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Agricultural machinery ' s tillage and sowing processes can generate much farmland dust, adversely affecting the surrounding environment. Clarifying the dust emissions from various agricultural machinery operations and selecting a reasonable cultivation mode is significant for reducing dust in the atmosphere and protecting the environment. However, a systematic exploration of the agricultural dust generated during agricultural machinery operations is needed. Here, we designed a dust monitoring system to monitor farmland dust (PM2.5, PM10, and TSP) and environmental parameters at different points. The system is applied to monitor the dust emission concentration caused by agricultural machinery. We found the concentration of PM2.5, PM10, and TSP from straw returning operations to be 2.06, 3.16, and 2.84 times higher than that of ploughing operations. The increase in cultivation speed will lead to an increase in dust concentration. In straw returning operations, compared with low-speed, the increase in PM2.5, PM10, and TSP concentration during medium-speed cultivation is 21.6%, 12.5%, and 16.8%, whereas high-speed cultivation is 68.2%, 38.9%, and 35.7%, respectively. Moreover, conservation tillage modes can significantly suppress dust emissions. We found that conservation tillage produced the lowest concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and TSP during the tillage and sowing stages, which were 64.7%, 73.1%, and 72.1%, compared to traditional tillage. As the amount of straw coverage increases, the dust concentration decreases. The average PM2.5, PM10, and TSP concentration increment of NTS with LSMQ increased by 307.8%, 344.8%, and 346.8%. Our results demonstrate that adopting a conservation tillage and sowing model and increasing straw coverage can reduce dust emissions. The research results have specific guiding significance for reducing dust emissions during the spring and autumn cultivation. We anticipate evaluating further the contribution of small particulate matter generated during agricultural machinery operations to air pollution, and our research will provide a basis for future work. • Established a monitoring system for farming dust. • Quantitative research on the dust emissions during various tillage and sowing. • The farming dust from CT is much smaller than that from TT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Established and calibrated a Soil-Straw composite model. • A vertical active rotation straw cleaning method has been proposed. • Designed a vertical stubble cleaning and soil crushing device. • Structural parameters were optimized through DEM-MFBD. Strip tillage is a necessary technical means to solve blockage problems during the no-tillage sowing process under the condition of total straw return to the field. However, the large amount of straw on the surface, thick stems, and slow decomposition make it difficult for the traditional straw wheel structure to effectively clean the straw out of the operating area. Based on the distribution of straw and soil characteristics on the no-tillage surface, a Soil-Straw composite model is established using the discrete element method (DEM) for undisturbed soil under straw coverage conditions. The relative error of its bonding parameters is 7.9 %, which can accurately predict the mechanical behavior of soil contact components. A vertical rotation-based straw strip cleaning and soil tillage method is proposed, and three vertical straw strip cleaning and soil tillage devices combining spring teeth (ST) and rake teeth (RT) were designed. The reasonable operating parameters are determined through trajectory analysis, with a forward velocity of 1.67 m/s and a rotational velocity of 300 r/min. Based on the Soil-Straw composite model, the combination of three ST and RT types is studied using DEM-MFBD coupled simulation technology. Regarding the straw cleaning rate, the straw cleaning rates of ST b -RT b and ST c -RT c are 96.66 % and 96.99 %, respectively, meeting the operational requirements. The field test results showed that the straw cleaning and soil fragmentation rates of the ST c -RT c combination were 97.7 % and 96.4 %. The bench test and field test verification show that the DEM-MFBD coupled simulation technology based on the Soil-Straw model can predict the operating quality and deformation stress of the machine. This study provides a new solution for a wide range of straw cleaning in straw-covered areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is not easy to obtain the numerical simulation model of organic fertilizer quickly and accurately due to the wide range of moisture content of machine-applied bulk manure. This paper proposes a method of obtaining discrete element simulation parameters by measuring bulk manure's moisture content according to the two edge contours of the stacking angle and the image processing method to reduce the measurement error. With Hertz-Mindlin with JKR as the model, the Plackett-Burman test is used to screen the DEM parameters that significantly impact the simulation test's stacking angle. The Climbing and Box-Behnken tests establish a prediction model for the stacking angle of moisture content and DEM parameters. The funnel and probe methods are used to verify the stacking angle of manure. The comparison results showed that the average relative error is less than 4.30%. The mechanical properties' comparison test shows that the Displacement-Load change trend is consistent, and the average relative load error is 12.1%. The validation results of the manure box indicate that the average torque error is 11.73%. The above results show that the prediction model established is stable and reliable. By measuring the moisture content, the DEM parameters of granular manure can be quickly obtained, improving fertilization machinery's design and optimization efficiency. [Display omitted] • Provide a method to obtain DEM parameters by the moisture content of granular manure. • The model of the moisture content of manure and EDM parameters is established. • Extract and fit the two edge contours of the manure, and identify the stacking angle. • The DEM model can predict the performance of the manure box. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The N-doped Sr 2.985 Mg 1-y Si 2 O 8 :0.005Eu2+,0.01Dy3+,yMn2+ (0 ≤ y ≤ 0.15) phosphors were designed to obtain long-persistent phosphors for white LEDs. All the samples were determined to be single-phase by XRD analysis. The particles show smooth surface with the help of the H 3 BO 3 flux. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum indicates the existence of N element. Various Eu2+ emission centers have been gained and verified by the photoluminescence spectra and long-persistent emission spectra, and a red-shift of the Eu2+ emission was observed in the N-doped samples due to the nephelauxetic effect. In Eu2+-Mn2+ co-activated phosphors, tunable emission has been realized and an efficient energy transfer from Eu2+ to Mn2+ was found, which could belong to the dipole-dipole interaction mechanism. The optimal afterglow time was obtained in the Sr 2.985 MgSi 2 O 7.76 N 0.16 :0.005Eu2+,0.01Dy3+ sample, but doping Mn2+ reduces the afterglow time largely. The mechanism for the increase of luminescence intensity and afterglow time with N present was interpreted. The temperature-dependent luminescence was also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To develop long-afterglow luminescent materials for white LEDs application, a series of Sr 1·97 MgSi 2 O 7-1.5x N x :0.01Eu2+,0.02Dy3+ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.49) phosphors were designed. The single-phase samples were confirmed and the introduction of N was verified by the XRD patterns and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum. The average particle size of the phosphors was determined to be about 4.9 μm. When the N is doped, it has been found the Eu2+ emission intensity decreases gradually, which could be owing to the increasing crystal defects by the nonequivalent substitution between N and O. The excitation spectra reveal that the broad and strong excitation bands from 240 to 450 nm can well match the LED chip. It is interesting that the incorporation of N can improve the afterglow time, which has been interpreted by the thermoluminescence curves. The investigation of the temperature-dependent luminescence indicates a beneficial effect on the thermal stability by doping N in the phosphors. Graphical abstract Image 1 Hightlights • A meaningful idea by combining LEDs and afterglow was proposed in lighting field. • The long afterglow time can be increased by introducing N in the phosphors. • The Sr 