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The electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) can substantially contribute to the production of useful chemicals and reduction of global CO2 emissions. Herein, we presented N and S dual-doped high-surface-area carbon materials (SZ-HCN) as CO2RR catalysts. N and S were doped by one-step pyrolysis of a N-containing polymer and S powder. ZnCl2 was applied as a volatile porogen to prepare porous SZ-HCN. SZ-HCN with a high specific surface area (1510 m2 g−g1) exhibited efficient electrocatalytic activity and selectivity for CO2RR. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that SZ-HCN showed excellent catalytic performance for CO2-to-CO reduction with a high CO Faradaic efficiency (~93%) at −0.6 V. Furthermore, SZ-HCN offered a stable current density and high CO selectivity over at least 20 h continuous operation, revealing remarkable electrocatalytic durability. The experimental results and density functional theory calculations indicated that N and S dual-doped carbon materials required lower Gibbs free energy to form the COOH* intermediate than that for single-N-doped carbon for CO2-to-CO reduction, thereby enhancing CO2RR activity.

The tuning of physicochemical properties like particle sizes, surface modifications, etc., is essential to improve delivery efficiency with insignificant toxicity. A quantitative and mechanistic investigation on cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of fluorescent-labeled polystyrene particles [50 and 500 nm plain and 200 nm and 1 µm carboxylate-coated polystyrene (PPS and CPS)] against breast cancer cells was performed. Examinations of cell proliferation, viability, and cytotoxicity indicated that those applied polymeric particles at concentrations of 4–40 µg/mL are non-toxic to cells except 200 nm CPS (16 µg/mL) which partially reduced cell viability. Quantitative fluorescent microscopy revealed that 200 nm CPS displayed the highest capability to be internalized by MCF-7 cells, in which the average intracellular particles are about 14 and 35 folds higher than 1 µm CPS and 500 nm PPS, respectively. Analysis of the uptake routes using inhibitors provided clear evidence that 200 CPS was mainly ingested via the clathrin-mediated endocytosis, whereas larger particles (> 500 nm) preferentially utilized the macropinocytosis pathway. Fluorescent live-cell imaging suggested that particles were mainly internalized by cells in an individual form instead of large aggregates, despite late occurrence of partial agglomeration in the cytoplasm. Overall, those outcomes enhanced our understanding of the application of polymeric delivery vehicles for the treatment of breast cancer.

The major risk factor for kidney stone disease is idiopathic hypercalciuria. Recent evidence implicates a role for defective calcium reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule. We hypothesized that claudin-2, a paracellular cation channel protein, mediates proximal tubule calcium reabsorption. We found that claudin-2–null mice have hypercalciuria due to a primary defect in renal tubule calcium transport and papillary nephrocalcinosis that resembles the intratubular plugs in kidney stone formers. Our findings suggest that a proximal tubule defect in calcium reabsorption predisposes to papillary calcification, providing support for the vas washdown hypothesis. Claudin-2–null mice were also found to have increased net intestinal calcium absorption, but reduced paracellular calcium permeability in the colon, suggesting that this was due to reduced intestinal calcium secretion. Common genetic variants in the claudin-2 gene were associated with decreased tissue expression of claudin-2 and increased risk of kidney stones in 2 large population-based studies. Finally, we describe a family in which males with a rare missense variant in claudin-2 have marked hypercalciuria and kidney stone disease. Our findings indicate that claudin-2 is a key regulator of calcium excretion and a potential target for therapies to prevent kidney stones.

Pitch length and surface braiding angle are two important parameters of braided composite preforms. In this paper, a method based on Faster R-CNN is proposed to measure the two parameters. First, after image acquisition, a fabric image database including initial cropped images, augmented images, and target images is established. Then, the target images are classified into four categories according to the gray change characteristics. Third, a Faster R-CNN fabric detection model is trained on the fabric image database. Fourth, targets are detected by the trained network, and corners are detected based on the detected targets. Finally, pitch lengths and surface braiding angles are measured based on the detected corners. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves the automatic measurement of pitch lengths and surface braiding angles of 2D and 3D braided composite preforms with high accuracy.

