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InN holds great promise for a wide range of applications, including broadband optical devices, high-frequency electronic devices, and serving as a substrate for highly sensitive gas detectors and efficient catalysts. Nevertheless, production of high-quality InN thin films through epitaxy has remained a significant challenge. This is primarily due to complexities arising from the low dissociation temperature and the high N2 equilibrium pressure of InN, which lead to formation of numerous nitrogen vacancies and a propensity to generate indium metal nanoparticles. Efficacy of the indium bilayer pre-deposition method for InN film growth has been established in prior studies. In this work, we introduce a specialized hydrogen insertion method to further enhance nitridation of the indium bilayer. The corresponding kinetic mechanism has been demonstrated through theoretical simulations and practical epitaxy experiments, leading to the development of an optimized hydrogen insertion process. This research represents a substantial improvement over existing InN epitaxial methods that involve control of the indium bilayer and introduces a novel mechanism for enhancing InN heteroepitaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Methods Results Conclusion Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by destructive lymphocytic cholangitis and specific anti‐mitochondrial antibodies. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have been reported to play a role in liver homeostasis and autoimmunity.We evaluated the features of peripheral ILC1s and ILC3 in patients with PBC and hepatic ILC1 and ILC3 in two different PBC mouse models (dominant‐negative transforming growth factor‐beta receptor II [dnTGFβRII] and 2‐octynoic acid‐bovine serum albumin [2OA‐BSA]).A total of 115 patients and 18 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Decreased circulating ILC1/3s were observed in early‐stage PBC patients, and the numbers of ILC1/3s were negatively correlated with specific parameters and the proportion of T‐helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cells. Reduced numbers of ILC1s were observed in PBC mouse models with different etiologies. ILC1‐deficient mice had more severe hepatic inflammation after inducing the 2OA‐BSA model. Continuous low‐dose injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) reduced ILC1 levels in mice, consistent with the lower level of ILC1s in PBC patients with high LPS (> 50 ng/mL), and aggravated hepatic lymphocyte infiltration.Patients with PBC had decreased ILC1s, which were negatively correlated with CD4+ T cells. Deficient ILC1 populations led to disease exacerbations in mice. Our results indicated that ILC1s may participate in the pathogenesis of PBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quick and highly sensitive detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus can efficiently reduce the possibility of viral spreading. In this study, a differential-phase surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor is constructed to directly detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies are applied as bioprobes and functionalized on Au film, forming a sensing surface. A numerical analysis of the phase shifts of the SPR interferogram, termed the index of phase shifts (IoPS), is presented, which does not depend on a reference beam or an s-component beam. The IoPS can sensitively reflect small changes in the refractive index (as low as 3.75 × 10−10 RIU) when NaCl solution is used as an analyte. The limit of detection (LOD) of the proposed SPR biosensor in detecting the SARS-CoV-2 S protein is 1 ag mL−1. In comparison with a SARS-CoV-2 negative control (NC) sample collected from healthy people, which has an IoPS of ΔφNC = 39°, the SPR biosensor shows a very strong response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus collected from infected people with a phase shift of ΔφIoPS = 566°. To further improve the detection sensitivity, a sandwich structure is designed by applying SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody functionalized gold nanoparticles (anti-S@AuNPs). This reduces the LOD for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein to 0.1 ag mL−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is mainly concerned with the existence of mild solutions and exact controllability for a class of fractional semilinear system of order q ∈ 1 , 2 with instantaneous and noninstantaneous impulses. First, combining the Kuratowski measure of noncompactness and the Mönch fixed point theorem, we investigated the existence result for the considered system. It is remarkable that our assumptions for impulses and the nonlinear term are weaker than the Lipschitz conditions. Next, on this basis, the exact controllability for the considered system is determined. In the end, an example is provided to support the main findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of robot technology and the extensive application of robots, the research on special robots for some complex working environments has gradually become a hot topic. As a special robot applied to transmission towers, the climbing robot can replace humans to work at high altitudes to complete bolt tightening, detection, and other tasks, which improves the efficiency of transmission tower maintenance and ensures personal safety. However, it is mostly the ability to autonomously locate in the complex environment of the transmission tower that limits the industrial applications of the transmission tower climbing robot. This paper proposes an intelligent positioning method that integrates the three-dimensional information model of transmission tower and visual sensor data, which can assist the robot in climbing and adjusting to the designated working area to guarantee the working accuracy of the climbing robots. The