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The exact mechanisms of the development of autism, a multifactorial neurological disorder, are not clear. The pathophysiology of autism is complex, and investigations at the cellular and molecular levels are ongoing to provide clarity. Mutations in specific genes have been identified as risk factors for autism. The role of heavy metals in the pathogenesis of autism is subject to many studies and remains debatable. Although no exact neuronal phenotypes have been identified linked to autistic symptoms, overproduction and reduction of specific neurons have been implicated. A growing literature on generating genetic and non-genetic models of autism aims to help with understanding mechanistic studies that can explain the complexity of the disorder. Both genetic and non-genetic methods of zebrafish have been used to model autism. For several human autism risk genes, validated zebrafish mutant models have been generated. There is growing evidence indicating a potential link between autism and inorganic arsenic exposure. We have previously shown that inorganic arsenic induces supernumerary spinal motor neurons via Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway, and Cdk5 knockdown causes an overproduction of cranial and spinal motor neurons in zebrafish. Here, in this review, we provide a perspective on what these findings of neurogenic phenotypes mean in terms of dysregulated pathways of motor neuron development and their applicability to understanding cellular and molecular underpinnings of autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the effects of applied electric field on the corrosion resistance of slag-line (ZrO 2 -C material) of SEN under mold flux-molten steel coupling condition (near working condition) was systematically studied. The results show that the applied electric field can regulate the ion movement in the mold flux and affect the graphite activity in slag-line, thereby affecting the corrosion resistance of the slag-line. In the actual production, the corrosion resistance of the slag-line can be improved by inserting the electrode into the mold flux and using the sacrificial anode to protect the cathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two-level quantum heat engines have been studied extensively. Before that, the optimization of most heat engines was mainly concentrated in non-degenerate cases. We consider the level degeneracy, then calculate the maximum operation time and the irreversible dissipation coefficient of the two-level system under the scheme of linear tuned levels. In the high-temperature limit, we find that the level degeneracy affects the maximum power of the two-level heat engine. Especially in the case of the same degeneracy of the ground state and the excited state, the influence is the greatest. In addition, we also show that the degeneracy does not affect the efficiency at maximum power and the consistent relation of the two-level Carnot-like heat engine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing miniaturization and densification of electronic components have increased the demands for efficient heat sinks to dissipate the dense heat generated by these small components. However, owing to the limitations of the substrate material of heat sinks, optimizing the fin structure and its arrangement to enhance heat conduction and convection remains a challenge. In this study, the temperature change of hot water in a 304 steel barrel with and without a La 0.9 Ca 0.1 Al 0.9 Fe 0.1 O 3 (LAF) coating was studied. The results demonstrated that the cooling rate of hot water in the barrel coated with LAF coating increased by 28%. Furthermore, a high-emissivity LAF ceramic coating (0.91) was applied to an aluminum heat sink, and the heat transfer performance of the heat sink with and without the LAF coating was studied. The experimental results showed that the equilibrium temperature of the LAF-coated heat sink was reduced by ∼8 °C. Additionally, the LAF coating increased the total heat transfer coefficient by 20% and reduced the thermal resistance by 18%. The proportion of radiation heat transfer on the surface of the heat sink increased with the LAF coating, which accounted for 44% of the total heat transfer coefficient. Thus, LAF coatings have the potential to effectively improve the heat-transfer performance of thermal devices with different metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to explore the effects of combined application of organic and chemical fertilizers (organic-chemical fertilizers) on reclaimed soil fertility and rice yield. The experiment involved five treatments: no nitrogen (N) fertilizer (CK1), 100% chemical fertilizer N (CK2), 40% chicken manure N + 60% chemical fertilizer N (T1), 40% vermicompost N + 60% chemical fertilizer N (T2), 40% rapeseed meal fertilizer N + 60% chemical fertilizer N (T3). Organic-chemical fertilizers maintained or increased rice yield. Rice yields of T2 and T3 increased by 6.7% and 8.9%, respectively, as compared with CK2. T1 showed similar value of rice yield with CK2. Organic-chemical fertilizers application increased contents of soil organic C (SOC), total N (TN), alkali-hydrolyzable N (AN), NH4+-N, NO3–N, available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK) as well as CEC by 10.5%~15.9%, 8.9%~39.3%, 16.9%~74.5%, 38.1%~77.2%, 18.3%~136.5%, 27.7%~75.0%, 16.1%~24.7% and 7.2 ~ 26.0%. T3 had highest soil TN, AN, NH4+-N, NO3–N, CEC as well as T2 showed the highest contents of soil AP and AK. Organic-chemical fertilizers application increased soil sucrase (S-SC), urease (S-UE) and catalase (S-CAT) activities. The highest soil S-SC activity was detected in T3, and the highest soil S-UE and soil alkaline phosphatase (S-AKP) activities were observed in T2. Rice yield was positively related to SOC, TN, AN, NH4+-N, NO3–N, AP and AK as well as S-SC, S-UE and S-AKP activities. In conclusion, 40% organic N + 60% chemical N application could improve soil fertility and rice yield in reclaimed soils, with rapeseed meal fertilizer the most effective organic N source, followed by vermicompost and chicken manure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, carbon-coated α-Al 2 O 3 powder was prepared by two routes: a physical method and a chemical method. The obtained carbon-coated α-Al 2 O 3 powders were adopted to prepare MgO–C refractory materials for the purpose of regulating the in-situ synthesis of MgAl 2 O 4. The effect of the carbon-coating α-Al 2 O 3 powder addition on the service behavior of MgO–C refractories was studied. The results show that both the physical and chemical methods for