To identify the characteristics, sources, and formation mechanisms of aerosol particles during pollution episodes in the Pearl River Delta, 24 sets of size-segregated samples were collected in Heshan during July 2014 and January 2015 using a 10-stage Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI), and nine ions, viz., Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl–, NO2–, NO3–, and SO42–, were investigated. The Na+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ were mainly distributed in the coarse particles, and were mainly from soil, dust, and sea salt. The fine-mode K+ during winter was mostly generated by biomass burning. The coarse-mode Cl– originated from sea salt, whereas the fine-mode Cl– resulted from the conversion of NH4Cl to the particle phase. Both the SO42– and the NO3– exhibited unimodal distributions during winter but bimodal ones during summer. The coarse-mode SO42– and NO3– arose from sea salt and heterogeneous reactions, respectively. An increase in the nitrogen oxidation ratio (NOR) and a decrease in the sulfur oxidation ratio (SOR) were observed on polluted days, with the highest values occurring in the 0.56–1 µm particle size fraction. The formation of NO3– was chiefly related toµ homogeneous gas-phase reactions during winter and nocturnal heterogeneous reactions involving N2O5 during summer, whereas the formation of SO42– was driven by gas-phase oxidation in the 0.056–0.32 µm size range and aqueous oxidation in the 0.56–3.2 µm range. Additionally, the SOR and the NO2 concentration displayed a positive correlation in the 0.056–1.8 µm particle size fraction, indicating that the potential formation of SO42– via aqueous reactions was accelerated by NO2.

Background Controversy exists around the locoregional management of the primary tumor for breast cancer associated with synchronous ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis (sISLM) due to the rarity of the disease and limited available data. This study aimed to compare outcomes of patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database with sISLM who underwent surgical resection and radiation of the primary tumor with those who did not. Methods This population-based retrospective study included breast cancer patients with sISLM without distant metastases from 2004 to 2016 in the SEER database. In this study, patients had been stratified by operative management, and propensity score matching (PSM) had been successfully applied. Results A total of 1172 breast cancer patients with sISLM were included in the study: 863 (73.6%) of patients underwent the primary tumor resection, and 309 (26.4%) patients did not undergo surgery. The median survival time in the surgery group was longer compared to the nonsurgery group in the overall cohort and the PSM cohort. We concluded that the primary tumor resection was associated with improved survival. Subgroup analysis further demonstrated that local surgery was not inferior to radical surgery. Conclusion For selected breast cancer patients with sISLM, surgery is a promising local intervention which may improve the survival.

A CMOS-integrated electrochemical biochip for high-performance molecular testing is presented. The system includes an array of 32 $\times $ 32 three-electrode voltammetry pixels and on-chip temperature control between 25 and 95 °C. Each 100 $\mu \text{m}\,\times 100\,\,\mu \text{m}$ pixel includes a CMOS-compatible and chemo-stable amorphous carbon electrode transducer connected to in-pixel $\Sigma \Delta $ current detection circuitry with 280 fA rms input-referred noise (0.1–20 Hz bandwidth) and 93 dB dynamic range (DR). Array-based DNA detection assays are implemented, and successful DNA melt-analysis and real-time label-free DNA hybridization detection are reported.

The adsorption and recovery of dysprosium ions (Dy

Osteoporosis is a common metabolic disease that has a high incidence in postmenopausal women. Studies have indicated that oxidative damage plays an important role in the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Metformin has been showed to have the ability to relieve excessive oxidation. The aim of the present was to determine the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of metformin in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Oxidative damage was stimulated in vitro by the addition of H2O2 to MC3T3-E1 cells and a mouse menopausal model was also constructed. Cell viability and flow cytometry experiments were performed to determine the effects of H2O2 and metformin treatment on apoptosis. Mitochondrial membrane potential was tested by JC-1 assays. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of mitochondrial apoptosis markers and antioxidant enzymes. Small interfering RNA was used to knockdown sirtuin3 (SIRT3), which was verified at the mRNA and protein levels. Bilateral ovariectomy was used to prepare menopausal mice, which were analyzed using micro-computed tomography. The results indicated that metformin is able to repair mitochondrial damage and inhibit the apoptosis of osteoblasts induced by H2O2, and also reverse bone mass loss in ovariectomized mice. Western blotting results demonstrated the involvement of SIRT3 in the production of antioxidant enzymes that are essential in protecting against mitochondrial injury. In addition, experiments with SIRT3 knockdown indicated that metformin reverses H2O2-induced osteoblast apoptosis by upregulating the expression of SIRT3 via the PI3K/AKT pathway. The results of the present reveal the pathogenesis of oxidative damage and the therapeutic effect of metformin in postmenopausal osteoporosis. They also suggest that SIRT3 is a potential drug target in the treatment of osteoporosis, with metformin being a candidate drug for modification and/or clinical application.

