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Objective Materials and Methods Results Conclusion To assess a newly developed intraoral scan protocol in enhancing the accuracy of complete‐arch implant impressions.Four impression approaches were applied to the same maxillary edentulous model with 6 implants: (1) intraoral scan (IOS), (2) intraoral scan with scan aid (IOS‐SA), (3) calibrated intraoral scan protocol (CISP), and (4) conventional splinted open‐tray impression (CONV). Each approach was repeated 10 times, and a direct scan of the model with a desktop scanner was used as a reference model. The alignment of scans and the reference model was conducted by two methods: (a) aligning all scan bodies to evaluate the overall fit, and (b) aligning the first and second scan bodies to simulate the Sheffield fit test for passive fitting of multiple implant‐supported prostheses. Linear deviations from the reference model (trueness) and within each group (precision) were analyzed using Python scripts.When aligned by all scan bodies, the CISP group exhibited comparable mean trueness (38.33 μm) and precision (45.97 μm) to the CONV group (44.30 and 47.92 μm respectively), both of which significantly outperformed the IOS group (86.82 and 83.17 μm, respectively). Furthermore, in the virtual Sheffield fit test, the CISP group achieved the highest levels of mean trueness at the end span (121.7 μm), making a linear deviation reduction of 36.7%, 60%, and 41.4% when compared to the CONV, the IOS, and the IOS‐SA groups, respectively. Moreover, the CISP group (104.3 μm) displayed a remarkable 65, 182, and 86 μm advantage in precision over the CONV, IOS, and IOS‐SA groups, respectively.CISP demonstrated comparable accuracy to the gold standard, the conventional splinted open‐tray impression. Furthermore, it excelled in the virtual passive fitting test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidences have demonstrated the effectiveness of early essential newborn care. However, the implementation of early essential newborn care is suboptimal. The aim is to identify and synthesise the barriers and facilitators impacting the implementation of early essential newborn care in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, CINAHL, CNKI, Wan Fang Data, SinoMed and Google Scholar. Methods: Two authors independently screened, performed quality assessment using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and extracted data. This review includes papers that reported the barriers and facilitators of implementing early essential newborn care in low‐ and middle‐income countries from the view of healthcare providers. Barriers and facilitators were coded according to the consolidated framework for implementation research in a deductive way and then been inducted into five common themes. This review followed synthesis without meta‐analysis reporting guideline. Results: A total of 28 studies were included. Five inductive common themes influencing implementing early essential newborn care in low‐ and middle‐income countries were system‐level healthcare factors, healthcare providers' knowledge and beliefs, the requirements of mothers or families, adapting to routine practice and the working climate of organisation. Conclusion: The factors were from system level, facility level and individual level and were inducted into five themes. Based on this review, decision‐makers could tailor implementing strategies to narrow the gap between the evidence and implementation. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The study offers guidance for health professionals to identify barriers and facilitators in implementing early essential newborn care and make tailored strategies when implementing early essential newborn care. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Materials and Methods Results Conclusions The objective of this study is (1) to compare the accuracy of an open‐sleeved static computer‐assisted implant system (sCAIS) with a closed‐sleeve sCAIS and free‐hand approach in immediate implant placement (IIP) of maxillary molar sites and (2) to investigate the influence of socket morphology on these approaches.Ninety partially edentulous duplicated maxillary models simulating three different molar sockets (type A, B, and C based on Smith and Tarnow's classification) were investigated. Three modalities, including sCAIS with open‐sleeves, sCAIS with closed‐sleeves, and free‐hand approach, were applied separately to 30 models with 120 sockets. A customized Python script automatically measured the deviations between the virtual and actual implant positions for all 360 implants.The 3D deviations of sCAIS were significantly influenced by the socket and sleeve types. Both guided groups exhibited significantly less deviation than the free‐hand approach. Type A and C sockets resulted in better implant positions than type B socket sites. In type B sockets, the open‐sleeve group achieved significantly less deviation compared to the closed‐sleeve group, with respect to apical global (1.34 ± 0.53 vs. 1.84 ± 0.59 mm), coronal horizontal (0.68 ± 0.36 vs. 0.93 ± 0.34 mm), apical horizontal (1.21 ± 0.59 vs. 1.74 ± 0.63 mm), and angular (3.30 ± 1.41 vs. 4.41 ± 1.96°) deviations.Guided implant surgery significantly reduces deviations during molar IIP compared to free‐hand procedures. Furthermore, the use of open‐sleeve sCAIS appears to be more effective in minimizing deviations in type B sockets when compared with the closed‐sleeve guided system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Character strengths and development is one of the most important and influential areas of positive psychology. Yet most of this research involves – as per the field generally – research in high income countries, with relatively little awareness of its dynamics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, there is a burgeoning research base in such countries, but this has hitherto been neither consolidated nor widely disseminated. To remedy this lacuna, this paper reports on a systematic review of the peer-reviewed journal articles on character development in LMICs, analysing 164 articles selected from 1,507 initial abstracts. Our analysis shows that research into character in LMICs is developing rapidly, noting various significant trends with respect to countries, populations, outcomes, and interventions. We also point where further efforts are needed, showing how research on this important topic can continue to prosper in regions that have been relatively neglected in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Complete arch implant rehabilitation necessitates meticulous treatment planning and high‐level collaboration between surgical and prosthetic dental teams. Emerging virtual technologies hold considerable promise in streamlining this process. The aim of this article is to extend recommendations to clinicians venturing into the virtual patient‐assisted esthetic implant rehabilitation workflow. Overview: This article summarizes recommendations for virtual patient‐assisted esthetic implant rehabilitation in the following five aspects: three‐dimensional data handling and superimposition, occlusion and virtual articulator integration in creating virtual patients, streamlined face‐ and prosthetic‐driven surgical planning, reuse of presurgical data ("Copy & Paste"), and final impression for passive fitting of final restoration. To illustrate these principles, a case with complete‐mouth implant rehabilitation completed within six visits using this virtual patient workflow is presented. Conclusion: The virtual patient workflow serves as an invaluable tool to perform treatment planning, enhance efficiency, and ensure predictable outcomes in esthetic complete arch implant rehabilitation. Clinical Significance: Virtual workflows are increasingly prevalent in esthetic implant rehabilitation. Nevertheless, these workflows necessitate a distinct set of knowledge and tools divergent from conventional dentistry practices. This article offers guidelines and recommendations for dental clinicians who are new to this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the accuracy of full-arch digital implant impressions using seven different scanbodies and four intraoral scanners. A 3D-printed maxillary model with six implants and their respective multi-unit abutments was used for this study. Seven scanbodies (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4, SB5, SB6, and SB7) and four intraoral scanners (Primescan®, Omnican®, Trios 3®, and Trios 4®) were assessed. Each combination group was scanned ten times and a dental lab scanner (D2000, 3Shape) was used as a reference. All scans were exported as STL files, imported into Convince software (3Shape) for alignment, and later into Blender software, where their 3D positions were analyzed using a Python script. The 3D deviation, angular deviation, and linear distance between implants #3 and #14 were also measured. Accuracy was measured in terms of "trueness" (scanbody 3D deviation between intraoral scan and desktop scan). Kruskal-Wallis followed by the Bonferroni correction was used to analyze the data (⍺ =.05). The study found statistically significant differences in digital impression accuracy among the scanners and scanbodies (p<0.001). When comparing different intraoral scanners, the Primescan system showed the smallest 3D deviation (median 110.59 μm) and differed statistically from the others, while Trios 4 (median 122.35 μm) and Trios 3 (median 130.62 μm) did not differ from each other (p =.284). No differences were found in the linear distance between implants #3 and #14 between Trios 4, Primescan, and Trios 3 systems. When comparing different scanbodies, the lowest median values for 3D deviation were obtained by SB2 (72.27μm) and SB7 (93.31μm), and they did not differ from each other (p =.116). The implant scanbody and intraoral scanner influenced the accuracy of digital impressions on completely edentulous arches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the burden of visual impairment caused by onchocerciasis infection in Central Africa from 1990 to 2019. Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is a disease transmitted by black flies and caused by infection from a roundworm. The study used data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 dataset to map the prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of visual impairment attributable to onchocerciasis in the African region. The results showed a decrease in the prevalence and YLDs of onchocerciasis-related visual impairment over the past three decades, with the highest burden observed in the Western Sub-Saharan Africa region. The study highlights the importance of continued efforts to improve treatment coverage and raise public awareness to further reduce the burden of onchocerciasis-related visual impairment. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Autosexing based on sex-linked phenotypes of late feathering (LF) and early feathering (EF) was widely used in poultry production. Previous studies found that tandem duplication on the Z chromosome is responsible for LF. In this study, based on tandem duplication, we developed a multiplex PCR test for genotyping through reaction optimization. The genotyping result for feathering rate with the multiplex PCR test was consistent with the sex and phenotype records, and the result of homozygote and heterozygote tests of LF males were verified by test cross and tallied with offspring's phenotypes. The multiplex PCR test is stable and accurate for feathering rate genotyping, applicable to all LF chickens associated with tandem duplication, and has great significance for poultry breeding. Sex-linked phenotypes of late feathering (LF) and early feathering (EF) are controlled by a pair of alleles K and k+. Autosexing based on the feathering rate is widely used in poultry production. It is reported that a tandem duplication of 176,324 base pairs linked to the K locus is responsible for LF expression and could be used as a molecular marker to detect LF chicken. So far, there is no genotyping method that can accurately and stably identify the LF homozygote and heterozygote in all chicken breeds. In the present study, a multiplex PCR test was developed to identify EF, LF homozygote, and heterozygote according to electrophoretic bands and the relative height of the peaks by Sanger sequencing. We tested 413 chickens of six native Chinese breeds with this method. The identification was consistent with the sex and phenotype records of the chickens. Band density analysis was performed, and the results supported our genotyping using the new assay. In order to further verify the accuracy of this test in distinguishing homozygote and heterozygote males, 152 LF males were mated with EF females, and the results of the offspring's phenotypes were consistent with our expectations. Our results support tandem duplication as molecular markers of LF, and this new test is applicable to all LF chickens associated with tandem duplication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been causing a worldwide pandemic since 2019. Many vaccines have been manufactured and have shown promising results in reducing disease morbidity and mortality. However, a variety of vaccine-related adverse effects, including hematological events, have been reported, such as thromboembolic events, thrombocytopenia, and bleeding. Moreover, a new syndrome, vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia, following vaccination against COVID-19 has been recognized. These hematologic side effects have also raised concerns about SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with preexisting hematologic conditions. Patients with hematological tumors are at a higher risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the efficacy and safety of vaccination in this group remain uncertain and have raised attention. In this review, we discuss the hematological events following COVID-19 vaccination and vaccination in patients with hematological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar-driven steam generation for desalination is a facile, sustainable, and energy-saving approach to produce clean freshwater. However, the complicated fabrication process, high cost, potential environmental impact, and salt crystallization of conventional evaporators limit their large-scale application. Herein, we present a sustainable Janus evaporator based on a biopolymer sponge from the water hyacinth petiole (WHP) for high-performance solar steam generation. The freeze-dried WHP maintained its original porous structure and aligned channels well, and therefore holds the capability for rapid water transport due to strong capillary action. The WHP coated with carbon nanotubes/ethyl cellulose paste on its surface (WHP-C) gains a good photothermal property, thus achieving an efficient solar steam generation with a rate of 1.50 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun irradiation. Moreover, the WHP-C after hydrophobic modification by fluorocarbon (WHP-CH) is endowed with high water repellency and exhibits good salt resistance during long-term solar desalination. Additionally, we demonstrate that a stable wet surface that enables efficient water supply and vapor escape is also significant to the successive desalination of a solar evaporator. Our work provides new insights into the high-value utilization of biomass waste, i.e., water hyacinth, and the development of sustainable interfacial solar evaporators for the environmentally friendly production of freshwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of guide level on the accuracy of static computer-aided implant surgery (sCAIS) at post-extraction sockets and healed sites. Materials and methods: A total of 30 duplicate dental models, with 300 potential implant sites, were used. All the models were equally randomized into three groups: fully guided (FG, n = 100), partially guided (PG, n = 100), and free handed (FH, n = 100) surgeries. After implant placement, the mean global, horizontal, depth, and angular deviations between the virtually planned and actual implant positions were measured automatically by a Python script within software Blender. Results: Both FG and PG surgeries showed significantly higher accuracy than FH surgery at post-extraction sockets and healed sites. In both sCAIS groups, there were nearly 50% more deviations from implants placed at sockets than those from delayed placement. For the immediate implant placement, the accuracy of sCAIS was significantly affected by the level of guidance. The FG group exhibited lower deviations than the PG group, with a significant difference in coronal global and horizontal deviations (p <.05). For the healed sites, two guided groups exhibited similar outcomes (p >.05). Conclusions: sCAISs provide more accuracy than the free-handed approach in position transferring from planning to a model simulation. Full guidance can significantly increase the accuracy, especially at post-extraction sites. Clinical relevance: Guided protocols showed significantly higher accuracy than free-handed surgery regardless of implantation timing, but both had nearly 50% more deviations in immediate implant placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The significant global burden of endometrial cancer (EC) and the challenges associated with predicting EC recurrence indicate the need for a dynamic prediction model. This study aimed to propose nomograms based on clinicopathological variables to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after surgical resection for EC.This single-institution retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent surgical resection for EC. Web-based nomograms were developed to predict RFS and OS following resection for EC, and their discriminative and calibration abilities were assessed.This study included 289 patients (median age, 56 years). At a median follow-up of 51.1 (range, 4.1–128.3) months, 13.5% (39/289) of patients showed relapse or died, and 10.7% (31/289) had non-endometrioid tumors (median size: 2.8 cm). Positive peritoneal cytology result (hazard ratio [HR], 35.