experimental results show that the positioning accuracy of the method is within 1 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A periodic sandwich SERS biosensor was developed to directly detect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with high sensitivity. • The periodic Ag nanoarrays are successfully fabricated by thermally depositing Ag into the pores of the AAO templates. • The Au@4-Mba@Antobody was fabricated and applied as a third layer to generate more hotspots in the perpendicular direction. • The SERS-based biosensor can directly detect the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with a concentration of 0.1 fg mL−1 in the target solution. This study reported a sandwich SERS structure in detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SARS-CoV-2 S protein) with high performance. The periodic Ag nanoarrays (AgNAs) functionalized with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) were utilized as the bottom structure to specifically bound to the SARS-CoV-2 S protein. A complex of SARS-CoV-2 S protein antibody and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-Mba) modified Au nanoparticles (AuNPs@4-Mba@Antibody) were used as nanotags and top SERS enhancing structures. By utilized the "hot spots" in parallel and perpendicular directions, the SERS signals of the 4-Mba as reporters were largely enhanced. By modulated the diameters and the heights of the AgNAs, the SERS performance of the sandwich structures was optimized by using R6G as a stand analyst with limits of detection (LOD) of 1 × 10−9 M. By applied the optimized sandwich structures in detecting SARS-CoV-2 S protein in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and pharyngeal swabs solution (PSS), the proposed sandwich structure illustrates a high performance, and the LODs were 0.1 fg mL−1 and 1 fg mL−1, respectively. This study presented an efficient way to construct a sandwich SERS structure in directly detecting SARS-CoV-2 S protein and this method illustrates a good potential in viral detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, new controllability results for a class of nonlinear fractional delay integrodifferential evolution equations with nonlocal conditions and a parameter have been derived under a new concept that we define as fast‐time complete controllability. Nonlinearity here is only supposed to be continuous rather than Lipschitz continuous by contrast. The major tools we adopt are resolvent operator theory and the theory of nonlinear functional analysis. Theoretical and practical applications are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the new abstract results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to establish some results about the existence of multiple solutions for the following singular semipositone boundary value problem of fourth-order differential systems with parameters: { u (4) (t) + β 1 u ″ (t) − α 1 u (t) = f 1 (t , u (t) , v (t)) , 0 < t < 1 ; v (4) (t) + β 2 v ″ (t) − α 2 v (t) = f 2 (t , u (t) , v (t)) , 0 < t < 1 ; u (0) = u (1) = u ″ (0) = u ″ (1) = 0 ; v (0) = v (1) = v ″ (0) = v ″ (1) = 0 , where f 1 , f 2 ∈ C [ (0 , 1) × R 0 + × R , R ] , R 0 + = (0 , + ∞) . By constructing a special cone and applying fixed point index theory, some new existence results of multiple solutions for the considered system are obtained under some suitable assumptions. Finally, an example is worked out to illustrate the main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Acute severe autoimmune hepatitis (AS-AIH) is a rare cause of acute liver failure (ALF), which is often neglected and delayed in treatment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effects of AS-AIH.Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed. AIH was diagnosed according to the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) criteria revised in 1999. AS-AIH was defined as an acute presentation (onset of symptoms to presentation of ≤ 26 weeks) and INR of ≥ 1.5, and no histologic evidence of cirrhosis.Results: Twelve patients were diagnosed as AS-AIH. At baseline, median immunoglobulin G was 28.35 g/L (range, 11.4-49.2). Ten (83.3%) patients were antinuclear antibodies and/or anti-smooth muscle antibodies positive. The prominent histologic characteristics were lobular necrosis/inflammation (91.7%) and plasma cell infiltration (100%). All patients received corticosteroid therapy. Death occurred in 2 (16.7%) patients within 30 days resulted from ALF. The average interval between the onset of symptoms and initiation of corticosteroid therapy in deceased patients was 65 days, compared with 19 days for survivors.Conclusions: AS-AIH is an uncommon disease with poor outcomes. Patients with acute severe hepatitis of unknown cause should be minded the possibility of AS-AIH and corticosteroids should be considered as soon as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A new SERS-based COVID-19 biosensor was developed to directly and ultrasensitivity detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. • The SERS-based biosensor assembled by monolayer Ag nanoparticles covered with single-layer graphene is applied as a SERS substrate can improve the repeatability. • The SERS-based biosensor can direct detection of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein ultra-low concentration of 0.1 fg mL−1 in phosphate-buffered saline and 10 fg mL−1 in pharyngeal swabs solution. • The sandwich structure is designed and fabricated for enhancing the detection sensitivity by using ACE2@AgNPs as an enhancement layer. The global pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a great disaster to the economy and human society. Nowadays, SARS-CoV-2 is fading away from people's memory but it still exists around us. PCR plays an important role in detecting SARS-CoV-2 but it requires a long detecting time, equipped laboratory, and professional operators. In comparison