Background Annexin A1 (ANXA1) exerts anti-nociceptive effect through ANXA1 receptor formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2/ALX (receptor for lipoxin A4), FPR2) at the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) level. However, the mechanisms remain elucidated. By using radiant heat, hot/cold plate, tail flick, von Frey, and Randall-Selitto tests to detect nociception in intact and chemical (capsaicin, menthol, mustard oil, formalin or CFA) injected AnxA1 conditional knockout (AnxA1−/−) mice, applying calcium imaging and patch clamp recordings in cultured DRG neurons to measure neuronal excitability, conducting immunofluorescence and western blotting to detect the protein levels of TRPV1, FPR2 and its downstream molecules, and performing double immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation to investigate the interaction between Calmodulin (CaM) and TRPV1; we aim to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms of ANXA1’s role in antinociception. Results AnxA1−/− mice exhibited significant sensitivity to noxious heat (mean ± SD, 6.2 ± 1.0 s vs. 9.9 ± 1.6 s in Hargreaves test; 13.6 ± 1.5 s vs. 19.0 ± 1.9 s in hot plate test; n = 8; P vs. 76.2 ± 10.9; n = 8; P vs. 76.0 ± 21.9 s; n = 8; P vs. 320.4 ± 33.6 s; n = 8; P vs. 5.9 ± 1.4 s; n = 8; P 2+ response, TRPV1 currents and neuronal firing in AnxA1 deficient DRG neurons. Furthermore, ANXA1 mimic peptide Ac2-26 robustly increased intracellular Ca2+, inhibited TRPV1 current, activated PLCβ and promoted CaM-TRPV1 interaction. And these effects of Ac2-26 could be attenuated by FPR2 antagonist Boc2. Conclusions Selective deletion of AnxA1 in DRG neurons enhances TRPV1 sensitivity and deteriorates noxious heat or capsaicin induced nociception, while ANXA1 mimic peptide Ac2-26 desensitizes TRPV1 via FPR2 and the downstream PLCβ-Ca2+-CaM signal. This study may provide possible target for developing new analgesic drugs in inflammatory pain.

This paper shares our work on building a machine learning system to categorize transactions for Intuit's QuickBooks product. Transaction categorization is challenging due to the complexity of accounting, the need for personalization, and the diversity of customers. We have broken down this monolithic problem into smaller pieces based on customers' life-cycle stages, and tailored solutions to address customer pain-points for each. Modern machine learning technologies such as deep neural networks, transfer learning, and few-shot learning are adopted to enable accurate transaction categorization. Furthermore our system learns user actions in real-time to provide relevant and in-time category recommendations. This in-session learning capability reduces user workload, improves customer experience, and helps to cultivate confidence.

This paper aims to address the problem of oriented object detection under the complex background of remote sensing images. To this end, we propose a one-stage object detection method with feature fusion structure, and modify the loss function to enhance the detection of small objects. More specifically, on the basis of the end-to-end one-stage object detection model RetinaNet, the method of gliding the vertices of the horizontal bounding box is used to describe an oriented object. In order to obtain multi-scale context information, we design a feature fusion module. Besides, we propose a novel area-weighted loss function to pay more attention to small objects. Experimental results conducted on the DOTA dataset demonstrate that the proposed framework outperforms several state-of-the-art baselines.

Summary Flexible viscoelastic sensors have gained significant attention in wearable devices owing to their exceptional strain-dependent electrical resistance. Most of the strain sensors are elastic composites, thus the internal stress is often preserved during the deformation when they are attached to the uneven target. Therefore, there is a pressing need for viscoelastic composites with highly self-adapted electromechanical properties sensitive to multiexternal circumstances. This work reports a liquid-metal-filled magnetorheological plastomer (LMMRP) that shows a high response behavior to the external stimulus such as magnetic field, temperature, and force. The shape-deformable LMMRP can transform from an insulator to a conductor under applying a magnetic field, thus the further viscoelastic sensor possesses a magnetic field “on-off” switch effect. The microstructure-dependent magnetic/thermal/mechanical-electrical coupling characteristics are investigated, and several proof-of-concept sensor applications, such as magnetic control, environment recognition, and motion monitoring, are demonstrated. These LMMRP composites show a broad potential in flexible sensors and soft electronics., Graphical abstract, Highlights • A shape-deformable liquid-metal-filled magnetorheological plastomer was created. • The plastomer is sensitive to magnetic field, temperature, and force. • The evolution of the particle microstructure in the plastomer was simulated. • The plastomer has great potential in flexible electronics with magnetic control., Magnetic property; Nanomaterials; Sensor

