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The COVID-19 pandemic has made it more difficult and expensive for medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to finance. In this context, relying on the network platform, smart supply chain finance effectively solves financing problems for small and SMEs. However, in the development of smart supply chain finance, there are still some problems such as unstable willingness of SMEs to participate in financing, difficulty in determining the optimal development mode of platform-based core enterprises and lack of appropriate regulatory measures. Based on whether the network platform can use its own capitals for lending, this study introduces two smart supply chain financial models (the dominant and cooperation models of platform-based core enterprises) to solve the above problems. In this study, we construct two evolutionary game models: the tripartite model, including government, platform-based core enterprises, and SMEs, and the quadrilateral model, including government, financial institutions, platform-based core enterprises, and SMEs. This study presents the evolution and stability strategies of each participant under different modes. In addition, we discuss the willingness of platforms to choose different modes and corresponding government supervision measures. This study offers several important conclusions. (1) Core enterprises that do not have the conditions to build a highly intelligent platform choose the cooperation model; otherwise, they will preferentially choose the dominant mode. (2) Under the dominant mode, the stable development of smart supply chain finance must rely on strict government supervision. (3) By adjusting the scope of tax rates and subsidies, the government can control the trend of mutual transformation of the two modes, so that the dominant mode and the cooperative mode can develop in a balanced way in the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-time fertilization with controlled-released fertilizer (CRF) is a promising way for reducing labor cost, increasing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and alleviating environmental pollution in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation. However, CRF release characteristics are related to various factors such as soil properties, temperature and precipitation, and further study is needed in developing suitable fertilizer formulas adapting to local conditions. In this study, five types of CRF were used for a one-time application in a two-year field experiment conducted at two sites with two wheat cultivars. Their effects on soil inorganic nitrogen (SIN) content, nitrogen uptake, wheat growth and grain yield were investigated. The results indicated that nitrogen supply in the CRF-60/80 treatments not only ensured the tiller differentiation at the early growth stage, but also provided adequate SIN after the jointing stage, thereby facilitating the dry matter accumulation and improving post-anthesis photosynthates accumulating in grains. When compared with conventional split fertilization, the CRF-60 and 80 treatments improved the NUE by 9.7–12.1%, and boosted farmers' economic efficiency by 282.4–327.2 CNY ha−1. According to our research, a one-time application of CRF-60 and CRF-80 could meet the needs of the two-peak nitrogen demand of wheat in Jiangyan and Yanghzou respectively, therefore increasing NUE and having low labor costs for wheat fertilizer application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ZrB 2 crystal surface calculations show Zr-terminated surface are more stable. • The work function of Zr-terminated ZrB 2 surfaces varies from 2.56 eV to 4.52 eV. • The Zr-terminated (11 2 ¯ 1) surface of ZrB 2 exhibits low surface energy. • ZrB 2 is a potential emission cathode material. In this study, the surface convergence, surface energy, and work function on various crystal facets of ZrB 2 were investigated by using the density functional theory calculations. Zr-terminated surface exhibits is more stable than the B-terminated surface. The electronic structure calculation reveals that ZrB 2 exhibits metallic property, and the high density of states near the Fermi level is mainly composed of Zr- d and B- p orbitals. The work function values of the Zr-terminated (0001), (10 1 ¯ 0), (11 2 ¯ 0), and (11 2 ¯ 1) surfaces of ZrB 2 are 4.52, 3.83, 4.00, and 2.56 eV, respectively. We found that the surface energy and work function of ZrB 2 (11 2 ¯ 1) are the lowest compared to ZrB 2 (0001), (10 1 ¯ 0) and (11 2 ¯ 0) surfaces, exhibiting good surface energy stability and providing excellent electron emission performance. This work provides valuable theoretical guidance for the exploration of ZrB 2 as a novel cathode material for electron emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This was a study of 12 cerebellar cortical dysplasias (CCDs) fetuses, these cases were characterized by a disorder of cerebellar fissures. Historically, CCD diagnosis was primarily performed using postnatal imaging. Unique to this study was the case series of CCD for prenatal diagnosis using prenatal ultrasound, as well as we found that AXIN1 and FOXC1 mutations may be related to CCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Co-Mo-based bimetallic oxide is constructed via