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Semi-hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene over metal oxide-supported Au nanoparticles is an interesting topic. Here, a hydrotalcite-based MMgAlOx (M=Cu, Ni, and Co) composite oxide was exploited by introducing different Cu, Ni, and Co dopants with unique properties, and then used as support to obtain Au/MMgAlOx catalysts via a modified deposition–precipitation method. XRD, BET, ICP-OES, TEM, Raman, XPS, and TPD were employed to investigate their physic-chemical properties and catalytic performances for the semi-hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene. Generally, the catalytic activity of the Cu-modified Au/CuMgAlOx catalyst was higher than that of the other modified catalysts. The TOR for Au/CuMgAlOx was 0.0598 h−1, which was 30 times higher than that of Au/MgAl2O4. The SEM and XRD results showed no significant difference in structure or morphology after introducing the dopants. These dopants had an unfavorable effect on the Au particle size, as confirmed by the TEM studies. Accordingly, the effects on catalytic performance of the M dopant of the obtained Au/MMgAlOx catalyst were improved. Results of Raman, NH3-TPD, and CO2-TPD confirmed that the Au/CuMgAlOx catalyst had more basic sites, which is beneficial for less coking on the catalyst surface after the reaction. XPS analysis showed that gold nanoparticles exhibited a partially oxidized state at the edges and surfaces of CuMgAlOx. Besides an increased proportion of basic sites on Au/CuMgAlOx catalysts, the charge transfer from nanogold to the Cu-doped matrix support probably played a positive role in the selective hydrogenation of acetylene. The stability and deactivation of Au/CuMgAlOx catalysts were also discussed and a possible reaction mechanism was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The chitin derived hydrochar at 300 °C has a high N content (10.7 wt%) and thermal stability. • N, O co-doped hierarchical porous carbon with high specific surface area and abundant N, O heteroatoms was successfully prepared. • Abundant N, O heteroatoms contribute to additional pseudocapacitance. • The assembled symmetric supercapacitors present an ultrahigh energy density of 30.8 Wh kg−1 at 180 W kg−1. Rational design of hierarchical porous architecture with abundant pseudocapacitive sites is highly desirable for carbon electrode materials. However, the lengthy production process and high economic input limit its broader application. Herein, we successfully prepared N, O co-doped hierarchical porous carbon (NOHC) through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of chitin biomass with the assist of NH 4 Cl and subsequent carbonization with NaNH 2. The optimal NOHC600 exhibits a remarkable hierarchical porous structure and an ultrahigh specific surface area (SSA) of 2555 m2 g−1. Furthermore, it showcases a significant content of N, O co-doping, thereby providing abundant defects and additional active sites for ion adsorption. The aforementioned characteristics ensure outstanding capacitance performance of NOHC600. In the three-electrode system, NOHC600 exhibits a remarkable specific capacitance of up to 455 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1. The symmetric supercapacitors (SCs) based on NOHC600 achieve an impressive energy density of 30.4 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 180 W kg−1. Moreover, the all-solid-state NOHC600 microsupercapacitors (MSCs) demonstrate an exceptional areal capacitance of 78.2 mF cm−2 and an areal energy density of up to 10.8 μWh cm−2. Accordingly, this facile and scalable strategy shows a great potential for producing high-heteroatom-doped porous carbon materials from chitin biomass, which can be applied in practical energy-related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, oxide/oxide ceramic matrix composites reinforced with three‐dimensional fiber preform were fabricated by a slurry infiltration and sintering (SIS) process. The influence of the SIS cycle on microstructures and mechanical properties of the 3D oxide/oxide composite was investigated. Results showed that the porous matrix was densified due to the SIS effect. The elastic modulus of the weak matrix and interfacial shear strength increased with the increasing SIS cycle. This led to an obvious improvement in flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength of the composite. The fracture toughness and work of fracture of the composite slightly decreased. A good balance between fracture strength and damage tolerance was achieved on the sixth SIS fabricated oxide/oxide composite, which had a high flexural strength of 295.1 ± 14.9 MPa, a high interlaminar shear strength of 18.2 ±.5 MPa, and a high fracture 11.5 ±.8 MPa m1/2. The SIS process is a promising way to fabricate the 3D oxide/oxide composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale hydrogen underground storage is widely considered as an important solution for energy transition to mitigate global warming, however, our understanding on the various chemical and physical processes leading to H 2 loss during geo-storage remains largely unknown. We conducted adsorption isotherms measurements of H 2 , CH 4 and CO 2 on Cretaceous Cameo coal at 35, 50 and 65 °C, to explore adsorption mechanisms of H 2 and deciphering the effect of cushion gas (e.g., CH 4 , CO 2) on H 2 loss in the subsurface. The adsorbed amounts of H 2 are just 12% and 6% of CH 4 and CO 2 at temperature of 35 °C and pressure of 2.3 MPa, respectively, and H 2 adsorption behavior on Cameo coal can be described well by Langmuir monolayer theory. The extremely high Langmuir pressures (35–49 MPa) for H 2 indicate very weak affinity with coal, compared to CH 4 and CO 2. Differences of Langmuir adsorption capacities suggest that the gas adsorption of H 2 and CH 4 are mainly by physical interactions while both physical and chemical bonding with coal structures occurs for CO 2. The affinity with solid materials for the three gases can be quantitatively evaluated by the heat of adsorption, which was determined to be ∼9.2 kJ/mol for H 2. Extrapolation of our experimental results to natural coal seams indicates that H 2 presents much smaller adsorption amounts at depth up to 2000 m, corresponding to temperatures lower than 65 °C and pressure less than 30 MPa, geological conditions that are suitable for hydrogen underground storage. This study confirms that the injection of CH 4 or CO 2 as cushion gas can largely reduce the H 2 loss by adsorption in the subsurface. Empirical calculation suggests H 2 adsorption will be insignificant with chemical composition of CH 4 above 8% or CO 2 above 2% at the storage sites (e.g., abandoned mines, depleted coal seams). Our study lays a foundation on the understanding of the risk of H 2 loss in large-scale hydrogen underground storage. • Adsorbed amounts of H 2 are much smaller than CH 4 and CO 2. • Weak affinity of H 2 with coals is quantitatively evaluated. • H 2 loss by adsorption during geological storage can be significantly reduced by the injection of CH 4 or CO 2 as cushion gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pore characteristics of saline soil greatly influence its engineering properties, such as deformation, strength, and permeability. To explore the microscopic pore characteristics of the saline soil profile in Qian’an country, Northeastern China, a study based on the mercury injection test (MIP) and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) test combined with fractal theory was carried out. The results reveal that the pore size of undisturbed saline soil at the sampling point presents the characteristic of trimodal distribution and shows different microscopic characteristics with a depth of 60 cm as the boundary. The shallow soil (surface—40 cm) has poor compactness, high porosity, and macropores (4–40 μm) dominate, while the deep soil (60–100 cm) has higher compactness, smaller porosity, and more uniform pore size distribution. In addition, the pore morphology of the saline soil profile is closer to the sub-long strip or oblate, which indicates the pore has a poor roundness, and the pore edge lines are relatively smooth. The geostatic stress, freeze–thaw cycle, clay content, and soluble salt affect the pore microstructure together. Furthermore, the pore characteristics were evaluated based on the fractal dimension (D ) and surface fractal dimension (Dr ). D has the strongest correlation with the content of small pores (0.04–0.4 μm), and Dr has the strongest correlation with the shape coefficient. D and Dr can jointly reflect the microscopic pore structure characteristics with a good corresponding relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wnt signaling plays a critical role in loading-driven bone formation and bone homeostasis, whereas its activation in cancer cells promotes their progression. Currently, major research efforts in cancer treatment have been directed to the development of Wnt inhibitors. Recent studies on tumor–bone interactions, however, presented multiple lines of evidence that support a tumor-suppressive role of Lrp5, a Wnt co-receptor, and β-catenin, in Wnt signaling. This review describes the action of Wnt signaling as a double-edged sword in the bone microenvironment and suggests the possibility of a novel option for protecting bone from cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance photoinitiators (PIs) are essential for ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) light emitting diode (LED) photopolymerization. In this study, a series of coumarin ketoxime esters (COXEs) with