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By combining the effects of defect engineering, band convergence, and carrier concentration tuning, we successfully suppress the lattice thermal conductivity to ultra-low 0.35 W m−1 K−1 and realize one of the highest ZT values of 1.75 at 833 K.

To describe vertebral artery (VA) variation in patients with or without osseous anomalies at congenital craniovertebral junction (CVJ).In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed 258 patients with VA variation who underwent three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D CTA) in our hospital from March 2017 to October 2019.Among 258 patients, 180 were accompanied by skeleton structural malformation, including 105 cases of occipital ossification of the atlas, 8 cases of the bipartite atlas, 7 cases of hypoplasia of the posterior arch of the atlas, 45 cases of C2/3 congenital fusion, 2 cases of C2/3/4 congenital fusion, and 13 cases of congenital os odontoid. VA variation was divided into type A (VA variation in the CVJ area without osseous anomalies) and type B (VA variation in the CVJ area with osseous anomalies). There are totally 10 subtypes, including type A1 (atlas occipitalization with VA entrance approach close to middle line, 20.2%); type A2 (atlas occipitalization with VA entrance approach far from middle line, 30.2%); type A3 (first intersegmental VA in C1-C2, 1.9%); type A4 (fenestration of the VA, 2.3%); type A5 (VA bulging type, 6.6%); type A6 (VA exposures with the absence of the posterior atlas arch, 2.3%); type A7 (C2 inner wall type, 0.4%); type A8 (single vertebral artery, 2.3%); type B1 (posterior ponticuli, 2.7%); and type B2 (high-riding VA, 31.4%).This study is expected to take the lead in the most comprehensive classification of VA variation.

Aim: To explore the function of circular RNA CUL2 (circCUL2) in colorectal cancer progression. Method: RT-PCR was carried out to detect the expression of circCUL2 in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to determine the level of autophagy. CCK-8, clone formation assay, and EdU staining were used to assess the proliferation ability. Luciferase assay verified the relationship between miR-208a-3p and circCUL2 /PPP6C. The xenograft mouse model was used to confirm the function of circCUL2 in vivo. Results: The expression level of circCUL2 was down-regulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines. Forcing expression of circCUL2 inhibited proliferation ability, induced apoptosis, and autophagy in colorectal cancer cells. Luciferase assay verified that miR-208a-3p could bind with circCUL2/PPP6C. Overexpression of circCUL2 could inhibit cancer progression via targeting the miR-208a-3p/PPP6C signal pathway. Conclusion: CircCUL2 participates in progression via the miR-208a-3p/PPP6C axis in colorectal cancer. CircCUL2 would be an underlying target for the diagnosis and therapy of colorectal cancer.

The thermoelectric properties of GeTe (300 ∼ 700 K) are significantly improved, leading to a conversion efficiency of 8.6% with Tc = 300 K and Th = 700 K.

The hollow binary core–shell CNTs@VO2 serving as the separator modifier results in intensive physicochemical dual adsorption combined catalysis to LiPSs, boosting the performance of Li–S batteries.

A nano h-BN composite realizes a better thermoelectric performance of ZTmax = 1.3 at 375 K and significantly improves the compressive strength to 8.8 MPa in zone-melted Bi2Te3-based materials.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor without curable therapy. Surgical resection remains the first choice of patients with GBM but tumors relapse rapidly even combined with conventional chemoradiotherapy. The mechanism of GBM rapid recurrence is poorly understood, which is largely due to the lack of an appropriate animal model, thus heavily impedes the improvement of postoperative therapy. Here we established a highly reproducible mouse GBM surgical model by using the syngeneic G422TN-GBM cells, which faithfully recapitulates the features of rapid recurrence of human GBM after surgery. Implanting 2 × 103–5 × 104 of G422TN-GBM cells in mouse cerebral cortex caused death in all animal within 23 days, while surgery was an effective therapy but not curable. After complete removal of visible tumors on day 5–9 of tumor growth, the tumors recurred macroscopically within 5 days accompanied by increasing infiltrative cancer foci. Mechanistically, the rapid recurrence of resected tumors was positively correlated to early Akt activation, which subsequently upregulated PD-L1/Vimentin and promoted proliferation/migration of cancer cells. In addition, environmental astrocytic activation with strong PD-L1 signal was prominent. Taken together, we provided a novel GBM surgical recurrence model for preclinical studies and suggested complicated recurring mechanisms involving in strong oncogenic signaling as well as immune inhibitory signals from both GBM cells and their neighboring astrocytes.

