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Schizophrenia patients with tardive dyskinesia (TD) are associated with accelerated biological aging, immunological dysfunction, and premature morbidity and mortality. Older individuals are particularly vulnerable to TD development. As a characteristic of immunosenescence, alterations in the relative proportions of naïve or memory T cell subpopulations may be negatively or positively associated with brain structure abnormalities; however, whether these changes are correlated with TD remains unclear. In this study, we investigated correlations between distributions of T cell phenotypes and brain structure abnormalities (especially white matter) in schizophrenia patients with (TD) and without (NTD) TD (n = 50 and 58, respectively) relative to healthy controls (HC, n = 41). Immune markers, including naïve (CD45RA+), memory (CD45RO+), and apoptotic (CD95+) CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, were examined by flow cytometry, as were the intracellular levels of cytokines (interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α) in CD8 + CD45RA + CD95+ and CD8 + CD45RO + CD95+ T cells. MRI was employed to evaluate the fractional anisotropy (FA) of white matter tracts and subcortical volumes, following published routines. The percentage of CD8 + CD45RO + CD95+ T cells was higher in TD compared with NTD and HC groups and correlated with the choroid plexus volume in TD group. The intracellular level of IFN-γ in CD8 + CD45RO + CD95+ T cells, the FA of the fornix/stria terminalis, and the pallidum volume were correlated with orofacial TD, whereas the FAs of the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, cingulum, and superior longitudinal fasciculus were correlated with limb-truncal TD. These findings provide preliminary evidence that the association between immunosenescence-related T cell subpopulations and brain structure may underline the pathological process of TD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insufficient data exist regarding the investigation of the impact of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) on coagulation activation biomarkers in the context of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and device-related thrombosis (DRT). The study was designed to investigate the changes and presence of coagulation activation biomarkers between different antithrombotic strategies following LAAC. A total of 120 nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients intolerant of long-term anticoagulants, who underwent successful WATCHMAN closure implantation, were enrolled (rivaroxaban, n = 82 ; dabigatran, n = 38). Blood samples were obtained from left atrium (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) during the operation and fasting blood samples on the same day of LAAC and 45 days after discharge. The biochemical indicators, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and CD40 ligand (CD40L), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The primary endpoints of this study were the efficacy and safety characteristics of different antithrombotic strategies, including DRT incidence, stroke or transient ischemic attack, systemic embolism, and clinical major and nonmajor bleeding complications during the follow-up of 180 days. The results revealed that TAT, vWF, sP-selectin, and CD40L levels in vein were significantly reduced by 2.4% (p = 0.043), 5.0% (p < 0.001), 8.7% (p < 0.001), and 2.5% (p = 0.043) from their baseline levels after rivaroxaban treatment. Conversely, no significant changes were detected in the dabigatran group. Furthermore, the plasma levels of platelet activation biomarkers (CD40L and sP-selectin) in both LA and LAA groups were significantly lower after anticoagulation with rivaroxaban, as compared to dabigatran treatment (CD40L: 554.62 ± 155.54 vs. 445.02 ± 130.04 for LA p = 0.0013 , 578.51 ± 156.28 vs. 480.13 ± 164.37 for LAA p = 0.0052 ; sP-selectin: 2849.07 ± 846.69 vs. 2225.54 ± 799.96 for LA p = 0.0105 , 2915.52 ± 1402.40 vs. 2203.41 ± 1061.67 for LAA p = 0.0022). Notably, the present study suggests that rivaroxaban may be more effective in the prevention of DRT for patients undergoing LAAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metastatic rectal cancer is an incurable malignancy, which is prone to early mortality. We aimed to establish nomograms for predicting the risk of early mortality in patients with metastatic rectal cancer. Methods: In this study, clinical data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.We utilized X-tile software to determine the optimal cut-off points of age and tumor size in diagnosis. Significant independent risk factors for all-cause and cancer-specific early mortality were determined by the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, then we construct two practical nomograms. In order to assess the predictive performance of nomograms, we performed calibration plots, time-dependent receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC), decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve (CIC). Results: A total of 2570 metastatic rectal cancer patients were included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that age at diagnosis, CEA level, tumor size, surgical intervention, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and metastases to bone, brain, liver, and lung were independently associated with early mortality of metastatic rectal cancer patients in the training cohort. The area under the curve (AUC) values of nomograms for all-cause and cancer-specific early mortality were all higher than 0.700. Calibration curves indicated that the nomograms accurately predicted early mortality and exhibited excellent discrimination. DCA and CIC showed moderately positive net benefits. Conclusions: This study successfully generated applicable nomograms that predicted the high-risk early mortality of metastatic rectal cancer patients, which can assist clinicians in tailoring more effective treatment regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atypical placental site nodule (APSN) is a rare benign gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). It is a tumor-like transformation that has a certain probability of developing into a placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) or epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT). Because of its atypical clinical presentation, it is difficult to diagnose and susceptible to misdiagnosis highly, thus delaying the patient's condition. We report a scarce case of atypical nodules at the placental site of the uterine incision diverticulum in a 35-year-old female, who was irregular vaginal bleeding after a cesarean Sect. 2 years. She was diagnosed by several local hospitals with intrauterine residue and was given a variety of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) orally, but the symptoms of irregular vaginal bleeding have not been alleviated. After being transferred to several hospitals, she went to Hubei Maternal and Child Health Hospital for treatment. Under the condition of excluding the second pregnancy, she underwent hysteroscopic resection of lesions and laparoscopic repair of uterine incision diverticulum. The pathological diagnosis after the operation suggested that the focus at the uterine incision was an atypical placental nodule that invaded the myometrium of the uterus. The operation completely removed the focus, and then the patient was followed up every 3 months in the first postoperative year, then every 6 months up to 3 years, and then annually thereafter up to 5 years, and then maybe every 2 years thereafter. The patient's condition was quickly controlled, and the prognosis was good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wooden figurines were excavated from the tomb of the Princess Yongtai of the Tang Dynasty. A series of analytical techniques were employed to understand the craftsmanship of wooden figurines during the Tang Dynasty. The pigments, cross-sections, and adhesives were analyzed using energy X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDX), micro-Raman spectroscopy, polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS). The results demonstrate that the pigments were primarily cinnabar, malachite, azurite, goethite, carbon black, and anglesite. The cross-sectional images show that the painted layer of the wooden figurines includes pigment and preparation layers. The main component of the preparation layer was mendipite. Chinese wax, animal glue, and benzoin were used as adhesives. This study provides scientific support for antiquarians and a basis for the protection and repair of this valuable world cultural heritage site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) frequently present with sleep disturbances and cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether cognitive impairment is more severe in MDD patients with insomnia, and the underlying neural mechanisms. A total of 41 MDD patients with insomnia and 43 MDD patients without insomnia were recruited. We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess changes in oxyhemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentrations in the brain of patients while performing a verbal fluency task (VFT). Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), cognitive function by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), and severity of depression by the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Compared to MDD patients without insomnia, those with insomnia had lower scores on the RBANS total and immediate memory, visuospatial/constructional, and delayed memory subscales, as well as lower oxy-Hb concentrations in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and bilateral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).Further correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between the RBANS total score in all brain regions except left mPFC in MDD patients with insomnia(all p < 0.05). Further multiple linear regression showed that Oxy-Hb concentrations of left DLPFC were independently associated with RBANS total score. Our study suggests that MDD patients with insomnia have more cognitive impairment, which is associated with impaired frontal brain activity. Our findings may provide new insights to understand the underlying neural mechanisms of both disorders MDD patients and provide potential clinical value for developing treatment strategies for insomnia in MDD patients. • MDD patients with insomnia have more cognitive impairment. • Cognitive function and brain activation are related in MDD patients with insomnia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe calligraphy on Xuan paper written by Cao Hongxun, who was a scholar at the end of the Qing Dynasty, was comprehensively characterized using various analytical techniques in order to provide support for further conservation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to identify the type of oil in the stains. The color difference, acidity, microstructure and elemental composition of the paper areas with and without the oil stains were analyzed and characterized using colorimetry, pH measurements, and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), respectively. Paper fibers were observed using SEM and an optical microscope after dying with Herzberg stain. The results demonstrate that the stain in this paper artifact is mineral oil and the paper was produced using softwood, paper mulberry and herb fibers. A large color difference, lower pH and changes in the carbon ratio were present in the oil stains. However, the stains did not affect the elemental composition of the paper. Overall, this study provides evidence for further conservation treatment, such as selecting proper paper and cleaning reagents for the stains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium-rich material (SOP) with special nano-micron composite structure is synthesized by simple one-step oxalic acid method. The SOP sample is made of micron particles (1–3 μm) and nano-particles (~ 100 nm). Compared with the co-precipitation prepared lithium-rich materials (COP), SOP has good rate performance and cycle stability. The specific discharge capacity of SOP sample reaches 104.2 mAh/g at 10 C, while that of COP sample is only 68.5 mAh/g. After 300 cycles, SOP still has a specific discharge capacity of 201 mAh/g and the capacity retention rate is 89.6%, while COP only has a specific discharge capacity of 135.8 mAh/g and the capacity retention rate is 58%. Structure allocation with nano-micron particles is conducive to electrochemical performance improvement. This study provides a new idea for the synthesis of lithium-rich material with better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: CRISPR/Cas‐based genome editing is now extensively used in plant breeding and continues to evolve. Most CRISPR/Cas current applications in plants focus on gene knock‐outs; however, there is a pressing need for new methods to achieve more efficient delivery of CRISPR components and gene knock‐ins to improve agronomic traits of crop cultivars. We report here a genome editing system that combines the advantages of protoplast technologies with recent CRISPR/Cas advances to achieve seamless large fragment insertions in the model Solanaceae plant Nicotiana tabacum. With this system, two resistance‐related regions of the N′ gene were replaced with homologous fragments from the N′alata gene to confer TMV‐U1 resistance in the T0 generation of GMO‐free plants. Our study establishes a reliable genome‐editing tool for efficient gene modifications and provides a detailed description of the optimization process to assist other researchers adapt this system for their needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some painted pottery figurines were excavated from the tomb of Qibi Ming of the Tang Dynasty. A series of analytical techniques were employed to understand the craftsmanship of these painted pottery figurines. The pigment, cross-section, adhesive, and firing temperature were analyzed using microscopy (OM), energy X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDX), micro-Raman spectroscopy, pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), and a dilatometer (DIL). The results demonstrated that the surface of the pigment layers had degraded to different degrees. The pigment particles were litharge, gypsum, malachite, cinnabar, hematite, minium, white lead, and carbon black. The cross-sectional images show that the painted layer of figurines 10-0966 and 10-0678 included a pigment layer and a preparation layer. The preparation layer of both pigments was lead white. Animal glue was used as an adhesive. The firing temperature of the pottery figurines was likely 1080 °C. This study can provide more accurate information with regard to the composition of the raw materials utilized in the making of these artifacts and support the selection of appropriate substances for the purposes of conservation and restoration of the painted pottery figurines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the correlation between the initial recurrence site and survival after recurrence (PRS) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We collected 588 stages I–III NSCLC patients with recurrence after radical resection in Yunnan Cancer Hospital from January 2013 to December 2018. We used Kaplan–Meier survival curves to compare PRS in patients with different site recurrences. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the impact of the initial recurrence site on PRS. Results: The recurrence site included the lung (n = 109), brain (n = 113), bone (n = 79), abdomen (n = 28), pleura (n = 24), lymph node (n = 81), and multisite (n = 154). In the total population, patients with multisite recurrence had substantially worse PRS (24.8 months, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.46–32.20) than that of patients without multiple sites recurrence (42.2 months, 95% CI 32.24–52.10) (P = 0.026). However, patients with lung recurrence had better RFS (63.1 months, 95% CI 51.13–74.00) than those who did not (31.0 months, 95% CI 25.10–36.96) (P < 0.001). In adenocarcinoma, patients with pleural recurrence had substantially worse PRS (21.3 months, 95% CI 15.07–27.46) than that of patients without pleural recurrence (46.9 months, 95% CI 35.07–58.80) (P = 0.031). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that lung recurrence (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40–0.82; P = 0.003) was independent protective prognostic factor for PRS in the total population, while pleural recurrence (HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.14–4.17; P = 0.018) was independent adverse prognostic factors for PRS in adenocarcinoma patients. Conclusion: The initial recurrence site was associated with PRS in NSCLC patients. Identification of recurrence sites could guide the subsequent treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• BC/ZnO nanocomposite strengthens paper and improves aging resistance. • The nanocomposite imparts antifungal properties to paper. • The nanocomposite helps in deacidification of paper. Paper, commonly used as an information carrier, can become acidified and brittle over time. In this study, 0.3 % bacterial cellulose (BC) composite with 1.0% zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles was prepared and used to coat brittle book paper for deacidification and consolidation. The BC/ZnO nanocomposite was characterized using zeta potential, micro morphology, elemental mapping, X-ray photoelectron spectra, Fourier transform infrared, and thermogravimetric analyses. The results indicated that the composite exhibited good stability. ZnO nanoparticles were bonded to the hydroxyl groups on BC, enhancing the thermal stability of BC. The composite was uniformly sprayed on the paper surface, and the mechanical