Search

The development of green route for preparing propylene oxide (PO) with molecular oxygen is of significance both in academic and industrial. In this work, propylene epoxidation coupled with furfural oxidation catalyzed by platinum meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (Pt (II)TPP) has been developed. Propylene conversion and PO selectivity reached up to 56% and 83%, respectively. Meanwhile, furfural was almost completely converted to furoic acid. Based on operando characterizations and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests, a mechanism involved high-valent Pt species was proposed. This work is expected to provide a potential application prospects for producing PO and furoic acid simultaneously in chemical industry.

Silica/solution-polymerized butadiene-styrene rubber (SSBR)/natural rubber (NR) compo-sites were prepared by mechanical mixing method with silane coupling agent, bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide (Si 69) and 3-mercaptopropyl-ethyoxyl-di(tridecyl-pentamethoxy)-silane (Si 747), as modifier and the effect of types and addtion amounts of silane coupling agent on the microstructure, curing characteristics, processing performance, physical and mechanical performance, dynamic mechanical properties, tire performance, and the relationship between structure and performance of the composite. The results showed that compared with the composite just only modified by Si 69, the incorporation of Si 747 resulted in the scorch time and optimum curing time of the composite shorten signi-ficantly, and the curing rate improved gradually with the increase in the addition amount of Si 747; the synergistic modification of Si 69 and Si 747 made the physical and mechanical properties, tensile strength, resilience and modulus at 300% of the composite all reduced; when the addition amount of Si 747 increased, the apparent activation energy which was used to characterize the temperature dependence of storage modulus of the composite reduced gradually; the dispersion of silica in the composite improved significantly after the addition of Si 747; the loss factor (tan δ) of the composite modified by Si 747 alone at 0 ℃ increased significantly and tan δ at 60 ℃ decreased significantly; the rolling resistance of the tire improved gradually with the increase in the addition amount of Si 747.

Safety has become the bottom line and fundamental goal of urban renewal with the accelerated urbanization process. Building a safe and stable urban residential environment is a meaningful way to improve cities’ “social-ecological” resilience. Based on the theory of environmental crime prevention and space syntax, taking Tiexinli old residential area in Qinhuangdao City as the research object, using Depth map software to quantitatively analyze the integration degree, synergy degree, connectivity degree, depth value, visual clustering coefficient, and choice value of the residential space, the results show that the accessibility of the spatial system of the old residential area is differentiated. The accessibility of the by-pass road is the lowest and lacks activity support. The spatial layout of the residential area is single and concurrent, and the entrances, exits, and the subsidiary road fail to play a good role in ” access control. ” The environment and landscape of green space between houses and negative space in the residential area are poorly maintained, and the visibility effect is limited. Therefore, the renovation of the old residential area should focus on optimizing the road system, increasing the monitoring of the activities of the people, and enriching the activities of the public space. This research contributes to addressing potential crime issues in urban renewal. It offers feasible and forward-looking approaches to crime prevention and control in the redevelopment of old residential areas in Asian countries. Additionally, this method can be applied in the planning and design of new residential areas to identify and rectify potential crime risks within design schemes, ensuring the safety and living quality of residential communities.

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a global healthcare challenge lacking a simple and affordable detection method. We propose a novel deep learning framework, Eye-AD, to detect Early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (EOAD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) using OCTA images of retinal microvasculature and choriocapillaris. Eye-AD employs a multilevel graph representation to analyze intra- and inter-instance relationships in retinal layers. Using 5751 OCTA images from 1671 participants in a multi-center study, our model demonstrated superior performance in EOAD (internal data: AUC = 0.9355, external data: AUC = 0.9007) and MCI detection (internal data: AUC = 0.8630, external data: AUC = 0.8037). Furthermore, we explored the associations between retinal structural biomarkers in OCTA images and EOAD/MCI, and the results align well with the conclusions drawn from our deep learning interpretability analysis. Our findings provide further evidence that retinal OCTA imaging, coupled with artificial intelligence, will serve as a rapid, noninvasive, and affordable dementia detection.