Biochar and engineered biochar have been used for phosphorous recovery from wastewater, but the resulted phosphorous-laden (P-laden) biochar needs further disposal. In this study, the feasibility of reusing P-laden biochar for Pb immobilization as well as the underlying mechanism was explored. Three types of engineered biochar, i.e., Ca modified biochar, Mg modified biochar, and Fe modified biochar, were selected to sorb P and then the exhausted biochar was further used for Pb sorption. Results showed that Mg and Ca modified biochar exhibited considerable Pb sorption capacity after P sorption with the maximum value of 3.36–4.03 mmol/g and 5.49–6.58 mmol/g, respectively, while P-laden Fe modified biochar failed to sorb Pb due to its acidic pH. The removal of Pb by P-laden Mg modified biochar involved more precipitation including PbHPO4, Pb5(PO4)3(OH), and Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2 because of its higher P sorption capacity and more -OH group on the surface. Cation exchange with CaCO3 to form PbCO3 was the main mechanism for Pb removal by P-laden Ca modified biochar despite the formation of Pb5(PO4)3(OH) precipitate. Our results demonstrate that waste P-laden biochar can be further used for the effective removal of Pb, which provides a potential approach for waste adsorbent disposal.

Aiming at the concavity defects in the cross-wedge rolling (CWR) process, one new rolling method named as the twice closed–open joint CWR was presented to improve the use ratio of material in CWR of the axle parts. The new rolling method included three stages: the first closed rolling, the second closed rolling and the last open rolling. To investigate the flow of material in this rolling process, one 3D finite element model (FEM) of the twice closed–open joint CWR was established. The CWR process of one pump spindle part was simulated using the established 3D FEM. The formation, the flow law of metal materials and concavity defects of end were studied. In addition, the CWR experiments were carried out. The results of simulation agreed with the results of tests well. The results proved that the new method can decrease the extent of concavity and improve the material use ratio.

This work reports an experiment/simulation combination study on the magnetorheological (MR) mechanism of magnetic fluid based on Fe3O4 hollow chains. The decrease of shear stress versus the increasing magnetic field was observed in a dilute magnetic fluid. Hollow chains exhibited a higher MR effect than pure Fe3O4 hollow nanospheres under a small magnetic field. A modified particle level simulation method including the translational and rotational motion of chains was developed to comprehend the correlation between rheological properties and microstructures. Sloping cluster-like microstructures were formed under a weak external field (24 mT), while vertical column-like microstructures were observed under a strong field (240 mT). The decrease of shear stress was due to the strong reconstruction process of microstructures and the agglomeration of chains near the boundaries. The chain morphology increased the dip angle of microstructures and thus improved the MR effect under a weak field. This advantage made Fe3O4 hollow chains to be widely applied for small and low-power devices in the biomedical field. Dimensionless viscosity as a function of the Mason number was collapsed onto linear master curves. Magnetic fluid in Poiseuille flow in a microfluidic channel was also observed and simulated. A qualitative and quantitative correspondence between simulations and experiments was obtained.

We present a theoretical study on a novel one-dimensional nanomaterial (FeCpVCp)n@MoS2 NT which are constructed with encapsulating organometallic sandwich molecular wires (FeCpVCp)n into armchair (8, 8) MoS2 NT, using density functional theory (DFT) and nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) techniques. It is found that ferromagnetic (FeCpVCp)n@MoS2 NT is thermally stable with a high Curie or Neel temperature of 722.8 K. Transport property of (FeCpVCp)n@MoS2 NT is in good agreement with the electronic structure. (FeCpVCp)n offers a notable transport pathway along the axial direction, electron hopping may happen from (FeCpVCp)n to MoS2 NT sheath, which plays a significant role in electron transporting. Conductivity of (FeCpVCp)n@MoS2 NT is dependent on the spin states: spin-down state gives a higher conductivity than the spin-up state, opening out a spin-polarized transport property. These novel properties of (FeCpVCp)n@MoS2 NT render their potential applications in nanoscale spintronic and molecular electronics.