electron-donating substituents (tert-butyl, methoxy, dimethylamino and methylthio) were synthesized to study the structure/reactivity/efficiency relationships for substituents for the photoinitiation performance of PIs. The introduction of heteroatom electron-donating substituents leads to a redshift in the COXE absorption of more than 60 nm, which matches the UV-Vis LED emission spectra. The PIs also show acceptable thermal stability via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results from real-time Fourier transform infrared (RT-FTIR) measurements indicate that COXEs show an excellent photoinitiation efficiency for free radical polymerization under UV-Vis LED irradiation (365–450 nm); in particular, the conversion efficiency for tri-(propylene glycol) diacrylate (TPGDA) polymerization initiated by COXE-O and COXE-S (4.8 × 10−5 mol·g−1) in 3 s can reach more than 85% under UV-LED irradiation (365, 385 nm). Moreover, the photosensitization of COXEs in the iodonium hexafluorophosphate (Iod-PF6) and hexaarylbiimidazole/N-phenylglycine (BCIM/NPG) systems was investigated via RT-FTIR. As a coinitiator, COXEs show excellent performance in dry film photoresist (DFR) photolithography. This excellent performance of COXEs demonstrates great potential for UV-curing and photoresist applications, providing a new idea for the design of PIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the spatial effects of the extreme precipitation during the raining season in the perspective of tropical cyclone‐related (TCEP) and non‐TC‐related extreme precipitation (nTCEP). The seasonal maximum 1‐day precipitation (RX1day) data across 94 stations in the coastal areas of southeastern China from 1964 to 2013 were used and partitioned into different homogenous regions. Regional Bayesian models were developed for generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution to quantify the spatial effects on extreme precipitation in each homogeneous region. Four coastal and one inland homogeneous regions were identified, which were consistent with the TC tracks. The extreme precipitation was found to decrease as the distance from the coastline increases, whose sensitivity to the distance from the coastline differs from region to region. For TCEP, the distance from the coastline has effects on the location and the scale parameters of the regional GEV model in all regions. The 50‐year return level of TCEP in southern regions is five times more sensitive to the distance from the coastline than that in the northern regions. For nTCEP, the distance from the coastline has effects on the scale parameter in all regions, while the location parameter is affected only in two regions in the south. The sensitivity of 50‐year return levels of nTCEP to the distance from the coastline decreases gradually from south to north. Within 200 km from the coastline, the 50‐year return level of TCEP is 15.6–78.9% larger than that of nTCEP in the same region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotor dynamic balancing is a classical problem. Traditional balancing methods such as the influence coefficient method and the modal balancing method, have low balancing efficiency because they need to run many times to add trial weights. Although the model-based balancing method improves the balancing efficiency, it cannot accurately identify the position, amplitude and phase of each unbalance fault for rotors with multi-disc structures, so it is difficult to apply it to actual balancing. To solve the above problems, based on the traditional modal balancing theory, this paper deduces that the continuous and isolated unbalance in the rotor-bearing system can be represented by isolated unbalance on several balancing planes approximately. The model-based method is used to identify the above-mentioned equivalent isolated unbalances, and then the corrected mass is added to the balancing planes so as to complete the balance of multiple flexible rotor without trial weights. Considering the practical situation, the proposed balancing method includes two steps: low-speed balancing and high-speed balancing. The proposed balancing method is verified using three and four-disc rotors. The simulation results show that the balancing method can effectively reduce the vibration of the flexible rotor after low-speed and high-speed balancing, and the amplitude at the measurement point is reduced by 79.74~97.60%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To introduce a new fully endoscopic visualized laminar trepanning approach with a periendoscopic trephine under local anesthesia for resection of highly migrated lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and report the clinical outcomes of one year follow-up.Methods: Twenty-one patients with highly migrated LDH who underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy via the laminar trepanning approach from June 2019 to August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Short Forms-Pain Interference (PI) and Physical Function (PF) were selected as outcome measures. The operating duration and complication were documented.Results: The average age of the 21 patients (15 males, 6 females) was 37.8 ± 6.0 years (29-52 years). Disc migration originated from L4/5 in 19 patients, L5/S1 in two patients. The mean operative duration was 54.1 ± 9.0 minutes (42-79 min). All patients were followed up to 12 months after the operation. PROMIS PI T-scores decreased significantly from pre-operatively mean 68.6 ± 2.4 to 54.4 ± 1.9 (P < 0.001) and 47.1 ± 4.3 (P < 0.001) at six weeks and 12 months, respectively. PROMIS PF T-scores improved significantly from pre-operatively mean 26.7 ± 4.7 to 44.3 ± 4.2(P < 0.001) and 58.4 ± 4.0 (P < 0.001) at six weeks and 12 months, respectively. No complications and disc herniation recurrences occurred.Conclusion: The targeted full endoscopic laminar trepanning under local anesthesia with a visualized periendoscopic trephine offers a safe, efficient and cost-effective option for the resection of highly migrated LDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Chondrosarcoma and inflammatory arthritis are two joint-damaging diseases. Here, we examined whether a counterintuitive approach of activating tumorigenic and inflammatory signaling may generate joint-protective proteomes in mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes for the treatment of chondrosarcoma and inflammatory arthritis. While activating PI3K signaling and the administration of TNFα to chondrosarcoma cells and chondrocytes promoted tumor progression and inflammatory responses, those cells paradoxically generated a chondroprotective conditioned medium. Notably, the chondroprotective conditioned medium was enriched with Hsp90ab1 that interacted with GAPDH. Extracellular GAPDH interacted with L1CAM, an oncogenic transmembrane protein, and inhibited tumorigenic behaviors, whereas intracellular GAPDH downregulated p38 in chondrocytes and exerted anti-inflammatory effects. The result supports the unconventional approach of generating chondroprotective proteomes. Purpose: To develop a novel treatment option for Chondrosarcoma (CS) and inflammatory arthritis, we evaluated a counterintuitive approach of activating tumorigenic and inflammatory signaling for generating joint-protective proteomes. Methods: We employed mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes to generate chondroprotective proteomes by activating PI3K signaling and the administration of TNFα. The efficacy of the proteomes was examined using human and mouse cell lines as well as a mouse model of CS. The regulatory mechanism was analyzed using mass spectrometry-based whole-genome proteomics. Results: While tumor progression and inflammatory responses were promoted by activating PI3K signaling and the administration of TNFα to CS cells and chondrocytes, those cells paradoxically generated a chondroprotective conditioned medium (CM). The application of CM downregulated tumorigenic genes in CS cells and TNFα and MMP13 in chondrocytes. Mechanistically, Hsp90ab1 was enriched in the chondroprotective CM, and it immunoprecipitated GAPDH. Extracellular GAPDH interacted with L1CAM and inhibited tumorigenic behaviors, whereas intracellular GAPDH downregulated p38 and exerted anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the unconventional approach of activating oncogenic and inflammatory signaling can generate chondroprotective proteomes. The role of Hsp90ab1 and GAPDH differed in their locations and they acted as the uncommon protectors of the joint tissue from tumor and inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coumarin Based Glyoxylate Photoinitiators for Free Radical and Cationic Photopolymerizations with UV–Visible LED Irradiation. The novel photoinitiators coumarin-3-oxoacetic acids methyl esters (COAEs) exhibited versatile talents working as photoinitiators in photopolymerization. Upon absorption of ultraviolet (UV) or visible (Vis) light, COAEs would generate active free redicals via Type I photoinitiators mechanism or capture hydrogen via Type II photoinitiators mechanism to initiate free radical polymerization (FRP) of acrylic esters Tri-(propylene glycol) diacrylate (TPGDA). Moreover, they can sensitize sulfonium salts and iodonium salts to to initiate cationic photopolymerization (CP) of epoxy monomers and oxetane monomers, respectively. Additionally, they can initiate the deep curing of TPGDA to a depth of 9cm at extremely low concentrations of COAEs (0.01 wt%) with a 415 nm and 450 nm LED (100 mW · cm−2) in acceptable exposure time (5 min). The parent nucleus of COAEs is coumarin, which can be extracted