with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a promising method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 due to its fast, easily operated, and high-sensitivity properties. In this study, the monolayer Ag nanoparticles (MAgNPs) covered with single-layer graphene (SLG) are applied as a SERS substrate. The angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is selected as a bio-probes that can specifically bind to the SARS-CoV-2 S protein. The SERS-based biosensor is formed by ACE2 functionalized SLG/MAgNPs and the LODs of detecting SARS-CoV-2 S protein in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and in pharyngeal swabs solution (PSS) are 0.1 fg mL−1 and 10 fg mL−1, respectively. This biosensor provides a way of directly detecting SARS-CoV-2 S protein with high sensitivity and specificity. It illustrates a practical potential in the rapid detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impulsive control for the output tracking of probabilistic Boolean control networks (PBCNs) by the algebraic state‐space representation method. Firstly, a novel system with augmented control is established by regarding the impulsive time as a special kind of control, which is equivalent to the considered impulsive PBCN (IPBCN). Secondly, based on the largest control invariant subset, a necessary and sufficient condition is proposed to design impulsive control for the output tracking problem of IPBCNs. Moreover, a constructive method is put forward to design the state feedback controller and state‐dependent impulsive time sequence. Finally, an example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a study of quantitative analysis of the defects in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown graphene through plasmon-enhanced Raman scattering has been performed. By designing and fabricating three-dimensional hybrid Au nano-particles/single-layer-graphene/Au nano-holes (Au NPs/SLG/Au NHs) structures, the defects induced Raman scattering signals of SLG have been extremely enhanced. The light-graphene interaction between graphene and plasmonic nanostructures heightened the cross-section of the Raman scattering resulting in enhancing Raman signals. In the SERS spectra of graphene, the D band and D′ band which associated with defects-induced double resonance (DR) Raman scattering processes have been clearly observed. A general and empirical formula has been applied to quantify graphene defects nano-crystallite (La) through the relation between the ratio of I D /I G and E L 4. Additionally, an empirical formula for quantifying the defects based on the relation between I D' /I G and E L 4 was proposed. Besides, the Au NPs/SLG/Au NHs as a SERS substrate has been applied in detecting the fluorescein molecular under low concentration, and it exhibited good SERS performance. The defects-induced signals of graphene are enhanced by SERS, and the empirical formulas are proposed to quantify graphene defects nano-crystallite. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies lump solutions and interaction solutions for a (3 + 1)-dimensional Kadomtsev–Petviashvili–Boussinesq-like equation. With the help of symbolic computation and Hirota's bilinear form, we obtain bright–dark lump solutions, lump-soliton solutions, and lump-kink solutions. Meanwhile, the dynamics of the obtained three classes of solutions are analyzed and exhibited mathematically and graphically. These results provide us with useful information to grasp the propagation processes of nonlinear waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproducibility in research can be compromised by both biological and technical variation, but most of the focus is on removing the latter. Here we investigate the effects of biological variation in HeLa cell lines using a systems-wide approach. We determine the degree of molecular and phenotypic variability across 14 stock HeLa samples from 13 international laboratories. We cultured cells in uniform conditions and profiled genome-wide copy numbers, mRNAs, proteins and protein turnover rates in each cell line. We discovered substantial heterogeneity between HeLa variants, especially between lines of the CCL2 and Kyoto varieties, and observed progressive divergence within a specific cell line over 50 successive passages. Genomic variability has a complex, nonlinear effect on transcriptome, proteome and protein turnover profiles, and proteotype patterns explain the varying phenotypic response of different cell lines to Salmonella infection. These findings have implications for the interpretation and reproducibility of research results obtained from human cultured cells. Systems-wide analysis of HeLa cell lines from 13 labs identifies substantial molecular and phenotypic variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the state/output synchronization of switched Boolean networks (SBNs) with impulsive effects via the algebraic state space representation (ASSR) approach. First, an algebraic form is established for SBNs with impulsive effects via ASSR. Second, based on the algebraic form, some necessary and sufficient conditions are presented for the state/output synchronization of SBNs with impulsive effects under arbitrary switching signals. Third, two special kinds of switching signals, that is, free switching signal and feedback switching signal, are considered for the state synchronization of SBNs with impulsive effects. Finally, two illustrative examples are worked out to show the effectiveness of the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nocardia seriolae is the main pathogen of fish nocardiosis. In our previous study, alanine dehydrogenase was identified as a potential virulence factor of N. seriolae. On the basis of this fact, the alanine dehydrogenase gene of N. seriolae (NsAld) was knocked out to establish the strain ΔNsAld for vaccine development against fish nocardiosis in this