Facilitating charge separation and transport of semiconductors is pivotal to improving their solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency. To this end, manipulating the charge dynamics via element doping has attracted much attentions. Here, we doped phosphorus (P) into two-dimensional (2D) single-crystalline quaternary sulfide (SCQS) nanobelts, enabling significantly enhanced photocatalytic H

Deer products have been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. Due to the high price, the meats and antlers are often adulterated with low-value materials. The present study developed a triplex real-time PCR assay to simultaneously identify the DNA from sika deer and red deer in deer products. The triplex real-time PCR approach showed high specificity for 16 animal species, and the method simultaneously amplified an endogenous control to eliminate false-negative results. The absolute limits of detection for raw meat, meat product, and antlers were 0.05–0.025 pg, 0.05–0.025 pg, and 0.1–0.025 pg, respectively, for sika deer and 0.05–0.025 pg, 0.5–0.25 pg, and 2.5–0.25 pg, respectively, for red deer. This approach could determine 0.1% (w/w) adulteration. In conclusion, the established triplex real-time PCR assay displayed high specificity and sensitivity and can be used for authentic animal products from sika deer and red deer.

Although solar-driven water splitting on semiconductor photocatalysts is an attractive route for hydrogen generation, there is a lack of excellent photocatalysts with high visible light activity. Due to their tunable bandgaps suitable for superior visible-light absorption, copper-based quaternary sulfides have been the important candidates. Here, we first assessed the preferred facet of wurtzite Cu-Zn-In-S for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction using the relevant Gibbs free energies determined by first principle calculation. We then developed a colloidal method to synthesize single crystalline wurtzite Cu-Zn-In-S nanobelts (NBs) exposing (0001) facet with the lowest reaction Gibbs energy, as well as Cu-Zn-Ga-S NBs exposing (0001) facet. The obtained single crystalline Cu-Zn-In-S and Cu-Zn-Ga-S NBs exhibit superior hydrogen production activities under visible-light irradiation, which is composition-dependent. Our protocol represents an alternative surface engineering approach to realize efficient solar-to-chemical conversion of single crystalline copper-based multinary chalcogenides., Quaternary sulfides are important candidates for solar-to-H2 conversion due to tunable bandgaps for controllable light absorption. Here, authors prepare single crystalline wurtzite Cu-Zn-In-S and Cu-Zn-Ga-S nanobelts with (0001) facets that show strong photocatalytic H2 production performances.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production is of great interest as an ideal avenue towards clean and renewable energy. However, the instability and low energy conversion efficiency of photoanodes hinder their practical applications. Here we address these issues by introducing a hole extraction layer (HEL) which could rapidly transfer and consume photogenerated holes. The HEL is constructed by reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and other cocatalysts that enable rapid transfer and subsequent consumption of holes, respectively. Specifically, we showcase a high-stability photoanode composed of CdSeTe nanowires (CST NWs) and RGO/PdS nanoparticles (PdS NPs) based HEL. The photoanode achieves excellent photocorrosion resistance, which allows stable hydrogen evolution for > 2 h at 0.5 VRHE.

The muscle from Xilingol indigenous sheep breeds are famous in China, and the

Zone-melted Bi

Victimisation is a pivotal theme in China’s new remembering of its War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. While much of the world is talking about the rise of China, why are the Chinese still looking back to the nation’s sufferings in the past? This article investigates the development and dissemination of China’s collective memory of wartime victimisation, through a case study of the Nanjing Massacre Memorial. The article examines the ‘presentist’ use of the collective memory of victimisation in China’s era of opening up. It argues that the collective memory of victimisation is an emotional memory, evoked by new nationalism thinking, and is therefore a contextual dimension of China’s self-presentation today. The development as well as the dissemination of this memory parallels the path of China’s rise to become a world power. The Nanjing Massacre Memorial showcases the way in which the collective memory of victimisation is shaped and disseminated under the Communist Party to promote China’s national aspirations and legitimise China’s claims in the contemporary world.