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1095.64; P = 0.0428), age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (AACCI) (HR, 52.08; 95% CI, 12.35–219.61; P < 0.001), and FIGO (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV (HR, 138.33; 95% CI, 17.38–1101.05; P < 0.001) were predictors of RFS. Similarly, depth of myometrial invasion ≥ 1/2 (HR, 1; 95% CI, 0.46–2.19; P = 0.995), AACCI (HR, 93.63; 95% CI, 14.87–589.44; P < 0.001), and FIGO stage IV (HR, 608.26; 95% CI, 73.41–5039.66; P < 0.001) were predictors of OS. The nomograms showed good predictive capability, positive discriminative ability, and calibration (RFS: 0.895 and OS: 0.891).The nomograms performed well in internal validation when patients were stratified into prognostic groups, offering a personalized approach for risk stratification and treatment decision-making.Methods: The significant global burden of endometrial cancer (EC) and the challenges associated with predicting EC recurrence indicate the need for a dynamic prediction model. This study aimed to propose nomograms based on clinicopathological variables to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after surgical resection for EC.This single-institution retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent surgical resection for EC. Web-based nomograms were developed to predict RFS and OS following resection for EC, and their discriminative and calibration abilities were assessed.This study included 289 patients (median age, 56 years). At a median follow-up of 51.1 (range, 4.1–128.3) months, 13.5% (39/289) of patients showed relapse or died, and 10.7% (31/289) had non-endometrioid tumors (median size: 2.8 cm). Positive peritoneal cytology result (hazard ratio [HR], 35.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1095.64; P = 0.0428), age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (AACCI) (HR, 52.08; 95% CI, 12.35–219.61; P < 0.001), and FIGO (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV (HR, 138.33; 95% CI, 17.38–1101.05; P < 0.001) were predictors of RFS. Similarly, depth of myometrial invasion ≥ 1/2 (HR, 1; 95% CI, 0.46–2.19; P = 0.995), AACCI (HR, 93.63; 95% CI, 14.87–589.44; P < 0.001), and FIGO stage IV (HR, 608.26; 95% CI, 73.41–5039.66; P < 0.001) were predictors of OS. The nomograms showed good predictive capability, positive discriminative ability, and calibration (RFS: 0.895 and OS: 0.891).The nomograms performed well in internal validation when patients were stratified into prognostic groups, offering a personalized approach for risk stratification and treatment decision-making.Results: The significant global burden of endometrial cancer (EC) and the challenges associated with predicting EC recurrence indicate the need for a dynamic prediction model. This study aimed to propose nomograms based on clinicopathological variables to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after surgical resection for EC.This single-institution retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent surgical resection for EC. Web-based nomograms were developed to predict RFS and OS following resection for EC, and their discriminative and calibration abilities were assessed.This study included 289 patients (median age, 56 years). At a median follow-up of 51.1 (range, 4.1–128.3) months, 13.5% (39/289) of patients showed relapse or died, and 10.7% (31/289) had non-endometrioid tumors (median size: 2.8 cm). Positive peritoneal cytology result (hazard ratio [HR], 35.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1095.64; P = 0.0428), age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (AACCI) (HR, 52.08; 95% CI, 12.35–219.61; P < 0.001), and FIGO (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV (HR, 138.33; 95% CI, 17.38–1101.05; P < 0.001) were predictors of RFS. Similarly, depth of myometrial invasion ≥ 1/2 (HR, 1; 95% CI, 0.46–2.19; P = 0.995), AACCI (HR, 93.63; 95% CI, 14.87–589.44; P < 0.001), and FIGO stage IV (HR, 608.26; 95% CI, 73.41–5039.66; P < 0.001) were predictors of OS. The nomograms showed good predictive capability, positive discriminative ability, and calibration (RFS: 0.895 and OS: 0.891).The nomograms performed well in internal validation when patients were stratified into prognostic groups, offering a personalized approach for risk stratification and treatment decision-making.Conclusion: The significant global burden of endometrial cancer (EC) and the challenges associated with predicting EC recurrence indicate the need for a dynamic prediction model. This study aimed to propose nomograms based on clinicopathological variables to predict recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after surgical resection for EC.This single-institution retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent surgical resection for EC. Web-based nomograms were developed to predict RFS and OS following resection for EC, and their discriminative and calibration abilities were assessed.This study included 289 patients (median age, 56 years). At a median follow-up of 51.1 (range, 4.1–128.3) months, 13.5% (39/289) of patients showed relapse or died, and 10.7% (31/289) had non-endometrioid tumors (median size: 2.8 cm). Positive peritoneal cytology result (hazard ratio [HR], 35.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–1095.64; P = 0.0428), age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (AACCI) (HR, 52.08; 95% CI, 12.35–219.61; P < 0.001), and FIGO (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV (HR, 138.33; 95% CI, 17.38–1101.05; P < 0.001) were predictors of RFS. Similarly, depth of myometrial invasion ≥ 1/2 (HR, 1; 95% CI, 0.46–2.19; P = 0.995), AACCI (HR, 93.63; 95% CI, 14.87–589.44; P < 0.001), and FIGO stage IV (HR, 608.26; 95% CI, 73.41–5039.66; P < 0.001) were predictors of OS. The nomograms showed good predictive capability, positive discriminative ability, and calibration (RFS: 0.895 and OS: 0.891).The nomograms performed well in internal validation when patients were stratified into prognostic groups, offering a personalized approach for risk stratification and treatment decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the effect of nanowire curviness on the percolation resistivity of transparent, conductive metal nanowire networks by Monte Carlo simulations. We generate curvy nanowires as one-dimensional sticks using 3rd-order Bézier curves. The degree of curviness in the network is quantified by the concept of curviness angle and curl ratio. We systematically study the interaction between the effect of curviness and five other nanowire/device parameters on the network resistivity, namely nanowire density, nanowire length, device length, device width, and nanowire alignment. We find that the resistivity exhibits a power law dependence on the curl ratio, which is a signature of percolation transport. In each case, we extract the power-law scaling critical exponents and explain the results using geometrical and physical arguments. The value of the curl ratio critical exponent is not universal, but increases as the other nanowire/device parameters drive the network toward the percolation threshold. We find that, for randomly oriented networks, curviness is undesirable since it increases the resistivity. For well-aligned networks, on the other hand, some curviness is highly desirable, since the resistivity minimum occurs for partially curvy nanowires. We explain these results by considering the two competing effects of curviness on the percolation resistivity. The results presented in this work can be extended to any network, film, or nanocomposite consisting of one-dimensional nanoelements. Our results show that Monte Carlo simulations are an essential predictive tool for both studying the percolation transport and optimizing the electronic properties of transparent, conductive nanowire networks for a wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A buccal opening guide provides better view and better irrigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of this open‐sleeve system. Material and Methods: Thirty duplicated maxillary models, each with six extraction sockets and four healed sites, were used. Based on the same digital plan, three modalities, sCAIS with open‐sleeves, closed‐sleeves, and free‐hand approach, were used to place implants. The global, horizontal, depth, and angular deviations between the virtual and actual implant positions were measured. Results: Both sCAIS groups exhibited better accuracy than the free‐hand group in two clinical scenarios. At healed sites, the closed‐sleeve group showed a significantly fewer error than the open‐sleeve group in global apical (0.68 ± 0.33 vs. 0.96 ± 0.49 mm), horizontal coronal (0.28 ± 0.15 vs. 0.44 ± 0.25 mm), horizontal apical (0.64 ± 0.32 vs. 0.94 ± 0.48 mm), and angular deviations (1.83 ± 0.95 vs. 2.86 ± 1.46°). For extraction sockets, the open‐sleeve group exhibited fewer deviations than the closed‐sleeve group in terms of global (coronal: 0.77 ± 0.29 vs. 0.91 ± 0.22 mm; apical: 1.08 ± 0.49 vs. 1.37 ± 0.52 mm) and horizontal (coronal: 0.60 ± 0.24 vs. 0.86 ± 0.20 mm; apical: 0.95 ± 0.50 vs. 1.32 ± 0.51 mm) deviations. However, the closed‐sleeve group was more accurate in the depth control (0.26 ± 0.20 vs. 0.40 ± 0.31 mm). Conclusion: In this in vitro investigation, open‐sleeve sCAIS proved better accuracy than free‐hand surgery for both delayed and immediate implant placement. Compared with a closed‐sleeve sCAIS system, open sleeve have the potential of providing better outcomes in extraction sockets but not in healed sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of deep learning in time-series prediction has developed gradually. In this paper, we propose a deep generative network model for feature extraction of multivariate time series, namely, mutual information variational autoencoders (MI-VAE). In