properties, color difference, readability, pH, and micromorphology of the paper samples were examined before and after the treatment. The BC/ZnO nanocomposite exhibited good deacidification and consolidation effects on paper samples with low impact on the original paper appearance. Moreover, the BC/ZnO nanocomposite showed a good inhibitory effect on fungi growth on paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empathy is social cognition and reduced empathy in schizophrenia (SCZ) has been noted; however, whether there are gender differences in empathy remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore this issue by examining a large sample of the population with SCZ. We recruited 987 SCZ patients (M/F = 638/349). The empathy was assessed by The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was adopted to assess their clinical psychiatric symptoms and their ability to recognise the facial emotions of others was assessed by the Pictures Of Facial Affect (POFA). Female SCZ patients had higher IRI total score than male patients. In male patients, Pearson correlation analysis showed that empathy was negatively correlated with PANSS total score and negative symptom subscale scores, but positively correlated with anger identification. In female patients, IRI total score was negatively correlated with PANSS total score as well as its positive and negative symptom subscale scores (all p < 0.05). There are gender differences in the empathy of SCZ patients, with female patients having greater empathy and a correlation with their clinical symptoms. This gender difference may provide potential clinical value for the treatment of SCZ. Female SCZ were more likely to empathise than males; Female patients had more severe clinical symptoms than males; There were gender differences in the association between certain specific clinical presentations and empathy. In future studies, it may be useful to investigate gender differences in schizophrenia empathy for the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microglia are known to regulate stress and anxiety in both humans and animal models. Psychosocial stress is the most common risk factor for the development of schizophrenia. However, how microglia/brain macrophages contribute to schizophrenia is not well established. We hypothesized that effector molecules expressed in microglia/macrophages were involved in schizophrenia via regulating stress susceptibility. Methods: We recruited a cohort of first episode schizophrenia (FES) patients (n = 51) and age- and sex-paired healthy controls (HCs) (n = 46) with evaluated stress perception. We performed blood RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and brain magnetic resonance imaging, and measured plasma level of colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R). Furthermore, we studied a mouse model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) combined with a CSF1R inhibitor (CSF1Ri) (n = 9 ~ 10/group) on anxiety behaviours and microglial biology. Results: FES patients showed higher scores of perceived stress scale (PSS, p < 0.05), lower blood CSF1R mRNA (FDR = 0.003) and protein (p < 0.05) levels, and smaller volumes of the superior frontal gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus (both FDR < 0.05) than HCs. In blood RNA-seq, CSF1R-associated differentially expressed blood genes were related to brain development. Importantly, CSF1R facilitated a negative association of the superior frontal gyrus with PSS (p < 0.01) in HCs but not FES patients. In mouse CUS+CSF1Ri model, similarly as CUS, CSF1Ri enhanced anxiety (both p < 0.001). Genes for brain angiogenesis and intensity of CD31+-blood vessels were dampened after CUS-CSF1Ri treatment. Furthermore, CSF1Ri preferentially diminished juxta-vascular microglia/macrophages and induced microglia/macrophages morphological changes (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Microglial/macrophagic CSF1R regulated schizophrenia-associated stress and brain angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implications and contagion effect of emotion cannot be ignored in rumor spreading. This paper sheds light on how decision makers' (DMs) emotion type and intensity affect rumor spreading. Based on the rank-dependent expected utility (RDEU) and evolutionary game theory (EGT), we construct an evolutionary game model between rumormongers (RMs) and managers (Ms) by considering emotions. We use MATLAB to simulate and reveal the influencing mechanism of DMs' emotion type and intensity on rumor spreading. The results indicate that the DMs' strategy choice is not only affected by their own emotion preference and intensity, but also by the other players in rumor spreading. Moreover, pessimism has a more significant influence than optimism on the stability of the evolutionary game, Ms' emotion is more sensitive to the game results than RMs' emotion and the emotion intensity is proportional to the evolution speed. More significantly, some earthshaking emotional thresholds are found, which can be used to predict RMs' behavior, help Ms gain critical time to deal with rumors, and avoid the Tacitus Trap crisis. Furthermore, the evolution results fall into five categories: risk, opportunity, ideal, security and hostility. The results of this work can benefit Ms' public governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple and convenient strategy for the synthesis of N‐acyl protected 2‐aminoacrylates via PPh3‐catalyzed reaction of alkyl propiolates with amides has been developed. This protocol is rapid and highly regioselective to provide various N‐acyl protected 2‐aminoacrylates in high yields (up to 95 %). The chemical structure of the product was determined by X‐ray single‐crystal structure analysis. In contrast, 3‐sulfonamidoacrylates were obtained by Cs2CO3‐catalyzed reactions of alkyl propiolates with secondary sulfamides. Moreover, synthetic utility of this method was further highlighted in the late‐stage modification of drug molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) with semiconductor-metal phase transition characteristics has presented great application potential in various optoelectrical smart devices. However, the preparation of doped VO2 film with a lower phase transition threshold on Si substrate needs more investigation for the exploration of silicon-based VO2 devices. In this work, the VO2 films doped with different contents of W element were fabricated on high-purity Si substrate, assisted with a post-annealing process. The films exhibited good crystallinity and uniform thickness. The X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations illustrated that W element can be doped into the lattice of VO2 and lead to small lattice distortion. In turn, the in situ FT-IR measurements indicated that the phase transition temperature of the VO2 films can be decreased continuously with W doping content. Simultaneously, the doping would lead to largely enhanced conductivity in the film, which results in reduced optical transmittance. This work provides significant insights into the design of doped VO2 films for silicon-based devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel fluorine-containing water-repellent agent (OFAE-SA-BA) was designed and synthesized by emulsion copolymerization, which was used to replace the commercial long fluorocarbon chain water-repellent agent. To improve water repellency, the intermediate and monomer containing two short fluoroalkyl chains were successfully synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and FT-IR, respectively. After being treated by the water-repellent agent, the surface chemical composition, molecular weight, thermal stability, surface morphology, wetting behavior, and durability of the modified cotton fabrics were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectrophotometry (XPS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermal degradation (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and video-based contact angle goniometry, respectively. The cotton fabric demonstrated water contact angle of 154.1°, both the water and oil repellency rating were grade 4. The durability of water repellency of the treated fabrics only decreased slightly after 30 times, which represented very good washing durability. The finishing agent did not affect the whiteness of the fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a DNA-PNIPAAm (poly-N-isopropyl acrylamide) has been synthesized by PNIPAAm and multi-acryloyl–modified Y-type DNA. Interpenetrated networks (IPN) were synthesized through base pairing of three single DNA and cross-linking of NIPAAm with multi-acryloyl–modified Y-type DNA as a cross-linking agent. The mechanical strength, phase transformation temperatures (DSC), and cloud point of the DNA-PNIPAAm hydrogel have been tested. The results of DSC and cloud point analysis show that the introduction of DNA increases the response temperature of PNIPAAm, making it closer