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The impact of adding H2O2 in the fuel stream on the structure of non-premixed opposed-flow NH3/O2 flames was investigated numerically using a verified computational tool and validated mechanism. The results illustrate the dual role of the added H2O2 within the fuel jet. A small amount of H2O2 within the NH3 stream acted as a fuel additive that enhanced the reaction rate via reducing the kinetic time scale. However, a novel flame structure appeared when the H2O2 mole fraction within the fuel stream increased to χ H 2 O 2 > 16%. Unlike the pure NH3/O2 flame, a premixed reaction zone was discerned on the fuel side, in which H2O2 reacts with NH3 and played the role of an oxidizer. Then, the remaining NH3 that survived premixed combustion continues reacting with O2 and forms a non-premixed flame. As a result of this structure, it was shown that the well-established conclusion of "near-equilibrium" non-premixed flame analysis in which the strain on the flame is determined by the momentum fluxes of the counter-flowing streams does not hold for the flames that were studied in this paper. It was also shown that when H2O2 acted as an oxidizer, it produced substantial amounts of HO2, which allowed for low-temperature formation of NO2 through the reaction of NO with HO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the use and adherence of antidementia drugs in elderly patients with dementia from the Memory Clinic of The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Methods: Patients were recruited from the Memory Clinic of The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from December 2010 to December 2018. Medical charts were reviewed, including diagnosis, dosage of antidementia medicines, neuropsychological testing scores, and the further questionnaires were conducted via face‐to‐face or telephone, included duration of treatment, types of antidementia drugs, and reasons for treatment discontinuation. Results: The data from 422 patients were analysed retrospectively for this study. Three hundred and fifteen were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 67 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 40 with other types of dementia. From the 422 patients, 26.8% were treated with original donepezil (n = 113), 11.6% with generic donepezil (n = 49), 24.6% with memantine (n = 104), 13.3% with huperzine A (n = 56), and 23.7% with a combination of drugs (n = 100). However, 73% of patients discontinued treatment within 1 year of initiation. Patients treated for more than 36 months (37.8%) were more likely to choose combined medication, as compared with patients treated for less than 36 months. Patients with less than 9 years of education (odds ratio (OR): 2.394; 95% CI: 1.508–3.801) were more likely to discontinue treatment than patients with more than 9 years of education. Patients with elevated physical self‐maintenance scale (PSMS) scores (OR: 1.195; 95% CI: 1.086–1.316) had a high risk of discontinuation. Conclusions: Overall treatment compliance is relatively poor in memory clinics in Chongqing. Our study demonstrates that higher education may lead to better treatment adherence in dementia care. Combination therapy may increase treatment time. However, poorer PSMS scores are a significant risk factor for treatment discontinuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the various types of lung nodules, ground glass nodules (GGNs) are difficult to segment accurately due to complex morphological characteristics. Moreover, GGNs are associated with a higher malignancy probability. Three-dimensional (3D) segmentation and reconstruction techniques can help physicians intuitively elucidate the relationship between lung nodules and their surrounding tissues. We propose an improved supervoxel 3D region growing approach based on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) multimodal data for the segmentation and reconstruction of GGNs. First, the seed point is automatically located with PET information and a 3D mask is generated. Then, a fuzzy connectivity (FC) map is generated based on the 3D mask, and an improved supervoxel 3D region growing is utilized on a fuzzy connectivity map under the constraints of the 3D mask. Finally, 3D GGNs segmentation and reconstruction results are obtained. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons between our proposed method and other region growing methods shows great superiority of our proposed method, with the Jaccard similarity coefficient between our proposed method and physician manual segmentation reaching 95.61%; the average processing time is 16.38 s. Experimental results show that our proposed supervoxel-based 3D region growing method is very promising for assisting physicians in diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The filling and curing stage of resin transfer molding is non-isothermal. The temperature plays an important role in both filling and curing stage and these two stages are strongly interrelated. The unreasonable temperature system will lead to excessive temperature difference and seriously affect the quality of the product. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the non-isothermal filling and curing stage to find the best temperature system. In this paper, the FLUENT software has been secondarily developed to perform a full three-dimensional simulation of the non-isothermal resin transfer molding process cycle. The results have been compared with the known data to verify the accuracy of the simulation. The influence of temperature on the process cycle has been analyzed and the optimization of temperature system can reduce process cycle time and increase the uniformity of temperature distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the results of a preliminary study, it was hypothesized that the effects of adiponectin (APN) on the improvement of atherosclerosis may be associated with adipocyte differentiation and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). The present study simulated the inflammatory environment of epicardial adipose tissue by stimulating mature adipocytes with lipopolysaccharide (LPS); subsequently, the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was observed. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were infected with an adenovirus containing the human adiponectin gene apM1 (Ad-apM1) and were co-cultured with mature adipocytes stimulated with LPS. Differentiation into mature adipocytes was initiated using differentiation medium. After 8 days, an MTT assay was used to examine cell viability and oil red O staining was used to observe preadipocyte differentiation. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the protein expression levels of PPARγ, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and preadipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1) were measured by western blotting. The results indicated that APN overexpression significantly increased preadipocyte differentiation and cell viability, inhibited MCP-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α expression, upregulated PPARγ and C/EBPα expression, and downregulated Pref-1 under LPS stimulation. In addition, inhibition of PPARγ activity by T0070907 markedly attenuated the effects of APN overexpression. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that the effects of APN on the promotion of preadipocyte differentiation under inflammatory conditions may involve the PPARγ signaling pathway, and at least partly depends on upregulation of PPARγ expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A transition metal compound with high lithium storage is one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The root-like MnCO 3 /Fe 2 O 3 /CNTs composites with the porous structure were synthesized by facile solvothermal methods. The excellent cycling stability and high-rate performance were exhibited, 651.3 mAh/g at 100 mA/g after 250 cycles and 631.5 mAh/g at 500 mA/g after 1000 cycles, which benefit from the porous structure and synergy among MnCO 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , and carbon nanotubes. The porous structure of composites can reduce the charge-transfer resistance, and the extra void can effectively alleviate volume expansion during the charge/discharge process. • The MnCO3/Fe2O3/CNTs composites were synthesized by facile solvothermal methods. • The morphology of composites with porous structure is similar to the tree root. • The composites exhibit excellent cycling stability and high-rate performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical model describing psychological states and behavioral outcomes experienced and exhibited by older generation interpersonal helping behavior (IHB) recipients in Chinese organizations. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws upon relevant literature and develops a theoretical model. Findings – The analysis suggests that the extent of IHB that older generation Chinese employees receive from younger generation employees will lead to loss of mianzi, which will then result in reduced perceived generational guanxi, increased intended social isolation, and reduced intention to share task-related knowledge with the younger generation employees. The paper also proposes that perceived generational guanxi and intended social isolation will mediate the relationship between loss of mianzi and intention to share task-related knowledge with younger generation employees. Practical implications – Because mianzi is an important cultural feature in Chinese societies, this paper provides four implications. First, younger generation employees could preserve and/or enhance older generation employees’ mianzi using less powerful messages. Second, younger generation employees should initiate task behaviors involving seeking opinions and expertise from older generation employees before exhibiting IHB. Third, mangers could reduce the negative impact of generational differences by establishing generational mentoring relationships between younger and older generation employees. Finally, younger generation employees could preserve and/or enhance older generation employees’ mianzi by playing the role of an informal subordinate rather than a problem solver when exhibiting IHB. Originality/value – This paper is the first study exploring consequences of IHB from the perceptive of older generation IHB recipients in the Chinese context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate and efficient gradient computation is the key to aerodynamic shape optimization. In this paper, dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) is employed to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the early pseudo-time marching of adjoint equations and to predict the gradient. Besides the first-order zero-frequency mode, other zero-frequency modes also contribute to the pseudo iterations of the adjoint equations in the early iterations. Hence, different from existing methods, all zero-frequency modes are retained to reconstruct adjoint fields for gradient prediction. Moreover, to further improve the modeling accuracy, an improved DMD (IDMD) is proposed by omitting the initial snapshots in early iterations. The effect of pseudo-time step on modeling accuracy is also studied. By solving the adjoint equations of the transonic and subsonic flows, the accuracy of the proposed method is verified. Results indicate that the proposed method still works despite the conventional solution process diverges. Through aerodynamic shape optimization examples of transonic flow over an airfoil, the number of adjoint pseudo-time steps is remarkably reduced by 83%, which indicates the proposed IDMD-based gradient prediction method has great potential for improving the efficiency of aerodynamic shape optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microcavity exciton polaritons (polaritons) as part-light part-matter quasiparticles garner considerable attention for Bose-Einstein condensation at elevated temperatures. Recently, halide perovskites have emerged as promising room-temperature polaritonic platforms because of their large exciton binding energies and superior optical properties. However, currently, inducing room-temperature nonequilibrium polariton condensation in perovskite microcavities requires optical pulsed excitations with high excitation densities. Here, we demonstrate continuous-wave optically pumped polariton condensation with an exceptionally low threshold of ~0.53 W cm -2 and a narrow linewidth of ~0.5 meV. Polariton condensation is unambiguously demonstrated by characterizing the nonlinear behavior and coherence properties. We also unveil the trapping potential landscape strategy to facilitate polariton relaxation and accumulation. Our findings lay the foundation for the next-generation energy-efficient polaritonic devices operating at room temperature.

