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The accurate identification of forest degradation and its driving factors is a prerequisite for implementing high-quality forest management. However, distinguishing degradation patterns is often neglected in large-scale forest quality assessments. The indicators were constructed to identify typical forest degradation patterns using remote sensing indexes, followed by an analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamics of forest degradation and quantification of the contributions from various driving factors. The results indicated that the constructed indicators could effectively distinguish typical forest degradation patterns, with a fire degradation identification accuracy of 90.0% and a fitting accuracy of drought and pest degradation higher than 0.7. The cold temperate conifer forest zone had the largest proportion of fire degradation, accounting for 67.7% of the area, and totals of 99.0% of the subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest zone and 92.8% of the temperate conifer and broadleaf mixed forest zone were moderately to severely affected by drought, with long-term stability. Additionally, 0.1% of the temperate grassland region and 0.1% of the cold temperate conifer forest zone underwent severe pest infestations, with a long-term stable trend. Meteorological factors were the primary contributors to all typical degradation patterns, accounting for 81.35%, 58.70%, and 82.29%, respectively. The research developed an index for assessing forest degradation and explained the importance of natural and anthropogenic factors in forest degradation. The results are beneficial for the scientific management of forest degradation and for improving forest management efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on culturally diverse university students' online (dis)agreement with affective expressions in English as a lingua franca (ELF). A private intercultural group on the social media site Facebook was used for the online discussions. This study analyzed online participants' comments on controversial sociopolitical issues about the TikTok ban and the Mulan boycott. Through content analyses of online responsive discourse, a range of discursive strategies used by the participants to express (dis)agreement were identified. The participants tended to give contingent (dis)agreements with mitigating expressions and supporting grounds, and the moderators frequently used reported speech, gave opposite opinions, and questioned the claims for alternative positionings. Discourse-pragmatic analyses of emoji-mediated communication also revealed creative and diverse uses of emojis and other nonverbal interactional resources in the coconstruction of humorous discourse and transformation between positive and negative affect stances. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of ELF users' pragmatic and emotive capability to participate in the online social argumentative practice of affective stance-taking. • This study explored culturally diverse university students' online (dis)agreement with affective expressions. • The participants' Facebook discussions related to controversial sociopolitical issues were analyzed. • A range of (dis)agreement and discursive strategies with emojis were identified. • Discourse-pragmatic analyses presented creative co-construction of social argumentative practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines sociopolitical discourse in the democratic network society of Taiwan from translingual and transnational perspectives. Ten multimodal memes from two YouTube videos and the associated metapragmatic comments were analyzed. This study combined a discourse-historical approach and translingual analyses of YouTube users' meme-related discursive strategies, which link historical and political rhetoric to recently circulated linguistic ideologies and cultural stereotypes. This study suggests that the discursive processes of meme-making and interpreting on social media can be understood as networked publics' performative acts in participatory entextualization with larger sociohistorical formations. The results may provide insights into the translingual practices in the specific multilingual society of Taiwan and into broader everyday democratic participation in a globalized transnational network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a single-phase transformerless bidirectional power factor corrector (PFC). A capacitor is inserted into a conventional full-bridge PFC by connecting the ac line terminal and a terminal of DC voltage. The functions of this inserted capacitor have two roles: to bypass the common-mode leakage current from the stray capacitor; to form an LCL filter to reduce the inductor current ripple. A hybrid modulation method is employed in this PFC. The unipolar switching scheme is applied to modulate the PFC, which can achieve high efficiency. Meanwhile, an additional modulation is inserted into the blank time of low-frequency switches to decrease the changing speed of the voltage on the inserted capacitor, and to decrease the spike on the inductor current and leakage current. The performance of the PFC is experimentally verified using a 5 kW prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the second part of a two‐part study to investigate the numerical prediction of tropical cyclogenesis. Part I presents a comprehensive statistical assessment of the performance of the high‐resolution European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts deterministic forecasts in predicting tropical cyclone (TC) genesis over the western North Pacific between 2007 and 2018 using The International Grand Global Ensemble data. Among these forecasts, the ones that predict TC genesis occurring in the monsoon shear line synoptic pattern have the highest 5‐day predicted skill. In this article (Part II), the large‐scale dynamic and thermodynamic variables associated with this type of genesis are examined to identify the physical processes likely responsible for TC genesis. Moist convection appears to be one of the first important factors. Deep convection at the initial time (Day −5) is concentrated near the inner core of the pre‐genesis vortex. In the lower troposphere, the northeasterly flow to the north and southwesterly flow to the south of the pre‐genesis vortex begin to strengthen at Day −4 and Day −3 respectively, and then the maximum wind centres move close to the genesis position (GP) from Day −3 to Day 0. Strong low‐level radial wind and the associated absolute angular momentum (AAM) import develop on Day −4, which effectively forces a transverse circulation and spins up a surface vortex near the GP. The vertical gradients of latent heat release and the decrease in mean‐sea‐level pressure by Day −3 further support the import of low‐level AAM and the development of the low‐level vortex. At the upper levels, an anticyclone moves close to the GP, reducing the vertical wind shear at Day −2, fully establishing the secondary circulation system. The positive feedback between the environmental flow and the internal thermal forcing conditions from Day −2 to the genesis time are also important to genesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines linguaculturally diverse university students’ affective translingual practices of using emojis and languages in computer-mediated communication. Research studies have investigated the sociopragmatic uses of emojis from the perspectives of social semiotics, language socialisation, and translingual practices. This study expands on these perspectives and further adopts enregisterment as a conceptual framework to explore the emergence of emoji variations and other affective expressions in online discussions about news and social media content. The primary data were collected from written discourses on Facebook across 8 weeks and through follow-up data-focused interviews. The results present the multilingual participants’ metapragmatic commentaries on particular uses of face emojis in relation to emotive discourses, enregistered voices, and embodied contextualisation. The results exemplify the multimodal enregisterment of affective translingual practices through which emoji users’ playful performances can be recognised and enacted in online socialisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug resistance is the major difficulty