coating alpha-alumina particles could regulate the solid-phase formation of spinel in the magnesia carbon material, which weakened the solid-phase reaction of the spinel in the magnesia carbon material, thus reducing the volume expansion. Samples containing coated alpha Al 2 O 3 micropowder, prepared by the chemical method, presented the largest bulk density, the minimum apparent porosity, the largest cold and hot modulus of rupture, and the best thermal shock and corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MgO/nano MgAl 2 O 4 core-shell aggregates were prepared using nano-Al 2 O 3 suspension and MgO aggregates by vacuum impregnation method and then heat treated. The MgO/nano MgAl 2 O 4 core-shell aggregates possess excellent hydration resistance and thermal shock resistance (TSR), which are attributed to the in-situ formed MgAl 2 O 4 reducing the contacting area between MgO and water as well as the reduced pore and pore size. The pinning effect of nano-MgAl 2 O 4 and thermal mismatch between MgO and MgAl 2 O 4 contribute to improving TSR of aggregates. The TSR and hot modulus of ruputure were enhanced when the prepared MgO/nano MgAl 2 O 4 core-shell aggregates were introduced into MgO–C slide plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The causes, the formation process, and the prevention of submerged entry nozzle (SEN) clogging were introduced. The influence of electric field on the SEN clogging was focused on, including the basic theory and measurement of SEN charging, the preliminary research on SEN charging, the influence of molten steel on the wetting behavior of refractory materials in electric field, and the influence of electric field on the oxide inclusions in molten steel. Based on the influence of the hydrodynamics, chemistry and other factors on refractory materials, structure, inclusion particle transfer and adhesion, many anti-clogging researches have been carried out, such as optimizing process conditions, compositing anti-clogging inner lining materials, innovating SEN structure and applying physical fields, which solve the problem of SEN clogging to a certain extent. However, the problems of weak adaptability and superficial study on clogging mechanism are still prominent. The electric field control is a new technology to prevent clogging. Although it has achieved certain results in on-site continuous casting trials, some problems such as the method of applying electric field, the electric field parameters and the equipment still need to be gradually improved, and the surface characteristics of inclusions and SEN materials at high temperatures need to be further studied. It was pointed out that the combination of materials and applied electric field will become an important direction for SEN anti-clogging technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods for synthesising Zr‐based MAX phases powder generally require high temperature and product processing such as milling, which can introduce impurities and high cost. A new method to syntheszse Zr3Al3C5 powder from Zr, Al, and C particles in NaCl‒KCl molten salt was reported. The effects of temperature, Al content, and type of carbon source on the formation of Al–Zr–C compounds were investigated. The results show that molten salt synthesis can be used to prepare Zr3Al3C5 powder at a low temperature. When additional Al was added to yield a Zr:Al ratio of 2:9 and resin carbon was used as the carbon source, the purity of the prepared Zr3Al3C5 reached 96%. ZrC is always present in the powder as an impurity, which is consistent with many commercial MAX phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vocational education campus is an important practice place of rehabilitation landscape and health garden. The improvement of rehabilitation landscape in vocational education campus is of great significance for the popularization of environmental and health knowledge, the dissemination of ecological concepts, and the guidance of local development of garden health and horticultural therapy. Based on the analysis of the benefits of rehabilitation landscape, the paper discusses the role of rehabilitation landscape in maintaining the psychological health of teachers and students in vocational education campus, improving their attention, alleviating bad emotions, and improving the safety and comfort level of the environment, and further demonstrates the necessity of rehabilitation landscape improvement in vocational education campus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We make use of the Hamilton–Jacobi and Parikh-Wilczek methods to investigate the Hawking radiation from the event horizon of a new charged anti-de Sitter black hole in four-dimensional Gauss-Bonnet gravity space–time. Both the tunneling rate of charged particles and the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy are evaluated. The emission spectrum is an impure thermal one and consistent with an underlying unitary theory. There is no difference between the emission rate of massive particle and that of massless one. The entropy is modified by a logarithmic term so that the area law of the black hole entropy is violated. It satisfies the first law of black hole thermodynamics and has the same expression as that calculated by Loop Quantum Gravity and String Theory. When the Gauss-Bonnet coupling coefficient is equal to zero, the logarithmic correction vanishes and the Bekenstein-Hawking relation in general relativity is recovered. So our results show the effects of the Gauss-Bonnet modified gravity on the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy and Hawking radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supervised machine learning is an essential but difficult to use approach in biomedical data analysis. The Galaxy-ML toolkit (https://galaxyproject.org/community/machine-learning/) makes supervised machine learning more accessible to biomedical scientists by enabling them to perform end-to-end reproducible machine learning analyses at large scale using only a web browser. Galaxy-ML extends Galaxy (https://galaxyproject.org), a biomedical computational workbench used by tens of thousands of scientists across the world, with a suite of tools for all aspects of supervised machine learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the service of MgO–C/Al 2 O 3 –C composite functional refractory component, MgAl 2 O 4 (MA) will be formed at the interface between MgO–C materials and Al 2 O 3 –C materials, thereby, decreasing the bonding strength at the interface and eventually resulting in damage to the material. In this study, the properties of samples consisting of a single