1·97 MgSi 2 O 7-1.5x N x :0.01Eu2+,0.02Dy3+ shows potential applications in w-LEDs. • The present results could be constructive to the development of similar phosphors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A series of Yb3+-Er3+, Yb3+-Ho3+, and Yb3+-Tm3+ doped Ca 2 Gd 8 (SiO 4) 6 O 2 (CGS) phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction method, and their upconversion (UC) luminescence properties for temperature sensing were studied. Upon 980 nm excitation, the green and red emissions of Er3+ were observed, and the optimal Er3+ concentration was determined to be 3 mol%. For the CGS:10%Yb3+,yHo3+ phosphors, three emission peaks in the green, red and near-infrared region appear. It was found that the relative intensities of Ho3+ different emissions change with Ho3+ concentration, which has been explained by the cross-relaxation process. The strongest Tm3+ emission appeared at 790 nm, attributed to the 3H 4 -3H 6 transition. The optimal Tm3+ concentration was determined to be 0.5 mol%. The temperature sensing behavior was evaluated by employing the thermally-coupled or non-thermally coupled levels of Er3+, Ho3+ and Tm3+. The maximum sensitivities obtained are 3.71 × 10 − 3 and 1.12 K-1 for CGS:10%Yb3+,3%Er3+, 0.111 K-1 for CGS:10%Yb3+,3%Ho3+ and 3.3 × 10 − 4 K−1 for CGS:10%Yb3+,0.5%Tm3+, respectively. The high sensitivities indicate the present phosphors could have potential application in temperature sensing. Highlights • Different strategies for temperature sensing were introduced in the present phosphors. • The present phosphors show smooth particle surface that benefits the UC luminescence. • High sensor sensitivity has been obtained in the CGS:Yb3+-Er3+/Ho3+/Tm3+. • The present phosphors could have potential application in optical temperature sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the manure block model is established by the discrete element method through the combination of uniaxial compression physical test and simulation test. The model optimizes the propeller blade structure. Finally, the device is processed and tested. The purpose of this study is to solve the problems of the lack of numerical simulation models of solid organic fertilizer, the overhead of the traditional chain fertilizer delivery device in the process of fertilizer transportation, and the poor quality of subsequent fertilization due to the difficulty in effectively breaking the fertilizer blocks. [Display omitted] • The HMB model of organic fertilizer is established and calibrated. • A method of transporting and crushing fertilizer by PB is proposed. • Based on the fertilizer model, the parameters of the PB device are optimized. In organic fertilizer application, it is difficult for existing chain-type fertilizer transport devices to cut and break organic fertilizer blocks during operation. The fertilizer transport process does not effectively disturb the fertilizer group, and it is easy to cause fertilizer overhead, which makes the subsequent fertilizer spreading and deep application process unable to operate normally. In addition, the lack of a solid organic fertilizer numerical simulation model restricts the innovation of organic fertilizer application equipment. Because of the above problems, based on the physical characteristics of the manure, this paper establishes a simulation model of a manure block through the Hertz-Mindlin with bonding (HMB) contact model in the discrete element method (DEM), calibrates the bonding parameters of the organic fertilizer by combining the uniaxial compression physical test and the simulation test, and verifies the calibrated bonding parameters by the load–displacement test and the deformation test of organic fertilizer. Through parameter optimization, the unit normal stiffness (UNS) is 11.27 × 107N/m3, unit shear stiffness (USS) is 4.17 × 107N/m3, critical normal stress (CNS) is 3.40 MPa, critical shear stress (CSS) is 1.25 MPa, and bonding radius (BR) is 2.80 mm. The relative error of the maximum load (ML) is 8.7%, and the relative error of the displacement is 3.2%, as verified by the bench test. This paper proposes a propeller blade (PB)-type organic fertilizer crushing and transporting device, and the structural parameters of the PB are simulated based on the calibrated organic fertilizer model. The optimal parameter combination after the optimization of the PB is obtained as follows: the blade inclination angle is 42°, the blade spacing is 227 mm, the blade speed is 89 r/min, and the blade height is 205 mm. The machine is processed, and the field test is carried out. The results show that the average oil pressures of the stable fertilizer crushing process under the half-speed and full-speed modes are 11.06 MPa and 12.01 MPa, respectively. The minimum oil pressure is 8.89 MPa and 10.90 MPa, respectively, the average energy consumption is 2.71 kW and 5.42 kW, respectively, and the proportion of the particle size of the organic fertilizer after crushing is more significant than 92.4%. The quality of the crushed fertilizer is high and can be used in crushed fertilizer applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The CCFC method could extract the synthetic-wavelength interferogram from moiré fringe patterns in simultaneous dual-wavelength interferometry without the introduction of other wavelength interferometric information. • Coupled by the multiplication for the conjugate complex functions, only the lower beat-frequency synthetic-wavelength interferometric fringe pattern is derived directly. • The half-band filter in used in CCFC method is appropriate for the different spectral width or carrier spatial frequency. • The necessary introduced linear carrier in CCFC method is merely about 0.0947 times of the carrier in the traditional spatial domain fourier transform demodulation theory numerically. • The introduced carrier is only used to pursue the separation between the ±1 order phase lobes instead of the separation between the different wavelength phase lobes in CCFC method. Simultaneous dual-wavelength interferometry (SDWI) supplies a better solution to extend the measurement range of traditional single-wavelength interferometry with higher efficiency. To decompose the needed longer beat-frequency synthetic-wavelength (λ S) information from the generated moiré fringe pattern in SDWI, a conjugate complex function coupling strategy (CCFC) of interferometric field is proposed in this study. By the Fourier transform and the half-band filter in one side of the spectrum, the positive half spectrum is obtained. The inverse Fourier transform and conjugate operation are performed on the half spectrums to obtain the two conjugate complex functions of the interferometric field. Coupled by the multiplication for the conjugate complex functions, the lower beat-frequency synthetic-wavelength interferometric fringe pattern is derived directly. And if the SDWI is implemented with the π/2 phase shift at λ S , the obtained phase-shift interferogram for λ S could be demodulated by the conventional phase-shift algorithm. Compared with other spatial-domain Fourier transform demodulation theory, the half-band filter used in CCFC method is appropriate for the different spectral width and carrier spatial frequency. The necessary introduced linear carrier is merely about 0.0947 times of the carrier in the former numerically. And it is only used to pursue the separation between the ±1 order phase lobes instead of the separation between the different wavelength phase lobes. The feasibility and applicability of the CCFC method are verified using simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the problems that the current solid organic fertilizer is easy to agglomerate in the fermentation and stacking process, the fertilizer efficiency is brutal to release, and the strip application is difficult to discharge, this paper proposes a solid organic fertilizer crushing strip application method combining propeller blades and differential speed rollers. A solid organic fertilizer crushing and strip applicator were designed and developed through theoretical analysis and discrete element simulation experiments. Finally, it was verified by field experiments. The research results provided a new scheme and technical support for the broken strip application of solid organic fertilizer in cultivated land. [Display omitted] • Solid organic fertilizer breaking strip applicator was designed and developed first. • Propose crushed fertilizer combining propeller blades and differential speed rollers. • The structure of the furrow fertilizing device was optimized based on EDEM. • The machine is processed and experiments are conducted to verify its performance. Because of the problems that