in treatment of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). This study aims to explore drug response-related miRNAs (DRmiRNAs) based on multi-omics research. We identified DRmiRNAs of LUSC with a multi-omics integrated system that combines expression data of microRNA, lncRNA, mRNA, methylation levels, somatic mutations. After identifying DRmiRNAs, we screened and validated of the target mRNAs of DRmiRNAs through Targetscan and the miRDB database. Then, Real-time PCR and Western blot assays were used to estimate the expression of DRmiRNAs and target protein, and the dual-luciferase assays were used to confirm the interaction of DRmiRNAs and target mRNA. Furthermore, CCK-8 (Cell Counting Kit-8) assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation and drug sensitivity. After integrated analysis, hsa-miR-185-5p was identified as DRmiRNA based on multi-omics data. Through Targetscan and miRDB database, the possible target mRNAs were obtained and PCDHA11 was validated as a target mRNA of miR-185-5p by real-time PCR, Western blot assays and dual-luciferase assays. CCK-8 assays and clone formation assays showed that the proliferation of miR-185-5p mimics was significantly slower than that of miR-185-5p inhibitors, which means overexpression of miR-185-5p enhanced the anticancer effects of cisplatin, whereas the downregulation of miR-185-5p reduced the effects. Furthermore, the proliferation of silencing PCDHA11 was significantly slower than that of overexpression of PCDHA11, which means PCDHA11 overexpression weakened the anticancer effects of cisplatin, and silencing PCDHA11 enhanced the effects. This study demonstrated that miR-185-5p was involved in chemoresistance of LUSC cells to cisplatin partly via down-regulating PCDHA11, which may promote understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of drug response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that the equatorial Pacific Ocean warming can be separated into spring (April~June; SP) and summer (July~October; SU) modes based on the onset time of El Niño events. Different onset times are caused by different atmospheric and oceanic conditions, which, in turn, should influence tropical cyclone (TC) activity. While the location of TC formation in the western North Pacific (WNP) shifts significantly eastward and equatorward in the SP type relative to climatology (1951–2017), only an eastward shift occurs in the SU type. Only intense TCs (category 1 + 2 + 3 and 4 + 5) have an obvious eastward and equatorward shift in the SP type, with no such shift in any TC category in the SU type. The number of category 4 + 5 TCs in the SP type increases significantly, but fewer category 1 + 2 + 3 TCs in the SU type. In the SP type, TCs are generally stronger, with more in category 4 + 5, and longer life spans occurring across all categories. However, no obvious change in TC intensity can be identified except for category 1 + 2 + 3 in the SU type. The eastward and equatorward shift of the mean genesis position in the developing phases of SP can be attributed to a southeastward shift of favourable atmospheric and oceanic conditions, which include weaker zonal vertical wind shear, stronger relative vorticity, higher mid‐level relative humidity, and enhanced upper‐ocean temperature (5–100 m). All these conditions are mainly related to the onset time of the westerly anomalies near the central equatorial Pacific. These results suggest that the onset time of El Niño events could serve as a good forecasting indicator for TC genesis position and intensity over the WNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored peer groups' mediation processes in the digital space. Building upon translingual research and multimodal discourse analysis, the researcher analysed video transcript excerpts of oral conversations and on-screen interactions among university students of different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This article focuses on multilingual and multimodal mediation practices, which include polyaccented exemplification, bilingual interpretation, intercultural comparison, transnational definition, polyphonic performance and multimodal instruction (N = 24). The results show that the students attended to dynamic uses of English, Chinese and other languages as multilingual franca while communicating affect and stance through embodied expressions and shared screens in stylised multimodal discourses. The translingual analyses emphasise the students' collaborative transformations of English as a lingua franca (ELF) communication into playful interactions within digitally mediated networks of relationships. This study suggests that online peer mediation provides useful methods for developing university students' translingual awareness and capability for participating in intercultural conversations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Microinjection molding (μIM) is characterized by high shearing and cooling rates, resulting in higher a degree of filler orientation which impairs the electrical conductivity (σ) of conductive filler‐containing polymer composites when compared with that of compression molding and conventional injection molding processes. In this study, polypropylene/polyamide 6/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PP/PA6/CNT) composites were used as the model system to investigate how blending sequence, injection speed, and component mass ratios affected the morphology and σ of PP/PA6/CNT microparts. The results demonstrated that CNTs exhibited a higher affinity for the polar PA6 phase and they tended to be preferentially distributed in PA6 domains. The deformation and coalescence of CNT‐rich PA6 phase promoted the creation of an intact and continuous filler network structure along the flow direction under the influence of high shearing conditions in μIM. When the mass ratio of PP:PA6 was 70:30 and the concentration of CNT was 7 wt%, the micropart possessed the highest σ (1.2 × 10−6 S/m) when compared with their PP/CNT (4.4 × 10−9 S/m) and PA6/CNT (3.4 × 10−10 S/m) counterparts. Higher injection speeds resulted in higher degree of CNT orientation, which negatively affected the σ of subsequent moldings. This work established an approach for producing electrically conductive microparts that demonstrate promising applications in the fields of electronics, automotive, and microsystems among others. PP/PA6/CNT composites were used as model systems for microinjection molding. The electrical conductivity was improved by shear‐induced deformation of CNT‐rich phase. The properties of PP/PA6/CNT microparts were affected by process parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the adaptive event-triggered neural network controller design problem is investigated for a class of state-constrained pure-feedback fractional-order nonlinear systems (FONSs) with external disturbances, unknown actuator saturation, and input delay. An auxiliary compensation function based on the integral function of the input signal is presented to handle input delay. The barrier Lyapunov function (BLF) is utilized to deal with state constraints, and the event-triggered strategy is applied to overcome the communication burden from the limited communication resources. By the utilization of a backstepping scheme and radial basis function neural network, an adaptive event-triggered neural state-feedback stabilization controller is constructed, in which the fractional-order dynamic surface filters are employed to reduce the computational burden from the recursive procedure. It is proven that with the fractional-order Lyapunov analysis, all the solutions of the closed-loop system are bounded, and the tracking error can converge to a small interval around the zero, while the state constraint is satisfied and the Zeno behavior can be strictly ruled out. Two examples are finally given to show the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses the event-triggered adaptive finite-time control scheme for the states constrained fractional-order nonlinear systems (FONSs) under uncertain parameters and external disturbances. The backstepping scheme is employed to construct the finite-time controller via a series of barrier Lyapunov function (BLF) to solve that all the state constraints are not violated. Different from the trigger condition with fixed value, the event-triggered strategy is applied to overcome the communication burden of controller caused by the limited communication resources. By utilizing fractional-order Lyapunov analysis, all variables in the resulted system are proven to be bounded, and the tracking error converges to the small neighborhood around origin in finite time and without the Zeno behavior. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is verified by the simulation analysis of a bus power system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the responses of soil enzyme activities to different exogenous carhon additions, the culture experiment was conducted by adding the straw and biochar whose mass fraction in soil was 0, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%, respectively. The results showed that the promotion effect of the addition of biochar on soil pH, the contents of total carbon, total nitrogen, rapid available phosphorus, and rapid available potassium was greater than that with the addition of straw, but did not significantly affect the content of available nitrogen. The addition of straw significantly improved the activities of soil acid phosphatase (AP), β-glucosidase (βG), cellulolytic hydrolase (CBH), β-N-acetyl-aminoglucosidase (NAG) and peroxidase (PEO) (expect the addition rate of 1%). The addition of biochar significantly increased the activities of βG, CBH and PEO (expect the addition rate of 1%). The low addition amount (1% and 2%) significantly reduced the activities of AP and NAG, while the high addition amount (3%, 4% and 5%) significantly increased the activities of AP and NAG. The activities of AP, βG, CBH, NAG and PEO with the treatment of straw were respectively 4. 08-8. 12, 12.94-34.63, 2.95-61.81, 8. 39-42. 06 and 0. 45-1. 20 times of that treated with the same addition amount of biochar. The redundancy analysis showed that the available nitrogen was the main factor affecting the activities of soil enzyme. Therefore, the addition of straw was more beneficial to increase the activities of soil hydrolase, while the addition of biochar was more beneficial to increase the soil nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a two‐part study investigating the numerical prediction of tropical cyclogenesis. This paper (Part I) presents a comprehensive statistical assessment of the performance of the high‐resolution European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) deterministic forecast in predicting tropical cyclone (TC) genesis over the western North Pacific (WNP) between 2007 and 2018 using The International Grand Global Ensemble (TIGGE) data. Each genesis forecast at each lead time is classified into one of these categories: well predicted (WP), early formation (EF), late formation (LF), or failed prediction (FP). Based on the synoptic patterns at the actual genesis time, the genesis of a particular TC is grouped into one of five flow patterns: monsoon shear line (SL), monsoon confluence region (CR), monsoon gyre (GY), easterly wave (EW), and preexisting tropical cyclone (PTC). Any case that does not fall in one of these patterns is labeled as unclassified flow pattern (UCF). Overall, the prediction skill of SL cases is the highest, followed by CR, GY, and PTC, while the EW and UCF patterns have the lowest skill. No significant improvement in the model performance is found during the 12 years, probably partly because of the low percentage of cases with the SL pattern in the later years. The prediction skills of TC genesis in May, June, September, and October are the highest, while those in July, August, and November are the lowest. TCs that form further to the south are easier to predict in the SL pattern. In Part II, we will examine the model predictions of the dynamic and thermodynamic variables in the WP cases to identify the physical processes responsible for TC genesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered a promising alternative to conventional vehicles (CVs) to alleviate the oil crisis and reduce urban air pollution and carbon emissions. Consumers usually focus on the tangible cost when choosing an EV or CV but overlook the time cost for restricting purchase or driving and the environmental cost from gas emissions, falling to have a comprehensive understanding of the economic competitiveness of CVs and EVs. In this study, a life cycle cost model for vehicles is conducted to express traffic and environmental policies in monetary terms, which are called intangible cost and external cost, respectively. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and CVs are compared in four first-tier, four new first-tier, and 4 s-tier and below cities in China. The comparison shows that BEVs and FCEVs in most cities are incomparable with CVs in terms of tangible cost. However, the prominent traffic and environmental policies in first-tier cities, especially in Beijing and Shanghai, greatly increase the intangible and external costs of CVs, making consumers more inclined to purchase BEVs and FCEVs. The main policy benefits of BEVs and FCEVs come from three aspects: government subsidies, purchase and driving restrictions, and environmental taxes. With the predictable reduction in government subsidies, traffic and environmental policies present important factors influencing the competitiveness of BEVs and FCEVs. In first-tier cities, BEVs and FCEVs already have a competitive foundation for large-scale promotion. In new first-tier and second-tier and below cities, stricter traffic and environmental policies need to be formulated to offset the negative impact of the reduction in government subsidies on the competitiveness of BEVs and FCEVs. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis reveals that increasing the mileage and reducing fuel prices can significantly improve the competitiveness of BEVs and FCEVs, respectively. • An LCC model is proposed to quantify the economic impact of vehicle policies. • Traffic and environmental policies in twelve cities are computed in monetary terms. • BEVs and FCEVs have excellent economic competitiveness in first-tier cities. • Stricter traffic and environmental policies should be implemented in other cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the pragmatic socialization of peers into the virtual world using gameplay directives. The researcher integrates pragmatics and multimodal conversation analysis in the study of online gameplay discourse between experienced and novice players. The analyses highlight the participants' indexical reframing of the gameplay activities, shifting forcefully compelled verbal imperatives into playfully fashioned directive trajectories of avatar-embodied interactions. The results suggest a broadening of directive strategies through contingent instructions and multiple forms of play for the development of gameplay skills and communicative actions. • Online gameplay discourses between experienced and novice players are presented. • Forms and functions of directive use in online peer socialization are analyzed. • Directive trajectories of playful avatar-embodied interactions are highlighted. • How multimodal context of virtual reality changes pragmatic actions is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to the calibration of an engine volumetric efficiency map (or lookup tables) from steady-state data, a method for the identification of the engine volumetric efficiency map using transient condition data is developed in this article, which can reduce the time and cost of engine map calibration. To expediently identify the map parameters, the mathematical description of the volumetric efficiency for a spark ignition (SI) gasoline engine is approximated in terms of a piecewise bilinear interpolation model with unknown map parameters, which can be rewritten as a dot product between a regression vector and a parameter vector using a membership function. With the combination of a map regression model and an SI gasoline engine air path dynamic model, a finite-time adaptive observer is designed to estimate the constant map parameters, for which the parameter estimation error information is explicitly derived. To guarantee the convergence of the identification for all map parameters, a trajectory scheme of the transient condition data from the map input that passes through all of the interpolation regions is introduced. The performance of the proposed algorithm is validated against transient condition data generated by the engine simulation software enDYNA provided