Abstract Background Exposure to air pollution contributes to cardiovascular disease-related deaths and morbidity, including stroke. However, few studies have examined the global stroke burden linked to air pollution. This study aimed to evaluate the global stroke morbidity and mortality associated with air pollution from 1990 to 2021. Method With the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021, the numbers, and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for air pollution-related stroke were reported globally. Further subgroup analyses were conducted by age, sex, region and country, and stroke subtypes. A linear regression model explored global temporal trends and a cluster analysis examined temporal trends across GBD regions. To predict trends until 2040, the age-period-cohort (APC) model and the Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model were applied. Results In 2021, there were 1,989,686 (95% uncertainty interval [95% UI], 1,530,479-2,493,238) deaths and 44,962,167 (95% UI, 35,020,339 − 55,467,024) DALYs due to air pollution-related stroke. The ASRs increased with age, peaking generally over 85 years. Males, the Central African region, and Guinea-Bissau showed higher stroke burdens Intracerebral hemorrhage was the most lethal subtype, with an ASR of 11.69 (95% UI 8.94–14.69) for deaths and 276.93 (95% UI 212.21-344.36) for DALYs. From 1990 to 2021, the crude number of deaths and DALYs increased by 13.4% and 6.3%, respectively, for the global stroke burden but showed a declining trend when age-standardized. Most GBD regions in Asia and Africa experienced an increasing stroke burden linked to air pollution, while Europe and America showed a decreasing trend. Predictions indicated a gradual reduction in ASRs, with higher rates in males from 2020 to 2040. Conclusions The global stroke burden associated with air pollution remained significant despite a decreasing trend until 2021. Although future predictions suggested a reduction, the crude counts for stroke burden remained substantial, with significant regional disparities. This warranted the implementation of public health policies and ongoing efforts.

Abstract Objectives Exploring the effect of resilience and self-efficacy in mediating the chain between fatigue and quality of life(QOL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods From June 2022 to November 2022, 423 RA patients were chosen by a convenience sample method from two tertiary care facilities in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. General Information Questionnaire, Bristol Multidimensional Scale of Fatigue in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, SF−12 Health Survey Short Form, Chinese version of the ten-item psychological Resilience Scale, and Chinese-language Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, an 8-element version, were among the questionnaires used. Results In the physical component summary( PCS), self-efficacy, psychological resilience, and self-efficacy were all significantly mediated by fatigue (total effect mediated 8.88%). In the mental component summary (MCS), fatigue (total effect mediated 10.79%), self-efficacy (total effect mediated 8.99%), psychological resilience, and self-efficacy (total effect mediated 2.01%) were all significantly mediated by fatigue. Conclusion Fatigue in RA patients can affect the quality of life both directly and indirectly through the mediating effects of psychological resilience, self-efficacy, and the chain mediating effect of psychological resilience-self-efficacy.

Abstract Sepsis is a critical global health concern linked to high mortality rates, often due to acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). While the gut-lung axis involvement in ALI is recognized, direct migration of gut immune cells to the lung remains unclear. Our study reveals sepsis-induced migration of γδ T17 cells from the small intestine to the lung, triggering an IL-17A-dominated inflammatory response in mice. Wnt signaling activation in alveolar macrophages drives CCL1 upregulation, facilitating γδ T17 cell migration. CD44+ Ly6C– IL-7Rhigh CD8low cells are the primary migratory subtype exacerbating ALI. Esketamine attenuates ALI by inhibiting pulmonary Wnt/β-catenin signaling-mediated migration. This work underscores the pivotal role of direct gut-to-lung memory γδ T17 cell migration in septic ALI and clarifies the importance of localized IL-17A elevation in the lung.

Functionally graded materials have found extensive applications in the aerospace industry and solar energy systems due to their excellent performance in enhancing heat transfer/insulation. Developing corresponding theoretical frameworks for the coupled radiation and conduction heat transfer (CRCHT) is crucial for unlocking their full potential and expanding their applicability in various high-performance and critical applications. Considering the limitations of existing frameworks in addressing CRCHT problems in practical applications, such as the explicit iteration procedure and the linearization assumption, a fully implicit framework as the source value caching function Monte Carlo (SVC-FMC) method is proposed based on the null collision reverse Monte Carlo and the Green's Function Markov Superposition Monte Carlo, which are suitable for solving the radiative transfer equation and the energy equation within non-uniform media. The accuracy of the proposed method is validated with different heat transfer systems. It was observed that the maximum root mean square error during the verification process did not exceed 0.08, thereby demonstrating the efficacy of SVC-FMC in analyzing CRCHT processes involving gradient materials. Results reveal that the material properties that transcend the functional distribution form will augment the strengthening effect of heat transfer/insulation. The scattering characteristics significantly influence the strengthening effect caused by refractive index distribution.