a facile anodization method. • The as-prepared Co/CoO/Co 2 Mo 3 O 8 catalyst displays excellent HER performance. • The unique structure benefits the H* adsorption and promotes the reaction kinetics. • The recovered Co/CoO/Co 2 Mo 3 O 8 shows reproductive HER performance. Bi-metallic oxide based electrocatalysts exhibit great potential for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on account of their abundant reserves, high stability and rich active reaction sites. Getting rid of complicate and time-/energy-consuming process of previous synthesis strategies, herein, we introduce an anodization technique for quickly constructing Co-Mo-based bimetallic oxides on Co foil. As a result, the as-prepared Co/CoO/Co 2 Mo 3 O 8 shows enhanced HER performance compared with Co(OH) 2 /CoMoO 4 and CoO/CoMoO 4 , which provides an overpotential of 78 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slop of 59 mV dec−1 in 1 M KOH. Additionally, the recovered Co/CoO/Co 2 Mo 3 O 8 shows reproductive HER performance with an overpotential in the range of 70–90 mV, indicating the high efficiency and sustainability of the proposed anodization strategy. These findings provide a new and efficient route to construct high-stable bi-metallic or multi-metallic oxides for large-scale energy conversion application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-time fertilization with controlled-release urea (CRU) is a research hotspot for its lower labor cost and stability of nitrogen (N) supply for rice growth. Yet the fertilizer formulation needs to be further improved to better adjust the N supplement to meet the demand of rice plants and obtain a higher grain yield. Therefore, the effects of novel fertilizer formulations composed of CRU, urease inhibitor (UI) and nitrification inhibitor (NI) on the rice growth and photosynthetic characteristics as well as high-yield formation were tested through a two-year field experiment. The result indicated that the combined use of CRU and UI treatment can achieve higher yields than with CRU at the same N application level. Meanwhile, with a 20% reduction of N use, one-time application of CRU + UI can obtain the same high yield as the conventional split application of urea. Compared with conventional fertilization and CRU treatment, the CRU + UI treatment had suitable leaf area and biomass accumulation at the vegetative growth stage and high effective stem tiller rate. More post-anthesis dry matter accumulation, higher net photosynthesis rate and low senescence rate were guaranteed for its high yield and nitrogen agronomic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza virus infections and the continuing spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are global public health concerns. As there are limited therapeutic options available in clinical practice, the rapid development of safe, effective and globally available antiviral drugs is crucial. Drug repurposing is a therapeutic strategy used in treatments for newly emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. It has recently been shown that the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel Cav1.2 is critical for influenza A virus entry, providing a potential target for antiviral strategies. Nisoldipine, a selective Ca2+ channel inhibitor, is commonly used in the treatment of hypertension. Here, we assessed the antiviral potential of nisoldipine against the influenza A virus and explored the mechanism of action of this compound. We found that nisoldipine treatment could potently inhibit infection with multiple influenza A virus strains. Mechanistic studies further revealed that nisoldipine impaired the internalization of the influenza virus into host cells. Overall, our findings demonstrate that nisoldipine exerts antiviral effects against influenza A virus infection and could serve as a lead compound in the design and development of new antivirals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is currently focusing on the cooperative control of air pollution and CO2 emissions, as well as the mitigation of economic policy uncertainty (EPU). By using panel data from 282 cities spanning from 2003 to 2017 and a newly constructed city-level EPU index, a spatial Durbin, two-way fixed-effects model is employed, with the aim of estimating the impact of EPU on the synergistic emissions intensity (SEI) of air pollutants and CO2. Additionally, this paper investigates the potential channels through which EPU influences SEI. It also explores how pressures related to environmental protection and economic development affect the impact of EPU on SEI. The results indicate that a unit increase in EPU will result in a rise in the SEI of local cities, adjacent cities, and total cities by 930.9%, 69,162.7%, and 70,093.6%, respectively. Moreover, the channel analysis suggests that EPU exacerbates SEI by undermining the upgrading of the industrial structure, augmenting industrial structure distortion, and escalating labor market distortion. Furthermore, the effect of EPU on SEI may be lessened by an increase in environmental protection pressure, while an increase in economic development pressure may exert a positive influence. Finally, this paper concludes by recommending that policymakers should prioritize the maintenance and stability of