Search

Abstract Museums, which are among the most popular science institutions outside schools, are usually used to display and introduce historical culture and cultural relics to tourists. Text and audio explanations are used by traditional museums to popularize historical knowledge and science for tourists, and general interactive systems are based on desktops. This learning method is relatively boring in terms of experience. As a result, tourists have no desire or interest in actively exploring and learning about bronze ware, so they only have a basic understanding about bronze ware. Since most tourists are familiar with games, they are more likely to be attracted by game content and will actively explore and interact with it. In addition, a certain degree of reality is created by virtual reality technology and an immersive experience through head-mounted devices is provided to users. In this paper, we take Chinese bronzes as the research objects. We first use 3D laser scanners to obtain bronze models ; then, we build a virtual museum environment, and we finally design a virtual reality curation game based on this bronze digital museum. This game offers visitors an immersive museum roaming and bronze ware interactive experience. Through a combination of text, video learning, and games, visitors’ curiosity and desire to explore bronze ware are stimulated, and their understanding and ability to remember bronze ware knowledge can be deepened. In terms of cultural heritage, this game is also conducive to the spread of traditional Chinese bronze culture throughout the world.

The impact of the digital economy on the healthcare sector is becoming increasingly profound. This article focuses on the relationship between the development of China’s digital economy and medical and health services supply. Based on panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2012 to 2021, the CRITIC weight method was applied to measure the supply capacity of medical and health services and the level of digital economy development, and the kernel density estimation method and Dagum Gini coefficient method was used to characterize the evolutionary trends and regional differences. Additionally, a two-way fixed-effects model is adopted to investigate the impact of digital economy development on medical and health services supply. The results show that both the supply capacity of healthcare services and the level of digital economy development have been increasing continuously in terms of evolutionary trends. From the perspective of regional differences, compared to the supply level of healthcare services, the regional differences in digital economy development are more significant. The intra-regional differences in medical and health services supply are greater than the inter-regional differences, while the development of the digital economy exhibits the opposite trend. The findings of this paper provide supports for China to enhance the development level of digital economy and improve supply of medical and health service.

Abstract. Background:. The conversion of adenosine (A) to inosine (I) through deamination is the prevailing form of RNA editing, impacting numerous nuclear and cytoplasmic transcripts across various eukaryotic species. Millions of high-confidence RNA editing sites have been identified and integrated into various RNA databases, providing a convenient platform for the rapid identification of key drivers of cancer and potential therapeutic targets. However, the available database for integration of RNA editing in hematopoietic cells and hematopoietic malignancies is still lacking. Methods:. We downloaded RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of 29 leukemia patients and 19 healthy donors from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and RNA-seq data of 12 mouse hematopoietic cell populations obtained from our previous research were also used. We performed sequence alignment, identified RNA editing sites, and obtained characteristic editing sites related to normal hematopoietic development and abnormal editing sites associated with hematologic diseases. Results:. We established a new database, "REDH", represents RNA editome in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancy. REDH is a curated database of associations between RNA editome and hematopoiesis. REDH integrates 30,796 editing sites from 12 murine adult hematopoietic cell populations and systematically characterizes more than 400,000 edited events in malignant hematopoietic samples from 48 cohorts (human). Through the Differentiation, Disease, Enrichment, and knowledge modules, each A-to-I editing site is systematically integrated, including its distribution throughout the genome, its clinical information (human sample), and functional editing sites under physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, REDH compares the similarities and differences of editing sites between different hematologic malignancies and healthy control. Conclusions:. REDH is accessible at http://www.redhdatabase.com/. This user-friendly database would aid in understanding the mechanisms of RNA editing in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancies. It provides a set of data related to the maintenance of hematopoietic homeostasis and identifying potential therapeutic targets in malignancies.

BackgroundThe interplay between gut microbiota and metabolites in the early stages of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is not yet clearly understood. This study explores the characteristics and interactions of gut microbiota, and blood and urinary metabolites in patients with SA-AKI.MethodsUtilizing a prospective observational approach, we conducted comparative analyses of gut microbiota and metabolites via metabolomics and metagenomics in individuals diagnosed with SA-AKI compared to those without AKI (NCT06197828). Pearson correlations were used to identify associations between microbiota, metabolites, and clinical indicators. The Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database was employed to detect antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), while Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways informed on metabolic processes and microbial resistance patterns.ResultsOur study included analysis of four patients with SA-AKI and five without AKI. Significant disparities in bacterial composition were observed, illustrated by diversity indices (Shannon index: 2.0 ± 0.4 vs. 1.4 ± 0.6, P = 0.230; Simpson index: 0.8 ± 0.1 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2, P = 0.494) between the SA-AKI group and the non-AKI group. N6, N6, N6-Trimethyl-L-lysine was detected in both blood and urine metabolites, and also showed significant correlations with specific gut microbiota (Campylobacter hominis and Bacteroides caccae, R > 0, P < 0.05). Both blood and urine metabolites were enriched in the lysine degradation pathway. We also identified the citrate cycle (TCA cycle) as a KEGG pathway enriched in sets of differentially expressed ARGs in the gut microbiota, which exhibits an association with lysine degradation.ConclusionsSignificant differences in gut microbiota and metabolites were observed between the SA-AKI and non-AKI groups, uncovering potential biomarkers and metabolic changes linked to SA-AKI. The lysine degradation pathway may serve as a crucial link connecting gut microbiota and metabolites.

Abstract. Background:. Stroke is the leading cause of death in China, and predicting the stroke burden could provide essential information guiding the setting of medium- and long-term health policies and priorities. The study aimed to project trends associated with stroke burden in China through 2050, not only in terms of incidence and mortality but also for prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Methods:. Data on stroke rates in incidence, prevalence, deaths, and DALYs in China between 1990 and 2019 were obtained from a recent Global Burden of Disease study. Demographic-specific trends in rates over time were estimated using three models: the loglinear model, the Lee-Carter model, and a functional time series model. The mean absolute percentage error and the root mean squared error were used for model selection. Projections up to 2050 were estimated using the best fitting model. United Nations population data were used to project the absolute numbers through 2050. Results:. From 2019 to 2050, the crude rates for all measures of the stroke burden are projected to increase continuously among both men and women. We project that compared with those in 2019, the incidence, prevalence, deaths, and DALYs because of stroke in China in 2050 will increase by 55.58%, 119.16%, 72.15%, and 20.04%, respectively; the corresponding increases in number were 2.19, 34.27, 1.58, and 9.21 million. The age-standardized rate is projected to substantially decline for incidence (8.94%), death (40.37%), and DALYs (43.47%), but the age-standardized prevalence rate is predicted to increase by 10.82%. By 2050, the burden of stroke among the population aged ≥65 years will increase significantly: by 104.70% for incidence, by 218.48% for prevalence, by 100.00% for death, and by 58.93% for DALYs. Conclusions:. With the aging population in China increasing over the next three decades, the burden of stroke will be markedly increased. Continuous efforts are needed to improve stroke health care and secondary prevention, especially for older adults.

