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Background: Body mass index (BMI) and lipid disorders are both known to be strongly associated with the development of diabetes, however, the indirect effect of lipid parameters in the BMI-related diabetes risk is currently unknown. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of lipid parameters in the association of BMI with diabetes risk. Methods: We assessed the association of diabetes risk with BMI, as well as lipid parameters including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-CF and LDL-CS), triglycerides(TG), total cholesterol(TC), remnant cholesterol(RC), non-HDL-C, and combined indices of lipid parameters with HDL-C (RC/HDL-C ratio, TG/HDL-C ratio, TC/HDL-C ratio, non-HDL/HDL-C ratio, LDL/HDL-C ratio) using data from 15,453 subjects in the NAGALA project. Mediation models were used to explore the mediating role of lipid parameters in the association of BMI with diabetes risk, and mediation percentages were calculated for quantifying the strength of the indirect effects. Finally, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to compare the accuracy of BMI and BMI combined with lipid parameters in predicting incident diabetes. Results: Multivariate regression models, adjusted for confounding factors, demonstrated robust associations of lipid parameters, BMI, with diabetes risk, with the exception of TC, LDL-CF, LDL-CS, and non-HDL-C. Mediation analysis showed that lipid parameters except TC, LDL-CF, LDL-CS, and Non-HDL-C were involved in and mediated the association of BMI with diabetes risk, with the largest mediation percentage being the RC/HDL-C ratio, which was as high as 40%; it is worth mentioning that HDL-C and HDL-C-related lipid ratio parameters also play an important mediating role in the association between BMI and diabetes, with the mediator proportion being greater than 30%. Finally, based on the ROC results, we found that the prediction performance of all lipid parameters in the current study except TC was significantly improved when combined with BMI. Conclusion: Our fresh findings suggested that lipid parameters partially mediated the association of BMI with diabetes risk; this result indicated that in the context of diabetes risk screening and disease management, it is important to not only monitor BMI but also pay attention to lipid parameters, particularly HDL-C and HDL-C-related lipid ratio parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary White adipose tissue (WAT) is a vital endocrine organ that regulates energy balance and metabolic homeostasis. In addition to fat cells, WAT harbors macrophages with distinct phenotypes that play crucial roles in immunity and metabolism. Nutrient demands cause macrophages to accumulate in WAT niches, where they remodel the microenvironment and produce beneficial or detrimental effects on systemic metabolism. Given the abundance of macrophages in WAT, this review summarizes the heterogeneity of WAT macrophages in physiological and pathological conditions, including their alterations in quantity, phenotypes, characteristics, and functions during WAT growth and development, as well as healthy or unhealthy expansion. We will discuss the interactions of macrophages with other cell partners in WAT including adipose stem cells, adipocytes, and T cells in the context of various microenvironment niches in lean or obese condition. Finally, we highlight how adipose tissue macrophages merge immunity and metabolic changes to govern energy balance for the organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the following nonlinear mass supercritical Kirchhoff equation: − (a + b ∫ R N | ∇ u | 2) △ u + μ u = f (u) in R N , where a , b , m > 0 are prescribed, and the normalized constrain ∫ R N | u | 2 d x = m is satisfied in the case 1 ≤ N ≤ 3 . The nonlinearity f is more general and satisfies weak mass supercritical conditions. Under some mild assumptions, we establish the existence of ground state when 1 ≤ N ≤ 3 and obtain infinitely many radial solutions when 2 ≤ N ≤ 3 by constructing a particular bounded Palais–Smale sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that Omega‐3 fatty acids may improve endothelial thickness and thereby reduce the onset of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary atherosclerosis and hypertension. However, published observational epidemiological studies on the relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Omega‐3 fatty acids remain inconclusive. Here, we performed a two‐sample Mendelian randomisation analysis using publicly available GWAS pooled statistics to study a GWAS dataset of 16 380 466 SNPs in 23 363 cases and 195 429 controls (also of European ancestry) to determine genetic susceptibility to hypertension. We performed random‐effects Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) Mendelian Randomization (MR) analyses supplemented by a series of sensitivity assessments to measure the robustness of the findings and to detect any violations of the MR assumptions. During the course of the study, we used IVW, MR‐Egger, and weighted median regression to infer that Omega‐3 intake has a potentially adverse effect against atherosclerosis, although the trend was not significant (OR = 1.1198; 95%; CI: 0.9641–1.3006, p =.130). Meanwhile, our analyses showed a statistically significant