material and composite refractory component heat-treated at different temperatures were determined. The effects of interfacial mass transfer on the properties of the composite refractory components were investigated, and the interfacial spinellisation of the MgO–C/Al 2 O 3 –C composite functional refractory component at high temperatures was studied. Furthermore, we introduced MA into MgO–C or Al 2 O 3 –C to reduce the interfacial mass transfer. The results show that MA is formed in Al 2 O 3 –C after heat treatment at 1550 °C because Mg vapor diffuses into the Al 2 O 3 –C material through the interface and reacts with it. The formation of MA at the interface reduces the bonding strength of the Al 2 O 3 –C/MgO–C composite functional refractory component. The addition of an interphase (MA) cannot effectively reduce the mass transfer effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the Parikh-Wilczek (PW) quantum tunneling method, the Hawking radiation of black holes in massive gravity is investigated, the emission rate of particles and the black hole entropy are calculated. It is shown that the emission spectrum is not purely thermal, depends on the increment of the black hole entropy, consists with an accurate unitary theory and supports the standpoint of information conservation. Unlike other modified gravities, the entropy of the massive gravity black hole unexpectedly conforms to the area law just as that of Einstein gravity black hole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is concerned with the numerical simulations of the flow and performance of a rotor of a hydraulic Savonius turbine. The flow was simulated using the vortex in cell (VIC) method in combination with the volume penalization (VP) method. The torque acting on the rotor was computed using a custom method, which can accurately calculate the fluid forces on solid bodies in flows simulated by the VIC-VP method, to analyze the rotational speed and power output of the rotor. The simulated flow around the rotating blades agreed qualitatively with the experimentally visualized flow, and the analyzed relation between the rotor's rotational speed and power output agreed with the experimentally measured relation. These demonstrate that the VIC-VP method in combined with the authors' method for calculating fluid forces is applicable for the simulations of flow and performance of hydraulic Savonius turbines. • The flow through a hydraulic Savonius turbine is successfully simulated. • The performance of the rotor is calculated from the flow. • The unsteady flow around the rotor is studied by the simulation. • The relation between the rotor performance and the flow is reconfirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of random depth optical lattice (OL) on vortices in Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) are studied. By numerically solving Gross–Pitaevskii equation for rotating BECs, we analyzed the property of a single vortex (slow rotating) and vortex lattice structures (fast rotating) in the presence of random depth optical lattice. It is shown that similar to speckle disorder and bichromatic optical lattice pseudorandom potential, random depth optical lattice can also localize a singe vortex. Random depth OL can melt square vortex lattice, while speckle or bichromatic OL disorder can melt triangular vortex lattice. We also show that random depth OL disorder can induce larger angular momentum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work provides an effective method for synthesis of MgO–MgAl 2 O 4 (MgO-MA) aggregates with good thermal shock resistance (TSR) using lightly calcined magnesia and α-Al 2 O 3 micro-powder as the starting materials. The effect of α-Al 2 O 3 micro-powder amount and calcination temperature on TSR and microstructure of the synthesized MgO-MA aggregates was investigated. The optimum amount of α-Al 2 O 3 micro-powder was 15 wt%, and the obtained aggregates had the highest density after calcination at 1650 °C. The synthesized MgO-MA aggregates had excellent TSR which was attributed to the thermal mismatch of MgO and MA grains as well as the pinning effect of MA grains on the periclase grain boundaries. TSR of MgO–C slide plate materials was improved significantly by introducing appropriate amount of the synthesized MgO-MA aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for synthesizing high purity α-Si 3 N 4 powder is introduced in this paper. α-Si 3 N 4 powder was synthesized by high energy ball milling assisting molten salt nitridation method at low temperature, using Si powder as starting material and mixed powder of NaCl–NaF as molten salt. The effects of synthesis temperature and holding time on phase composition and micro-morphology of the samples were discussed. The results showed that Si powder will be completely nitrided at 1200 °C for 4 h, and the content of α-Si 3 N 4 in the sample is 96%. It indicates that this method can effectively reduce the synthesis temperature of silicon nitride and improve the purity of product. The growth of α-Si 3 N 4 whiskers occurs via a vapor-solid (VS) mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional in vitro assays are often used as initial screens to identify potential toxic effects of nanoparticles (NPs). However, many NPs have shown interference with conventional in vitro assays, resulting in either false-positive or -negative outcomes. Here, we report an alternative method for the in vitro assessment of NP-induced cytotoxicity utilizing Fluoro-Jade C (FJ-C). To provide proof of concept and initial validation data, Ag-NPs and Au-NPs were tested in 3 different cell cultures including rat brain microvessel endothelial cells, mouse neural stem cells, and the human SH-SY5Y cell line. Conventional 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were run in parallel with the new method and served as references. The results demonstrate for the first time that FJ-C labeling can be a useful tool for assessing NP-induced cytotoxicity in vitro. Using these approaches, it was also demonstrated that removal of Ag-NPs—while keeping the Ag-ions that were released from the Ag-NPs in culture media—abolished the measured cytotoxicity, indicating that Ag-NPs rather than Ag-ions in solution contributed to the observed cytotoxic effects. Further, co-treatment of Ag-NPs with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) prevented the observed cytotoxicity, suggesting a protective role of NAC in Ag-NP-induced cytotoxicity. Thus, this alternative in vitro assay is well suited for identify potential cytotoxicity associated with exposure to NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CrBr 