by Tesis. It is shown that the volumetric efficiency map of an SI gasoline engine simulated with enDYNA is approximated acceptably by the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beryllium doped small-sized magnesium and its ion clusters are fully studied in this work. CALMPSO software was used to search for BeMg Qn (Q = 0, ±1, n = 2–12) clusters' structures. The structural optimization with density functional theory (DFT) of BeMg Qn clusters was performed by two functionals B3PW91/6-311G(d,p) and PBE0/6-311G(d,p). Although the structures of clusters are diverse, their geometries with 3D structures can be summarized as two types of growth mechanism based on tetrahedron and tower-like. Calculations of the size dependence of the lowest energy state of BeMg Qn clusters using the two functionals, including average binding energy, second-order energy difference, HOMO–LUMO energy gap, VIP and VEA, coincidentally indicate that BeMg 09 , BeMg +19 and BeMg −18 are the local most stable clusters. For providing theoretical guidance for future experimental observations, the theoretical computations and simulations of BeMg −1n clusters' PES and BeMg Qn (Q = 0, ±1, n = 2–12) clusters' IR and Raman spectra were performed. Finally, ELF, MO and DOS analyses of the local most stable clusters were carried out, and it was found that their stability mainly originated from the σ-type covalent bond formed by the interaction between the s- and p-orbitals of Be and Mg atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, lightweight and highly efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composites are crucial but changing for the development of modern electronics and telecommunication. Here, a novel polyhedral Co/C particle embedded carbon nanofiber (CNF@Co/C) aerogels were synthesized via pyrolysis of bacterial cellulose wired zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-67 (ZIF-67) aerogel under argon. The flexible CNF@Co/C aerogels exhibit a high EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) is approaching 56.07 dB at a density of only 0.023 g cm−3 in the X band, and the average absorption coefficient is as high as 0.79, indicating 79% of electromagnetic (EM) waves are absorbed in shielding process. The remarkable performance results from the three-dimensional (3D) CNF-threaded porous structure with interconnected network and the magnetic Co/C particle strung by CNF, which contribute to a conduction loss and optimal impedance matching along with multiple polarization and strong magnetic loss. This work paves a promising way for the new generation of electronic device with lightweight and efficient EMI shielding. The above graph illustrates the EMI shielding mechanism of CNF@Co/C aerogel. When the EM waves enter into the shielding materials, the EM waves are dissipated by the dielectric and magnetic loss synergistic effects. The 3D conductive network constructed by CNF and carbon skeleton contains abundant free electrons, which forms great electron migration and further induces the conduction loss. Meanwhile, the interface polarization appears at the interface among CNF, Co crystal and polyhedral skeletons, and the doped elements and other defects contribute to dipole polarization, which all play a significant role on EM waves absorption. Additionally, the magnetic loss of metal Co crystal is originated from natural resonance and exchange resonance, which is also helpful to facilitate the incident wave consumption. Moreover, the porous structure can provide more efficient scattering and reflection aera of microwave, which increases the dissipation of EM waves in shielding. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, boron nitride (BN) and exfoliated boron nitride nanosheets (BNNs) were employed as thermal conductive fillers to improve the thermal conductivity of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) composites. Results suggested that the thermal conductivity of PVDF increases significantly with an increase in loading content of functional fillers. When the mass ratio of fillers was more than 30 wt%, the heat conduction network was formed. BNNs were capable of forming denser heat conduction network as per the SEM observations. In this scenario, PVDF/BNNs composites demonstrated excellent thermal conductivity. For example, the thermal conductivity of PVDF/BNNs (60/40) was 0.82 W/mK, which was 2.4 times and 17% higher than that of neat PVDF and PVDF/BN (60/40) counterpart, respectively. The non-isothermal crystallization of corresponding composite was studied by Mo method. Combining with XRD results, both BN and BNNs acted as the nucleation agents but had no effect on crystal forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, an event-triggered adaptive fuzzy finite-time dynamic surface control (DSC) is presented for a class of strict-feedback nonlinear fractional-order systems (FOSs) with full-state constraints. The fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are employed to approximate uncertain nonlinear functions in the backstepping process, the dynamic surface method is applied to overcome the inherent computational complexity from the virtual controller and its fractional-order derivative, and the barrier Lyapunov function (BLF) is used to handle the full-state constraints. By introducing the finite-time stability criteria from fractional-order Lyapunov method, it is verified that the tracking error converges to a small neighborhood near the zero and the full-state constraints are satisfied within a predetermined finite time. Moreover, reducing the communication burden can be guaranteed without the occurrence of Zeno behavior, and the example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Au nanodot (AuND, ∼1.5 nm) modified rGO, referred to as AuNDsrGO, synthesized by a simple photochemical reduction method, are used for electrochemical biosensors. Our experimental results showed that the glucose oxidase (GOX)/rGO/Nafion/glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibits a linear range from 0.03 to 6.28 mM and a detection limit of 0.03 mM at a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 3 for the amperometric sensing of glucose, while the GOX/AuNDs-rGO/Nafion/GCE shows a wider linear range from 0.02 to 8.82 mM and a lower detection limit of 0.02 mM. This difference may arise from the high catalytic activity of the AuNDs. Our studies demonstrate that the composites of rGO/Nafion and AuNDs-rGO/Nafion might offer a new class of electrode materials, and provide a promising platform for biosensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an extraordinary enzyme, can catalyze the dephosphorylation of small molecules, proteins and nucleic acids. ALP has been confirmed as a crucial serum diagnostic indicator, since the abnormal level of ALP is closely related to a variety of pathological processes, especially in the early diagnosis and screening of cancer. Herein, we designed a "turn-on" sensor to detect ALP and ascorbic acid (AA) based on the redox reaction between manganese dioxide (MnO2) coated upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and AA. Firstly, 2 nm sized NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ UCNPs were synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method. Then MnO2 coated UCNPs were prepared via electrostatic interactions between MnO2 nanosheets and UCNPs. MnO2 nanosheets could absorb blue light emitted by UCNPs near 471 nm under laser excitation at 980 nm, and so the luminescence of UCNPs was quenched based on luminescence energy transfer (LET). In the presence of AA, the luminescence was recovered again by the redox reaction between AA and MnO2 coated UCNPs. MnO2 nanosheets were reduced to Mn2+ and UCNPs were released. Furthermore, the "turn-on" sensor was applied to monitor ALP since the phosphate group of 2-phospho- L -ascorbic acid (AAP) was removed by ALP to yield AA. The bio-assay showed a good linear relationship between the restored luminescence intensities (ΔI = I − I0) and ALP concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 150 mU mL−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.045 mU mL−1 and between ΔI and AA concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 250 μM with an LOD of 0.29 μM. The luminescent sensor was also successfully applied for detection of ALP and AA in human serum samples with recoveries from 94.9% to 104.6% and 99.4% to 