negative association between Omega‐3 fatty acid levels and risk of hypertension (OR = 0.9006; 95% CI: 0.8179–0.9917, p =.033). In addition, we explored the causal relationship between atherosclerosis and hypertension and found a significant correlation (OR = 1.3036; 95% CI: 1.0672–1.5923, p =.009). In conclusion, our extensive data investigated by MR suggest that elevated levels of Omega‐3 fatty acids may be associated with an decreased risk of hypertension. Although there is no direct link between hypertension and atherosclerosis, the possibility of a subtle association cannot be categorically excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is metabolic and signaling crosstalk between stromal cells and tumors in the tumor microenvironment, which influences several aspects of tumor formation and drug resistance, including metabolic reprogramming. Despite considerable findings linking lncRNAs in HIF-1-related regulatory networks to cancer cell, little emphasis has been given to the role in communication between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor cells. Previously, we observed that NNT-AS1 was substantially expressed in CAFs cells and CAFs exosomes, and subsequently investigated the influence of CAFs exosomal NNT-AS1 on glucose metabolism, proliferation, and metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine exosomes secreted by PDAC patient-derived CAFs. qRT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of NNT-AS1, miR-889-3p, and HIF-1. The role of CAFs-derived exosomal NNT-AS1 in PDAC cell progression and metabolism have been identified. Dual luciferase reporter assays examined the binding between NNT-AS1, miR-889-3p, and HIF-1. After PDAC cells co-culture exosomes secreted by CAFs, we found that they alter glucose metabolism, proliferation, and metastasis. In PDAC cells, CAF-derived exosomal lncRNA NNT-AS1 acted as a molecular sponge for miR-889-3p. Furthermore, HIF-1 could be targeted by miR-889-3p and was controlled by NNT-AS1. This study explores the mechanism by which NNT-AS1 influences the interaction of CAFs on glycolytic remodeling, proliferation, and metastasis of tumor cells through regulating miR-889-3p/HIF-1α, which also helps discover new clinical treatment targets for PDAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets as catalysts is promising due to their atomic-scale thickness and extensive surfaces. The development of a high-quality, flexible Pt-based nanosheet with an efficient synthesis method is imperative. In this study, we present a 2D Pt2Pd porous alloy nanosheet synthesized through a novel process involving molten-alkali mechanochemical and borane morpholine complex reduction methods. This nanosheet exhibits a pristine 2D active surface, serving as an efficient catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The Pt2Pd porous alloy nanosheet catalyst displays a high half-wave potential of 0.956 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), along with remarkable mass and specific activities of 1.38 A mg−1Pt and 3.70 mA cm−2 (at 0.9 V versus the RHE). When applied as the cathode in a zinc–air battery, it achieves a power density of 0.31 W cm−2 and demonstrates outstanding durability. This research introduces an innovative strategy for advancing high-quality, flexible 2D Pt-based materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study provides a concise overview of diagnostic and treatment strategies for intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL), a rare disease with nonspecific clinical manifestations, based on cases from a tertiary referral hospital in China. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 11 premenopausal patients with confirmed IVL between 2018 and 2022. Clinical data from Ultrasound, Enhanced CT, and MRI were studied, along with surgical details, postoperative pathology, and follow-up information. Results: Premenopausal patients showed no disease-specific symptoms, with 90.9% having a history of gynecological or obstetric surgery, and 72.7% having prior uterine fibroids. Cardiac involvement was evident in two cases, with echocardiography detecting abnormal floating masses from the inferior vena cava. Pelvic ultrasound indicated leiomyoma in 90.9% of cases, with ≥ 50 mm size. Surgery was the primary treatment, and lesions above the internal iliac vein resulted in significantly higher intraoperative blood loss (median 1300 ml vs. 50 ml, p = 0.005) and longer hospital stays (median 10 days vs. 4 days, p = 0.026). Three patients with lesions above the inferior vena cava required combined surgery with cardiac specialists. Recurrence occurred in 2 out of 11 patients with incomplete lesion resection. Conclusions: IVL mainly affects premenopausal women with uterine masses, primarily in the pelvic cavity (Stage I). Pelvic ultrasound aids early screening, while Enhanced CT or MR assists in diagnosing and assessing venous lesions. Complete resection is crucial to prevent recurrence. Lesions invading the internal iliac vein and above pose higher risks during surgery. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for patients with lesions above the inferior vena cava, with simultaneous surgery as a potential treatment option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: A bio-inspired flexible strain sensor with hypersensitivity and highly selective frequency response is prepared by styrene–isoprene–styrene combined with monolayer graphene. Benefiting from the structural design inspired by nature and hysteresis of viscoelastic materials, bio-inspired structures, and original materials' properties complement each other. The frequency recognition resolution of bio-inspired flexible strain sensor reaches 0.2 Hz, making it ideal for human–computer interaction and mechanical equipment health inspection. Flexible strain sensors are promising in sensing minuscule mechanical signals, and thereby widely used in various advanced fields. However, the effective integration of hypersensitivity and highly selective response into one flexible strain sensor remains a huge challenge. Herein, inspired by the hysteresis strategy of the scorpion slit receptor, a bio-inspired flexible strain sensor (BFSS) with parallel through-slit arrays is designed and fabricated. Specifically, BFSS consists of conductive monolayer graphene and viscoelastic styrene–isoprene–styrene block copolymer. Under the synergistic effect of the bio-inspired slit structures and flexible viscoelastic materials, BFSS can achieve both hypersensitivity and highly selective frequency response. Remarkably, the BFSS exhibits a high gage factor of 657.36, and a precise identification of vibration frequencies at a resolution of 0.2 Hz through undergoing different morphological changes to high-frequency vibration and low-frequency vibration. Moreover, the BFSS possesses a wide frequency detection range (103 Hz) and stable durability (1000 cycles). It can sense and recognize vibration signals with different characteristics, including the frequency, amplitude, and waveform. This work, which turns the hysteresis effect into a "treasure," can provide new design ideas for sensors for potential applications including human–computer interaction and health monitoring of mechanical equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the Co/Cr ratio impact on the high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF)-sprayed WC-Co-Cr coatings microstructure and performances, three kinds of WC-Co-Cr coatings, namely WC-4Co-10Cr, WC-7Co-7Cr, and WC-10Co-4Cr, were prepared by using a high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) spraying process. The three coatings' phase composition, microstructure, basic mechanical properties, abrasive wear, and corrosion resistance were investigated. The results show that all three WC-Co-Cr coatings comprise the main phase WC, minor W2C, and amorphous W-Co-Cr phase, besides the WC-4Co-10Cr coating containing a small amount of CrxCy phase. In addition, WC-7Co-7Cr coating exhibited the highest hardness and abrasive wear resistance, followed by WC-10Co-4Cr and WC-4Co-10Cr coatings. The corrosion resistance as a hierarchy was found to be WC-10Co-4Cr > WC-7Co-7Cr > WC-4Co-10Cr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The illegal addition of progesterone to cosmetics could cause serious adverse reactions and pose a serious threat to human health. In this work, a simple, fast and sensitive method was developed by combining molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography (MISPE–HPLC) for the selective determination of progesterone in cosmetics. Chitosan-modified silica is used as the carrier to provide binding sites for the effective conjugation of the target. The obtained molecularly imprinted polymers exhibited excellent adsorption capacity (36.2 mg·g−1), good selectivity and fast mass transfer rate for progesterone. Meanwhile, the prepared MISPE column could eliminate the interference of co-existing substances. Combined MISPE with HPLC, a selective and effective method for detecting progesterone in different cosmetics was achieved. Under the optimum conditions, the established MISPE–HPLC method was successfully used for the detection of progesterone in real samples. The linear range of this method was 1 to 200 μg·mL−1 with a limit of detection of 0.016 μg·mL−1. Therefore, this method could be used for the selective and effective detection of progesterone in different cosmetic samples with complex substrates. We provided an alternative method for the detection of illegal additions in cosmetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, incineration is the main method of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal. Fly ash and bottom ash (BA) are generated in large amounts from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI), but the disposal of incineration residues poses a significant challenge to large cities with limited landfill space. The feasibility of using MSWI-BA to replace natural sand in the preparation of self-compacting mortar (SCM) was investigated to realize the resource utilization of MSWI-BA. The changes in SCM regarding durability, mechanical properties and workability when MSWI-BA was added at varying ratios were explored in this study. In addition, the changes in SCM microstructure, dynamic modulus of elasticity (DME) and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) under the impacts of MSWI-BA were investigated. Eventually, the environmental and economic effects of SCM were weighed via the material sustainability index. It was found that (1) there was a drop of 23.79–44.69% in the compressive strength of SCM and a drop of 12.22–30.99% in the flexural strength, due to