Fetal growth has been demonstrated to be an important predictor of perinatal and postnatal health. Although the effects of maternal exposure to air pollution during pregnancy on fetal growth have been investigated using ultrasound in many previous studies, the results were inconsistent and disputable. We aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively investigate the associations of air pollution exposure during different periods of pregnancy with fetal growth and anthropometric measurements at birth. We searched for all studies investigating the associations of air pollution exposure during pregnancy with fetal growth and birth anthropometric measurements in English and Chinese databases published before July 31, 2017. A random-effects model was employed in the meta-analysis to estimate the pooled effects of each 10 μg/m3 increment in air pollutant exposure. The ACROBAT-NRSI tool was applied to assess the quality of each included study, and the GRADE tool was employed to assess the overall quality of the meta-analysis. Maternal PM2.5 exposure (10 μg/m3) during the entire pregnancy was negatively associated with head circumference at birth (β = − 0.30 cm, 95% CI − 0.49, − 0.10), and NO2 exposure during the entire pregnancy was significantly linked to shorter length at birth (β = − 0.03 cm, 95% CI − 0.05, − 0.02). Maternal exposure to higher NO2 and PM2.5 during pregnancy may impair neonatal head circumference and length development, respectively. More studies are needed to confirm the effects of NO2 and PM2.5 and to identify the sources and major toxic components of PMs.

Indosinian granitic rocks are widespread in the West Qinling Orogen (WQO) in central China. Some of the early Indosinian granitoids have high Sr and low Y contents, and therefore high Sr/Y ratios, and they have been interpreted as adakitic rocks that formed by partial melting of thickened continental lower crust. However, several studies have revealed that granitoids with high Sr/Y ratios can be formed by various geological processes. Here, we report new zircon U-Pb ages, whole–rock geochemical data, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotope data for the Ganjiagongma pluton in the Xiahe area of the WQO, and we discuss whether the WQO underwent crustal thickening during the early Indosinian. The zircon U-Pb dating results indicate that the Ganjiagongma granodiorite and its mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) crystallized at ca 242 Ma. The MMEs are characterized by low SiO2 contents and Sr/Y ratios, and high MgO, Cr, and Ni contents, as well as high Mg# values, and they have evolved zircon Hf and whole–rock Sr-Nd isotopes, indicating they were produced by the partial melting of metasomatized continental lithospheric mantle. The granodiorite samples have some adakitic characteristics with SiO2 = 65.22 to 68.01 wt%, MgO = 1.07 to 1.71 wt%, Mg# = 59 to 62, Sr = 357 to 620 ppm, Y = 9.7 to 17.4 ppm, Sr/Y = 30.26 to 47.46, and no significant Eu anomalies. However, the granodiorites have relatively flat HREE patterns, indicating that amphibole, rather than garnet was the main residue in the source area, and this proposal is consistent with the relatively low but constant Nb/Ta values and varied Zr/Sm ratios. Simple two-end member modeling results indicate that the granodiorite could have been formed in normal or slightly thickened crust by mixing of 20%–30% mantle-derived melt with 70%–80% melt derived from the partial melting of basement rocks in the continental lower crust of the WQO. Taking into account other geological evidence, we propose that the formation of the Ganjiagongma pluton was related to the subduction of the A'nimaque-Mianlue oceanic crust, and that no significant thickening of the continental crust occurred in the WQO during the early Indosinian.

Aims Increasing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) by Nicotinamide riboside (NR) provides protective benefits in multiple disorders. However, the role of NR on liver fibrosis is unclear. We performed in vivo and in vitro experiments to test the hepatic protective effects of NR against liver fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms. Materials and methods Mice were injected with CCl4 to establish liver fibrosis model. NR was given by gavage to explore the hepatic protection of NR. LX-2 cells were given a TGF-β stimulation ± NR, the activation of LX-2 cells and the acetylation of Smads were analyzed. To further confirm the role of Sirt1 on the protective pathway of NR, we knockdown Sirt1 in LX-2 cells. Key findings We found NR could prevent liver fibrosis and reverse the existing liver fibrosis. NR inhibited the activation of LX-2 cells induced by TGF-β, activated Sirt1 and deacetylated Smad2/3. Sirt1 knockdown diminished the inhibiting effect of NR on LX-2 cells activation, and increased expressions of acetylated Smads. In conclusion, NR could prevent liver fibrosis via suppressing activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). This protective effect was mediated by regulating the acetylation of Smads signaling pathway. Significance NR protected mice against liver fibrosis induced by CCl4. NR suppressed activation of hepatic stellate cells induced by TGF-β. NR protects liver fibrosis via increasing the activity of Sirt1 and decreasing the expression of P300, resulting in the deacetylation of Smads in stellate cells.