We aimed to investigate whether the cardioprotection of sevoflurane against ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury is via inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress. The rat in vivo model of myocardial IR injury was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Sevoflurane significantly ameliorated the reduced cardiac function, increased infarct size, and elevated troponin I level and lactate dehydrogenase activity in plasma induced by IR injury. Sevoflurane suppressed the IR-induced myocardial apoptosis. The increased protein levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) after myocardial IR were significantly reduced by sevoflurane. The protein levels of phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) were significantly increased in rats with IR and attenuated by sevoflurane treatment. The phosphorylation of Akt was further activated by sevoflurane. The cardioprotection of sevoflurane could be blocked by wortmannin, a PI3K/Akt inhibitor. Our results suggest that the cardioprotection of sevoflurane against IR injury might be mediated by suppressing PERK/eIF2a/ATF4/CHOP signaling via activating the Akt pathway, which helps in understanding the novel mechanism of the cardioprotection of sevoflurane.

The emerging material GeMnTe

Beyond the state-of-the-art Cd-containing quantum wires (QWs), heavy-metal-free semiconductor QWs, such as ZnSe, are of great interest for next-generation environmental-benign applications. Unfortunately, simultaneous, on-demand manipulation of their radial and axial sizes—that allows strong quantum confinement in the blue-light region—has so far been challenging. Here we present a two-step catalyzed growth strategy that enables independent, high-precision and wide-range controls over the diameter and length of ZnSe QWs. We find that a new epitaxial orientation between the cubic-phase Ag2Se solid catalyst and wurtzite ZnSe QWs kinetically favors the formation of defect-free ultrathin QWs. Thanks to their high uniformity, the resulting blue-light-active, phase-pure ZnSe QWs exhibit well-defined excitonic absorption with the 1Se–1Sh transition linewidth as narrow as sub-13 nm. Combining the transient absorption spectroscopy, we further show that surface electron traps in these ZnSe QWs can be eliminated by thiol passivation, which results in long-lived charge carriers and high-efficiency solar-to-hydrogen conversion.

Photoelectrochemical catalysis is an attractive way to provide direct hydrogen production from solar energy. However, solar conversion efficiencies are hindered by the fact that light harvesting has so far been of limited efficiency in the near-infrared region as compared to that in the visible and ultraviolet regions. Here we introduce near-infrared-active photoanodes that feature lattice-matched morphological hetero-nanostructures, a strategy that improves energy conversion efficiency by increasing light-harvesting spectral range and charge separation efficiency simultaneously. Specifically, we demonstrate a near-infrared-active morphological heterojunction comprised of BiSeTe ternary alloy nanotubes and ultrathin nanosheets. The heterojunction’s hierarchical nanostructure separates charges at the lattice-matched interface of the two morphological components, preventing further carrier recombination. As a result, the photoanodes achieve an incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency of 36% at 800 nm in an electrolyte solution containing hole scavengers without a co-catalyst., The solar conversion efficiencies of photoelectrochemical catalysis are hindered by the light harvesting range. Here, the authors use near-infrared-active photoanodes that feature lattice-matched morphological hetero-nanostructures to realize efficient photoelectrochemical hydrogen production.

Axially, epitaxially organizing nano-objects of distinct compositions and structures into superlattice nanowires enables full utilization of sunlight, readily engineered band structures, and tunable geometric parameters to fit carrier transport, thus holding great promise for optoelectronics and solar-to-fuel conversion. To maximize their efficiency, the general and high-precision synthesis of colloidal axial superlattice nanowires (ASLNWs) with programmable compositions and structures is the prerequisite; however, it remains challenging. Here, we report an axial encoding methodology toward the ASLNW library with precise control over their compositions, dimensions, crystal phases, interfaces, and periodicity. Using a predesigned, editable nanoparticle framework that offers the synthetic selectivity, we are able to chemically decouple adjacent sub-objects in ASLNWs and thus craft them in a controlled approach, yielding a library of distinct ASLNWs. We integrate therein plasmonic, metallic, or near-infrared-active chalcogenides, which hold great potential in solar energy conversion. Such synthetic capability enables a performance boost in target applications, as we report order-of-magnitude enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production rates using optimized ASLNWs compared to corresponding solo objects. Furthermore, it is expected that such unique superlattice nanowires could bring out new phenomena.