the architecture of the proposed model, we use the latent space of VAE for feature learning, which can extract the essential features of multivariate time-series data effectively. The latent space employed directly as a feature extractor can avoid poor interpretability of model. In addition, we introduce a mutual information term into the loss function, which improves the expression capability and accuracy of model. The proposed model, combining the merits of VAE and mutual information, extracts features for multivariate time-series data from a new perspective. The Lorenz system and Beijing air quality time series are used to test performance of the proposed model and comparative models. Results show that the proposed model is superior to other similar models in terms of accuracy and expression capability of latent space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual fluorescence image, transport pathway, and blood–brain barrier penetration of B-Met-W/O/W SE. [Display omitted] • Rhodamine B and coumarin-6 were selected as water-soluble and oil-soluble fluorescent probes to intuitively track the loaded or released drugs in B-Met-W/O/W SE. • B-Met-W/O/W SE were well taken up by BMECs through clathrin-mediated endocytosis and fossa protein-mediated endocytosis. Meanwhile, B-Met-W/O/W SE effectively inhibited the cellular efflux, downregulated the expression of Occludin, ZO-1, and P-gp, and regulated cellular uptake and promoted BBB permeability through cGMP/PKG and TGF-β signaling pathways. Borneol is an aromatic traditional Chinese medicine that can improve the permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), enter the brain, and promote the brain tissue distribution of many other drugs. In our previous study, borneol-metformin hydrochloride water/oil/water composite submicron emulsion (B-Met-W/O/W SE) was prepared using borneol and SE to promote BBB penetration, which significantly increased the brain distribution of Met. However, the dynamic images, transport pathway (uptake and efflux), promotion of BBB permeability, and mechanisms of B-Met-W/O/W SE before and after entering cells have not been clarified. In this study, rhodamine B and coumarin-6 were selected as water-soluble and oil-soluble fluorescent probes to prepare B-Met-W/O/W dual-fluorescent SE (B-Met-W/O/W DFSE) with concentric circle imaging. B-Met-W/O/W SE can be well taken up by brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). The addition of three inhibitors (chlorpromazine hydrochloride, methyl-β-cyclodextrin, and amiloride hydrochloride) indicated that its main pathway may be clathrin-mediated and fossa protein-mediated endocytosis. Meanwhile, B-Met-W/O/W SE was obviously shown to inhibit the efflux of BMECs. Next, BMECs were cultured in the Transwell chamber to establish a BBB model, and Western blot was employed to detect the protein expressions of Occludin, Zona Occludens 1 (ZO-1), and p-glycoprotein (P-gp) after B-Met-W/O/W SE treatment. The results showed that B-Met-W/O/W SE significantly down-regulated the expression of Occludin, ZO-1, and P-gp, which increased the permeability of BBB, promoted drug entry into the brain through BBB, and inhibited BBB efflux. Furthermore, 11 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 7 related signaling pathways in BMECs treated with B-W/O/W SE were detected by transcriptome sequencing and verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). These results provide a scientific experimental basis for the dynamic monitoring, transmembrane transport mode, and permeation-promoting mechanism of B-Met-W/O/W SE as a new brain-targeting drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beijing You Chicken, a valuable local chicken breed from Beijing, China, was once listed as an endangered breed. From the point of view of conservation, the preservation of this breed is an important task for the local researchers. Semen cryopreservation is a popular method to maintain valuable species. However, during cryopreservation, semen is susceptible to oxidative damage. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger, so it has been selected to improve the efficiency of sperm cryopreservation. In this study, the chicken semen was treated with different concentrations of melatonin in the cryopreservation solution. The results showed that melatonin at concentrations of 10−3 M and 10−5 M significantly improved sperm progressive motility and total motility, respectively, compared to the control (P < 0.05). Melatonin at 10−3 M also significantly improved the plasma membrane and acrosome integrity of spermatozoa compared to the control. The mechanisms are that melatonin significantly reduces the level of ROS and preserves sperm mitochondrial membrane potential. Most importantly, the melatonin-treated cryopreserved chicken sperm after artificial insemination significantly increased the hatching rate of chicks compared to the control (p < 0.05). The results show that melatonin has a positive effect on the quality of the cryopreserved spermatozoa. These results provide the theoretical and practical basis for using melatonin to improve Beijing You Chicken conservation, and they may also be applicable to poultry as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In functional materials, the local environment around active species that may contain just a few nearest‐neighboring atomic shells often changes in response to external conditions. Strong disorder in the local environment poses a challenge to commonly used extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. Furthermore, the dilute concentrations of absorbing atoms, small sample size and the constraints of the experimental setup often limit the utility of EXAFS for structural analysis. X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) has been established as a good alternative method to provide local electronic and geometric information of materials. The pre‐edge region in the XANES spectra of metal compounds is a useful but relatively under‐utilized resource of information of the chemical composition and structural disorder in nano‐materials. This study explores two examples of materials in which the transition metal environment is either relatively symmetric or strongly asymmetric. In the former case, EXAFS results agree with those obtained from the pre‐edge XANES analysis, whereas in the latter case they are in a seeming contradiction. The two observations are reconciled by revisiting the limitations of EXAFS in the case of a strong, asymmetric bond length disorder, expected for mixed‐valence oxides, and emphasize the utility of the pre‐edge XANES analysis for detecting local heterogeneities in structural and compositional motifs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double epoxy group double quaternary ammonium salts (DEpDQAS) were synthesized by epichlorohydrin (ECH) reacting with N,N,N'N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) and N,N,N'N'-tetramethyl-1,6-hexanediamine (TMHDA), respectively. The results of orthogonal experiments showed that temperature and time were the key factors influencing on epoxy value and quaternarization ratio respectively. The optimal condition for higher epoxy value was the reaction temperature at 15 °C and methanol as solvent. The reaction kinetic process was determined by conductivity, which showed that the reaction had a short induction period and appeared discontinuity in progress that the reaction rate of the first stage was almost constant, while the reaction rate of the second stage decreased gradually. The product was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The results of surface tension testing showed that DEpDQAS-6 with longer spacer chain had better surface activity and lowered the solution surface tension to 26 mN·m−1 at 25 °C and CMC 0.27 mol·L−1. The thermodynamic parameters of micellization were obtained basing on charged pseudo-phase model. The studies of cytotoxicity in vitro and antibacterial activity showed that DEpDQAS was biocompatible and its antibacterial activity was more effective against Escherichia coli than against Staphylococcus aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dictionary notes play an important role in description of a title unit. A note is an abbreviated word or phrase which gives a certain characteristic to the language unit. Traditionally, different types of notes are distinguished: grammatical, stylistic, sectoral, chronological, etc. The object of this research is a lexicographic note which can be justified if it demarks the usage sphere and language peculiarities of the title unit. The material for the research is bilingual (Russian-Tatar and Russian-Chinese) dictionaries of various types of the end of the 20th - beginning of the 21st centuries. The paper presents the results of comparative analysis of the notes system in bilingual dictionaries. The study revealed the following: 1) when lexical units are supplied with notes, the authors and compilers of bilingual dictionaries, as a rule, use the data from thesauri of the entry language, though not always consistently; 2) stylistic notes (разг., груб., бранн., сниж., пренебр., презр., etc.) do not have distinct boundaries, thus, a user may have difficulties seeing the difference between the properties; 3) the problem of singularia tantum and pluralia tantum words should be specially highlighted, namely, if one meaning of a word is singularia tantum and another is pluralia tantum; 4) a certain group of notes is rare in the analyzed dictionaries, for example, statistical notes, the notes pointing out the dialectical character of the described unites, etc. Terminological notes should be used only for describing polysemantic words to distinguish between their meanings and homonyms; 5) when using lexicographic notes, one of the linguography principles is often violated - to describe similar things in a similar way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several reports regarding COVID-19 among MM patients have been published at the time of writing [[6]], we still could not reach an agreement on risk co-variates and prognosis of COVID-19 in MM population. Since December 2019, when coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan and then spread worldwide, there have been several studies on SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients [[1]]. Real-world assessment of the clinical impact of symptomatic infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (COVID-19 disease) in patients with multiple myeloma receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy. Hospital exposure to COVID-19 should be avoided and tailored chemotherapy regimens should be planned for MM patients during COVID-19 epidemic. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: This article describes a digital dental esthetic ceramic veneer treatment workflow using a stereolithographic template for teeth preparation. Clinical Considerations: We have presented the case of a 33‐year‐old woman with dental fluorosis who wanted an esthetic ceramic veneer treatment. A digital smile design was created on a virtual patient, and a virtual diagnostic wax‐up was made. Based on the suggested ceramic material thickness, virtual teeth preparation was performed on the diagnostic wax‐up. A special‐teeth preparation template was then created digitally and fabricated using a stereolithographic technique. This template guided the teeth preparation using a special bur with a stopper. The veneers were fabricated by CAD/CAM and delivered good esthetics and function. Conclusions: The stereolithographic tooth reduction template helps realize digital restorative planning. It provides better control of the reduction depth of the labial and incisal preparation, making the operation simpler. Clinical significance: The digital dental esthetic ceramic veneer treatment workflow described here using a stereolithographic template for teeth preparation helped with the accurate control of reduction depth for minimally invasive teeth preparation, making the operation simpler, which is a significant improvement over the previous methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of open‐flap or flapless approaches on the accuracy of implant placement partially guided by tooth‐supported surgical templates. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 edentulous sites were selected from seven human cadaver heads. Following the preoperative implant planning using Blue Sky Plan, surgical guides were fabricated by an in‐office desktop 3D printer. All the sites were randomly divided into two groups: flapless approach (n = 18), and open‐flap approach (n = 18). After guided osteotomy preparation with subsequent freehand implant placement, digital intraoral scanning was performed to obtain post‐operative implant positions. Based on the image registration, the deviations between the planned and actual implant position were measured and compared. Results: Statistically significant variance differences between the two approaches were found in the global coronal (open‐flap: 0.86 ± 0.23 mm; flapless: 1.3 ± 0.62 mm; P <.001), global apical (open‐flap: 1.38 ± 0.37 mm; flapless: 1.9 ± 0.78 mm; P =.002), and depth (open‐flap: 0.59 ± 0.34 mm; flapless 0.89 ± 0.78 mm; P <.001) deviations. The differences were not significant regarding lateral (coronal and apical) and angular deviations. Conclusions: In semi‐guided implant surgery, the open‐flap and flapless approaches demonstrate similar lateral and angular deviations. The open‐flap group shows better depth control when manually inserting the implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: The role of cigarette smoking in the development of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains poorly understood. We assessed the potential contributions of cigarette smoking to liver fibrosis and its regression after starting antiviral therapy in CHB patients. Methods: In this cohort study, 2144 consecutive male CHB patients under no antiviral therapy were evaluated and 206 patients with significant liver fibrosis (≥F2) initiating antiviral therapy had longitudinal follow‐up. Liver fibrosis was measured by liver stiffness measurement using transient elastography. To adjust for imbalances between smoking history and never smoking groups, propensity score (PS) matching model with 1:1 ratios were performed. Cigarette smoking history and intensity (pack‐years) were collected and documented using a standardized questionnaire. Results: Before PS matching, 432/2144 patients had advanced fibrosis in prevalence cohort. Patients with smoking history (n = 1002) had a greater prevalence of advanced fibrosis than those without (n = 1142) (24.4% vs 16.5%, P = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that smoking contributed to advanced fibrosis (OR, 1.458; 95% CI, 1.114‐1.908). In longitudinal cohort, multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated retarded fibrosis regression in patients with history of smoking ≥10 pack‐years (OR, 0.288; 95% CI, 0.1‐0.825). After PS matching, patients with smoking history had higher prevalence of advanced fibrosis (22.8% vs 18%, P = 0.024) than those non‐smokers. In post‐PS‐matching logistic regression, the effect of smoking on advanced fibrosis persisted (OR, 1.415; 95% CI, 1.047‐1.912; P = 0.024). Conclusions: Cigarette smoking in male CHB patients aggravated liver fibrosis prior to and delayed fibrosis regression under antiviral therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guppies are small tropical fish with brightly colored bodies and variable tail shapes. There are two phenotypes of domestic guppy eye color: red and black. The wild type is black-eyed. The main object of this study was to identify candidate genes for the red-eyed phenotype in domestic guppies. We hope to provide molecular genetic information for the development of new domestic guppy strains. Additionally, the results also contribute to basic research concerning guppies. In this study, 121 domestic guppies were used for genomic analysis (GWAS), and 44 genes were identified. Furthermore, 21 domestic guppies were used for transcriptomic analysis, and 874 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 357 upregulated and 517 downregulated genes. Through GO and KEGG enrichment, we identified some important terms or pathways mainly related to melanin biosynthesis and ion transport. qRT-PCR was also performed to verify the differential expression levels of four important candidate genes (TYR, OCA2, SLC45A2, and SLC24A5) between red-eyed and black-eyed guppies. Based on the results of genomic and transcriptomic analyses, we propose that OCA2 is the most important candidate gene for the red-eyed phenotype in guppies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of green tea powder (GTP) on laying performance, egg quality, and blood biochemical parameters of laying hens. A total of 240 Jingfen No. 6 laying hens (age, 24 wk) were randomly allocated into 4 groups: control group (CON , basal diet), GTP0.5, GTP0.75, and GTP1.0 (basal diet included 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0% GTP, respectively). Each group has 5 replicates with 12 birds each. The feeding trial lasted 8 wk. The results showed that the hen-day egg production rate in GTP0.5 and GTP 0.75 group was higher than that of GTP1.0 group (P < 0.05), hen-day egg production rate in the GTP1.0 group was lower compared to the CON group (P > 0.05), the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the GTP0.75 group was lower than that in CON and GTP 1.0 group (P < 0.05) during the entire experimental period. Albumen height and Haugh unit were higher in the GTP0.75 and GTP1.0 group compared to the CON group at d 56 (P < 0.05). At the end of experiment, plasma TG content in the GTP0.75 and GTP1.0 group was lower than that in the CON group (P < 0.05), the T-CH concentration in the GTP0.5 and GTP0.75 group was lower compared to the CON group (P < 0.05), plasma LDL-C and CORT concentrations were decreased by dietary GTP supplementation (P < 0.05), the HDL-C and BUN concentrations in the GTP0.75 and GTP1.0 group were higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). The antibody titers of H5N1 in the GTP0.75 and GTP1.0 group, and H7N9 in the GTP1.0 group were lower than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary GTP inclusion could affect laying performance, regulate lipid metabolism, and have no favorable influence on antibody titers of H5N1 and H7N9, herein, dietary 0.5% GTP inclusion is suggested for Jingfen No. 6 laying hens during the peak laying period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PSiQAEp-GH polymers were