DDX43, hsa-ATAD3A_0003-CYP17A1, and XR_932996.2-CERS1 may be crucial association pairs for resistance to TB infection. Overall, this study demonstrated that the phagocytic capacity of PBMCs was not a determinant of the resistance phenotype and that some non-coding RNAs could be involved in the natural resistance to TB infection through a ceRNA mechanism. • The PBMC phagocytosis of resisters is weaker than that of ATB patients and comparable to that of LTBI patients. • We obtained a ceRNA network involved in immune metabolism that contributes to the resistance phenotype. • The phagocytic capacity of PBMCs is not a determinant of the resistance phenotype, and some non-coding RNAs are involved in resistance to TB infection through the ceRNA mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deciphering sedimentary provenance in the Okinawa Trough (OT) is vital for understanding the dispersal system from source to sink and the paleoenvironmental evolution in the East China Sea (ECS). Sources include the Huanghe, Changjiang, and Taiwan rivers, as well as the ECS shelf; however, there is controversy over which source has dominated sediment supply since the last deglaciation, and how the tidal currents, shelf circulation, and Kuroshio Current (KC) has controlled the sediment transport. Here, we present a high-resolution record of grain size and clay minerals over the last 14.3 kyrs in an AMS 14C dated piston core from the middle OT. We use these data to reconstruct changes in the KC, identify the provenance of fine-grained sediment, and unravel the impact of paleoenvironmental factors on these provenance changes. A grain size component of 15.6–31.3 μm was extracted to reconstruct the KC changes. These data show that the KC strengthened sharply until 10.2 ka, then kept strong and stable during the Holocene. Clay mineral assemblages indicate that the sediment was mainly derived from the ECS shelf between 14.3 and 8.6 ka, then from the Taiwan rivers after 8.6 ka. The shelf sediment was eroded and transported by intense tidal currents. Taiwan river sediment became the dominant source due to the development of Taiwan Warm Current rather than the strengthening of KC. The ratio of smectite and kaolinite to illite and chlorite content indicates that the sediment contribution from the Huanghe (old Huanghe delta) and Changjiang rivers increased from 7.6 to 5.0 ka and from 3.2 ka to the present. This increase is attributed to the strengthening of East Asian winter monsoon and the consequent intensification of cross-shelf circulation. • Sediment source changed from East China Sea shelf to Taiwan rivers at 8.6 ka. • Tidal reworking controls shelf sediment supply during the last deglaciation. • Taiwan Warm Current induces early Holocene provenance change rather than Kuroshio. • Winter monsoon enhances Huanghe and Changjiang supply at 7.6–5.0 ka and 3.2–0 ka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]