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• This is the first report of endophytic Biscogniauxia in Dendrobium species • Biscogniauxia dendrobii sp. nov. is introduced based on the large discrepancy on both sequences (5.2%) and size of conidia. • The ethyl acetate crude extract of the isolate B. petrensis showed moderate and strong cytotoxic activity against A549 and K562 using CCK8 assay (IC 50 of it 13.5 and 3.5 ug/ml, respectively). Biscogniauxia belongs to the family Graphostromataceae , and species have been found mainly as pathogens in dicotyledonous plants worldwide. Two endophytic strains, Biscogniauxia dendrobii sp. nov. and B. petrensis were isolated from Dendrobium aphyllum and D. harveyanum sampled from southwestern China and northern Thailand respectively. The conidiophores and conidia were used for morphological examination. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis with ITS, TUB2, RPB 2 and LSU sequence data were combined for phylogenetic analyses and species identification. Biscogniauxia dendrobii sp. nov. is introduced based on the large DNA base pair differences (5.2%) and size of conidia. Another known species B. petrensis is also illustrated and described in this study to facilitate species identification on D. harveyanum. The ethyl acetate crude extracts of the isolate B. petrensis showed moderate and strong cytotoxic activity against A549 and K562 using the CCK8 assay (IC 50 of it 13.5 and 3.5 ug/ml respectively). This is the first report of endophytic Biscogniauxia in Dendrobium species and of their cytotoxicity to A549 and K562, all of which enhances the current knowledge on the genus Biscogniauxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explored the triadic relationship between the government, local residents and developers as stakeholders in rural tourism land expropriation. Unstructured interviews and non-participant observation were conducted to obtain relevant data. Social action theory was applied to delineate the complex interaction and relationships between the various stakeholders. Growth machine theory was also used to reveal the internal mechanisms of these relationships. The results showed that in land expropriation for rural tourism development in the case setting, stakeholders' relationships were not merely cooperative or antagonistic; rather, their interests were interwoven and showed a process-based evolution with the progress of land expropriation. Finally, the local government (political elite) and the developer (economic elite) formed a growth coalition and jointly led the process of land expropriation. However, local residents failed to form an anti-growth coalition, which indicates the potential vulnerability of tourism coalition formation. These insights have implications for developing sustainable tourism, including government involvement and resident participation, particularly in the context of developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver fibrosis resulting from continuous long-term hepatic damage represents a heavy burden worldwide. Liver fibrosis is recognized as a complicated pathogenic mechanism with extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. A series of drugs demonstrate significant antifibrotic activity in vitro and in vivo. No specific agents with ideally clinical efficacy for liver fibrosis treatment have been developed. In this review, we summarized the antifibrotic effects and molecular mechanisms of 29 kinds of common natural products. The mechanism of these compounds is correlated with anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antifibrotic activities. Moreover, parenchymal hepatic cell survival, HSC deactivation, and ECM degradation by interfering with multiple targets and signaling pathways are also involved in the antifibrotic effects of these compounds. However, there remain two bottlenecks for clinical breakthroughs. The low bioavailability of natural products should be improved, and the combined application of two or more compounds should be investigated for more prominent pharmacological effects. In summary, exploration on natural products against liver fibrosis is becoming increasingly extensive. Therefore, natural products are potential resources for the development of agents to treat liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we investigate the implication of low-energy precision measurements on the quark-lepton charged currents in general neutrino interactions with sterile neutrinos in effective field theories. The physics in low-energy measurements is described by the low-energy effective field theory extended with sterile neutrinos (LNEFT) defined below the electroweak scale. We also take into account renormalization group running and match the LNEFT onto the Standard Model (SM) effective field theory with sterile neutrinos (SMNEFT) to constrain new physics (NP) above the electroweak scale. The most sensitive low-energy probes are from leptonic decays of pseudoscalar mesons and hadronic tau lepton decays in terms of precise decay branching fractions, the lepton flavor universality and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) unitarity. We also consider other constraints including nuclear beta decay. The constraints on charged current operators are generally stronger than the ones for quark-neutrino neutral current operators. We find that the most stringent bounds on the NP scale of lepton-number-conserving and lepton- number-violating operators in SMNEFT are 74 (110) TeV and 9.8 (13) TeV, respectively, for the operators with down (strange) quark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trapping effect in normally-off Al2O3/AlGaN/GaN metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) high-electron-mobility transistors (MOS-HEMTs) with post-etch surface treatment was studied in this paper. Diffusion-controlled interface oxidation treatment and wet etch process were adopted to improve the interface quality of MOS-HEMTs. With capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurement, the density of interface and border traps were calculated to be 1.13 × 1012 cm−2 and 6.35 × 1012 cm−2, effectively reduced by 27% and 14% compared to controlled devices, respectively. Furthermore, the state density distribution of border traps with large activation energy was analyzed using photo-assisted C–V measurement. It is found that irradiation of monochromatic light results in negative shift of C–V curves, which indicates the electron emission process from border traps. The experimental results reveals that the major border traps have an activation energy about 3.29 eV and the change of post-etch surface treatment process has little effect on this major activation energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To raise the diagnostic criteria, classification and treatment strategy of dynamic sagittal imbalance (DSI).Methods: One hundred thirty-three adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with stooping and back pain after walking were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the radiographic parameters and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, the diagnostic criteria of DSI were raised. DSI patients received nonoperative treatment and (or) surgery. Radiographic parameters and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes would be measured and compared between prewalk and postwalk and among each subgroup.Results: One hundred thirty-three ASD patients with stooping and back pain after walking were enrolled in our study. The quantitative diagnostic criteria was prewalk SVA < 40 mm and postwalk SVA-prewalk SVA ≥ 20 mm after 10-min walk. Based on the quantitative diagnostic criteria of DSI raised by our team, DSI patients could be classified into three groups: 20 mm ≤ ΔSVA < 60 mm (mild, 31.0%), 60 mm ≤ ΔSVA < 100 mm (moderate, 42.1%) and ΔSVA ≥ 100 mm (severe, 27.0%). After nonoperative treatment, the ΔSVA in mild and moderate group was prominently decreased (P < 0.001) with the significant improvement of HRQOL outcomes (P < 0.001), while there was no significant change in ΔSVA and clinical outcomes in group C (P > 0.05). Patients who received the operative treatment showed prominent improvement in ΔSVA and clinical outcomes (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Our study proposed a quantitative diagnostic criteria and novel classification of DSI. Nonoperative treatment is effective for most DSI patients with ΔSVA < 100 mm, while the majority of DSI patients with ΔSVA ≥ 100 mm need operative intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytophaga hutchinsonii is an aerobic