to the temperature of human body. In addition, due to the introduction of multi-acryloyl groups in the DNA, the reaction efficiency of DNA and NIPAAm was improved, and the concentration of DNA was just 0.9% times of that used in prior studies. This is a new method to prepare DNA and polymer composite hydrogel using low DNA concentration, and a new DNA-PNIPAAm hydrogel material has been prepared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ziprasidone mesylate injection is an atypical antipsychotic drug which is recently approved in China. In combination with its oral formulation, sequential therapy with ziprasidone brings new interventions to patients with agitation in the acute phase of schizophrenia. The purpose of this 7-day multicenter study conducted in China was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ziprasidone sequential treatment through intramuscular/oral routes in agitated patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 95 patients were enrolled from three centers in this study. The study duration was 7 days. In the first 3 days, subjects were administered an intramuscular injection of ziprasidone 10–40 mg daily and started sequentially with oral ziprasidone 40–80 mg at dinner (or lunch) from the day of the last intramuscular injection. In the following 4 days, according to the severity of the symptoms and the drug response, 120–160 mg of ziprasidone was orally administered daily. In total, six visits were scheduled to assess the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS), the Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S), and Improvement (CGI-I) scores throughout the procedure. Lastly, adverse events were recorded during treatment. Results: Out of the 95 patients that were enrolled, 83 cases were effectively completed. Visits 3, 4, 6, PANSS, and PANSS-excited component (PANSS-EC) subscale points, and Visit 2–Visit 6 viewpoints, BARS scale points, and baseline scores denote a progressive downward trend (P < 0.001). In this study, 62 adverse events were reported. The most common adverse events were extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) (23 cases) and excessive sedation(10 cases), and 13 cases of prolonged QTc interval were reported. Conclusions: Ziprasidone IM demonstrated significant and rapid reduction in agitation, and sequential oral formulation keep stability and continuation of the treatment can further ensure efficacy. Ziprasidone sequential therapy may provide a new approach to acute agitation in schizophrenic patients. Trial registration: The Chinese Clinical Trials Registry; URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn: ChiCTR-OIC-16007970. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cerebral ischemia is a syndrome that occurs due to the restricted flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain, causing damage to the brain cells. Globally, ischemia ranks second in causing mortality and third in causing disability in stroke patients. Nerolidol is a bioactive compound present in the essential oil of plants with a floral odour. It is a natural sesquiterpene alcohol used in cosmetics, perfumes, and as a food flavouring agent. It also possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Materials and Methods: In this study, we assessed the anti-ischemic property of nerolidol in cerebral ischemia-induced mice. Healthy male Wistar rats were induced into cerebral ischemia with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and treated with 10 mg and 20 mg nerolidol for 21 days. The brain morphometric, antioxidant, and MMP levels were estimated in the brain tissue of MCAO-performed and nerolidol-treated rats. The cerebral infarct-alleviating potency of nerolidol was analysed by estimating the levels of inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic proteins. It was further confirmed by assessing the levels of COX-2/PGE-2 signalling proteins in brain tissue from MCAO-performed in rats. Results: Nerolidol significantly reduced the cerebral infarct volume and brain edema via increased antioxidant levels and decreased MMPs. It also decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines and proapoptotic proteins in brain tissue. The inflammatory signalling proteins NFκB, COX-2, and PGE-2 were significantly decreased in nerolidol-treated MCAO-performed rats, confirming the antiischemic property of nerolidol. Conclusion: Our results prove nerolidol significantly alleviates cerebral ischemia in rats, and it can be subjected to further trials to be formulated as an anti-ischemic drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new composite material CsPbBr3@HPU-22 was prepared by using {[Zn2(ADDA)2(DMF)(H2O)2]·(DMF)}n (HPU-22) as a carrier to encapsulate CsPbBr3 in channels. The obtained composite material has high sensitivity to water. Under the stimulation of a humid environment or water vapor, the color of the CsPbBr3@HPU-22 product can be seen to turn from yellow to white. In addition, it is necessary to note that the changed color could recover after drying. A study of the mechanism demonstrated that the inter-conversion between CsPbBr3 and CsPb2Br5 is the major reason for this reversible color change during the wetting and drying process. In addition, CsPbBr3@HPU-22 also exhibited high sensitivity to acid–base gases, accompanied by a change in fluorescence color under UV light. The evidence showed that the protonation of DMF molecules might result in the reversible response of CsPbBr3@HPU-22 to acid–base gases. Therefore, the multi-response to water and acid–base gas stimulation gives the CsPbBr3@HPU-22 applications in the field of high-level anti-counterfeiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides an effective surface modification method for Li-rich layered oxide (LLO, Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2) with Al2O3 coating. Strong organic acid TFBDC (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-1,4-phthalic acid) accumulates near alkali metal oxide LLO to form uniform Al-TFBDC coating. Al-TFBDC modified LLO is subjected to heat treatment to form Al2O3 coating on the surface of LLO. This uniform coating protects LLO from direct contact with electrolyte and does not block the migration of Li+. Meanwhile, F− is successfully doped into LLO particles. The LLO coated with doping has clear layer structures, and its electrochemical properties have been significantly improved. The rate performance is increased by 66% at 10 C. After 150 cycles, its capacity retention rate is 92.5%, while that of uncoated LLO is only 55.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: About 20–30% of patients with schizophrenia develop tardive dyskinesia (TD). Oxidative stress is one potential causes of TD. CYP2E1 is considered as an oxidative stress-related gene, however, no study has been reported on the DNA methylation levels of the CYP2E1 in schizophrenia or TD. Methods: A total of 35 schizophrenia patients with TD, 35 schizophrenia patients without TD (NTD), and 35 health controls (HCs) were collected in Beijing, China. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. The promoter methylation levels of CYP2E1 were detected using pyrosequencing. The generalized linear model (GLM) was used to examine the methylation levels of three CpG sites among three diagnostic groups (TD vs. NTD vs. HC). Results: The average methylation levels were 8.8 ± 10.0, 14.5 ± 11.9 and 15.1 ± 11.3 in TD, NTD and HC groups, respectively. The F-test in GLM revealed overall differences in the average of methylation levels of three CpG sites among three diagnostic groups (p = 0.0227) and in the third CpG site (p = 0.0026). Furthermore, the TD group had lower average methylation levels than HC and NTD groups (p = 0.0115 and 0.0268, respectively). Specifically, TD group showed lower methylation levels in the third CpG site than HC and NTD groups (p = 0.0012 and 0.0072, respectively). Additionally, associations of the methylation levels with clinical features in the TD group were observed using Spearman correlation analysis. Conclusion: This study provides the first evidence of DNA methylation levels in the promoter of CYP2E1 gene associated with schizophrenia and TD. The abnormal DNA methylation might serve as a potential mechanism for TD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tung oil produced by the tung tree (Vernicia fordii) provides resources for the manufacture of biodiesel. Ubiquitin-specific proteases (UBPs) are the largest group of deubiquitinases and play key roles in regulating development and stress responses. Here, 21 UBPs were identified in V. fordii , roughly one-half the number found in Manihot esculenta and Hevea brasiliensis. Most UBP duplications are produced from whole-genome duplication (WGD), and significant differences in gene retention existed among Euphorbiaceae. The great majority of UBP-containing blocks in V. fordii , V. montana , Ricinus communis , and Jatropha curcas exhibited extensive