economic policies, facilitate the advancement of the industrial structure, enhance the efficiency of labor resource allocation, and underscore the significance of managing urban air pollution and CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four kinds of polypyrrole-thiophene derivatives (PPy-Th) are prepared via solution polycondensation using pyrrole, 3-acylpyrrole, and 2-thenaldehyde as monomers. The structure, molecular weight, micromorphology, thermal degradation, ultraviolet-visible absorption, and luminescence performance of the derivatives are investigated by fourier transform infrared (FTIR), hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), and fluorescence spectra. FTIR and 1HNMR confirm that the derivatives have been successfully fabricated, and GPC indicates that the derivatives belong to oligomers with narrow molecular weight distribution. For acyl-substituted derivatives, the microstructures are mainly lamellar accumulation. Furthermore, under ultraviolet excitation, the derivatives can produce blue or green light emission, corresponding to the transitions of large π electrons in the conjugated structure of the molecular chains. Especially, the maximum emission wavelengths and Stokes shifts of the acyl-substituted derivatives are markedly larger than that of the non-acyl-substituted derivatives. The fluorescence quantum yield and band gap of the PVT are 4.46% and 2.01 eV, respectively. The fabricated PPy-Th can be used as luminescent materials in the development and application of polymer light-emitting diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium sulfide (CdS), which is a typical and important semiconductor, has become enormous research concern in photocatalysis for environmental remediation. However, the practical usage of CdS in photocatalysis was largely limited because of photocorrosion, and the toxic Cd2+ ions would be released which leading to the potential environmental risks. To improve this defect, specific research has been focusing on fabrication of stable CdS nanocomposites by supporting with carbon-based materials. In this study, cadmium-enriched Perilla frutescens root was selected to in situ fabricate carbon-supported CdS nanocomposite photocatalyst. It was found that the CdS@CP contained CdS nanoparticles which were indexed to mixed-phase cubic and hexagonal CdS. Estimated band gap energy of CdS@CP (2.21 eV) was obviously lower than the pure CdS (2.57 eV), which implying that the new synthesis of CdS@CP was more easily to be motivated by visible light and required less energy compared with pure CdS. Moreover, the photodegradation rate of Rhodamine B (RhB) by CdS@CP was ca. 98%, and it exhibited high catalytic performance and durability in photodegradation of dye. The synthesis of CdS@CP photocatalysts with high performance of dye photodegradation would be a facile and low-cost pathway for achieving high value utilization of Cd-enrich biomass. Carbon-supported CdS nanocomposite photocatalyst was fabricated using Cd-enriched Perilla frutescens biomass through combination of pyrolysis carbonization and hydrothermal reaction, and applied in RhB photodegradation. Unlabelled Image • Nanocomposite photocatalyst was fabricated using Cd-enriched Perilla frutescens biomass. • Photocatalytic efficiency and stability of CdS@CP were enhanced compared to pure CdS. • A facile and low-cost pathway for high value utilization of Cd-enriched biomass was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic nitrate (NO 3 −) reduction reaction (NitRR) provides us a green solution to synthesize ammonia (NH 3) and ease environmental problems. However, the development of robust electrodes with high NH 3 yield rates and Faradaic efficiencies (FEs) is still challenging. Herein, we report a self-supporting electrode incorporating vertically aligned Co-based metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets (Co-NDC/NF), which facilitates electron and mass transfer for efficient NitRR to NH 3 within a wide range of NO 3 − concentration (0.05−1.0 M). In 1.0 M KOH + 1.0 M KNO 3 electrolytes, such Co-NDC/NF reaches a notable NH 3 yield rate of 19,200 ug h−1 cm−2, a high FE of 93.9% and excellent electrochemical stability, which is superior to most electrocatalysts. A flow-through reactor with large-area Co-NDC/NF also achieves the continuous production of 1096 mg L−1 NH 3 under an industrial current density. Furthermore, the rapid transformation of *NO 2 − to *NO and selective conversion of *NO to *NOH played critical roles in NitRR toward ultrafast NH 3 production. Our research not only offers a facile fabrication procedure for high-performance electrode, but also gives new insights into the enhanced electron transfer and mass transport within MOF-based electrode in electrochemical reactions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: . The development of depressive symptoms (DSs) is a complex process caused by both genetic and environmental factors. CEND1 gene coordinates cell division, differentiation and maturation of neural precursor cells, which affects brain structure and function. Our study investigated whether CEND1 was a genetic factor for DSs, particularly under negative life events.Methods: . 