3 monolayer provides an ideal experimental platform to study the two-dimensional ferromagnetism. In this work, we theoretically study the intrinsic ferromagnetism of CrBr 3 monolayer based on the anisotropic Heisenberg model with exchange interactions beyond the nearest neighbor and employing the double-time Green's function method. The Hamiltonian parameter values of the model are taken from the recently reported first-principles calculations. The spontaneous magnetization, Curie temperature, hysteresis loop, and magnon energy spectrum are calculated numerically, and the theoretical results are compared with the available experimental results as much as possible. The calculated Curie temperature of 30.5 K is well consistent with the two experimental measurements of 27 K and 34 K, which in turn support the magnetic parameters obtained from the first-principles calculations. Moreover, the theoretically calculated results of critical exponent describing the critical behavior of spontaneous magnetization and hysteresis loops agree qualitatively well with the experimental measurements. • The intrinsic ferromagnetism of CrBr 3 monolayer is theoretically investigated by the double-time Green's function method. • The calculated Curie temperature is well consistent with the experimental result. • The calculated hysteresis loops are qualitatively consistent with the experimental measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PdNi@VC NPs were synthesized by chemical method. • The average size of the NPs was found to be 8.523 ± 2.036 nm. • Hydrogen production and catalytic studies were carried out using PdNi@VC NPs. • The resulting hydrogen production efficiency was found to be 84%. • Ea, ΔH, and ΔS values were found as 54.2 kJ/mol, 51.7 kJ/mol, -134.5 J/mol.K, respectively. In this presented work, the bimetallic palladium-nickel nanoparticles (PdNi NPs) supported by Vulcan carbon (VC) were synthesized by chemical method. The morphological structure of the synthesized PdNi@VC NPs was determined by ultraviolet-visible spectrum (UV–Vis), Fourier infrared spectrometry (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization performed. According to the characterization results obtained, the size of the NPs was found to be 8.523 ± 2.036 nm. Then, hydrogen production efficiencies were tested according to different temperatures, substrate, and catalyst concentrations. Finally, the reusability test was performed. According to the results obtained, the hydrogen average production efficiency of NPs was calculated as 84%. The activation energy (Ea), enthalpy (ΔH), and entropy (ΔS) values of the catalyst were found to be 54.2 kJ/mol, 51.7 kJ/mol, -134.5 J/mol.K, respectively. This study guides the new catalytic energy production studies to be carried out on nanotechnological platforms. These synthesized nanoparticles can be developed to be an efficient catalyst for hydrogen generation as an alternative energy source. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DPI, an inhibitor of NADPH Oxidases, dose-dependently reduces ROS levels in zebrafish larvae in vivo. • Ketamine dose-dependently attenuates ROS levels in zebrafish larvae in vivo. • ALCAR, a dietary supplement, dose-dependently increases ROS levels in vivo. • ALCAR prevents ketamine-induced attenuation of ROS generation in vivo. • Antioxidative and prooxidative effects of ketamine and ALCAR, respectively, are shown, for the first time, in a live vertebrate. Ketamine, an anesthetic, is a non-competitive antagonist of the calcium-permeable N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor. High concentrations of ketamine have been implicated in cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Often, these toxicities are thought to be mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, findings to the contrary showing ketamine reducing ROS in mammalian cells and neurons in vitro , are emerging. Here, we determined the effects of ketamine on ROS levels in zebrafish larvae in vivo. Based on our earlier studies demonstrating reduction in ATP levels by ketamine, we hypothesized that as a calcium antagonist, ketamine would also prevent ROS generation, which is a by-product of ATP synthesis. To confirm that the detected ROS in a whole organism, such as the zebrafish larva, is specific, we used diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) that blocks ROS production by inhibiting the NADPH Oxidases (NOX). Upon 20 h exposure, DPI (5 and 10 μM) and ketamine at (1 and 2 mM) reduced ROS in the zebrafish larvae in vivo. Using acetyl l -carnitine (ALCAR), a dietary supplement, that induces mitochondrial ATP synthesis, we show elevated ROS generation with increasing ALCAR concentrations. Combined, ketamine and ALCAR counter-balanced ROS generation in the larvae suggesting that ketamine and ALCAR have opposing effects on mitochondrial metabolism, which may be key to maintaining ROS homeostasis in the larvae and affords ALCAR the ability to prevent ketamine toxicity. These results for the first time show ketamine's antioxidative and ALCAR's prooxidative effects in a live vertebrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoscale MgAl 2 O 4 (MA) spinel-toughened MgO-based refractory aggregates were prepared by firing lightly calcined magnesia powder and some nanoscale Al 2 O 3 (≤50 nm) particles at high temperature. The effects of various amounts of nanoscale Al 2 O 3 powder on the phase composition, microstructure, physical properties and thermal shock resistance (TSR) of the prepared MgO-based refractory aggregates were investigated. The results showed that the optimum nanoscale Al 2 O 3 powder addition was 10 wt%, and the nanoscale Al 2 O 3 particles reacted with MgO during firing and formed nanoscale MA creating reactive sintering, which contributed to significant increasing in density and cold strength of the prepared aggregates. The thermal mismatch between nano-MA and MgO could produce microcracks created toughening effect, leading to improvement in TSR of the prepared aggregates. And the formed nano MA grains pinned in MgO grain boundaries and on MgO grain surfaces would lead to microcracks deflection and absorbing much more fracture energy, further improving the TSR. The obtained aggregates were trial used in MgO-C slide plate materials, and thermal shock resistance of the materials was improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the energy-based seismic design based on source-to-site distance and the site classification found in Chinese national codes. Specifically, 750 ground motion records were selected according to Chinese site classification, and the equivalent