conservation with the duplicated regions of M. esculenta and H. brasiliensis. These blocks formed 14 orthologous groups, indicating they shared WGD with UBPs in M. esculenta and H. brasiliensis , but most of these UBPs copies were lost. The UBP orthologs contained significant functional divergence which explained the susceptibility of V. fordii to Fusarium wilt and the resistance of V. montana to Fusarium wilt. The expression patterns and experiments suggested that Vf03G1417 could affect the seed-related traits and positively regulate the seed oil accumulation. This study provided important insights into the evolution of UBPs in Euphorbiaceae and identified important candidate VfUBPs for marker-assisted breeding in V. fordii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T lymphocytes (T cells) are essential for tumor immunotherapy. However, the insufficient number of activated T cells greatly limits the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy. Herein, we proposed an oncolytic virus‐mimicking strategy to enhance T cell recruitment and activation for tumor treatment. We constructed an oncolytic virus‐like nanoplatform (PolyIC@ZIF‐8) that was degraded in the acidic tumor environment to release PolyIC and Zn2+. The released PolyIC exhibited an oncolytic virus‐like function that induced tumor cell apoptosis and promoted T cell recruitment and activation through a tumor antigen‐dependent manner. More importantly, the released Zn2+ not only enhanced T cell recruitment by inducing CXCL9/10/11 expression but also promoted T cell activation to increase interferon‐γ (INF‐γ) expression by inducing the phosphorylation of ZAP‐70 via a tumor antigen‐independent manner. This Zn2+‐enhanced oncolytic virus‐mimicking strategy provides a new approach for tumor immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T lymphocytes (T cells) are essential for tumor immunotherapy. However, the insufficient number of activated T cells greatly limits the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy. Herein, we proposed an oncolytic virus‐mimicking strategy to enhance T cell recruitment and activation for tumor treatment. We constructed an oncolytic virus‐like nanoplatform (PolyIC@ZIF‐8) that was degraded in the acidic tumor environment to release PolyIC and Zn2+. The released PolyIC exhibited an oncolytic virus‐like function that induced tumor cell apoptosis and promoted T cell recruitment and activation through a tumor antigen‐dependent manner. More importantly, the released Zn2+ not only enhanced T cell recruitment by inducing CXCL9/10/11 expression but also promoted T cell activation to increase interferon‐γ (INF‐γ) expression by inducing the phosphorylation of ZAP‐70 via a tumor antigen‐independent manner. This Zn2+‐enhanced oncolytic virus‐mimicking strategy provides a new approach for tumor immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PM 2.5 nitrate concentrations increased with PM 2.5 pollution level. • δ18O-NO 3 − and δ15N-NO 3 − values were higher in winter than those in summer. • PM 2.5 nitrate in winter were largely from P N2O5 , while from P OH in summer. • Coal combustion and biomass burning were the main sources in winter and summer. Nitrate (NO 3 −) has been the dominant ion of secondary inorganic aerosols (SIAs) in PM 2.5 in North China. Tracking the formation mechanisms and sources of particulate nitrate are vital to mitigate air pollution. In this study, PM 2.5 samples in winter (January 2020) and in summer (June 2020) were collected in Jiaozuo, China, and water-soluble ions and (δ15N, δ18O)-NO 3 − were analyzed. The results showed that the increase of NO 3 − concentrations was the most remarkable with increasing PM 2.5 pollution level. δ18O-NO 3 − values for winter samples (82.7‰ to 103.9‰) were close to calculated δ18O-HNO 3 (103‰ ± 0.8‰) values by N 2 O 5 pathway, while δ18O-NO 3 − values (67.8‰ to 85.7‰) for summer samples were close to calculated δ18O-HNO 3 values (61‰ ± 0.8‰) by OH oxidation pathway, suggesting that PM 2.5 nitrate is largely from N 2 O 5 pathway in winter, while is largely from OH pathway in summer. Averaged fractional contributions of P N2O5+H2O were 70% and 39% in winter and summer sampling periods, respectively, those of P OH were 30% and 61%, respectively. Higher δ15N-NO 3 − values for winter samples (3.0‰ to 14.4‰) than those for summer samples (-3.7‰ to 8.6‰) might be due to more contributions from coal combustion in winter. Coal combustion (31% ± 9%, 25% ± 9% in winter and summer, respectively) and biomass burning (30% ± 12%, 36% ± 12% in winter and summer, respectively) were the main sources using Bayesian mixing model. These results provided clear evidence of particulate nitrate formation and sources under different PM 2.5 levels, and aided in reducing atmospheric nitrate in urban environments. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a country's language and literature is the orientation of the country's spiritual strength, and it is also the embodiment of the national literary quality. Chinese language and literature has a very long history of development, the content of which is broad and deep, and there are countless literary works. It is impossible for one person to fully understand these works after spending his entire life. As a result, these literary resources are optimized and constructed and classified into various disciplinary contents, so that students can systematically learn literary knowledge according to their own interests. Therefore, this paper conducts a disciplinary analysis of the construction of Chinese language and literature resources by integrating the method of fuzzy mathematics. Through the study of fuzzy mathematics, the method of fuzzy cluster analysis is proposed to classify Chinese language and literature resources, and the method of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation is used to evaluate the contents of various subjects. This paper selected the richness of subject content, faculty strength, talent demand, and subject difficulty as evaluation indicators. By comparing the scores of various discipline indicators before and after resource optimization, the results showed that using fuzzy cluster analysis, disciplines 1 and 2 were popular disciplines. Disciplines 4 and 5 were general disciplines, and disciplines 3 and 4 were unpopular disciplines. Using the fuzzy comprehensive average, the comprehensive scores of the six disciplines were 84, 79, 80, 82, 83, and 75, respectively. The quality of resource construction in these disciplines was high. In addition, the scores given by experts were all above 70 points, with an average score of about 83 points. It showed that the method of using fuzzy mathematics to construct Chinese language and literature resources has achieved good results, and the results obtained by using the method of disciplinary analysis were reliable and feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In patients with head and neck cancer, irradiation (IR)-sensitive salivary gland (SG) tissue is highly prone to damage during radiotherapy (RT). This leads to SG hypofunction and xerostomia. Xerostomia is defined as the subjective complaint of dry mouth, which can cause other symptoms and adversely affect the quality of life. In recent years, diagnostic techniques have constantly improved with the emergence of more reliable and valid questionnaires as well as more accurate equipment for saliva flow rate measurement and imaging methods. Preventive measures such as the antioxidant MitoTEMPO, botulinum toxin (BoNT), and growth factors have been successfully applied in animal experiments, resulting in positive outcomes. Interventions, such as the new delivery methods of pilocarpine, edible saliva substitutes, acupuncture and electrical stimulation, gene transfer, and stem cell transplantation, have shown potential to alleviate or restore xerostomia in patients. The review summarizes the existing and new diagnostic methods for xerostomia, along with current and potential strategies for reducing IR-induced damage to SG function. We also aim to provide guidance on the advantages and disadvantages of the diagnostic methods. Additionally, most prevention and treatment methods remain in the stage of animal experiments, suggesting a need for further clinical research, among which we believe that antioxidants, gene transfer, and stem cell transplantation have broad prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. miR-199a, which has two mature molecules: miR-199a-3p and miR-199a-5p, plays an important biological role in the genesis and development of tumors. We collected recent research results on lung cancer and miR-199a from Google Scholar and PubMed databases. The biological functions of miR-199a in lung cancer are reviewed in detail, and its potential roles in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment are discussed. With miR-199a as the core point and a divergence outward, the interplay between miR-199a and other