104.9%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uterine leiomyoma (UL) is the most common benign smooth muscle tumor of the uterus in reproductive women. Prior studies indicated that methyl-CpG-binding domain proteins (MBDs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of UL. Materials and Methods: In this study, UL tissues and paired adjacent myometrium were collected from a total of 51 patients. The expression of MBD mRNAs and their cognate proteins were analyzed via quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays and western blotting, respectively. The relationships between the MBD expression levels and the patients' clinicopathologic variables were assessed using Student's t test, nonparametric tests, or Pearson χ2 methods. Results: Our results show that both the mRNA and protein levels of MBD2 were significantly decreased in ULs compared to the adjacent myometrium. In addition, MBD6 protein expression was also decreased significantly in UL samples when compared to the adjacent myometrium. There was, however, no significant difference on the mRNA expression of MBD6 between these two groups. Neither the mRNA nor the protein levels of the other MBD members (MBD1, MBD3, MBD4, MBD5, and MeCP2) showed any significant differences between ULs and the adjacent myometria. The decreased expression of the MBD6 protein was correlated with the tumor size of ULs. Conclusions: These results suggest that the dysregulated expression of MBD2 and MBD6 in ULs may play a role in their development; however, a larger sample size together with cellular functional assays should be carried out to further elucidate the precise role of MBD6 in ULs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing upon research on narrative and speech styles and on digital and multimodal communication, the author proposes multimodal narrative discourse analysis (MNDA) with associated pedagogical and analytical procedures to teach and study storytelling. The second language (L2) students first participated in multimodal narrative simulations in the virtual world of Second Life. The university students then presented, evaluated, and revised stories in both face-to-face and digital contexts through multiple modalities and technologies. MNDA further provided tools and methods for analyzing the students' discursive processes and agentive experiences of L2 storytelling. The results of MNDA showed that the proper use of narrative elements, discourse structures, and stylistic devices, as well as bodily, visual, and video resources, assisted the students in developing multimodal designs and storytelling styles. This technology-mediated discourse approach to L2 storytelling suggests the importance of teaching and researching broader narrative contexts and activities other than simply elocution in multimodal communicative activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES There are few published studies on the rare disorder of intravenous-cardiac leiomyomatosis (IVCL). This study aimed to propose an individualized strategy for surgical treatment of IVCL. METHODS In this retrospective study, we reviewed 50 patients who had undergone IVCL removal from November 2002 to October 2017 in our hospital. IVCL was classified as Type A–E according to the extent and size, with Type E being the most severe. Clinical manifestations, surgical features and follow-up data were analysed. RESULTS Of the 50 patients in this series, 8 had Type A IVCL, 8 Type B, 29 Type C, 2 Type D and 3 Type E IVCL. One-stage removal of IVCL was performed via laparotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in the 8 patients with Type A, 1-stage tumour resection via sternolaparotomy under deep hypothermic arrest in 7 of the 8 patients with Type B and IVCL removal via sternolaparotomy under CPB, with 27 also under deep hypothermic arrest, in all 29 patients with Type C. Sixteen of the patients with Type C IVCL underwent staged procedures, 13 a 1-stage procedure and 21 required hepatic mobilization. All patients with Type C or E cases underwent 1-stage tumour removal via sternolaparotomy under deep hypothermic arrest. All 50 patients survived surgery. IVCL was confirmed postoperatively by histology. Ten patients had residual tumours; 9 of which did not progress. No deaths occurred during 47.8 ± 38.4 (range 1–177) months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The only known curative treatment for IVCL is surgery. Herein, we present an individualized strategy for selecting surgical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Juglans sigillata L. (walnut) has a high economic value for nuts and wood and has been widely grown and eaten around the world. Light plays an important role in regulating the development of the walnut embryo and promoting nucleolus enlargement, which is one of the factors affecting the yield and quality of walnut. However, little is known about the effect of light on the growth and quality of walnuts. Studies have shown that far red prolonged hypocotyl 3 (FHY3) and far red damaged response (FAR1) play important roles in plant growth, light response, and resistance. Therefore, FHY3/FAR1 genes were identified in walnuts on a genome-wide basis during their growth and development to reveal the potential regulation mechanisms involved in walnut kernel growth and development. Results: In the present study, a total of 61 FHY3/FAR1 gene family members in walnuts have been identified, ranging in length from 117 aa to 895 aa. These gene family members have FHY3 or FAR1 conserved domains, which are unevenly distributed on the 15 chromosomes (Chr) of the walnut (except for the Chr16). All 61 FHY3/FAR1 genes were divided into five subclasses (I, II, III, IV, and V) by phylogenetic tree analysis. The results indicated that FHY3/FAR1 genes in the same subclasses with similar structures might be involved in regulating the growth and development of walnut. The gene expression profiles were analyzed in different walnut kernel varieties (Q, T, and F). The result showed that some FHY3/FAR1 genes might be involved in the regulation of walnut kernel ripening and seed coat color formation. Seven genes (OF07056-RA, OF09665-RA, OF24282-RA, OF26012-RA, OF28029-RA, OF28030-RA, and OF08124-RA) were predicted to be associated with flavonoid biosynthetic gene regulation cis-acting elements in promoter sequences. RT-PCR was used to verify the expression levels of candidate genes during the development and color change of walnut kernels. In addition, light responsiveness and MeJA responsiveness are important promoter regulatory elements in the FHY3/FAR1 gene family, which are potentially involved in the light response, growth, and development of walnut plants. Conclusion: The results of this study provide a valuable reference for supplementing the genomic sequencing results of walnut, and pave the way for further research on the FHY3/FAR1 gene function of walnut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Review on citrus reproduction.Abstract: Citrus is one of the most important and widely grown fruit crops. It possesses several special reproductive characteristics, such as nucellar embryony and self-incompatibility. The special phenomenon of nucellar embryony in citrus, also known as the polyembryony, is a kind of sporophytic apomixis. During the past decade, the emergence of novel technologies and the construction of multiple citrus reference genomes have facilitated rapid advances to our understanding of nucellar embryony. Indeed, several research teams have preliminarily determined the genetic basis of citrus apomixis. On the other hand, the phenomenon of self-incompatibility that promotes genetic diversity by rejecting self-pollen and accepting non-self-pollen is difficult to study in citrus because the long juvenile period of citrus presents challenges to identifying candidate genes that control this phenomenon. In this review, we focus on advances to our understanding of reproduction in citrus from the last decade and discuss priorities for the coming decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: This study was conducted to examine the clinical characteristics of new‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during pregnancy. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of all pregnancies in patients with SLE managed at The People's Hospital of Peking University from 2008 to 2015. In total, 97 pregnancies were identified and studied, 22 of which were first diagnosed with SLE during pregnancy or puerperium. Results: New‐onset SLE mainly occurred during the first and second pregnancy trimesters. Blood and multi‐organ involvement were detected in 95.45% and 45.45% of new‐onset patients, respectively, and both had a higher incidence than in active patients. Thrombocytopenia was the most common blood involvement in new‐onset patients. All three maternal deaths occurred in new‐onset patients. There were nine (40.91%) fetal losses, three (13.64%) low birth weight infants, one (4.54%) fetal malformation and two (9.09%) cases of neonatal lupus in new‐onset patients. Conclusion: New‐onset pregnant SLE patients were characterized with blood system involvement and generally experienced more adverse maternal outcomes than active patients with SLE history. However, adverse fetal outcomes in new‐onset patients were the same as those of active patients with an SLE history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Schisandra chinensis is a plant used in traditional Chinese and Russian medicine. An S. chinensis seed extract was tested for its ability to potentiate the effects of the anticancer agent cisplatin in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Methods: S. chinensis seeds were extracted with ethanol and the ethanol was evaporated from the extracts to obtain an aqueous fraction of the S. chinensis seed extract (SCSE). MCF-7 cells were exposed to cisplatin alone or in combination with various concentrations of SCSE. The end points that were measured were cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and wound healing. Results: The addition of 10 % SCSE increased the cytotoxicity of cisplatin by increasing MCF-7 cell death by 7 %. The combination of 20 % SCSE and cisplatin completely inhibited wound healing in MCF- 7 cells. SCSE alone did not induce DNA fragmentation in MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: Compounds from S. chinensis seed extracts may mitigate cancer cell proliferation and migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic value and treatment-related complications of adjuvant chemotherapy after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). Design: The medical records of LACC patients who underwent CCRT were reviewed retrospectively. Methods: A total of 1,138 patients with LACC who had been treated at our hospital between January 2013 and December 2017 were included in the study and classified into two groups: the CCRT group, comprising 726 patients who had received only CCRT, and the CCRT + adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) group, comprising 412 patients who had received three cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy after CCRT. 39 patients in the CCRT group and 50 patients in the CCRT + ACT group had undergone lymphadenectomy, which revealed pathology-positive lymph nodes in 22 patients and 35 patients, respectively. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events were compared. Results: The median follow-up time was 61 months (range: 2–96 months). No significant differences in PFS and OS were found between the two groups (p > 0.05), but more grade 3–4 acute hematologic toxicities were observed in the CCRT + ACT group than in the CCRT group (24.8% vs. 31.8%, p = 0.01). A subgroup analysis of patients with pathology-positive lymph nodes showed that the 5-year PFS and OS rates were 76.5% and 74.9%, respectively, for the CCRT + ACT group and 45.0% and 49.2%, respectively, for the CCRT group; the differences were statistically significant (p = 0.015 and 0.042, respectively). Limitations: First, the sample size of the subgroup of patients with pathology-positive lymph nodes was too small for a confirmative conclusion. The heterogeneous population and the selection bias resulting from the retrospective design were the other flaws of our study. Conclusion: The application of adjuvant chemotherapy after CCRT may be worth investigating further for women with LACC and pathology-positive lymph nodes, but this approach is associated with an increase in acute hematology toxicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S-RNase-based self-incompatibility is found in Solanaceae, Rosaceae, and Scrophulariaceae, and is the most widespread mechanism that prevents self-fertilization in plants. Although 'Shatian' pummelo ( Citrus grandis), a traditional cultivated variety, possesses the self-incompatible trait, the role of S-RNases in the self-incompatibility of 'Shatian' pummelo is poorly understood. To identify genes associated with self-incompatibility in citrus, we identified 16 genes encoding homologs of ribonucleases in the genomes of sweet orange ( Citrus sinensis) and clementine mandarin ( Citrus clementine). We preliminarily distinguished S-RNases from S-like RNases with a phylogenetic analysis that classified these homologs into three groups, which is consistent with the previous reports. Expression analysis provided evidence that CsRNS1 and CsRNS6 are S-like RNase genes. The expression level of CsRNS1 was increased during fruit development. The expression of CsRNS6 was increased during the formation of embryogenic callus. In contrast, we found that CsRNS3 possessed several common characteristics of the pistil determinant of self-incompatibility: it has an alkaline isoelectric point (pI), harbors only one intron, and is specifically expressed in style. We obtained a cDNA encoding CgRNS3 from 'Shatian' pummelo and found that it is homolog to CsRNS3 and that CgRNS3 exhibited the same expression pattern as CsRNS3. In an in vitro culture system, the CgRNS3 protein significantly inhibited the growth of self-pollen tubes from 'Shatian' pummelo, but after a heat treatment, this protein did not significantly inhibit the elongation of self- or non-self-pollen tubes. In conclusion, an S-RNase gene, CgRNS3, was obtained by searching the genomes of sweet orange and clementine for genes exhibiting sequence similarity to ribonucleases followed by expression analyses. Using this approach, we identified a protein that significantly inhibited the growth of self-pollen tubes, which is the defining property of an S-RNase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the development of a novel multi-target multispectral pyrometer to remotely measure the true temperature of the plume of a solid fuel rocket engine in a harsh environment ground test. Using an optical fiber transmission technique, the core part of the instrument can be located 100 m away from the test site, so the influence of the harsh environment can be reduced and the instrument reliability improved. Optics are separated from prisms to accurately locate targets. Based on preamplifier circuits and parallelly adjacent pixels of the photodiode detectors, the measurement lower limit can reach 900 °C. The pyrometer is validated against experimental data from field measurements of a solid fuel rocket motor plume. The results demonstrate that the true temperature of the solid fuel rocket engine plume can be acceptably measured with the proposed pyrometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic rhinitis (AR) has been a significant healthcare burden on individuals and society. However, the detailed effect of different patterns of allergen exposure on the development of AR remains controversial. A mouse model of AR was established to address the complex relationships between allergen exposure and the development of AR. Allergic symptom, OVA-specific IgE in serum and nasal lavage fluid, allergic inflammation in nasal tissues were evaluated after intranasal sensitization and challenge of ovalbumin (OVA) in mice treated with two different doses of allergen for different sensitized durations. Exposure to different doses and sensitized durations of OVA were capable of inducing allergic nasal response. Repetitive OVA exposure in the sensitization phase induced the recruitment of eosinophils and goblet cell hyperplasia. The level of OVA-specific IgE in serum depended on OVA exposure and was mediated in a duration-related manner. In addition, mice treated with low-dose OVA for prolonged duration manifested the major features of human local allergic rhinitis. There were dose- and duration-related effects of allergen exposure on the development of AR. LAR was associated with repetitive exposure to low-dose allergen. Thus, allergen avoidance should be an important