the current solid organic fertilizer is easy to agglomerate in the fermentation and stacking process, the fertilizer efficiency is brutal to release, and the strip application is difficult to discharge, this paper proposes a solid organic fertilizer crushing strip application method combining propeller blades and differential double roll. This article clarified the structure or installation parameters of the double roll fertilizer crushing, paddle fertilizer screw and trench covering device. The simulation test of the fertilizer tank compares the performance of three paddle fertilizer transport devices' fertilizer crushing and fertilizer transport and selects the symmetrical arrangement of the paddle combination. The discrete element software is used to simulate the operation process of the solid organic fertilizer crushing strip, and the influence of the ditching and fertilizing shovel tip into the soil, entirely into the soil, and stable ditching complete operation process on the movement state of soil particles were analyzed. A quadratic orthogonal rotation test is designed, and the optimal parameter combination is obtained as follows: the operating speed of the machine is 6.37 km/h, the angle of the shovel tip is 72.83°, the angle of the overburden is 19.56°, and the coefficient of variation of the optimized fertilization uniformity is 9.30 %. Finally, The average coefficient of variation of fertilization uniformity in the ground spreading experiment and the field strip fertilization experiment is 11.32 % and 13.87 %, respectively; both experiments are close to the simulation results. The research results provided a new scheme and technical support for the broken strip application of solid organic fertilizer in cultivated land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop novel luminescent materials for multifunctional applications, CaLa 4 Si 3 O 13 (CLSO)-based phosphors were prepared by solid-state reaction method. Firstly, the tunable-emission was obtained in the Tb 3+ -Mn 2+ codoped CLSO, and the energy transfer from Tb 3+ to Mn 2+ was also found. The luminescence thermal stability for CLSO:0.8Tb 3+ ,0.07Mn 2+ reveals that the emission intensity of Mn 2+ decays faster than that of Tb 3+ with increasing temperature, resulting in the changing emission color. This observation indicates that the CLSO:Tb 3+ ,Mn 2+ could introduce a potential technique for temperature measurement. Secondly, the CLSO:0.05Eu 3+ ,zY 3+ phosphors reveal that the emission intensity and color both change with Y 3+ concentration, and the optimal Y 3+ concentration was determined for z = 0.8. This phosphor could apply to white LEDs. Thirdly, the upconversion luminescence upon 980 nm excitation was observed in the CLSO:Yb 3+ ,Er 3+ , CLSO:Yb 3+ ,Ho 3+ , and CLSO:Yb 3+ ,Tm 3+ phosphors. Green and red emissions were gained in the Yb 3+ -Er 3+ and Yb 3+ -Ho 3+ doped CLSO, respectively. Very strong near-infrared emission was generated in the Yb 3+ -Tm 3+ doped CLSO and the visible emission is almost quenched relative to the near-infrared emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) results from acquired mutations in the PIG-A gene of an haematopoietic stem cell, leading to defective biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors and deficient expression of GPI-anchored proteins on the surface of the cell's progeny. Some laboratory and clinical findings have suggested genomic instability to be intrinsic in PNH; this possibility has been supported by mutation analysis of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase ( HPRT) gene abnormalities. However, the HPRT assay examines lymphocytes in peripheral blood (PB), and T cells may be related to the pathophysiology of PNH. We analysed the molecular and functional features of HPRT mutants in PB mononuclear cells from eleven PNH patients. CD8 T cells predominated in these samples; approximately half of the CD8 cells lacked GPI-anchored protein expression, while only a small proportion of CD4 cells appeared to derive from the PNH clone. The HPRT mutant frequency (Mf) in T lymphocytes from PNH patients was significantly higher than in healthy controls. The majority of the mutant T lymphocyte clones were of CD4 phenotype, and they had phenotypically normal GPI-anchored protein expression. In PNH patients, the majority of HPRT mutant clones were contained within the V β2 T cell receptor (TCR) subfamily, which was oligoclonal by complementarity-determining region three (CDR3) size analysis. Our results are more consistent with detection of uniform populations of expanded T cell clones, which presumably acquired HPRT mutations during antigen-driven cell proliferation, and not due to an increased Mf in PNH. HPRT mutant analysis does not support underlying genomic instability in PNH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: ObjectiveRecently, phenotypically normal CD34 cells from the marrow of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) were reported to show impaired growth and elevated Fas receptor expression as compared to glycophosphatidylinositol-anchored protein (GPI-AP)-deficient CD34 cells and CD34 cells from normal individuals. These results are consistent with the theory that PNH cells have an intrinsic growth advantage, but their superior expansion in vitro could also be the outcome of selective extrinsic pressure in vivo.: Material and MethodsGrowth characteristics, competitive features, and susceptibility to apoptosis of sorted normal or GPI-AP–deficient CD34+ cells derived from PNH patients were assessed in suspension and methylcellulose cultures.: ResultsWhen we directly compared the growth of patients'' CD34 cells, separated based on expression of GPI-AP CD55 and CD59, in most of the patients studied, mutant CD34 cells showed higher progeny production and outgrew phenotypically normal CD34 cells derived from PNH patients in mixing experiments. However, their proliferation rate did not exceed that of control CD34 cells. To determine whether deficient growth of phenotypically normal CD34 cells in PNH was secondary to a pre-existing in vivo insult, we determined the fraction of apoptotic cells within fresh normal and PNH CD34 cells. Normal CD34 cells from PNH patients showed a high proportion of apoptotic cells and higher Fas expression, while GPI-AP–deficient and control CD34 cells showed similar, low rates of apoptosis. After correction for pre-existing apoptosis, the proliferation potential of normal and PNH CD34 cells was similar.: ConclusionsThese results strongly suggest that clonal expansion of GPI-AP–deficient progenitor cells from PNH patients is due to their selection in the hostile marrow environment of the patient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have used proton-implantation-induced intermixing and a passivation effect to enhance the light-emission efficiency in multilayer InAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs). Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy is used to study both the intermixing and passivation effects. Besides the blueshift of the luminescence peak due to the intermixing-induced energy band variation, a six times higher PL intensity increase is observed, relative to that of as-grown QDs, with a proton implantation dose of 5 × 10[SUP13] cm[SUP-2] followed by rapid thermal annealing at 700°C. These effects are beneficial to both the quantum efficiency and the wavelength tuning of optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depressive disorder (DD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), two prominent mental health conditions, are commonly diagnosed using subjective methods such as scales and interviews. Previous research indicated that machine learning (ML) can enhance our understanding of their underlying mechanisms. This study seeks to investigate the mechanisms of DD, GAD, and healthy controls (HC) while constructing a diagnostic framework for triple classifications. Specifically, the experiment involved collecting electroencephalogram (EEG) signals from 42 DD patients, 45 GAD patients, and 38 HC adults. The Phase Lag Index (PLI) was employed to quantify brain functional connectivity and analyze differences in functional connectivity among three groups. This study also explored the impact of time window feature computations on classification performance, including the XGBoost, CatBoost, LightGBM, and ensemble models. In order to enhance classification performance, a feature optimization algorithm based on Autogluon-Tabular was proposed. The results indicate that a 12 s time window provides optimal classification performance for the three groups, achieving the highest accuracy of 97.33% with the ensemble model. The analysis further