ncRNAs is reviewed, and a regulatory network covering various cancers is depicted, which can help us to better understand the mechanism of cancer occurrence and provide a means for developing novel therapeutic strategies. In addition, the current methods of diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer are reviewed. Finally, a conclusion was drawn: miR-199a inhibits the development of lung cancer, especially by inhibiting the proliferation, infiltration, and migration of lung cancer cells, inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, increasing the apoptosis of lung cancer cells, and affecting the drug resistance of lung cancer cells. This review aims to provide new insights into lung cancer therapy and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of asphalt pavement maintenance management, the technical condition of the pavement is accurately predicted, its performance trend is predicted, and the right time is chosen to take targeted maintenance measures that will play a multiplier role, so predicting the technical condition of the pavement is important significance. This paper mainly studies the cluster dimensionality reduction evaluation method of the technical condition of expressway asphalt pavement. This paper summarizes the experience of regular highway inspection data inspection and analysis, and mainly studies the standardized analysis method of highway pavement inspection data, aiming to meet the data requirements at all levels through effective data analysis indicators. The experimental data in this paper show that the driving quality of the two-way pavement is good, the total average SRI is 91.2, and the evaluation is "excellent," and the left width is slightly better than the right width; the transverse crack penetration of most reconstructed road sections is greater than 0.4, indicating that the transverse crack penetrates the road surface more serious. The experimental results of this paper show that the technical status of asphalt pavement based on cluster analysis has practical significance, and the analysis results show that the treatment effect is ideal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new coordination polymer {[Zn2(ADDA)2(DMF)(H2O)2]·(DMF)}n (HPU-22) (H2ADDA = 4,4′-(anthracene-9,10-diyl) dibenzoic acid) based on an anthracene ligand is designed to obtain a stimulus-responsive material. The fluorescence color of HPU-22 changes under thermal stimuli. Single-crystal structural analysis demonstrates a slight alteration in the distance between adjacent anthracene rings, resulting in the changes in the fluorescence color. The changed fluorescence can be restored by simply wetting the product. The stimulus-responsive mechanism has also been explored in detail by using other characterization procedures. Results demonstrate that the emission properties are dependent on the arrangement of anthracene. This work contributes to the understanding of the thermochromic luminescence mechanism and the development of thermochromic luminescence materials with excellent performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-commerce systems often collect data that clearly express user preferences without considering the remaining negative cases, which gives rise to the hidden semantic problem. In this paper, we improve the original hidden semantic model and propose an intergroup effect model that incorporates users' historical browsing behavior, user type, and browsing content; by adopting the weighting and add weighting factors, we can predict users' preferences for different products more accurately and match the candidate products with users' current behaviors, so as to give more reasonable and effective product recommendation results; by adding the group effect model of user group and product group, we can achieve more accurate prediction of user preferences and make the recommendation more reasonable and effective. The research shows that the hidden semantic method based on intergroup effects information is better than other basic methods at a certain identified evaluation stage. In practice, users' purchasing preferences change with time, and using a hidden semantic method based on intergroup effects recommendation can effectively improve the recommendation quality of e-commerce recommendation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine the effect of lncRNA Kcnq1ot1 on pancreatic β cells in the development of diabetes. Methods: The expression levels of Kcnq1ot1 were detected in the islets of diabetes mouse models and the serum of patients with type 2 diabetes by qRT-PCR. CCK8, Ki67 staining, immunohistochemical analyses, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test were performed to detect the effect of Kcnq1ot1 on β-cell proliferation and insulin secretion in vitro and in vivo. The relationship between Kcnq1ot1 and miR-15b-5p was predicted by bioinformatics prediction, which was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Results: Kcnq1ot1 was more abundant in the pancreas. The expression of Kcnq1ot1 was decreased in the islets of db/db mice and diet-induced obese mice and in the serum of patients with type 2 diabetes. Silencing Kcnq1ot1 inhibited the β-cell proliferation concomitant with a reduction in the levels of Ccnd1 and Ccnd2. Insulin synthesis and secretion were impaired, along with the decreased expression of Ins1, Ins2, and insulin-related transcription factors. Moreover, Kcnq1ot1 knockdown in vivo reduced glucose tolerance and decreased insulin secretion, consistent with the reduction in the relative islet area and Ki67-positive β-cells detected by immunochemistry and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Mechanistically, Kcnq1ot1 directly targeted miR-15b-5p which regulated β-cell proliferation and insulin secretion through Ccnd1 and Ccnd2. Notably, the suppression of miR-15b-5p attenuated the inhibition of Min6 proliferation and insulin production induced by Kcnq1ot1 knockdown. Conclusion: Kcnq1ot1 regulated β-cell proliferation and insulin secretion via the miR-15b-5p/Ccnd1 and Ccnd2 axis, which is worthy of further investigation considering its potential in diabetes treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontitis is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been revealed to play roles in the inflammatory response. Hence, this work aimed to explore the role and mechanism of circ_0062491 in periodontitis progression. Human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) were isolated from the periodontal ligament (PDL) of the healthy teeth with orthodontic requirement after tooth extraction. In vitro experiments were conducted by cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry, Western blot, and ELISA to determine cell viability, apoptosis, and inflammatory response. The binding between miR-498 and circ_0062491 or SOCS6 was confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Circ_0062491 expression was decreased in periodontitis and LPS-induced PDLCs. Restoration of circ_0062491 attenuated LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation in PDLCs in vitro. Mechanistically, circ_0062491 functioned as a sponge for miR-498, and miR-498 directly targeted SOCS6. Rescue experiments showed that miR-498 up-regulation reversed the protective action of circ_0062491 on PDLCs under LPS treatment. Moreover, silencing of miR-498 protected PDLCs from LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation, which were abolished by SOCS6 knockdown. Circ_0062491 protected PDLCs from LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation, suggesting a new target for the amelioration of periodontitis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper ion (Cu2+) detection remains an important task for monitoring water quality because of its specific toxicity. Herein, a new dual-signal fluorescent probe was developed by combining zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and lanthanide for the detection of Cu2+ for the first time. The lanthanide coordination polymer (guanosine monophosphate and Eu3+, GMP/Eu) was initially incorporated into ZIF-8 to yield ZIF-8/GMP/Eu nanomaterials with extremely weak single emission fluorescence at 618 nm. It was found that the resulted nanomaterials could display a dual emission fluorescence at 515 nm and 618 nm after the introduction of tetracycline (TC) due to the synergistic effect of aggregation-induced emission effect (AIE, TC induced by ZIF-8) and antenna effect (AE, between TC and GMP/Eu). Interestingly, in the presence of Cu2+, the AIE of TC was destroyed because of the interaction of Cu2+ with ZIF-8 and TC. The AE between TC and GMP/Eu disappeared due to the formation of complex between TC and Cu2+. A dual-signal fluorescent probe of ZIF-8/GMP/Eu/TC was thereby established for sensing Cu2+ in the range of 0.5–100 μM. Such a dual-signal response strategy that intelligently utilized the "ON"/"OFF" of AIE and AE can not only eliminate the background