velocity spectra of cumulative hysteretic energy (HE) demand were derived using the energy-balance equation with the single degree of freedom (SDOF) system. In addition, the effects of soil type, earthquake magnitude, site group, structural damping ratio, and ductility ratio were investigated on the HE spectra, and mathematical expression of the equivalent velocity spectrum was presented. The analysis of the HE spectra indicated that the HE spectra were significantly affected by the ground acceleration amplitude, soil type, site group, and damping ratio. The ductility ratio also had an impact on the spectral value, but no effect on the spectral shape. The effect of postyielding stiffness ratio (PYSR) on the spectral shape and spectral value could be neglected. The research findings shed new light on the seismic design based on HE spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topological charge ϵ of AdS black hole is introduced by Tian et al. in their papers, where a complete thermodynamic first law is obtained. In this paper, we investigate a new phase transition related to the topological charge in Einstein-Maxwell theory. Firstly, we derive the explicit solutions corresponding to the divergence of specific heat Cϵ and determine the phase transition critical point. Secondly, the T-r curve and T-S curve are investigated and they exhibit an interesting van der Waals system's behavior. Critical physical quantities are also obtained which are consistent with those derived from the specific heat analysis. Thirdly, a van der Waals system's swallow tail behavior is observed when ϵ>ϵc in the F-T graph. What is more, the analytic phase transition coexistence lines are obtained by using the Maxwell equal area law and free energy analysis, the results of which are consistent with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reported is a novel two‐step ring‐expansion strategy for expeditious synthesis of all ring sizes of synthetically challenging (hetero)aryl‐fused medium‐sized lactams from readily available 5–8‐membered cyclic ketones. This step‐economic approach features a remote radical (hetero)aryl migration from C to N under visible‐light conditions. Broad substrate scope, good functional‐group tolerance, high efficiency, and mild reaction conditions make this procedure very attractive. In addition, this method also provides expedient access to 13–15‐membered macrolactams upon an additional one‐step manipulation. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction involves an amidyl radical and is promoted by acid. Growth rings: A two‐step ring‐expansion strategy for expedient synthesis of all ring sizes of synthetically challenging (hetero)aryl‐fused medium‐sized lactams from readily available 5–8‐membered cyclic ketones has been developed. The key step involves an uncommon remote radical (hetero)aryl migration from C to N by C−C bond cleavage under irradiation with visible light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduced the campus greening and construction of restorative landscapes, and then the principles of integrating campus greening and construction of restorative landscape for vocational colleges. Furthermore, the means and prospects of integrating campus greening and restorative landscape construction were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DEFA1/DEFA3, genes encoding human neutrophil peptides (HNP) 1–3, display wide-ranging copy number variations (CNVs) and is functionally associated with innate immunity and infections. To identify potential associations between DEFA1/DEFA3 CNV and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), we enrolled 106 patients with HAIs and 109 controls in the intensive care unit (ICU) and examined their DEFA1/DEFA3 CNVs. DEFA1/DEFA3 copy number ranged from 2 to 16 per diploid genome in all 215 critically ill patients, with a median of 7 copies. In HAIs, DEFA1/DEFA3 CNV varied from 2 to 12 with a median of 6, which was significantly lower than that in controls (2 to 16 with a median of 8, p=0.017). Patients with lower DEFA1/DEFA3 copy number (CNV < 7) were far more common in HAIs than in controls (52.8% in HAIs versus 35.8% in controls; p=0.014; OR, 2.010; 95% CI, 1.164–3.472). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of DEFA1/DEFA3 CNV combined with clinical characteristics to predict the incidence of HAIs was 0.763 (95% CI 0.700–0.827), showing strong predictive ability. Therefore, lower DEFA1/DEFA3 copy number contributes to higher susceptibility to HAIs in critically ill patients, and DEFA1/DEFA3 CNV is a significant hereditary factor for predicting HAIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work presented in this study aimed to investigate the hysteretic behavior of composite partially restrained (PR) steel frame-reinforced concrete infill walls (PSRCW) with vertical slits, which consisted of a PR steel frame, a slit-reinforced concrete (RC) infill wall, and shear connectors. An experimental program at one-third scale of a one-bay by three-story PSRCW with vertical slits was tested under horizontal cyclic loading. The seismic behavior was examined in terms of the lateral load-carrying capacity, ductility, deformability, lateral stiffness, and energy dissipation. The results showed that this kind of structure exhibited superior ductility and deformability, as well as excellent energy-dissipation capacity. The slit RC infill walls exhibited flexure-dominated behavior and significantly increased the lateral load-carrying capacity. In contrast, the slit RC infill walls decreased the rotation demand on the PR connections from earthquake, which avoided the fracture failure of the beam-to-column connection. Additionally, the test results were verified, and relative parametric analyses of PSRCW with vertical slits were conducted by using a simplified macro fiber model to illustrate the factors that influence the structural hysteretic behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a process consisting of Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) heat pump distillation coupled with Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) was proposed to separate the benzene-toluene mixture. Aspen Plus (version 7.3) was used to study the steady state simulations of the process. An optimized ORC system was applied to recover waste heat from the MVR heat pump system. In addition, the optimized parameters of ORC waste-heat power generation process were obtained based upon the net power output and cycle’s thermal efficiency. All other parameters, including operating and equipment parameters for the whole process were based upon the total annual cost (TAC). The results showed that the MVR heat pump distillation coupled with ORC process was more competitive than the conventional distillation process. Additionally, the proposed process was found to be more economical than the MVR heat pump distillation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite steel plate shear wall (C-SPW) consisting of steel plate with reinforced concrete encasement on one or both sides of the steel plate using headed studs is an effective lateral load resisting system. Previous researches focus mainly on its seismic behavior, while few researchers pay attention to the shear force demand on headed stud, which is an important issue in the design of C-SPW. In this paper, an investigation on the shear force demand on headed stud for the design of C-SPW is carried out by finite element analysis. A novel finite element model incorporating an effective simulation of boundary frame as well as reasonable interaction behaviors of elements is established using ABAQUS and validated in comparison with available tests. The responses of structural elements in C-SPW under monotonic lateral load are investigated. The effects of headed stud diameter, infill steel plate thickness, concrete panel thickness, number of headed studs as well as aspect ratio of shear wall on the maximum stud shear force are analyzed. Based on the analysis results, an available formula for the demand on stud shear force in the design of C-SPW is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revisit the Hawking temperature–entanglement entropy criticality of the d -dimensional charged AdS black hole with our attention concentrated on the ratio T c δ S E c Q c . Comparing the results of this paper with those of the ratio T c S c Q c , one can find both the similarities and differences. These two ratios are independent of the characteristic length scale l and dependent on the dimension d . These similarities further enhance the relation between the entanglement entropy and the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy. However, the ratio T c δ S E c Q c also relies on the size of the spherical entangling region. Moreover, these two ratios take different values even under the same choices of parameters. The differences between these two ratios can be attributed to the peculiar property of the entanglement entropy since the research in this paper is far from the regime where the behavior of the entanglement entropy is dominated by the thermal entropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we show that black holes with PMI source exhibit the $T$ - $S$ criticality and derive the relevant critical physical quantities analytically. The values of critical quantities for the case $s\neq1$ vary from those for the case $s=1$ , showing the effect of PMI field on the critical phenomena of black holes. When $q< q_{c}$ , the $T$ - $S$ curve can be divided into three branches by a maximum point and a minimum point of Hawking temperature. With the help of specific heat analysis, we further show that the small entropy branch and the large entropy branch are stable. However, the medium entropy branch is unstable and can be removed via the technique of free energy analysis. Moreover, we examine the Maxwell equal area law and find that the relative errors for all the cases are small enough. So the existence of the PMI field does not affect the Maxwell equal area law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitomycins, a family of bioactive natural products, feature a compact 6/5/5-fused polycyclic ring structure densely decorated with highly reactive and/or fragile quinone, amino ketal, and aziridine as well as carbamate moieties. It is this striking feature that has defeated numerous synthetic attempts towards these apparently small molecules, rendering them one of the most formidable targets for total synthesis. We herein report the first enantioselective synthesis of (+)-mitomycin K, a representative of G series mitomycins. The key step of this synthesis is an enantioselective oxidative cyclization catalyzed by a palladium/(+)-sparteine system that had previously been developed by our group. The robustness of this method bodes well for further applications in the asymmetric total synthesis of natural products, particularly those with characteristic 6/5/5-fused pyrroloindole skeletons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitomycins, a family of bioactive natural products, feature a compact 6/5/5-fused polycyclic ring structure densely decorated with highly reactive and/or fragile quinone, amino ketal, and aziridine as well as carbamate moieties. It is this striking feature that has defeated numerous synthetic attempts towards these apparently small molecules, rendering them one of the most formidable targets for total synthesis. We herein report the first enantioselective synthesis of (+)-mitomycin K, a representative of G series mitomycins. The key step of this synthesis is an enantioselective oxidative cyclization catalyzed by a palladium/(+)-sparteine system that had previously been developed by our group. The robustness of this method bodes well for further applications in the asymmetric total synthesis of natural products, particularly those with characteristic 6/5/5-fused pyrroloindole skeletons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Van der Waals like behavior of f ( R ) AdS black holes is revisited via two point correlation function, which is dual to the geodesic length in the bulk. The equation of motion constrained by the boundary condition is solved numerically and both the effect of boundary region size and f ( R ) gravity are probed. Moreover, an analogous specific heat related to δL is introduced. It is shown that the T − δ L graphs of f ( R ) AdS black holes exhibit reverse van der Waals like behavior just as the T − S graphs do. Free energy analysis is carried out to determine the first order phase transition temperature T ⁎ and the unstable branch in T − δ L curve is removed by a bar T = T ⁎ . It is shown that the first order phase transition temperature is the same at least to the order of 10 − 10 for different choices of the parameter b although the values of free energy vary with b . Our result further supports the former finding that charged f ( R ) AdS black holes behave much like RN-AdS black holes. We also check the analogous equal area law numerically and find that the relative errors for both the cases θ 0 = 0.1 and θ 0 = 0.2 are small enough. The fitting functions between log ⁡ | T − T c | and log ⁡ | δ L − δ L c | for both cases are also obtained. It is shown that the slope is around 3, implying that the