from plants such as strawberries, tonka bean, blackcurrant, etc., thus COAEs exhibit excellent cell compatibility. [Display omitted] • Coumarin-3-oxoacetic acid methyl esters (COAEs) were synthesized as photoinitiators suitable for UV–Vis LED irradiation. • COAEs could sensitize iodonium salts and sulfonium salts to initiate cationic photopolymerization. • COAEs can initiate deep curing of acrylate monomer to approach to 9 cm depth at acceptable low concentrations (0.01 wt%). • COAEs exhibit good photobleaching and cell compatibility. High-performance photoinitiators (PIs) play a crucial role in ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) photopolymerization. In this study, three coumarin-3-oxoacetic acid methyl esters (COAEs) which demonstrate significant UV–Vis absorption within the 300–500 nm range were synthesized and studied. Real-time fourier transform infrared (RT-FTIR) and photo-differential scanning calorimetry (photo-DSC) experiments demonstrated that these PIs can function as Type I and Type II PIs for initiating free radical polymerization (FRP) of acrylate monomers. Additionally, they can serve as photosensitizers for iodonium salts and sulfonium salts, enabling cationic photopolymerization (CP) of epoxy and oxetane monomers. Remarkably, even at low concentrations of 0.01 wt%, they can effectively initiate the deep curing of Tri-(propylene glycol) diacrylate (TPGDA) to a depth of approximately 9 cm after 5 min of irradiation with a 415 nm or 450 nm LED light source. Furthermore, the COAEs exhibit satisfactory photobleaching properties, making them suitable for colorless applications in photopolymerization. The photochemical and photophysical properties of the COAEs were thoroughly investigated using absorption spectroscopy, electron spin resonance, cyclic voltammetry experiments, and photoinduced decarboxylation experiments to elucidate the photoinitiation mechanism. Cytotoxicity experiments revealed that COAE-N exhibited good cytocompatibility. Therefore, the exceptional polymerization properties of COAEs offer promising prospects for FRP and CP applications. Additionally, their efficient photobleaching characteristics make them highly suitable for deep photopolymerization applications. Moreover, the low cytotoxicity of COAEs suggests significant potential for biomedical applications such as dental restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The AMO@CeO 2 /NF as advanced OER catalyst was successfully synthesized by a facile surface-guided synthetic route. The as-prepared AMO@CeO 2 /NF exhibits excellent OER performance with low overpotential of 261 mV at 10 mA cm−2, high turnover frequency of 0.07 s−1 at 20 mA cm−2 and superior stability in 1.0 M KOH. [Display omitted] Herein, we demonstrate a direct growth of amorphous metal oxyhydroxide (AMO) attached on CeO 2 by a galvanic replacement mechanism as advanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst. In this unique structure, the CeO 2 substrate not only offers high specific surface area for the formation of AMO, but also provides high conductivity, guaranteeing the promoted electron transfer for the catalytic reaction. In addition, the AMO on the surface of the CeO 2 exposes abundant active sites for the OER. Benefiting from the above advantages, the as-prepared AMO@CeO 2 supported on nickel foam (AMO@CeO 2 /NF) exhibits excellent OER performance with low overpotential of 261 mV at 10 mA cm−2, high turnover frequency of 0.07 s−1 at 20 mA cm−2 and superior stability in 1.0 M KOH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bacterial strain, designated M625T, was isolated from the surface of a marine red alga. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed based on the 16S rRNA gene and RpoB protein sequences, which indicated that the strain belongs to the genus Aquimarina within the family Flavobacteriaceae. Strain M625T showed high sequence similarities to A. aggregata RZW4-3-2 T (95.7%), A. seongsanensis CBA3208T (95.3%) and A. versatilis CBA3207T (95.0%). The AAI and POCP values between strain M625T and A. muelleri DSM 19832 T were 71.8% and 57.9% respectively. The dDDH and ANI values between strain M625T and A. aggregata were 19.5% and 74.6% respectively. The strain was Gram-stain negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and long rod-shaped, and positive for hydrolysis of starch, cellulose, alginate, DNA and Tween 20. The dominant respiratory quinone was MK-6. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH, and iso-C15:1 G, and the polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids, and seven unidentified lipids. Based on the polyphasic comparisons, strain M625T is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina algicola sp. nov. (type strain M625T = MCCC 1H00399T = KCTC 72685 T) was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on STL (stereo lithography) format file and with Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 programming language, a 3D printing slicing software appropriate for the surface strengthening of the parts has been developed, which includes three functions: 3D model import, model slicing and data export. Through the grouping of STL model triangle facets before slicing, the judgment times of the relationship between the triangle facets and the cutting planes are reduced, and the slicing efficiency is improved. Aiming at the fact that the surface should be strengthened when the part is formed by using of 3D printing process, the function of identifying and marking the surface of the geometric entity is accomplished in the slicing software, which can strengthen the surface of the part according to the user's requirements. The developed slicing software can provide an entity slicing file for 3D printing equipment. The related functions can be adjusted and improved according to user's needs, which makes the software convenient and flexible to use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To construct multivariate radiomics models using hybrid 18F-FDG PET/MRI for distinguishing between Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Methods: Ninety patients (60 with PD and 30 with MSA) were randomized to training and test sets in a 7:3 ratio. All patients underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/MRI to simultaneously obtain metabolic images (18F-FDG), structural MRI images (T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2/FLAIR)) and functional MRI images (susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient). Using PET and five MRI sequences, we extracted 1172 radiomics features from the putamina and caudate nuclei. The radiomics signatures were constructed with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm in the training set, with progressive optimization through single-sequence and double-sequence radiomics models. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to develop a clinical-radiomics model, combining the optimal multi-sequence radiomics signature with clinical characteristics and SUV values. The diagnostic performance of the models was assessed by receiver operating characteristic and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: The radiomics signatures showed favourable diagnostic efficacy. The optimal model comprised structural (T1WI), functional (SWI) and metabolic (18F-FDG) sequences (RadscoreFDG_T1WI_SWI) with the area under curves (AUCs) of the training and test sets of 0.971 and 0.957, respectively. The integrated model, incorporating RadscoreFDG_T1WI_SWI, three clinical symptoms (disease duration, dysarthria and autonomic failure) and SUVmax, demonstrated satisfactory calibration and discrimination in the training and test sets (0.993 and 0.994, respectively). DCA indicated the highest clinical benefit of the clinical-radiomics integrated model. Conclusions: The radiomics signature with metabolic, structural and functional information provided by hybrid 18F-FDG PET/MRI may achieve promising diagnostic efficacy for distinguishing between PD and MSA. The clinical-radiomics integrated model performed best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the contributions of potential drivers on runoff is essential for the sustainable management of water resources; however, the impacts of climate variability and human activities on runoff at inter-annual and inter-decadal scales have rarely been assessed quantitatively. To achieve this goal, this study develops a nonlinear hybrid model, which integrates extreme-point symmetric mode decomposition (ESMD), back propagation artificial neural networks (BPANN) and weights connection method. ESMD allows to separate the times series of drivers and runoff into different time scales. BPANN is then used to simulate the relation between the drivers and runoff at each time scale separately. Weights connection method is employed to quantify the impacts of climate variability and human activities on runoff. The performance of this proposed model is compared with multiple linear regression (MLR). The mountainous area of the Hotan River Basin is selected as case study area. Results reveal that runoff exhibits significant fluctuations at inter-annual (2 and 9 years) and inter-decadal (14 years) scales. Climate variables are responsible for 81% of the runoff variations, while human activities account for 8%. The nonlinear hybrid model substantially outperforms MLR in all performance measures. We attribute this improvement to the ability of the proposed model to represent nonlinear relations and to simulate the association between drivers and runoff at different time scales. For instance, water vapor affects runoff positively at the inter-annual time scale but negatively at the inter-decadal time scale. Such opposing relations cannot be represented by MLR or many other, more traditional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alumina slurry with high solid content was prepared, and a rapid lamination route for fabricate the Nextel™ 610 fiber reinforced alumina composite was proposed in this work. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-received all-oxide composite were investigated by a series of techniques. The shrinkage cracks in matrix were reduced, while porous structure in composite was maintained. The N610/alumina composite has weak matrix and weak interface, as the Young's modulus of the alumina matrix and the interfacial shear strength of the composite are 140.8±2.5GPa and 129.1±14.6MPa. The mechanical properties of the composite are much higher than lots of oxide/oxide composites, given its flexural strength, interlaminar shear strength and the fracture toughness are 398.4±5.7MPa、27.0±0.5MPa and 14.1±0.9MPa·m1/2, respectively. The flexural strength of the virgin composite keep stable at 25–1050 °C, while dramatically decrease at 1100–1200 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, mirror‐like Co9S8 nanosheets in‐situ grown on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate have been synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method and used as a novel Pt‐free counter electrode (CE) for dye‐sensitized solar cells. Based on mirror effect of the Co9S8 CE, incident light has been efficiently utilization. As a result, the cell using Co9S8 nanosheets CE achieved a power conversion efficiency of 9.01 %, which is higher than that of Pt CE. This could be contributed to the fact that mirror‐like Co9S8 nanosheets exhibited an excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of I3−/I−.Mirror‐like Co9S8 nanosheets were successfully in‐situ grown on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate through a facile hydrothermal method, which could be used as counter electrode in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) without any post treatment. DSSC base on the mirror‐like Co9S8 nanosheets counter electrode achieved a high efficiency of 9.01 % [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of sacropelvic fixation (SPF) using sacral-2-alar iliac (S2AI) screw with SPF using iliac screw (IS). Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Scopus was performed for comparative studies between S2AI and IS for SPF. Two independent investigators selected qualified studies and extracted data indispensably. With 95% confidence intervals (CI), the odds ratio (OR) was applied to dichotomous outcomes and standardized mean difference (SMD) was applied to continuous outcomes for each item. Results: We included data from thirteen studies involving 722 patients (S2AI, 357 patients; IS, 365 patients). In the pediatric population, the S2AI group had a smaller pelvic obliquity (PO) than the IS group at final follow-up (SMD, − 0.38; 95% CI, − 0.72 to − 0.04). Patients who underwent S2AI screws showed reduced rates of re-operation (S2AI, 13%; IS, 28%), implant failure (S2AI, 12%; IS, 26%) [screw loosening (S2AI, 8%; IS, 20%); screw breakage (S2AI, 2%; IS, 12%)], implant prominence (S2AI, 2%; IS, 14%), pseudarthrosis (S2AI, 3%; IS, 15%), wound infection (S2AI, 8%; IS, 22%) and less blood loss (S2AI, 2035.4 ml; IS, 2708.4 ml). Conclusion: Radiological outcomes indicate an effective maintenance of the correction and arrest of progression of deformity by S2AI, which is equal or better than IS. SPF with S2AI screw has obviously lower incidence of postoperative complications and less blood loss. Given these advantages, the S2AI screw seems to be a beneficial alternative to IS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irisin is a muscle factor discovered in 2012 that plays an important role in many tissues, including bone. Eight years since its discovery, there are still many controversies regarding its molecular biology, detection, and effects on bone. This article summarizes the points raised to date, and discusses the mechanisms by which irisin regulates bone cells. The information reviewed here provides a useful foundation for future research. • Only acute exercise can temporarily increase plasma irisin levels in humans • Low antibody specificity in detection of irisin content and protein loss during sample pretreatment cause inaccurate results • The non-canonical start codon of irisin in humans has not been confirmed by research • Irisin has different effects on bone formation and resorption depending on its concentration and exposure time [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The injuries associated with the spinal cord, including trauma, tumor, or disease, may lead irreparable damage leading to limited or loss of mobility, paralysis, and in extreme cases may loss senses. Methylprednisolone (MP) is often used to treat acute spinal cord injuries but suffers with high dose toxicity. The local administration of MP can overcome the neurological deficits associated with its high-dose systemic administration. Method. In the present study, we have designed a targeted delivery system hyaluronic acid- (HA-) coated polyethylenimine- (PEI-) modified poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (HA-MP-PEI-PLGA) for the localized delivery of MP. The PEI-modified PLGA (PEI-PLGA) nanoparticles were prepared and coated electrostatically by HA. The particles were well characterized using DLS and SEM analysis. The efficacy of the particles was compared with unmodified MP-PEI-PLGA nanoparticles in an in vitro and in vivo model. Results. The synthesis of PEI-PLGA was confirmed using FTIR. The HA-MP-PEI-PLGA and MP-PEI-PLGA were of size 163 ± 13 nm and 124 ± 9 nm , respectively. The major difference was observed in zeta potential of the nanoparticles where the charge reversal was observed, which was +22.6 mV and -12.9 mV, respectively, for MP-PEI-PLGA and HA-MP-PEI-PLGA. The percentage encapsulation efficiencies (EE) were calculated to be 71.4 ± 3.76 and 65.4 ± 4.71. The synthesized nanoparticles showed the sustained release of MP which significantly reduced the proinflammatory cytokines and the lesion in HA-MP-PEI-PLGA-treated rats and enhanced the growth of axons and blood vessels; also, it reduced the production of nitric oxide. Conclusion. The results revealed that local administration of HA-MP-PEI-PLGA enhances their efficiency for effective treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Facet joint degeneration (FJD) is a major cause of low back pain. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) (1–34) is commonly used to treat osteoporosis. However, little is known about its effects on FJD induced by estrogen deficiency. This study aims to investigate the effects of PTH (1–34) on FJD induced by estrogen deficiency and the underlying pathogenesis of the disease. Methods: Forty 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: 30 received bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) followed by 12 weeks of treatment with normal saline, PTH (1–34) or 17β-estradiol (E2), and 10 received sham surgery followed by administration of normal saline. Status and Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity in the cartilage and subchondral bone of the L4–L5 FJs and serum biomarkers were analyzed. Results: Administration of PTH (1–34) and E2 ameliorated cartilage lesions, and significantly decreased MMP-13 and caspase-3 levels and chondrocyte apoptosis. PTH (1–34) but not E2 significantly increased cartilage thickness, number of chondrocytes, and the expression of aggrecan. PTH (1–34) significantly improved microarchitecture parameters of subchondral bone, increased the expression of collagen I and osteocalcin, and decreased RANKL/OPG ratio. E2 treatment significantly increased the OPG level and decreased the RANKL/OPG ratio in the subchondral bone of ovariectomized rats, but it did not significantly improve the microarchitecture parameters of subchondral bone. Wnt3a and β-catenin expression was significantly reduced in the articular cartilage and subchondral bone in OVX rats, but PTH (1–34) could increase the expression of these proteins. E2 significantly increased the activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway only in cartilage, but not in subchondral bone. The restoration of Wnt/β-catenin signaling had an obvious correlation with the improvement of some parameters associated with the FJs status. Conclusion: Wnt/β-catenin signaling may be a potential therapeutic target for FJD induced by estrogen deficiency. PTH (1–34) is effective in treating this disease with better efficacy than 17β-estradiol, and the efficacy may be attributed to its restoration of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Multi‐planar external fixation has been used for the management of segmental tibial fractures with severe soft tissue injuries. However, fewer specialized studies have been reported. The primary aim of this study was to describe our experience of treating fractures of this type using the Taylor Spatial Frame and Ilizarov external fixation methods. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 33 patients with segmental tibial fracture treated at our institution between January 2016 and December 2020. The patients were divided into double Taylor Spatial Frame (D‐TSF) and Ilizarov groups based on the external fixation structure. Baseline demographic data included sex, age, injury side and cause, open or closed fracture, time from injury to surgery, complications, and external frame removal and fracture healing time. The hip–knee–ankle angle (HKA) was measured from preoperative, immediate postoperative, and final follow‐up full‐length X‐rays of bilateral lower limbs. We determined the degree of deviation in the HKA by calculating the difference between the measured angle and the ideal value of 180°; the absolute value was used to assess recovery of the lower limb force line. At the final follow‐up, Johner–Wruhs tibial fracture outcome criteria (J‐W TFOC) were used to classify the postoperative function of the affected limb as excellent, good, moderate, or poor. Count data were analyzed with the chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test; the Mann–Whitney U test was used for rank data. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of sex, age, side of injury, cause of injury, closed or open fracture, or time between injury and surgery, which indicates that the groups were comparable (p > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed in external frame removal and fracture healing time between the D‐TSF and Ilizarov groups (36.24 ± 8.34 vs 45.42 ± 10.21 weeks, p = 0.009; 33.33 ± 8.21 vs 42.00 ± 9.78 weeks, p = 0.011). The Johner–Wruhs criteria were used to assess the function of the affected limb, the D‐TSF group performed better in correcting the lower limb force line than the Ilizarov group. A statistically significant difference in terms of excellent ratings was observed between the two groups (18/2/1/0 vs 5/5/1/1, p = 0.010). Postoperative follow‐up X‐rays demonstrated a significant improvement in the HKA in both groups immediately after surgery and at the final follow‐up compared to the angle before surgery. At the final follow‐up, a statistically significant difference was observed in the degree of deviation in the HKA between the two groups (1.58° ± 0.84° vs 2.37° ± 1.00°, p = 0.023). Conclusion: The D‐TSF treatment is associated with minimal secondary damage to soft tissue, a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure, multiplanar stable fracture fixation, and optimization of fracture alignment and lower limb force lines, therefore, it is highly effective therapeutic option for segmental tibial fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The partial substitution of Bi site by Tm ion makes new 4 f and 4 d energy levels below the CB, which can capture and store electrons in shallow traps, synchronously two-dimensional nanoplates of Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 can transform into ultrathin nanosheets after incorporating Tm ions, thanks to the lower crystal surface energy. [Display omitted] In this study, we prepared two-dimensional Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 nanosheets doped with rare earth ions. The experimental results show that Bi 4- x Tm x Ti 3 O 12 exhibits the highest reduction performance among various rare earth doped Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 materials, with a CO yield of 7.25 μmol g−1h−1. Furthermore, a delayed reaction in Bi 3.97 Tm 0.03 Ti 3 O 12 is observed upon a cessation of light irradiation. Theoretical calculations reveal that the introduction of Tm ion not only reduces the surface energy of (0 0 1) plane and make it preferential growth in Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 , but also brings the intervening energy level of Tm ion (4 f and 4 d mixed orbital), which is closer to the conduction band of Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 and facilitates charge carrier accumulation in trap states. The electrons retained in the shallow traps promote the hysteresis reaction following a cessation of illumination. This work provides further insights into elucidating precise reduction reaction mechanisms underlying rare earth dopant on photocatalysts. This research provides enhanced insights into unraveling the precise reduction reaction mechanisms influenced by rare earth dopants in photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modifications of support for the dispersion and immobilization of gold nanoparticles were examined for the selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene. The catalyst, denoted as Au/CNA, was prepared by the carbonization of C and N atom-containing organic precursors on Al2O3, which were subsequently used as supports for gold nanoparticles. The TOF value of Au/CNA was five times higher than that of Au/Al2O3 at 250 °C. The carbonization modification of Al2O3 support without N species showed almost no change in catalytic activity. Therefore, the improved catalytic performance of Au/CNA is related to the interactions of the N species on the CNA support with nano-gold particles. From the XPS analysis, electron transfer between gold and C, N co-doped species may play an important role in the high levels of Au active site utilization. This study may provide new avenues for the construction of organic/inorganic composite materials for efficient catalytic hydrogenation applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In multi-scale feature extraction, image feature cues extracted over a set of scales are normally fused by computing their geometric mean (GM). In this paper, it has been theoretically shown that from a signal processing point of view, the arithmetic mean (AM) should be used instead of the GM; this is beneficial in conducting multi-scale corner detection. First, the generalized k - cosine is developed and exploited to compute the AM curvature. Compared to the GM curvature, the AM curvature can be more efficient in yielding higher saliency for corner points than that of insignificant local image structures. On the other hand, our developed generalized k -cosine curvature measurement can incorporate the contour's convexity and concavity into the corner detection process, while enjoying reduced computational complexity. To further improve corner detection performance, a curvature smoothing technique, with a two-stage curvature thresholding , is developed for removing noise from the computed AM curvatures. Extensive experimental results have demonstrated that our proposed AM-curvature-based corner detector can clearly outperform a number of state-of-the-art corner detection methods. In particular, the average F-score achieved on five benchmark datasets has been increased by 3.8% on clean images and 3.2% on quality-degraded images, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a rich history of using light hydrocarbon distributions to characterize source and thermal maturity based on observations made on source rocks and petroleum fluids produced from conventional reservoirs. In this study, a suite of lower Eagle Ford oils and condensates was used to determine the accuracy and reliability of established light hydrocarbon parameters in an unconventional petroleum system. These samples have well defined organic source facies, generative temperatures, and extent of thermal cracking. They are largely free of the influence of long-distance migration, multiple charging events, reservoir alteration processes that commonly occur in conventional accumulations and free of contributions from other reservoirs along faults induced by fracturing. All established light hydrocarbon thermal maturity parameters are influenced to varying degrees by source facies. Ratios of i -C 4 / n -C 4 and quaternary/tertiary dimethylpentanes linearly correlate with %R o (R 2 > 0.8) with negligible sensitivity to differences in source facies. The Isoheptane and C 6 –C 7 branched/(branched + cyclic) hydrocarbon ratios correlate with %R o (R 2 > 0.8) but also are influenced by source facies. Some established C 7 parameters are affected by thermal cracking: i -C 5 / n -C 5 and toluene/ n -C 7 are the most sensitive ratios to the onset of intense hydrocarbon cracking (∼1.35 %R o) and do not appear to be significantly influenced by source facies, C 6 –C 7 branched/(branched + normal) hydrocarbons and methylcyclohexane/ n -C 7 both increase in response to cracking conditions but are significantly influenced by source facies, which is likely related to the presence of reactive clays. A revised formula for C temp is proposed: C temp = 161.9 + 29.4•(ln[2,4-DMP/2,3-DMP]). The revised C temp formula is applicable for oils/condensates with 2,4-DMP/2,3-DMP >0.25, expanding the practical limit from ∼120 to ∼160 °C, and yields C temp values consistent with the maximum exposure temperature with an accuracy of ∼ ±5 °C for most samples, excluding those that have been altered by evaporation. The Mango (1997) C temp formula should be used for lower maturity oils having DMP/2,3-DMP values < 0.25. Sample integrity is critical as many of the light hydrocarbon parameters are significantly altered by evaporative loss. • Light hydrocarbons (LH) of well characterized Lower Eagle Ford oils/condensate were examined. • The influences of source facies and thermal cracking on LH parameters were determined. • i C 4 / n C 4 and (2,2-+3,3-DMP)/(2,3-+2,4-DMP) accurately reflect thermal maturity with low source dependency. • Isoheptane ratio and C 6 –C 7 branched/(branched + cyclic) accurately reflect thermal maturity but are source dependent. • A revised formula for C temp is proposed when 2,4-/2,3-DMP >0.25: C temp = 161.9 + 29.44(ln[2,4/2,3-DMP]) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effects of CGU arrangement on ARHCR performance are studied by CFD. • The "simplified flow field" strategy was utilized. • Lower intersection angle and number of rows are benefit to performance. • Proper radial and circumferential offsets and radial spacing are advisable. • This work may provide a reference value to the design of ARHCRs. Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) is widely considered a promising process intensification technology. The novel advanced rotational hydrodynamic cavitation reactors (ARHCRs), with considerably higher performance compared with traditional devices, have gained increasing attention of academic and industrial communities. The cavitation generation unit (CGU), located on the rotor and/or stator of an ARHCR, is utilized to generate cavitation and consequently, its geometrical structure is vital for the performance. The present work studied, for the first time, the effect of the arrangement of CGU on the performance of a representative ARHCR by employing computational fluid dynamics based on the "simplified flow field" strategy. The effect of CGU arrangement, which was neglected in the past, was evaluated: radial offset distance (c), intersection angle (ω), number of rows (N), circumferential offset angle (γ), and radial spacing (r). The results indicate that the CGU, with an arrangement of a low ω and moderate c , N , γ , and r , performed the highest cavitation efficiency. The corresponding reasons were analyzed by combining the flow field and cavitation pattern. Moreover, the results also exposed a weakness of the "simplified flow field" strategy which may induce the unfavorable "sidewall effect" and cause false high-pressure region. The findings of this work may provide a reference value to the design of ARHCRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is still a challenge to prevent the formation of bacterial biofilms on the surfaces of oral implants. A chemical peptide with binding and antibacterial properties may be a promising agent if used to modify titanium (Ti) surfaces to inhibit biofilm formation. In this study, peptides were designed by linking the antimicrobial sequence derived from human β-defensin-3 (hBD-3) to the Ti-binding peptide-1 (TBP-1) sequence by using a triple glycine (G) linker. The antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility characteristics of the chemical-peptide-modified Ti surface were then evaluated and the potential antibacterial mechanism was investigated. This study demonstrated that the chemical-peptide-modified surface exhibited satisfactory bactericidal activities against Streptococcus gordonii , Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. In addition to its potent bacteria-killing efficacy, the surface-immobilised chemical peptide also demonstrated excellent biocompatibility to L929 cells. Moreover, the disruption of the integrity of the bacterial membrane partially revealed the antibacterial mechanism of the peptide. This study demonstrated the potential of chemical-peptide-modified Ti surfaces for preventing the occurrence of peri-implant diseases, thereby providing a promising approach to improving the survival rate of oral implants. [Display omitted] • Chemical-peptide-modified Ti surface exhibited satisfactory anti-biofilmactivities. • Chimeric peptides were designed by linking the antimicrobial sequence derivedfrom hBD-3 to TBP-1 sequence. • Chimeric peptides disrupted the integrity of bacterial membranes. • Chemical peptide demonstrated excellent biocompatibility to L929 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient cross-presentation is pivotal for vaccination against cancer and infection by intracellular virus and bacteria. Recently, various types of nanoparticle vaccines have been developed and investigated for efficiently and specifically improving cross-presentation and CD8+ T cell priming. In this review, we will summarize the known intracellular pathways involved in cross-presentation, and focus on several nanoparticle strategies that have been reported for enhancing cross-presentation, including designing multifunctional nano-vaccines for increasing endosomal escape, designing nano-vaccines that can target lymph nodes to improve antigen uptake by lymph node resident CD8α+ dendritic cells, and co-delivering immune modulators for upregulating cross-presentation related intracellular components. We will also briefly discuss the future prospects of cross-presentation based nano-vaccine strategy for curing diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interface engineering is the most direct and efficient way to enhance the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity of transition-metal sulfides (TMSs). However, present methods of engineering nano-interfaces remain to be improved. Here, we present a nitrate-pyrolysis method to create a sulfide–oxide interface on Cu2S for the first time. Specifically, a CoOx decorated Cu2S nanowire array on Cu foam (Cu2S–CoOx/CF) is prepared successfully, and the XPS result demonstrates the interfacial connection between Cu2S and CoOx. To afford a current density of 25 mA cm−2, Cu2S–CoOx/CF needs an overpotential of 255 mV, lower than that of Cu2S/CF (354 mV) and CoOx/CC (378 mV). These results indicate that the introduction of the sulfide–oxide interface is an efficient means to enhance the OER activity of Cu2S. And this paper should provide a novel route for more explorations in interface engineering for TMSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgent demands of energy storage for wearable electronics necessitates the development of flexible supercapacitors (FSCs). However, the service environment of portable/wearable devices requires supercapacitors to possess excellent mechanical properties to withstand harsh straining conditions, such as bending, rolling, and twisting. Hence, to develop a high-performance flexible supercapacitor (FSC) that possesses both superior electrochemical properties and remarkable mechanical capacities is still a formidable challenge. In this paper, we successfully fabricate a 3D heterostructured electrode with bulge structured polypyrrole (PPy) wrapped NiMoO 4 nanowires on carbon cloth (CC). Benefiting from the 3D heterostructure and the synergistic effect between NiMoO 4 and PPy, the PPy/NiMoO 4 /CC electrode shows a high areal capacitance of 3.4 F cm−2 and cyclic stability (94% capacitance retention). Moreover, the assembled PPy/NiMoO 4 /CC//activated carbon (AC)/CC device exhibits a high energy density (0.5 mW cm−2 at a power density of 3.7 mWh cm−2). Furthermore, the CV curves of PPy/NiMoO 4 /CC//AC/CC show no obvious change under miscellaneous deformation conditions, indicating good flexibility. This work demonstrates that the assembled PPy/NiMoO 4 /CC//AC/CC FSC possesses notable electrochemical properties and exhibits great potential for application in future wearable energy-storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quantitative analysis of brain positron-emission tomography (PET) depends on structural segmentation, which can be time-consuming and operator-dependent when performed manually. Previous automatic segmentation usually registered subjects' images onto an atlas template (defined as RSIAT here) for group analysis, which changed the individuals' images and probably affected regional PET segmentation. In contrast, we could register atlas template to subjects' images (RATSI), which created an individual atlas template and may be more accurate for PET segmentation. We segmented two representative brain areas in twenty Parkinson disease (PD) and eight multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients performed in hybrid positron-emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MR). The segmentation accuracy was evaluated using the Dice coefficient (DC) and Hausdorff distance (HD), and the standardized uptake value (SUV) measurements of these two automatic segmentation methods were compared, using manual segmentation as a reference. Results: The DC of RATSI increased, and the HD decreased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with the RSIAT in PD, while the results of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) found no significant differences in the SUVmean and SUVmax among the two automatic and the manual segmentation methods. Further, RATSI was used to compare regional differences in cerebral metabolism pattern between PD and MSA patients. The SUVmean in the segmented cerebellar gray matter for the MSA group was significantly lower compared with the PD group (P < 0.05), which is consistent with previous reports. Conclusion: The RATSI was more accurate for the caudate nucleus and putamen automatic segmentation and can be used for regional PET analysis in hybrid PET/MR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nacre-like magnesium matrix composite with high carbon nanotube (CNT) contents (up to 4.40 wt%) was successfully prepared under the combined effects of bidirectional freeze casting, pressureless infiltration, and hot pressing. The bidirectional freeze casting was carried out to fabricate large-scale parallelly layered CNT scaffolds. The spontaneous infiltration of an AZ91 magnesium alloy was achieved using nano-silica as the wetting promoter, and MgO and Mg 2 Si (reaction products) provided the strength of the as-synthesized composites. Furthermore, the hot pressing increased the average thickness ratio of reinforcing phase/alloy layers in the AZ91/CNT composites from 0.89 (before hot pressing) to 1.46 (after hot pressing) and also significantly improved the specific strength from 142.3 MPa/(g⋅cm−3) to 158.7 MPa/(g⋅cm−3) without sacrificing the specific toughness ((17–18) MPa⋅m1/2/(g⋅cm−3)). The resultant composites were mainly strengthened by CNTs, reaction products, and the strong interfacial bonding between CNTs and the Mg matrix. The key toughening mechanisms for the as-prepared composites were crack deflection, branching, and CNT pull-out. This study