Magnetic fluid is a novel magnetorheological (MR) intelligent material consisting of magnetic particles, non-magnetic matrix, and additive agents. After applying the external magnetic field, magnetic particles will interact with each other due to the magnetic dipolar forces. The viscosity and yield stress of magnetic fluid could increase several orders of magnitude in milliseconds, which is called the MR effect. The controllable and reversible property makes magnetic fluid widely applied in drug targeting delivery, magnetic thermal therapy, commercial dampers, and polishing etc. In order to comprehend the mechanical behaviors of magnetic fluid, researchers developed several theoretical models for different flow conditions. However, due to the extensive calculation, theoretical models are only applicable for some special problems, such as 2-dimensional and axial symmetry. In recent years, with the development of computer performance, simulation has become an important method to investigate the MR mechanism of magnetic fluid. This paper reviews the recent progress in the theory and simulation of magnetic fluid. Firstly, theoretical models of magnetic fluid under shear mode, squeeze mode, and valve mode are introduced. Secondly, the existing simulation methods for magnetic fluid, such as molecular dynamics, particle-level dynamic simulation, and finite element method, are illustrated. The validity of the methods and their merits and drawbacks are discussed. Then, the research progress of the simulation of magnetic fluid is summarized from 3 aspects: Simulations of mechanical properties of novel magnetic fluid, simulations of complex mechanical behaviors of conventional magnetic fluid, and simulations of biomagnetic fluid. Finally, some future trends of simulation of magnetic fluid are proposed. The following 3 topics should be emphasized in the future work. First, a comprehensive theoretical model considering a variety of microscopic interactions is required. In order to prepare magnetic particles with high MR effect, excellent dispersibility, and low density, surface coating, modification, and additive agents are usually applied in experiments. Unfortunately, the influence of non-magnetic components on the MR effect is seldom considered in simulations. Second, current simulations could not simultaneously obtain the macroscopic mechanical properties and microstructures of magnetic fluid in complex flow. Finite element method and computational fluid dynamics are applicable for complex macroscopic problems but can not obtain the microstructures at the same time. Mesoscopic simulation methods can not exhibit large-scale aggregations of particles, which leads to the deviation compared with experiments. To establish multi-scale simulation methods and improve the accuracy of simulations have become an urgent requirement. Combining simulation methods with different spatial scales and reducing the time cost by using machine learning have become a possible approach. Third, multi-physics coupling simulation methods should be established. The magnetic field controlled electrical properties of magnetic fluid have attracted researchers interest in recent years. Magnetic fluid with this novel controllable property could be widely applied in battery and sensors. Investigations on other physical properties of magnetic fluid by using mechanical, electrical, and magnetic model together will be a future trend. These achievements will all contribute to the development of high-performance magnetic fluids and further enlarge the range of applications of magnetic fluid.

Because of the potential applications in the optical fields, the ultra-precision cutting of titanium alloys is attracting the interest of many researchers. Aimed at the problem of tool wear and poor surface quality in the ultra-precision cutting of titanium alloys, the method of ultrasonic vibration was used to assist the ultra-precision turning of titanium alloy for improving the machinability and better surface integrity. A lot of experiments of ultrasonic-assisted ultra-precision turning (UAUT) have been done to investigate the cutting phenomenon in UAUT of Ti6Al4V alloy. In addition, the effect of cutting parameters (amplitude of vibration, spindle speed, depth of cut and feeding speed) on the surface roughness, surface morphology, chip morphology and cutting force has been analyzed deeply. The results showed that the amplitude of ultrasonic vibration played the most important role in UAUT of Ti6Al4V alloy.

In this paper, a new method based on phase congruency is proposed to measure pitch lengths and surface braiding angles of two-dimensional biaxial braided composite preforms. Lab space transform and BM3D (block-matching and 3D filter) are used first to preprocess the original acquired images. A corner detection algorithm based on phase congruency is then proposed to detect the corners of the preprocessed images. Pitch lengths and surface braiding angles are finally measured based on the detected corner maps. Experimental results show that our method achieves the automatic measurement of pitch lengths and the surface braiding angles of biaxial braided composite preforms with high accuracy.

