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Polylactic acid (PLA) is a kind of polyester from biomass. To increase the ductility of PLA, melt blending was used to prepare the polylactic acid/poly(butylene diglycolate) blends in this study. The effect of poly(butylene diglycolate) (PBD) on the thermal, crystallization, tensile, and dynamic mechanical properties of PLA was investigated. The blend containing 30 wt% PBD has a substantially improved elongation at break (79%) due to the lower glass transition temperature of PBD compared to PLA. The results indicated that PLA and PBD exhibited partial compatibility, which was confirmed by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed there is the interaction between PLA and PBD. In summary, the incorporation of PBD resulted in improved mechanical properties, indicating potential for applications requiring enhanced ductility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of membranes with rapid and selective ionic transport is imperative for diverse electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems, including fuel cells and flow batteries. However, the practical application of membranes is significantly hindered by their limited conductivity and stability under strong alkaline conditions. Herein, a unique composite membrane decorated with functional Cu2+ cross‐linked chitosan (Cts‐Cu‐M) is reported and their high hydroxide ion conductivity and stability in alkaline flow batteries are demonstrated. The underlying hydroxide ions transport of the membrane through Cu2+ coordinated nano‐confined channels with abundant hydrogen bonding network via Grotthuss (proton hopping) mechanism is proposed. Consequently, the Cts‐Cu‐M membrane achieves high hydroxide ion conductivity with an area resistance of 0.17 Ω cm2 and enables an alkaline zinc‐based flow battery to operate at 320 mA cm−2, along with an energy efficiency of ≈80%. Furthermore, the membrane enables the battery for 200 cycles of long‐cycle stability at a current density of 200 mA cm−2. This study offers an in‐depth understanding of ion transport for the design and preparation of high‐performance membranes for energy storage devices and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Customers' hotel location evaluations are critical to hotel location decisions, future investment, visitor experience and urban tourism development. In this paper, spatial autocorrelation analysis, GeoDetection and geographically weighted models are used to explore the characteristics of the location satisfaction pattern of 1126 hotels in Wuhan and its causes.The findings suggest that there are obvious spatial clustering distribution characteristics of hotel location satisfaction in Wuhan. Distance from highway entrances/exit, scenic spot accessibility, and free parking services have the strongest positive influence on the spatial differentiation pattern of hotel location satisfaction, while hotel transportation services, the percentage of water area, and the number of universities have significant spatial differentiation characteristics on the influence of hotel location satisfaction. This study contributes to a better understanding of hotel location satisfaction pattern and its causes through multi-source data and spatial analysis techniques. The results of the study are of practical significance to the planning and development of urban hotels in Wuhan, as well as to other cities similar to Wuhan in terms of city scale, spatial layout of hotels, and tourism development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adjustable ring mode laser beam welding (ARMLBW) has become a promising welding method due to its stable weld quality. In this study, the equation for the distribution of heat flux density of the ring beam was derived, and a combined volumetric heat source model for simulating ARMLBW was proposed. The evolution of the weld pool and keyhole during the welding of AZ31B magnesium alloy using ARMLBW and conventional single laser beam welding (SLBW) laser was compared and analyzed. The results showed that the maximum error in size between the simulated and experimental weld cross-sections did not exceed 10%. Compared to SLBW, the duration of "bubbles" in the weld pool decreased by at least 75% in ARMLBW. The oscillation amplitude of the weld pool and keyhole volume increased by 100%, and the oscillation period was also extended by at least 64%. This is consistent with the experimental reduction in the number of porosity defects (65%), validating the effectiveness of the simulation results. Reducing the oscillation frequency of the weld pool and keyhole, as well as increasing the oscillation amplitude, can result in high-quality welds with fewer porosity defects. Additionally, long and narrow keyholes are more prone to porosity defects in smaller weld pool. The impact of the flowing liquid metal in the weld pool on the keyhole surface is an important factor in the formation of "bubbles," not all of which ultimately become porosity defects. Generally, porosity defects are formed by "bubbles" that have not completely merged with the keyhole and "bubbles" that have not overflowed from the weld pool. The combined action of positive and negative pressure is more likely to cause the formation of porosity defects in smaller weld pool. The formation of humps and depressions on the inner surface of the keyhole is related to the static pressure of the weld pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem cell therapy for periodontal defects has shown good promise in preclinical studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of stem cell support on the regeneration of both soft and hard tissues in periodontal treatment. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were searched and patients with periodontal defects who received stem cell therapy were included in this study. The quality of the included articles was assessed using Cochrane's tool for evaluating bias, and heterogeneity was analyzed using the I2 method. An Mendelian randomization investigation was conducted using abstract data from the IEU public databases obtained through GWAS. Nine articles were included for the meta-analysis. Stem cell therapy effectively rebuilds periodontal tissues in patients with periodontal defects, as evidenced by a reduction in probing depth, clinical attachment level and bone defect depth. And delta-like homolog 1 is a protective factor against periodontal defects alternative indicator of tooth loosening. The findings of this research endorse the utilization of stem cell treatment for repairing periodontal defects in individuals suffering from periodontitis. It is recommended that additional extensive clinical investigations be carried out to validate the efficacy of stem cell therapy and encourage its widespread adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native starch Pickering stabilizer without chemical modification has attracted research interest in food field. However, the behaviors of starch particles at interface are seldom studied. In this paper, ultrafine starch particles (USPs) are grounded with a planetary ball mall from various starch species down to 1–2 µm in size. USP and starches are used to prepare Pickering emulsions. With size decrease, USP has more negative zeta potentials, stronger hydrogen bonds, better hydrophilicity, and better emulsifying abilities than their counterparts of starches. Millet starch has better emulsion stability than OSA modified starch. Glutinous USP outperforms in stabilization due to higher emulsion height and no oil phase separation. USP behaves differently at interface or in water phase, which is attributed to starch species, amylose and amylopectin contents, and gelatinization. This work can inspire the behavior investigation of starch particles in nano/micrometers at interface during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cell membrane is a crucial component of cells, protecting their integrity and stability while facilitating signal transduction and information exchange. Therefore, disrupting its structure or impairing its functions can potentially cause irreversible cell damage. Presently, the tumor cell membrane is recognized as a promising therapeutic target for various treatment methods. Given the extensive research focused on cell membranes, it is both necessary and timely to discuss these developments, from materials design to specific biomedical applications. This review covers treatments based on functional materials targeting the cell membrane, ranging from well‐known