cellulolytic soil bacterium that rapidly digests crystalline cellulose. The predicted mechanism by which C. hutchinsonii digests cellulose differs from that of other known cellulolytic bacteria and fungi. The genome of C. hutchinsonii contains 22 glycoside hydrolase (GH) genes, which may be involved in cellulose degradation. One predicted GH with uncertain specificity, CHU_0961, is a modular enzyme with several modules. In this study, phylogenetic tree of the catalytic modules of the GH9 enzymes showed that CHU_0961 and its homologues formed a new group (group C) of GH9 enzymes. The catalytic module of CHU_0961 (CHU_0961B) was identified as a 1,4-β-d-glucan glucohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.74) that has unique properties compared with known GH9 cellulases. CHU_0961B showed highest activity against barley glucan, but low activity against other polysaccharides. Interestingly, CHU_0961B showed similar activity against ρ-nitrophenyl β-d-cellobioside (ρ-NPC) and ρ-nitrophenyl β-d-glucopyranoside. CHU_0961B released glucose from the nonreducing end of cello-oligosaccharides, ρ-NPC, and barley glucan in a nonprocessive exo-type mode. CHU_0961B also showed same hydrolysis mode against deacetyl-chitooligosaccharides as against cello-oligosaccharides. The kcat/Km values for CHU_0961B against cello-oligosaccharides increased as the degree of polymerization increased, and its kcat/Km for cellohexose was 750 times higher than that for cellobiose. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that threonine 321 in CHU_0961 played a role in hydrolyzing cellobiose to glucose. CHU_0961 may act synergistically with other cellulases to convert cellulose to glucose on the bacterial cell surface. The end product, glucose, may initiate cellulose degradation to provide nutrients for bacterial proliferation in the early stage of C. hutchinsonii growth. Key points: • CHU_0961 and its homologues formed a novel group (group C) of GH9 enzymes. • CHU_0961 was identified as a 1,4-β-d-glucan glucohydrolase with unique properties. • CHU_0961 may play an important role in the early stage of C. hutchinsonii growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-dimensional breakdown behavior of the magnetic Bloch-point domain wall (BP-DW) propagation was investigated in a ferromagnetic nanowire with the variation of the external magnetic field by means of micromagnetic simulation. As magnetic field strength increases up to a threshold value, the BP-DW velocity approaches a critical phase velocity of the spontaneously emitting spin wave (SW), where a Cherenkov-type DW breakdown phenomenon is observed originating from an interaction between the spontaneously emitting SW and the BP-DW. It is found that the velocity of the BP-DW approaches a maximum value (∼2000 m/s) due to the intrinsic reversal time of a BP spin texture. This suggests that although cylindrical ferromagnetic nanowires might be free from the two-dimensional Walker breakdown phenomenon, there exists a Cherenkov-type three-dimensional breakdown behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field-driven magnetic domain wall propagation in ferromagnetic nanostrips with trapezoidal cross section has been systematically investigated by means of micromagnetic simulation. Asymmetric dynamic behaviors of domain wall, depending on the propagation direction, were observed under an external magnetic field. When the domain walls propagate in the opposite direction along the long axis of the nanostrip, the Walker breakdown fields as well as the average velocities are different. The asymmetric landscape of demagnetization energies, which arises from the trapezoidal geometry, is the main origin of the asymmetric propagation behavior. Furthermore, a trapezoid-cross-section nanostrip will become a nanotube if it is rolled artificially along its long axis, and thus a two-dimensional transverse domain wall will become a three-dimensional one. Interestingly, it is found that the asymmetric behaviors observed in two-dimensional nanostrips with trapezoidal cross section are similar with some dynamic properties occurring in three-dimensional nanotubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce a novel method, called doubly-recursive block Markov superposition transmission (DrBMST), to construct high-performance spatially coupled codes. An important characteristic of DrBMST codes is that the degrees of the constraint nodes in their normal graphs are at most three. As a result, DrBMST codes can be decoded with low complexity. We first prove that the error probability of an enlarged DrBMST code ensemble can be made arbitrarily small under windowed maximum-likelihood decoding (MLD) by increasing the decoding window size. This result partially explains the superior performances of DrBMST codes. Then we propose to use the extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) chart analysis to estimate the iterative windowed decoding thresholds of DrBMST codes. The EXIT chart analyses show that, with such a simple structure, DrBMST codes are comparable to BMST codes with large encoding memories in terms of decoding thresholds. Finally, we carry out comparisons to validate the advantages of DrBMST codes in terms of error performances and decoding complexities. In particular, for a decoding latency of 20,000 bits, the DrBMST code performs better than the (4, 8)-regular spatially coupled low-density parity-check (SC-LDPC) code, but with lower computational complexity. Hence, DrBMST codes can be used in communication systems with limited computational resources. In addition, we show that DrBMST can be used to construct multiple-rate codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies indicated that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are positively associated with physical activity levels independent of sun exposure. However, the effect of resistance training on serum 25(OH) D concentrations remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of chronic resistance training on serum 25(OH) D concentrations and determine whether 25(OH) D concentration variations are influenced by body composition changes. Methods: Eighteen young men aged 19–39 years were randomly divided into a 12-week resistance training group (RT, n = 9) and non-exercise control group (CON, n = 9). The trial was undertaken in Shanghai University of Sport in Shanghai, China. Randomization and allocation to trial group were carried out by a central computer system. Serum 25(OH) D and intact parathyroid hormone concentrations were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: The average serum 25(OH) D concentrations were 26.6 nmol/L at baseline. After the 12-week intervention program, serum 25(OH) D concentrations significantly increased in both groups. Serum 25(OH) D concentrations at midpoint (6-week) increased significantly only in the CON group (P < 0.01). From training midpoint to endpoint, a significantly greater increase in serum 25(OH) D concentrations was noted in the RT group (P-interaction = 0.043); 25(OH) D concentration changes (end-pre) were negatively related to fat-free mass (mid-pre) (r = − 0.565, P = 0.015) and muscle mass (mid-pre) (r = − 0.554, P = 0.017). Conclusions: There were no beneficial effects of the 12-week resistance training on serum 25(OH) D concentration in vitamin D deficient young men, and an indication that seasonal increase in serum 25(OH) D concentrations during the early phase of resistance training was transiently inhibited, which may partly be attributed to resistance training-induced muscle mass gain. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000030876. Registered 16 March 2020 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=50504. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregation induced emission (AIE) active molecules are widely applied for multi-analyte detection due to their unique advantages over conventional fluorescent probes. Herein, a novel coumarin functionalized pillar[5]arene (PX) has been designed and synthesized. It has strong AIE activity, and the fluorescence quantum yield of PX turned out to be 35.0% in DMF/H2O (7 : 3, v/v) binary solution (1.0 × 10−4 M). Meanwhile, the optimized structure of PX was obtained by theoretical calculation at the B3LYP/6-311G level. Interestingly, the PX displays high sensitivity to multiple analytes, such as Fe3+ and Ba2+. The limits of detection (LODs) of PX for Fe3+ and Ba2+ are 1.67 × 10−7 M and 5.89 × 10−8 M, respectively. In addition, by introducing metal ions into the AIE chemosensor of PX, a metal-coordinated chemosensor (PX–M) was obtained. The PX–Fe and PX–Ba show selective fluorescence "turn on" detection of H2PO4− (LOD = 1.50 × 10−7 M) and CN− (LOD = 6.20 × 10−7 M), respectively. The multi-analyte detection mechanism of PX was based on multiple competitions of "exo-wall π–π" interactions and cation–π interactions. Notably, we have prepared logic gates controlled by Fe3+/Ba2+ and H2PO4−/CN− at the molecular level, which can quickly and efficiently detect ions in aqueous solutions. Moreover, we also prepared test films, and an Fe3+ test kit was prepared by loading PX on a silica gel plate. This study provides a new way for multi-analyte detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The western offshore Bohai Bay Basin (BBB) is located at the intersection of the Zhangjiakou–Penglai Fault Zone (ZPFZ) and the Huanghua–Dongming Fault Zone (HDFZ). Exploration experience proves that faults' activity played an import role in hydrocarbon accumulation, whereas characters and evolution of the fault system remain poorly understood. In this study, characters and evolution of the fault system were investigated through abundant seismic data from oil fields. Six NE and two NW strike‐slip faults were identified by composite flower structures on seismic profiles and show broom‐like or en echelon patterns with different scales in plan view. Massive flower‐like structures were observed, which serve as an indicator of early extension and consequent shear activity. Based on published physical modelling, the different plan forms and scales of strike‐slip faults were deciphered as an outcome of diverse strike‐slip displacements. The character and evolution of the fault system were investigated using fault activity rate, balanced restoration, and typical‐structure analysis. The result suggests that the NW‐trending faults have a more intense fault activity and strike‐slip faults in the north, and the east have larger displacements than those in the south and the west. Considered together with the basin evolution, we suggested a three‐stage fault evolution model for the fault system in the study area, mainly comprising (a) early extension; (b) mid transtension, and (c) late transpression, which resulted from multiple geodynamic events during the Cenozoic. Our study reveals that the ZPFZ and the HDFZ have a significant impact over faults in the western offshore BBB, which is demonstrated by unusual intense fault activity in the extension period and different strike‐slip displacement in the strike‐slip period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The gonad is the major factor affecting animal reproduction. The regulatory mechanism of the expression of protein-coding genes involved in reproduction still remains to be elucidated. Increasing evidence has shown that ncRNAs play key regulatory roles in gene expression in many life processes. The roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in reproduction have been investigated in some species. However, the regulatory patterns of miRNA and lncRNA in the sex biased expression of protein coding genes remains to be elucidated. In this study, we performed an integrated analysis of miRNA, messenger RNA (mRNA), and lncRNA expression profiles to explore their regulatory patterns in the female ovary and male testis of Pelodiscus sinensis. Results: We identified 10,446 mature miRNAs, 20,414 mRNAs and 28,500 lncRNAs in the ovaries and testes, and 633 miRNAs, 11,319 mRNAs, and 10,495 lncRNAs showed differential expression. A total of 2814 target genes were identified for miRNAs. The predicted target genes of these differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and lncRNAs included abundant genes related to reproductive regulation. Furthermore, we found that 189 DEmiRNAs and 5408 DElncRNAs showed sex-specific expression. Of these, 3 DEmiRNAs and 917 DElncRNAs were testis-specific, and 186 DEmiRNAs and 4491 DElncRNAs were ovary-specific. We further constructed complete endogenous lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks using bioinformatics, including 103 DEmiRNAs, 636 DEmRNAs, and 1622 DElncRNAs. The target genes for the differentially expressed miRNAs and lncRNAs included abundant genes involved in gonadal development, including Wt1, Creb3l2, Gata4, Wnt2, Nr5a1, Hsd17, Igf2r, H2afz, Lin52, Trim71, Zar1, and Jazf1. Conclusions: In animals, miRNA and lncRNA as master regulators regulate reproductive processes by controlling the expression of mRNAs. Considering their importance, the identified miRNAs, lncRNAs, and their targets in P. sinensis might be useful for studying the molecular processes involved in sexual reproduction and genome editing to produce higher quality aquaculture animals. A thorough understanding of ncRNA-based cellular regulatory networks will aid in the improvement of P. sinensis reproductive traits for aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a relay catalysis for the highly stereoselective synthesis of densely substituted oxazonine-fused endoperoxides in good yields. This domino reaction is based on an Yb(OTf)3 and visible light promoted [3 + 2] cycloaddition/[3,3]-rearrangement, and in situ [4 + 2] cycloaddition with air in one pot under mild reaction conditions from N-vinyl-α,β-unsaturated nitrones and methylenecyclopropanes, leading to a practical assembly of densely substituted oxazonine-fused endoperoxides containing five stereocenters with a wide substrate scope and excellent diastereoselectivity. Mechanistic studies reveal that the O–O bond of the endoperoxide ring is derived from singlet oxygen (1O2) generated by air under a white LED. Moreover, such an asymmetric relay catalyst has also been realized to afford chiral endoperoxides in good enantioselectivity. Biological tests show that the designed oxazonine-fused endoperoxides significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) generation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and exhibited their bioactivity as good anti-inflammatory agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For C r (r > 1) random dynamical systems F on a compact smooth Riemannian manifold M , the fiber topological entropy is bounded above by an integral formula. Particularly, for the C ∞ random dynamical systems, the integral formula coincides with the fiber topological entropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in rice immunity against Magnaporthe oryzae, the causative agent of rice blast disease. Here we demonstrate that Osa-miR162a fine-tunes rice immunity against M. oryzae and yield traits. Overexpression of Osa-miR162a enhances rice resistance to M. oryzae accompanying enhanced induction of defense-related genes and accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In contrast, blocking Osa-miR162 by overexpressing a target mimic of Osa-miR162a enhances susceptibility to blast fungus associating with compromised induction of defense-related gene expression and H2O2 accumulation. Moreover, the transgenic lines overexpressing Osa-miR162a display decreased seed setting rate resulting in slight reduced yield per plant, whereas the transgenic lines blocking Osa-miR162 show an increased number of grains per panicle, resulting in increased yield per plant. Altered accumulation of Osa-miR162 had a limited impact on the expression of rice Dicer-like 1 (OsDCL1) in these transgenic lines showing normal gross morphology, and silencing of OsDCL1 led to enhanced resistance to blast fungus similar to that caused by overexpression of Osa-miR162a, suggesting the involvement of OsDCL1 in Osa-miR162a-regulated resistance. Together, our results indicate that Osa-miR162a is involved in rice immunity against M. oryzae and fine-tunes resistance and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the surgical indication and tactics for liver hemangioma in the caudate lobe Methods: From January 1994 to July 2019, 137 patients, including 51 males and 86 females with the average age of 49.2 years old were diagnosed with liver hemangioma in caudate lobe and received treatment at five tertiary referral hospitals. Clinical features, correlations between tumor size and clinical manifestations, treatments, and prognosis were analyzed. Results: Of the 137 patients identified, 40 (29.20%) patients were asymptomatic, whereas other 94 patients had clinical symptoms mainly presented as upper abdominal discomfort, epigastric distention, upper abdominal dull pain, nausea, and vomiting. Fifteen (93.75%), 18 (39.13%), and 7 (10.45%) patients presented no clinical symptoms among those tumor size was less than 3 cm (D ≤ 3 cm, n = 16), 3 cm < D ≤ 6 cm (n = 46), and 6 cm < D ≤ 9 cm (n = 67), respectively, while all 8 patients with tumor larger