272 freshmen with DSs and 467 healthy controls were recruited via the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The adolescent Self-rating Life Event Checklist (ASLEC) was adopted to assess stressful life events during the past 12 months. Two SNPs (rs7946354, rs6597982) within the CEND1 gene were genotyped using Agena MassARRAY iPLEX technology. We combined generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) with RStudio programming to assess the direct association and gene-environment interaction (G × E).Results: . Rs7946354 was associated with DSs in an overdominant model (GT vs. GG+TT). In addition, both rs7946354 and rs6597982 had considerable impacts on negative life events. GMDR showed a statistical G × E that the AG genotype of rs6597982 and GT genotype of rs7946354 contribute to the maximum risk of DSs under high negative life events.Limitations: . Only two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined. Verification studies with bigger sample size and more varied demographic background information could be adopted to further support the generalization of these findings.Conclusions: .CEND1 can potentially cause high sensitivity to life events and affect DSs especially in the presence of negative life events, which contribute to the field of depression prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stiffness is an important physical property of biomaterials that determines stem cell fate. Guiding stem cell differentiation via stiffness modulation has been considered in tissue engineering. However, the mechanism by which material stiffness regulates stem cell differentiation into the tendon lineage remains controversial. Increasing evidence demonstrates that immune cells interact with implanted biomaterials and regulate stem cell behaviors via paracrine signaling; however, the role of this mechanism in tendon differentiation is not clear. In this study, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates with different stiffnesses are developed, and the tenogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exposed to different stiffnesses and macrophage paracrine signals is investigated. The results reveal that lower stiffnesses facilitates tenogenic differentiation of MSCs, while macrophage paracrine signals at these stiffnesses suppress the differentiation. When exposed to these two stimuli, MSCs still exhibit enhanced tendon differentiation, which is further elucidated by global proteomic analysis. Following subcutaneous implantation in rats for 2 weeks, soft biomaterial induces only low inflammation and promotes tendon‐like tissue formation. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that soft, rather than stiff, material has a greater potential to guide tenogenic differentiation of stem cells, which provides comprehensive evidence for optimized bioactive scaffold design in tendon tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cephalosporin, as one of the most widely used antibiotics, study of its hydrolysis process is important for predicting their environmental persistence. Two critical factors are considered has the first priority, which are hydrolysis rate constant (k h) and half-life (t 1/2). To date, many efforts have been made by using various analytical techniques to obtain the data for calculating k h and t 1/2. However, the typical techniques such as UV/vis spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography are of significant challenges like low accuracy and timely operations. Herein, we explored an electrochemical method by identifying the characteristic peaks with the same parent nuclear structure through square wave voltammetry (SWV). This proposed electrochemical fingerprinting was able to track the hydrolysis of intact cephalosporin molecules, β-lactam ring, and transformation product. The k h and t 1/2 of cefadroxil (CDX) under pH = 7 and 25 °C by electrochemical (0.0640 d−1 and 11.0 d) were consistent with those of high-performance liquid chromatography-UV/vis (HPLC-UV/vis) (0.0660 d−1 and 10.7 d). The t 1/2 ranged from 3.40 to 36.2 d, 7.33 d–43.7 d and 9.63 d–45.3 d for base-catalyzed, neutral pH and acid-catalyzed hydrolysis hydrolyzed, respectively, indicating that base-catalyzed hydrolysis rates were the greatest under alkaline conditions. Meanwhile, hydrolysis rates increased 2.50–3.60-fold for every 10 °C raise in temperature. Besides, the electrochemical fingerprinting could realize cephalosporin and β-lactam ring hydrolysis rates close to 100% in-situ hydrolysis process monitoring. This present work provides a powerful technology for understanding the environmental fate and predicting the environmental behavior of antibiotics with fast, high accuracy, specific recognition, and in situ monitoring. [Display omitted] • Electrochemical fingerprinting of typical cephalosporins were established based on the structure-activity relationship. • The proposed fingerprinting can be used to analyze the hydrolysis behavior of cephalosporin molecules for up to 40 days. • Electrochemical fingerprinting can realize the analyzed process of cephalosporin hydrolysis rate close to 100%. • Hydrolysis transformation products can also be analyzed by electrochemical fingerprinting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Assess developmental pattern of Sylvian fissures (SF) with Three-Dimensional Crystal Vue Imaging (3D-CVI) at 20–32+6 weeks of gestation. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Assess 20–32+6 weeks' gestation normal development of fetal brain SF with 3D-CVI imaging. Measure the uncovered area and perimeter of the insula on the Three-Dimensional (3D) image and establish reference ranges for the uncovered area and perimeters of the insula during normal pregnancy 20–32+6 weeks' gestation. Examine intra- and interobserver repeatability of measurements of the uncovered area and perimeter of the insula. Results: A total of 286 normal fetuses from 20 to 32+6 weeks of gestation were studied. The SF first was trapezoidal in the 25 weeks of gestation, gradually becoming triangular as gestational age (GA) increased, and then closing from posterior up to anterior down. The uncovered area and dimension of the insula showed a parabolic curve that first increased and then decreased as GA and head circumference (HC) increased. Reference ranges for measurements of the uncovered area and perimeters of the insula during normal pregnancy 20–32+6 weeks' gestation were established. The intra- and interobserver agreements were reproducible (all ICC > 0.850); there were more than 95% dots in the Bland-Altman plots (95 limits of agreement (LOA)) scale in every figure. Conclusions: 3D-CVI can be used to observe the morphological changes of SF during middle and late pregnancy, which is an intuitive supplementary means for prenatal evaluation of cerebral cortex development, guiding subsequent follow-up and referral for assessment by expert neurosonologists. Key Points: • A new imaging technique was found to visualize the SF of fetal brain surface. • This technique has the advantages of good consistency and repeatability, simple operation, short time-consuming, and low cost. • Its 3D visualization images can be used to the development and changes of the sulci on the brain surface, it provides a new method to evaluate the development of cerebral cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue engineering to develop alternatives for the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of injured tissues and organs is gaining more and more attention. In tissue engineering, the scaffold used is one of the most critical elements. Its characteristics are expected to mimic the native extracellular matrix and its unique topographical structures. Recently, the topographies of scaffolds have received increasing attention, not least because different topographies, such as aligned and random, have different repair effects on various tissues. In this review, we have focused on various technologies (electrospinning, directional freeze-drying, magnetic freeze-casting, etching, and 3-D printing) to fabricate scaffolds with different topographic orientations, as well as discussed the physicochemical (mechanical properties, porosity, hydrophilicity, and degradation) and biological properties (morphology, distribution, adhesion, proliferation, and migration) of different topographies. Subsequently, we have compiled the effect of scaffold orientation on the regeneration of vessels, skin, neural tissue, bone, articular cartilage, ligaments, tendons, cardiac tissue, corneas, skeletal muscle, and smooth muscle. The compiled information in this review will facilitate the future development of optimal topographical scaffolds for the regeneration of certain tissues. In the majority of tissues, aligned scaffolds are more suitable than random scaffolds for tissue repair and regeneration. The underlying mechanism explaining the various effects of aligned and random orientation might be the differences in "contact guidance", which stimulate certain biological responses in cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the development of tissue engineering, enhanced tendon regeneration could be achieved by exploiting suitable cell types and biomaterials. The accessibility, robust cell amplification ability, superior tendon differentiation potential, and immunomodulatory effects of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) indicate their potential as ideal seed cells for tendon tissue engineering. Nevertheless, there are currently no reports of using PDLSCs as seed cells. Previous studies have confirmed the potential of silk scaffold for tendon tissue engineering. However, the biomimetic silk scaffold with tendon extracellular matrix (ECM)-like structure has not been systematically studied for in situ tendon regeneration. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of hPDLSCs and biomimetic silk scaffold on in situ tendon regeneration. Methods: Human PDLSCs were isolated from extracted wisdom teeth. The differentiation potential of hPDLSCs towards osteo-, chondro-, and adipo-lineage was examined by cultured in different inducing media. Aligned and random silk scaffolds were fabricated by the controlled directional freezing technique. Scaffolds were characterized including surface structure, water contact angle, swelling ratio, degradation speed and mechanical properties. The biocompatibility of silk scaffolds was evaluated by live/dead staining, SEM observation, cell proliferation determination and immunofluorescent staining of deposited collagen type I. Subsequently, hPDLSCs were seeded on the aligned silk scaffold and transplanted into the ruptured rat Achilles tendon. Scaffolds