To investigate the gait analysis of patients after total knee arthroplasty with posterior cruciate ligament retention rotating platform and fixed total knee arthroplasty, so as to provide ideas for clinical rationalization treatment. A total of 82 patients with posterior cruciate ligament preserving rotating and fixed platforms were selected for knee replacement in our hospital and were followed up for 1 y. The knee joint Hospital for special surgery score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index score and the application of a three-dimensional motion capture system were used to compare the parameters of knee joint kinematics and dynamics. In the application of knee arthroplasty between the posterior cross retained rotating platform and the fixed platform, the temporal and spatial parameters and motion parameters in the knee function and gait analysis were significantly improved compared with those before the operation and the differences were statistically significant (p 0.05). Both rotating platform and fixed platform can significantly improve the knee joint function and gait of patients with knee arthroplasty using posterior cruciate ligament retention prosthesis.

The origin of the large magnetoresistance (MR) peak induced by the metamagnetic transition (MMT) in ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{3}{\mathrm{Ru}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ has attracted extensive attention, but still remains puzzling. Here we performed systematic magnetotransport and torque magnetometry measurements of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{3}{\mathrm{Ru}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ nanosheets, and found surprisingly that the MR peak, together with the MMT, shifts dramatically toward low magnetic field with the decrease of thickness. Meanwhile, the Hall coefficient shows clearly a sign change near the MR peak position, indicating a magnetic field induced change of band topology. Combined with the theoretical calculation, we argue that the nature of the MR peak in ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{3}{\mathrm{Ru}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ is associated with the so-called Lifshitz transition due to van Hove singularity, which is closer to the Fermi level in thinner nanosheets.

To explore the effect of miR-144 to the biological behavior of multiple myeloma cells and its mechanism.RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-144 in multiple myeloma cells and plasma of MM patients. MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation and cloning ability of myeloma cells transfected by miR-144. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle distribution of myeloma cells with over-expression of miR-144. Apoptosis of myeloma cells with over-expression of miR-144 was detected by TUNEL assay. Transwell cell invasion and migration assay was used to detect the invasion and migration ability of myeloma cells with overexpressing on miR-144.Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein expression levels of MMP-9 and MMP-2 in myeloma cells with over expression of miR-144, as well as the expression levels of proteins related to Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.The expression level of miR-144 in MM cell lines and blood of MM patients was significantly lower than that in control group (P＜0.05). The proliferation, invasion and migration of myeloma cells with over-expression of miR-144 were significantly decreased (P＜0.05), and the apoptosis level was increased (P＜0.05). The expression levels of MMP-9, MMP-2, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in myeloma cells with over-expression of miR-144 were significantly lower than those in control group (P＜0.05).MiR-144 can inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of multiple myeloma cells and induce cell apoptosis. The specific mechanism may be related with the activity of inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.MiR-144调控Wnt4/β-catenin信号通路抑制多发性骨髓瘤 细胞恶性生物学行为的研究.探讨miR-144对多发性骨髓瘤细胞生物学行为的影响及机制.RT-PCR检测miR-144在多发性骨髓瘤细胞及多发性骨髓瘤（MM）患者血浆中的表达情况；MTT法检测miR-144模拟物转染至骨髓瘤细胞后细胞的增殖情况及细胞克隆形成能力；流式细胞术检测过表达miR-144的骨髓瘤细胞周期分布情况；Tunel法检测过表达miR-144的骨髓瘤细胞的凋亡情况；Transwell细胞侵袭实验与迁移实验检测过表达miR-144的骨髓瘤细胞的侵袭及迁移能力；Western blot法检测过表达miR-144的骨髓瘤细胞的MMP-9、MMP-2的蛋白表达水平及Wnt4/β-catenin信号通路相关蛋白的表达水平.MM细胞株及MM患者血中miR-144表达水平明显低于正常对照组（P＜0.05）。过表达miR-144的骨髓瘤细胞的增殖、侵袭、迁移能力明显降低（P＜0.05），细胞凋亡水平增加（P＜0.05）。过表达miR-144的骨髓瘤细胞的MMP-9、MMP-2、Wnt4/β-catenin信号通路相关蛋白的表达水平均明显低于对照组（P＜0.05）.MiR-144能抑制多发性骨髓瘤细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭，诱导其凋亡，其具体机制可能与抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的活性有关.