than 9 cm were symptomatic. Tumor diameter was obviously associated with the presence of clinical symptoms. In follow-up period, 7 patients in the conservative group (n = 39) received surgery because of tumor growth or symptom appearance. Totally 105 patients received operation including partial resection or isolated complete resection of caudate lobe and caudate lobe resection combined with liver segment resection, right liver resection, or left liver resection. All operations went smoothly, and no severe complications appeared. Conclusion: Tumor diameter was obviously associated with the presence of clinical symptoms in patients with hemangioma in caudate lobe. Surgical therapy is not recommended for asymptomatic patients and available for patient who has symptoms. Effective surgical strategies should be put into use to reduce operative bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The RRAM (resistive random-access memory) is one of the most competitive candidates of the emerging non-volatile memory devices. In recent years, the RRAM has been used as memory device and also to build logic circuit. However, the design method of the RRAM-based logic circuit is still an open issue. This paper proposes a design method of logic circuit based on the four-step RRAM logic gates. The design rules are studied for both the combinational and the sequential logic circuits in a parallel style. The design practices and synthesis results show that the proposed methods generate the high-performance circuits for the arbitrary logic functions. Moreover, the four-step RRAM-based logic gates are suitable for designing the circuits with pipelined architecture, since the different RRAM logic blocks have the uniform working speed. The pipelined N-bit ripple carry adder and the N-bit multiplier outperform the other RRAM base counterparts; the output results are obtained only with 2N + 2 and 6N− 4 working cycles, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the abnormal expression of microRNA (miRNA/miR) serves a crucial role in the development of numerous types of human cancer, including neuroblastoma (NB). The present study aimed to investigate the expression levels and biological roles of miR-146b in NB. miR-146b expression levels in NB cell lines and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, and the regulatory effects of miR-146b on NB cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis in vitro were investigated using CCK-8 assay, transwell invasion assay and flow cytometry. In addition, bioinformatics analysis, western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to determine whether NUMB was a target gene of miR-146b. miR-146b expression levels were increased in NB cell lines compared with HUVECs. The knockdown of miR-146b using a miR-146b inhibitor significantly inhibited NB cell proliferation and invasion, but promoted cell apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, it was revealed that miR-146b promoted NB cell proliferation through targeting NUMB. In conclusion, miR-146b was suggested to serve as an oncogene, at least in part, through directly targeting NUMB, which indicated that miR-146b may be a potential therapeutic target for NB treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Leptospira is the causative agent of leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease of global importance. To have a better understanding on the host species of Leptospira, we investigated the prevalence of Leptospira species in hedgehogs in Central China. Materials and Methods: Hedgehogs were captured in Hubei Province, China in May and October, 2018. Total DNA was extracted from the kidney tissues of hedgehogs for determining the Leptospira species by PCR amplification of the rrs2, secY, and flaB genes with genus-specific primers. Results: PCR amplification indicated that the positive rate of hedgehogs to the rrs2, secY, and flaB genes were 19.5% (8/41), 12.2% (5/41), and 9.8% (4/41), respectively. The homology of the partial sequence of rrs2, secY, and flaB genes were 99.0–100% among the Leptospira strains from hedgehogs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Leptospira species detected in this study clustered together with Leptospira interrogans. Conclusions: We detected L. interrogans from hedgehogs in Central China, suggesting hedgehogs are the hosts of L. interrogans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical and experimental approach was applied to investigate phase relations in a system containing calcium carbonate and different ammonium phosphate solutions. Using laboratory experiments and thermodynamic modeling, this paper provides an insight into the formation of stable phase assemblages in the calcium carbonate and mono‐, di‐, triammonium phosphate aqueous system. Focus is placed on the morphological and mineralogical characterization and thermodynamic calculation of calcium phosphates precipitating due to the reaction between the calcium carbonate and ammonium phosphate solutions. Correlations between the formed stable calcium phosphate phases and the ammonium phosphate precursors are provided. Advantages and limitations of various analytical and modeling techniques used in this study such as geochemical equilibrium‐based modeling, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal analysis, are critically evaluated. Additionally, possible impacts of the ammonium phosphate solution type on the kinetics of phase transformations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a series of phosphorus-doped CoMoO4 rod bundles electrocatalysts on 3D nickel foams have been successfully synthesized and exploited as efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst in 1 M KOH. The incorporation of phosphorus into CoMoO4 can significantly promote the HER activity, and the CoMoO4 bundles phosphorized at 350 °C exhibited the optimum activity, which only required low overpotentials of 56 and 148 mV to deliver cathodic current densities of 10 mA cm−2 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively. This electrode also presented considerable long-term electrochemical stability with negligible delay after 30 h operation and 3000 accelerated cyclic voltammetry cycles. Our study provides a superior earth-abundant catalyst for efficient HER in alkaline media, which also suggests that P doping engineering is an effective way to boost the HER activity of transition metal-based oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin is a protein hormone that controls the metabolism of sugar, fat and protein via signal transduction in cells, influencing growth and developmental processes such as reproduction and ageing. From nematodes to fruit flies, rodents and other animals, glucose signalling mechanisms are highly conserved. Reproductive termites (queens and kings) exhibit an extraordinarily long lifespan relative to non-reproductive individuals such as workers, despite being generated from the same genome, thus providing a unique model for the investigation of longevity. The key reason for this molecular mechanism, however, remains unclear. To clarify the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon, we sequenced the transcriptomes of the primary kings (PKs), primary queens (PQs), male (WMs) and female (WFs) workers of the lower subterranean termite Reticulitermes chinensis. We performed RNA sequencing and identified 33 insulin signalling pathway-related genes in R. chinensis. RT-qPCR analyses revealed that EIF4E and RPS6 genes were highly expressed in WMs and WFs workers, while mTOR expression was lower in PKs and PQs than in WMs and WFs. PQs and PKs exhibited lower expression of akt2-a than female workers. As the highly conserved insulin signalling pathway can significantly prolong the healthspan and lifespan, so we infer that the insulin signalling pathway regulates ageing in the subterranean termite R. chinensis. Further studies are recommended to reveal the biological function of insulin signalling pathway-related genes in the survival of termites to provide new insights into biomolecular homeostasis maintenance and its relationship to remarkable longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does the size of local state-owned sector affect the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) to that region? Using an original county-level dataset for China's Yangtze Delta Region, this article finds that counties inheriting a larger state-owned sector from the planned-economy era have attracted more FDI since the outset of the market reform. The article argues that early foreign investors tended to invest in locales with