study. The LD 50 of strain ΔNsAld was 3.90 × 105 CFU/fish, higher than that of wild strain (5.28 × 104 CFU/fish) significantly (p < 0.05). When the strain ΔNsAld was used as a live vaccine to immunize hybrid snakehead (Channa maculata ♀ × Channa argus ♂) at 2.47 × 105 CFU/fish by intraperitoneal injection, the non-specific immune indexes (LZM, CAT, AKP, ACP and SOD activities), specific antibody (IgM) titers and several immune-related genes (CD4 , CD8α , IL-1β , MHCIα , MHCIIα and TNFα) were up-regulated in different tissues, indicating that this vaccine could induce humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Furthermore, the relative percentage survival (RPS) of ΔNsAld vaccine was calculated as 76.48% after wild N. seriolae challenge. All these results suggest that the strain ΔNsAld could be a potential candidate for live vaccine development to control fish nocardiosis in aquaculture. • An attenuated N. seriolae strain ΔNsAld was constructed from wild-type strain ZJ0503. • The strain ΔNsAld used as a live vaccine could boost strong immune response. • Live vaccine trials of strain ΔNsAld could supply 76.48% RPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PEN possesses good deformability, high strength and high toughness. • The Inchworm-like soft robot structure including the functions of the legs. • Soft robot exhibits good magnetic control sensitivity and stability. • Broaden the further applications of soft robot in materials and structures. Soft robot has been widely used in many fields owing to flexible movement, good deformability and strong adaptability. To control soft robots, a variety of driving mechanisms have been explored, including light, electric, gas, and magnetic actuation. Of these mechanisms, magnetic actuation has gained significant importance due to its penetrability, rapid response and non-destructive performance. However, substrates made of soft composite films often suffer from poor toughness and flexibility. To address this issue, we designed a composite film composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn) and neodymium ferrite boron (NdFeB) (PEN) at an optimal ratio of 10:4:2. The film exhibits exceptional properties, including an elastic modulus of 1.17 MPa, thermal stability of 2.6625e-6 K−1, contact angle of 121.1°, tearing energy of 7.36 KJ/m2, swelling degree of 0.02446 and cross-linking density of 1.52 × 10-3mol/cm3. As a result, it is capable of achieving superior motion performance for inchworm-like robots. With the help of real-time motion analysis, we obtained the motion stage, actuating velocity of 48.3 mm/s and sequential magnetic control time of 20 s for the inchworm-like soft robot. These results indicate a high degree of sensitivity and stability. In conclusion, the developed inchworm-robot based on the novel PEN material exhibits exceptional deformation, flexibility, velocity and magnetic controllability under magnetic driving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the output tracking control of delayed Boolean control networks (DBCNs) by using the algebraic state space representation method. Firstly, the output tracking control problem of DBCNs is formulated, and the dynamics of DBCNs is converted into an equivalent algebraic form. Secondly, based on the algebraic form and controllability of DBCNs, a necessary and sufficient condition is presented for the output tracking control of DBCNs without state constraints. Thirdly, a necessary and sufficient condition is presented for the output tracking control of DBCNs with state constraints by constructing a constrained reachability matrix. The study of an illustrative example shows the effectiveness of the obtained new results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the existence of multiple solutions for the following nonlinear fractional boundary value problem: DT-αaxD0+αux=fx,ux,  x∈0,T, u0=uT=0, where α∈1/2,1, ax∈L∞0,T with a0=ess  infx∈0,Tax>0, DT-α and D0+α stand for the left and right Riemann-Liouville fractional derivatives of order α, respectively, and f:0,T×R→R is continuous. The existence of infinitely many nontrivial high or small energy solutions is obtained by using variant fountain theorems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consistent detection and quantification of protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) across sample cohorts is a prerequisite for functional analysis of biological processes. Data-independent acquisition (DIA) is a bottom-up mass spectrometry approach that provides complete information on precursor and fragment ions. However, owing to the convoluted structure of DIA data sets, confident, systematic identification and quantification of peptidoforms has remained challenging. Here, we present inference of peptidoforms (IPF), a fully automated algorithm that uses spectral libraries to query, validate and quantify peptidoforms in DIA data sets. The method was developed on data acquired by the DIA method SWATH-MS and benchmarked using a synthetic phosphopeptide reference data set and phosphopeptide-enriched samples. IPF reduced false site-localization by more than sevenfold compared with previous approaches, while recovering 85.4% of the true signals. Using IPF, we quantified peptidoforms in DIA data acquired from >200 samples of blood plasma of a human twin cohort and assessed the contribution of heritable, environmental and longitudinal effects on their PTMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying Schauder fixed point theorem and Leray-Schauder nonlinear alternative theory, this paper is concerned with the existence of solutions to coupled fractional differential systems with fractional integral boundary value conditions. Meanwhile, two examples are worked out to illustrate the application of the main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pd-nitrogen-doped-carbon nanocatalysts (Pd-C/N) with different morphologies, such as porous spheres, yolk-shell and hollow structures, had been synthesized and compared. The yolk-shell Pd-nitrogen-doped-carbon nanocatalysts (YS-Pd-C/N) and hollow Pd-nitrogen-doped-carbon nanocatalysts (H-Pd-C/N) were prepared through different etch time using SiO 2 spheres as hard-templates. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized thoroughly by TEM, BET, XRD, FT-IR, and XPS. Importantly, the catalysts have moderate BET specific surface area in the range from 200 to 300 m 2 g −1 and pore volume between 0.2 and 0.3 cm 3 g −1 . The reduction of 4-nitrophenol is chosen as a model reaction to research the morphology effects of these prepared Pd-C/N catalysts with the same chemical compositions. Interestingly, H-Pd-C/N exhibited the best catalytic performance, which could be attributed to its high nitrogen content, the uniform distribution of abundant active sites, as well as the synergistic effect of graphitic C/N shell and Pd species for the catalytic reaction. Especially, the unique hollow morphology and porous shell of H-Pd-C/N made it to be a nanoreactor, which was beneficial to improve the catalytic activities. In addition, H-Pd-C/N nanocatalysts exhibited favorable stability in the recycling reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palladium nanoparticles (NPs) were applied for the hydrodechlorination of chlorophenols in contaminated water using H2 as a clean and sustainable reductant. In this study, a high-efficiency Pd-based catalyst (Pd/Fe3O4@C) was facilely synthesized and applied for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol in an aqueous solution. Compared with most Pd-based catalysts, the Pd/Fe3O4@C nanocatalyst exhibits a higher catalytic performance. The well-dispersed Pd NPs were modified on the spherical carbon surface through coordination chemical bond. The superparamagnetic character of the Fe3O4 core enabled the Pd/Fe3O4@C nanocatalyst to be very easily separated and recovered from the reaction mixture. Thus, the nanocatalyst can be repeatedly used without significant weight loss. The high catalytic activity of the Pd/Fe3O4@C nanocatalyst indicates that noble metal nanoparticles supported on magnetic carbon sphere materials could act as promising catalysts and have potential applications in numerous Pd-based catalytic reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question of how genomic information is expressed to determine phenotypes is of central importance for basic and translational life science research and has been studied by transcriptomic and proteomic profiling. Here, we review the relationship between protein and mRNA levels under various scenarios, such as steady state, long-term state changes, and short-term adaptation, demonstrating the complexity of gene expression regulation, especially during dynamic transitions. The spatial and temporal variations of mRNAs, as well as the local availability of resources for protein biosynthesis, strongly influence the relationship between protein levels and their coding transcripts. We further discuss the buffering of mRNA fluctuations at the level of protein concentrations. We conclude that transcript levels by themselves are not sufficient to predict protein levels in many scenarios and to thus explain genotype-phenotype relationships and that high-quality data quantifying different levels of gene expression are indispensable for the complete understanding of biological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, applying homoclinic test approach to a (3+1)-dimensional nonlinear evolution equation, new kink breather soliton solutions are obtained. In addition, some new multi-soliton solutions are obtained via three-wave method. It is shown that the homoclinic test approach and the three-wave method can be used for constructing multi-soliton solutions of nonlinear evolution equations in mathematical physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thispaper presented a revised model for calculating the chemicaland vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE) of the formaldehyde + watersystem. Chemical equilibrium constants for the formation of poly(oxymethylene)glycols (HO(CH2O)iH, MGi, i> 1) were reviewed,and selected models were modified to reliably predict the speciesdistribution of formaldehyde aqueous solutions and describe the influenceof overall formaldehyde concentration. Besides, the UNIFAC equationfor the Gibbs excess energy was combined with the chemical reactionequilibria to represent the experimental VLE data in the literature.In addition, some model parameters were redetermined from the correspondingdata fits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palladium metal nanoparticles have been applied to hydrodechlorination of chlorophenols in contaminated water using H 2 as a clean and sustainable reductant. However, there are two major challenges to widespread technology adoption which are the activity loss caused by nanoparticle aggregation and the difficulty of nanoparticle recovery. In this study, a synthesis of a core-shell structured catalyst with encapsulated Pd nanoparticles has been given and whose catalytic activity has been tested in hydrodechlorination of chlorophenols under 1 atm H 2 at room temperature. The catalyst material consists of a nonporous silica core decorated with Pd nanoparticles that are further encapsulated within an ordered mesoporous silica shell. Well-defined mesopores (2.4 nm) provide a physical barrier to prevent Pd nanoparticle (∼10 nm) movement, aggregation and detachment from the support into water. Compared with some supported Pd catalysts such as Pd/AC and Pd/Al 2 O 3, SiO 2 /Pd@m-SiO 2 exhibits higher catalytic performance. After 5 times of recycling, catalytic activity of SiO 2 /Pd@m-SiO 2 reduces slightly and this result confirms the good recyclability of SiO 2 /Pd@m-SiO 2 . The function of the mesoporous