synthesized by the reaction of gelatin hydrolysate (GH) and polysiloxane quaternary ammonium salts containing epoxy group (PSiQAEp) with different molecular weight from 3147 to 12996. The results of FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR showed that the reaction occurred between primary amino group of arginine in GH and epoxy of PSiQAEp. The XRD and DSC studies showed that the degree of short-range order of PSiQAEp-GH reduced and its glass transition temperature (Tg) lowered more than 10 °C compared with GH. The determinations of moisture absorption and contact angle (CA) indicated that the hydrophobility of PSiQAEp-GH was better than GH. The tests of inhibitory zone and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) illustrated that the PSiQAEp-GHs exhibited excellent antibacterial activity, and the antibacterial activity depended on both the chemical structure of PSiQAEp-GHs and the biological structure of the bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the accuracy of computer‐guided surgery and freehand surgery on flapless immediate implant placement (IIP) in the anterior maxilla. Material and Methods: In this split‐mouth design, 24 maxillary incisors in eight human cadaver heads were randomly divided into two groups: computer‐guided surgery (n = 12) and freehand surgery (n = 12). Preoperatively, cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were acquired, and all implants were planned with a software (Blue Sky Plan3). Then, two types of surgeries were performed. To assess any differences in position, the postoperative CBCT was subsequently matched with the preoperative planning. For all the implants, the angular, global, depth, bucco‐lingual, and mesio‐distal deviations between the virtual and actual implant positions were measured. Results: A significant lower mean angular deviation (3.11 ± 1.55°, range: 0.66–4.95, p = 0.002) and the global deviation at both coronal (0.85 ± 0.38 mm, range: 0.42–1.51, p = 0.004) and apical levels (0.93 ± 0.34 mm, range: 0.64–1.72, p < 0.001) were observed in the guided group when compared to the freehand group (6.78 ± 3.31°, range: 3.08–14.98; 1.43 ± 0.49 mm, range: 0.65–2.31, and 2.2 ± 0.79 mm, range: 1.01–4.02). However, the accuracy of these two approaches was similar for the depth (p = 0.366). In the buccal direction, the mean deviations of both groups showed a general tendency of implants to be positioned facially, occurring more in implants of the freehand group. Conclusion: In flapless IIP, computer‐guided surgery showed superior accuracy than freehand surgery in transferring the implant position from the planning. However, even with the help of a guide, the final fixture position tends to shift toward a facial direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction mechanisms of several amino acids (Asn, Gln, Arg, His, and Lys) in the collagen with aldehyde were studied using density functional theory method. Based on the geometry optimization, results expounded the singlet and doublet reaction mechanisms, respectively, and discussed the structural properties of intermediates, transition states, and products that appeared along the corresponding potential energy surfaces. The reaction along the doublet potential energy surface is more thermodynamically favorable than that along the singlet one. However, the reactions obeying the doublet route only produce the carbinolamine type of compounds, rather than the Schiff bases. It is because that the doublet mechanism involves only the hydrogen abstraction or hydrogen exchange process, without the dehydration process. The Schiff base types of compounds are most likely to be obtained from the singlet reactions of Asn, Gln, Arg, and Lys with aldehyde. In order to assist the experiment in identification of product structures and reaction mechanism correctly, the vibrational modes of each product with distinctive features were analyzed and compared in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to promote the coordinated development of agglomeration economy and environmental performance, this paper combines artificial intelligence technology to conduct research on the coordinated development of agglomeration economy and environmental performance, and presents an easy-to-implement controller design. For discrete linear multi-agent systems under asynchronous packet loss, all communication edges are independent and random. In this paper, from the perspective of the overall change of communication topology, a switching model based on Markov packet loss channel is constructed and the sufficient conditions for the system to achieve almost certain consistency are given. In addition, this paper constructs an analysis model for the coordinated development of agglomeration economy and environmental performance based on artificial intelligence. The simulation study verifies that the model proposed in this paper has certain effects. • This paper combines artificial intelligence technology to conduct research. • For discrete linear multi-agent systems under asynchronous packet loss. • Markov packet loss channel is constructed and the sufficient conditions for the system. • The simulation study verifies that the model proposed in this paper has certain effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, learning equivariant representations has attracted considerable research attention. Dieleman et al. introduce four operations which can be inserted into convolutional neural network to learn deep representations equivariant to rotation. However, feature maps should be copied and rotated four times in each layer in their approach, which causes much running time and memory overhead. In order to address this problem, we propose Deep Rotation Equivariant Network consisting of cycle layers, isotonic layers and decycle layers. Our proposed layers apply rotation transformation on filters rather than feature maps, achieving a speed up of more than 2 times with even less memory overhead. We evaluate DRENs on Rotated MNIST and CIFAR-10 datasets and demonstrate that it can improve the performance of state-of-the-art architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composite of hexadecanol-stearic acid/bamboo charcoal (HD-SA/BC) was prepared by physisorption method using the eutectic mixture of hexadecanol and stearic acid as phase change component and bamboo charcoal as matrix. The structure, morphology, and thermal properties of HD-SA/BC were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the test of melting and solidification process. The results show BC interacts with HD-SA by capillary force and surface tension, and the HD-SA is effectively absorbed into the hole of BC. Furthermore, the phase change temperature and enthalpy of HD-SA/BC are 45.29°C and 68.85 J g-1, respectively, and the thermal conductivity of the composite is improved by using BC as matrix material. The thermal cycle test of shape-stabilized HD-SA/BC indicates that the composite still has good heat storage capability after 50 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the effect of tube sizes and filling process on dielectric properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), CNTs with various diameters and lengths were applied to synthesize Fe-filled CNTs through wet-chemical method. The permittivities of the composites of CNTs and paraffin rely on the dispersion state (agglomeration) of CNTs in polymer matrices. During the filling process, CNTs with diverse tube parameters and dispersibility experienced different structural transformations, and different iron oxides (either Fe 3 O 4 or Fe 2 O 3 ) particles (depending on the dispersibility of CNTs) were observed adhering to walls of CNTs after filling. The discrepancies along with the dispersibility of CNTs per se alter the order of the permittivity (from high to low) within samples. The smallest agglomerates and the largest permittivity were obtained for CNTs with diameters of 10–20 nm and lengths of 10–30 μm, both before and after the filling of CNTs. The role that the shape parameters played in the dielectric properties during the whole filling process was analyzed. The frequency-dependent permittivity spectrum was also examined and it obeyed Jonscher’s universal dielectric relaxation law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A facile and lyophilization-free method to fabricate anisotropic cellulose aerogels. • Directional stabilization of cellulose nanofibrils induced by electrostatic complexation. • Ambient-dried cellulose aerogels have porous structure and aligned channels. • NCA@PPy achieves excellent photothermal property and efficient solar evaporation. Anisotropic aerogels, mimicking natural porous materials such as wood and bone, always exhibit distinctive properties due to their aligned channels, which, however, generally require complicated ice templating configuration and costly freeze-drying. In this work, we develop a novel, facile, low-cost, and scalable method combining directional stabilization and ambient drying to prepare anisotropic aerogels. The frozen aqueous TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNFs) monolith embedded in a mold is directly immersed in ethanol/Fe3+ bath. The ice crystals directionally dissolve in ethanol, and simultaneously the TOCNFs are directionally stabilized due to the electrostatic complexation