reveals a significant reorganization of the brain, with the most pronounced changes observed in the frontal lobe and beta rhythm. These findings support the hypothesis of abnormal brain functional connectivity in DD and GAD, contributing valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying DD and GAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propose: The propose is to investigate the reasons for the insolubility of Form III in water and to explore the mechanism of the hydration process of Form III. Methods: The conformational and cohesive energies of Form III and Form H1 were calculated using Gaussian 16 and Crystal Explorer 17. Gaussian 16 and Multiwfn 3.8 was used to calculate the molecular surface electrostatic potential of Form III and Form H1 and to calculate the energies of the stronger intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure. The behaviors of Form III in water were simulated using Gromacs 2020.6. Finally, the hydration process from Form III to Form H1 was monitored in situ using Raman spectroscopy. Results: The conformational energies of Form III and H1 are almost the same. The cohesion energy of Form H1 is much larger than that of Form III because both number of hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions are higher in the Form H1. During the simulation, the supercell of APZ form a supramolecular cluster. Several molecules manually dismantled from the cluster spontaneously combine to form new molecular clusters. Both increases in temperature and external energy input accelerate the hydration process. Conclusions: More hydrogen bonds and strong van der Waals interactions in Form H1 lead to a greater stability. The overall decrease in polarity and the strong binding effect on APZ molecule clusters due to intermolecular interactions lead to the water insolubility of Form III. The hydration process from Form III to Form H1 follows a novel, dandelion sowing-like hydration mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work suggests a theoretical principle about the oscillation signal decomposition, which is based on the requirement of a pure oscillation component, in which the mean zero is extracted from the signal. Using this principle, the validity and robustness of the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method are first proved mathematically. This work also presents a modified version of EMD by the interpolation solution, which is able to improve the frequency decomposition of the signal. The result shows that it can provide a primary theoretical basis for the development of EMD. The simulation signal verifies the effectiveness of the EMD algorithm. At the same time, compared with the existing denoising algorithm, it has achieved good results in the denoising of rolling bearing fault signals. It contributes to the development and improvement of adaptive signal processing theory in the field of fault diagnosis. It provides practical value research results for the rapid development of adaptive technology in the field of fault diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depressive disorder (DD) has become one of the most common mental diseases, seriously endangering both the affected person's psychological and physical health. Nowadays, a DD diagnosis mainly relies on the experience of clinical psychiatrists and subjective scales, lacking objective, accurate, practical, and automatic diagnosis technologies. Recently, electroencephalogram (EEG) signals have been widely applied for DD diagnosis, but mainly with high-density EEG, which can severely limit the efficiency of the EEG data acquisition and reduce the practicability of diagnostic techniques. The current study attempts to achieve accurate and practical DD diagnoses based on combining frontal six-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) signals and deep learning models. To this end, 10 min clinical resting-state EEG signals were collected from 41 DD patients and 34 healthy controls (HCs). Two deep learning models, multi-resolution convolutional neural network (MRCNN) combined with long short-term memory (LSTM) (named MRCNN-LSTM) and MRCNN combined with residual squeeze and excitation (RSE) (named MRCNN-RSE), were proposed for DD recognition. The results of this study showed that the higher EEG frequency band obtained the better classification performance for DD diagnosis. The MRCNN-RSE model achieved the highest classification accuracy of 98.48 ± 0.22% with 8–30 Hz EEG signals. These findings indicated that the proposed analytical framework can provide an accurate and practical strategy for DD diagnosis, as well as essential theoretical and technical support for the treatment and efficacy evaluation of DD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the intermixing effect of multilayer self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots on photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Proton implantation combined with rapid thermal annealing is used to induce intermixing at the interface of InAs and GaAs. Intermixing results in a change of both the optical transition energy and the linewidth of the PL emission peaks. A blueshift up to 94.3 meV is obtained in the PL emission peaks. Our results show that proton implantation is an efficient method to tune the electronic states in self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has led to a significant ongoing need to address this surgically through coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). From this, there continues to be a substantial burden of mortality and morbidity due to complications arising from endothelial damage, resulting in restenosis. Whilst mast cells (MC) have been shown to have a causative role in atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases, including restenosis due to vein engraftment; here, we demonstrate their rapid response to arterial wire injury, recapitulating the endothelial damage seen in PCI procedures. Using wild‐type mice, we demonstrate accumulation of MC in the femoral artery post‐acute wire injury, with rapid activation and degranulation, resulting in neointimal hyperplasia, which was not observed in MC‐deficient KitW‐sh/W‐sh mice. Furthermore, neutrophils, macrophages, and T cells were abundant in the wild‐type mice area of injury but reduced in the KitW‐sh/W‐sh mice. Following bone‐marrow‐derived MC (BMMC) transplantation into KitW‐sh/W‐sh mice, not only was the neointimal hyperplasia induced, but the neutrophil, macrophage, and T‐cell populations were also present in these transplanted mice. To demonstrate the utility of MC as a target for therapy, we administered the MC stabilizing drug, disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) immediately following arterial injury and were able to show a reduction in neointimal hyperplasia in wild‐type mice. These studies suggest a critical role for MC in inducing the conditions and coordinating the detrimental inflammatory response seen post‐endothelial injury in arteries undergoing revascularization procedures, and by targeting the rapid MC degranulation immediately post‐surgery with DSCG, this restenosis may become a preventable clinical complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop new phosphor materials for optically thermal sensing, the Yb 3+ -Er 3+ , Yb 3+ -Ho 3+ and Yb 3+ -Tm 3+ doped Ba 9 Y 2 Si 6 O 24 samples were prepared by the solid-state reaction method, and the orange-yellow, green and blue emissions for upconversion luminescence have been obtained, respectively. The phase composition of the samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction, indicating the pre-prepared phosphors are all single-phase. For the Ba 9 Y 1.52 Si 6 O 24 :0.4Yb 3+ ,0.08Er 3+ sample, it has been found that the intensity ratio of the 2 H 11/2 - 4 I 15/2 to 4 S 3/2 - 4 I 15/2 emissions of Er 3+ shows a continuous increase with increasing temperature upon 980 nm excitation owing to the well-known thermally coupled levels of Er 3+ . It was also found that decay lifetime on 4 S 3/2 level of Er 3+ changes with temperature. For the Ba 9 Y 1.52 Si 6 O 24 :0.4Yb 3+ ,0.08Ho 3+ phosphor, the green ( 5 F 4 , 5 S 2 )- 5 I 8 emission of Ho 3+ exhibits a faster decay rate in intensity relative to the red 5 F 5 - 5 I 8 one when the measure temperature increases. The corresponding reason has been discussed by the energy level diagram and decay lifetime. For the Ba 9 Y 1.58 Si 6 O 24 :0.4Yb 3+ ,0.02Tm 3+ sample, it was found that the change of the emission intensity ratio of the Tm 3+ 3 H 4 - 3 H 6 to ( 3 F 2 , 3 F 3 )- 3 H 6 transitions with the temperature follows the Boltzmann distribution. The sensitivities of the above phosphors were calculated, and the high