Early Palaeozoic ophiolites emplaced in the central East Kunlun fault zone (CEKF) offer critical clues to the tectonic evolution of the Proto-Tethys ocean and the accretionary process of CEKF. The Qushi'ang Ophiolite, located within the eastern segment of the CEKF, consists of dismembered serpentinites, meta-gabbros and meta-basalts. This study presents petrologic, whole-rock geochemical, and in situ zircon U-Pb and Hf isotope data for basic rocks (both metagabbros and metabasalts) from the Qushi'ang ophiolite to constrain the formation age and tectonic setting of the ophiolite. Zircons from two meta-gabbro samples yield concordant U-Pb ages of ca. 498 Ma and ca. 505 Ma, indicating that the Qushi'ang ophiolite was formed in the late Cambrian. The meta-gabbros and meta-basalts show significant enrichment in large ionic lithophile elements (LILEs), such as Cs, Rb, Ba, U, and Pb, and depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs), such as Nb, Ta, Zr, and Ti, suggesting the influence of fluids derived from a subducting oceanic slab. On the N-MORB normalized trace element diagrams, these rocks share similar features with arc basalts and back-arc basalts and far away from fore-arc basalts (FABs) and normal mid-ocean basalts (N-MORBs). Low zircon eHf(t) values (−2.9 to +0.2) for the meta-gabbros further indicate that the Qushi'ang ophiolite likely originated from an weakly enriched mantle wedge source. Geochemical discrimination diagrams show that the Qushi'ang ophiolite formed in a back arc basin setting. Our new analyses, combined with previous data, suggest that the Qushi'ang ophiolite represents a relict of a nascent back-arc basin, similar to the scenario of the Okinawa trough in Western Pacific.

A series of 2D transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) intercalation compounds, PdCl2/PtCl2@MX2 (M = Mo, W; X = S, Se), formed by covalently intercalating PdCl2/PtCl2 into the bilayer space of MX2, have been designed and investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) methods. The intercalation compounds adopt a planar quadridentate coordination structure of PdCl2X2/PtCl2X2. The possibility of electron–hole recombination is enhanced because of the introduction of the PdCl2/PtCl2 groups, and on the other hand, the PdCl2/PtCl2-derived HOMO and LUMO are shielded well by the MX2 band gap, both of which are beneficial for improving the fluorescence quantum yield. The conductivity of the intercalation compounds is slightly lowered owing to the trap effect of PdCl2/PtCl2. In addition, electron transportation is easier along the zigzag direction than along the armchair direction. Contrary to the conductivity, a robust photogalvanic effect (PGE) can be observed when linearly polarized light is applied onto the PdCl2/PtCl2 groups, and the armchair direction exhibits a much higher photoresponse compared with the zigzag direction. The largest photocurrent could reach up to 1.83 × 10−2 a02 per photon. For a given MX2, the PdCl2 groups induce a higher maximum photocurrent than the PtCl2. Significantly, the photocurrent is highly dependent on the polarization angle θ and the applied photon energy, making the intercalation compounds appealing for designing photoresponse on/off switches by tuning θ or photon energy. Our simulation frameworks as well as the results offer guidelines for novel 2D functional device design and fabrication.

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is an attractive precursor for N-doped porous carbons owing to its high nitrogen content and good thermal stability. Herein, a facile and effective route for the synthesis of N/S co-doped porous carbon by capitalizing on hetero-atom containing PAN as a doped carbon source and ZnCl2 as a volatile porogen is reported. Notably, the optimal porous carbon (denoted as FeZ-CNS-900) with a large specific surface area of up to 1730 m2 g−1 exhibits excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity with a half-wave potential of 0.881 V, which is 39 mV more positive than that of commercial Pt/C under alkaline conditions, as well as robust durability and methanol tolerance. Interestingly, the use of N/S co-doped porous carbon also offers comparable ORR activity yet much higher stability than that of Pt/C under acidic conditions. Finally, the implementation of FeZ-CNS-900 as the air-cathode catalyst for primary Zn–air batteries yields an open-circuit potential of 1.49 V, a high peak power density of 168 mW cm−2, a large specific capacity of 778 mA h gZn−1 (corresponding to an energy density of 1020 W h kgZn−1) and a remarkable durability.

Background/Aims: Some adipokines, such as adiponectin and leptin, have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), while the association of adipsin and visfatin with NAFLD still remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association of circulating adipsin, visfatin, and adiponectin with NAFLD in Chinese adults. Methods: We recruited a total of 211 eligible subjects, including 100 NAFLD cases and 111 age and sex frequency-matched controls. Circulating adipsin, visfatin, and adiponection concentrations were measured by enzymatic immunoassay. Unconditional logistic regression was conducted to assess the associations between quartiles of adipokines and NAFLD. Results: Compared with the controls, NAFLD cases had higher levels of adipsin and lower levels of visfatin and adiponectin. By multivariate logistic analysis, adjusting for potential confounders, circulating adipsin levels were found to be positively associated with NAFLD risk, and circulating levels of visfatin and adiponectin were inversely associated with the risk of NAFLD (all p-trend < 0.05). The ORs were 3.76 (95% CI 1.27–11.08) for adipsin, 0.30 (95% CI 0.10–0.91) for visfatin, and 0.30 (95% CI 0.10–0.88) for adiponectin comparing subjects in the highest quartile with those in the lowest. After stratified by obesity status, the association of higher adipsin with increased risk of NAFLD was only observed in nonobese group. Additionally, the inverse association between adiponectin and NAFLD was found in both groups. Conclusions: These results indicated that increased circulating levels of adipsin and decreased circulating levels of visfatin and adiponectin were independently associated with the increased risk of NAFLD.