Background: Continuous theta burst stimulation and intermittent theta burst stimulation are clinically popular models of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. However, they are limited by high variability between individuals in cortical excitability changes following stimulation. Although electroencephalography oscillations have been reported to modulate the cortical response to transcranial magnetic stimulation, their association remains unclear. This study aims to explore whether machine learning models based on EEG oscillation features can predict the cortical response to transcranial magnetic stimulation. Method: Twenty-three young, healthy adults attended two randomly assigned sessions for continuous and intermittent theta burst stimulation. In each session, ten minutes of resting-state electroencephalography were recorded before delivering brain stimulation. Participants were classified as responders or non-responders based on changes in resting motor thresholds. Support vector machines and multi-layer perceptrons were used to establish predictive models of individual responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation. Result: Among the evaluated algorithms, support vector machines achieved the best performance in discriminating responders from non-responders for intermittent theta burst stimulation (accuracy: 91.30%) and continuous theta burst stimulation (accuracy: 95.66%). The global clustering coefficient and global characteristic path length in the beta band had the greatest impact on model output. Conclusion: These findings suggest that EEG features can serve as markers of cortical response to transcranial magnetic stimulation. They offer insights into the association between neural oscillations and variability in individuals' responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation, aiding in the optimization of individualized protocols.

Objective: Xinjiang is one of the main producers and exporters of dried chilies in China. Dried chilies in Xinjiang are mainly dried by natural drying methods, however, relying too much on experience and lacking scientific theoretical guidance, the dried products are prone to problems such as breakage and mold. Therefore, it is urgent to monitor the quality changes in the drying process of chilies and to standardize the technical process of dried chili production. Methods: The Honglong series of rambutan peppers (Honglong 18 and Honglong 23), grown on a large scale in Xinjiang, were selected. Three key points in the natural drying process have been selected: Flattening (starting point of drying), gathering of small piles and gathering of large piles (end point of drying). The study followed four batches and monitored changes in the quality of chilies, including moisture content, water activity, seed to flesh ratio, sugar content, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, color value, texture, moldiness and microbiological composition. Results: The moisture content of the chilies at the end of drying was below 13%. The drying process significantly reduced the sugar content, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the chilies (P

Abstract Background Routinely collected health data (RCD) are important resource for exploring drug treatment effects. Adequate reporting of data source profiles may increase the credibility of evidence generated from these data. This study conducted a systematic literature review to evaluate the reporting characteristics of databases used by RCD studies to explore the effects of drug treatment. Methods Observational studies published in 2018 that used RCD to explore the effects of drug treatment were identified by searching PubMed. We categorized eligible reports into two groups by journal impact factor (IF), including the top 5 general medical journals (NEJM, Lancet, JAMA, BMJ and JAMA Internal Medicine) and the other journals. The reporting characteristics of the databases used were described and compared between the two groups and between studies citing and not citing database references. Results A total of 222 studies were included, of which 53 (23.9%) reported that they applied data linkage, 202 (91.0%) reported the type of database, and 211 (95.0%) reported the coverage of the data source. Only 81 (36.5%) studies reported the timeframe of the database. Studies in high-impact journals were more likely to report that they applied data linkage (65.1% vs. 20.2%) and used electronic medical records (EMR) (73.7% vs. 30.0%) and national data sources (77.8% vs. 51.3%) than those published in other medical journals. There were 137/222 (61.7%) cited database references. Studies with database-specific citations had better reporting of the data sources and were more likely to publish in high-impact journals than those without (mean IF, 6.08 vs. 4.09). Conclusions Some deficits were found in the reporting quality of databases in studies that used RCD to explore the effects of drug treatment. Studies citing database-specific references may provide detailed information regarding data source characteristics. The adoption of reporting guidelines and education on their use is urgently needed to promote transparency by research groups.

A series of lithium niobate crystals co-doped with uranium and indium was successfully grown by the modified vertical Bridgman method for the first time. With increasing In3+ ion doping concentration, the segregation coefficient of uranium and indium progressively deviated from 1. The structural refinement indicated that uranium ions with high valence preferred to occupy the Nb sites in LN: In, U crystals. LN: In2.0, U0.6 achieved multi-wavelength holographic writing with diffraction efficiency comparable to commercial crystals LN:Fe0.3, demonstrating a response time that was four times shorter than LN:Fe0.3. XPS analysis was employed to investigate the valence states of In3+ ions in LN: In2.0, U0.6, in which uranium ions presented three valences of +4, +5 and +6. Furthermore, the ‘real threshold concentration’ of In3+ ions in LN: In, U was calculated using the Li-vacancy model, which is consistent with the results obtained from the experimental study of the OH− absorption spectrum. Discussions on the photorefractive centers in LN: In, U are also provided. This study not only demonstrates the impact of doping In3+ ions on the growth of LN:U crystals, but also offers new insights into the photorefractive properties of LN in the visible band.

Bismuth silicate (Bi4Si3O12, BSO) crystal, as a nonlinear optical material with excellent optical properties, has a wide range of applications in laser technology, optical communication, and optical information processing. In order to further improve its performance, this study adopts a first principles calculation method based on density functional theory (DFT), selects Gd3+ as the dopant, and calculates and explores the changes in optical properties of BSO crystals after doping with 1/12, 1/6, and 1/3Gd3+. The calculation results show that the doping of Gd3+ changes the electronic structure of BSO crystals, which is manifested in the emergence of new light absorption and emission characteristics, an increase in carrier concentration, an improvement in conductivity, and an enhancement of crystal polarization ability in optical properties. In addition, doping with Gd3+ increases the light transmission rate and reduces energy loss of BSO crystals, while releasing more energy during electron band transitions, effectively improving the luminescence performance of BSO crystals. The theoretical research in this article provides an important theoretical basis for understanding the influence of Gd3+ doping on the optical properties of BSO, and by optimizing the ratio of Gd3+, the optical properties of BSO can be further regulated, opening up new possibilities for its application in optoelectronic devices.