between their carboxyl groups and Fe3+ ions. The obtained anisotropic nanocellulose aerogel (NCA) after ambient drying exhibits an ordered porous structure, which is tunable by adjusting the contents of carboxyl groups on TOCNFs. The NCAs reveal distinct anisotropy, excellent mechanical compressibility in the radial direction, and high water-stability. To demonstrate their promising potentials for application in various advanced fields such as solar steam generation, the NCA is coated with polypyrrole (PPy) by in-situ polymerization to achieve excellent photothermal property but well maintain the original aligned channels of NCA, which endow the NCA@PPy with an efficient solar evaporation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of various interdental cleaning aids for artificial biofilm removal on different implant‐supported crown designs. Methods: Mandibular models with missing first molar were fabricated and installed with single implant analogs and loaded with crowns of different designs (concave, straight, and convex). Artificial biofilm was made with occlusion spray. Thirty volunteers (periodontists, dental hygienists, and laypersons) were asked to clean the interproximal areas. The crowns were unscrewed and photographed in a standardized setting. The outcome was measured by the cleaning ratio which represents the cleaned surfaces in relation to the area of the tested surface. Results: A significant difference in favor of concave crown (p <.001) on the basal surface was cleaned by all tools, except the water flosser. There was evidence of an overall effect of "cleaning tool," "surface," and "crown design" (p <.0001) except for the "participant" factor. The mean cleaning ratio for each cleaning tool and overall combined surfaces were (in%): dental floss: 43.02 ± 23.93, superfloss: 42.51 ± 25.92, electric interspace brush: 36.21 ± 18.78, interdental brush: 29.10 ± 15.95, and electric water flosser: 9.72 ± 8.14. Dental floss and superfloss were significantly better (p <.05) than other tools in removing plaque. Conclusions: Concave crown contour had the greatest artificial biofilm removal, followed by straight and convex crowns at the basal surface. Dental floss and superfloss were the most effective interdental cleaning devices for artificial biofilm removal. None of the tested cleaning devices were able to completely remove the artificial biofilm from the interproximal/basal surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ultrathin MOF hybrid nanosheets with 2.5 nm thickness were synthesized. • They demonstrate excellent OER activity and durability in alkaline media. • Their OER performance is associated to their unique structural and compositional properties. Metal-organic framework (MOF) with unique structural ordering and compositional flexibility has inspired tremendous interest for electrocatalysis. However, it remains elusive as how to adjust its structure and composition for enhanced electrocatalytic performance. In this paper we report the synthesis of 2.5 nm thick MOF hybrid nanosheets and their excellent electrocatalytic performance toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER). These nanosheets were composed of sulfide cluster-doped ultrathin Ni/Fe bimetallic MIL-53 MOF, and show excellent alkaline OER activity and durability; it delivers OER current of 50 and 100 mA cm−2 at 234 and 256 mV overpotential, respectively. Its activity does not fade after 70 h operation at 50 mA cm−2. The ultrathin nanosheet structure enables exposing of abundant coordinately unsaturated surface active sites, and the doped sulfide clusters optimize the electronic structure and enhance the electrical conductivity of the nanosheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gelatin (GE) was modified with epoxy silicone quaternary ammonium salt (EPSiQA) under alkaline conditions (pH 10–11). Silyl and quaternary ammonium groups were linked to gelatin skeleton simultaneously. It was illustrated by XRD and DSC that the short-range order of GE is destroyed and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of GE drops 10 °C after modification. The measured contact angles and surface free energy calculated by Owens–Wendt equation showed that the surface energy of modified gelatin EPSiQA-GE is mainly contributed by the dispersive component of non-polarity silicone groups, the hydrophobility of EPSiQA-GE increases with the increase of grafted silicone units in gelatin. The results of minimum inhibitory concentration indicated that EPSiQA-GE has bactericidal property against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and has no antibacterial effect on mold. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fe-Si based alloys have been widely studied because of the excellent high frequency, soft magnetic properties, which are determined by the hyperfine structure of alloys. The evolution of the hyperfine structure and magnetic characteristics in an Fe-Si-Cr alloy with increasing heat treatment temperature have been studied. Fe-21.5 at.% Si-2 at.% Cr alloy powder was prepared and observed. The Fe-Si based alloys have three-step phase transitions under heat treatment. Hyperfine magnetic fields are increased after A2 ordered as the localized degree of 3d electrons decreased. Quadrupole splitting in alloys mostly originate from the paramagnetic phase, and the asymmetry of charge could increase the polarization response under high frequency microwaves. This could increase the microwave permittivity and paramagnetic phase ratio, which can contribute to better soft magnetic properties. The Mössbauer effective thickness of a Fe-Si-Cr alloy particles sample is calculated as 7.3345. Theoretical magnetic moments from first principle calculations and the Mössbauer result can be obtained and are consistent with experiment results. The formation of the DO3 phase could deteriorate soft magnetic properties of samples. High permeability of Fe-Si-Cr alloys can be obtained under heat treatment of the critical temperature when the DO3 phase starts to form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "electro-chemo-mechanical (ECM) effect" describes mechanical deformation driven by an electrochemical reaction. Recently, an all-solid-state ECM device operating at room temperature was demonstrated. The device comprised a 20 mol% Gd-doped ceria (20GDC) self-supported electrolyte membrane placed between two mixed ionic/electronic conducting (MIEC) working bodies (WBs) constructed with TiO x /20GDC nanocomposites. Actuation derived from volume change occurring upon oxidation/reduction of the WB. This raised the question of whether or not metal oxides other than TiO x could be valuable components in MIEC nanocomposites functioning as WBs in ECM actuation. Here we examine the microstructure, crystal phase, oxidation state, chemical composition and ECM functionality of V-, Nb-, Mo-, Cu- and Ag-oxide/20GDC composite WBs prepared by co-sputtering. Of these, only the V-based composite was shown to be suitable for ECM actuation. According to X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the composition of the nanocomposite corresponds to VO x /20GDC. Electrical characterization suggests that the formation of several coexisting VO x nano-oxide phases is responsible for the longer response times as compared to TiO x /20GDC WBs. ECM actuation demonstrated in the V-based system does indicate that composite WB based ECM is not unique to Ti and that this type of actuation constitutes a significant contribution to development of microelectromechanical systems. • nanocrystalline composites of V-, Nb-, Mo-, Cu- and Ag-oxide/20GDC were prepared. • structure, crystal phase, oxidation state, composition and ECM functionality examined. • V-based composite was shown to be suitable for ECM actuation. • composition of the nanocomposite corresponds to VO x /20GDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory autoimmune disease. Angiogenesis is known to be a key pathogenic feature of psoriasis. The elevation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been demonstrated in the skin and plasma of patients with psoriasis. A number of case reports have indicated that VEGF inhibitor is effective in patients with psoriasis. VEGF inhibitors are consisted of three categories: anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies, VEGF receptor antagonists and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This article reviewed the current clinical application and therapeutic potential of VEGF inhibitors in psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel class of organosilicon gemini quaternary ammonium surfactant alkyl- α, ω-bis(diethyl-methyl-dimethoxy-silopropyl ammonium bromide) ( α, ω = 1,4; 1,6; 1,8) was synthesized and characterized by H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and elemental analysis. It is found that the quaternization reaction has two steps: first single quaternization and then double quaternization. The effect of solvent on convert ratio has the following sequence: polar aprotic solvents > polar protic solvents > aromatic solvents. The electrical conductivity of aqueous solution was measured at 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C, and the thermodynamic properties of $$ \Delta H_{m}^{0} $$ , $$ \Delta G_{m}^{0} $$ and $$ T\Delta S_{m}^{0} $$ were calculated