interference, but also ensure the improved selectivity of Cu2+ sensing. Subsequently, the dual-signal fluorimetric strategy was applied for the detection of Cu2+ in environmental water samples, indicating the potential feasibility of applications for water quality monitoring. [Display omitted] • A dual-signal fluorescent probe was developed by combining ZIF-8, GMP/Eu and TC for detection of Cu2+ for the first time. • The coordination polymers fluorescent probe combined the unique property of the ZIF-8, GMP/Eu and TC. • The synergistic effect of AIE and AE enable the probe with unique dual-signal response ability to Cu2+. • The dual-signal strategy utilized the AIE and AE eliminated the interference and ensured the selectivity of Cu2+ sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A maternal low-protein diet during pregnancy can increase children's susceptibility to diabetes mellitus in adulthood. However, whether long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in islets participate in the development of diabetes in adult offspring following maternal protein restriction is not fully understood. Female mice were fed a low-protein (LP) diet or control diet throughout gestation and lactation. The male offspring were then randomly divided into two groups according to maternal diet: offspring from control diet group dams (Ctrl group) and offspring from LP group dams (LP group). We observed the glucose metabolism of adult offspring. A lncRNA microarray was constructed for the islets from the LP group and Ctrl group to explore the differently expressed lncRNAs. Gene ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were subsequently used to predict the functions of the differently expressed lncRNAs. The body weight from birth to 12 weeks of age was significantly lower in the LP offspring. Adult LP offspring exhibited impaired glucose tolerance and decreased insulin secretion, consistent with the reduction in β-cell proliferation. According to the lncRNA microarray, four lncRNAs, three upregulated lncRNAs, and one downregulated lncRNA were differently expressed in LP offspring islets compared with Ctrl offspring. Gene ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses revealed that these differentially expressed lncRNAs were mostly associated with the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α signaling pathway. Additionally, we validated the expression of these four differentially expressed lncRNAs via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our findings demonstrated the expression patterns of lncRNAs in islets from adult offspring of mothers who consumed a maternal low-protein diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been a difficult to deposit a uniform film on the inner surface of monocapillary due to the high length-diameter ratio. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) shows great potential to coat conformal film on complex substrates. However, it is still a challenge to coat uniform film along the length of the capillary for regular deposition parameters. In this work, HfO 2 film was deposited inside monocapillary via ALD. The film uniformity along the monocapillary was investigated by cross-section scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and the bond states of one of the HfO 2 films were studied via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Using the routine deposition parameters, the gas flowing through the monocapillary is controlled to be small, large and medium qualitatively by covering some of the inlets or outlets, changing the connection between monocapillary and outlets simply. SEM results demonstrate that smooth HfO 2 film with uniform thickness can be acquired on the inner surface of monocapillary with length-diameter ratio 200 (length 10 cm and inner diameter 0.5 mm). XPS results show that Hf hydroxide is generated when the gas flowing through the monocapillary is large. [Display omitted] • HfO 2 film was grown on the inner surface of monocapillary with high aspect ratio. • Methods for obtaining controlled gas flow paths in ALD. • The thickness distribution trend of the film along the monocapillary was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate positioning of underwater targets is an important basis for many underwater tasks. As an imagery equipment, forward-looking sonar (FLS) can overcome the problem of poor brightness in underwater environment, and has a longer detection distance than the camera, which plays an important role in oceanic target positioning. However, there remain two challenging problems: (1) due to the complex underwater environment and the propagation characteristics of sound waves in the water, there are a lot of noises in the FLS images, which impair the accuracy of positioning; (2) FLS can only obtain two-dimensional information, which is insufficient for target positioning. Aiming at these two problems, a three-dimensional underwater target positioning algorithm based on dual FLSs is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a Threshold-Mask-Guided Filter (TMGF) image denoising algorithm is designed to deal with the obvious background noises and same-pitch noises in FLS images, which greatly improves the denoising effect compared with the original guided filter algorithm. Secondly, a target positioning algorithm based on orthogonal vertical placement of dual sonars is proposed to calculate the three-dimensional position of the target. Finally, pool experiments and sea trial tests are carried out respectively to verify the effectiveness of TMGF algorithm in denoising and the accuracy and stability of positioning algorithm. • Target positioning algorithm of dual Forward Looking Sonars (FLSs) is presented. • TMGF module is proposed to remove same-pitch noises in FLS images. • Orthogonal detection module is presented to calculate the 3D target position. • Pool tests and sea trail tests show remarkable performance of the propose algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a study of electronic structures and chemical bonding of gaseous ThO2− and ThO3− using velocity-map imaging and ab initio calculations. The electron affinity of neutral ThO2 molecule is reported for the first time with the value of 1.21(5) eV. We obtained a vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of ThO2− and observed the symmetric stretching frequency of 824(40) cm−1 for neutral molecules. One hot band transition is observed in the spectrum of ThO2−, which allows the measurement of symmetric stretching mode for ThO2−. The ground state of ThO2− is 2A1 with C2v symmetry: the detachment of an electron from the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) results in the ground state of ThO2. Kohn-Sham molecular orbital analyses reveal an σ and two weak π bonds for Th–O multiple bonds in ThO2. Global minimum search methodology combined with quantum chemical calculations are used to find the minima of ThO3 and ThO3−, and the adiabatic detachment energy of ThO3− is calculated to be 3.26 eV at the coupled cluster with singles and doubles plus perturbative triples level. Our theoretical calculations suggest that the ground state of ThO3 is 1A′ with a symmetry of Cs, while the most stable ThO3− is 2A1 with C2v symmetry; thus, the transition from ThO3− to ThO3 undergoes a significant geometry reorganization. Molecular orbital analyses suggest that the SOMO of ThO3− is mainly participated by O 2p and O to Th back donation was found in HOMO-2 molecular orbital. This investigation will shed some light on the understanding of covalent bonding in Th-contained molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovation is the core of China's national policy and the lifeline of enterprises at the local and global market. There has been a huge amount of research on innovation and elements contributing to innovation performance; however, few of them built a theoretical model to study the correlations among organizational learning, dynamic capabilities, and innovation performance. Based on the existing studies and literature at home and abroad and considering the development status of innovative enterprises in China, this paper decomposes organizational learning into three dimensions of learning commitment, shared vision, and open-mindedness and divides dynamic capabilities into three dimensions of environmental insight capability, resource integration capability, and organizational flexibility capability. To verify the model of LDP (learning-capability-performance) and hypotheses, the authors conducted a survey in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanghai, and Qingdao, which have ranked top in the number of innovative enterprises in China in recent years. A sample of 232 valid questionnaires were collected and validated with SPSS23.0 software. The result shows that organizational learning and its three dimensions have significant positive effects on innovation performance, while only two dimensions of dynamic