a robust state sector to build joint ventures with local state-owned firms, as doing so helped them satisfy state regulations and reduce various political and market risks. The legacies of the planned economy also shaped local states' preferences, leading to persistent variations in local economic structure. An instrumental variable analysis suggests that the association is likely causal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Silurian red beds of the Tarim Basin were formed in a coastal tidal and fluvial delta environment. They consist of red mudstone layers of the lower Tataaiertag Formation and separate the grey‐green muddy sandstones of the Kalpintag Formation from the red sandstones of the upper Tataaiertag Formation. These mudstones are regarded as the most important regional seal for Silurian oil reservoirs. They contain a significant record of palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimate changes which is related to global sea‐level changes. Based on a systematic and continuous sedimentary study and multiple geochemistry analyses of samples taken from the Sishichang outcrop profile in west of the Tarim Basin, the Early–Middle Silurian palaeoclimate and sea‐level curve have been reconstructed. The Early–Middle Silurian Tarim Basin encountered five intervals of climate change, from humid transitioning to semi‐humid and dry–hot climate which shows signs of generally increasing oxidation. The reconstructed sea‐level curve indicates five sea‐level cycles throughout the Early–Middle Silurian succession. The most significant sea‐level drop occurred during the early Telychian stage, which represents the onset of the red mudstone section of the Tataaiertag Formation. This new sea‐level curve shows some differences compared with the earlier proposed global sea‐level curves. The dry–hot climate occurred during the late Telychian stage and the beginning of Wenlock age. The Early–Middle Silurian sea‐level change of the Tarim Basin was mostly synchronical to the eustacy. However, regional tectonic activities during the early Telychian stage further enhanced the effect of the global sea‐level fall and lead to a dry–hot climate trend which also caused the creation of the red beds of the Silurian period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A modified pseudo-potential LB model with tunable surface tension is proposed. • The droplet morphology change is explored with Bond numbers and hysteresis windows. • The droplet oscillation phenomenon at large Bond numbers is firstly observed. • The phase diagram of droplet oscillation is originally obtained. Contact angle hysteresis, defined as the difference between advancing and receding contact angles, is an important phenomenon in multiphase flow on a wetting surface. In this study, a modified pseudo-potential lattice Boltzmann (LB) multiphase model with tunable surface tension is proposed, which is further coupled with the geometrical formulation contact angle scheme to investigate the motion of droplets invoking the contact angle hysteresis. We focus on the dynamic behaviour of droplets driven by a body force at the Bond number ranging from 1 to 6, which is defined as the ratio of the body force to the capillary force. The droplet morphology change is examined by varying (i) the Bond number and (ii) the hysteresis window. Results show the droplet morphology evolution can be classified into different stages, including stretch, relaxation, and equilibrium. The droplet oscillation phenomenon at large Bond numbers at the equilibrium stage is observed for the first time. In addition, it is found that such oscillation can lead to the breakup and/or coalescence of droplets when the surface waves spread on the top of the droplet. Furthermore, there is slight oscillation of the normalized length, width and height at the equilibrium stage for the neutral hysteresis window while more dramatic oscillation will appear for the hydrophobic hysteresis window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, strong coupling dominating dissipative and decoherence effects between the atom and a quantum cavity has been investigated experimentally. In this paper, we study the entanglement dynamics of two two-level atoms coupling to a quantum cavity where each mirror is formed by a chain of atoms trapped near a one-dimensional waveguide. We consider the effects of both Markovian dynamics and non-Markovian dynamics on the entanglement evolution of the two central atoms. Our results show that the steady entanglement can be generated between the two central atoms whether the system is under the Markov regime or non-Markov regime when the number of atoms of the atomic mirrors is finite. When the number of the atomic mirrors is large enough, the entanglement of two central atoms takes oscillating behavior without a stable value. The effect of detuning and dissipation on entanglement dynamics is also discussed and the results imply that the detuning plays an important role in improving the entanglement amplitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bartonella henselae is a Gram-negative bacterium transmitted to humans by a scratch from cat in the presence of ectoparasites. Humans infected with B. henselae can result in various clinical diseases including local lymphadenopathy and more serious systemic disease such as persistent bacteremia and endocarditis. The current treatment of persistent B. henselae infections is not very effective and remains a challenge. To find more effective treatments for persistent and biofilm Bartonella infections, in this study, we evaluated a panel of drugs and drug combinations based on the current treatment and also promising hits identified from a recent drug screen against stationary phase and biofilm recovered cells of B. henselae. Results: We evaluated 14 antibiotics and 25 antibiotic combinations for activity against stationary phase B. henselae (all antibiotics were at 5 μg/ml) and found that ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and nitrofurantoin were the most active agents, while clofazimine and miconazole had poor activity. Drug combinations azithromycin/ciprofloxacin, azithromycin/methylene blue, rifampin/ciprofloxacin, and rifampin/methylene blue could rapidly kill stationary phase B. henselae with no detectable CFU after 1-day exposure. Methylene blue and rifampin were the most active agents against the biofilm B. henselae after 6 days of drug exposure. Antibiotic combinations (azithromycin/ciprofloxacin, azithromycin/methylene blue, rifampin/ciprofloxacin, rifampin/methylene blue) completely eradicated the biofilm B. henselae after treatment for 6 days. Conclusions: These findings may facilitate development of more effective treatment of persistent Bartonella infections in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ratio ℬ K L → π 0 v v ¯ / ℬ K + → π + v v ¯ of the branching fractions of kaon decays K L → π 0 v v ¯ and K + → π + v v ¯ has a maximum of about 4.3 under the assumption that the underlying interactions change isospin by ∆I = 1/2. This is referred to as the Grossman-Nir (GN) bound, which is respected by the standard model (SM) and by many scenarios beyond it. Recent preliminary results of the KOTO and NA62 Collaborations searching for these kaon modes seem to imply a violation of this bound. The KOTO findings also suggest that ℬ K L → π 0 v v ¯ could be much larger, by nearly two orders of magnitude, than that predicted in the SM. In this work we study the possibility of violating the GN bound in an effective field theory approach with only SM fields. We show that the bound holds, in addition to the original GN scenarios, whether or not the kaon decays conserve lepton number. We demonstrate that the inclusion of ∆I = 3/2 operators can lead to a violation of the GN bound and illustrate with an example of how the KOTO numbers may be reached with a new physics scale of order tens of GeV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This ethnographic research examines the home-oriented cosmopolitan identities of South Korean expatriate and non-expatriate parents in China through their strategies in choosing schools for their children. I illustrate expatriate parents' pursuit of local and national engagements regardless of their children's immersion in international education. Moreover, I describe the cosmopolitan outlook of non-expatriate parents regarding their children's exposure to local and national schooling tracks. 