aim of AR management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the course of maternal diseases and compare pregnancy outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-associated thrombocytopenia to patients without.Methods: Medical charts of 77 pregnancies in 73 SLE patients were systematically reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of thrombocytopenia. Patients who are new onset SLE during pregnancy were also been studied.Result: Thrombocytopenia was found in 18 (23.3%) of the pregnancies. SLE patients with thrombocytopenia during pregnancy had higher percentage of disease flaring (11/18 versus 14/59, p = 0.003) and SLE-Pregnancy Disease Activity Index (7.89 ± 6.192 versus 2.41 ± 3.3.89, p = 0.001) compared to patients without. Also, patients with thrombocytopenia had a higher percentage of pulmonary, cardiac and multiple organ system involvement. There was a statistically significant difference in preeclampsia and early onset hypertensive disorder induced before 34 weeks as well as the rate of live birth less than 34 weeks (33.3% versus 6.8%, p = 0.003 & 38.9% versus 13.6%, p = 0.018 & 16.7% versus 1.7%, p = 0.038). Patients with thrombocytopenia suffered from higher rate of pregnancy loss (22.2% versus 3.4%, p = 0.024) and neonatal death (33.3% versus 1.7%, p = 0.000). In our study there were 17 patients with new-onset of SLE during pregnancy. The hematological system manifestation occurred in all of them and there was a significant increase in the incidence of thrombocytopenia (n = 12, 70.6%).Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia in SLE during pregnancy indicates higher disease activity, severe organ damage, early onset preeclampsia and higher pregnancy loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The antimicrobial properties and molecular interaction analysis of curcumin and its derivatives against three different strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Penicillin-susceptible, Penicillin-intermediate and Penicillin-resistant) are studied. Results: These properties were analyzed based on the measurement of the inhibition zone, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and rate of kill revealed that curcumin monoglucoside, curcumin diglucoside and curcumin possessed strong antimicrobial properties even on the Penicillin-resistant strains. Additionally, the molecular docking simulation analyses against Penicillin Binding Protein of S. pneumoniae also confirm that these compounds docked at the active site of the enzyme. Further, the molecular dynamics simulation validates the conformational stability of the docked ligand-protein complexes in the dynamic environment. Conclusion: curcumin monoglucoside, curcumin diglucoside and curcumin can be prescribed for treatment against Penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the differences in interview and ranking behaviors between matched and unmatched international medical school students and graduates taking part in the 2013 National Resident Matching Program Main Residency Match.

This study combines the virtual world of Second Life with a classroom storytelling activity to explore the ways in which second language (L2) speakers express narrative viewpoints. Building upon social-semiotic approaches to multimodality, the researcher analyzed 27 transcribed narrative presentations by nine English majors at a university in Taiwan. The L2 students expressed narrative viewpoints through a range of cohesive and evaluative resources. Multimodal analysis revealed a more dynamic organization of visual and embodied actions to enhance speaker stances. Visual compositions and camera techniques could be considered as having textual metafunctions for visual–verbal cohesion. This study may provide insight into multimodal communication and rhetoric aimed at the construction of viewpoint for facilitating the semiotic process from sensation to narration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pummelo (Citrus grandis) is an important fruit crop worldwide because of its nutritional value. To accelerate the pummelo breeding program, it is essential to obtain extensive genetic information and develop relative molecular markers. Here, we obtained a 12-Gb transcriptome dataset of pummelo through a mixture of RNA from seven tissues using Illumina pair-end sequencing, assembled into 57,212 unigenes with an average length of 1010 bp. The annotation and classification results showed that a total of 39,584 unigenes had similar hits to the known proteins of four public databases, and 31,501 were classified into 55 Gene Ontology (GO) functional sub-categories. The search for putative molecular markers among 57,212 unigenes identified 10,276 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 64,720 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). High-quality primers of 1174 SSR loci were designed, of which 88.16% were localized to nine chromosomes of sweet orange. Of 100 SSR primers that were randomly selected for testing, 87 successfully amplified clear banding patterns. Of these primers, 29 with a mean PIC (polymorphic information content) value of 0.52 were effectively applied for phylogenetic analysis. Of the 20 SNP primers, 14 primers, including 54 potential SNPs, yielded target amplifications, and 46 loci were verified via Sanger sequencing. This new dataset will be a valuable resource for molecular biology studies of pummelo and provides reliable information regarding SNP and SSR marker development, thus expediting the breeding program of pummelo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High resolution inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging is demonstrated by using a 0.22 THz stepped-frequency (SF) imaging radar system. The synthesis bandwidth of the terahertz (THz) SF radar is 12 GHz, which are beneficial for high resolution imaging. The resolution of ISAR image can reach centimeter-scale with the use of Range-Doppler algorithm (RDA). Results indicate that high resolution ISAR imaging is realized by using 0.22THz SF radar coupled with turntable scanning, which can provide foundations for further research on high-resolution radar image in the THz band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The controlled synthesis of ZnO atthe micro- and nanoscale hasbeen the focus of significant research due to its importance in electricaland optoelectronic applications, and the potential of tuning its propertiesat the crystal formation stage. We present a detailed study of ZnOgrowth processes which supports and consolidates previous findingsand gives a clearer understanding of the mechanism of ZnO formation.The influence of synthesis conditions on ZnO formation was investigatedby comparison of two different growth routes (Zn(CH3COO)2–NH3and Zn(NO3)2·6H2O−HMTA) both known to result in the formation of wurtzitestructured, twinned hexagonal rods of ZnO. The identities of the solidphases formed and supernatants were confirmed by data from SEM, XRD,FTIR, XPS, TGA, and ICP-OES analysis; giving insight into the involvementof multistep pathways. In both cases, reaction takes place via intermediatesknown as layered basic zinc salts (LBZs) which only later transformto the oxide phase. In the ZnAc2–NH3system,crystal growth evolves as Zn(CH3COO)2→LBZA (A: acetate) → ZnO through a dissolution/reprecipitationprocess, with the formation of an additional product identified asLBZAC (C: carbonate). In contrast, in the Zn(NO3)2·6H2O−HMTA system, solid-phase transformationoccurs as Zn(NO3)2·6H2O →LBZN (N: nitrate) → ZnO with no evidence of dissolution. Similarcomprehensive studies can be applied to other solid-state processesto further advance functional materials design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas in scattering media absorption spectroscopy (GASMAS) has been extensively studied and applied during recent years in, e.g., food packaging, human sinus monitoring, gas diffusion studies, and pharmaceutical tablet characterization. The focus has been on the evaluation of the gas absorption pathlength in porous media, which a priori is unknown due to heavy light scattering. In this paper, three different approaches are summarized. One possibility is to simultaneously monitor another gas with known concentration (e.g., water vapor), the pathlength of which can then be obtained and used for the target gas (e.g., oxygen) to retrieve its concentration. The