sensitivity values indicate the present phosphors could be a promising candidate for optical temperature sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop novel phosphors for optical temperature sensors, a series of Sr 1- n- 2 x-y Ba n Mg 2 (PO 4 ) 2 : x Eu 2+ , y Ce 3+ , y Na + (SB n MP: x Eu 2+ , y Ce 3+ , 0.0015 ≤ x ≤ 0.0075, 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.015, 0 ≤ n ≤ 0.5) phosphors were designed, and their photoluminescence properties were investigated. For Eu 2+ single-doped SMP phosphors, broad emission bands around 411 nm are obtained upon 365 nm excitation. However, when the Ba 2+ ions are introduced into the SMP:Eu 2+ , a new Eu 2+ emission band at 388 nm appears and the dominant emission peak has shifted gradually from 411 to 388 nm with the Ba 2+ concentration changing from 0 to 40 mol%. For Ce 3+ single-doped SMP and SB 0.35 MP phosphors, most of the emission bands are located in the near-UV region. By codoping Eu 2+ -Ce 3+ into the SMP and SB 0.35 MP hosts, an efficient energy transfer (ET) from Ce 3+ to Eu 2+ occurs, and the ET efficiency has been calculated by using the decay lifetimes of Ce 3+ . The investigation of the thermal stability luminescence reveals that the emission intensities of Ce 3+ and Eu 2+ single-doped samples exhibit an opposite changing tend with increasing temperature. Thus, the intensity ratio of the Ce 3+ to Eu 2+ emissions will demonstrate obvious change regulation with temperature when the Ce 3+ -Eu 2+ ions are codoped into the SB n MP, which could be used for the temperature sensor. Moreover, it has been found that the present phosphors could show high sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied structural, electrical, and optical properties of sputter deposited ternary CdMgO alloy thin films with total Mg concentration as high as 44%. We found that only a fraction (50%-60%) of Mg is incorporated as substitutional Mg contributing to the modification of the electronic structures of the alloys. The electrical and optical results of the Cd1-xMgxO alloys are analyzed in terms of a large upward shift of the conduction band edge with increasing Mg concentration. With the increase of the intrinsic bandgap, appropriately doped Cd-rich CdMgO alloys can be potentially useful as transparent conductors for photovoltaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(B) Representative western blot images showed the EpCAM protein level in the small intestines of WT and EpCAM-/- mice at P3 stage. (B) The mRNA expression levels of TSC2 in the small intestines of WT and EpCAM-/- mice at P0 and P3 stage, respectively (P0: WT, n = 6; EpCAM-/-, n = 8. We reported a new role of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) on maintaining the longevity of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) via regulating the TSC1/mTORC1/Sirtuins pathway. [Extracted from the article]

This paper proposes a novel single‐feed filtering dielectric resonator antenna (FDRA) using fusion design method and the microstrip‐slot coupled feeding structure. Two pairs of slotlines are elaborately designed and perpendicularly loaded on the coupling slot to provide two radiation nulls at the edges of the passband. Therefore, a compact DRA with a quasi‐elliptic function bandpass response is constructed without extra filter circuits. Furthermore, two radiation nulls can be individually controlled through changing the length of the corresponding slotlines. For proving the effectiveness of the design, a prototype FDRA operation at 3.45 GHz is fabricated and measured. The measured results show that the peak realized gain is 5.84 dBi and the ‐10dB impedance bandwidth is 10.29% (3.29 ‐ 3.65 GHz). The proposed FDRA not only has good performance, but also has simple design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Different morphologies can be achieved by controlling the reaction conditions. [•] Nanocrystallines with diameter below 10nm are obtained for upconversion application. [•] Monodisperse microspheres with the suitable diameter are prepared for 3D PDP. [•] The Y0.89(V0.5, P0.5)O4:0.11Eu3+ shows good color purity and intense emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The quantum cutting was directly observed and confirmed in CGP:Tm3+. • The improved QC model was established in Tm3+ ion. • The effect of Tm3+ concentration on the spectral characteristics was clarified. • The investigations can help to understand the QC and ET processes in Tm3+. In this work, to develop new quantum cutting (QC) luminescent materials and clarify the QC process, a series of Tm3+-activated Ca 9 Gd(PO 4) 7 (CGP) phosphors were prepared by conventional high-temperature solid state reaction method. The phase purity of the samples was checked by XRD patterns, and the structural features were analyzed on the basis of Rietveld refinement. The emission spectra of Tm3+ were measured by exciting at different wavelengths, in which the QC was identified. The main QC model was proposed when the Tm3+ is excited into 1D 2 level. The occurrence of QC was further verified by comparing the decay lifetimes on 3H 4 level under 357, 470 and 685 nm excitation. With increasing Tm3+ concentration, it was found that the 3H 4 →3H 6 transition intensity around 806 nm exhibits faster increase rate than other ones by exciting at either 357 or 470 nm. This increase rate is more effective under 357 nm excitation thanks to the existence of QC process. The above investigation could show instructional significance for the development of other rare earth ions doped luminescent materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Si/SiO2 multilayers were fabricated by RF plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition system, and phosphorus/ boron (P/B) co-doped silicon nanocrystals (Si NCs) were obtained under the constricted crystallization of multilayers structures. Microstructures of P/B co-doped Si NCs/SiO2 multilayers and impurities distributions were studied by Raman, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Low temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) results indicate that the non-radiative defects on Si NCs surfaces can be passivated by P and B impurities. Hall effect manifests that P and B impurities can substitutionally incorporate into Si NCs inner. Meanwhile, P impurity exhibits higher doping efficiency than B. Near-infrared photoluminescence near 1 200 nm with the wavelength compatible for optical telecommunication was detected in the small-sized P/B co-doped Si NCs. The emission intensity can be enhanced by regulating the nominal P-doping concentration. According to the time-resolved photoluminescence and EPR results, the physical mechanisms of P-doping on the radiative and non-radiative recombination processes of Si NCs were discussed, which are responsible for the enhancement of 1 200 nm photoluminescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electromechanical response of a single-walled zigzag ZnO nanotube under local torsion has been investigated using the density functional theory in combination with the nonequilibrium Green’s function method. Our results show that local torsional deformation can cause significant changes of the structural and electrical properties of the semiconducting ZnO nanotube. In the course of twisting, the ZnO nanotube undergoes the structural evolution of elastic and plastic deformation until complete failure, while the transport spectrum and the current–voltage characteristic also depend strongly on the applied torsion. The present results reveal the role of local torsion in tuning the properties of ZnO nanotube, which may prove useful for the design and implementation of one-dimensional ZnO nanostructures in nanoelectromechanical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The structures and relative stabilities of various plane and cage isomers of (SiC)12 cluster have been systematically computed using density functional theory at the level of BLYP. A number of starting configurations were generated from the low-energy isomers of C24 cluster via replacing 12 C atoms by Si atoms, which are D 6 h planar structure, and the D 6 d , D 2 h , Oh , and D 4 h symmetrical fullerene cages. The heterofullerene cage obeying six isolated squares rules are not the most preferred structural motif for (SiC)12 cluster. The structural candidates with fully alternating Si–C arrangement are energetically unfavorable. Instead, the (SiC)12 cluster tend to adopt plane, bowl, saddle, and highly distorted cage structures. In all cases, segregation of C atoms is a common feature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Immune-mediated destruction of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells is pathophysiologic in most cases of aplastic anemia (AA). We have successfully determined the gene expression profile of the marrow CD34+ target cells in AA. T cells producing IFN-γ and TNF-α have been implicated in hematopoietic destruction in AA. We sought to characterize T cells as immune mediators using the microarray approach.We applied Affymetrix GeneChip techniques to determine the detailed profile of mRNA expression of CD4+ and CD8+ cells from the BM of newly diagnosed AA patients and healthy volunteers. For validation, we confirmed our microarray results using quantitative real-time PCR.Compared to healthy controls, there were 178 and 183 differentially expressed genes in patients'' CD4+ cells and CD8+ T cells, respectively; activities of 22 selected genes were confirmed using real-time PCR. Dysregulated genes included those encoding cytokines/chemokines, and involved in transcription regulation, calcium and ion channel formation, and cell adhesion. Unexpected findings were overexpression of toll-like receptor genes in marrow CD4+ cells of patients and of genes for killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) in AA marrow CD8+ cells.Our detailed results at the mRNA level provide insights into the mechanism of AA. Both innate and adaptive immune responses of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells appear to be active in immune-mediated marrow destruction. A variety of cytokines and chemokines active in pathophysiologic cells likely play important roles in the recruitment and activation of lymphocytes to cytotoxic effectors for marrow hematopoietic target cells in AA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of ultrathin Cu-coated Co nanowires have been studied by using empirical genetic algorithm simulations and a tight-binding spd model Hamiltonian in the unrestricted Hartree–Fock approximation. For some specific stoichiometric compositions, Cu atoms occupy the surface, while Co atoms prefer to stay in the interior, forming the perfect coated multishell structures. The outer Cu layers lead to substantial variations in the magnetic moment of interior Co atoms, depending on the structure and thickness of Cu layers. In particular, single Co atom row at the center of nanowire is found to be nonmagnetic when coated with two Cu layers. All the other Co nanowires in the coated Cu shell are still magnetic but the magnetic moments are reduced as compared with Co nanowires without Cu coating. The interaction between Cu and Co atoms induces nonzero magnetic moment for Cu atoms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: ObjectiveCellular prion protein (PrPc) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein (GPI-AP) constitutively expressed by neurons but also in hematopoietic cells. In trasmissible spongiform encephalopathies, the protease-resistant form of prion (PrP s c) converts the host PrPc into the pathologic form. We have investigated PrPc expression in hematopoietic cells from paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). In this disease, due to somatic mutations in PIG-A gene, biosynthesis of the (GPI)-anchor is impaired and affected cells lack membrane expression of all GPI-AP.: MethodsNormal and PNH hematopoietic progenitors and paired wild-type (WT) and PIG-A mutant cell lines were used for analysis of intracellular and surface PrPc expression using flow cytometry and Western blot.: ResultsBy flow cytometry, PrPc was constitutively present on normal CD34+ cells, including more immature CD38dim cells, as well as hematopoietic cell lines. Similar results were obtained in purified CD34+. Phospholipase C treatment confirmed that PrPc was expressed on the membrane via the GPI-anchor. In PNH patients, GPI-AP-deficient CD34+ cells lacked PrPc membrane expression. PIG-A-mutated cell lines (Jurkat, K562, CEBV, AEBV), in contrast to their normal counterparts, did not express surface PrPc. However, we detected intracellular PrPc at approximately equivalent levels in both normal and PIG-A-mutated cells using intracellular flow cytometry and Western blotting.: ConclusionCells and cell lines with PNH phenotype together with their normal counterparts may be a suitable system to explore the function of membrane PrPc in the hematopoietic system. Conversely, PrPc is a good model to elucidate the fate of GPI-AP in PIG-A-deficient cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary. T cell-mediated suppression of haematopoiesis is believed to play an important role in the pathophysiology of aplastic anaemia (AA) and in the pancytopenia of some myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Natural-killer T (NKT) cells belong to a unique lymphocyte subset that expresses an invariant T-cell receptor (TCR), consisting of Vα24JαQ, and common NK cell surface markers. NKT cells have been hypothesized to play a role in immune regulation, and many human autoimmune conditions are associated with NKT cell deficiency. Here we investigate the role of NKT cells in AA and MDS patients. Flow cytometry demonstrated that NKT cells, unlike other T-lymphocyte subpopulations, were disproportionally decreased in AA and MDS marrow. When we compared variability within the CDR3 region of Vα24 in CD4– CD8– T cells derived from AA and healthy individuals, the CDR3 size of Vα24 cells showed a polyclonal distribution in AA patients, while in control subjects a typical oligoclonal or monoclonal pattern was found. Southern blot and sequence analysis of Vα24 polymerase chain reaction products revealed that the NKT cell-specific JαQ region was predominant in control subjects, whereas it was not, or only very weakly, detected in AA and MDS patients. These results show that NKT cells are profoundly decreased in AA and MDS, and their deficiency may, as in other human autoimmune diseases, play a role in the local immune dysregulation in AA and MDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Al compositional profile across the AlAs/GaAs heterostructural interface before and after rapid thermal annealing was investigated by a thickness fringe-imaging technique. The diffusion of Al has been quantified by comparison between experimental thickness intensity profiles and the simulated intensity profiles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Studies the binding of recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor soluble receptor to membrane-bound macrophage colony stimulating factor. Materials and methods; Role of cytokines in communication between cells; Results and discussion.

• Co-DW intrinsically exhibits high catalytic activities for bi-functional ORR/OER. • Low limiting overpotentials arise from modified scaling relations on TM-DWs. • By applying strain, the adsorption strengths of intermediates can be optimized. Discovering low-cost, durable and highly active electrocatalysts with reduced use of precious platinum group metals (PGM) as catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key step for large-scale adaptation of fuel cells, electrolyzers, and metal-air batteries. Here we explore the stability and reaction mechanisms of synthesized one-dimensional transition metal dithiolene wire (TM-DWs, TM = Cr – Cu, Rh, Ir, Pt, Pd) for the ORR and the OER in acid solution by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our calculations reveal that Co-DW intrinsically exhibits high catalytic activity for bi-functional ORR/OER with low limiting overpotentials (η) of 0.46/0.45 V via four-electron reactions. These low limiting overpotentials arise from modified scaling relations by strengthening the binding free energy of OOH* compared to OH* on TM-DWs, yielding universal minimum ORR/OER overpotentials of η = 0.28/0.22 V, remarkably decreased compared to both metal and oxide surfaces (η ideal = 0.37 V). By applying uni-axial strain, the adsorption strength of reaction intermediates on TM reactive sites can be optimized due to shifts in d-band centers. Our findings provide valuable insight into rational design of non-precious metals based electrocatalysts, and demonstrate a new strategy of tuning adsorptions via uni-axial strain to develop efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts of ORR/OER under optimal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luminescent ions doped lead free ferroelectric ceramics are the potential candidates to the widespread application of optoelectronic devices due to the coupling between their unique photoluminescence and inherent ferroelectric performance. In this work, the tunable photoluminescence response is successfully achieved in (1- x)Na 0·5 Bi 0·5 TiO 3 - x CaTiO 3 : Eu3+ (NBT- x CT: Eu3+, x =0.07, 0.1) via electric field poling. It is found that the enhancement of photoluminescence