Abstract Albeit the majority of eukaryotic genomes can be pervasively transcribed to a diverse population of lncRNAs and various subtypes of lncRNA are discovered. However, the genome‐wide study of miRNA‐derived lncRNAs is still lacking. Here, it is reported that over 800 miRNA gene‐originated lncRNAs (molncRNAs) are generated from miRNA loci. One of them, molnc‐301b from miR‐301b and miR‐130b, functions as an “RNA decoy” to facilitate dissociation of the chromatin remodeling protein SMARCA5 from chromatin and thereby sequester transcription and mRNA translation. Specifically, molnc‐301b attenuates erythropoiesis by mitigating the transcription of erythropoietic and translation‐associated genes, such as GATA1 and FOS. In addition, a useful and powerful CRISPR screen platform to characterize the biological functions of molncRNAs at large‐scale and single‐cell levels is established and 29 functional molncRNAs in hematopoietic cells are identified. Collectively, the focus is on miRNA‐derived lncRNAs, deciphering their landscape during normal hematopoiesis, and comprehensively evaluating their potential roles.

IntroductionCommon critical illnesses are a growing economic burden on healthcare worldwide. However, therapies targeting the gut microbiota for critical illnesses have not been developed on a large scale. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the characteristics of the gut microbiota in critically ill children after short-term pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) treatments.MethodsAnal swab samples were prospectively collected from March 2021 to March 2022 from children admitted to the PICU of Xinhua Hospital who received broad-spectrum antibiotics on days 1 (the D1 group) and 7 (the D7 group) of the PICU treatment. The structural and functional characteristics of the gut microbiota of critically ill children were explored using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology, and a comparative analysis of samples from D1 and D7 was conducted.ResultsAfter 7 days of PICU admission, a significant decrease was noted in the richness of the gut microbiota in critically ill children, while the bacterial diversity and the community structure between groups remained stable to some extent. The relative abundance of Bacilli and Lactobacillales was significantly higher, and that of Campylobacter hominis was significantly lower in the D7 group than in the D1 group. The random forest model revealed that Prevotella coporis and Enterobacter cloacae were bacterial biomarkers between groups. LEfSe revealed that two Gene Ontology entries, GO:0071555 (cell wall organization) and GO:005508 (transmembrane transport), changed significantly after the short-term treatment in the PICU. In addition, 30 KEGG pathways were mainly related to the activity of enzymes and proteins during the processes of metabolism, DNA catabolism and repair, and substance transport. Finally, 31 antimicrobial resistance genes had significantly different levels between the D7 and D1 groups. The top 10 up-regulated genes were Erm(A), ErmX, LptD, eptB, SAT-4, tetO, adeJ, adeF, APH(3′)-IIIa, and tetM.ConclusionThe composition, gene function, and resistance genes of gut microbiota of critically ill children can change significantly after short PICU treatments. Our findings provide a substantial basis for a better understanding of the structure and function of gut microbiota and their role in critical illnesses.

Conforming to the current replace–reduce–refine 3Rs’ guidelines in animal experiments, a series of explorative efforts have been made to set up operable biomedical imaging-guided platforms for qualitative and quantitative evaluations on pharmacological effects of tumor vascular-disrupting agents (VDAs), based on the chick embryos (CEs) with its chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), in this overview. The techniques and platforms have been hierarchically elaborated, from macroscopic to microscopic and from overall to specific aspects. A protocol of LED lamplight associated with a new deep-learning algorithm was consolidated to screen out weak CEs by using the CAM vasculature imaging. 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) to monitor the evolution of CE and vascular changes in CAM are introduced. A LSCI–CAM platform for studying the effects of VDAs on normal and cancerous vasculature of CAM and possible molecular mechanisms has been demonstrated. Finally, practical challenges and future perspectives are highlighted. The aim of this article is to help peers in biomedical research to familiarize with the CAM platform and to optimize imaging protocols for the evaluation of vasoactive pharmaceuticals, especially anticancer vascular targeted therapy.

Rapid developments in automatic driving technology have given rise to new experiences for passengers. Safety is a main priority in automatic driving. A strong familiarity with road-surface conditions during the day and night is essential to ensuring driving safety. Existing models used for recognizing road-surface conditions lack the required robustness and generalization abilities. Most studies only validated the performance of these models on daylight images. To address this problem, we propose a novel multi-supervised bidirectional fusion network (MBFN) model to detect weather-induced road-surface conditions on the path of automatic vehicles at both daytime and nighttime. We employed ConvNeXt to extract the basic features, which were further processed using a new bidirectional fusion module to create a fused feature. Then, the basic and fused features were concatenated to generate a refined feature with greater discriminative and generalization abilities. Finally, we designed a multi-supervised loss function to train the MBFN model based on the extracted features. Experiments were conducted using two public datasets. The results clearly demonstrated that the MBFN model could classify diverse road-surface conditions, such as dry, wet, and snowy conditions, with a satisfactory accuracy and outperform state-of-the-art baseline models. Notably, the proposed model has multiple variants that could also achieve competitive performances under different road conditions. The code for the MBFN model is shared at https://zenodo.org/badge/latestdoi/607014079.

This study systematically investigated the effect of Sm ^3+ doping on the optical properties of bismuth silicate (Bi _4 Si _3 O _12 , abbreviated as BSO) crystals using first principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). By calculating the dielectric function, reflectivity, absorption coefficient, refractive index, conductivity, and energy loss function of BSO crystals under different Sm ^3+ doping ratios, we found that moderate Sm ^3+ doping can increase the dielectric function of BSO crystals, and the real part of the dielectric function represents the material’s ability to respond to the electric field, that is, the macroscopic polarization degree. Therefore, moderate Sm ^3+ doping enhances the polarization ability of BSO crystals. Simultaneously doping an appropriate amount can effectively enhance the conductivity and light (visible and infrared) absorption ability of BSO crystals, and reduce the energy loss between electrons in BSO crystals, thereby improving their luminescence performance. Specifically, when the Sm ^3+ doping ratio is 1/6, the optical properties of BSO crystals are significantly improved. These findings not only enhance the understanding of the mechanism of optical performance changes in rare earth ion doped BSO crystals, but also provide a theoretical basis for the development of new rare earth doped optical materials.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are widely involved in the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of multiple biological processes. The transcriptional regulatory ability of RBPs was indicated by the identification of chromatin-enriched RBPs (Che-RBPs). One of these proteins, KH-type splicing regulatory protein (KHSRP), is a multifunctional RBP that has been implicated in mRNA decay, alternative splicing, and miRNA biogenesis and plays an essential role in myeloid differentiation by facilitating the maturation of miR-129. In this study, we revealed that KHSRP regulates monocytic differentiation by regulating gene transcription and RNA splicing. KHSRP-occupied specific genomic sites in promoter and enhancer regions to regulate the expression of several hematopoietic genes through transcriptional activation and bound to pre-mRNA intronic regions to modulate alternative splicing during monocytic differentiation. Of note, KHSRP had co-regulatory effects at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels on MOGOH and ADARB1. Taken together, our analyses revealed the dual DNA- and RNA-binding activities of KHSRP and have provided a paradigm to guide the analysis of other functional Che-RBPs in different biological systems.