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common and complex post-stroke neuropsychiatric disorder, which not only delays functional recovery but also increases mortality, and which currently lacks effective drug therapy. The pathogenesis of PSD is associated with impairment of the subcortical neural circuits and alterations of synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitters, but the exact mechanisms of PSD remain unknown. Our previous work indicates that the death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) mediates neuronal death after stroke. Genetic deletion of DAPK1 gene or blocking DAPK1 signal in the PSD mouse model can not only alleviate cerebral ischemic injury but also relieve PSD-like behaviors. Our previous work has also demonstrated the following results. First, the neural circuit of dorsal CA1 (dCA1) to medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) (dCA1-mPFC) is selectively impaired after stroke. Second, the DAPK1 signal is involved in the impairment of dCA1-mPFC neural circuit after stroke. Third, genetic deletion of the DAPK1 gene or blocking of the DAPK1 signal alleviates the injury of dCA1-mPFC neural circuit after stroke and improves PSD-like behaviors. In conclusion, we hypothesize that activated DAPK1 signal after stroke induces apoptosis in the hippocampal dCA1 neurons, leading to loss of the dCA1-mPFC glutamatergic projections, synaptic injury, decrease of glutamate release, inhibition of mPFC neurons, and finally onset of PSD. We hope to further replenish the mechanisms of PSD and provide new insights for PSD treatment.

In this study, the normal stress in magnetorheological polymer gel (MRPG) under large amplitude oscillatory shear was investigated using experiments and particle-level simulations. Under large amplitude oscillatory shear, an intensely oscillating normal stress was measured with a period of exactly half the strain period. As the amplitude of the strain increased, the peak of the normal stress increased and the trough decreased. Changes in the normal stress were mainly caused by two factors: the Poynting effect, in which shear produces a normal force perpendicular to the shear direction, and magnetic-induced normal stress, which changes with the particle structure. In MRPG, both effects are related to the particle structure. The particle structure in MRPG with different strain was calculated and the simulation results show that the amplitude of the structural strain in oscillatory shearing is less than that of the applied strain. Additionally, a phase difference was observed between the structural strain and the applied strain. Based on the calculated particle structure, the change in the normal stress was obtained and found to agree well with the experimental results.

Background Chemotherapy is the primary established systemic treatment for patients with breast cancer, especially those with the triple-negative subtype. Simultaneously, the resistance of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to chemotherapy remains a major clinical problem. Our previous study demonstrated that the expression levels of PTN and its receptor PTPRZ1 were upregulated in recurrent TNBC tissue after chemotherapy, and this increase was closely related to poor prognosis in those patients. However, the mechanism and function of chemotherapy-driven increases in PTN/PTPRZ1 expression are still unclear. Methods We compared the expression of PTN and PTPRZ1 between normal breast and cancer tissues as well as before and after chemotherapy in cancer tissue using the microarray analysis data from the GEPIA database and GEO database. The role of chemotherapy-driven increases in PTN/PTPRZ1 expression was examined with a CCK-8 assay, colony formation efficiency assay and apoptosis analysis with TNBC cells. The potential upstream pathways involved in the chemotherapy-driven increases in PTN/PTPRZ1 expression in TNBC cells were explored using microarray analysis, and the downstream mechanism was dissected with siRNA. Results We demonstrated that the expression of PTN and PTPRZ1 was upregulated by chemotherapy, and this change in expression decreased chemosensitivity by promoting tumour proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. CDKN1A was the critical switch that regulated the expression of PTN/PTPRZ1 in TNBC cells receiving chemotherapy. We further demonstrated that the mechanism of chemoresistance by chemotherapy-driven increases in the CDKN1A/PTN/PTPRZ1 axis depended on the NF-κB pathway. Conclusions Our studies indicated that chemotherapy-driven increases in the CDKN1A/PTN/PTPRZ1 axis play a critical role in chemoresistance, which suggests a novel strategy to enhance chemosensitivity in breast cancer cells, especially in those of the triple-negative subtype.