'Rooted cosmopolitanism' indicates that the parents' openness to cultural differences is home-oriented and grounded locally in the host society. Furthermore, their school choices, which mix local and national with international education in their children's life trajectory, are conceptualised as transversal politics. Rather than rootless elites, South Korean expatriates and non-expatriates in China should be regarded as ordinary foreigners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the authors present sharp approximations in terms of sine function and polynomials for the so-called Ramanujan constant (or the Ramanujan R-function) R(a), by showing some monotonicity, concavity and convexity properties of certain combinations defined in terms of R(a), sin (π a) and polynomials. Some properties of the Riemann zeta function and its related special sums are presented, too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Crop productivity is challenged by abiotic stresses, among which drought stress is the most common. NF-Y genes, especially NF-YA genes, regulate tolerance to abiotic stress. Results: Soybean NF-Y gene GmNFYA5 was identified to have the highest transcript level among all 21 NF-YA genes in soybean (Glycine max L.) under drought stress. Drought-induced transcript of GmNFYA5 was suppressed by the ABA synthesis inhibitor naproxen (NAP). GmNFYA5 transcript was detected in various tissues at vegetative and reproductive growth stages with higher levels in roots and leaves than in other tissues, which was consist with the GmNFYA5 promoter: GUS fusion assay. Overexpression of GmNFYA5 in transgenic Arabidopsis plants caused enhanced drought tolerance in seedlings by decreasing stomatal aperture and water loss from leaves. Overexpression and suppression of GmNFYA5 in soybean resulted in increased and decreased drought tolerance, respectively, relative to plants with an empty vector (EV). Transcript levels of ABA-dependent genes (ABI2, ABI3, NCED3, LEA3, RD29A, P5CS1, GmWRKY46, GmNCED2 and GmbZIP1) and ABA-independent genes (DREB1A, DREB2A, DREB2B, GmDREB1, GmDREB2 and GmDREB3) in transgenic plants overexpressing GmNFYA5 were higher than those of wild-type plants under drought stress; suppression of GmNFYA5 transcript produced opposite results. GmNFYA5 probably regulated the transcript abundance of GmDREB2 and GmbZIP1 by binding to the promoters in vivo. Conclusions: Our results suggested that overexpression of GmNFYA5 improved drought tolerance in soybean via both ABA-dependent and ABA-independent pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the instability of threshold voltage in D-mode MIS-HEMT with in-situ SiN as gate dielectric under different negative gate stresses. The complex non-monotonic evolution of threshold voltage under the negative stress and during the recovery process is induced by the combination effect of two mechanisms. The effect of trapping behavior of interface state at SiN/AlGaN interface and the effect of zener traps in AlGaN barrier layer on the threshold voltage instability are opposite to each other. The threshold voltage shifts negatively under the negative stress due to the detrapping of the electrons at SiN/AlGaN interface, and shifts positively due to zener trapping in AlGaN barrier layer. As the stress is removed, the threshold voltage shifts positively for the retrapping of interface states and negatively for the thermal detrapping in AlGaN. However, it is the trapping behavior in the AlGaN rather than the interface state that results in the change of transconductance in the D-mode MIS-HEMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a sequel to our recent work [1] in which we calculated the lepton number violating (LNV) K± decays due to contact dimension-9 (dim-9) quark-lepton effective interactions that are induced at a high energy scale. In this work we investigate the long- distance contribution to the decays arising from the exchange of a neutrino. These decays can probe LNV interactions involving the second generation of fermions that are not reach- able in nuclear neutrinoless double-β decays. Our study is completely formulated in the framework of effective field theories (EFTs), from the standard model effective field theory (SMEFT) through the low energy effective field theory (LEFT) to chiral perturbation theory (χPT). We work to the first nontrivial orders in each effective field theory, collect along the way the matching conditions and renormalization group effects, and express the decay branching ratios in terms of the Wilson coefficients associated with the dim-5 and dim-7 operators in SMEFT. Our result is general in that it does not depend on dynamical details of physics at a high scale that induce the effective interactions in SMEFT and in that it does not appeal to any hadronic models. We find that the long-distance contribution overwhelmingly dominates over the contact or short-distance one. Assuming the new physics scale to be around a TeV, the branching ratios are predicted to be below the current experimental upper bounds by several orders of magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study intends to explore the functions of maternal high-fat diet exposure on progeny weight and heart.Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, fed on a high-fat diet, were used to establish a model of weight gain before and during pregnancy. The body and cardiac weight of neonatal, 1-month- and 3-month-old rats were measured. The morphology of myocardial cells was observed by hemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The expression of caspase-3, 8, 9 was measured by qRT-PCR and western blot.Results: Normal pregnant rats, fed on a high-fat diet throughout pregnancy, had a significant increase in body and cardiac weight of their neonates, and more fat deposition in myocardial cells and an increased expression of caspase-3, 8, 9, compared with that of the normal pregnant rats + normal diet group. These phenomena were relieved through later diet control. Pregnant rats, which fed on a high-fat diet throughout pregnancy, showed more adverse effects on neonatal body and cardiac weight, myocardial cell fat deposition, and the expression of caspase-3, 8, 9, compared with pregnant rats exposed to high-fat diet + normal diet and pregnant rats exposed to high-fat diet + normal diet + exercise. These phenomena cannot be fully restored via controlling later diet.Conclusions: Our results stated that a proper diet before and during pregnancy was important for the cardiac health of offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition‐metal phosphides (TMP), particularly cobalt phosphide (CoP) has drawn considerable attention in heterogeneous catalysis during the past few years due to their robust stability, corrosion resistance and low cost. In this work, a series of hierarchically porous carbon supported non‐precious CoP NPs by using Co–MOF‐74 as self‐sacrificed templates have been synthesized through a stepwise calcinations and phosphorization method. The catalytic performance of the resulted CoP@HPC−T composites toward the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia‐borane (AB) has been systematically investigated, of which, the resultant CoP@HPC−T calcinated at 500 °C showed the best catalytic performance with a TOF value of 27.7 min−1, and relatively low activation energy (42.55 kJ/mol) even comparable to those reported noble metal catalysts. Furthermore the robust structure of CoP@HPC−T compared to the Co@HPC−T counterpart in the recycle tests, demonstrating their great potential for practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a Yb(OTf)3‐catalyzed formal [7+2] cycloaddition for the preparation of nine‐membered N‐heterocycles bearing three stereocenters in good yields with high diastereoselectivity through a [3+2] cycloaddition/[3,3]‐rearrangement cascade strategy from N‐vinyl‐α,β‐unsaturated nitrones and methylenecyclopropanes. Preliminary studies show that the Yb(OTf)3 catalyst accelerates the reaction affording kinetically controlled cis‐diastereomers as the major products. The obtained nine‐membered N‐heterocycles are easily converted to useful derivatives for late‐stage modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aberrant AKT activation contributes to cancer stem cell (CSC) traits in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We previously reported that CD73 activated AKT signaling via the Rap1/P110β cascade. Here, we further explored the roles of CD73 in regulating CSC characteristics of HCC. Methods: CD73 expression modulations were conducted by lentiviral transfections. CD73+ fractions were purified by magnetic-based sorting, and fluorescent-activated cell sorting was used to assess differentiation potentials. A sphere-forming assay was performed to evaluate