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A Sc-free and high-plasticity Al-4.8Mg-1.6Zr aluminum alloy was densified via laser powder bed fusion. The microstructure features a typical bimodal grain structure, with abundant L1 2 -Al 3 Zr particles about 100 nm distributed. The yield strength (YS) of 449 ± 4 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 449 ± 5 MPa, and the elongation to failure (EL) of 15.1 ± 1.9% are obtained after peak aging. In addition to solid solution strengthening, grain boundary strengthening and nanoparticle strengthening, the long-range stacked ordered 9R phase associated with high content Mg and Zr also contributes to strengthening. Besides, the difference in strain distribution between coarse and fine grain zones causes deformation-induced hardening. Low-temperature dynamic precipitation is observed in this Al–Mg–Zr alloy for the first time. The deformation-induced hardening and dynamic precipitation improve the strain-hardening capability, consequently delaying necking instability. After peak aging treatment, the number of Al 3 Zr particles with strong high-temperature stability increases, inhibiting grain coarsening and enhancing the precipitation strengthening effect. The excellent strength-ductility trade-off of the printed Al–Mg–Zr without expensive Sc element gives it a broad application prospect in economical and large-scale additive manufacturing. • The LPBF-fabricated sample is crack-free with a relative density of 99.47% and porosity of 0.55% when it is printed at a VED of 80 J/mm3. • The yield strength (YS) of 449 ± 4 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 449 ± 5 MPa, and the elongation to failure (EL) of 15.1 ± 1.9% of Al–Mg–Zr alloy are obtained in as-built condition. • High content of Mg and Zr elements leads to low stacking fault energy, and the introduced 9R phase contributes to strengthening. • HDI hardening and low-temperature dynamic precipitation that first found in Al–Mg–Zr alloy, improves the strain-hardening capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Pre-deformation integrated with non-isothermal aging improved the mechanical properties of an Al-Cu-Li alloy within 5.5 h. • Strengthening benefit from pre-deformation was limited and the 16 % pre-deformed state exhibited the highest strength. • Visualized contribution revealed an undulatory precipitation strengthening, mainly owing to the changing T 1 thickness. • A critical diameter for the shearing to by-passing mechanism transition was recommended as approximately 100 nm. The effects of increasing levels of pre-deformation on the mechanical properties and microstructure evolution (dominantly T 1 phase) of an extensively used aerospace Al-Cu-Li alloy have been systematically investigated during the non-isothermal aging. Quantitative descriptions extracted from the microstructure parameters further revealed the separated strengthening contributions and mechanism. Pre-deformation prior to the NIA significantly accelerated the aging kinetics and improved the strength, and yet showed a limited benefit due to the generally decreased precipitation strengthening. Elevated pre-deformation in conjunction with the NIA process reduced the T 1 diameter and interprecipitate spacing, the interprecipitate diffusion was gradually activated, responsible for the undulatory mean thickness. The experimental yield strength was successfully described by invoking the shearing mechanism in the pre-deformed samples (4–20 %). However, the strengthening transition from shearing to by-passing occurred in the 0 % sample, the by-passing model should be considered simultaneously owing to the larger diameter T 1 precipitates. The critical diameter of the T 1 precipitate for this transition ranged from 84 to 117 nm and was approximately 100 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The prevalence of BRCA1 somatic mutations status in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has not been well documented. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of BRCA1 somatic mutations and to investigate the association between BRCA1 deleterious somatic mutation status and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women with TNBC. Methods Two hundred and five TNBC patients without BRCA1 germline mutations were enrolled in this study. Fresh tumor tissues were available for this cohort of 205 patients, including 112 patients with fresh core needle biopsy tumor tissues before treatment and 93 patients with fresh tumor tissues procured after surgery. BRCA1 somatic mutations were determined in the tumor samples using PCR-direct sequencing assay. Among the 112 patients with core needle biopsy samples, 97 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results Eight patients (3.9%) carried a BRCA1 pathogenic somatic mutation in this cohort of 205 TNBC patients. These eight BRCA1 deleterious somatic mutations included five frameshift or nonsense mutations (c.191_212del22, c.1664delA, c.4674_4675 + 17del, c.3671_3672insTTCC, c.1162A > T), one splicing site mutation (c.134 + 2T > G) and two missense mutations (c.5511G > C and c.286G > A). No significant differences in tumor characteristics between BRCA1 deleterious somatic mutation carriers and non-carriers were observed. The pCR (pathologic complete response) rate was 32.0% in the 97 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. BRCA1 deleterious somatic mutation carriers (n = 5) had a higher pCR rate than did non-carriers (n = 92) ( BRCA1 carriers vs non-carriers, 60.0% vs 30.4%, P = 0.32), although it did not reach a significance due to a small sample size. Conclusions A small subset of TNBC patients carried a BRCA1 deleterious somatic mutation; BRCA1 somatic mutation carriers are likely to respond to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative applications of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as a synergist for the extraction of lithium chloride from saturated MgCl 2 solutions were investigated using tributyl phosphate (TBP) as the extractant and FeCl 3 as the co-extractant. The effects of solvent concentration, HCl concentration, phase ratio, Fe/Li molar ratio, and other factors on Li extraction were analyzed. The preliminary results demonstrated that a single-stage Li extraction efficiency of > 90% was obtained with a low TBP concentration of 40% (V/V) and 20% (V/V) DOP without phase separation problems. A Li extraction efficiency of 99.5% was obtained via a three-stage simulation of countercurrent extraction. A study on the mechanism revealed that TBP and DOP molecules associated with the Fe-Li complex through hydrogen bonding. Compared with the traditional TBP–kerosene system, the proposed system prevented the formation of the third phase and significantly reduced the TBP concentration, resulting in less severe causticity to the equipment and reduced aqueous loss of TBP during the extraction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of polymer solar cells is substantially enhanced by introducing carbon nanodots as additives in polyethylenimine buffer layer. The most pronounced effect is observed in one type of device with the average power conversion efficiencies increased from 5.78% to 7.56% after the addition of carbon nanodots at an optimal concentration in the interfacial layer, which is mainly attributed to the enhanced light trapping and electron transfer in the devices. Besides the light-harvesting and electron transport capacity improvement, the addition of carbon nanodots can also increase exciton generation and dissociation, leading to a high electron mobility. This study demonstrates a facile approach for enhancing the efficiencies of polymer solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Seven ideal health metrics were defined by AHA to monitor cardiovascular health. This study aimed to investigate the impact of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and factors on the development of hypertension in prehypertensive subjects.Methods: Thirty-two thousand eight-hundred and eighty-seven participants with prehypertension were included in the study after excluding for preexisting stroke, myocardial infarction or malignancy. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals [CI] for the development of hypertension.Results: During a follow-up of 52.2 months, 15 500 prehypertensive participants developed hypertension. The cumulative incidence of hypertension decreased with the number of ideal health metrics increased. It was 78.61%, 71.08%, 63.15%, 56.07% and 61.62% in prehypertensive individuals carrying ≤1, 2, 3, 4 and ≥5 ideal health behaviors or factors, respectively. After adjustment for age, gender, family history of hypertension, alcohol consumption, resting heart rate, plasma triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, the risk ratios of incident hypertension in the subjects who carried 2, 3, 4, and ≥5 ideal health metrics were 0.833 (95%CI: 0.789–0.880), 0.710 (95%CI: 0.672–0.749), 0.604 (95%CI: 0.568–0.642), and 0.581 (95%CI: 0.524–0.643), respectively, in comparison to those with ≤1 ideal health metric. A similar trend was also observed in male and female populations. Poor health metrics, including body mass index, diet (salt intake), physical activity, total cholesterol, and smoking, were predictors for the development of hypertension in prehypertensive individuals.Conclusion: Ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and factors are protective factors to prevent the progression from prehypertension to hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The north and east Pearl River Delta (PRD) is usually a clean, upwind area in autumn. Serious ozone pollution there in mid-late October 2008 was first discovered and then analyzed. Trajectory analysis, process analysis, ozone source apportionment technology, and sensitivity analysis were used to study this episode. Under the influence of a weak south wind, the precursors emitted in Guangzhou and Foshan were transported to the north and northeast PRD and formed ozone there, which resulted in high ozone concentration (>100 ppb). As the wind direction later transited to northerly, the precursors in the northeast PRD that originated from the central and west PRD were transported to the south, and caused severe ozone pollution in the southeast PRD. The ozone contributed by chemical processes reached >20 ppb/h in Jinguowan. More than 40 ppb ozone was contributed by the precursor emission in the central and west PRD during the episode. The ozone concentration was highly sensitive to the precursor emission in the PRD region in the high-ozone situations. This episode showed the complexity of regional pollution in the PRD. When the PRD is controlled by a low air pressure system and then cold air moves from northern China to the south, the risk of ozone pollution in the north and southeast PRD increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a member of the opioid family, κ-opioid receptors play important role in cognitive and learning functions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of OPRK1 promoter methylation with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). OPRK1 DNA methylation levels of 48 cases and 58 well matched controls were measured using the bisulphite pyrosequencing technology. Our results showed that there was a significant correlation between three CpG sites on the OPRK1 promoter region ( r >= 0.715, p < 0.001). Thus, the mean methylation value of the three CpG sites was used for the case-control comparison. And our results showed there was a significantly higher OPRK1 promoter methylation in AD cases than in controls ( p = 0.006, adjusted p = 0.012). Subsequent luciferase reporter assay showed the CpGs containing fragment of OPRK1 promoter significantly increased the expression of reporter gene (Fold = 2.248, p = 0.0235). In summary, our results suggested that OPRK1 promoter hypermethylation might increase the risk of AD through its regulation on the gene expression of OPRK1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owning to their excellent thermal stability and high strength at elevated temperature, high entropy alloys (HEAs) possess great potential for the application in aviation and aerospace fields. In present work, two novel Nb–Ni–Ti–Co–Zr and Nb–Ni–Ti–Co–Zr–Hf HEAs were prepared by arc melting and copper mold suction-casting method. The microstructure, phase stability, mechanical properties at room temperature and elevated temperature of the two HEAs were studied. Both of the HEAs possess high yield stress at room temperature, especially for the Nb–Ni–Ti–Co–Zr (with 2331 Mpa). In addition, the Nb–Ni–Ti–Co–Zr HEA exhibited high yield stress of 564 Mpa at elevated temperature of 800 °C and large compressive plastic strain (more than 50% at 800 °C). Nb–Ni–Ti–Co–Zr–Hf alloy showed new phase precipitation at 800 °C, whereas the structure of Nb–Ni–Ti–Co–Zr was more stable, which is one of the reason why it possesses high strength at room temperature and elevated temperature. The high temperature properties of the Nb–Ni–Ti–Co–Zr HEA make it promising for high temperature application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient best management practices (BMPs) must be both economically and technically feasible; however, designing adequate BMP planning by considering the trade-offs between efficacy and cost-effectiveness is considerably challenging for reducing the environmental impact of soil erosion. To comprehensively evaluate and screen the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of six selected BMPs, we integrated the entropy weight method with the calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The results demonstrate that (i) the hybrid use of the SWAT model and the entropy weight method can affordably help refine existing and future BMPs. Watershed management plans should be adjusted according to the wet season and critical source areas (CSAs) because all BMPs show differences in the reduction efficiency of soil erosion under different hydrological seasons and CSAs. (ii) Agricultural BMPs and tree planting can effectively control soil erosion; the reduction rankings in the whole watershed were as follows: > 15° returning farmland to forest (32.16%), residue cover tillage (25.06%), strip tillage (16.43%), > 25° returning farmland to forest (8.96%), contour tillage (8.75%), and no tillage (3.18%). The reduction in soil erosion in the wet season was 17.62 times higher than that in the dry season. Priority and reasonable allocation of BMPs in the wet season can be made according to the timely situation and local conditions of the Yanhe River watershed. (iii) The reduction effects of various BMPs on soil erosion in different CSAs are different. The highest comprehensive evaluation index of both efficacy and cost-effectiveness among the six BMPs was scored by residue cover tillage, which we recommend to be popularized in CSAs of the Yanhe River watershed. In areas with different erosion intensities, strip tillage was also highly efficient, that is, the cost was low, and the reduction effect adequate; hence, it is also suitable for large-scale popularization. Some cultivated lands on the > 15° slope can be selectively returned to forest, supplemented by conservation tillage practices such as strip tillage, residue cover tillage, and contour tillage. The introduced framework can be adapted as a suitable tool for selecting cost-effective conservation practices in different regions by managing efficacy and cost trade-offs. • Wet season and critical source areas are indispensable for erosion control in arid and semi-arid region. • Trade-offs between efficacy and cost-effectiveness in BMPs evaluation were considered. • The reduction efficiency of BMPs on erosion in wet season is higher than that in dry season. • Residue cover tillage is the most effectual and cost-effective BMP in reducing soil erosion. • The comprehensive modeling framework depicted here can be transferrable to other watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeolian deposits in the Qinghai Lake basin on the northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (NETP) were studied in order to reconstruct changes in aeolian activity related to climatic changes over the last 12.5 ka. We used 20 optically-stimulated luminescence and conventional radiocarbon dates to construct chronological frameworks for four aeolian sections. The results indicate that aeolian activity occurred episodically at 12.5 ka, 11.2 ka, ~ 9.0 ka, ~ 8.5 ka, 5.5 ka, 2.6 (2.4) ka and 1 (0.9) ka. Paleosols developed mainly during 9.5–4 ka. The field stratigraphy of the sections, together with measurements of grain size, magnetic susceptibility (MS), and total organic carbon (TOC), indicate that aeolian activity was strong during the Last Glacial period. Following the Younger Dryas (YD), Holocene interglacial conditions began to develop in the Qinghai Lake basin at ~ 12 ka. With the strengthened Asian summer monsoon (ASM) and the decrease in insolation, the climate became warm and humid. According to the record of aeolian activity, the early Holocene can be divided into two intervals, before and after ~ 9.5 ka. Aeolian activity remained strong from ~ 12 ka–9.5 ka, although the climate was more humid than that of the Last Glacial period. Between 9.5 ka and 8.5 ka the aeolian activity weakened and the climate became warm and wet, but variable. Following the mid-Holocene Climatic Optimum, the climate became significantly drier at ~ 4 ka and aeolian activity strengthened again. Overall, the ASM dominated aeolian activity in the Qinghai Lake basin during the Holocene, with enhanced aeolian activity corresponding to a weakened ASM. Paleosol development exhibited a lagged response to the strengthened ASM, and therefore aeolian sand layers in the section do not always indicate a cold and dry climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic cause for approximately 80% of familial breast cancer patients is unknown. Here, by sequencing the entire exomes of nine early-onset familial breast cancer patients without BRCA1/2 mutations (diagnosed with breast cancer at or before the age of 35) we found that two index cases carried a potentially deleterious mutation in the RECQL gene (RecQ helicase-like; chr12p12). Recent studies suggested that RECQL is involved in DNA double-strand break repair and it plays an important role in the maintenance of genomic stability. Therefore, we further screened the RECQL gene in an additional 439 unrelated familial breast cancer patients. In total, we found three nonsense mutations leading to a truncated protein of RECQL (p.L128X, p.W172X, and p.Q266X), one mutation affecting mRNA splicing (c.395-2A>G), and five missense mutations disrupting the helicase activity of RECQL (p.A195S, p.R215Q, p.R455C, p.M458K, and p.T562I), as evaluated through an in vitro helicase assay. Taken together, 9 out of 448 BRCA-negative familial breast cancer patients carried a pathogenic mutation of the RECQL gene compared with one of the 1,588 controls (P = 9.14×10-6). Our findings suggest that RECQL is a potential breast cancer susceptibility gene and that mutations in this gene contribute to familial breast cancer development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To specify the parasitoid species of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and provide theoretic references for the reasonable utilization and using natural enemy. [Method] Field investigation and indoor rearing observation were adopted to figure out species and quantity of parasitoids of C. medinalis in Nanning in 2011 -2013. [Result] There are 19 parasitoid species of C. medinalis in Nanning, belonging to Ich-neamonoidea, Chalcidoidea. Of Ichneamonoidea, there are 11 species from Ichneumonidae and Braconidae. Of Chalcidoidea, there are 8 species from Chalcididae, Eulophidae, Elasmidae, Trichogrammatidae and Encyrtidae. Among these species, Stenomesius macidatus Liao and Apanteles cypris Nixon are dominant parasitoids in larval stage. In natural control conditions, S. maeulatus Liao is most-widely distributed species with the most population, especially in the first half year, accounting for 89.7% of the total parasitoid quantity; in pesticide application field, the quantity of S. macidatus Liao accounts for 69.1% of the total parasitoid quantity, and in nonpesticide field, it accounts for 78.5%. [Conclusion] Application of chemical pesticide has serious impact on the natural populations of parasitoids, therefore, chemical pesticides should be applied reasonably to ensure the survival of parasitoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To retrospectively investigate the incidence of severe neutropenia and elevation of transaminase during neoadjuvant chemotherapy using epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil in breast cancer patients. Methods From January 2011 to December 2012, 303 consecutive breast cancer patients with complete treatment data treated in our department were included in this analysis. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with equal dose of EPI (100 mg/m2 ) administered every 3 weeks for 4 cycles before surgery. Results 200 patients (66. 0% ) experienced at least one episode of grade ¾ neutropenia/leukopenia, among them 176 patients experienced their first episode after the first cycle. Febrile neutropenia (FN) occurred in 13 patients for 14 episodes. Elevation of transaminase occurred in a total of 46 patients ( 15. 2%), among them, grade 2 or higher elevation occurred in 15 patients (5.0%). Three blood test plans were adopted to monitor the patients during chemotherapy;( 1 ) Routine blood count repeated every week; (2) Routine blood count belore and on day 10 of each chemotherapy episode; (3) Routine blood count before and on day 7, 10 and 14 of each chemotherapy episode. The number of patients whose chemotherapy was delayed due to ¾ neutropenia/leucopenia in each blood lest plan was 3 (5.0% ), 7 (3. 9% ) and 2 (3. 2%), respectively. The number of palienls with febrile neutropenia ( FIN ) in each blood test plan was 2 (3. 3% ) , 8 (4. 4% ) and 3 (4. 8% ) , respectively. No statistically significant difference in treatment delay or the incidence of FN was observed among different blood lest plans. No statistically significant difference in the incidence of grade ¾ neutropenia/leukopenia or grade 2 or higher transaminase elevation was observed among different 5-Fu regimens. Conclusions During neoadjuvant chemotherapy using FE100C, Fci E100 C or E100 C for breast cancer patients without routine prophylactic G-CSF, the incidence of grade ¾neutropenia/leukopenia is 66.0%. With the patient management plan we adopted, 4.3% of patients developed febrile neutropenia. Prophylactic medication may not be necessary for patients without evident liver dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acidic (leucine-rich) nuclear phosphoprotein 32 family, member A (ANP32A), has multiple functions involved in neuritogenesis, transcriptional regulation, and apoptosis. However, whether ANP32A has an effect on the mammalian developing brain is still in question. In this study, it was shown that brain was the organ that expressed the most abundant ANP32A by human multiple tissue expression (MTE) array. The distribution of ANP32A in the different adult brain areas was diverse dramatically, with high expression in cerebellum, temporal lobe, and cerebral cortex and with low expression in pons, medulla oblongata, and spinal cord. The expression of ANP32A was higher in the adult brain than in the fetal brain of not only humans but also mice in a time-dependent manner. ANP32A signals were dispersed accordantly in embryonic mouse brain. However, ANP32A was abundant in the granular layer of the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex when the mice were growing up, as well as in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. The variation of expression levels and distribution of ANP32A in the developing brain would imply that ANP32A may play an important role in mammalian brain development, especially in the differentiation and function of neurons in the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been known to play an important role in various mental disorders or diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of our study was to assess whether BDNF promoter methylation in peripheral blood was able to predict the risk of AD. A total of 44 AD patients and 62 age- and gender-matched controls were recruited in the current case-control study. Using the bisulphite pyrosequencing technology, we evaluated four CpG sites in the promoter of the BDNF. Our results showed that BDNF methylation was significantly higher in AD cases than in the controls (CpG1: p = 10.021; CpG2: p = 0.002; CpG3: p = 0.007; CpG4: p = 0.005; average methylation: p = 0.004). In addition, BDNF promoter methylation was shown to be significantly correlated with the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose, Lp(a), ApoE and ApoA in males (ALP: r = −0.308, p = 0.042; glucose: r = −0.383, p = 0.010; Lp(a): r = 0.333, p = 0.027; ApoE: r = −0.345, p = 0.032;), ApoA levels in females (r = 0.362, p = 0.033), and C Reactive Protein (CRP) levels in both genders (males: r = −0.373, p = 0.016; females: r = −0.399, p = 0.021). Our work suggested that peripheral BDNF promoter methylation might be a diagnostic marker of AD risk, although its underlying function remains to be elaborated in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper a novel copolymer, chitosan graft glyceryl monooleate (CS–GO) was synthesized and its potential as the nanocarrier for enhancing the peroral delivery of enoxaparin was studied systemically. The successful synthesis was characterized by 1H NMR. Enoxaparin nanocomplexes were prepared by self-assembly. Mucoadhesive properties of the nanocomplexes were evaluated using mucin particle method. Uptake and transport of the nanocomplexes were investigated in Caco-2 cells. In vivo absorption was studied in rats. The therapeutic effects of the nanocomplexes were evaluated using pulmonary thromboembolism model in mice. This study demonstrated that compared to chitosan based system, hydrophobic modification of CS with GO enhanced the oral absorption of enoxaparin significantly, which is in good agreement with the enhanced mucoadhesion, cellular internalization and transport in cell culture. Cellular uptake of CS–GO based enoxaparin nanocomplexes was incubation time, enoxaparin concentration and incubation temperature dependent. The uptake mechanism was assumed to be adsorptive endocytosis via clathrin- and caveolae-mediated process. Its therapeutic efficacy was further demonstrated by pharmacodynamic study with pulmonary thromboembolism inhibition percentage 47.1%. In conclusion, CS–GO copolymer is a promising nanocarrier for enhancing the oral absorption of enoxaparin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bulk magnetic Fe80−x Co x P13C7 (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 at.%) glassy alloy rods were prepared by the combination method of fluxing treatment and J-quenching technique, and the attainable maximum diameter for fully glass formation gets to 2.5 mm for x = 5. The effects of Co substitution for Fe on the glass formation ability (GFA), thermal stability, mechanical properties and magnetic properties have been investigated systematically. It was found that the partially substitution of Co for Fe can enhance the GFA of Fe80P13C7 alloy, while excessive substitution will lead to the degradation of GFA. The compressive test shows that the substitution of Co for Fe results in the decease of fracture strength, and then significantly enhance the room temperature plastic strain of the present Fe-based BMGs, which can be identified that the plastic strain at room temperature gets to 2.5% and 3.0% for x = 5 and 10, respectively. The saturation magnetization of Fe80−x Co x P13C7 (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 at.