capabilities, resource integration capability and organizational flexibility capability, have significant positive effects on innovation performance. The third dimension of environmental insight capability has no significant positive effects on innovation performance. The dynamic capabilities and its three dimensions play a partial intermediary role between organizational learning and innovation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A copper‐catalyzed asymmetric aryl C−P cross‐coupling/cyclization reaction was successfully developed via dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) under mild conditions. This study provides a general and simple method for the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of stable six‐, seven‐ and eight‐membered P‐stereogenic phosphorus heterocycles with excellent enantioselectivities and moderate to high yields. One‐pot gram‐scale asymmetric synthesis of the P‐stereogenic P‐heterocycle from commercially available materials was also successfully accomplished with excellent enantioselectivity and high yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A copper‐catalyzed asymmetric aryl C−P cross‐coupling/cyclization reaction was successfully developed via dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) under mild conditions. This study provides a general and simple method for the catalytic enantioselective synthesis of stable six‐, seven‐ and eight‐membered P‐stereogenic phosphorus heterocycles with excellent enantioselectivities and moderate to high yields. One‐pot gram‐scale asymmetric synthesis of the P‐stereogenic P‐heterocycle from commercially available materials was also successfully accomplished with excellent enantioselectivity and high yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the AT-hook motif nuclear localized (AHL) family contain diverse but poorly understood biological functions. We identified 371 AHLs in 20 land plants, varying from the early diverging lycophyte Selagineila moellendorfi to a variety of higher plants. The AHLs were divided into two clades (Clade-A and Clade-B) with three different types (Type-I, Type-II, and Type-III AHLs). The divergence between Clade-A and Clade-B likely occurred before the separation of S. moellendorfi from the vascular plant lineages. Members of the AHLs family expanded with the specific whole-genome duplication (WGD)/segmental duplication in some genomes, such as Hevea brasiliensis. The ortholog (Vf00G1914/Amo018442) exhibited opposite expression patterns between two Vernicia species (V. fordii and V. montana), indicating that it was implicated in resistance to Fusarium wilt disease. The expression of Vf09G2138 exhibited a negative correlation with lipid biosynthesis in V. fordii seeds during different stages of development, suggesting that this gene might repress the seed oil accumulation. The core AT-hook motif and PPC domain were responsible for guiding the localization of AHL in the nucleus. This study helps us to understand the evolution of AHLs in multiple plants, further highlight their functions during V. fordii seed development and response to Fusarium wilt disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mild and efficient strategy for the synthesis of tricyclic 1,2,4-oxadiazolines-fused tetrahydro-isoquinolines derivatives via [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction is reported. The reactions provided the functionalized tricyclic 1,2,4-oxadiazolines in high yields (up to 96%). This protocol is simple and easy to handle. Moreover, a gram-scale experiment further highlights the synthetic utility. The chemical structure of the product was determined by X-ray single-crystal structure analysis. A possible mechanism for this transformation is proposed to explain the reaction process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence has indicated the crucial role of microRNA-196 in mediating tumor progression, while its significance in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remains unclear. In this study, we provided the first evidence that the expression level of miR-196-5p is elevated in both CCA cell lines and clinic specimen. MiR-196-5p inhibition notably suppressed cell proliferation as well as metastasis in CCA cell line HuCCT1. Furthermore, the interaction between miR-196-5p and its downstream molecule HAND1 was verified. Moreover, a series of rescue assay verified that both HAND1 and β-catenin silencing could reverse the abnormal elevated cell proliferation and migration brought by miR-196-5p elevation, indicating that HAND1/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activation is essential for miR-196-5p to exert its roles. In summary, we successfully depict the oncogenic role of miR-196-5p in promoting cell proliferation and migration in CCA via HAND1/Wnt/β-catenin axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A CRISPR/Cas12a system with a "one-to-many" signal-output pattern was developed. • A DNA duplex-enriched 3D magnetic DNA machine was formed, achieving high-density fluorescence distribution. • The superior sensitivity was attributed to the periodically extended Cas12a activator and hyperbranched DNA duplexes. Although CRISPR/Cas12a systems significantly enhance the analytical accuracy and flexibility of fluorescent biosensors, their sensitivity is limited by traditional "one-to-one" mediation types and ineffective signal-output turnover routes. Herein, we demonstrate a "one-to-many" signal-output strategy-based CRISPR/Cas12a systems resembling a "seaweed" to enhance the sensitivity. Based on dendrimer DNA from high-dimensional hybridization chain (HCR) of three hairpin-free DNA building blocks, the 3D magnetic DNA machine was created. The HBV-DNA initiates the rolling circle amplification (RCA) reaction and produces DNA nanowires to activate the CRISPR/Cas12a system. The trans -cleavage of the "seaweed root" by CRISPR/Cas12a system left dendrimer DNA in solution, thus, adding SYBR Green I (SG I) to the high-density DNA duplexes, achieving multiple-turnover label-free fluorescence signal output demonstrated and a low LOD (1.502 pM). However, in the absence of target, the blocked RCA failed to activate the CRISPR/Cas12a system, resulting in complete separation from substrate and negligible fluorescence signals. Moreover, the mandatory RCA-based pre-amplification of the DNA activator could efficiently trigger the multiple-turnover trans -cleavage activity of Cas12a. it can cleave one single-stranded linker of "seaweed-like" DNA machine, thereby releasing massive DNA duplex-enriched dendrimer DNA with a "one-to-many" signal-output turnover. By coupling the periodically extended Cas12a activator generated by RCA with hyperbranched DNA duplex by high-dimensional HCR, compact 3D extension structures were formed, achieving high-density fluorescence distribution in focal volume, avoiding signal dilution and ensuring high enhancement. Additionally, spiked recoveries in physiological media exceeded 95%, demonstrating the potential application of such platforms in clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper oxides (Cu x O) play an active role in the field of binder-free electrodes for supercapacitors due to their own advantages, including high theoretical capacity, non-toxicity, low cost, etc. Developing mild and cheap process to prepare Cu x O nanomaterials would broad its application in supercapacitors. In this paper, copper oxide is used as an active material and copper foam (CF) is chosen as a substrate to synthesize metal oxide-based electrodes by an in-situ oxidation method. Ingeniously, the availability of copper foam has a dual nature encompassing as a collector as well as a copper source. The as-obtained Cu x O/CF-60 electrode possesses an area capacitance of 354.6 mF cm−2 under 2 mA cm−2. It also has superior cycle stability with 93.8 % of initial capacitance undergo 5000 charge-discharge cycles. Moreover, the all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor, combining Cu x O/CF-60 and activated carbon (AC) pasted on nickel foam (NF) as the respective positive and negative electrodes, exhibits an energy density of 25 μWh cm−2 when power density reaches 3 mW cm−2. The Cu x O/CF-60//AC/NF device displays better cycling stability as 80.2 % of initial capacitance after 5000 cycles. This work provides a simple way for designing Cu x O based electrodes and lays the foundation for subsequent improvements in electrochemical performance. All-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor based on the 3D nanostructured Cu x O/CF-60 electrode has good energy density and cycle stability. [Display omitted] • Cu x O nanowires were grown on copper foam via an in-situ oxidation method. • Cu x O/CF was applied as a binder-free electrode for supercapacitor. • Copper foam acts as a collector and provides a source of copper. • Cu x O/CF-60//AC/NF possesses high energy density and cycle stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]