Abstract Background As an original traditional Chinese medicinal formula, Qin Huang formula (QHF) is used as adjuvant therapy for treating lymphoma in our hospital and has proven efficacy when combined with chemotherapy. However, the underlying mechanisms of QHF have not been elucidated. Methods A network pharmacological-based analysis method was used to screen the active components and predict the potential mechanisms of QHF in treating B cell lymphoma. Then, a murine model was built to verify the antitumor effect of QHF combined with Adriamycin (ADM) in vivo. Finally, IHC, ELISA, 18F-FDG PET-CT scan, and western blot were processed to reveal the intriguing mechanism of QHF in treating B cell lymphoma. Results The systemic pharmacological study revealed that QHF took effect following a multiple-target and multiple-pathway pattern in the human body. In vivo study showed that combination therapy with QHF and ADM potently inhibited the growth of B cell lymphoma in a syngeneic murine model, and significantly increased the proportion of tumor infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, the level of CXCL10 and IL-6 was significantly increased in the combination group. Finally, the western blot exhibited that the level of TLR2 and p38 MAPK increased in the combination therapy group. Conclusion QHF in combination of ADM enhances the antitumor effect of ADM via modulating tumor immune microenvironment and can be a combination therapeutic strategy for B cell lymphoma patients.

Here, Wang and colleagues combine short and long sequencing reads to characterize structural variations, prophage and CRISPR spacer elements in human gut microbiomes, and reveal functional differences at a finer level of bacterial strains.

Monocular panoramic depth estimation has various applications in robotics and autonomous driving due to its ability to perceive the entire field of view. However, panoramic depth estimation faces two significant challenges: global context capturing and distortion awareness. In this paper, we propose a new framework for panoramic depth estimation that can simultaneously address panoramic distortion and extract global context information, thereby improving the performance of panoramic depth estimation. Specifically, we introduce an attention mechanism into the multi-scale dilated convolution and adaptively adjust the receptive field size between different spatial positions, designing the adaptive attention dilated convolution module, which effectively perceives distortion. At the same time, we design the global scene understanding module to integrate global context information into the feature maps generated using the feature extractor. Finally, we trained and evaluated our model on three benchmark datasets which contains the virtual and real-world RGB-D panorama datasets. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves competitive performance, comparable to existing techniques in both quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Furthermore, our method has fewer parameters and more flexibility, making it a scalable solution in mobile AR.

Abstract Mixed human umbilical cord‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC‐MSCs) are widely applied in clinical trials to treat various diseases due to their multipotent differentiation potential and immune regulatory activities. However, the lack of a clear understanding of their heterogeneity hampers their application to precisely treat diseases. Moreover, few studies have experimentally authenticated the functions of so‐called UC‐MSC subpopulations classified from scRNA‐seq samples. Here, this work draws a large‐scale single‐cell transcriptomic atlas and identified three clusters (C1, C2, and C3), representing the primed, intermediate, and stem statuses individually. The C1 and C3 clusters feature higher expression of cytokines and stemness markers, respectively. Surprisingly, further experimental assays reveal that the BAMBIhighMFGE8high C1 subgroup has a unique phenotype, distinct transcriptomic profile, and limited adipogenic differentiation potential but compromised immunosuppressive activity in vitro and in vivo in lupus mice. Thus, this work is helpful to clarify the nature of human UC‐MSCs and to choose optimal MSC types to treat specific diseases in the future.

Abstract After field cooling (FC) alternating current poling (ACP), we investigated the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of [001]pc-oriented 0.24Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3 (PIN)-0.46Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PMN)-0.30PbTiO3 (PT) (PIMN-0.30PT) single crystals (SCs), which were manufactured by continuous-feeding Bridgman (CF BM) within morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) region. By ACP with 4 kVrms/cm from 100 to 70 °C, the PIMN-0.30PT SC attained high dielectric permittivity (ε33 T /ε0) of 8330, piezoelectric coefficient (d 33) of 2750 pC/N, bar mode electromechanical coupling factor k 33 of 0.96 with higher phase change temperature (T pc) of 103 °C, and high Curie temperature (T C ) of 180 °C. These values are the highest ever reported as PIMN-xPT SC system with T pc > 100 °C. The enhancement of these properties is attributed to the induced low symmetry multi-phase supported by phase analysis. This work indicates that FC ACP is a smart and promising method to enhance piezoelectric properties of relaxor-PT ferroelectric SCs including PIMN-xPT, and provides a route to a wide range of piezoelectric device applications.

Abstract Background Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation has shown promising results in the early detection of multiple cancers recently. Here, we conducted a study to investigate the performance of cfDNA methylation in the early detection of esophageal cancer (ESCA). Methods Specific methylation markers for ESCA were identified and optimized based on esophageal tumor and paired adjacent tissues (n = 24). Age-matched participants with ESCA (n = 85), benign esophageal diseases (n = 10), and healthy controls (n = 125) were randomized into the training and test sets to develop a classifier to differentiate ESCA from healthy controls and benign esophageal disease. The classifier was further validated in an independent plasma cohort of ESCA patients (n = 83) and healthy controls (n = 98). Results In total, 921 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between tumor and adjacent tissues were identified. The early detection classifier based on those DMRs was first developed and tested in plasma samples, discriminating ESCA patients from benign and healthy controls with a sensitivity of 76.2% (60.5–87.9%) and a specificity of 94.1% (85.7–98.4%) in the test set. The performance of the classifier was consistent irrespective of sex, age, and pathological diagnosis (P > 0.05). In the independent plasma validation cohort, similar performance was observed with a sensitivity of 74.7% (64.0–83.6%) and a specificity of 95.9% (89.9–98.9%). Sensitivity for stage 0–II was 58.8% (44.2–72.4%). Conclusion We demonstrated that the cfDNA methylation patterns could distinguish ESCAs from healthy individuals and benign esophageal diseases with promising sensitivity and specificity. Further prospective evaluation of the classifier in the early detection of ESCAs in high-risk individuals is warranted.

BackgroundStroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with a large proportion of survivors suffering from motor dysfunction and neuropsychiatric sequelae. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a promising stroke rehabilitation intervention and is effective in improving neurological system function in stroke patients. In the current systemic review and meta-analysis, an overview of the most recent studies regarding the effectiveness of rTMS's potential to help chronic stroke patients recover from sequelae was provided.MethodsRelevant randomized controlled trials were retrieved from three online databases (Web of Science, Medline, and Embase). A total of 25 RCTs (N = 535 participants) were included. A meta-analysis was performed using a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model, and effect sizes were reported as weighted mean differences or standardized mean differences.ResultsAdministration of rTMS significantly improved upper limb function, hand function, and muscle tone in stroke patients throughout the chronic phase [≥6 months], but not lower limb mobility and strength. In terms of cognitive function, rTMS has a considerable positive impact on patients' cognitive performance. rTMS also alleviated apathy in stroke patients more than post-stroke depressive symptoms regarding mental functioning. Balance and walking function, as well as functional activities of daily living, of patients were dramatically improved by rTMS. However, the current conclusions should be taken carefully due to the small sample size of the meta-analysis.ConclusionsThis is the first meta-analysis of rTMS treatment in patients with chronic stroke to inform the selection of the optimal treatment strategy for patients with chronic stroke, which demonstrated that rTMS treatment has the potential to improve the effects of sequelae by improving upper limb function, hand function, and muscle tone.Systematic review registrationhttps://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-7-0095/, identifier: INPLASY202270095.

Summary: Background: Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation has shown the potential in the detection and prognostic testing in multiple cancers. Herein, we thoroughly investigate the performance of cfDNA methylation in the detection and prognosis of ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: The OC-specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified by sequencing ovarian tissue samples from OC (n = 61), benign ovarian disease (BOD, n = 49) and healthy controls (HC, n = 37). Based on 1,272 DMRs, a cfDNA OC detection model (OC-D model) was trained and validated in plasma samples from patients of OC (n = 104), BOD (n = 56) and HC (n = 56) and a prognostic testing model (OC-P model) was developed in plasma samples in patients with high-grade serous OC (HG-SOC) in the training cohort and then tested the rationality of this model with International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) tissue methylation data. Mechanisms were investigated in the TCGA-OC cohort. Findings: In the validation cohort, the cfDNA OC-D model consisting of 18 DMRs achieved a sensitivity of 94.7% (95% CI: 85.4%‒98.9%) at a specificity of 88.7% (95% CI: 78.7%‒94.9%), which outperformed CA 125 (AUC: 0.967 vs 0.905, P = 0.03). Then the cfDNA OC-P model consisting of 15 DMRs was constructed and associated with a better prognosis of HG-SOC in multivariable Cox regression analysis (HR: 0.29, 95% CI, 0.11‒0.78, P = 0.01) in the training cohort, which was also observed in the ICGC cohort using tissue methylation (HR: 0.56, 95% CI, 0.32‒0.98, P = 0.04). Investigation into mechanisms revealed that the low-risk group had higher homologous recombination deficiency and immune cell infiltration (P < 0.05). Interpretation: Our study demonstrated the potential utility of cfDNA methylation in the detection and prognostic testing in OC. Future studies with a larger population are warranted. Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector.

Sepsis most often involves the kidney and is one of the most common causes of acute kidney injury. The prevalence of septic acute kidney injury has increased significantly in recent years. The gut microbiota plays an important role in sepsis. It interacts with the kidney in a complex and multifactorial process, which is not fully understood. Sepsis may lead to gut microbiota alteration, orchestrate gut mucosal injury, and cause gut barrier failure, which further alters the host immunological and metabolic homeostasis. The pattern of gut microbiota alteration also varies with sepsis progression. Changes in intestinal microecology have double-edged effects on renal function, which also affects intestinal homeostasis. This review aimed to clarify the interaction between gut microbiota and renal function during the onset and progression of sepsis. The mechanism of gut–kidney crosstalk may provide potential insights for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for sepsis.

Introduction Time-varying exposure is an important issue that should be addressed in longitudinal observational studies using routinely collected data (RCD) for drug treatment effects. How well investigators designed, analysed and reported time-varying exposure, and to what extent the divergence that can be observed between different methods used for handling time-varying exposure in these studies remains uncertain. We will conduct a cross-sectional study to comprehensively address this question.Methods and analysis We have developed a comprehensive search strategy to identify all studies exploring drug treatment effects including both effectiveness and safety that used RCD and were published in core journals between 2018 and 2020. We will collect information regarding general study characteristics, data source profile, methods for handling time-varying exposure, results and the interpretation of findings from each eligibility. Paired reviewers will screen and extract data, resolving disagreements through discussion. We will describe the characteristics of included studies, and summarise the method used for handling time-varying exposure in primary analysis and sensitivity analysis. We will also compare the divergence between different approaches for handling time-varying exposure using ratio of risk ratios.Ethics and dissemination No ethical approval is required because the data we will use do not include individual patient data. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

BackgroundRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a promising intervention for stroke rehabilitation. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of rTMS in restoring motor function. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current evidence of the effect of rTMS in improving upper limb function and fine motor recovery in stroke patients.MethodsThree online databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase) were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials. A total of 45 studies (combined n = 2064) were included. Random effects model was used for meta-analysis and effect size was reported as standardized mean difference (SMD).ResultsrTMS was effective in improving fine motor function in stroke patients (SMD, 0.38; 95% CI 0.19–0.58; P = 0). On subgroup analyses, for post-stroke functional improvement of the upper extremity, bilateral hemisphere stimulation was more effective than unilateral stimulation during the acute phase of stroke, and a regimen of 20 rTMS sessions produced greater improvement than 10 rTMS sessions. For the rTMS stimulation method, both TBS and rTMS were found to be significantly more effective in the acute phase of stroke, but TBS was more effective than rTMS. However, rTMS was found to be more effective than TBS stimulation in patients in the subacute and chronic phases of stroke. rTMS significantly improved upper limb and fine function in the short term (0–1-month post-intervention) and medium term (2–5 months), but not for upper limb function in the long term (6 months+). The results should be interpreted with caution due to significant heterogeneity.ConclusionsThis updated meta-analysis provides robust evidence of the efficacy of rTMS treatment in improving upper extremity and fine function during various phases of stroke.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-5-0121/, identifier: INPLASY202250121.

Alternating current poling (ACP) in air by changing poling temperature (70–130 °C) and voltages (2–6 kVrms/cm) on pseudo-ternary 0.24 Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-0.46 Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.30PbTiO3 (PIMN-0.30PT) single crystals (SCs) manufactured by continuous-feeding Bridgman (CF BM) method was investigated. Free dielectric permittivity (εT33/ε0) and piezoelectric constant (d33) were improved to be 7000 and 2340 pC/N, which were 29% higher than those of direct current poling (DCP) at 90 °C with 4 kV/cm (εT33/ε0 = 5440, d33 = 1810 pC/N). However, phase change temperature (Tpc) decreased from 94 °C to 78 °C as opposite results reported by other groups. We demonstrated that the high temperature (HT) ACP improved piezoelectric performance of CF BM SCs, however, the Tpc were different from other crystal growth method. The well-designed ACP process was a promising method for mass production not only to enhance the electrical properties for the pseudo-ternary SCs but also reduce the risk of breakdown and realizes organic solvent-free poling process.