shell, preventing aggregation of active nanoparticles, suggests a promising general strategy of using metal nanoparticle catalysts for water purification and related aqueous-phase applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Pd nanoparticles functionalized on the surface of a Fe3O4@SiO2@m-SiO2 nano-catalyst has been synthesised with accessible active sites and ultra-large surface areas. The Pd/Fe3O4@SiO2@m-SiO2 nano-catalyst can be recovered by applying an external magnetic field. The catalytic activity of Pd/Fe3O4@SiO2@m-SiO2 is tested in the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and the hydrodechlorination of 4-chlorophenol. The high catalytic activity is attributed to the well-dispersed Pd nanoparticles on the ultra-large surface of Fe3O4@SiO2@m-SiO2. Furthermore, the Pd/Fe3O4@SiO2@m-SiO2 nano-catalyst can be reused at least five times without significant loss in activity, which confirms its good stability. Therefore, the approach mentioned above that is based on core–shell structured magnetic Pd/Fe3O4@SiO2@m-SiO2 provides a useful platform for the fabrication of Pd NP based catalysts that feature easy accessibility, superior activity and convenient recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PDMS was used as the matrix of the composite, along with EGaIn and MWCNTs being the conductive fillers thanks to their high conductivity, low elasticity modulus, good deformability and compatibility as well as high strength and high toughness. • The brushing plastic films mask printing technology was utilized to create the master molds owing to the minimal requirement of a laser engraving machine and advantages such as cost-effectiveness, effortless operation and high precision. • The results indicate that the developed material holds great promise for potential applications of wearable flexible electronics. Despite the great potentials of bringing changes and convenience to modern life, drawbacks of current flexible sensors including low sensitivity, poor conductivity and extensibility have significantly impeded their commercialization. Herein, we propose a novel flexible film with improved performance, combining eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). According to the changing ratio of resistance under different pressures, bending angles and temperature, the hybrid material appears to possess the optimal electrical conductivity at an optimal hybrid ratio of 10:1:10 (wt %) between EGaIn, MWCNTs and PDMS. In the meantime, the largest contact angle (133°), the smallest elasticity modulus (1.2 MPa), high conductivity (1.315 × 10-2 S ∙ c m -1) and high resolution are achieved. Moreover, the composite material is successfully applied on PDMS substrates using brushing plastic films mask printing (BPFMP) technique to monitor the gestures of the human neck. These results prove that the new material and technologies possesses superior conductivity, flexibility, high sensitivity and low cost, easy fabrication. Therefore, it is expected to provide a supplement for flexible sensors, wearable devices and super capacitance in relation to human health monitoring and electronic tattoo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree and the origins of quantitative variability of most human plasma proteins are largely unknown. Because the twin study design provides a natural opportunity to estimate the relative contribution of heritability and environment to different traits in human population, we applied here the highly accurate and reproducible SWATH mass spectrometry technique to quantify 1,904 peptides defining 342 unique plasma proteins in 232 plasma samples collected longitudinally from pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic twins at intervals of 2-7 years, and proportioned the observed total quantitative variability to its root causes, genes, and environmental and longitudinal factors. The data indicate that different proteins show vastly different patterns of abundance variability among humans and that genetic control and longitudinal variation affect protein levels and biological processes to different degrees. The data further strongly suggest that the plasma concentrations of clinical biomarkers need to be calibrated against genetic and temporal factors. Moreover, we identified 13 cis- SNPs significantly influencing the level of specific plasma proteins. These results therefore have immediate implications for the effective design of blood-based biomarker studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orifice discharge is a classical hydrodynamic phenomenon. The experiments of liquid free jets through vertical sharp-edged orifices were conducted on the influences of orifice geometry and liquid depth. The flow mechanism indicates that the higher energy loss of thin-walled orifice is caused by the inspired air annulus inside orifice channel which will lead to the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The theoretical derivation further demonstrated that the consecutive collisions between main stream and surface waves can cause significant energy dissipation. Besides, a kind of transition orifice was found for the first time: the increase of liquid depth can induce a sudden switch from the thick-walled orifice mechanism to the thin-walled one. The presentation in this work on the formation and development of coherent structures, the migration and bursting of vortexes, as well as the interaction between vortexes and free interface, is universal for revealing the essential features of multi-phase flow in form friction. • The orifice discharge mechanism is determined by whether the air annulus is formed. • The fluctuations of gas/liquid interface induce the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. • Transition orifices exhibit the sudden switch of two orifice flow mechanisms. • The theoretical derivation proved the energy dissipation in consecutive