second approach is to measure the mean optical pathlength or physical pathlength with other methods, including time-of-flight spectroscopy, frequency-modulated light scattering interferometry and the frequency domain photon migration method. By utilizing these methods, an average concentration can be obtained and the porosities of the material are studied. The last method retrieves the gas concentration without knowing its pathlength by analyzing the gas absorption line shape, which depends upon the concentration of buffer gases due to intermolecular collisions. The pathlength enhancement effect due to multiple scattering enables also the use of porous media as multipass gas cells for trace gas monitoring. All these efforts open up a multitude of different applications for the GASMAS technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the biological removal of HS from air had been investigated using a self-made biofilter with efficient bioceramics and a polyhedral hollow ball. The biological removal efficiency of HS had been analyzed at different experimental conditions, such as inlet HS concentration, residence time, initial pH value, and reaction temperature etc. The results showed that the initial pH value had a slight effect on HS removal efficiency from pH 3 to 9. The optimal initial pH value was 5.5, while the HS removal efficiency was 100%. The HS removal efficiency increased with increases in the nutrient solution spraying rate. The appropriate temperature was 25°C in the temperature range from 15 to 30°C. The HS removal efficiency dropped with the increase of air input and inlet HS concentration. After being isolated and screened, six strains of heterotrophic sulfide oxidizing bacteria and one strain autotrophic sulfide oxidizing bacteria were determined to be involved in the removal of HS within the biofilter. The reaction kinetics of HS was in accordance with first order reaction kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As authentic communicative practices, news writing and media discourse have the potential to serve as pedagogical tools for foreign language students to explore content of interest. This study analyzed university students’ media discourse in the virtual world of Second Life and subsequent revisions of their works in progress with respect to (1) journalistic headlines, (2) journalistic vocabulary, (3) journalistic organization, and (4) journalistic style. The results have revealed connections between voice and composition—that is, exchanging and sharing true thoughts and feelings while maintaining a self-image facilitated more concise, engaging, clear, and relevant news writing from new or different perspectives. Participants’ actions, perceptions, and movements also facilitated a better understanding of communicative practices specific to the virtual world. The results suggest that we should rethink authenticity in terms of content, contexts, purposes, and audiences to design computer-mediated collaborative learning tasks and support students’ authentic engagement of peers or other international speakers in lingua franca communication. This study may shed light on the future use of new media literacy and playful peer discourse in foreign language writing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: As a kind of flavonoid, baicalin (C21H18O11) is extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, the extract of which can be added to animal feed in China. Objectives: The present review will describe the current understanding of the pharmacological effects of baicalin in the regulation of inflammation, oxidative stress anti‐virus and anti‐tumour responses. Methods: We highlight emerging literature that the application in livestock health and performance, the biological activities, the molecular mechanisms and the dosage forms of baicalin by analysing and summarising the main points of the cited literatures. Results: It is found that baicalin can improve the functions of multiple physiological systems. Baicalin has a strong anti‐inflammatory effect by regulating TLR4‐NFκB‐MAPK signalling pathway; it also can reduce oxidative stress by regulating Nrf2–Keap1 pathway; it can inhabit many kinds of virus such as influenza virus, respiratory virus, hepacivirus and others; it can also inhibit the growth of tumour cells by blocking the cell cycle or inducing apoptosis; and new dosage forms such as cationic solid lipid nanoparticles, cyclodextrin inclusion complexes or nanocrystalline can be applied to improve the deficiency of baicalin. Conclusions: In summary, these studies have elucidated a comprehensive report on the anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidant, anti‐virus and anti‐tumour of baicalin, these findings thus indicated that baicalin can be used effectively to the field of animal production in future when the appropriate dosage form is determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] EMP (200kV/m for 200 pulses) exposure induced transient breakdown of BRB. [•] The decrease of occludin and claudin-5 protein played an important role in the disruption of tight junctions. [•] JNK, ERK, and p38 MAPK pathways were activated after EMP exposure. [•] P38 MAPK pathway was involved in this procedure through phosphorylations of signaling molecules. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article reports on an explorative case study which, in the first place, aimed to ascertain different types of foreign language play in online role-playing in Second Life, and which, secondly aimed to describe how various sources of contextual support can explain this foreign language play. Students’ written conversation was analyzed and further discussed in six vignettes based on a revised framework of form-based, semantic, and pragmatic play. This study discovered that students' collaborative and competitive role-playing creates and transforms languages and activities, such as puzzle solving, verbal dueling, word games, and ritual performances. As a pedagogic device, online role-playing games appear to facilitate foreign language play through appropriate use of environmental resources, virtual characters, hybrid codes, and collaborative activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The influence of solid state mechanochemical milling process on the non-isothermal crystallization of peroxide-crosslinked-low-density polyethylene (peroxide-XLPE) was investigated via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at different cooling rates. Peroxide-XLPE was partially decrosslinked during mechanochemical milling process. The Avrami method modified by Jeziorny, the Ozawa method and the Mo method were applied to describe the non-isothermal crystallization process of peroxide-XLPE, decrosslinked XLPE (de-XLPE) and pure LDPE successfully. The results revealed that the decrosslinking effect could accelerate the crystallization process of XLPE due to the higher chain mobility after mechanochemical milling, which was confirmed by the values of half crystallization time (t 1/2), crystallization rate exponent Z c, parameter K(T) and F(T). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is now well established that increased programmed death-1-ligand 1 (PD-L1) surface expression in cancer cells and the resultant T cell suppression contribute to cancer cell immune evasion. Blockade of PD-L1 function has been shown to stimulate anti-cancer immunity. Therefore, compounds that can down-regulate PD-L1 surface expression in cancer cells may serve as novel immune modulators to promote cancer cell-reactive immune responses. In the present study, we examined the effects of nimesulide, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, on PD-L1 surface expression in breast cancer cells by flow cytometry. We demonstrated that nimesulide was able to inhibit IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 surface expression in breast cancer cells. However, our data indicate that the inhibitory effects of nimesulide appear to be independent of COX-2/PGE2 signaling. Since nimesulide also exhibits anti-tumor activities by inducing cancer cell apoptosis and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, our findings suggest that nimesulide may represent a new class of chemotherapeutic agents that possess dual functions to inhibit cancer cell growth and promote cancer cell immune responses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]