Background: The “two-week visiting rate in those needing to visit” has been examined extensively as an important indicator of healthcare seeking behavior in China. Nevertheless, its relationship with health behaviors, such as physical activity, remains unknown. In addition, a significant difference exists between urban and rural Chinese people in terms of physical activity and healthcare seeking behavior. This study sought to investigate the relationship between physical activity and the two-week visiting rate by conducting a stratified analysis. Methods: The analysis included 5,801 participants aged above 15 years old. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to analyze the association after adjusting for possible confounding variables. Urban and rural differences were investigated using stratified analysis. Results: Adjusted estimates showed that those who were physically active were more likely to visit a healthcare facility, but only among the whole sample (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26‒1.66) and the rural sample (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.21‒2.01), and not among the urban sample. Conclusions: Educating people on physical activity may help in improving healthcare seeking behavior and vice versa. Additionally, health interventions may be tailored based on different settings.

Flexible ternary carbon black/Bi2Te3 based alloy/polylactic acid (CB/BTBA/PLA) composites were fabricated by additive manufacturing and their thermoelectric properties were investigated from 300 K to 360 K. At 300 K, as the mass ratios of BTBAs in the composites increased from 38.5% to 71.4%, both the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of the composites increased from 5.8 S/cm to 13.3 S/cm, and from 60.2 μV/K to 119.9 μV/K, respectively, and the thermal conductivity slightly increased from 0.15 W m−1K−1 to 0.25 W m−1K−1, as a result, the ZT value of the composites increased from 0.004 to 0.023. As the temperature increased from 300 K to 360 K, the electrical conductivity of all the composites slightly decreased, while the thermal conductivity slowly increased, and a highest ZT value of 0.024 was achieved for the composites with 71.4% BTBAs at 320 K. Unlike traditional sterolithography, fused deposition modeling, selective laser melting, etc., this additive manufacturing process can directly print the solutions which contain inorganic fillers and polymer matrixes into almost any designed intricate geometries of thermoelectric composites, therefore this process has great potential to be used for fabrication of flexible polymer based thermoelectric composites and devices. Keywords: Flexible, Bi2Te3 based alloy, Additive manufacturing, Thermoelectric

For the better standardization and widespread application of the determination method of carotenoids in both chili peppers and their products, this work reports for the first time the simultaneous determination of five main carotenoids, including capsanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene in chili peppers and their products, with optimized extraction and the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. All parameters in the methodological evaluation were found to be in good stability, recovery and accuracy compliance with the reference values; the R coefficients for the calibration curves were more than 0.998; and the LODs and LOQs varied from 0.020 to 0.063 and from 0.067 to 0.209 mg/L, respectively. The characterization of five carotenoids in chili peppers and their products passed all the required validation criteria. The method was applied in the determination of carotenoids in nine fresh chili peppers and seven chili pepper products.

In this paper, a series of Gd1-xBixFeO3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1) nanoparticles have been readily synthesized by a green and facile sol–gel method. It gradually changed from the orthorhombic structure (space group Pbnm) to the rhombohedral perovskite structure (space group R3c). Weak ferromagnetic behavior was effectively induced by Bi3+, with reduced magnetization. It was closely related with the lattice distortion of the perovskite structure and modified interactions between Fe-O-Fe. Boosted photocatalytic activities of Gd1-xBixFeO3 were observed for the removal of methylene blue (MB) under the visible light irradiation. In particular, Gd0.5Bi0.5FeO3 showed the optimum photocatalytic efficiency, in which the degradation efficiency reached 82.1% after 180 min of visible light illumination, with good stability and repeatability. The improved performance was mainly ascribed to enhanced visible light absorption, decreased optical band gap from 2.21 to 1.8eV and stronger charge transfer efficiency. A possible photocatalytic mechanism is also proposed according to the band structure. The results indicate that this system will be a promising candidate for the degradation of organic pollutant as a novel magnetically recoverable photocatalyst.

Abstract Fast and accurate identification of microbial pathogens is critical for the proper treatment of infections. Traditional culture‐based diagnosis in clinics is increasingly supplemented by metagenomic next‐generation‐sequencing (mNGS). Here, RNA/cDNA‐targeted sequencing (meta‐transcriptomics using NGS (mtNGS)) is established to reduce the host nucleotide percentage in clinic samples and by combining with Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) platforms (meta‐transcriptomics using third‐generation sequencing, mtTGS) to improve the sequencing time. It shows that mtNGS improves the ratio of microbial reads, facilitates bacterial identification using multiple‐strategies, and discovers fungi, viruses, and antibiotic resistance genes, and displaying agreement with clinical findings. Furthermore, longer reads in mtTGS lead to additional improvement in pathogen identification and also accelerate the clinical diagnosis. Additionally, primary tests utilizing direct‐RNA sequencing and targeted sequencing of ONT show that ONT displays important potential but must be further developed. This study presents the potential of RNA‐targeted pathogen identification in clinical samples, especially when combined with the newest developments in ONT.

Background: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution is one of the most critical environmental and public health problems in China and has caused an enormous disease burden, especially long-term PM2.5 exposure. Global climate change represents another environmental challenge in the coming decades and is also an essential factor affecting PM2.5 pollution. Moreover, China has an aging population with a changing population size and falling age-standardized mortality rates. However, little evidence exists evaluating the potential impacts from climate change and population aging on the long-term PM2.5 exposure-related disease burden. This study quantifies the impacts of climate and population changes on changes in the disease burden attributed to long-term PM2.5 exposure from 2015 to 2030 in mainland China, which could add evidence for the revision of relevant environmental standards and health policies. Methods: This modeling study investigated long-term PM2.5 exposure-related mortality across China based on PM2.5 projections under Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) and population scenarios from shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). PM2.5 concentrations were simulated by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) and Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling systems. In addition, three types of population projections in 2030 relative to 2015 were set up as follows: (i) the population remained the same as that in 2015; (ii) the population size changed under SSPs, but the age structure remained the same; (iii) both the population size and age structure changed under SSPs. The global exposure mortality model (GEMM) was adopted to estimate PM2.5-related premature deaths. Results: Ambient PM2.5 concentrations decreased from 2015 to 2030 under the two climate and emission scenarios. Estimates of related premature mortality in 2030 declined compared with that in 2015 due to lower PM2.5 concentrations (RCP4.5: −16.8%; RCP8.5: −16.4%). If the age structure of the population remained unchanged and the population size changed under SSPs, the nonaccidental premature mortality also showed a decrease ranging from −18.6% to −14.9%. When both population size and age structure changed under SSPs, the population in China would become older. Nonaccidental premature mortality would sharply increase by 35.7–52.3% (with a net increase of 666–977 thousand) in 2030. Conclusion: The PM2.5 pollution in 2030 under both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 would slightly improve. The population sizes in 2030 projected by SSPs are relatively stable compared with that in 2015. However, the modest decrease due to air pollution improvement and stable population size would be offset by population aging.