%) BMGs firstly increases from 1.477 T to 1.550 T with increasing Co content from x = 0 to 5, and then deceases from 1.549 T to 1.519 T with increasing Co content from x = 5 to 20. The Curie temperature of the present FeCoPC BMGs quickly increases with the substitution of Co for Fe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A strategy for forming dendrite-flower-like Fe 3 O 4 hierarchical structure is proposed. • The geometric effect of Fe 3 O 4 contributes to extend the Snoek limit. • Multiple transmission-absorption mechanism is mediated by the glass phase and the 3D dendrite-flower-like crystals. • The impedance matching and the microwave loss ability are improved due to the synergistic absorption mechanism. • This strategy is expected to be used to the design of new compositional systems of high-performance microwave absorbers. [Display omitted] The Snoek limit hinders strong and wideband electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption, and to meet this challenge, it is essential to obtain an economical and scalable microstructural solution. In this work, we used a SiO 2 -B 2 O 3 -RO-Fe 2 O 3 multicomponent glass system to design microstructures using dendritic Fe 3 O 4 crystal precipitates in the amorphous glass matrix. The flower-like Fe 3 O 4 structures that formed in situ at the grain interface exhibited a significant strengthening effect on EMW absorption performance. The minimum reflection loss (RL) value reached − 61.0 dB at 7.2 GHz when the sample thickness was 3.3 mm, and the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) was 6.0 GHz (8.6–14.6 GHz), with a sample thickness of 2.4 mm. This approach not only provided a novel strategy for constructing synergistic multiple transmission-absorption mechanisms, but also provided an option for developing inexpensive high-performance EMW-absorbing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant protein served as an alternative protein source to fish meal is widely used in the feed of Procambarus clarkii , but its excessive use has adverse impacts on aquatic animals. Haematococcus pluvialis has great potential for food applications due to its abundant astaxanthin. This experiment investigated the effects of dietary H. pluvialis on growth performance and gut microbiota of P. clarkii. That dietary H. pluvialis significantly increased weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), and haemolymph immune-related enzyme activities was presented (P < 0.05), accompanied by a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Moreover, dietary H. pluvialis reversed microbial dysbiosis and gut immune damage due to the decreased abundance of operational taxonomic unit (OTU) (s__Bacteroidaceae_bacterium_MS4), where interactions within the co-occurrence network restored gut villus development and microbial community stability. Thus, 0.6% H. pluvialis powder was recommended to be included in the feed. It was initially revealed that dietary H. pluvialis helped to stabilize microbial homeostasis, providing a scientific basis for the development of a functional feed. • Topological properties of networks under different H. pluvialis levels got examined. • H. pluvialis promoted the growth performance of P. clarkii. • H. pluvialis alleviated gut dysfunction of P. clarkii. • H. pluvialis reversed dysbiosis of the gut co-occurrence network. • 0.6% H. pluvialis was recommended to be included in the feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium for additive manufacturing presents a challenge in the control of costs in the fabrication of products with expanding applications compared with cast titanium. In this study, hydrogenated–dehydrogenated (HDH) titanium powder with a low cost was employed to produce spherical Ti powder using the radiofrequency plasma (RF) technique. The spherical Ti powder was used as the raw material for laser directed energy deposition (LDED) to produce commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti). Microstructural analyses of the powder revealed that RF treatment, not only optimized the shape of the titanium powder, but also benefited in the removal of the residual hydride phase of the powder. Furthermore, the LDED-HDH-RF-produced samples showed an excellent combination of tensile strength and tensile ductility compared to the cast and the LDED-HDH-produced samples. Such an enhancement in the mechanical properties was attributed to the refinement of the α grain size and the dense microstructure. The present work provides an approach for LDED-produced CP-Ti to address the economic and mechanical properties of the materials, while also providing insights into the expanding application of HDH titanium powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser melting deposition (LMD) additive manufacturing process has been attractive to the fabrications of pure tantalum due to the advantage of fast near net shaping of complex shaped components. In the present study, the LMD process has been applied to the fabrication of tantalum using two kinds of powders with different interstitial contents. The microstructure, chemistry, and mechanical properties of the LMD samples have been investigated to understand the strengthening mechanisms. The results show that the tantalum samples have near full dense, and large columnar grains with the growth direction slightly deviated from the deposition direction. The LMD tantalum can have high hardness of up to 300 HV, mainly due to the solid solution strengthening of nitrogen and oxygen interstitials. With relative low interstitial contents of about 400 ppm, the LMD tantalum can have ductile properties, showing ultimate tensile strength above 400 MPa, and elongations of about 14–16%, which are comparable to the properties of cold-worked tantalum. The present work suggests the LMD tantalum could have potential usages in the industry fields. • Near full dense pure tantalum has been fabricated by laser melting deposition. • The tantalum has large epitaxially grown columnar grains. • Solid solution strengthening of interstitials lead to high hardness and high strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rabbit antithymocyte globulin ( ATG-F) is an extensively used induction agent. To our knowledge, no study to date has assessed reduced ATG-F dosage in children undergoing renal transplantation. This was a retrospective analysis of pediatric renal recipients in the Department of Kidney Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from May 2007 to February 2013. Thirty-nine children underwent renal transplantation including 25 living related and 14 cardiac deceased donor transplantation. Each recipient received ATG-F 1.5 mg/kg/d once daily for 4 days. Of the 39 recipients, five (12.8%) showed delayed graft function, including one of 25 recipients (4%) of living donor and four of 14 recipients (28.6%) of deceased donor transplantation (p < 0.05). Six of the 39 recipients (15.4%) showed acute rejection on renal biopsy. Follow-up in these children ranged from 6 to 87 months. The one-, three-, and five-yr recipients and grafts survival rates postoperation were each 94.9% and 97.3%, 97.3%, and 94.6%, respectively. The incidence of postoperative infection was 35.9% (14/39), and did not differ significantly in the living related and deceased donor groups (p > 0.05). Low-dose ATG-F can be safely used as an immune induction agent in pediatric renal transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The goal of our study was to investigate whether DRD4 gene DNA methylation played an important role in the susceptibility of Han Chinese SCZ. Methods: Using the bisulphite pyrosequencing technology, DNA methylation levels of 6 CpG dinucleotides in DRD4 CpG island were measured among 30 paranoid SCZ patients, 30 undifferentiated SCZ patients, and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Results: Strong correlation was observed among the six CpG sites (r>0.5, P<0.01), thus average methylation levels were applied thereafter. Our results indicated that there was a significant association between DRD4 methylation and the risk of SCZ (P = 0.003), although there was no significant difference in DRD4 methylation between the two SCZ subtypes (P = 0.670). A breakdown analysis by gender showed that the significant association of DRD4 methylation and SCZ was driven by males (P<0.001) but not by females (P = 0.835). DRD4 methylation was significantly associated with p300 in male SCZ patients (r = −0.543, P = 0.005) but not in female SCZ patients (r = 0.110, P = 0.599). Moreover, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed DRD4 methylation was able to predict the status of SCZ in males [area under curve (AUC) = 0.832, P = 0.002] but not in females (AUC = 0.483, P = 0.876). Finally, a further expression experiment showed that DRD4 methylation in the gene body was positively associated with gene expression, although the exact mechanism of gene regulation remained unknown for this interesting DRD4 methylation. Conclusion: The gender disparity in the DRD4 DNA methylation provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of SCZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Dual phase (DP) steels have been widely used in the automotive industry to reduce vehicle weight and improve car safety. In such applications welding and joining have to be involved, which would lead to a localized change of the microstructure and property, and create potential safety and reliable issues under dynamic loading. The aim of the present study is to examine the rate-dependent mechanical properties, deformation