CSC traits in vitro, subcutaneous NOD/SCID mice models were generated to assess in vivo CSC features, and colony formation assays assessed drug resistance capacities. Stemness-associated gene expression was also determined, and underlying mechanisms were investigated by evaluating immunoprecipitation and ubiquitylation. Results: We found CD73 expression was positively associated with sphere-forming capacity and elevated in HCC spheroids. CD73 knockdown hindered sphere formation, Lenvatinib resistance, and stemness-associated gene expression, while CD73 overexpression achieved the opposite effects. Moreover, CD73 knockdown significantly inhibited the in vivo tumor propagation capacity. Notably, we found that CD73+ cells exhibited substantially stronger CSC traits than their CD73– counterparts. Mechanistically, CD73 exerted its pro-stemness activity through dual AKT-dependent mechanisms: activating SOX9 transcription via c-Myc, and preventing SOX9 degradation by inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase 3β. Clinically, the combined analysis of CD73 and SOX9 achieved a more accurate prediction of prognosis. Conclusions: Collectively, CD73 plays a critical role in sustaining CSCs traits by upregulating SOX9 expression and enhancing its protein stability. Targeting CD73 might be a promising strategy to eradicate CSCs and reverse Lenvatinib resistance in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental and computational approaches are utilized to investigate the influence of electrostatic fields on the binding force between human coagulation protein thrombin and its DNA aptamer. The thiolated aptamer was deposited onto gold substrate located in a liquid cell filled with binding buffer, then the thrombin-functionalized atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe was repeatedly brought into contact with the aptamer-coated surface under applied electrical potentials of −100, 0, and 100 mV respectively. Force drops during the pull-off process were measured to determine the unbinding forces between thrombin and aptamer in a range of loading rates spanning from ~3 × 102 to ~1 × 104 pN/s. The results from experiments showed that both of the binding strength and propensity of the complex are drastically diminished under positive electrode potential, whereas there is no influence on the molecular binding from negative electrode potential. We also used a theoretical analysis to explain the nature of electrostatic potential and field inside the aptamer-thrombin layer, which in turn could quantify the influence of the electrostatically repulsive force on a thrombin molecule that promotes dissociation from the aptamer due to positive electrode potential, and achieve good agreement with the experimental results. The study confirms the feasibility of electrostatic modulation upon the binding interaction between thrombin and aptamer, and implicates an underlying application perspective upon nanoscale manipulation of the stimuli responsive biointerface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the slow component of oxygen uptake was concurrent with the recruitment of large α-motoneuron muscle fibres by using wavelet and principal component analysis (PCA) of electromyography (EMG) during heavy and severe cycling exercise. Eleven male subjects participated in the study. After establishing each subject's maximum value of oxygen uptake through an incremental test on the cycle ergometer, the subjects performed 6-min cycling tests at heavy and severe intensity. EMG signals were collected from rectus femoris, biceps femoris long head, tibialis anterior, and medial gastrocnemius and processed by combined use of wavelet and PCA analysis. The time delays to the onset of slow component occurred significantly earlier during severe (105.22 ± 5.45 s) compared with during heavy (138.78 ± 15.09 s) exercise. ANOVA with repeated measures showed that for all muscles tested, the angle θ formed by the first and second principal components decreased significantly between time windows during heavy and severe exercise. However, significant increases of EMG mean power frequency (MPF) were found only during heavy exercise. Our results show the concurrence of the oxygen uptake slow component with the additional recruitment of muscle fibres, presumably less efficient large α-motoneuron fibres. Novelty The expected rise in MPF may be offset by muscle fatigue occurring in the later time windows of the slow component during severe exercise. The gradual shift to higher EMG frequencies throughout the slow-component phase was reflected in the progressive and significant decrease of angle θ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the existence of almost periodic solutions for fractional impulsive neutral stochastic differential equations with infinite delay in Hilbert space. The main conclusion is obtained by using fractional calculus, operator semigroup and fixed point theorem. In the end, we give an example to illustrate our main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stereospecific Fe-catalyzed arylation of enol tosylates was reported. Various tri- or tetrasubstituted Z or E-enol tosylates of β-keto esters were arylated using common and Knochel-type Grignard reagents with complete stereofidelity. The precursors for Z/E-zimelidine, tamoxifen and other bioactive compounds were facilely prepared without precious and toxic transition metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first paper of our systematic efforts on lepton number violating (LNV) hadronic decays in the effective field theory approach. These decays provide information complementary to popular nuclear neutrinoless double-β (0νββ) decay in that they can probe LNV interactions involving heavier quarks and charged leptons. We may call them hadronic 0νββ decays in short, though β refers to all charged leptons. In this work we investigate the decays K±→ π∓l±l± that arise from short-distance or contact interactions involving four quark fields and two charged lepton fields, which have canonical dimension nine (dim-9) at leading order in low energy effective field theory (LEFT). We make a complete analysis on the basis of all dim-9 operators that violate lepton number by two units, and compute their one-loop QCD renormalization effects. We match these effective interactions in LEFT to those in chiral perturbation theory (χPT) for pseudoscalar mesons, and determine the resulting hadronic low energy constants (LECs) by chiral symmetry and lattice results in the literature. The obtained decay rate is general in that all physics at and above the electroweak scale is completely parameterized by the relevant Wilson coefficients in LEFT and hadronic LECs in χPT. Assuming the standard model effective field theory (SMEFT) is the appropriate effective field theory between some new physics scale and the electroweak scale, we match our LEFT results to SMEFT whose leading effective interactions arise from LNV dim-7 operators. This connection to SMEFT simplifies significantly the interaction structures entering in the kaon decays, and we employ the current experimental bounds to set constraints on the relevant Wilson coefficients in SMEFT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background evidence concerning the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive impairment is limited and inconsistent. Objective to examine the association of sleep quality with memory impairment and poor cognitive function in a large sample of older Chinese. Methods 15,246 participants aged 50+ years of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study who attended the second physical examination from 2008 to 2012 were included. Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and cognitive performance was assessed using both Delayed Word Recall Test (DWRT) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Memory impairment was defined by DWRT score < 4 and poor cognitive function by MMSE score < 25. Results after adjusting for potential confounders, lower habitual sleep efficiency was associated with a higher risk of memory impairment and poor cognitive function with a dose-response pattern (both P for trend <0.001). The adjusted odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval (CI)) for poor cognitive function in those with the sleep efficiency of 75–85%, 65–75% and <65%, versus ≥85%, was 1.31 (1.12–1.53), 1.41 (1.16–1.73) and 1.33 (1.09–1.63), respectively. No association of the global PSQI score with memory impairment or poor cognitive function was found. Conclusions in older Chinese people, lower habitual sleep efficiency was associated with a higher risk of memory impairment and poorer cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a suitable catalytic system in the single catalyst has always been the pursuit for synthetic chemists in order to perform the traditional stepwise reactions in one-pot mode. In this work, an ultra-stable bifunctional catalyst of Pd@MIL-101-SO 3 H was successfully constructed and applied in the one-pot oxidation-acetalization reaction whose products have been widely utilized as fuel additives, perfumes, pharmaceuticals and polymer chemistry. The excellent catalytic performance (>99% yields), on the one hand, can be ascribed to the synergistic effects of Pd NPs with both Lewis and Bronsted acid encapsulated within a sulfonated MIL-101(Cr). On the other hand, the exceptionally high capacity of water adsorption in MIL-101(Cr) could promote the equilibrium movement via interrupting the reversible process. More importantly, Pd@MIL-101-SO 3 H is recyclable and can be reused for at least 8 times without sacrificing its catalytic activities. As far as we know, this is the first time that a water adsorption enhanced equilibrium movement of reversible reaction by porous catalyst to achieve high yields has been realized in Pd@MIL-101-SO 3 H, which may provide an absolutely new and efficient strategy especially for designing reaction-oriented catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the effect of autologous blood transfusion (ABT) and Pringle maneuver (PM) on postoperative early liver function and short-term postoperative results following laparoscopic liver resection in patients with benign hepatic neoplasms. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data for 125 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic segmental hepatectomy from January 2015 to May 2018 (68 in the ABT group versus 57 in the PM group). We compared patients' characteristics and intra- and postoperative short-term outcomes between the groups. Results: The 2 groups were well matched regarding patients' clinical characteristics, types of liver resection, operative time, and histopathological findings (P > .05). Median blood loss was significantly lower in the PM group versus the ABT group (200 mL versus 750 mL, respectively; P < .01), and overall complication rates were similar (n = 12 [17%] versus n = 9 [16%], respectively; P > .05). The ABT group had significantly lower mean levels of total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, and alanine aminotransferase on postoperative days 1 and 3 (P < .05). The ABT group had a shorter hospital stay compared with the PM group (5.8 days versus 7.7 days, respectively; P < .05) and lower hospitalization costs (55,400 ± 15,400 versus 667,000 ± 21,600 CN dollars, respectively; P < .05). Conclusions: Compared with Pringle's maneuver, laparoscopic hepatectomy with ABT promoted early recovery of liver function and reduced hospitalization costs in select patients with benign hepatic neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a novel hybrid finite element‐spectral boundary integral (SBI) scheme that enables efficient simulation of earthquake cycles. This combined finite element‐SBI approach captures the benefits of finite elements in modeling problems with nonlinearities, as well as the computational superiority of SBI. The domain truncation enabled by this scheme allows us to utilize high‐resolution finite elements discretization to capture inhomogeneities or complexities that may exist in a narrow region surrounding the fault. Combined with an adaptive time stepping algorithm, this framework opens new opportunities for modeling earthquake cycles with high‐resolution fault zone physics. In this initial study, we consider a two‐dimensional antiplane model with a vertical strike‐slip fault governed by rate and state friction in the quasi‐dynamic limit under the radiation damping approximation. The proposed approach is first verified using the benchmark problem BP‐1 from the Southern California Earthquake Center sequence of earthquake and aseismic slip community verification effort. The computational framework is then utilized to model the earthquake sequence and aseismic slip of a fault embedded within a low‐velocity fault zone (LVFZ) with different widths and compliance levels. Our results indicate that sufficiently compliant LVFZs contribute to the emergence of subsurface events that fail to penetrate to the free surface and may experience earthquake clusters with nonuniform interseismic time. Furthermore, the LVFZ leads to slip rate amplification relative to the homogeneous elastic case. We discuss the implications of our results for understanding earthquake complexity as an interplay of fault friction and bulk heterogeneities. Key Points: We develop a hybrid finite element and spectral boundary integral scheme to efficiently simulate earthquake cyclesLow‐velocity fault zone changes the behavior of earthquake sequence and aseismic slipSubsurface events emerge for sufficiently compliant low‐velocity fault zones and lead to slip deficit [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA regulatory network in gastric cancer (GC) using bioinformatics analysis. Two mRNA gene expression profiles, GSE79973 and GSE54129, and two miRNA expression profiles, GSE93415 and GSE78091, were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs) and the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMis) were merged separately. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were conducted using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was then constructed and the 10 top hub genes in the network were analyzed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks were visualized using Cytoscape software. As a result, 158 shared DEMs (40 upregulated and 118 downregulated) were identified from two mRNA datasets. A total of 30 upregulated miRNAs and 1 downregulated miRNA functioned as DEMis. The PPI network consisted of 129 nodes and 572 interactions. The 10 top hub genes were selected by degree using Cytohubba, including Jun proto-oncogene, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)3, transforming growth factor-β1, Fos proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit, interleukin (IL)-8, MAPK1, RELA proto-oncogene nuclear factor-κB subunit, interferon regulatory factor 7, ubiquitin like modifier and vascular endothelial growth factor A. In the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network, a total of 1,215 regulatory associations were constructed using Cytoscape. In conclusion, the present study provides a novel perspective of the molecular mechanisms underlying GC by identifying the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network via bioinformatics analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Every year tuberculosis kills above half million women all over the world. Nonetheless, the factor affecting TB treatment outcome of women was less frequently studied and compared among countries. Hence, this study was aimed to measure and compare outcome of treatment and the death size of these two countries. Method: Socio demographic and clinical data of women treated for all form of tuberculosis in the past ten years 2007–2016 were collected from total of eight hospitals and six treatment centers of Tigray and Zigong respectively. Then, we measured the magnitude of TB, level of treatment success and identify factors associated with the unsuccessful TB outcome. Result: In the past ten years, a total of 5603(41.5%) and 4527 (24.5%) tuberculosis cases were observed in Tigray and Zigong respectively. Of those with treatment outcome record a total of 2602(92%) in Tigray and 3916(96.7%) in Zigong were successfully treated. Total of 170 (6%) cases in Tigray and 36(0.8%) cases in Zigong were dead. In Tigray, retreatment cases (aOR, 0.29; 95% CI: 0.16–0.53) and MDR-TB cases (aOR, 0.31; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.27) were less likely to show treatment success. However,, HIV co-infected TB cases (aOR, 3.58; 95% CI: 2.47, 5.18) were more likely to show treatment success compared with unknown HIV status. In Zigong, women with MDR TB (aOR, 0.90; 95%CI: 0.24, 0.34) were less likely to show treatment success and women in the age category of 15–49 (aOR, 1.55; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.206) were more likely to show treatment success. Conclusion: Big number of tuberculosis cases and death were observed in Tigray comparing with Zigong. Hence, a relevant measure should be considered to improve treatment outcome of women in Tigray regional state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]