Autophagy regulates intermittent hypoxia (IH)-induced obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). We investigated the effects of IH and its withdrawal on cognitive function, autophagy, and lysophagy in OSAHS. An OSAHS rat model was established, and rats were divided into five groups: normoxia control, IH-4w (4-week IH), IH-6w (6-week IH), IH-8w (8-week IH), and IH-8w + 4w (8-week IH and 4-week normoxia). The cognitive behavior; mitochondrial and lysosomal morphology of the hippocampal tissue; mitochondrial respiratory function, permeability, and membrane potential; lysosomal function; autophagy- and lysophagy-related protein levels; and hypoxia-associated autophagy gene expression in rats were assessed. The cognitive function of rats in the IH-4w, IH-6w, and IH-8w groups was significantly impaired. In IH-8w cells, mitochondrial function was damaged with swollen morphology and decreased quantity, respiration, permeability, and membrane potential, along with significantly increased mitophagy-related protein ATG5 and LC3II/LC3 levels and decreased p62 levels. Expression of hypoxia-associated autophagy genes Becn1, Hif1, Bnip3, Bnip3l, and Fundc1 was significantly higher in the IH-8w group. Significantly increased LAMP2, CTSB, and ACP2 levels in IH-8w cells further indicated impaired lysosomal function. Lysophagy-related protein LAMP1, LC3II/LC3I, and TFEB levels were significantly increased in the IH-8w group, whereas p62 level was significantly decreased. The above listed evidence indicated damage to the mitochondria and lysosomes, as well as stimulation of mitophagy and lysophagy in IH-treatment OSAHS rat model. After withdrawing IH and culturing for 4 weeks in normal conditions, the cognitive function of rats improved, and mitophagy and lysophagy decreased. Our findings indicate that IH impairs cognitive function and promotes mitophagy and lysophagy in an OSAHS rat model, and IH withdrawal recovered the above effects., Competing Interests: Declarations Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests in this study. Ethical Approval The ethics committee of Experimental animal Ethics Committee of Yangzhou University (NO. 202303132)., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Nonlinear chiral photonics explores the nonlinear response of chiral structures, and it offers a pathway to novel optical functionalities not accessible through linear or achiral systems. Here we present the first application of nanostructured van der Waals materials to nonlinear chiral photonics. We demonstrate the 3 orders of magnitude enhancement of the third-harmonic generation from hBN metasurfaces driven by quasi-bound states in the continuum and accompanied by strong nonlinear circular dichroism at the resonances. This novel platform for chiral metaphotonics can be employed for achieving large circular dichroism combined with high-efficiency harmonic generation in a broad frequency range.

Background: Transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) affects immune responses by regulating calcium homeostasis, but its role in calcific aortic valve inflammation remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the expression and function of TRPM4 in patients with or without calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD)., Methods: The mRNA and protein expression levels of TRPM4 and related factors in calcified and noncalcified tissues were measured using qRT-PCR and Western blot. The proteins interacting with TRPM4 were confirmed by RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay was performed to confirm the m6A site of TRPM4., Results: The mRNA expression levels of TRPM4, TLR4, IL-6, MCP-1, TNF-α, and NF-κB p65 were significantly higher in calcified aortic valve tissues than in noncalcified tissues, and TRPM4 was significantly positively correlated with inflammation-related factors. The protein expression level of TRPM4, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were significantly higher in calcified aortic valve tissues than in noncalcified tissues. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of TRPM4 mRNA by METTL3-YTHDF1 up-regulated its expression in CAVD. And TRPM4 promoted the level of inflammation via activation of the JNK-MAPK signaling pathway, after knockdown TRPM4, the production of proinflammatory cytokines was significantly suppressed., Conclusion: The results indicate the pivotal role of TRPM4 in CAVD and highlight METTL3-mediated m6A modification of TRPM4 in promoting inflammation through JNK-MAPK signaling pathway. This work provides potential therapeutic strategy to impede inflammation in CAVD., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

A previous study has demonstrated that adiponectin (APN) could promote preadipocyte differentiation, and the present study further explored its mechanism. 3T3-L1 cells were infected with adenovirus holding human adiponectin gene apM1 and mouse neuronatin (Nnat) shRNA and initiated differentiation while coculturing with mature adipocytes stimulated with LPS. After 8 days, preadipocyte differentiation was observed by Oil Red O staining. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to evaluate mRNA expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF- α ). The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in 3T3-L1 cells were detected. Western blotting was done to quantify the protein expression levels of Nnat, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ , p65, and inhibitor of nuclear factor κ B (I κ B) α . Results demonstrated that APN overexpression markedly increased preadipocyte differentiation; inhibited gene expression of MCP-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF- α ; reduced ROS and MDA release; increased T-AOC and SOD levels; upregulated Nnat, PPAR γ , and I κ B α protein expressions; and downregulated p65 protein expression under LPS stimulation. However, the effects of APN were markedly attenuated when Nnat expression was knocked down. Taken together, the present study provided evidences that the effects of APN on promoting preadipocyte differentiation under inflammatory conditions via anti-inflammation and antioxidative stress may be regulated by the PPAR γ /Nnat/NF- κ B signaling pathway., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Wenkai Yang et al.)