and fracture behavior of DP600 steel and its welded joint (WJ) produced by Nd:YAG laser welding over a wide range of strain rates (0.001–1133s−1). Laser welding results in not only significant microhardness increase in the fusion zone (FZ) and inner heat-affected zone (HAZ), but also the formation of a softened zone in the outer HAZ. The yield strength (YS) of the DP600 steel increases and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) remains almost unchanged, but the ductility decreases after welding. The DP600 base metal (BM) and WJ are of positive strain rate sensitivity and show similar stress–strain response at all studied strain rates. The enhanced ductility at strain rates ranging from 1 to 100s−1 is attributed to the retardation of the propagation of plastic strain localization due to the positive strain rate sensitivity and the thermal softening caused by deformation induced adiabatic temperature rise during dynamic tensile deformation. The tensile failure occurs in the inner HAZ of the joint and the distance of failure location from the weld centerline decreases with increasing strain rate. The mechanism for the changing failure location can be related to the different strain rate dependence of the plastic deformation behavior of the microstructures in various regions across the joint. The DP600 WJ absorbs more energy over the whole measured strain rates than that of the BM due to the higher strength at the same strain when the deformation only up to 10% is considered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The lateral flow immunoassay is used in commercial pregnancy detection, and is an accepted point-of-care testing technique. The most widely used format for lateral flow immunochromatographic strips uses gold nanoparticles for colorimetric detection. However, this method often suffers from poor quantitative discrimination and low analytical sensitivity. To address these limitations, lanthanide chelate-loaded silica nanoparticles have been used as fluorescent labels. The fluorescent nanoparticles can easily bind to antibodies, with dextran as a linker. The strip reader described here was based on a sandwich immunoreaction performed on a strip, using lanthanide-labeled antibodies that served as signal vehicles for the fluorescent readout. The strip reader was used as a quantitative test system. In this work, Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii (Pss) was used as a model analyte to demonstrate the use of the strip reader. Under optimal conditions, the detection limit was determined as 103 cfu/mL. The quantification limit was calculated to be 104 cfu/mL. The detection limit for Pss was 100 times lower than those displayed by colloidal gold-labeled strips or ELISAs. No cross-reactions were observed with the other nine strains, indicating the good specificity of the Pss strip. This strip showed good stability in repeated tests. The tests using the fluorescence immunochromatographic strip were easy to perform, rapid, and sensitive. Methods using fluorescence strips and a strip reader have the potential to be a powerful tool for the quantification of bacteria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present work, 9,10-bis(p-alkoxystyryl)anthracenes (DSA-OC n ) with various length of alkyl chains (n=1–10, 12, 14, 16, 18) are synthesized and the chain length-dependent piezofluorochromic (PFC) behaviors are systematically investigated. The results show that all the long alkoxy-containing DSA-OC n (n≥10) exhibit remarkable grinding-induced spectral shifts (Δλ PFC =46–53nm) that are significantly larger than those of shorter alkyl chains (n≤9, Δλ PFC =14–20nm). Powder wide angle X-ray diffraction indicates that ground solids are still crystalline but the packing modes have been affected. Differential scanning calorimetric curves indicate that almost all of the DSA-OC n exhibit two exothermic peaks and the lower-temperature peaks are affected by grinding. These findings imply that the existence of a mesophase transition peak and its change upon grinding are not related to the different PFC behaviors. IR spectra show that out-of-plane hydrogen bending modes of the phenyl rings have disappeared in the ground long alkoxy-containing DSA-OC n . This observation implicates a less twisted backbone conformation in the ground than unground states, which is responsible for the dichotomous PFC behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The negative effects of thermal cycles in the process of additive manufacture present a challenge for the control of microstructure so as to fabricate the products with improved properties compared with conventional casting technique. In this work, AlCoCrFeNi 2.1 eutectic high-entropy alloy (EHEA) was prepared by laser metal deposition (LMD). Compared with conventionally cast EHEA samples, the LMD-fabricated EHEA samples showed significantly enhanced tensile strength (by 19.7%) and increased tensile ductility (by 56.4%). Such enhancement in tensile properties was attributed to the refinement of the uniformly distributed eutectic-structure, which improved the strain hardening/dislocation accumulation capability of the EHEA. The present work provides a new strategy to utilize both the high cooling rates of LMD and the eutectic-structure characteristics for forming refined homogeneous structures and thus achieving superior mechanical properties to those prepared by traditional processing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A virtual sensor that can assist or replace the radioactive concentration meter is proposed. • A hybrid ensemble deep learning (HEDL) algorithm framework based on multi differentiation model is put forward. • Eliminating the problem of time delay of physical sensor monitoring data by integrating method. • The effective monitoring parameters with potential relationship with concentration were selected. Aiming at the problems of safety, management, environmental protection, virtual sensor technology of dredger slurry concentration based on a hybrid ensemble deep learning (HEDL) framework is proposed. The purpose of this paper is to use the dredging construction big data, through the method of artificial intelligence, to deeply excavate the hidden relationship between the slurry concentration and the construction monitoring parameters in the construction process to generate virtual sensors, and then overcome some limitations of physical sensors. Firstly, this method removes the time lag effect of the monitoring data of physical sensors and then selects variables potentially related to the mud concentration. It makes full use of the advantages of each model to build a HEDL dredger slurry concentration prediction and measurement model embedded with multiple intelligent algorithms. The base learner of the model includes Deep Belief Network (DBN), Muti-Layer Perception (MLP), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Gated Recurrent Neural Networks (GRU), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Support Vector Regression (SVR). Finally, taking the Tianjin Port Channel Deepening Project as an applied research case, the accuracy and applicability of slurry concentration virtual sensors are verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene has shown many attractive properties while the difficulties in the fabrication of high-quality graphene have been a significant bottleneck in its applications. Here we report the discovery of high-quality graphene obtained from the solidified equiatomic CrFeCoNiC high-entropy alloy. Graphite flakes can be peeled off from the surface of the as-cast CrFeCoNiC high-entropy alloy, and single or multilayer graphene can be further exfoliated. The mechanical properties of the graphene are investigated by an atomic force microscope, and the result confirms the discovery of high-quality graphene. The transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy are applied to further characterize the quality of the graphene and show that the graphene has high-quality with few defects, comparable to the graphene obtained from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The thermodynamic calculation is applied to investigate the solidification process of the high-entropy alloy and reveals the mechanism of the formation of graphite on the surface. [Display omitted] • The CrFeCoNiC high-entropy alloy is prepared with graphite on the surface. • Graphene can be peeled off from the surface, and the quality of the graphene is excellent. • The thermodynamic mechanism for the formation of graphene is revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An immunoscore for colorectal cancer (CRC) has higher prognostic significance than the TNM staging system. However, the tumor immune microenvironment contains various components that affect clinical prognosis. Therefore, a broader range of immune markers is required to establish an accurate immunoprofile to assess the prognosis of patients with CRC. Using immunohistochemistry combined with multispectral immunohistochemistry and objective assessments, the infiltration of four immune cell types (CD4+/CD8+/forkhead box p3+/CD33+ cells), as well as the expression of six co-signaling molecules [programmed cell death 1 (PD1) ligand 1/PD1/T-cell immunoglobulin mucin family member 3/lymphocyte-activating 3/tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 4/inducible T-cell costimulator] and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 were investigated in two independent cohorts of CRC. The patients' overall survival (OS) was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Using the Cox proportional hazards model, independent prognostic factors of patients were assessed and a nomogram-based immunoprofile system was developed. The predictive ability of the nomogram was determined using a concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve. To facilitate clinical application, a simplified nomogram-based immunoprofile was constructed. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the predictive accuracy for OS was compared between the immunoprofile and the TNM staging system for patients with stage II/III CRC. According to multivariate analysis for the primary cohort, independent prognostic factors for OS were CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, CD33+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells and TNM stage, which were included in the nomogram. The C-index of the nomogram for predicting OS was 0.861 (95% CI: 0.796-0.925) for the internal validation and 0.759 (95% CI: 0.714-0.804) for the external validation cohort. The simplified nomogram-based immunoprofile system was able to separate same-stage patients into different risk subgroups, particularly for TNM stage II (P<0.0001) and III (P=0.0002) patients. Pairwise comparison of ROC curves for the immunoprofile and TNM stage systems for patients with stage II/III CRC revealed statistically significant differences (P=0.046) and the Z-statistic value was 1.995. In conclusion, the nomogram-based immunoprofile system provides prognostic accuracy regarding clinical outcomes and is a useful supplement to the TNM staging system for patients with stage II/III CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The level of neutralizing antibody (NAb) to SARS-CoV-2 could be used to evaluate the acquired protective immunity of COVID-19 patients or vaccinees. Here we develop a track-etched microporous membrane filtration microplate (TEM) and optical fibers transmitted immunosensing smartphone platform (TEMFIS) based surrogate virus neutralization test (TEMFIS-sVNT) for rapid one-step testing of NAb to SARS-CoV-2. Coefficient variation (CV) of intra-assay and inter-assay precisions of TEMFIS-sVNT varied below 9% or 14%, respectively. By agreement with pseudovirus neutralization test (pVNT) and ELISA-sVNT for testing of serum samples from 41 COVID-19 patients, 50 COVID-19 vaccinees and 320 healthy blood donors (P = 0.895), TEMFIS-sVNT detected the NAb positivity (sensitivity) in 92.68% COVID-19 patients and 76% vaccinees, but the NAb negativity (specificity) in 100% blood donors. In conclusion, TEMFIS-sVNT can be used for quantitatively point-of-care testing of neutralizing antibody to SARS-CoV-2 in blood samples from COVID-19 patients and vaccinees. [Display omitted] • A track-etched membrane microplate and optical fibers transmitted immunosensing smartphone platform (TEMFIS) was designed. • TEMFIS based surrogate virus neutralization test (TEMFIS-sVNT) was developed. • Custom-designed App and portable device were applied in TEMFIS-sVNT. • TEMFIS-sVNT was used for quantitatively point-of-care testing of neutralizing antibody to SARS-CoV-2 in blood samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin, an agent traditionally utilized for its preventative action against tumorigenesis, oxidation, inflammation, apoptosis and hyperlipemia, has also been used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent advances in the study of AD have revealed astrocytes (AS) as being key factors in the early pathophysiological changes in AD. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker specific to AS, is markedly more manifest during morphological modifications and neural degeneration signature during the onset of AD. Several studies investigating the functionality of curcumin have shown that it not only inhibits amyloid sedimentation but also accelerates the disaggregation of amyloid plaque. Thus, we are interested in the relationship between curcumin and spatial memory in AD. In this study, we intend to investigate the effects of curcumin in amyloid-β (Aβ1-40) induced AD rat models on both the behavioral and molecular levels, that is to say, on their spatial memory and on the expression of GFAP in their hippocampi. Our results were statistically significant, showing that the spatial memory of AD rats improved following curcumin treatment (p < 0.05), and that the expression of GFAP mRNA and the number of GFAP positive cells in the curcumin treated rats was decreased relative to the AD group rats (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression level of GFAP mRNA in hippocampal AS in the AD rats significantly increased when compared with that in the sham control (p < 0.05). Taken together, these results suggest that curcumin improves the spatial memory disorders (such disorders being symptomatic of AD) in Aβ1-40-induced rats by down regulating GFAP expression and suppressing AS activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate MR imaging findings in corpus callosum region for the discrimination between opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Materials and methods: Forty-two definite OSMS with seronegative NMO-IgG and 23 NMO with seropositive NMO-IgG, and 27 age-matched normal controls (NC) were recruited. Sagittal T2-FLAIR images with 2-mm slice thickness were obtained. Subcallosal dot-dash (SCDD) sign and subcallosal striations (SCS) sign were reviewed. Results: SCDD was more commonly detected in OSMS (28 of 42 patients) than in NMO (5 of 23 patients) (P <0.05). SCS showed no difference between OSMS (31 of 42 patients) and NMO (12 of 23 patients) (P >0.05). For comparing ROC analysis among SCDD, SCS, and SCDD+SCS for predicted probability through binary logistic regression analysis, SCDD+SCS had the largest area under ROC curve (0.777) than SCDD (0.725) and SCS (0.608). Conclusion: SCDD may be helpful in distinguishing OSMS from NMO. The regression equation may also be a simple and effective method of choice for the differentiation between OSMS and NMO. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Micelles with high in vivo serum stability and intratumor accumulation post intravenous (i.v.) injection are highly desired for promoting chemotherapy. Herein, we finely synthesized and tailored well-defined anti-Her2 antibody Fab fragment conjugated immunomicelles (FCIMs), which showed interesting dual targeting function. The thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide)118 (PID118) shell with volume phase transition temperature (VPTT: 39 °C) and the anchored anti-Her2 Fab moiety contributed to the passive and active targeting, respectively. The doxorubicin (DOX) loading capacity of such FCIMs was successfully increased about 2 times by physically enhanced hydrophobicity of inner reservoir without structural deformation. The cellular uptake and intracellular accumulation of DOX by temperature regulated passive and antibody navigated active targeting was 4 times of Doxil. The cytotoxicity assay against Her2 overexpression gastric cancer cells (N87s) showed that the IC50 of the FCIMs was ∼9 times lower than that of Doxil under cooperatively targeting by Fab at T > VPTT. FCIMs showed high serum stability by increasing the corona PID118 chain density (S corona/N agg). In vivo tissue distribution was evaluated in Balb/c nude mice bearing gastric cancer. As observed by the IVIS® imaging system, the intratumor accumulation of such finely tailored FCIMs system was obviously promoted 24 h post i.v. administration. Due to the high stability and super-targeting, the in vivo xenografted gastric tumor growth was significantly inhibited with relative tumor volume <2 which was much smaller than ∼5 of the control. Consequently, such finely tailored FCIMs with anti-Her2 active and temperature regulated passive dual tumor-targeting function show high potent in chemotherapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Theoretical study on stereodynamics for the title reaction as well as its isotopic effects has been studied via QCT calculations on the ground X2A′ state of ab initio potential energy surface according to the study by Zanchet et al. Four polarization-dependent generalized differential cross-sections PDDCSs ((2π/σ) (dσ00/dωt), (2π/σ)(dσ20/dωt)), (2π/σ)(dσ22+/dωt), (2π/σ)(dσ21-/dωt), and the distributions of P(θr) and P(φr) that denotes the correlations of k-j′ and k-k′-j′ are presented in this work. Product angular distribution and rotational polarization have been analyzed at different collision energies and compared with C+OH reaction. Product angular distribution shows strong forward scattering at low collision energy and becomes more symmetric with forward and backward scattering with the increasing collision energy. The alignment and orientation of product angular momentum presents a different behavior with collision energy, the former one increases monotonically with collision energy, whereas the latter one shows first decreasing and then increasing behavior, which have been analyzed in the present paper. Product rotational polarization for C+OD is weaker than that for C+OH, which is mainly due to the mass factor and zero point energy of C+OD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the Neogene climatic