the incorporation of MSWI-BA; (2) the drying shrinkage of SCM increased from 2.9 to 11.76%, and the chloride migration coefficient increased from 4.66 to 46.06%, due to the incorporation of MSWI-BA; (3) the production costs, carbon footprint and energy consumption of SCM could be reduced, due to the addition of MSWI-BA; and (4) SCM could satisfy the engineering requirements of durability, mechanical properties and workability. Therefore, MSWI-BA was found to be a feasible method for the production of SCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a complex, bidirectional relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and epilepsy. However, the causality of this association is unclear, as confounders play a role in this association. Methods: We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to clarify the causal relationship and direction of epilepsy on AD risk. We used publicly available summary statistics to obtain all genetic datasets for the MR analyses. AD and AD‐by‐proxy and late‐onset AD (LOAD) cohorts were included in our study. The epilepsy cohort comprised all epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, focal epilepsy, and its subtypes, as well as some epilepsy syndromes. Next, we conducted validation using another AD cohort. Results: Two correlations between AD and epilepsy using the inverse variance‐weighted (IVW) method are as follows: LOAD and focal epilepsy (ORIVW = 1.079, pIVW =.013), focal epilepsy‐documented hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and AD (ORIVW = 1.152, pIVW =.017). The causal relationship between epilepsy‐documented HS and AD has been validated (ORIVW = 3.994, pIVW =.027). Conclusions: Our MR study provides evidence for a causal relationship between focal epilepsy‐documented HS and AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop mapping at an earlier time within the growing season benefits agricultural management. However, crop spectral information is very limited at the early crop phenological stages, leading to difficulties for within-season crop identification. In this study, we proposed a deep learning-based fusion method for crop mapping within the growing season, which first learned a priori information (i.e., pre-season crop types) from historical crop planting data and then integrated the a priori information with the satellite-derived crop types estimated from spectral times-series data. We expect that preseason crop types provided by crop rotation patterns is an effective supplement to spectral information to generate reliable crop maps in the early growing season. We tested the proposed fusion method at three representative sites in the U.S. with different crop rotation intensities and one site with cloudy weather conditions in the Sichuan Province of China. The experimental results showed that the fusion method incorporated the strengths of pre-season crop type estimates and the spectral-based crop type estimates and thus achieved higher crop classification accuracy than the two estimates throughout the growing season. We found that pre-season crop estimates had a higher accuracy in the scenarios with either nearly continuous planting or half-time planting of the same crop. In addition, the historical crop type data strongly affected the performance of pre-season crop estimates, suggesting that high-quality historical crop planting data are particularly important for crop identification at earlier times in the growing season. Our study highlighted the great potential for near real-time crop mapping through the fusion of spectral information and crop rotation patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial leaf blight is a devastating disease of rice worldwide. The resistant genes are routinely transferred from landraces to cultivated varieties through backcross breeding along with marker-assisted selection. In the present study, we use the gene-specific markers to screen the rice landraces in Yunnan Province of China. We collected 404 representative samples of 24 different rice landraces from Yunnan Province of China. The initial PCR-based screening suggested that the leaf blight resistance was not evenly distributed in Yunnan Province. Our results indicate that there is a complete loss of resistance for landraces based on xa5 and xa13 genes. On the other hand, landraces harboring Xa7 and Xa21 showed a high level of resistance. Using gene-specific PCR-based data, we were able to identify the resistant, susceptible and heterozygous populations across Yunnan Province. The widely used Xa21 gene alone showed a remarkable level of resistance throughout the province, indicating its potential to develop broad-spectrum resistance in rice germplasm. The key aspects of bacterial blight spread according to local sites in Yunnan Province and the resistance conferred by different landraces due to the presence of different resistance genes are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Infantile spasm (IS) is an epileptic encephalopathy with ongoing neurological damage due to seizures and epileptiform abnormalities. Epilepsy surgery is considered for children refractory to drug therapy, especially when there is a focal brain lesion. In this study, we investigated the feasibility and efficacy of intraventricular stereotactic electroencephalography (SEEG) and laser ablation for