provides a new idea for the economical and efficient preparation of lightweight and damage-tolerant composites with high CNT contents. Image 1091852 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper illustrates the potential for seasonal prediction of wind and solar energy resources through a case study in the Yangtze River estuary. Sea surface temperature and geopotential height-based climate predictors, each with high correlation to ensuing seasonal wind speed and solar radiation at the Baoshan weather observing station, are identified and used to build statistical models to predict seasonal wind speed and solar radiation. Leave-one-out-cross-validation is applied to verify the predictive skill of the best performing candidate model for each season. We find that predictive skill is highest for both wind speed and solar radiation during winter, and lowest during summer. Specifically, we find the most skill when using climate information from the July-September season to predict wind speed or solar radiation during the subsequent November-January season. The ability to predict wind and solar energy availability in the upcoming season can help energy system planners and operators anticipate seasonal surpluses or shortfalls and take precautionary actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction of semiconductor heterojunctions is an efficient strategy to improve photo-induced charges separation and thus enhance photocatalytic activities. Herein, g-C3N4/TiO2 heterostructures were prepared via a facile thermal procedure, with TiO2 nanorods as matrix and g-C3N4 as visible-light sensitizer. Heterojunctions formed while precursors cyanamide polymerized to g-C3N4 and protonated titanate nanotube (H-TNTs) dehydrated and shrinked to TiO2 nanorods. Notably, confined polymerization of g-C3N4 occurred at both external surface and internal space of H-TNTs with the assistant of vacuum treatment, while NH3 released from cyanamide decomposition yielded abundant oxygen vacancies (VO) in TiO2 nanorods. Compared with pristine TiO2 nanorods, the heterostructured g-C3N4/TiO2 nanorods possess 1.7 times more active in photocatalytic removal of organic dye Orange II. A mechanism was proposed for heterostructured g-C3N4/TiO2 nanorods, being attributed to synergistic increasing light harvesting by VO and charges separation by heterojunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-noble-metal-based catalysts for catalyzing the oxidative coupling of aldehydes and ammonia represent an efficient atom-economical synthetic route to produce nitriles. In this study, an effective Fe-modified N -doped carbon catalyst anchored on fibrous silica nanospheres (Fe-N/KCC-1-T) was successfully prepared by a facile strategy. 1,10-Phenanthroline with a strong chelating ability ensured the homogeneous, ultrafine distribution of Fe-based active sites, and the KCC-1 support material effectively enhanced the accessibility to these active sites, which corresponded to center-radial pore channels and a high surface area. As-fabricated Fe-N/KCC-1-T exhibited excellent catalytic performance for the ammoxidation of aldehydes under mild reaction conditions. A series of functionalized aldehydes were efficiently oxidized into the corresponding nitriles by using air as the green oxidant. Moreover, the catalyst was recycled for at least five runs without any clear decrease in the performance. Hence, this study is expected to provide an eco-friendly synthetic route to produce nitriles from easily available aldehydes and ammonia by using a cost-effective catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations in neoplastic processes. DNA methylation, as an important epigenetic process, contributes to the development of CRC. In the present study, the epigenetic landscape of genes in CRC was characterized by analyzing the dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and 177 DNA-methylated genes were screened based on the criterion of the Pearson correlation (R) between expression and methylation levels being >0.4. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed prominent pathways, including transcription and metabolism, further implying their significant role in tumorigenesis. Among the methylated genes, only zinc finger protein (ZNF)726 with aberrant expression was determined to affect overall survival (OS) as well as disease-free survival of patients with CRC. In addition, ZNF726 was identified as an independent prognostic risk factor for OS in patients with CRC. The methylation-based regulation of ZNF726 expression in CRC cells was further assessed using the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia database. Finally, the CpG island methylation of the ZNF726 promoter was evaluated to further elucidate its role in the development of CRC. In conclusion, the epigenetic landscape of genes in terms of promoter methylation in CRC was characterized, revealing that aberrant expression of ZNF726 may be an independent prognostic risk factor for OS in patients with CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-free carbon catalysts with excellent catalytic performance have drawn much research attention recently. Herein, polymer-derived N,S co-doped carbon catalysts (PDNSC-X) with a hierarchically porous structure were facilely prepared by a cost-effective and convenient strategy via carbonization of a N- and S atom-containing polymer precursor and were subsequently used as efficient metal-free catalysts. The catalytic activity of the as-fabricated PDNSC-800 was greater than those of other reported heteroatom-doped carbon catalysts in catalytic reduction of various nitroarenes. The high catalytic activity of PDNSC-800 was related to the synergistic effects of a high surface area, a hierarchically porous structure, abundant N- and S-containing active sites, and defect formation. In addition, the close relationship between the N species (especially pyrrolic N) and high selectivity in metal-free catalytic synthesis was investigated in the reduction of nitroarenes and selective oxidation of ethylbenzene. This study may provide a new strategy to fabricate specific heteroatom-doped metal-free carbon catalysts for environmentally friendly efficient organic transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endophytic fungus Falciphora oryzae was initially isolated from wild rice (Oryza granulata) and colonizes many crop species and promotes plant growth. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying F. oryzae‐mediated growth promotion are still unknown. We found that F. oryzae was able to colonize Arabidopsis thaliana. The most dramatic change after F. oryzae inoculation was observed in the root architecture, as evidenced by increased lateral root growth but reduced primary root length, similar to the effect of auxin, a significant plant growth hormone. The expression of genes responsible for auxin biosynthesis, transport, and signalling was regulated in Arabidopsis roots after F. oryzae cocultivation. Indole derivatives were detected at significantly higher levels in liquid media after cocultivation compared with separate cultivation of Arabidopsis and F. oryzae. Consistently, the expression of indole biosynthetic genes was highly upregulated in F. oryzae upon treatment with Arabidopsis exudates. Global analysis of Arabidopsis gene expression at the early stage after F. oryzae cocultivation suggested that signals were exchanged to initiate Arabidopsis–F. oryzae interactions. All these results suggest that signalling molecules from Arabidopsis roots are perceived by F. oryzae and induce the biosynthesis of indole derivatives in F. oryzae, consequently stimulating Arabidopsis lateral root growth. Falciphora oryzae, a dark septate endophytic fungus, could be a potential biofertilizer and biocontrol agent. In this study, we found that F. oryzae promoted Arabidopsis root growth by producing indole derivatives. Interestingly, these indole derivatives were only produced after sensing plant signals, suggesting that signals were exchanged during the early interaction between F. oryzae and Arabidopsis. Together, our studies provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the establishment of plant endophytic association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite electrodes that possess both rational structures and appropriate integration are needed to deliver high electrochemical performance in energy storage devices. In this paper, a flexible and binder-free electrode material based on a heterogeneous core-shell structure of CuCo 2 O 4 @Ni(OH) 2 nanosheets grown on carbon cloth was fabricated by a simple method. The unique three-dimensional hierarchical structure gives the electrode a large specific surface area, which enables rapid response and increases of specific capacitance. The CuCo 2 O 4 @Ni(OH) 2 /carbon fiber cloth (CFC) composite electrode exhibited a specific capacitance of 2160 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and a good rate capability energy of 82.7% at 20 A g−1. A flexible all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor (FAASC) was assembled with the CuCo 2 O 4 @Ni(OH) 2 /CFC electrode as the positive electrode, and activated carbon (AC)/CFC as the negative electrode. This device showed both a high energy density and power density (58.9 W h kg−1 at a power density of 400 W kg−1), and good long-term cycling stability. Furthermore, the assembled CuCo 2 O 4 @Ni(OH) 2 /CFC//AC/CFC devices were capable of driving a blue light-emitting diode after a short charge. The remarkable performance of this CuCo 2 O 4 @Ni(OH) 2 /CFC electrode indicates that this heterogeneous