changes in eastern Asia and evaluate the intercontinental climatic differences, we have quantitatively reconstructed the vegetation successions and climatic changes in the late Pliocene Zhangcun area based on the palynological data and explored the regional climatic differences between central Europe and eastern Asia. The late Pliocene palynological assemblage of Zhangcun, Shanxi was composed of 63 palynomorphs, belonging to 50 families, covering angiosperms (90.2%), gymnosperms (9.7%), ferns (0.09%), and other elements (0.02%). Four periods of vegetation succession over time were recognized. In period 1, a needle- and broad-leaved mixed forest prevailed with a cool and dry climate. Period 2 was characterized by an expansion of forest with a warmer and wetter climate. The number of conifers increased and that of herbs decreased in period 3, and the climate became cool and dry. In period 4, the forest was dominated by conifers and reflecting a cooler climate. The data of seven climatic parameters in general and four periods estimated by the Coexistence Approach suggested that (1) The late Pliocene temperatures and precipitations were higher than today. (2) The Neogene climate of both Central Europe and North China exhibited a general cooling and drying trend although the mean annual temperature dropped by ca. 1 °C in North China, vs. ca. 7 °C in Central Europe from the middle Miocene to the late Pliocene. (3) The decline of the mean maximum monthly precipitation might signal a weakening of the summer monsoon. (4) The decline of both the mean coldest monthly temperature and the mean minimum monthly precipitation might be linked to the strengthening of the winter monsoon in eastern Asia. (5) The rapid uplift of the Tibetan Plateau strengthened the climatic cooling and drying during the late Pliocene of the Zhangcun region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A dendrite-like Fe 3 O 4 with a core-shell structure was created in a multi-component glass system. • The unique three-dimensional hierarchical structure contributes to the synergy of dielectric loss and magnetic loss. • The EM consumption mechanism is mediated by the glass phase and the three-dimensional dendritic core-shell crystals. • The preparation method is facile for the designing of high-performance microwave absorbing materials (MAMs). [Display omitted] The hierarchical architecture constitutes one of the key factors affecting the performance of microwave absorbing materials (MAMs). Herein, core-shell Fe 3 O 4 with a dendritic hierarchical structure is fabricated successfully by the melting method in a SiO 2 -B 2 O 3 -Al 2 O 3 -CaO-Fe 2 O 3 multi-component system. The multiple transmission scattering absorption mechanism is mediated by the unique microstructure, thus improving the impedance matching and the microwave loss ability of the material. According to its reflection loss curve, the microwave absorption was efficiently optimized, yielding a minimum reflection loss (R L) of − 54.26 dB when the thickness was 3.47 mm, and the effective bandwidth (R L <10 dB) for electromagnetic wave reflectance reached 3.28 GHz (6.48–9.76 GHz) with a sample thickness of 1.8 mm. The present work adds new useful information for the designing of high-performance glass-ceramic MAMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previously, it has been suggested that uteroglobin (UG)-binding protein functions as a putative receptor of UG; however, the specific epitope of UG that interacts with this receptor has not yet been identified. The downstream events of UG-binding protein signaling remain unclear. Here we report that antiflammin-1 (AF-1, a bioactive C-terminal peptide of UG) specifically binds to UG-binding protein and has a cellular signaling consequence. We reduced the level of endogenous UG-binding protein expression in murine fibroblast cell line NIH 3T3 by RNA interference and found that knockdown of UG-binding protein inhibited AF-1-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. Meanwhile, the interaction between AF-1 and UG-binding protein was confirmed by flow cytometry-based binding assays and co-localization of AF-1 and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged UG-binding protein. The present study provides evidence for the first time for AF-1 binding with UG-binding protein, and preliminarily characterized UG-binding protein as a point downstream of AF-1 in mediating ERK phosphorylation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pt-CeO2/C and a series of Pt-Ce x Zr1−x O2/C catalyst powders with different Ce/Zr ratio were prepared and evaluated in terms of the electrochemical activity for ethanol electro-oxidation using cyclic voltammetry (CV), steady state polarization experiments and CO-stripping technique at room temperature. XRD results show that Ce x Zr1−x O2 and Pt coexist in the Pt-Ce x Zr1−x O2/C catalyst and Ce x Zr1−x O2 has no effect on the crystalline lattice of Pt. TEM results show that the Pt and Ce x Zr1−x O2 particles dispersed uniformly over the surface of the carbon black. Cyclic voltammetry results show that the mass activity and specific activity of Pt-CeO2/C for ethanol electro-oxidation is higher than that of Pt/C. The structure and Ce/Zr ratio of Pt-Ce x Zr1−x O2/C has effect on the catalytic activity of catalysts. CO-stripping voltammetry showed that the inclusion of CeO2 and Ce x Zr1−x O2 favors the CO oxidation at lower potential. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A relatively little is known of whether CYP2D6 *10 (188 C to T) polymorphism mediates susceptibility to breast cancer. In this study the CYP2D6 *10 polymorphism was detected in Chinese women (286 breast cancer patients and 305 healthy women) by a PCR-RFLP assay. We found that women with the 188T/T genotype displayed a slightly increased risk for breast cancer as compared with those with the 188C/C genotype (OR 1.36, CI 0.89–2.1), the association of the 188T/T genotype with breast cancer risk was more pronounced among postmenopausal women (OR 1.49, CI 0.8–2.76), but the association did not reach statistical significance. Furthermore, we found that patients carrying the 188T/T or T/C genotype were more likely to be a positive lymph node status than those with the 188C/C genotype (OR 2.12, CI 1.08–4.18, P = 0.019). Our results suggest that CYP2D6 *10 mutant 188T/T genotype displays a non-significant increased risk for breast cancer. Moreover, patients carrying 188T/T or T/C genotype might exhibit a more aggressive phenotype than those carrying 188C/C genotype, as the observation association of genotype with clinical outcome may be due to chance, therefore, further studies are required to confirm our present findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Illicit drug use (IDU) is an important risk factor for hepatitis A, but implementing vaccination programs among drug users is difficult. During January 2001–July 2002, 403 hepatitis A cases were reported in Polk County, Florida; 48% were drug users and of these, 80% were recently in jail. To assess the county jail as a potential vaccination venue, we interviewed 280 inmates and conducted a serologic survey during July–August 2002. Of these, 227 (81%) reported a past IDU history. Previous HAV infection was found in 33%. In communities with illicit drug users at risk for hepatitis A and who are frequently jailed, vaccination programs in jails could be an important component of a community-based strategy to control hepatitis A outbreaks among illicit drug users. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Large columnar grains of 316L stainless steel prepared by laser melting deposition (LMD) additive manufacturing process lead to low yield strength and anisotropic mechanical properties, therefore limit its usage. In this study, different contents of nanoscale TiN particles (0 wt%, 2 wt%, 4 wt% and 6 wt%) have been added into the LMD process of 316L steel to promote heterogeneous nucleations of grains, and to improve the strength. The results show that the TiN particles additions can refine the grain sizes significantly, and prompt columnar to equiaxed transitions of grains. The grain sizes can be refined more than 20 times after adding 2 wt% TiN particles. The strength of the 316L-based composites increases with the increase of TiN addition, however, at the expense of ductility. With 2 wt% TiN particle addition, the 316L-based composite can have balanced mechanical properties with high yield strength of 323–355 MPa, high tensile strength of 629–640 MPa, and good elongations of 26–30%. The strength improvements are quantitatively analyzed considering the Hall-Petch strengthening, Orowan strengthening, thermal mismatch strengthening, and load transfer strengthening. The calculations agree well with the experimental values, and reveal that the grain refinement strengthening is the main strengthening mechanism. The present study provides an important basis for fabricating high strength 316L-based composites using the LMD process. • TiN strengthened 316L-based composites are fabricated by laser melting deposition. • Remarkable grain refinement and strength improvement are obtained. • The strength mechanisms of the 316L-based composites are quantitatively analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CoCrFeMnNi high entropy alloys (HEAs) based composites have been synthesized by laser melting deposition (LMD). Through