collisions. • The coherent structures are universal for revealing the essence in form friction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The containment problem is generalized to FFNs, which enriches the theory of FFNs and extends the application of STP. • Using STP, we propose some new necessary and sufficient conditions to achieve containment by analyzing the property of structural matrix. The conditions listed in this paper are easily to check via the MATLAB toolbox. • Comparison with the existing works: From the point of systems, the state variables in [14,16,17,20] is 1-dimensional, while the state variables in this paper is k-dimensional; From the point of research methods, the conventional matrix theory and graph theory are the main mathematical tool in [14–17,20], including characteristic polynomial, eigenvalue and connectivity, while the STP method is more convenient to check via MATLAB toolbox. The containment problem of finite-field networks (FFNs) with fixed topology (FT-FFNs) and switching topology (ST-FFNs) is studied. Firstly, the concept of containment for FFNs is proposed. Secondly, by semi-tensor product (STP) of matrices, the logical updating rule of FFNs with multiple leaders can be equivalently converted into an algebraic form. Thirdly, the containment problem is converted into the problem of set stability, and an easily verifiable necessary and sufficient condition is presented to achieve containment. In addition, the obtained results are applied to the containment problem of ST-FFNs. Finally, two examples support the effectiveness of the main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The speed of a separation defines the best time resolution possible in online measurements using chromatography. The desired time resolution multiplied by the flow rate of the stream of analyte being sampled defines the maximum volume of sample per injection. The best concentration sensitivity in chromatography is obtained by injecting the largest volume of sample that is consistent with achieving a satisfactory separation, and thus measurement accuracy. Taking these facts together, it is easy to understand that separation speed and concentration sensitivity are linked in this type of measurement. To address the problem of how to achieve the best sensitivity and shortest measurement time simultaneously, we have combined recent approaches to the optimization of the separation itself with an analysis of method sensitivity. This analysis leads to the column diameter becoming an important parameter in the optimization process. We use these ideas in one particular problem presented by online microdialysis sampling/liquid chromatography/electrochemical detection for measuring concentrations of serotonin in the dialysate. In this case the problem becomes the optimization of conditions to yield maximum signal for a given sample volume under the highest speed conditions with a certain required number of theoretical plates. It turns out that the observed concentration sensitivity at an electrochemical detector can be regulated by temperature, particle size, injection volume/column diameter, and void time. The theory was successfully used for optimization of neurotransmitter serotonin measurement by capillary HPLC when sampling from a microdialysis flow stream. The final conditions are: 150μm i.d., 3.1cm long columns with 1.7μm particle diameter working at a flow rate of 12μL/min, an injection volume of 500nL, and a temperature of 343K. The retention time for serotonin is 22.7s, the analysis time is about 36s (which allows for determination of 3-methoxytyramine), and the sampling time is about 0.8min with a perfusion flow rate of 0.6μL/min. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Using bifurcation techniques, we investigate the existence of multiple solutions for a class of fourth order semipositone m-point boundary value problems. Our results improve those in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Applying a fixed point theorem for a concave operator on a cone, this work presents a sufficient condition for the existence and uniqueness of a positive solution for a second-order integral boundary value problem with switched nonlinearity. An example is worked out to illustrate the main results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we obtain the existence of sign-changing solutions for nonlinear second-order differential equations with integral boundary value conditions, by applying a new fixed point theorem in ordered Banach spaces, with the lattice structure derived by Liu and Sun. Our results improve on those in the literature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cancer secretomes are a promising source for biomarker discovery. The analysis of cancer secretomes still faces some difficulties mainly related to the intracellular contamination, which hinders the qualification and follow-up validations. This study aimed to establish a high-quality secretome of A549 cells by using the cellular proteome as a reference and to test the merits of this refined secretome for biomarker discovery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Using one-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we comprehensively investigated the secretome and the concurrent cellular proteome of A549 cells. A high-quality secretome consisting of 382 proteins was refined from 889 initial secretory proteins. More than 85.3% of proteins were annotated as secreted and 76.8% as extracellular or membrane-bound. The discriminative power of the lung-cancer associated secretome was confirmed by gene expression and serum proteomic data. The elevated level of C4b-binding Protein (C4BP) in NSCLC blood was verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA, p=6.07e-6). Moreover, the serum C4BP level in 89 patients showed a strong association with the clinical staging of NSCLC. Our reference-experiment-driven