Under the dual pressures of repeated impacts from the pandemic and global economic downturn, the deterioration trend of social security is evident. In 2021 and 2022, the United Nations consecutively emphasized the centrality of reducing and preventing recidivism, aiming to foster research and practices in crime prevention. Developing and applying crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) theory provides a viable approach to reducing crime. Utilizing the relevant literature on environmental design for crime prevention from the Web of Science Core Collection database and employing Cite Space software, this study systematically delineates the research trajectory of crime prevention through environmental design. The research uses bibliometrics and literature analysis methods to identify research hotspots and trends in the field. Building upon these findings, the study proposes that future research in CPTED should systematically explore the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the impact of urban built and social environments on crime. It also advocates for in-depth investigations into the long-term causal relationship between environmental features and crime under the framework of CPTED. The study emphasizes the exploration of the local applicability of CPTED theory under conditions of multiculturalism and regional differences. This helps to propose crime prevention strategies for new social issues and crime patterns, thereby providing strong support for the sustainable development of cities.

Thorium was a part of energy infrastructure in the 19th century due to the refractory and electronic properties of its dioxide. It will be a part of future energy infrastructure as the most abundant energy reserve based on nuclear fission. This paper discusses the solid-state chemistry of the monoxides and related rocksalt phases of thorium and the rare earths, both at atmospheric and at high pressure. The existence of solid thorium monoxide was first suggested more than 100 years ago; however, it was never obtained in bulk and has been studied mostly theoretically. Monoxides of lanthanides from Eu to Ho are ferromagnetic semiconductors sought for spintronics and were studied in thin films. La to Sm metallic monoxides were synthesized in bulk at pressures below 5 GPa. Recently, ThO formation in thin films has been reported and the stability of bulk ThO at high pressure was theoretically predicted based on first principles computations at 0 K. New ab initio computations were performed accounting for temperature effects up to 1000 K using lattice dynamics in the quasi-harmonic approximation. New computational results confirm the stabilization of pure ThO above 30 GPa and suggest the possibility of high-pressure synthesis of (Th,Nd)O at 1000 K and 5 GPa.

AimThe aim of this research was to ascertain the correlations between alexithymia, social support, depression, and glycemic control in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, this study sought to delve into the potential mediating effects of social support and depression in the relationship between alexithymia and glycemic control.MethodA purposive sampling methodology was employed to select a cohort of 318 patients afflicted with type 2 diabetes mellitus, hailing from a care establishment situated in Chengdu City. This investigation embraced a cross-sectional framework, wherein instruments such as the General Information Questionnaire, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale 20, the Social Support Rating Scale, and the Hamilton Depression Scale were judiciously administered. The primary objective of this endeavor was to unravel the interplay that exists amongst alexithymia, social support, depression, and glycemic control. The inquiry discerned these interrelationships through both univariate and correlational analyses, subsequently delving into a comprehensive exploration of the mediating ramifications engendered by social support and depression in the nexus between alexithymia and glycemic control.ResultsThe HbA1c level of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus was recorded as (8.85 ± 2.107), and their current status with regards to alexithymia, social support, and depression were measured as (58.05 ± 4.382), (34.29 ± 4.420), and (7.17 ± 3.367), respectively. Significant correlations were found between HbA1c and alexithymia (R=0.392, P

Objective: To validate the feasibility of ultrasound in assessing the curative effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) in treating hypertrophic scar (HS). Methods: Eight healthy New Zealand long-eared rabbits were utilized in the study. Four wounds, each measuring 1.0 cm in diameter, were created on both ears of each rabbit. Immediately after surgery, each of these wounds received an injection containing a distinct concentration of BTXA. On postoperative week 6, scar thickness, vascularity, and hardness were assessed based on high frequency ultrasound (HFUS), superb microvascular imaging (SMI), shear wave elastography (SWE), Masson staining, and immunohistochemical staining for CD31. Results: All wounds healed well, and HSs formed after 6 weeks post-surgery. Scar thickness based on HFUS presented a significant decrease with increasing BTXA concentration (p