TiC and WC particle additions, ex-situ TiC and in-situ M 23 C 6 precipitations are formed, respectively. The average grain size of the LMD-fabricated CoCrFeMnNi HEA is significantly reduced. With TiC and WC additions, appearing the combined effects of grain refinement and precipitation reinforcement, further to remarkably improve the tensile strength from 550 MPa to 610 MPa and 776 MPa for the HEAs, whereas the plasticity decreased from 52% to 47% and 37%, respectively. The HEAs with WC addition shows higher tensile strength, which probably results from the homogeneous distribution of the nano-scale M 23 C 6 reinforcement precipitates and a single deformation pattern. This work provides insight into the effects of different introduction modes of reinforced phases when it comes to the mechanical properties for HEA composites. • HEAs-based composites have been synthesized by laser melting deposition. • The tensile properties could be adjusted by precipitations reinforcement. • The HEA + WC samples showed a tensile strength of 776 MPa and a strain of 37%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Bi3+ induces the gelatinization of ALG and reacts with Na 2 S. • The Bi 2 S 3 NPs enable the CT imaging and the enhancement of tumor RT. • The sensitized RT enhances the hypoxia of TME and activates TPZ. • The Bi 2 S 3 NPs generate the hyperthermia to eradicate the cancer cells. Radiotherapy (RT) is becoming a pervasive therapeutic pattern in clinical cancer therapy. However, the hypoxic microenvironment of tumors has a strong resistance to radiotherapy and could lead to a potential recurrence and metastasis after the treatment. Therefore, the use of synergistic strategies for improving and supplementing the RT efficiency is important. Herein, a novel Bi 2 S 3 /alginate (ALG) hydrogel containing tirapazamine (TPZ) was designed for the effective suppression of tumor recurrence, by introducing Bi3+ into the ALG, Na 2 S and TPZ solution. In this formulation, Bi3+ was used to crosslink with the ALG to form the hydrogel and react with S2− to simultaneously form Bi 2 S 3 nanoparticles in the hydrogel matrix. The resulting Bi 2 S 3 nanoparticles not only exhibit the superb radiosensitization effect to boost the effective eradication of tumors during RT but also manifest an excellent photothermal transforming performance for tumor hyperthermia and computed tomography (CT) imaging capacity for tumor monitoring. Furthermore, the RT caused hypoxia could activate the reductive prodrug TPZ and enhance its therapeutic efficiency. The reported hydrogel system provides an efficient and safe therapeutic strategy for current local tumor therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser cladding provides a widely applicable method for the preparation of metallic glass matrix composite (MGMC) coatings, where the mechanical property and the corrosion resistance can be tailored by the in-suit precipitated crystalline phases. Thus, the investigation on the microstructure evolution and corrosion mechanism of MGMC coating to achieve superior performance is of great importance. In the presented work, Zr 50.7 Cu 28 Ni 9 Al 12.3 MGMC coatings, which are constituted by Zr&Cu enriched dendrites and Ni&Al enriched metallic glass (MG) matrix, were prepared by laser cladding. The effect of the laser power on the microstructure and the corrosion property of the MGMC coatings was investigated. It has been found that the MG content increases and the size of the dendrites decreases with decreasing laser power. Increasing MG content in the coating can decrease the self-etching current density due to the rapid surface oxidation, and decrease the open-circuit-potential due to the higher chemical activity of MG. Besides that, a probable corrosion mechanism of the Zr-Cu-Ni-Al MGMC coating in the NaCl solution was proposed. The segregation of Cu could be the main inducement for pitting. The increasing MG phase content can suppress the segregation of Cu and therefore increase the pitting corrosion resistance of the coating. • Composite coatings with dendrites embedded in metallic glass (MG) matrix were prepared by laser cladding. • Both E corr and i corr increase with decreasing MG content in the Zr-Cu-Ni-Al composite coatings. • The breaking of the passivation may be mainly dominated by the chlorination and dissolution of porous Cu 2 O. • Increasing MG content can increase the pitting corrosion resistance of the coatings by suppressing the segregation of Cu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser cladding provides a powerful method for the preparation of metallic glass matrix composite (MGMC) coatings, while the microstructure evolution and the detailed characterization of the coating structure still need further investigation. In the present work, Zr–Cu–Ni–Al MGMC coatings were prepared by laser cladding. The coatings are constituted by Zr&Cu enriched dendrites and Ni&Al enriched metallic glass (MG) matrix. The microstructure evolution and corrosion-resistance of the coatings were investigated. Fine crystalline phases were observed in partial area of the MG matrix, which breaks the conventional thought that the matrix with no contrast in SEM is of fully amorphous phase. The prepared Zr–Cu–Ni–Al MGMC coatings exhibit obvious passivation phenomena and enhanced corrosion-resistance. This work provides a novel insight into the microstructure of the MGMC coatings. • Zr–Cu–Ni–Al metallic glass matrix composite (MGMC) coatings were fabricated by laser cladding. • MGMC coatings are constituted by Zr&Cu enriched dendrites and Ni&Al enriched amorphous matrix. • Fine grains were observed in the matrix, which breaks the conventional thought that the matrix is of fully amorphous phase. • The coatings exhibit obvious passivation phenomena and enhanced corrosion-resistance in the 3.5 wt% NaCl solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main symptoms of root rot, anthracnose, blight and damping-off of Panax notoginseng (Burk) F. H. Chen are introduced in the paper, and the corresponding control measures are elaborated from the aspects of agricultural management measures, seed disinfection, seedbed treatment and chemical control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In polar regions, vegetation is especially sensitive to climate dynamics and thus can be used as an indicator of the global and regional environmental change. However, in Antarctica, there is very little information on vegetation distribution and growth status. To fill this gap, we evaluated the ability of both linear and nonlinear spectral mixture analysis (SMA) models, including a group of newly developed modified Nascimento's models for Antarctic vegetated areas (MNM-AVs), in estimating the abundance of major Antarctic vegetation types, i.e., mosses and lichens. The study was conducted using WorldView-2 satellite data and field measurements over the Fildes Peninsula and its surroundings, which are representative vegetated areas in Antarctica. In MNM-AVs, we introduced secondary scattering components for vegetation and its background to account for the sparsity of vegetation cover and reassigned their coefficients. The new models achieved improved performances, among which MNM-AV3 achieved the lowest error for mosses (lichens) abundance estimation with RMSE = 0.202 (0.213). Compared with MNM-AVs, the linear model performed particularly poor for lichens (RMSE = 0.322), which is in contrast to the case of mosses (RMSE = 0.212), demonstrating that spectral signals of lichens are more prone to mix with their backgrounds. Abundance maps of mosses and lichens, as well as a map of moss health status for the entire study area, were then obtained based on MNM-AV3 with around 80% overall accuracy. Moss areas account for 0.7695 km2 in Fildes and 0.3259 km2 in Ardley Island; unhealthy mosses amounted to 40% (49%) of the area in the summer of 2018 (2019), indicating considerable environmental stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Al x CoCrFeNi (x = 0, 0.2, 0.45, 0.7 and 1) high entropy alloys (HEAs) have been successfully synthesized by laser melting deposition (LMD). It is found that the microstructure of LMD-CoCrFeNi HEA with increasing the content of Al has been transformed from a single face-centered cubic (FCC) phase to mixture of FCC + BCC duplex phases, and then to body-centered cubic (BCC/B2) phases. The addition of Al (Al 0.2 , Al 0.45 and Al 0.7) remarkably improved the yield strength σ 0.2 (from 138 MPa to 185 MPa, 262 MPa and 771 MPa) and the tensile strength σ t (from 634 MPa to 675 MPa, 863 MPa and 1171 MPa) of the samples, with the prize of plasticity decrease from 46% to 45%, 41% and 11% in tension. This work provides an approach of LMD-fabricated CoCrFeNi-based HEAs with different Al addition to accommodate the microstructure and mechanical properties, and insights into the correlation of mechanical properties with the solid solution strengthening or/and the precipitation of hardening phase. • Al x CoCrFeNi (x = 0, 0.2, 0.45, 0.7 and 1) HEAs have been prepared by LMD method. • The ΔH mix and VEC are used to predict the phase stability for LMD-fabricated HEAs. • The LMD HEA has been changed from a single FCC phase to BCC phase via Al addition. • With the increase of Al amount, σ 0.2 and σ t of the HEAs under the tensile and compression test have been obvious improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]