Ultrathin porous Co3O4 nanosheets are synthesized successfully, the thickness of which is about three unit-cell dimensions. The enhanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance and electronic interaction between Co3O4 and Au is firstly reported in Co3O4 ultrathin porous nanosheets by physically mixing with Au nanoparticles. With the loading of the Au nanoparticles, the current density of ultrathin porous Co3O4 nanosheets is enhanced from 9.97 to 14.76 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 0.5 V, and the overpotential required for 10 mA cm−2 decreases from 0.51 to 0.46 V, smaller than that of commercial IrO2 (0.54 V). Furthermore, a smaller Tafel slope and excellent durability are also obtained. Raman spectra, XPS measurement, and X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra (XANES) show that the enhanced OER ascribed to a higher Co2+/Co3+ ratio and quicker charge transfer due to the electronic interaction between Au and ultrathin Co3O4 nanosheets with low-coordinated surface, and Co2+ ions are beneficial for the formation of CoOOH active sites.

Due to its environmental cleanliness and high energy density, hydrogen has been deemed as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Photocatalytic water-splitting using semiconductor materials is a good prospect for hydrogen production in terms of renewable solar energy utilization. In recent years, halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are emerging as a new class of fascinating nanomaterial for light harvesting and photocatalytic applications. This is due to their appealing optoelectronic properties, such as optimal band gaps, high absorption coefficient, high carrier mobility, long carrier diffusion length, etc. In this review, recent progress in halide perovskite NCs for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is summarized. Emphasis is given to the current strategies that enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen production performance of halide perovskite NCs. Some scientific challenges and perspectives for halide perovskite photocatalysts are also proposed and discussed. It is anticipated that this review will provide valuable references for the future development of halide perovskite-based photocatalysts used in highly efficient hydrogen evolution.

Rare-earth-doped bismuth silicate (Bi4Si3O12, BSO) crystal is a multifunctional material for scintillation, LED, and laser applications. In the present study, Er3+ and Yb3+ ions co-doped bismuth silicate crystals were grown by a modified vertical Bridgman method, and their spectral properties were investigated for the first time. Transparent Er/Yb: BSO single crystal up to Φ 25 mm × 30 mm was obtained. The segregation coefficient of the Er/Yb: BSO crystal was measured to be 0.96 for Er3+ ions and 0.91 for Yb3+ ions. Absorption and fluorescence spectra had been recorded in the range of 200–1700 nm. The absorption cross section was calculated to be 6.96 × 10−20 cm2 at 976 nm with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 8 nm, and the emission cross section was 0.9771 × 10−20 cm2 at 1543 nm with FWHM of 16 nm. The fluorescence decay curve was measured at 976 nm excitation. By linear fitting, the fluorescence lifetime of the upper 4I13/2 level of Er3+ was 8.464 ms at room temperature. Compared with Er3+ ion-doped bismuth silicate crystal (Er: BSO), the Er/Yb: BSO crystal has a wider FWHM and larger absorption cross section. The results indicate that the Er/Yb: BSO crystal is a potential lasing crystal.

Functional miRNAs derived from the 5p or 3p arm of some miRNA duplexes have opposite roles in cancer progression. Here, the authors show that oncogenic miR-574-5p has greater preference in aggressive gastric cancer as compared with miR-574-3p and this arm preference is partly dependent on complementary targets mediated miRNA decay.

The 5p and 3p arms of microRNA (miRNA) are typically generated from the same precursor, and one arm influences protein output, while the other has a short half‐life. However, a few miR‐5p/3p pairs have been reported to co‐exist in cancer cells. Here, we performed a genome‐wide analysis of miRNA expression in gastric cancer (GC) cells to systematically investigate the co‐expression profile of miR‐5p/3p in gastric tumorigenesis. We discovered that only 41 miR‐5p/3p pairs out of 1749 analyzed miRNA were co‐expressed. Specifically, abnormal expression of miR‐369‐5p and miR‐369‐3p was correlated with GC progression. Importantly, both in vitro and in vivo assays revealed that miR‐369‐5p and miR‐369‐3p exhibited tumor‐suppressive roles by regulating jun proto‐oncogene and v‐akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 function in GC cells, respectively. Moreover, we observed that miR‐369 was inactivated in GC tissues due to DNA methylation. We also showed that inhibition of miR‐369‐5p/3p attenuated the effect of azacitidine (AZA) treatment on suppressing cell growth and invasion. These results suggest that the therapeutic efficacy of AZA in GC is at least partly attributable to miR‐369 activation. Overall, our findings provide convincing evidence that both the 5p and 3p arms of miRNA co‐expressed in GC and DNA methylation‐induced miR‐369 signaling contribute to GC progression.

Clinically, cancer drug resistance to chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy remains the main impediment towards curative cancer therapy, which leads directly to treatment failure along with extended hospital stays, increased medical costs and high mortality. Therefore, increasing attention has been paid to nanotechnology-based delivery systems for overcoming drug resistance in cancer. In this respect, novel tumor-targeting nanomedicines offer fairly effective therapeutic strategies for surmounting the various limitations of chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, enabling more precise cancer treatment, more convenient monitoring of treatment agents, as well as surmounting cancer drug resistance, including multidrug resistance (MDR). Nanotechnology-based delivery systems, including liposomes, polymer micelles, nanoparticles (NPs), and DNA nanostructures, enable a large number of properly designed therapeutic nanomedicines. In this paper, we review the different mechanisms of cancer drug resistance to chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, and discuss the latest developments in nanomedicines for overcoming cancer drug resistance.