Background and purpose: Despite the superior dose conformity of proton therapy, the dose distribution is sensitive to daily anatomical changes, which can affect treatment accuracy. This study evaluated the dose recalculation accuracy of two synthetic computed tomography (sCT) generation algorithms in a commercial treatment planning system. Materials and methods: The evaluation was conducted for head-and-neck, thorax-and-abdomen, and pelvis sites treated with proton therapy. Thirty patients with two cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans each were selected. The sCT images were generated from CBCT scans using two algorithms, Corrected CBCT (corrCBCT) and Virtual CT (vCT). Dose recalculations were performed based on these images for comparison with “ground truth” deformed CTs. Results: The choice of algorithm influenced dose recalculation accuracy, particularly in high dose regions. For head-and-neck cases, the corrCBCT method showed closer agreement with the “ground truth”, while for thorax-and-abdomen and pelvis cases, the vCT algorithm yielded better results (mean percentage dose discrepancy of 0.6 %, 1.3 % and 0.5 % for the three sites, respectively, in the high dose region). Head-and-neck and pelvis cases exhibited excellent agreement in high dose regions (2 %/2 mm gamma passing rate >98 %), while thorax-and-abdomen cases exhibited the largest differences, suggesting caution in sCT algorithm usage for this site. Significant systematic differences were observed in the clinical target volume and organ-at-risk doses in head-and-neck and pelvis cases, highlighting the importance of using the correct algorithm. Conclusions: This study provided treatment site-specific recommendations for sCT algorithm selection in proton therapy. The findings offered insights for proton beam centers implementing adaptive radiotherapy workflows.

Abstract Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is the most common cause of indicated preterm delivery, but the impact of prenatal steroid exposure on the outcomes of preterm infants born to HDP mothers, who may be at risk for intrauterine hypoxia-ischemia, remains uncertain. The study objective is to evaluate the mortality and morbidities in HDP for very preterm infants (VPIs) exposed to different course of ANS. Methods This is a prospective cohort study comprising infants with

Abstract Background The management of post-refractive surgery dry eye disease (DED) can be challenging in clinical practice, and patients usually show an incomplete response to traditional artificial tears, especially when it is complicated with ocular pain. Therefore, we aim to investigate the efficacy of combined topical 0.05% cyclosporine A and 0.1% sodium hyaluronate treatment in post-refractive surgery DED patients with ocular pain unresponsive to traditional artificial tears. Methods We enrolled 30 patients with post-refractive surgery DED with ocular pain who were unresponsive to traditional artificial tears. Topical 0.05% cyclosporine A and 0.1% sodium hyaluronate were used for 3 months. They were evaluated at baseline and 1 and 3 months for dry eye and ocular pain symptoms and objective parameters, including Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory modified for the Eye (NPSI-Eye), tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test (SIt), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), corneal sensitivity, and corneal nerve morphology. In addition, tear levels of inflammatory cytokines and neuropeptides were measured using the Luminex assay. Results After 3 months of treatment, patients showed a statistically significant improvement in the ocular surface disease index (OSDI), TBUT, SIt, CFS, and corneal sensitivity (all P

Abstract Introduction Chronic ocular pain, particularly prevalent in patients with dry eye disease and post-femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) surgery, presents with unclear clinical characteristics and an undefined pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to compare clinical characteristics and tear neuropeptide concentrations in patients with dry eye disease (DED) with and without chronic ocular pain following FS-LASIK, and investigate correlations between ocular pain, clinical characteristics, and tear neuropeptide levels. Methods Thirty-eight post–FS-LASIK patients with DED were assigned to two groups: those with chronic ocular pain and those without chronic ocular pain. Dry eye, ocular pain, and mental health-related parameters were evaluated using specific questionnaires and tests. The morphology of corneal nerves and dendritic cells (DCs) was evaluated by in vivo confocal microscopy. Function of corneal innervation was evaluated by corneal sensitivity. Concentrations of tear cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-23, IL-17A, and interferon-γ) and neuropeptides (α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, neurotensin, β-endorphin, oxytocin, and substance P [SP]) were measured using the Luminex assay. Results Most patients with chronic ocular pain experienced mild to moderate pain; the most common types included stimulated pain (provoked by wind and light), burning pain, and pressure sensation. More severe dry eye (P