membrane‐anchoring photodynamic therapy to recent lysosome‐targeting chimaeras for protein degradation. The diverse therapeutic mechanisms are introduced in the following sections: membrane‐anchoring phototherapy, self‐assembly on the membrane, in situ biosynthesis on the membrane, and degradation of cell membrane proteins by chimeras. In each section, we outline the conceptual design or general structure derived from numerous studies, emphasizing representative examples to understand advancements and draw inspiration. Finally, we discuss some challenges and future directions in membrane‐targeted therapy from our perspective. This review aims to engage multidisciplinary readers and encourage researchers in related fields to advance the fundamental theories and practical applications of membrane‐targeting therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cell membrane is a crucial component of cells, protecting their integrity and stability while facilitating signal transduction and information exchange. Therefore, disrupting its structure or impairing its functions can potentially cause irreversible cell damage. Presently, the tumor cell membrane is recognized as a promising therapeutic target for various treatment methods. Given the extensive research focused on cell membranes, it is both necessary and timely to discuss these developments, from materials design to specific biomedical applications. This review covers treatments based on functional materials targeting the cell membrane, ranging from well‐known membrane‐anchoring photodynamic therapy to recent lysosome‐targeting chimaeras for protein degradation. The diverse therapeutic mechanisms are introduced in the following sections: membrane‐anchoring phototherapy, self‐assembly on the membrane, in situ biosynthesis on the membrane, and degradation of cell membrane proteins by chimeras. In each section, we outline the conceptual design or general structure derived from numerous studies, emphasizing representative examples to understand advancements and draw inspiration. Finally, we discuss some challenges and future directions in membrane‐targeted therapy from our perspective. This review aims to engage multidisciplinary readers and encourage researchers in related fields to advance the fundamental theories and practical applications of membrane‐targeting therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Realizing protein analysis in organelles of living cells is of great significance for developing diagnostic and therapeutic methods of diseases. Fluorescent‐labeled antibodies with well imaging performance and high affinity are classical biochemical tools for protein analysis, while due to the inability to effectively enter into cells, not to mention organelles and the uncontrollable reaction sites that might cause antibodies inactivation when chemically modification, they are hard to apply to living cells. Inspired by the structure of fluorescent‐labeled antibodies, we designed as a universal detection platform that was based on the peptide‐conjugated probes (PCPs) and consisted of three parts: a) a rotor type fluorescent molecular scaffold for conjugation and signal output; b) the cell penetration protein recognition unit; c) the subcellular organelle targeting unit. In living cells, PCPs could firstly localize at organelles and then proceed protein specific recognition, thus jointly leading to the restriction of twisted intramolecular charge transfer and activation of fluorescence signal. As a proof‐of‐concept, six different proteins in three typical intracellular organelles could be detected by our platform through simply replacing the recognition sequence of proteins and matching organelle targeting units. The position and intensity of fluorescence signals demonstrated specificity of PCPs and universality of the platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Realizing protein analysis in organelles of living cells is of great significance for developing diagnostic and therapeutic methods of diseases. Fluorescent‐labeled antibodies with well imaging performance and high affinity are classical biochemical tools for protein analysis, while due to the inability to effectively enter into cells, not to mention organelles and the uncontrollable reaction sites that might cause antibodies inactivation when chemically modification, they are hard to apply to living cells. Inspired by the structure of fluorescent‐labeled antibodies, we designed as a universal detection platform that was based on the peptide‐conjugated probes (PCPs) and consisted of three parts: a) a rotor type fluorescent molecular scaffold for conjugation and signal output; b) the cell penetration protein recognition unit; c) the subcellular organelle targeting unit. In living cells, PCPs could firstly localize at organelles and then proceed protein specific recognition, thus jointly leading to the restriction of twisted intramolecular charge transfer and activation of fluorescence signal. As a proof‐of‐concept, six different proteins in three typical intracellular organelles could be detected by our platform through simply replacing the recognition sequence of proteins and matching organelle targeting units. The position and intensity of fluorescence signals demonstrated specificity of PCPs and universality of the platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates a facile solvothermal approach to synthesizing green fluorescent carbon dots (G‐CDs) using baby pumpkin as a natural precursor. The G‐CDs exhibit strong fluorescence emission at 547 nm under excitation at 467 nm, and the highest quantum yield reaching 17.5 % in acetone, making them suitable for a range of applications including sensing, bioimaging, catalysis, and drug delivery. The G‐CDs demonstrate excellent stability under various conditions, such as prolonged light exposure, high salt concentration, extended periods, and elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the G‐CDs show a good linear relationship with Cd2+ within the concentration range of 0 to 16.5 μmol/L, with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.9920. The detection limit (LOD) was calculated to be 0.68 μmol/L. The recovery rate ranges between 85.66% to 97.43%, indicating their potential for use in environmental metal ion detection. This study provides a convenient and economical method for the synthesis of G‐CDs using baby pumpkin as a precursor, offering a sustainable alternative for various applications in sensing, imaging, catalysis, and drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) consist of metal cations with positive charges and anions located between their layers, resulting in a structured gallery height and a wide array of surface functionalities. In recent years, LDHs have garnered substantial attention due to their expanded application range through the development of LDHs membranes, bringing exciting possibilities across various fields. A deep understanding of mass transport mechanisms is essential for designing membrane materials effectively and enhancing separation processes. In this review, In this review, the strategies employed for creating continuous and well‐intergrown LDHs membranes are first elaborated. Subsequently, the study delves into a detailed discussion of the selective transport processes involving gas molecules, liquid molecules, and ions through LDHs membranes. Based on the interactions between permeated molecules and LDHs membranes, the mass transport mechanisms can be concluded in molecular sieving mechanism, solution‐diffusion mechanism and facilitated transport mechanism. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spirotryprostatin alkaloids, a class of alkaloids with a unique spirocyclic indoledionepiperazine structure, were first extracted from the fermentation broth of Aspergillus fumigatus and have garnered significant attention in the fields of biology and pharmacology. The investigation into the pharmacological potential of this class of alkaloids has unveiled promising applications in drug discovery and development. Notably, certain spirotryprostatin alkaloids have demonstrated remarkable anti-cancer activity, positioning them as potential candidates for anti-tumor drug development. In recent years, organic synthetic chemists have dedicated efforts to devise efficient and viable strategies for the total synthesis of spirotryprostatin alkaloids, aiming to meet the demands within the pharmaceutical domain. The construction of the spiro-C atom within the spirotryprostatin scaffold and the chirality control at the spiro atomic center emerge as pivotal aspects in the synthesis of these compounds. This review categorically delineates the synthesis of spirotryprostatin alkaloids based on the formation mechanism of the spiro-C atom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of azobenzene derivatives that can undergo photoinduced solid-to-liquid transition at room temperature has been demonstrated in many fields such as photo-actuators, energy storage and photo-switchable adhesives. However, both their natural yellowish colour and slow liquid-to-solid phase transition restoration limit their universality in applications. Here, a colourless N-benzylideneaniline derivative molecule with asymmetric side-group substitution (MCN) is synthesized. The small molecular crystal of MCN achieves a reversible photoinduced crystal-to-isotropic liquid transition at room temperature. Due to the short half-life of MCN metastable isomers, the phase transition restoration rate here is significantly faster than that of azobenzene derivatives. As a result, only a single wavelength light source is needed to achieve complete phase change control. The phase transition behaviour of MCN is in situ monitored by using a UV-vis absorption spectrometer in a time-driven mode and a polarizing optical microscope, and its phase transition mechanism is proposed. Furthermore, a smart glass with photo-switchable transmittance is developed by mixing an MCN crystal with a commercial liquid crystal (5CB). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focuses on the parametric impacts upon conversion and selectivity during CO 2 hydrogenation via Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis using iron-based catalyst to provide quantitative evaluation. Using all collected data from reported literatures as training dataset via artificial neural networks (ANNs) in TensorFlow, three categorized parameters (namely: operational, catalyst informatic and mass transfer) were deployed to assess their impacts upon conversions (CO 2) and selectivity. The lump kinetic power expressions among literature reports were compared, and the best fit model is the one that was proposed by this work without arbitrarily assuming power values of individual partial pressure (CO and H 2). More than five sets of binary parameters were systematically investigated to find out corresponding evolving patterns in conversion and selectivity. Aided by machine learning, tailoring product distributions based on specific selectivity or conversion for optimization purpose is practically achievable by deploying the predictions generated from ANNs in this work. • The CO 2 hydrogenation via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was reviewed rigorously. • The reported data is trained by artificial neuron networks (ANNs) for optimization. • The influential parameters were divided into three main categories. • Evolving pattens of conversion and selectivity is captured by ANNs. • Results indicates necessity of more systematic and quantitative data evaluating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a special issue of the journal "Materials" that focuses on the recent progress in the structure transition, processing, characterization, and applications of metallic materials. The issue includes research papers on various topics such as the development of dispersion-strengthened copper alloys, the characterization of carbide precipitation in steel, the effect of magnetic fields on aluminum bronze, and the enhancement of impact toughness in cast iron through heat treatment. The issue aims to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information for researchers, engineers, and industry experts in the field of metallic materials. [Extracted from the article]

Breast cancer, characterized by its molecular intricacy, has witnessed a surge in targeted therapeutics owing to the rise of small-molecule drugs. These entities, derived from cutting-edge synthetic routes, often encompassing multistage reactions and chiral synthesis, target a spectrum of oncogenic pathways. Their mechanisms of action range from modulating hormone receptor signaling and inhibiting kinase activity, to impeding DNA damage repair mechanisms. Clinical applications of these drugs have resulted in enhanced patient survival rates, reduction in disease recurrence, and improved overall therapeutic indices. Notably, certain molecules have showcased efficacy in drug-resistant breast cancer phenotypes, highlighting their potential in addressing treatment challenges. The evolution and approval of small-molecule drugs have ushered in a new era for breast cancer therapeutics. Their tailored synthetic pathways and defined mechanisms of action have augmented the precision and efficacy of treatment regimens, paving the way for improved patient outcomes in the face of this pervasive malignancy. The present review embarks on a detailed exploration of small-molecule drugs that have secured regulatory approval for breast cancer treatment, emphasizing their clinical applications, synthetic pathways, and distinct mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of perceived busyness on the effectiveness of destination advertising based on construal level theory. Results from four experiments using two different tourism destination settings (i.e., water sports park and spa resort) indicate that low- (vs. high-) construal tourism destination advertisement is more effective for tourists with higher (vs. lower) busyness perception. This relationship is mediated by the need for time efficiency and benefit focus (serial mediation) and is strengthened when the achievement motivates (i.e., hope of success and fear of failure) of the tourist are high. Our study enriches tourism research by revealing that the effectiveness of destination advertising depends on a matching effect between advertising messages and tourists' perceived busyness. It also has practical ramifications for destination marketing organizations in that it can enhance their understanding of tourists' decision-making process with perceived busyness as an internal factor and thus help promote their destinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing reactive calcium‐based nanogenerators to produce excess calcium ions (Ca2+) in tumor cells is an attractive tumor treatment method. However, nanogenerators that introduce exogenous Ca2+ are either overactive incapable of on‐demand release, or excessively inert incapable of an overload of calcium rapidly. Herein, inspired by inherently diverse Ca2+‐regulating channels, a photo‐controlled Ca2+ nanomodulator that fully utilizes endogenous Ca2+ from dual sources was designed to achieve Ca2+ overload in tumor cells. Specifically, mesoporous silica nanoparticles were used to co‐load bifunctional indocyanine green as a photodynamic/photothermal agent and a thermal‐sensitive nitric oxide (NO) donor (BNN‐6). Thereafter, they were coated with hyaluronic acid, which served as a tumor cell‐targeting unit and a gatekeeper. Under near‐infrared light irradiation, the Ca2+ nanomodulator can generate reactive oxygen species that stimulate the transient receptor potential ankyrin subtype 1 channel to realize Ca2+ influx from extracellular environments. Simultaneously, the converted heat can induce BNN‐6 decomposition to generate NO, which would open the ryanodine receptor channel in the endoplasmic reticulum and allow stored Ca2+ to leak. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the combination of photo‐controlled Ca2+ influx and release could enable Ca2+ overload in the cytoplasm and efficiently inhibit tumor growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing reactive calcium‐based nanogenerators to produce excess calcium ions (Ca2+) in tumor cells is an attractive tumor treatment method. However, nanogenerators that introduce exogenous Ca2+ are either overactive incapable of on‐demand release, or excessively inert incapable of an overload of calcium rapidly. Herein, inspired by inherently diverse Ca2+‐regulating channels, a photo‐controlled Ca2+ nanomodulator that fully utilizes endogenous Ca2+ from dual sources was designed to achieve Ca2+ overload in tumor cells. Specifically, mesoporous silica nanoparticles were used to co‐load bifunctional indocyanine green as a photodynamic/photothermal agent and a thermal‐sensitive nitric oxide (NO) donor (BNN‐6). Thereafter, they were coated with hyaluronic acid, which served as a tumor cell‐targeting unit and a gatekeeper. Under near‐infrared light irradiation, the Ca2+ nanomodulator can generate reactive oxygen species that stimulate the transient receptor potential ankyrin subtype 1 channel to realize Ca2+ influx from extracellular environments. Simultaneously, the converted heat can induce BNN‐6 decomposition to generate NO, which would open the ryanodine receptor channel in the endoplasmic reticulum and allow stored Ca2+ to leak. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the combination of photo‐controlled Ca2+ influx and release could enable Ca2+ overload in the cytoplasm and efficiently inhibit tumor growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread adoption of smart terminals has significantly boosted the market potential for wearable electronic devices. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials show great promise for flexible, wearable electronics of next-generation electronic materials and have potential in energy, optoelectronics, and electronics. First, this review focuses on the importance of functionalization/defects in 2D nanomaterials, a discussion of different kinds of 2D materials for wearable devices, and the overall structure–property relationship of 2D materials. Then, in this comprehensive review, we delve into the burgeoning realm of emerging applications for 2D nanomaterial-based flexible wearable electronics, spanning diverse domains such as energy, medical health, and displays. A meticulous exploration is presented, elucidating the intricate processes involved in tailoring material properties for specific applications. Each research direction is dissected, offering insightful perspectives and dialectical evaluations that illuminate future trajectories and inspire fruitful investigations in this rapidly evolving field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread adoption of smart terminals has significantly boosted the market potential for wearable electronic devices. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials show great promise for flexible, wearable electronics of next-generation electronic materials and have potential in energy, optoelectronics, and electronics. First, this review focuses on the importance of functionalization/defects in 2D nanomaterials, a discussion of different kinds of 2D materials for wearable devices, and the overall structure–property relationship of 2D materials. Then, in this comprehensive review, we delve into the burgeoning realm of emerging applications for 2D nanomaterial-based flexible wearable electronics, spanning diverse domains such as energy, medical health, and displays. A meticulous exploration is presented, elucidating the intricate processes involved in tailoring material properties for specific applications. Each research direction is dissected, offering insightful perspectives and dialectical evaluations that illuminate future trajectories and inspire fruitful investigations in this rapidly evolving field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Membranous lupus nephritis (MLN) is a subepithelial immune deposition or its morphological sequelae with or without mesangial changes. Previous studies on the prognosis of MLN have shown relatively small sample sizes and short follow-up periods. Methods: Our study was a retrospective analysis of biopsy-proven MLN patients from January 2010 to January 2020 at Jinling Hospital in China. The clinical manifestations, pathological features, and renal outcomes of MLN patients were collected. The endpoint was defined as end-stage kidney disease (eGFR≤15 mL/min·1.73 m2 or need for renal replacement therapy) or a doubling of serum creatinine or an eGFR decline of more than 40%. We used Cox regression to analyze the risk factors for renal outcome and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to analyze renal survival rate. Results: In the total of 2884 lupus patients, we screened 535 MLN patients. 456 MLN patients were recruited with an average age of 34 ± 12 years, 87.8% for female patients and 62.1% patients of nephrotic syndrome with proteinuria of 2.67 g/24h. After follow-up of 78 (IQR, 47.3–113.0) months, 37 (8.1%) patients reached the renal endpoint. The 5-year and 10-year renal survival rates were 95.8% and 89.4%, respectively. 370 patients (81.1%) achieved complete remission, 43 patients (9.4%) had partial remission, and only 43 had no response. 34.4% MLN experienced a relapse. The Cox regression showed the risk factors that affect the renal prognosis include male, hypertension history, anemia, high uric acid, acute kidney injury, and interstitial fibrosis in the renal pathology. Conclusions: MLN mostly manifested as nephrotic syndrome, with few renal dysfunctions. Although MLN had a high relapse rate, most patients had a response to immunosuppressants and had a good renal outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of classification networks encounters a substantial decline in performance when subjected to degraded images due to factors such as blur, noise, and low resolution. Existing methods focus on addressing a specific kind of degraded images and thus cannot simultaneously adapt to multiple degradation scenarios. Besides, insufficient attention has been given to the causes of the decline. In this paper, we discuss about the reasons for the decrease and propose an Explicitly and Implicitly feature-aligned Generative Adversarial Network to guide the model to learn features that are more consistent with high-quality(HQ) images, named EIGAN. Initially, we introduce a feature matching loss to enable the model to focus on target regions as it does on high-quality images. Subsequently, we propose an adversarial loss intended to steer the model toward aligning with the feature distribution observed in high-quality images. As a result, our method demonstrates an enhancement in the classification accuracy of degraded images without introducing additional parameters. Extensive experiments across four types of degraded datasets indicate that as degradation intensifies, the advantages of our proposed method compared to other methods become notably more pronounced. • EIGAN(ours) can guide the model to learn features that are more consistent with high-quality images. • EIGAN improves the classification accuracy on degraded images without any additional parameters. • With the deepening of image degradation, the advantages of EIGAN over baselines are increasingly significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In flexible job shop scheduling problem (FJSP), the collision of bidirectional rail guided vehicles (RGVs) directly affects RGVs scheduling, and it is closely coupled with the allocation of production equipment, which directly affects the production efficiency. In this problem, taking minimizing the maximum completion time of RGVs and minimizing the maximum completion time of products as multi-objectives a dual-resource integrated scheduling model of production equipment and RGVs considering conflict-free routing problem (CFRP) is proposed. To solve the model, a multi-objective improved discrete grey wolf optimizer (MOID-GWO) is designed. Further, the performance of popular multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) such as NSGA-Ⅱ, SPEA2 and MOPSO are selected for comparative test. The results show that, among 42 instances of different scales designed, 37, 34 and 28 instances in MOID-GWO are superior to the comparison algorithms in metrics of generational distance (GD), inverted GD (IGD) and Spread, respectively. Moreover, in metric of Convergence and Diversity (CD), the Pareto frontier (PF) obtained by MOID-GWO is closer to the optimal solution. Finally, taking the production process of a construction machinery equipment component as an example, the validity and feasibility of the model and algorithm are verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofibers are one of the most important morphologies of molecular self‐assemblies, the formation of which relies on the diverse intermolecular interactions of fibrous‐forming units. In the past decade, rapid advances have been made in the biomedical application of nanofibers, such as bioimaging and tumor treatment. An important topic to be focused on is not only the nanofiber formation mechanism but also where it forms, because different destinations could have different influences on cells and its formation could be triggered by unique stimuli in organelles. It is therefore necessary and timely to summarize the nanofibers assembled in organelles. This minireview discusses the formation mechanism, triggering strategies, and biomedical applications of nanofibers, which may facilitate the rational