according to the mass action model and Gibbs equation. It is shown that the enthalpy driven and entropy driven are almost equal in the micellization of [SiC-4-SiC]Br and [SiC-6-SiC]Br, but in the micellization of [SiC-8-SiC]Br, the enthalpic contribution becomes significant and the effect of thermal is greater than the degree of order in the micellization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2) is an important inducer of inflammation, which is also closely linked to the progress of tumours. In macrophages, PGE2 production is regulated by arachidonic acid release and cyclooxygenase-2 ( COX-2) expression. In the present study, we found that COX-2 expression can be achieved by activating Ca2+/ Calmodulin ( Ca M)-dependent protein kinase II ( Ca MKII) and c AMP-response element-binding protein ( CREB) in rat peritoneal macrophages. Our results indicated that lipopolysaccharide and PMA could elicit the transient increase of the concentration of intracellular free calcium ions ([ Ca2+]i), which induced activation of Ca MKs with the presence of Ca M. The subtype of Ca MKs, Ca MKII, then triggered the activation of CREB, which elevated COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in a chronological order. These results suggested that Ca2+/ Ca M-dependent Ca MKII plays an important role in mediating COX-2 expression and PGE2 production by activating CREB in macrophages. The study also provides more useful information to clarify the mechanism of calcium regulation of PGE2 production, which plays an essential role in inflammation and cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Luxi gamecock developed very unique morphological and behavioral features under the special artificial selection of the most famous Chinese gamecocks. There are very few research studies on the genetics and selection of the Luxi gamecock. We used six methods (Fst, Tajima's D, hapFLK, iHS, XP-EHH, and Runs of homozygosity) to detect selective sweeps in whole-genome resequencing data of 19 Luxi gamecocks compared to other Chinese indigenous chickens. Eleven genes that were highly related to nervous system development (CDH18, SLITRK1, SLITRK6, NDST3, ATP23, LRIG3, IL1RAPL1, GADL1, C5orf22, UGT8, WISP1, and WNT9A) appeared in at least four methods and were regarded as the most significant genes under selection. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis based on the RNA sequencing data of the cerebral cortex and middle brain between six Luxi gamecocks, Tibetan chickens, and white leghorns found that most differentially expressed genes were enriched in pathways with nervous system functions. Genes associated with aggressiveness-related neurotransmitters (SLC4A2, DRD1, DRD2, ADRA2A, and ADRA2B) showed differential expression rates in Luxi gamecocks as well. Combined results showed that most genes in selective sweep regions were also differentially expressed in Luxi gamecocks including the most significant genes (SLITRK6, IL1RAPL1, GADL1, WISP1, and LRIG3). This study provides more insight into molecular mechanisms of the aggressiveness of gamecocks and aims to promote further studies on animal and human aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we report hybrid Ni/Fe metal-organic framework nanosheets tethered on nickel foam (Fe-Ni 3 S 2 -MOF/NF) synthesized via a two-step self-sacrificial templating strategy for efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysis. As-synthesized Fe-Ni 3 S 2 -MOF/NF exhibits superb OER catalytic performance in alkaline solution. It requires only 250 mV overpotential to achieve 100 mA cm−2 current density with excellent stability of over 48 h and considerably surpasses its analogs and the benchmark RuO 2 catalyst. The residual metal sulphide clusters incorporated in the hybrid nanosheets are found to be critical for the excellent OER performance of Fe-Ni 3 S 2 -MOF/NF. They confer large specific surface areas and facilitate the electron transportation for efficient OER electrocatalysis. Moreover, they modulate the electronic state of surface metal sites on nanosheets to enhance the intrinsic OER activity. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An imputation model imputes specific missing values in multivariate time series. • Our method outperforms the comparison method when specific values are missing. • Our experiments provide selection principles of hyperparameters. • Our experiment determines the best training method with introduction of noise. Data missing is a ubiquitous phenomenon in multivariate time series analysis because of failure measurements, improper installation or other unfavorable factors. Most imputation methods, such as statistical methods and machine learning methods, are mainly for dealing with random or continuous missing, but do not take into consideration the non-random specific missing situation. This paper proposes an imputation model based on the variational auto-encoders (VAE) and shift correction for specific missing values, which is also extended to the β -VAE model. The shift correction is used to correct the original probability distribution deviation caused by specific values concentrated missing. Then taking the meteorological and air quality data sets in Beijing as the example, this paper mainly explores two common specific missing situations, including large values missing and small values missing. The experimental results show that the proposed model can effectively impute specific missing values, which has high imputation accuracy and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic oxidation technology has been proved as an efficient method for degradation in organic wastewater. The service lifetime and degradation efficiency of the electrode, one crucial struggle, limits the broad application of electrocatalytic oxidation technology. Herein, a Ru/Ir doped TiO2 electrode with a long service lifetime was developed. Accelerated life experiment showed that the service life of an electrode was 33 h when the concentration of sulfuric acid was 1 M and the current density was 2000 mA·cm−2. The influence on the phenol degradation was evaluated by researching the operating parameters. In particular, the possible mechanism of phenol removal at different pH is elucidated. It is found that acidic environment is favorable for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phenol removal at a current density of 20 mA·cm−2, pH 3 at 800 ppm NaCl, which can make the removal rates of phenol and COD with Ru/Ir doped TiO2 anode up to 97.21% and 100%. In addition, it was demonstrated that the hydroxyl radicals play a foremost role in the degradation of phenol. Given the well stability and high service life, the Ru/Ir doped TiO2 electrode holds promise for further industrial application in wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diethyl-benzyl-[3-methyldimethoxyl)]silpropyl ammonium chloride (DEBSAC) was synthesized from N, N-diethyl-aminopropyl-methyldimethoxysilane (DEAPMDES) and benzyl chloride. Diethyl-2,3-epoxypropyl-[3-methyldimethoxyl)] silpropyl ammonium chloride (DEEPSAC) was synthesized from DEAPMDES and epoxy chloropropane. Trimethyl-[3-methyldimethoxyl)] silpropyl ammonium chloride (TMSAC) was synthesized from trimethylamine and γ-chloropropylmethyldimethoxysilane (CPMDMS). The products were characterized by H NMR, C NMR, and IR. The surface tension measurements showed that the organosilicon quaternary salts exhibit a lower surface tension and a lower critical micelle concentration (CMC) than the hydrocarbon counterparts. The plate count method experiments illustrated that DEEPSAC has a better degree of antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli than DEBSAC. The solubilizing effects of the organosilicon quaternary salts on organosilicone were studied by pseudo-ternary phase diagrams of synthesized products/cosurfactant( n-butanol)/water/octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane. The solubilizing activities decreased in the order of TMSAC > DEBSAC > DEEPSAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Copper-substituted aluminophosphate molecular sieves (CuAPO-11, AEL topology) containing various copper fractions, which have been synthesized by hydrothermal crystallization, were characterized using several physicochemical techniques, such as XRD, SEM, FTIR, 27Al and 31P MAS NMR, etc. In combination of early reported characterization results, the isomorphous substitution of copper in the framework of the parent AlPO4-11 was further confirmed. For example, FTIR spectroscopy provides clear evidence of copper incorporation into the framework of the AEL structure due to the occurrence of a new absorption band around 1050cm−1 as compared with the pure AlPO4-11, which may be tentatively attributed to some stretching vibration related to the lattice oxygen-coordinated copper species. The selective oxidation activity of CuAPO-11 was evaluated using liquid phase-H2O2 hydroxylation of benzene as a probe reaction and compared with another redox analog CuAPO-5 (AFI topology). The catalytic test results suggest that comparable benzene conversion over these copper-containing materials was associated with the framework-incorporated copper atoms whereas different product distributions were governed by the structure type, viz. AEL or AFI topology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]