critical exponent is about 2/3. This result is in accordance with those in former literatures of specific heat related to the thermal entropy or entanglement entropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel difunctionalization-type (hetero)arylation of unactivated alkenes has been developed via remote 1,4(5)-(hetero)aryl migration triggered by radical alkene azidation, trifluoromethylation, or phosphonylation. The overall process serves as an unusual and reliable approach for straightforward access to diversely substituted ketones with broad functional group compatibility from readily available substrates and reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We extend the Parikh-Wilczek method from Einstein gravity spacetime to Gauss-Bonnet modified gravity and study the tunneling radiation of particles across the event horizon of a d-dimensional Gauss-Bonnet Anti de-Sitter black hole. The emission rate of a particle is calculated. It is shown that the emission rate of massive particles takes the same functional form as that of massless particles although that their motion equations tunneling across the horizon are different. It is also shown that the emission spectrum deviates from the pure thermal spectrum but is consistent with an underlying unitary theory. In addition, significant but interesting phenomenon is demonstrated when Gauss-Bonnet term is present. The expression of the emission rate for a black hole in Gauss-Bonnet gravity differs from that for a black hole in Einstein gravity. After adopting the conventional tunneling rate, we obtain the expression of the entropy of the Gauss-Bonnet black hole, which is in accordance with the early results but does not obey the area law. So the research of tunneling radiation in this paper may serve as a new perspective of understanding the thermodynamics of black holes in Gauss-Bonnet gravity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the Parikh-Wilczek method to study the tunneling radiation from the event horizon of a charged AdS black hole in $f(R)$ gravity. The emission rate of a particle is calculated. The emission spectrum deviates from the pure thermal spectrum but consists with an underlying unitary theory. The emission rate of massive particles takes the same functional form as that of massless particles. Contradictory but interesting phenomenon is discovered. The expression of the emission rate for a black hole in $f(R)$ gravity differs from that for a black hole in Einstein gravity, if the area-law of the black hole entropy is insisted on. Conversely, based on abandoning the area-law and admitting the conventional tunneling rate, we obtain the expressions of the entropy and the first law of thermodynamics for the $f(R)$ gravity black hole, which is in accordance with the early results. So the research of tunneling radiation in this paper may serve as a new perspective of understanding the thermodynamics of black holes in $f(R)$ gravity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concrete-encased composite plate shear walls (C-PSW/CEs) are effective structural elements for the lateral load-resisting. With the restraints from concrete panels and headed studs, the shear yielding of infill steel plate can be realized. In service, concrete panel can also provide a significant shear resistance to C-PSWCEs. Especially for the single-side concrete-encased ones, the post-buckling strength for the local buckling of steel plate can be utilized in ductility. However, research on the in-plane behavior of concrete panel or the post-buckling behavior of steel plate in the single-side C-PSW/CE is limited. In this paper, the shear behavior of single-side C-PSW/CE under lateral loading was studied by experiment and finite element analysis. The damage process and shear resistance of C-PSW/CE with different concrete thicknesses were tested. The extended finite element method (XFEM) was employed in the finite element model (FEM) to simulate the cracking of concrete panel. The internal forces in the horizontal and inclined cross sections of steel plate and concrete panel and in the pure shear zones and diagonal tension fields of steel plate were investigated to reveal the shear mechanisms of C-PSW/CE. Based on the parametric analysis results, formulas for the shear stiffness and yield shear force and a mechanics-based model for the shear force-drift ratio response of single-side C-PSW/CE were proposed. • Two deformation patterns of concrete panel are identified in the tests. • The extended finite element method is employed to simulate the concrete cracking. • The principal forces of infill steel plate and concrete panels are analyzed. • The contributions of pure shear and diagonal tension fields to the shear-resisting of steel plate are analyzed. • A mechanics-based model for the shear force-drift ratio response of C-PSW/CE is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C-band RF acceleration is a crucial technology for the compact Free Electron Laser (FEL) facility at the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences. A project focusing on C-band RF acceleration technology was launched in 2008, based on high-gradient accelerating structures powered by klystron and pulse compressor units. The target accelerating gradient is 40 MV/m or higher. Recently one prototype of C-band RF unit, consisting of a 1.8 m accelerating structure and a klystron with a TE0115 mode pulse compressor, has been tested with high-power and electron beam. Stable operation at 40 MV/m was demonstrated and, 50 MV/m approached by the end of the test. This paper introduces the C-band R&D program at SINAP and presents the experiment results of high-power and beam tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entanglement temperature is an interesting quantity which relates the increased amount of entanglement entropy to that of energy for a weakly excited state in the first-law of entanglement entropy, it is proportional to the inverse of the size of entanglement subsystem and only depends on the shape of the entanglement region. We find the explicit formula of entanglement temperature for the general hyperscaling violation backgrounds with a strip-subsystem. We then investigate the entanglement temperature for a round ball-subsystem, we check that the entanglement temperature has a universal form when the hyperscaling violation exponent is near zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial distribution of particle flow and atomic density of the two-dimensional, harmonically trapped, ideal atomic gases in synthetic magnetic field and rotating frame are systematically investigated in various regimes