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Abstract: Several studies have shown the tumorigenesis role of transcriptional enhancer associate domain (TEAD) proteins; here, we initially explored expression, function and signalling mechanisms of TEAD4 in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD). Both the mRNA and protein levels of TEAD4 were increased in LAD tissues than those in adjacent nontumourous tissues. Besides, database search indicated a poorer clinical outcome in LAD patients with higher TEAD4 expression, revealing its potential tumour‐promoting role. Therefore, we conducted cellular experiments to further investigate its effect on tumour phenotypes. Accordingly, TEAD4 showed little impact on LAD cell cycle, proliferation, or apoptosis. However, silencing TEAD4 remarkably attenuated cell migration and invasion capacities. Consistently, several important epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers such as E‐cadherin and Slug were consequently altered by silencing TEAD4. Furthermore, we identified a novel TEAD4‐targeted microRNA, namely miR6839‐3p, and confirmed its function in suppressing TEAD4 expression. Finally, the impact of overexpressing miR6839‐3p mimics on LAD progression was validated, which showed a similar pattern with TEAD4 knockdown cells. Taken together, our data not only revealed the significant role of TEAD4 in promoting LAD progression and predicting clinical outcome but also distinguished miR6839‐3p mimics as a promising therapeutic direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a mathematical model of fin-and-tube evaporator of ORC system used for waste heat recovery of a diesel engine is established. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is applied for the multi-objective optimization of the fin-and-tube evaporator. Key geometrical parameters such as the inlet radius of the tube side, the inlet radius of the shell side, fin height, fin thickness and fin spacing are selected as decision variables. Total annual cost, volume of tube bundle, and exhaust pressure drop are considered as optimization objectives (objective functions). The linear weighted method is used to assign a weight coefficient to each objective function. Calculation results obtained by MATLAB R2010a clearly show a contradictory relationship among the objective functions. For a specific operating condition of the diesel engine, multi-objective optimization of the fin-and-tube evaporator is performed, and the optimal design is obtained. Compared with the results of the original design, the multi-objective optimization results are more satisfactory, the volume of tube bundle is increased by 6.49%, meanwhile the total annual cost is decreased by 71.46% and exhaust pressure drop is reduced by 27.6%. The PSO algorithm based fin-and-tube evaporator design method is beneficial to improving the performance of the diesel engine-organic Rankine cycle (ORC) combined system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the application of solar energy and energy storage to ship power systems has shown promise as a method for both reducing annual carbon and nitrogen oxide emissions and improving ship energy efficiency in the maritime shipping industry. When a ship navigates at sea, it encounters a constant rocking motion that is affected by both the surrounding sea conditions and the ship’s navigation parameters. This motion increases the uncertainty involved in using solar energy and accelerates the aging of the ship’s energy storage battery to some extent. In this study, a universal mathematical model is established for the power generation by photovoltaic (PV) modules in which both the sea conditions and the ship’s integrated motion, including its basic movement along with the motion caused by rocking, are taken into account. Based on this model, the fluctuation characteristics of a ship’s PV output power are studied and determined using three different simulation scenarios. A binary energy storage scheme based on a decoupled PV output power is proposed in order to both stabilize the small-period PV power fluctuations and slow the aging of the actual battery caused by rocking. In addition, a super-capacitor (SC) configuration is constructed based on a maximum half cycle. Finally, the optimal energy storage capacities for this green ship are compared under both rocking and moving motion. In the case of rocking motion, the SCs are able to achieve an approximately 24.8–35.0% reduction in battery replacement. A shipping route between Shanghai, China and Sydney, Australia is considered to validate the practicality of implementing the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific surface area and oxygen vacancies are considered to be essential factors to enhance the gas sensitivity properties of sensing materials. Herein, we first synthesized Co/Zn-MOF and Co-MOF precursors, then formed 1-CoOOH and 2-CoOOH nanosheets by etching the precursors with sodium hydroxide solution. The composition and morphology of 1-CoOOH and 2-CoOOH are characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and XPS. The results of gas-sensitive tests show that the responses of 1-CoOOH and 2-CoOOH are 14.28 and 3.87 for 100 ppm NO x at room temperature and 21.27 and 8.69 for 100 ppm ethanol at 150 °C, respectively. This indicates a better response of 1-CoOOH to 100 ppm NO x , and the materials are used to detect NO x and ethanol by controlling the working temperature. Compared with 2-CoOOH, the higher specific surface area and the abundance of oxygen vacancies of 1-CoOOH promote enhanced gas sensing properties. [Display omitted] • Metal-organic framework (MOF) derived CoOOH nanosheets were prepared by etching with NaOH solution. • The CoOOH sensor can detect NO x and ethanol at different temperatures. • The specific surface area and oxygen vacancy can improve the gas-sensitive performance. • Description of NO x and ethanol sensing mechanism in CoOOH nanosheet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of socio-economic has challenged pediatric health services in the new era. Assessing the efficiency of pediatric health services in China and utilizing them will facilitate the continued and stable development of pediatric health services in the face of these challenges. Based on a Three-stage DEA model of generalized modified panel, this paper uses panel data from 31 provinces and cities in China from 2008 to 2019 to estimate efficiency of pediatric health services and analyze the influential factors influencing the efficiency of pediatric services. The research establishes a multi-dimensional evaluation model of input-output-environment-impact. Fully consider the transformation of input elements such as pediatric beds, technical experts, pediatric finance, and pediatric policies in technical, professional, and economic environments. And with the help of long-term and short-term service effects of pediatrics, pediatric income, pediatric infrastructure, social satisfaction and other factors to output. Objectively summarize the real service effect of pediatrics. The model corrects for the interference of technical and non-administrative factors and obtains the most realistic pediatric performance based on changing social dynamics. The study found: (1) while the efficiency of pediatric healthcare services in China's provincial areas has been increasing year by year, there are specific geographical differences, and further improvements and rational allocation of healthcare resources are needed. Among them, the southern developed regions are 16.25% higher than the average efficiency of the northern regions. The annual floating span is 9.54%. Geography is a key factor that dominates the efficiency gap.(2) There is significant redundancy and disparity in the resources invested in pediatric services, and optimization of the economic, technological, and professional environment will continue to eliminate the impact of redundancy and drive the growth of pediatric service efficiency.The redundant scale of various input elements accounted for 31.81%. It shows that nearly 30% of the input resources have not been fully utilized. Among them, the redundancy of beds is relatively small in China, only 21.77%. It shows that the construction of pediatric beds in China is relatively effective, but the pediatric redundancy in developed areas is only 3.24%, and the adjustment of input resources across regions is the key to the optimization of pediatric services. (3) Increase in the health care price index will have a negative effect on the efficiency of pediatric services. In contrast, an increase in urbanization levels, education levels, and birth rates will drive the optimization of pediatric service efficiency. • A generalized panel multi-stage modified DEA model is proposed. • Technical factors, random interference, and endogeneity problems are avoided. • The efficiency and influencing factors of pediatric health services in 31 Chinese provinces are analyzed. • Policy suggestions are given in the aspects of pediatric service optimization and service efficiency improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]