Abstract Background Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is not only a response to pathophysiological events, but also plays a causative role in neurodegeneration. Cytoplasmic cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (CARS) is considered to be a stimulant for immune responses to diseases; however, it remains unknown whether CARS is involved in the pathogenesis of AD. Methods Postmortem human temporal cortical tissues at different Braak stages and AD patient-derived serum samples were used to investigate the changes of CARS levels in AD by immunocytochemical staining, real-time PCR, western blotting and ELISA. After that, C57BL/6J and APP/PS1 transgenic mice and BV-2 cell line were used to explore the role of CARS protein in memory and neuroinflammation, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Finally, the associations of morphological features among CARS protein, microglia and dense-core plaques were examined by immunocytochemical staining. Results A positive correlation was found between aging and the intensity of CARS immunoreactivity in the temporal cortex. Both protein and mRNA levels of CARS were increased in the temporal cortex of AD patients. Immunocytochemical staining revealed increased CARS immunoreactivity in neurons of the temporal cortex in AD patients. Moreover, overexpression of CARS in hippocampal neurons induced and aggravated cognitive dysfunction in C57BL/6J and APP/PS1 mice, respectively, accompanied by activation of microglia and the TLR2/MyD88 signaling pathway as well as upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines. In vitro experiments showed that CARS treatment facilitated the production of proinflammatory cytokines and the activation of the TLR2/MyD88 signaling pathway of BV-2 cells. The accumulation of CARS protein occurred within dense-core Aβ plaques accompanied by recruitment of ameboid microglia. Significant upregulation of TLR2/MyD88 proteins was also observed in the temporal cortex of AD. Conclusions The findings suggest that the neuronal CARS drives neuroinflammation and induces memory deficits, which might be involved in the pathogenesis of AD.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of mammalian-enabled protein (Mena) on invasion and metastasis of HPV16-related oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and the underlying mechanism. Materials and methods: The Mena gene expression profile of HPV-related OSCC was analyzed from the TCGA, GEO and TIMER databases. Immunohistochemistry was performed to study Mena, and the expression of invasion and metastasis-related markers and their clinicopathological characteristics. The role of Mena in the biological behavior of OSCC cell lines was assessed through both non-transfected and stably transfected models, analyzing EMT-related markers in vitro. The effect of Mena on HPV16-related OSCC metastasis through immunodeficient mouse model in vivo. Results: Mena expression was significantly decreased in HPV16-positive OSCC, and Mena expression in HPV16-negative OSCC was related with lymphatic metastasis and TNM stages, and E-cadherin, vimentin and MMP-2, but it was not statistically significant in HPV16-positive OSCC. Increased Mena expression was significantly correlated with a poor overall survival and disease-free survival in an HPV16-negative OSCC patient. Mena plays a vital role in promoting OSCC cell migration, invasion and metastasis. Conclusions: Mena promotes OSCC invasion and metastasis in HPV-negative OSCC by activating the EMT process. However, Mena expression in OSCC infected with HPV16 is inhibited, thus suppressing its invasion and metastasis ability.

The melting point is a fundamental property that is time-consuming to measure or compute, thus hindering high-throughput analyses of melting relations and phase diagrams over large sets of candidate compounds. To address this, we build a machine learning model, trained on a database of ∼10,000 compounds, that can predict the melting temperature in a fraction of a second. The model, made publicly available online, features graph neural network and residual neural network architectures. We demonstrate the model's usefulness in diverse applications. For the purpose of materials design and discovery, we show that it can quickly discover novel multicomponent materials with high melting points. These predictions are confirmed by density functional theory calculations and experimentally validated. In an application to planetary science and geology, we employ the model to analyze the melting temperatures of ∼4,800 minerals to uncover correlations relevant to the study of mineral evolution.