design of nanofibers, improve our understanding of the relationship between nanofiber properties and organelle characteristics, allow a comprehensive recognition of organelles affected by materials, and enhance the therapeutic efficiency of nanofibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofibers are one of the most important morphologies of molecular self‐assemblies, the formation of which relies on the diverse intermolecular interactions of fibrous‐forming units. In the past decade, rapid advances have been made in the biomedical application of nanofibers, such as bioimaging and tumor treatment. An important topic to be focused on is not only the nanofiber formation mechanism but also where it forms, because different destinations could have different influences on cells and its formation could be triggered by unique stimuli in organelles. It is therefore necessary and timely to summarize the nanofibers assembled in organelles. This minireview discusses the formation mechanism, triggering strategies, and biomedical applications of nanofibers, which may facilitate the rational design of nanofibers, improve our understanding of the relationship between nanofiber properties and organelle characteristics, allow a comprehensive recognition of organelles affected by materials, and enhance the therapeutic efficiency of nanofibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is unclear how clinical and endoscopic factors affect the attainment of endoscopic remission (ER) in patients with small bowel Crohn's disease (SB-CD) who are infliximab-naïve. Objectives: We aimed to identify the effect of different factors on attaining ER using double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) evaluation. Design: A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted from 1 January 2018 to 30 November 2022. Among 262 patients who were screened for isolated SB-CD by baseline DBE, 108 patients were assessed for effectiveness during maintenance infliximab therapy by a second DBE evaluation. Methods: DBE findings before and after infliximab therapy were compared. ER was defined as a simple endoscopic score for CD (SES-CD) below 3, and segmental ER as SES-CD activity of 0. Multivariate regression with calculations of odds ratios (OR) was used to determine the impact of different factors on attaining ER. Results: In all, 41 patients (38.0%) achieved ER. An elevated C-reactive protein at week 6 was independently associated with a decreased probability of ER [OR: 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.75–0.98, p = 0.03]. Segmental ER of the terminal ileum, rather than the proximal ileum, was associated with a higher rate of ER (60.9% versus 38.2%, p = 0.01). High baseline SES-CD (⩾16) was unrelated to overall ER. For patients with disease in the terminal ileum, those with moderate/severe disease were less likely to attain segmental ER than those with mild disease [adjusted odds ratios (aOR): 0.27, 95% CI: 0.09–0.83, p = 0.02]. A large ulcer in the terminal ileum was associated with a lower rate of segmental ER (aOR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.06–0.56, p = 0.01). Conclusion: For infliximab-naïve patients with SB-CD, the overall severity of the endoscopic score was unrelated to attainment of ER. Patients were less likely to attain segmental ER if they had greater endoscopic inflammation or larger ulcers in the terminal ileum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The cotton seed bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis, is an invasive pest native to southern Europe and North Africa. It feeds on plants in the mallow family, including the agricultural commodities cotton, okra, hibiscus, cocoa, and kenaf. The O. hyalinipennis is a major economic threat to the U.S. cotton industry. Based on host and climate availabilities and the lack of natural enemies, O. hyalinipennis has a high likelihood for establishment throughout the southern regions in the U.S. The fundamental life history and reproductive behavior of O. hyalinipennis have been inadequately explored until now; therefore, it is difficult to develop corresponding precautionary measures. In this research, we have conducted a comprehensive study on the life cycle of O. hyalinipennis, including egg development, metamorphosis, adult mating behavior, adult lifespan, and survivorship. Our results provide valuable information for scientists and growers to develop efficient management strategies in IPM for timely infestation intervention to protect the cotton crop and other agricultural commodities from O. hyalinipennis damage. Understanding the fundamental life cycle and reproductive behavior of a pest insect is essential for developing efficient control strategies; however, much of this knowledge remains elusive for a multitude of insects, including the cotton seed bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis. Here, we report the results of our comprehensive study on the cotton seed bug's life cycle, including mating behavior, adult lifespan, and egg-to-adulthood development. Our findings showed that adult males and females began mating as early as three days after emerging (75%), and the frequency of mating increased to 100% by the fifth day. Mated females commenced oviposition on cotton seeds as early as two days after mating, with a cumulative mean number of 151 fertile eggs oviposited during the first oviposition cycle. Furthermore, around 10% of eggs from both mated and unmated females remained unfertilized. The first instar nymphs began emerging approximately seven days following oviposition. To track their development, we monitored the newly hatched nymphs daily until they reached adulthood. There were five nymphal stages, which cumulatively took roughly 28 to 30 days. Notably, mating positively influenced the survivorship and lifespan of adult O. hyalinipennis. Mated males and females exhibited median lifespans of 28 and 25 days, respectively. In contrast, unmated males and females only lived for a median lifespan of 9.5 days, about one-third that of the mated O. hyalinipennis. Our study provides key insights into the O. hyalinipennis life history for new IPM strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preeclampsia (PE), a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, is closely related to the immune system alterations. However, little is known about the landscape and heterogeneity of maternal immune system at single-cell level among PE patients. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from three early-onset preeclamptic pregnant women and two healthy control, respectively. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 10× genomics platform and single-cell transcriptomes were obtained to characterize immune cell subgroups at the pregnant and postpartum stages. In total, 80,429 single-cell transcriptomes were obtained. 19 cellular compositions were identified, which were categorized into six cell types including T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, B cells, monocytes, plasmacytoid dendritic cells and conventional dendritic cells. There were excessive activation of B cells, monocytes and NK cells in PE patients at the pregnant stage based on comparative analysis. Lower immune response activation was noticed in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in PE patients, especially the low-activation of memory T cells at the pregnant and postpartum stages. PE patients showed high activation of B cells in pregnancy persisted postpartum and lower activation of memory T cells, indicating their persistent effects on the pathogenesis and recurrence risk of PE. This study provide a broad characterization of the single-cell transcriptome of PBMCs in PE, which contributes to identification of immune imbalance for its monitoring and treatment. Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by de novo onset of proteinuria or other maternal organ dysfunction and hypertension at gestational age of 20 weeks or more. Its pathogenesis is associated with the abnormal placental development caused by insufficient trophoblast invasion and impaired spiral artery remodeling, and consequent maternal-inflammatory response and endovascular dysfunction. Peripheral immune response may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PE. Besides, lower activation of CD4+ memory T cells was related to the onset of PE. However, the roles of the immune cells in PE recurrence are still not well defined. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to immune cells in PE patients, which confirmed an excessive inflammatory state in monocytes, NK cells and B cells and lower activation of memory T cells in PE women. Our data showed that PE was associated with the immune imbalance, which may provide potential therapeutic strategies for its treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Accurate measurements of soil nematode communities are important for an in-depth understanding of the ecological functions of soil nematodes. High throughput sequencing (HTS) has been reported extensively, but the concordance between HTS and morphological identification results is still lacking. To compare two methods, we selected bare patches (BP), short-term recovery patches (SP), middle-term recovery patches (MP) and long-term recovery patches (LP) of different restoration succession stages in three sample sites to survey the nematode characteristics. In addition to nematode community structure and community ecological function, common nematode genera in BP, SP, MP and LP were compared by two methods: HTS and morphological identification. The results show that the number of species identified in the morphological analysis was lower than using HTS. The soil nematode diversity in different recovery patches was LP > MP > SP > BP. The indices of Shannon-Wiener, Pielou, Simpson and species number of different recovery patches based on HTS reflected the biodiversity of nematode communities, which was consistent with the results of morphological identification. Of the common nematode genera, Coslenchus , Aphelenchus and Leptonchus showed a significant correlation by the two methods. Although both methods have limitations, the HTS provides a more effective means of observing soil nematode biodiversity levels for rapid insight across recovery patches in degraded alpine meadows of the Yellow River source region in our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining the Hg2+-induced oxidization of silver nanoparticles with the cation exchange reaction between Ag+ and CuS nanoparticles for cascade signal amplification, a sensitive, universal and label-free ICP-MS bioassay for nucleic acids and proteins was developed. By replacing the loop sequence of the T–Hg–T hairpin structure with specific sequences or aptamers to different biomarkers, it has great promise for the early detection of biomarkers potentially for diagnosis of cancerous diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple citric acid (CA)‐ammonium molybdate co‐impregnation method was applied to prepare the Mo‐based MCM‐49 catalyst to ameliorate the dispersion of metallic Mo for methane dehydro‐aromatization reaction (MDA). The newly prepared catalyst has higher crystallinity and maintains the original morphology of zeolite, which proves that the addition of citric acid will not destroy the basic structure of the catalyst. Based on H2‐TPR, UV‐vis, NH3‐TPD and XPS characterization results, it can be corroborated that the introduction of citric acid changes the coordination state of Mo element. Brønsted acid sites can stabilize the monomeric Mo oxide species by increasing MoOx migration into the MCM‐49 zeolite pores channel after calcination, which may affect the distribution of active sites MoCx and thus improve MDA catalytic activity. The experimental results show that the Mo‐based MCM‐49 catalyst with nCA : nMo ratios of 1.0 has higher methane conversion (14.5 %) and aromatics yield (9.8 %). The combination of XPS, TG and Raman tests of the spent catalyst confirms that the newly synthesized catalysts produce less carbon deposition, thus improving the catalytic durability during the MDA reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a three-layer hierarchical model-based approach for network-wide traffic signal control, which consists of a region coordination layer, an intersection coordination layer and a local signal control layer. The hierarchical control problem is formulated by two model predictive control (MPC) schemes. The upper-level control deals with the region coordination problem, which considers the cycle length optimization for different regions based on the macroscopic fundamental diagram. Under the guidance of the upper level MPC, a distributed MPC is developed to address both the green split optimization at each local intersection and the intersection coordination. For computational efficiency, the network is decomposed into separated intersections while the Lagrangian algorithm is developed for intersection coordination. Experimental results on the Nguyen-Dupuis network prove that our proposed three-layer hierarchical control approach has great potential in reducing the computational complexity while maintaining the overall performance (such as total travel time) of the traffic network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distinguishing the precise phases of cells in the cell cycle is important for elucidation of their regulatory mechanisms and exploiting cell‐cycle‐targeted drugs. Here, a simple but efficient strategy is established based on a peptide‐modified aggregation‐induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) probe PKK–TTP by utilizing its differential cellular uptake amounts for specific cell cycle recognition and targeted therapy. After incubating the probe in cells with different phases, maximal fluorescence and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation are observed in S phase, middle in G0/G1 phase, and the minimum in G2/M phase. The cell‐cycle‐dependent fluorescent intensity is proven to be related to variable uptake routes of PKK–TTP. The maximized uptake of PKK–TTP in S phase relies on three simultaneously working endocytic routes, including macro‐pinocytosis and clathrin‐ and caveolin‐dependent endocytosis, while decreased uptake in the G0/G1 and G2/M phases mainly depends on the single route. Furthermore, the uptake of PKK–TTP is further verified in normal cells and drug‐resistant cancer cells (S). Bright fluorescence of PKK–TTP is observed in drug‐resistant cancer cells in S phase, while a little fluorescence is observed in paclitaxel (PTX)‐treated cancer cells due to G2/M phase. Collectively, PKK–TTP can be applied to distinguish cancer cells, evaluating the drug resistance and exerting its therapeutic efficiency downstream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjective: To analyze the application effect of clinical nursing pathway in patients with cerebral infarction (CI) and its influence on the deterioration of limb function, so as to find effective prevention methods.Methods: A total of 80 patients with CI admitted to our hospital from November 2020 to May 2022 were included in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups based on different nursing interventions, with one group receiving clinical nursing pathway intervention, referred to as the nursing group (n = 40), and the other group receiving standard nursing care, referred to as the routine group (n = 40). The limb function, neurological function, mobility and quality of life before and after intervention were analyzed, and the incidence of safety endpoints after 3 months of follow-up was observed.Results: The results showed that before the intervention, there were no significant differences in each function and index of the study subjects (p>0.05). After the intervention, the limb function, neurological function, mobility and quality of life of the two groups were higher than those before the intervention, and the degree of improvement was higher in the nursing group (p<0.05). At the same time, the adverse events in the nursing group were significantly less than those in the conventional group (p<0.05).Conclusion: It is suggested that clinical nursing management pathway can significantly reduce the deterioration of limb function of patients with CI, improve their mobility and quality of life, which is worthy of clinical promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic stress correlates with cancer progression and metastasis, yet the underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. In this issue of Cancer Cell , He et al. reveal that glucocorticoids released during chronic stress promote metastasis by inducing the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and remodeling the microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanochannel technology has emerged as a powerful tool for label‐free and highly sensitive detection of protein folding/unfolding status. However, utilizing the inner walls of a nanochannel array may cause multiple events even for proteins with the same conformation, posing