BackgroundHypoxia contributes to a cascade of inflammatory response mechanisms in kidneys that result in the development of renal interstitial fibrosis and subsequent chronic renal failure. Nonetheless, the kidney possesses a self-protection mechanism under a certain degree of hypoxia and this mechanism its adaptation to hypoxia. As the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) axis is a key pathway for neovascularization, the activation of this axis is a target for renal hypoxia therapies.MethodsSprague–Dawley rats were exposed to normobaric hypoxia and subdivided into three groups, namely group A (21% O2), group B (10% O2), and group C (7% O2). Renal tissue samples were processed and analyzed to determine pathological morphological changes, the expression of HIF, VEGF, inflammation factor and vascular density.ResultsWe found that as the duration of hypoxia increased, destructive changes in the kidney tissues became more severe in group C (7% O2). In contrast, the increased duration of hypoxia did not exacerbate kidney damage in group B (10% O2). As the hypoxia was prolonged and the degree of hypoxia increased, the expression of HIF-1α increased gradually. As hypoxia time increased, the expression of VEGF increased gradually, but VEGF expression in group B (10% O2) was the highest. Group C (7% O2) had higher levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha. Additionally, the highest vascular density was observed in group B.ConclusionThese findings suggest that activating the HIF–VEGF signaling pathway to regulate angiogenesis after infliction of hypoxic kidney injury may provide clues for the development of novel CKD treatments.

Human gut virome play critical roles in maintaining gut microbial composition and functionality, as well as host physiology and immunology. Yet, there are insufficient amount of studies on this topic mainly due to methodological limitations, including enrichment of viruses (phages and host viruses) as well as short read-length from current sequencing technology. Here we developed a full working protocol for analyzing human gut virome using physical enrichment, reverse transcription and random amplification, and eventually the state-of-art single-molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) platform of Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT). We demonstrate that sequencing viral DNA directly, or viral cDNA/DNA after amplification using ONT achieves much longer reads and provides more information regarding virome diversity, many of the virome sequences do not have match in current databases. Moreover, direct DNA sequencing of virome provides first insights into the epigenetic modifications on phages, where signals of methylations can be directly detected. Our study demonstrates that progressing sequencing technology and bioinformatic improvements will bring more knowledge into virome composition, diversity and potentially their important functions.

Abstract ZrB2–ZrC–SiC ternary coatings on C/C composites are investigated by reactive melt infiltration of ZrSi2 alloy into pre-coatings. Two different pre-coating structures, including porous B4C–C and dense C/B, are designed by slurry dip and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process respectively. The coating prepared by reactive melt infiltration (RMI) into B4C–C presents a flat and smooth surface with a three-layer cross-sectional structure, namely interior SiC transition layer, gradient ZrB2–ZrC–SiC layer, and ZrB2–ZrC exterior layer. In comparison, the coating prepared by RMI into C/B shows a more granular surface with a different three-layer cross-sectional structure, interior unreacted B–C pre-coating layer, middle SiC layer, and exterior ZrB2–ZrC–ZrSi2 layer. The forming mechanisms of the specific microstructures in two coatings are also investigated and discussed in detail.

This study investigates the effects of a high pressure processing pre-treatment (pre-HPP) on the juice yield of persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) pulp and the pre-HPP plus HPP or thermal processing (TP) on microorganism inactivation and quality changes of the persimmon juice. The “Gongcheng” persimmon was selected with the highest juice yield (48.9%), and the pre-HPP set at 300 MPa/8 min increased the juice yield by 60% through an increasing pectin methylesterase (PME) activity of 25.03% and by maintaining polygalacturonase (PG) activity. For different processing modes, namely, pre-HPP plus HPP at 550 Mpa/5 min and pre-HPP plus TP treatment at 95 °C/5 min, both of the guaranteed microorganisms in the juice were below 2.0 lg CFU/mL; however, the persimmon juice treated by the pre-HPP plus HPP had higher contents of total phenol and ascorbic acid which were 16.07 mg GAE/100 g and 17.92 mg/100 mL, respectively, a lower content of soluble tannin which was 55.64 μg/mL, better clarity which was 18.6% and less color change where the ΔE was only 2.68.

(Dy0.7Y0.25La0.05)2O3 magneto-optical transparent ceramics were successfully fabricated by pressureless sintering in reductive H2 atmosphere (PLSH). The raw powder of (Dy0.7Y0.25La0.05)2O3 was synthesized by a modified self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) and sintered to transparent ceramics at 1400–1600 °C in a flowing H2 atmosphere, showing good sinterability of the as-synthesized raw powder. The magneto-optical Verdet constant of (Dy0.7Y0.25La0.05)2O3 transparent ceramics was measured to be −191.57 rad/(T·m) at a wavelength of 632.8 nm. In this magneto-optical material of (Dy0.7Y0.25La0.05)2O3, relative cheaper Dy and Y were used to replace Tb, and the low cost and good magneto-optical property showed the advantage of application on Faraday isolators (FIs) and Faraday rotators (FRs).

A series of LiNbO3 crystals doped with various MgO concentrations (0, 3%, and 5 mol%) was simultaneously grown in one furnace by the modified vertical Bridgman method. The wet chemistry method was used to prepare the polycrystalline powders, and the growth conditions were optimized. The full width at half maximum of high-resolution X-ray rocking curves for (001) reflection of 5 mol% Mg doped lithium niobate (LN) crystal was about 8″, which meant it possessed high crystalline quality. The OH− absorption spectra shifted to 3534.7 cm−1, and the UV absorption edge violet shift indicated that 5 mol% MgO successfully doped in LN and exceeded the threshold. The extraordinary refractive index gradient of 5 mol% Mg doped LN crystal was as small as 2.5 × 10−5/cm, which exhibited high optical homogeneity.

Samarium-doped La3Nb0.5Ga5.5O14 (Sm:LGN) crystals were grown along a (100)-orientation by the Bridgman method for quasi-parametric chirped pulse amplification (QPCPA) applications. The structure of La1-xSxmGN (x = 0.1, 0.2) crystals was the same as that of La3Nb0.5Ga5.5O14 (LGN) crystals. The effective segregation coefficient of Sm3+ in the La0.9Sm0.1GN crystal was 0.140. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of La1-xSxmGN (x = 0.1,0.2) crystals was lower than 50″, which indicated the high quality of the crystals. The density of the La0.9Sm0.1GN crystal was 5.968 g/cm3 and that of the La0.8Sm0.2GNcrystal was 5.988 g/cm3. The transmittance of the crystals at 532nm and 800nm was all above 73%. The absorption spectra indicated that the crystals had strong absorption peaks at wavelengths of 1544 and 1595 nm. The thermal properties of La1-xSxmGN (x = 0.1, 0.2) crystals were similar to those of the LGN crystals. The laser damage thresholds of La0.9Sm0.1GN and La0.8Sm0.2GN crystals were, respectively, 188.30 and 54.84 TW/cm2 (@800 nm,35 fs).