strategy is simple and widely applicable, and may facilitate the identification of novel promising biomarkers of lung cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: By applying the well-known fixed point theorem of cone expansion and compression, this paper investigates the existence of multiple positive solutions of periodic boundary value problems for first-order functional differential equations with impulse. Meanwhile, four examples are worked out to demonstrate the main results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: By employing bifurcation techniques, this paper investigates the existence of nontrivial solutions (single and multiple) for Lidstone boundary value problems depending on higher order derivatives. Our results improve on those in the literature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By applying the well known Leggett–Williams multiple fixed point theorem and fixed point theorem of cone expansion and compression, this paper investigates the existence of multiple positive solutions of periodic boundary value problems for first order differential equations. Meanwhile, two examples are worked out to demonstrate the main results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: One approach to achieve fast and efficient separations in packed column liquid chromatography (LC) is to reduce eddy diffusion and mass transfer resistance in the mobile phase using short columns packed with small particles. In this study, efficiencies of columns packed with 1.5 and 3.0μm nonporous and porous particles were compared in reversed-phase LC using nitromethane and a protein as analytes. Nonporous particles provided overall higher efficiency at high linear velocities when nitromethane was used as solute; however, the efficiency difference diminished significantly when the particle size was reduced from 3 to 1.5μm. Efficiencies for 1.5μm nonporous particles were considerably higher than those for 1.5μm porous particles at high linear velocities when a protein, alpha-chymotrypsinogen A (MW 25,000), was used as solute. In addition, the average retention factor for amylbenzene in a column packed with ACQUITY C18 porous particles was approximately 16 fold higher than for Micra C18 nonporous particles for aqueous mobile phase compositions containing from 40 to 75% acetonitrile. Pressure drop, sample loading capacity, and separation power were also evaluated and compared for porous and nonporous particles under practical conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper investigates the following two-point singular boundary value problems (BVP): where and are fixed given numbers; is a parameter. The results obtained are the global structure of solutions and exact number of solutions when or and q is sufficiently small. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fast liquid chromatographic (LC) methods are important for a variety of applications. Reducing the particle diameter (d p) is the most effective way to achieve fast separations while preserving high efficiency. Since the pressure drop along a packed column is inversely proportional to the square of the particle size, when columns packed with small particles (<2μm) are used, ultrahigh pressures (>689bar) must be applied to overcome the resistance to mobile phase flow. Elevating the column temperature can significantly reduce the mobile phase viscosity, allowing operation at higher flow rate for the same pressure. It also leads to a decrease in retention factor. The advantage of using elevated temperatures in LC is the ability to significantly shorten separation time with minimal loss in column efficiency. Therefore, combining elevated temperature with ultrahigh pressure facilitates fast and efficient separations. In this study, C6-modified 1.0μm nonporous silica particles were used to demonstrate fast separations using a temperature of 80°C and a pressure of 2413bar. Selected separations were completed in 30s with efficiencies as high as 220,000platesm−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents two sufficient conditions which guarantee the existence and uniqueness of a positive solution for a class of singular boundary value problems [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper discusses existence of multiple positive solutions to singular boundary value problem (BVP) for fourth-order equations by using the fixed-point theorem of cone expansion and compression under superlinear condition, which improves and extends the results in [1–5]. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By constructing a particular closed convex set and applying the Mönch fixed-point theorem, we study the existence of apositive solutions of singular boundary value problem in Banach space, singularities occuring at t = 0, 1, and x = φ. Our method is completely distinct from what the former literatures used even if we discuss the above problem in scalar space. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents some results on the existence of multiple unbounded solutions for the boundary value problems for second order differential equations on half line and on the uniqueness of unbounded solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By constructing a special cone and using cone compression and expansion fixed point theorem, this paper presents some existence results of positive solutions of singular boundary value problem (BVP, for short) on half-line for a class of second order differential equations. At the same time, the boundedness and unboundedness of positive solutions for BVP are considered also. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By constructing a special cone and using fixed point index theory in cone, this paper investigates the existence of multiple solutions of singular boundary value problems for differential systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]