challenges for accurate identification. Herein, we present a platform to detect unfolded proteins through electrical and optical signals using nanochannel arrays with outer‐surface probes. The detection principle relies on the specific binding between the maleimide groups in outer‐surface probes and the protein cysteine thiols that induce changes in the ionic current and fluorescence intensity responses of the nanochannel array. By taking advantage of this mechanism, the platform has the ability to differentiate folded and unfolded state of proteins based on the exposure of a single cysteine thiol group. The integration of these two signals enhances the reliability and sensitivity of the identification of unfolded protein states and enables the distinction between normal cells and Huntington's disease mutant cells. This study provides an effective approach for the precise analysis of proteins with distinct conformations and holds promise for facilitating the diagnoses of protein conformation‐related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanochannel technology has emerged as a powerful tool for label‐free and highly sensitive detection of protein folding/unfolding status. However, utilizing the inner walls of a nanochannel array may cause multiple events even for proteins with the same conformation, posing challenges for accurate identification. Herein, we present a platform to detect unfolded proteins through electrical and optical signals using nanochannel arrays with outer‐surface probes. The detection principle relies on the specific binding between the maleimide groups in outer‐surface probes and the protein cysteine thiols that induce changes in the ionic current and fluorescence intensity responses of the nanochannel array. By taking advantage of this mechanism, the platform has the ability to differentiate folded and unfolded state of proteins based on the exposure of a single cysteine thiol group. The integration of these two signals enhances the reliability and sensitivity of the identification of unfolded protein states and enables the distinction between normal cells and Huntington's disease mutant cells. This study provides an effective approach for the precise analysis of proteins with distinct conformations and holds promise for facilitating the diagnoses of protein conformation‐related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common acute abdominal conditions, and its incidence has been increasing for years. Approximately 15–20% of patients develop severe AP (SAP), which is complicated by critical inflammatory injury and intestinal dysfunction. AP-associated inflammation can lead to the gut barrier and function damage, causing dysbacteriosis and facilitating intestinal microbiota migration. Pancreatic exocrine deficiency and decreased levels of antimicrobial peptides in AP can also lead to abnormal growth of intestinal bacteria. Meanwhile, intestinal microbiota migration influences the pancreatic microenvironment and affects the severity of AP, which, in turn, exacerbates the systemic inflammatory response. Thus, the interaction between the gut microbiota (GM) and the inflammatory response may be a key pathogenic feature of SAP. Treating either of these factors or breaking their interaction may offer some benefits for SAP treatment. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of interaction of the GM and inflammation in AP and factors that can deteriorate or even cure both, including some traditional Chinese medicine treatments, to provide new methods for studying AP pathogenesis and developing therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harmful algal blooms (HABs), which are promoted by eutrophication and intensified by global warming, occur worldwide. Allelochemicals, which are natural chemicals derived from plants or microbes, are emerging weapons to eliminate these blooms. However, the cost and technical challenges have limited the discovery of novel antialgal allelochemicals. Herein, the decomposition of agricultural straws is manipulated by white‐rot fungi and achieved elevated antialgal efficiency. The transcriptomic analysis reveals that nutrient limitation activated fungal decomposition. By using a comparative nontarget metabolomics approach, a new type of allelochemical sphingosines (including sphinganine, phytosphingosine, sphingosine, and N‐acetylsphingosine) is identified. These novel natural algaecides exhibit superior antialgal capability, with as high as an order of magnitude lower effective concentration on blooming species than other prevalent allelochemicals. The co‐expression relationship between transcriptomic and metabolomic results indicate that sphinganine is strongly correlated with the differentially expressed lignocellulose degradation unigenes. The algal growth suppression is triggered by the activation of programmed cell death, malfunction of algal photosystem and antioxidant system, the disruption on CO2 assimilation and light absorption. The sphingosines reported here are a new category of allelochemicals in addition to the well‐known antialgal natural chemicals, which are potential species‐specific agents for HABs control identified by multi‐omics methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary hemochromatosis type 4 is an autosomal-dominant inherited disease characterized by a mutation in the SLC40A1 gene encoding ferroportin. This condition can be further subdivided into types 4A (loss-of-function mutations) and 4B (gain-of-function mutations). To date, only a few cases of type 4B cases have been reported, and the treatment has not been clearly mentioned. Here, we report a genotype of hereditary hemochromatosis type 4B involving the heterozygous mutation c.997 T > C (p. Tyr333His) in SLC40A1. The patient was treated with red blood cell apheresis every month for 1 year, followed by oral deferasirox, and the combined therapy was found to be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregate and air void distribution determined by compaction commonly affects damage appearance and development inside asphalt mixture and is related to asphalt pavement durability and quality. The main objective of this study is to investigate the recycled aggregate (RA) effect on asphalt mixture compaction behavior under different engineering conditions. First, the aggregate fragmentation caused by compaction effort was simulated using the superpave gyratory compactor. In this regard, the influences of aggregate type and RA content were investigated. Second, the indoor experiment scheme was determined using the Taguchi method to obtain compaction data of recycled aggregate asphalt mixture (RAAM). Finally, a genetic algorithm-based backpropagation (GA-BP) artificial neural network (ANN) model using the 216 data sets of the indoor experiment was developed to predict and explore the relative contribution of engineering-conditions-related parameters to RAAM compaction difficulty. The results showed that the aggregate particles suffer fragmentation mainly in the early compaction of recycled aggregate asphalt mixture. The effect of RA on aggregate fragmentation during the compaction process is not statistically significant. The 10-14-1 GA-based BP ANN model developed in this study is an effective method in predicting the compaction energy consumption of RAAM with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 98.59% and a mean-squared error value of 0.6266. The gradation shape, NMAS, FI3d , AI3d , and T3d and incorporated content of recycled aggregate have a considerable positive correlation with the compaction difficulty. The limitation of this study is that the compaction difficulty prediction model is developed according to indoor test data. Therefore, the model's applicability to field pavement projects required further practical verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on latecomers in technology standards alliances, a topic that has received limited attention in academia. Although latecomers have disadvantages in terms of technology and market access, they possess a strong desire to catch up technologically. As a fundamental characteristic of an alliance, alliance routines serve as a source of innovation for members and a basic unit of analysis, providing a new perspective for understanding and researching the technological catch-up of latecomers. In this paper, a questionnaire survey is conducted among 83 latecomer enterprises in a technology standards alliance. The survey covers strategic emerging industries, such as new energy, new-generation information