without cells served as control groups. After 4 weeks, histology evaluation was carried out and macrophage polarization was examined to check the repair effects and immunomodulatory effects. Results: Human PDLSCs were successfully isolated, and their multi-differentiation potential was confirmed. Compared with random scaffold, aligned silk scaffold had more elongated and aligned pores and promoted the proliferation and ordered arrangement of hPDLSCs. After implantation into rat Achilles tendon defect, hPDLSCs seeded aligned silk scaffold enhanced tendon repair with more tendon-like tissue formation after 4 weeks, as compared to the scaffold-only groups. Higher expression of CD206 and lower expression of iNOS, IL-1β and TNF-α were found in the hPDLSCs seeded aligned silk scaffold group, which revealed its modulation effect of macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 phenotype. Conclusions: In summary, this study demonstrates the efficacy of hPDLSCs as seed cells and aligned silk scaffold as a tendon-mimetic scaffold for enhanced tendon tissue engineering, which may have broad implications for future tendon tissue engineering and regenerative medicine researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mesoporous CoS x is self-grown on the Co film by a cheap anodization method. • CoS x is an active bifunctional electrocatalyst towards overall water splitting. • Amorphous CoS x shows a better electrochemical performance than crystallized phase. Electrocatalysts based on transition metal sulfides (TMSs) are drawing accelerating concerns in renewable energy research because of their intrinsically excellent activities towards both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). To date, considerable efforts are made to improve the performance of these catalysts, but ignoring the improper synthesis strategy would incur additional cost to the catalyst. Herein, a convenient, one-step anodization method is developed for fast construction of cobalt sulfides (CoS x). Without any high-temperature or long-time treatment, mesoporous CoS x is self-grown on the metal substrate in minutes. As a result, as-anodic CoS x requires overpotentials of 102 mV for HER and 284 mV for OER to achieve a current density of 10 mA m−2 in alkaline solution. Moreover, the tandem bifunctional as-anodic CoS x exhibits a required cell voltage of 1.64 V for overall water splitting in alkaline solution, exceeding most of the documented Co-based electrocatalysts. Mesoporous cobalt sulfides (CoS x) were self-grown on the metal substrate via a facile, one-step anodization method for high efficient overall water splitting. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel distributed power allocation scheme for analog network coding (ANC) in high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is proposed by using statistical channel knowledge at the transmitters only. The scheme considers nonorthogonal amplified-and- forward (NAF) protocol. In the derivation, a general Rayleigh fading multiple hop network is accurately approximated by a simpler two hop network, and the closed-formed expression for the outage probability of the simplified two hop network is obtained and optimized with respect to the power allocation. Numerical results show that the derived power allocation scheme has significant performance gain over the equal power scheme. In some cases, it approaches the optimal scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid and portable detection of foodborne pathogens is of great significance for food safety and public health. The colorimetric methods based on naked-eye have been demonstrated to be a suitable qualitative method for point-of-care testing (POCT). However, analytical instruments like a microplate reader must be needed for the quantitative assay. To overcome its limitation, we herein report a novel photothermal method for foodborne pathogens based on the photothermal effect of aggregated mercaptophenylboronic acid-functionalized AuNPs (MPBA-AuNPs) induced by MPBA to translate the colorimetric detection into a simple temperature measurement using thermometers as the readout. The aggregated AuNPs show higher photothermal conversion efficiency than well-separated AuNPs under 660 nm laser irradiation. In the presence of bacteria, MPBA-AuNPs will attach to the surface of bacteria and keep separated from aggregation induced by excess MPBA, resulting in a lower temperature increase under 660 nm laser irradiation. Using E. coli O157:H7 as a model target, a good linear relationship is observed between temperature increase and bacteria concentration from 1.00 × 105-1.00 × 109 cfu mL−1 (R2 = 0.9877) with a detection limit of 1.97 × 104 cfu mL−1, which is three orders of magnitude lower than of the MPBA-AuNPs-based colorimetric assays. The proposed photothermal method provided a universal platform for rapid and portable detection of broad-spectrum bacteria strains in real samples. [Display omitted] • A simple and rapid photothermal method for bacteria detection with a thermometer. • The method is based on the photothermal effect of AuNPs mediated by bacteria. • The LOD is three orders of magnitude lower than AuNPs-based colorimetric assays. • A universal platform for rapid detection of broad-spectrum bacteria strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite there is a wide range of antidepressants available, with various mechanisms of actions, the efficacy of current therapeutic options is yet satisfactory. Previous shreds of evidence have indicated that genetics, cognitive, neuroendocrine, as well as personality factors, are all intrinsically linked and contribute to the diversity of treatment outcomes. We, therefore, sought to investigate this hypothesis in this study. Based on 610 samples treated with a selection of serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA) or tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), we compared the therapeutic effects of these four classes of drugs by survival analyses. Pharmacogenomic and survival analyses were carried out to explore the hereditary factors for curative effect and the accumulation of genetic factors was further discussed through pathway analysis and the global test. We built a machine learning-based prediction model that integrates genetic and non-genetic factors (including cognition, endocrinology, personality intelligence) to distinguish drug efficacy in single class drug situations. The values of the non-genetic makers after 6 weeks' treatment were collected to evaluate the efficacy of the model. Our results from the 6-week antidepressant therapeutic study indicated that SSRI and SNRI are better treatments than those of TCA and NaSSA in the Chinese population. Among all possible paired single-agent survival analyses, citalopram and venlafaxine were more effective than mirtazapine. Allele C carriers at rs6354 (SLC6A4) and allele G carriers at rs12150214 (SLC6A4) were significantly prone to poorer treatment response to fluoxetine. Besides, the combination of three loci (rs929377-rs6191-rs32897) located in HPA pathway was significantly associated with the treatment outcome of fluoxetine. In female MDD patients, the minor allele of rs6323 and rs1137070 on the MAOA gene likely lead to a worse response to venlafaxine. Furthermore, genetic variants linked to drug efficacy tended to concentrate on the neurotrophin pathway in depressed patients comorbid with anxiety. From multivariate models, more severe cognitive deficits, psychopathic personality and lower levels of operational intelligence, and higher levels of cortisol predicted worse response status with SSRI or SNRI after 6-week treatment. Notably, genetic factors in the multi-dimensional prediction model for both classes of drugs include loci in HTR2A and CRHBP genes. SSRI and SNRI are more suitable for the treatment of Chinese people with depression. SLC6A4 genetic variants, as well as HPA pathway, play an important role in the fluoxetine antidepressant therapeutic response while the polymorphism of MAOA gene involved in the pharmacological action of venlafaxine among female MDD patients. The presence of anxiety in MDD patients was related to the neurotrophin pathway. Genetic, cognitive, neuroendocrine, and personality intelligence factors combined have an ensemble impact on the medication effect of patients with major depression, leading to more precise and personalized medicine for specific groups of people. • SSRI and SNRI are better treatments in the Chinese population • SLC6A4 gene and HPA pathway play an important role in the fluoxetine antidepressant therapeutic response • The polymorphism of MAOA gene involved in the pharmacological action of venlafaxine among female patients • anxiety in MDD patients was related to the neurotrophin pathway • Genetic, cognition and concomitant symptom are critical factors in the selection of antidepressants for specific patients [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart logistics ecological chain (SLEC) consists of a supply ecological group, a core ecological logistics platform, and a demand ecological group. As a diversified industrial cluster, SLEC faces a complex internal and external environment, which makes high sustainable risks threatens the survival of SLEC members. To reduce the risks of SLEC, we first identify three kinds of risk factors, namely, the risks of SLEC members, technology risks, and external environmental risks. Then we adopt social network analysis (SNA) to construct a research framework for analyzing the relationships among risk factors of SLEC. Based on the results of the SNA, we further build a risk evaluation system based on the improved technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method to evaluate the risks of different SLECs and achieve better global optimal risk control. Moreover, we use a case study of RRS logistics company to verify our research framework and evaluation system. The results show that, in the RRS home appliance SLEC, the risks of technological route change, government management risks, and industry management risks can easily lead to the generation of other risks, while external stakeholder risk, government management risk and internal stakeholder risk are easily induced by other risks. Besides, among the home appliance, fitness, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) SLECs of RRS logistics company, when in-node degree and out-node degree risks have the same weight, the risks of the home appliance SLEC are the lowest, while that of the FMCG SLEC are the highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]