of temperature. The magnetization and particle flow of rotating fermions exhibit a de Haas–van Alphen-like oscillation at relatively low temperature. This phenomenon is analogous to the quantum oscillation of orbital magnetism and current in confined electron system. An elaborate comparison with Bose system is also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A micro-scale pressure drop model for microfibrous entrapped catalysts (MFEC) is constructed based on experimental scanning electron microscope (SEM) images using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This model investigates the separate contributions of fibers, entrapped particles, particle shape factors and the compressibility of MFEC to the total pressure drop in a high air velocity condition. A theoretical calculation is conducted to determine the flow type within the MFEC. Top view and side view SEM images of MFEC are taken to reproduce their 3D geometric structure, which significantly improves the accuracy of the model compared with other simplified models. Volume loading of fibers and entrapped particles, as well as media compressibility, are found to be major contributors to pressure drop. In an effort to reduce pressure drop, two types of leading-edge/trailing-edge filter fairings are also studied. Triangle fairings added to the leading edge and trailing edge of MFEC decrease pressure drop, especially at higher face velocities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the seismic behavior of partially-restrained steel frame with RC infill walls, an innovative subassemblage was proposed to consider the influence of boundary condition on the infill walls reasonably. Three 1/3 scale, one-bay and three-story test specimens were carried out under low cycle reversed test, and the effect of infill walls type on structural performance was studied. The hysteretic curves, skeleton curves, ductility, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation, and the distribution of lateral shear were obtained. Test results reveal that test specimens with slit RC walls and concealed vertical slit RC walls take on the significant full hysteretic curves, and high deformability and energy dissipation, but small lateral strength and stiffness. Both test specimens produce flexural failure mode of slit wall. Test specimen with solid infill walls has narrow hysteretic curve, low deformability and energy dissipation, but high lateral strength and stiffness, which takes on the shear failure mode of infill walls. The employment of infill walls decreases the rotation requirement of connection resulting from earthquake. During the test, the maximum connection rotation angles of three specimens are no more than 0. 025 rad, which can avoid the brittle failure of surrounding steel frame due to connection failure. The infill walls sustain approximately 80% lateral strength at initial loading stage, and with the lateral strength increase this ratio gradually decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quasi‐2D Ruddlesden–Popper layered perovskites with single‐phase multiferroicity have attracted much attention in recent magnetoelectric memory applications. We have systematically investigated the optical and magnetic properties of Ru‐doped hybrid improper perovskite Ca3Mn2O7 both experimentally and using first‐principles calculations. The Ca3RuxMn2−xO7 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.06, 0.10) powders were successfully synthesized using the sol–gel method. Ru doping enhanced the ferromagnetism of Ca3Mn2O7. The quasi‐2D antiferromagnetic (AFM) fluctuation effect was observed in Ca3Mn2O7 and in certain doped samples. We also found that the optical bandgaps of the doped samples were reduced after doping, agreeing with the results of the first‐principles calculations. Infrared absorption spectra indicated the distortion of the Mn–O bonds was possibly due to the Jahn–Teller effect. To analyze the electronic structures and to understand the detailed atomic contributions of magnetic moments, the Crystal Orbital Hamilton Population (COHP) and Integrated COHP of the (Mn,Ru)O6 octahedra were also calculated. The Ru‐doped materials with the coexistence of ferromagnetic and AFM orderings are expected to be excellent candidates for magnetoelectric devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tunneling radiation of particles from Born-Infeld anti-de Sitter black holes is studied by using the Parikh-Wilczek method and the emission rate of a particle is calculated. It is shown that the emission rate is related to the change of the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of the black hole and the emission spectrum deviates from the purely thermal spectrum but is consistent with an underlying unitary theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this Letter, we investigate the effects of dark energy on P-V criticality of charged AdS black holes by considering the case of the RN-AdS black holes surrounded by quintessence. By treating the cosmological constant as thermodynamic pressure, we study its thermodynamics in the extended phase space. It is shown that quintessence dark energy does not affect the existence of small/large black hole phase transition. For the case ωq=-2/3 we derive analytic expressions of critical physical quantities, while for cases ωq≠-2/3 we appeal to numerical method for help. It is shown that quintessence dark energy affects the critical physical quantities near the critical point. Critical exponents are also calculated. They are exactly the same as those obtained before for arbitrary other AdS black holes, which implies that quintessence dark energy does not change the critical exponents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we further investigate the phase transitions of Born-Infeld AdS black holes in canonical ensemble. We take a different approach to investigate in detail the impact of the choice of parameters. Some interesting phase transition phenomena which has been ignored before are discovered. To examine the phase structure we find, we carry out the standard analysis of the behavior of free energy. We also apply the framework of geometrothermodynamics into Born-Infeld AdS black holes. It is shown that the Legendre invariant thermodynamic scalar curvature diverges exactly where the specific heat at constant charge diverges, which confirms the correctness of the phase structure we find. It is worth noting that although the phase structure shares similarity with RN-AdS black hole, it also has its unique characteristics due to influence of Born-Infeld electrodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]