technology, new materials, and high-end manufacturing. Then, hierarchical regression is performed for hypothesis testing. The research shows that the three dimensions of alliance routines significantly promote the utilization of technological catch-up by latecomer enterprises. However, the impact on the exploration technological catch-up varies, where the action logic promotes exploration technological catch-up while implicit norms hinder exploratory innovation with an inverted U-shaped impact. The absorptive capacity strengthens the positive impact of the three alliance routines on the exploitative innovation of latecomer enterprises and strengthens the inverted U-shaped relationship between mutual consensus and their exploratory innovation. Nonetheless, it fails to play a significant regulatory role in action logic or in the relationship between implicit norms and exploratory innovation of latecomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of science and technology and big data, traditional translation has been greatly tested in the era of big data. The translation ability requires to be endowed with excellent bilingual teaching language ability, rich and diverse translation professional knowledge, sufficient basic translation knowledge, skilled IT technology and computer knowledge, etc., to better shape the translation ability. Based on big data technology, this paper analyzes the feasibility and advantages of using big data technology for English translation by designing a public automatic English translation system and studying the teaching mode of the English translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[9] However, most of these processes require a high reaction temperature and a long reaction time because the high oxidation potentials of alkylboronic acids ( I E i SB red sb 2.0 V vs SCE for secondary boronic acids) are usually kinetically unfavorable to direct oxidation by molecular oxygen. To test the reactivity of tertiary-alkylboronic acids, we selected the cheaper pinacol ester of I tert i -butylboronic acid as the alkyl precursor, and the reaction proceeded smoothly to produce the expected product B 4d b in 88% yield. By using an electrochemical strategy, [8] Lei and co-workers developed a Mn(III)-catalyzed alkyl radical cascade cyclization reaction through electrolysis of alkylboronic acids, providing a new strategy for generating alkyl radicals. Keywords: manganese catalysis; denitroalkylation; alkylboronic acids; nitrostyrenes; radical reaction; aerobic oxidation EN manganese catalysis denitroalkylation alkylboronic acids nitrostyrenes radical reaction aerobic oxidation 1597 1602 6 07/31/23 20230815 NES 230815 Graph Their unique stability, low toxicity, and easy preparation make alkylboronic acids good versatile building blocks in organic synthesis, and the construction of carbon-carbon bonds by using commercially available alkylboronic acids instead of preformed organic halides or aliphatic acids has received increasing attention in recent decades. [Extracted from the article]

By using an electrochemical strategy, [8] Lei and co-workers developed a Mn(III)-catalyzed alkyl radical cascade cyclization reaction through electrolysis of alkylboronic acids, providing a new strategy for generating alkyl radicals. [9] However, most of these processes require a high reaction temperature and a long reaction time because the high oxidation potentials of alkylboronic acids ( I E i SB red sb 2.0 V vs SCE for secondary boronic acids) are usually kinetically unfavorable to direct oxidation by molecular oxygen. To test the reactivity of tertiary-alkylboronic acids, we selected the cheaper pinacol ester of I tert i -butylboronic acid as the alkyl precursor, and the reaction proceeded smoothly to produce the expected product B 4d b in 88% yield. Keywords: manganese catalysis; denitroalkylation; alkylboronic acids; nitrostyrenes; radical reaction; aerobic oxidation EN manganese catalysis denitroalkylation alkylboronic acids nitrostyrenes radical reaction aerobic oxidation 1597 1602 6 07/31/23 20230801 NES 230801 Graph Their unique stability, low toxicity, and easy preparation make alkylboronic acids good versatile building blocks in organic synthesis, and the construction of carbon-carbon bonds by using commercially available alkylboronic acids instead of preformed organic halides or aliphatic acids has received increasing attention in recent decades. [Extracted from the article]

Despite the increase in proximity to one's family amid university closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the mechanisms underlying how family cohesion influenced students' sleep remain understudied. Using a large sample of college students in China (N = 1,178) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the current study examined the serial mediating roles of sense of security and perceived stress on the effect of family cohesion on sleep disturbance. Generalized linear modeling serial mediation analysis with 1,000 resampled bootstrapping methods showed that sense of security and perceived stress were negatively and positively associated with sleep disturbance, respectively. Furthermore, sense of security and perceived stress fully mediated the indirect effect of family cohesion on sleep disturbances. Implications and conclusions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erythritol has been proposed as an inert surrogate for developing theoretical and computational models to study aging in energetic materials. In this work, we present a comparison of mechanical and shock properties of erythritol computed using the ReaxFF reactive force field and from ab initio calculations employing density functional theory (DFT). We screened eight different ReaxFF parameterizations, of which the CHO parameters developed for hydrocarbon oxidation provide the most accurate predictions of mechanical properties and the crystal structure of erythritol. Further validation of the applicability of this ReaxFF parameterization for modeling erythritol is demonstrated by comparing predictions of the elastic constants, crystal structure, vibrational density of states, and Hugoniot curves against DFT calculations. The ReaxFF predictions are in close agreement with the DFT simulations for the elastic constants and shock Hugoniot when the crystal is loaded along its c axis but show as much as 30% disagreement in the elastic constants in the a b plane and 12% difference in shock pressures when shocked along the a or b crystal axes. Last, we compare thermomechanical properties predicted from classical molecular dynamics with those calculated using the quasi-harmonic approximation and show that quantum mechanical effects produce large discrepancies in the computed values of heat capacity and thermal expansion coefficients compared with classical assumptions. Combining classical molecular dynamics predictions of mechanical behavior with phonon-based calculations of thermal behaviors, we show that predicted shock-induced temperatures for pressures up to 6.5 GPa do not exceed the pressure-dependent melting point of erythritol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) for the detection of small-bowel strictures in Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: This tertiary-referral hospital cohort study was conducted between January 2018 and May 2022. CD patients with symptoms of small-bowel stricture were enrolled sequentially. All of the patients were subjected to both computed tomography enterography (CTE) and DBE, and their symptoms of stricture were assessed using the Crohn's Disease Obstructive Score (CDOS). The diagnostic yield of DBE was compared to that of CTE, and the relationship between the DBE findings and CDOS was investigated. The factors influencing the DBE diagnosis were examined using Cox regression analysis. Results: This study included 165 CD patients. The CDOS scores were higher in 95 patients and lower in 70 patients. DBE detected 92.7% (153/165) and CTE detected 85.5% (141/165) of the strictures. The DBE diagnostic yields were 94.7% (90/95) in the high CDOS patients and 91.4% (64/70) in the low CDOS patients (P = 0.13). Patients with a history of abdominal surgery and abscess had a lower diagnosis rate in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: DBE has been demonstrated to be an efficient diagnostic method for detecting small bowel strictures in CD patients. Additionally, there was no difference in the diagnostic yields between patients with low and high obstructive scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]