intensity became apparent for polarized NBT-0.07CT: Eu3+, wherein x =0.07 is near the morphotropic phase boundary region. However, for NBT-0.1CT: Eu3+ ceramic with a morphotropic phase boundary, the variation trend of the emission intensity after electric field poling is opposite. These results are ascribed to the lattice distortion and phase transition induced by an external field poling, which originates from ferroelectric and structural instability near and in the morphotropic phase boundary of NBT- x CT: Eu3+ (x =0.07, 0.1) ceramics. • The NBT- x CT: Eu3+ specimens exhibit strong prominent red emission. • The lattice distortion and phase transition are induced by an external field poling. • Electric-field-induced photoluminescence modulation is successfully achieved. • NBT-0.07CT: Eu3+ possesses more superior performance than NBT-0.1CT: Eu3+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Different strategies for temperature sensing were introduced in the present phosphors. • High sensor sensitivities were obtained in the Yb3+-Er3+ doped YS phosphors. • The effect of dopant concentration and pump power on sensitivities was evaluated. • The present phosphors could have potential application in optical temperature sensors. In this work, a series of Y 4.67(0.99-x) (SiO 4) 3 O:xYb3+,1%Er3+ (5% ≤ x ≤ 20%) phosphors were prepared by solid-state reaction, and their upconversion luminescence properties under 980 nm excitation were studied for optical temperature sensing. Single-phase samples were checked by XRD patterns. Upon 980 nm excitation, three emission peaks of Er3+ appeared, and the relative intensities of the green and red emissions were found to change with Yb3+ concentration. The temperature dependences of both fluorescence intensity ratio and decay lifetime of Er3+ were evaluated. By using I 522 /I 547 , the absolute sensitivity (S A) shows a continuous increase with rising temperature and the maximal value for x = 10% reached 5.17 × 10−3 K−1 at 550 K. The relative sensitivity is decreased at higher Yb3+ concentration. By using I 661 /I 522 , it has been found that the absolute sensitivity decreases with rising temperature, and the sample for x = 10% shows the largest S A. The relative sensitivities for all the samples decrease gradually when the temperature is increased. For different pump powers, the sample excited at 62 mW/mm2 shows the largest absolute sensitivity at high temperature, but high relative sensitivity is achieved at low temperature. The above results indicate the present phosphors could have potential applications in optical thermometers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a series of Ca 9(1- m - n) La(PO 4) 5 SiO 4 F 2 : m Eu, n Mn (CLPS: m Eu, n Mn, 0 ≤ m ≤ 3%, 0 ≤ n ≤ 4%) phosphors were designed for multifunctional applications. The phase purity was evaluated by XRD technique, which revealed that the obtained samples were single-phase. When the Eu was doped, it was found that the emission spectra exhibited different characteristics depending on the excitation wavelength. More than one Eu2+ emission center was confirmed in the Eu-activated CLPS phosphors, and the optimal Eu2+ doping concentration was determined to be 1 mol%. To realize tunable emission, the Eu-Mn codoped CLPS phosphors were synthesized, in which the efficient energy transfer (ET) from Eu2+ to Mn2+ occurred. The corresponding ET mechanism was discussed by using the Dexter's ET formula. Upon 365 nm excitation, the thermal quenching properties of both Eu-single-doped and Eu-Mn-codoped CLPS phosphors were evaluated, and the spectral features were interpreted. Under 300 nm excitation, it was found that the CLPS:1%Eu sample showed different decay rates for the Eu2+ and Eu3+ emission intensities with temperature, which was considered to apply to optical thermometry. High sensitivity was obtained in the present phosphor. • The tunable emission was realized in the Eu-Mn codoped CLPS phosphors. • The different thermal quenching properties for different Eu2+ centers were found. • High sensitivity was obtained in the wide temperature range for optical thermometer. • The CLPS:Eu, Mn phosphors show potential applications in LEDs and optical thermometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sm3+-Modified (1 − x)Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-xCaTiO3 (NBT-xCT:Sm3+) piezo-luminescent ceramic materials were synthesized to investigate the influence of CaTiO3 (CT) concentration on their photoluminescence and electrical performance. Under 480 nm irradiation, the NBT-xCT:Sm3+ samples exhibit prominent orange-red emission, with a prime emission peak centered at 597 nm. A moderate amount of CT doping in the Sm3+-modified NBT ceramics boosts both their photoluminescence and piezoelectric properties significantly, with NBT-0.04CT:Sm3+ showing the optimal performance. Furthermore, outstanding luminescence thermal stability over a temperature range of 293–473 K and superior water resistance behavior are achieved in the NBT-0.04CT:Sm3+ ceramic. These results indicate that NBT-xCT:Sm3+ piezo-luminescent ceramics show great potential applications in white LEDs, as well as novel optical-electronic multifunctional devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New Y 18 W 4 O 39 -based upconversion phosphors are designed for optical thermometer. • Different strategies are used to evaluate the optical temperature sensing properties. • High sensitivities for temperature sensing are obtained. • The phosphors are promising to be potential candidates in optical thermometers. The Er3+-Yb3+ and Tm3+-Yb3+ rare earth (RE) ions co-doped Y 18 W 4 O 39 (YWO) phosphors were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. Their phase purity, upconversion (UC) luminescence and optical temperature sensing behaviors were investigated in detail. The single-phase samples are obtained when the RE ions are incorporated into the YWO host lattice. The characteristic transition peaks of Er3+ and Tm3+ appear under irradiation with the 980 nm laser light source and their optimal doping concentrations are determined. The fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) strategy is utilized to assess the optical temperature-sensing properties, including the thermally coupled energy levels (TCELs) and non-TCELs. It is found that the FIRs of Er3+ (I 524 /I 546 and I 659 /I 524) and Tm3+ (I 477 /I 484 and I 791 /I 652) change obviously as the temperature varies. The temperature-induced changes for FIRs are also checked, which indicates an excellent reproducibility and repeatability. A series of sensitivity curves are presented as a function of absolute temperature, and the maximum sensitivity values are obtained. Furthermore, the decay curves are studied to better understand the UC energy transfer process. The above results reveal that the developed phosphors are promising to be a candidate for optical temperature sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Functionalized Fe-TCNQ monolayers serve as high-performance bifunctional ORR/OER catalysts. Highlights • A low limiting overpotential of 0.33 V for Fe-TCNQ is predicted toward ORR. • The catalytic performance of Ni-TCNQs monolayer is identified as the highest for OER. • By grafting ligands and applying strain, the adsorption strengths can be optimized. • Fe-TCNQ-Cl is predicted as high-activity bifunctional ORR/OER catalysts. Abstract The identification of catalytically active and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction and evolution reaction (ORR/OER) would revolutionize rechargeable metal-air batteries and regenerative fuel cell technologies. In this study, we use density functional theory (DFT) calculations to systemically investigate 2D transition metal based tetracyanoquinodimethane (TM–TCNQ, TM = Cr-Cu, Ru-Ag, Pt, Ir) monolayers with single TM atoms catalysts (SACs) distributed periodically with high density. We calculate a lower limiting overpotential of η lim = 0.33 V for Fe-TCNQ yielding a higher expected activity than that of Pt metal (0.48 V) for the ORR under acidic conditions. The catalytic performance of Fe-TCNQ for OER is, however, surpassed by Ni-TCNQs (η lim = 0.46 V), which is identified as the highest among the candidates. By applying grafting axial ligands and external strain, the adsorption strength of reaction intermediates on TM reactive sites can be further optimized and enhances the activities of Mn-, Fe- and Ni-TCNQs for the ORR or the OER. Here, Fe-TCNQ-Cl (η lim = 0.27/0.55 V), followed by Fe-TCNQ-CO (η lim = 0.67/0.43 V), are predicted as novel, high-performance bifunctional ORR/OER catalysts with comparable limiting overpotentials to those of the best commercially used electrocatalysts, Pt (ORR: η lim = 0.48 V) and RuO 2 (OER: η lim = 0.42 V). In addition, the recently synthesized Fe-TCNQ possess excellent conductivity with fast electron transfer during the catalytic reactions. These results show 2D TM-TCNQ monolayers are durable, low-cost, and efficient catalysts for the ORR and the OER in metal-air batteries and fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Synthesized scandium solophene polymers (Sc-SP) intrinsically exhibit high catalytic activities for CO Oxidation. • Different types of macrocyclic ligands around the active sites all performance the super catalytic activities for CO Oxidation. • Stabilities, adsorptive characteristics and chemical kinetics are proposed as descriptors to efficiently screen out promising catalysis. • Langmuir Hinshelwood (LH) is determined to be the preferable one mechanism on Sc-SP for CO Oxidation. Inspired by the successful synthesized one-dimensional (1D) 3 d -transition metal solophene polymer (TM-SP), we systematically investigate CO oxidation reactions on TM-SP as single atom catalysts (SACs) by density functional theory (DFT). The stabilities, adsorptive profiles of reactants and chemical kinetics as three descriptors are taken into account to efficiently select promising SACs among nine candidates (TM-SP, TM = Sc-Cu). Our calculations reveal that Sc-SP shows the highest catalytic activity for CO oxidation. After considering the Langmuir Hinshelwood (LH), Eley Rideal (ER) and tri-molecular Eley-Rideal (TER) mechanisms, we found the rate-determining step of CO oxidation on Sc-SP prefers to follow the LH mechanism whose energy barrier is 0.58 eV. The second CO 2 generated fast via either LH or ER mechanisms with no activation barrier. Moreover, our results verify that the catalytic behavior of transition metals is intrinsic, because the kinetic characteristic is independent by changes in the different macrocyclic ligands (N 2 O 2 , N 3 O and N 4) of the active sites in the kinetically-controlled CO oxidation reaction. The high catalytic performance of Sc-SP may be attributed to the proper strengths of adsorbates, high stabities and fast kinetics. These results provide atomic-level insights into CO oxidation which opens up a novel strategy for rational design of efficient SACs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary fibrosis is responsible for the both short-term and long-term outcomes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There is still no effective cure to improve prognosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether edaravone, a free radical scavenger, have anti-fibrosis effects in the rat model of ARDS associated early pulmonary fibrosis by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Rats were subjected to intravenous injection of LPS, and edaravone was given intraperitoneally after LPS administration daily for 7 consecutive days. LPS treatment rapidly increased lung histopathology abnormalities, coefficient of lung, hydroxyproline and collagen I levels, stimulated myofibroblast differentiation and induced expression of TGF-β1 and activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling as early as day 7 after LPS injection. Moreover, LPS intoxication significantly increased the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), whereas it dramatically decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities from day 1 after LPS treatment. On the contrary, edaravone treatment ameliorated LPS-induced myofibroblast differentiation and pulmonary fibrosis, simultaneously, and attenuated LPS-stimulated oxidative stress and activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling. Collectively, edaravone may attenuate ARDS associated early pulmonary fibrosis through amelioration of oxidative stress and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. Edaravone may be a promising drug candidate for the treatment of ARDS-related pulmonary fibrosis in early period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore theoretically the optical bistability and four-wave mixing (FWM) in a hybrid optomechanical system, where the mechanical resonator is simultaneously coupled to a cavity field and a two-level system (qubit). We can use a strong control field driving the cavity to control the bistable behavior of the steady-state photon number, phonon number, and the population inversion. The impact of qubit-resonator coupling strength on the bistable behavior is discussed. Furthermore, the two-level system can significantly modify the output fields of the cavity, leading to double optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT) and the enhancement of the FWM intensity. We find that the distance between the two peaks in the FWM spectrum can be controlled by the qubit-resonator coupling strength, and the peak value of the FWM intensity can be adjusted by the Rabi frequency of the control field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of two different nitrogen doping configurations, graphite-like and pyridinic-like nitrogen doping (denoted as graphite-N and pyridinic-N hereafter, respectively), on the thermal conduction of graphene is carefully studied via non-equilibrium molecular dynamic (NEMD) simulations. The thermal conductivity is more strongly suppressed in the pyridinic-N-doped graphene than that in the graphite-N-doped sample, which can be well understood from the changes in bond strength between nitrogen and carbon atoms, phonon group velocities, phonon density of states, participation ratio, and phonon transmission. Our study indicates that the pyridinic-N doping is an efficient method to tune the thermal conduction in graphene, especially for the situation where low thermal conductivity is requested, e.g., thermoelectric applications and thermal shielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SrWO 4 and SrWO 4 :Tb 3+ samples were prepared by a simple precipitation method, and the morphology, photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence (CL) properties were investigated. The optical bandgap of SrWO 4 is determined to be 4.73 eV experimentally, and a red-shift of the absorption edge is observed when Tb 3+ is doped. The samples show spindle-like particles with average length of about 10 μm on the whole, but some particles of other shapes are also found. Under 254 and 147 nm excitation, the Sr 0.9 WO 4 :0.1Tb 3+ phosphor exhibits typical Tb 3+ green emission. The absorption bands of the WO 4 2 - group appear in the excitation spectra of both the SrWO 4 and Sr 0.9 WO 4 :0.1Tb 3+ . By measuring the CL spectra of Sr 0.9 WO 4 :0.1Tb 3+ , the typical Tb 3+ emission peaks are found. The above results indicate the SrWO 4 :Tb 3+ phosphor can be excited by both photons and electrons, which has potential application in PDPs and FEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA, Kennedy's disease) is a motor neuron disease caused by polyglutamine repeat expansion in the androgen receptor. Although degeneration occurs in the spinal cord and muscle, the exact mechanism is not clear. Induced pluripotent stem cells from spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy patients provide a useful model for understanding the disease mechanism and designing effective therapy. Stem cells were generated from six patients and compared to control lines from three healthy individuals. Motor neurons from four patients were differentiated from stem cells and characterized to understand disease-relevant phenotypes. Stem cells created from patient fibroblasts express less androgen receptor than control cells, but show androgen-dependent stabilization and nuclear translocation. The expanded repeat in several stem cell clones was unstable, with either expansion or contraction. Patient stem cell clones produced a similar number of motor neurons compared to controls, with or without androgen treatment. The stem cell-derived motor neurons had immunoreactivity for HB9, Isl1, ChAT, and SMI-32, and those with the largest repeat expansions were found to have increased acetylated α-tubulin and reduced HDAC6. Reduced HDAC6 was also found in motor neuron cultures from two other patients with shorter repeats. Evaluation of stably transfected mouse cells and SBMA spinal cord showed similar changes in acetylated α-tubulin and HDAC6. Perinuclear lysosomal enrichment, an HDAC6 dependent process, was disrupted in motor neurons from two patients with the longest repeats. SBMA stem cells present new insights into the disease, and the observations of reduced androgen receptor levels, repeat instability, and reduced HDAC6 provide avenues for further investigation of the disease mechanism and development of effective therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]