structure has great potential for applications in flexible high-performance energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to achieve machining of a split equal-base circle bevel gear. Based on the equal-base circle bevel gear theory, a cutting coordinate system for the separate piece is developed, and the tooth surface processing path of the separate piece is analysed and planned. According to the working principle of the equal-base circle bevel gear, by analysing the cutter position and posture, the calculation method for the angle between the wheel blank coordinate system and the fixed space coordinate system is derived when machining the separate piece for different spiral angles as well as various concavity and convexity properties. The explicit function expressions for the cutter centre coordinates and axis vectors for machining the separate piece are obtained. Using MATLAB, the tool position model is verified by means of calculation, and the tooth cutting simulation of the separate piece is carried out using VERICUT software. By machining experiment and tooth surface measurement analysis, the feasibility of machining the separate piece and the correctness of the tool position mathematical model are verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly active electrocatalysts made of earth-abundant elements are vital for efficient and cost-effective energy storage and conversion systems. In this communication, we report the further amorphization of a solvothermally synthesized dodecyl sulfate anion-intercalated cobalt hydroxide nanosheet array on nickel foam (DS-Co(OH)2/NF) via pyrolysis. Owing to the greatly enlarged interlayer distance of the DS-Co(OH)2/NF precursor (2.4 nm), and the more exposed active sites due to the enlarged amorphous phase content, the resulting P-DS-Co(OH)2/NF exhibits boosted activity as a 3D catalyst electrode for alkaline water oxidation. In 1.0 M KOH, an overpotential of only 266 mV is needed to drive a geometrical catalytic current density of 70 mA cm−2, which is 74 and 121 mV lower than the overpotentials for the DS-Co(OH)2/NF precursor and for Co(OH)2 without DS anion intercalation (Co(OH)2/NF), respectively. Impressively, this catalyst also displays superior long-term stability with a high turnover frequency value of 0.055 O2 s−1 at an overpotential of 340 mV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The role of interim 18F‐FDG PET/CT (iPET/CT) in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of iPET/CT in patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL according to visual and semiquantitative interpretation methods. Methods: A total of 129 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients with baseline PET/CT data were retrospectively screened. The iPET/CT findings were evaluated by the Deauville 5‐point scale (DS) and ΔSUVmax. Furthermore, the reduction in SUVmax incorporated with tumor size (ΔSUVmax*ΔSLD) was calculated. The optimal cutoff values of ΔSUVmax and ΔSUVmax*ΔSLD were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Kaplan‐Meier analysis was applied to test for the influence of prognostic values. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the potential independent impacts of iPET/CT. Results: Seventy‐seven patients with PET/CT images acquired both at baseline and after four cycles of chemotherapy were finally enrolled. The optimal cutoff values for ΔSUVmax and ΔSUVmax*ΔSLD were 74% and 30%, respectively. After a median follow‐up of 23 months, iPET/CT findings were significant predictors of PFS and OS whenever iPET/CT was interpreted by DS, ΔSUVmax, or ΔSUVmax*ΔSLD methods. ΔSUVmax‐based methods were more accurate than those based on DS. The IPI, DS, ΔSUVmax, and ΔSUVmax*ΔSLD were predictive in univariate analyses. However, in the multivariate analysis, only IPI and ΔSUVmax remained independent predictors of PFS and OS. Conclusions: Interim PET/CT may help to identify DLBCL patients with different prognoses. ΔSUVmax analysis shows the best accuracy and the strongest predictive value among these three methods. ΔSUVmax*ΔSLD may be a promising parameter to interpret iPET/CT images, reflecting both the changes in tumor size and metabolic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Polysiloxane with aminopropyl-terminated pendant groups were synthesized. • The synthesized polysiloxane copolymers shows higher reactivity. • The mechanical properties and adhesion strength of the modified resins were improved greatly. • The modified coatings exhibited excellent antifouling performance. Marine biofouling is a catastrophic problem for maritime industries, which catches researchers' attention. Antifouling coatings have been proved to be an effective approach to against fouling organisms. Herein, we firstly synthesized polydimethylsiloxane with aminopropyl-terminated pendant groups (APDMS) through a ring opening polycondensation, and then APDMS was reacted with bisphenol A type epoxy resin (DGEBA) to form the epoxy modified polysiloxane-based resin (EAPDMS). The curing behavior of DGEBA/APDMS was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with a non-isothermal curing method. The adhesion strength of EAPDMS was remarkably improved. The results of dynamic mechanical properties (DMA) and tensile tests showed an obvious enhancement of mechanical properties in the modified resin system. Marine field tests revealed that coatings exhibited excellent antifouling performance within 3 months. In brief, the EAPDMS coatings possess outstanding mechanical properties and excellent adhesion strength, showing high potential in the marine antifouling field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhibition and shifting are two key components of domain‐general cognitive control. Numerous studies have investigated the neural substrates of both components, but it is still unclear whether the relevant brain regions are specifically involved in one specific component or commonly engaged in both components. Here, we addressed this question by using functional magnetic resonance imaging and a modified saccade paradigm that was effective to disentangle inhibition and shifting in one experiment. The results showed that both the middle frontal gyrus and left parietal lobe were involved in both components but the middle frontal gyrus was more active for the inhibition while the inferior parietal lobe was more active for the shifting processing. The outcome suggests that, although both regions are engaged in inhibition and shifting, each plays a dominant role in one component. These findings provide a further insight into the neural dissociation in inhibition and shifting, as well as a better explanation on the framework of unity and diversity from a neuropsychological viewpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rich variety of diamondoid indices exists that are assumed to be diagnostic of source facies, thermal maturity, the extent of oil cracking, mixed oils, and reservoir alteration processes. These parameters were developed either from empirical relationships observed in source rocks and oils produced from conventional reservoirs or laboratory experiments. Diamondoid parameters are now being routinely applied to unconventional oils; however, their accuracy and reliability have not been rigorously tested in these petroleum systems. Here, we examine diamondoid compositions in a suite of lower Eagle Ford oils and condensates with well-constrained source facies and thermal maturity established by other geochemical measurements and basin modeling. Diamondoid concentrations are low in samples from ∼0.8 to 1.35 %R o , and then increase significantly at higher maturity due to the cracking of less stable hydrocarbons. Most published maturity-dependent diamondoid indices are not diagnostic when maturity is ≲ 1.1 %R o and are influenced by source facies. Based on our data, their predictive accuracy is no better than ±0.2 %R o at higher maturity. Published source indices are not diagnostic of a specific kerogen type or lithofacies but may be used to differentiate sources in complex petroleum systems. Quantitative diamondoid analysis can be used to calculate the degree of oil-to-gas conversion; however, the natural variance in the baseline concentration of 3-+4-methydiamantanes limits its accuracy at maturities ≲1.35 %R o. Three lower Eagle Ford oils associated with Karnes Trough faults exhibit anomalous diamondoid distributions behavior that these reservoirs received secondary charges from a source other than lower Eagle Ford (likely Austin Chalk). Evidence for a secondary charge was not apparent from the study of the saturated and aromatic biomarkers. In summary, established diamondoid maturity and source indices based on compound ratios should be used with caution to characterize unconventional oils/condensates while quantitative diamondoid analysis can be used with greater confidence and can provide insights that are not apparent from other geochemical parameters provided that highly accurate determination of diamondoid concentrations can be obtained. In the case of the Eagle Ford oils and extracts, analyses must be accurate to less than 1 ppm. • The reliability of diamondoid indices was tested using lower Eagle Ford oils/condensates. • Diamondoid maturity parameters are influenced by source facies and are effective only ≳1.3 %R o. • Diamondoid source parameters are sensitive to facies but are not predictive. • QDA is diagnostic of the degree of thermal cracking at ≳1.1 %R o. • 1-+2-MA vs. 3-+4-DA identified Eagle Ford oils with a secondary Austin Chalk charge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]