the treatment of IS children with focal brain lesions. Methods: We performed the first reported study using ventriculoscopic laser ablation to treat IS. Seven IS children with drug‐resistant epilepsy and definite encephalomalacia on brain magnetic resonance imaging scan were included in this study. Ablation was performed after confirmation of epileptiform discharges by SEEG under the surveillance of ventriculoscope. Results: The median follow‐up time for the cohort was 3.1 years and 86% (6/7) of the children had an Engel class ≤III epilepsy at the final follow‐up. Five (71%) children had a reduction in seizure medication usage, and the other two were on the same amount as preablation. None of the children experienced serious new neurological deficits. Laser ablation might result in seizure freedom by destroying the local brain network and blocking the spread of abnormal discharges. Conclusions: Intraventricular SEEG and laser ablation was feasible and effective for the treatment of IS. Further studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the unsatisfactory synergy between plasma technology and catalyst, a series of M-BTC MOFs (M=Mn, Cu, Ce) were introduced to couple with non-thermal plasma using for toluene degradation. M-BTC MOFs containing multi-carboxylic groups were successfully synthesized and presented the excellent crystallinity, morphology and thermal stability. DBD-catalysis systems presented the more excellent toluene degradation performance than single DBD alone system. Due to the porous structure and the multivalent form of manganese, the highest toluene degradation efficiency of 96.27%, the energy efficiency of 22.32 g/kW·h, the CO 2 selectivity of 53.5% and the mineralization degree of 70.17% were acquired for DBD coupled with Mn-BTC under SED of 766.35 J/L. Besides, DBD/Mn-BTC had the lowest ozone and NOx production. Moreover, the toluene degradation mechanism was analyzed by plasma emission spectra analysis, XPS spectra and GC-MS diagram analysis. It indicated plasma discharge can produce abundant free radicals and reactive species to decompose toluene firstly, and the residual toluene and intermediates in the gas can be then adsorbed on Mn-BTC and further oxidized by metal active species. Furthermore, more reactive oxygen species will be generated by activating ozone through Mn-BTC, which was beneficial for toluene degradation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: E1A-associated 300-kDa protein (P300), an endogenous histone acetyltransferase, contributes to modifications of the chromatin landscape of genes involved in multiple cardiovascular diseases. Ferroptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a novel pathological mechanism of aortic dissection. However, whether P300 regulates VSMC ferroptosis remains unknown. Methods: Cystine deprivation (CD) and imidazole ketone erastin (IKE) were used to induce VSMC ferroptosis. Two different knockdown plasmids targeting P300 and A-485 (a specific inhibitor of P300) were used to investigate the function of P300 in the ferroptosis of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). Cell counting kit-8, lactate dehydrogenase and flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining were performed to assess the cell viability and death under the treatment of CD and IKE. BODIPY-C11 assay, immunofluorescence staining of 4-hydroxynonenal and malondialdehyde assay were conducted to detect the level of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation was utilized to explore the interaction between P300 and HIF-1α, HIF-1α and P53. Results: Compared with normal control, the protein level of P300 was significantly decreased in HASMCs treated with CD and IKE, which was largely nullified by the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 but not by the autophagy inhibitor or apoptosis inhibitor. Knockdown of P300 by short-hairpin RNA or inhibition of P300 activity by A-485 promoted CD- and IKE-induced HASMC ferroptosis, as evidenced by a reduction in cell viability and aggravation of lipid peroxidation of HASMCs. Furthermore, we found that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) pathway was responsible for the impacts of P300 on ferroptosis of HASMCs. The results of co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that P300 and P53 competitively bound HIF-1α to regulate the expression of HMOX1. Under normal conditions, P300 interacted with HIF-1α to inhibit HMOX1 expression, while reduced expression of P300 induced by ferroptosis inducers would favor HIF-1α binding to P53 to trigger HMOX1 overexpression. Furthermore, the aggravated effects of P300 knockdown on HASMC ferroptosis were largely nullified by HIF-1α knockdown or the HIF-1α inhibitor BAY87-2243. Conclusion: Thus, our results revealed that P300 deficiency or inactivation facilitated CD- and IKE-induced VSMC ferroptosis by activating the HIF-1α/HMOX1 axis, which may contribute to the development of diseases related to VSMC ferroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The extensive health-promoting effects of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) have attracted researchers’ interest. The difference in storage time, varieties and origin of CRP are closely related to the content of bioactive compounds they contain. The consitituent transformation mediated by environmental microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) and the production of new bioactive components during the storage process may be the main reason for ‘the older, the better’ of CRP. In addition, the gap in price between different varieties can be as large as 8 times, while the difference due to age can even reach 20 times, making the ‘marketing young-CRP as old-CRP and counterfeiting origin’ flood the entire market, seriously harming consumers’ interests. However, so far, the research on CRP is relatively decentralized. In particular, a summary of the microbial transformation and authenticity identification of CRP has not been reported. Therefore, this review systematically summarized the recent advances on the main bioactive compounds, the major biological activities, the microbial transformation process, the structure, and content changes of the active substances during the transformation process, and authenticity identification of CRP. Furthermore, challenges and perspectives concerning the future research on CRP were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rice blast disease (caused by Magnaporthe oryzae) is a devastating disease in China. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of interaction for the cognate avirulence (AVR) gene with host resistance (R) genes, as well as their genetic evolution is essential for sustainable rice production. In the present study, we conducted a high-throughput nucleotide sequence polymorphism analysis of the AVR-Pi9 gene that was amplified from the rice-growing regions of the Yunnan Province in China. We detected the presence of seven novel haplotypes from 326 rice samples. In addition, the sequences of AVR-Pi9 were also obtained from two non-rice hosts, Eleusine coracana and Eleusine indica. The sequence analysis revealed the insertions and deletions in the coding and non-coding regions of the gene. The pathogenicity experiments of these haplotypes on previously characterized monogenic lines showed that the newly identified haplotypes are virulent in nature. The breakdown of resistance was attributed to the development of new haplotypes. Our results suggest that the mutation in the AVR-Pi9 gene is an alarming situation in the Yunnan province and thus needs attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voluntary certification that signals nonprofit organizations' legitimacy has been found to be positively related to charitable donations in Europe and North America. However, whether these proxies of organizational legitimacy matter under authoritarian regimes where political connections are deemed critical for resource acquisition has not been explored. Based on a sample of 2,021 Chinese foundations, this article finds that organizational legitimacy achieved through certification is tied to an increase in charitable donations. Meanwhile, organizational legitimacy tends to negatively moderate the relationship between foundations' political affiliation and charitable donations. That is, certification lifts the amount of charitable donations to civic foundations that are not formally affiliated with the state more than it does for politically affiliated foundations. As the first quantitative study on the effect of voluntary nonprofit certification programs on charitable donations outside Western democracies, this article contributes to our understanding of fundraising in China and other authoritarian states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. Steam pop (SP) during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) may cause cardiac perforation, which may require drainage and emergent thoracotomy or even lead to death. Data investigating the timely detection of the occurrence of "silent" or "nonaudible" SP events are limited. Methods and Results. A total of 516 consecutive atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who underwent index PVI were included in this retrospective observational study. The duration, power, impedance, temperature, and contact force (CF) of RFCA were continually monitored and recorded throughout the procedure. A total of 15 (2.9%) audible SP events occurred in 14 patients; 2 of the patients developed pericardial tamponade, 1 patient underwent drainage, and 1 patient underwent emergent thoracotomy. The time from RFCA initiation to the occurrence of audible SP was 19.4 ± 6.9 s. Abrupt temperature change occurred in 13 (86.7%) of the 15 SP events, of which 8 (53.3%) exhibited an abrupt temperature rise of 2.3 ± 1.0°C, 5 (33.3%) exhibited an abrupt temperature drop of 2.3 ± 1.3°C, and 2 (13.3%) exhibited no discernible temperature change. Conclusions. In conclusion, simultaneously recorded spike potentials and abrupt impedance rise with concomitant temperature and/or CF change could be a feasible method for the timely detection of the occurrence of audible, "silent," or "nonaudible" SP events, particularly in regions where the risk of perforation may be of concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate localization of partial discharge in GIS equipment remains a key focus of daily maintenance for substations, which can be achieved through advanced detection and location techniques, as well as regular maintenance and testing of the equipment. However, there is currently an issue with low accuracy in the localization algorithm. Aiming at the problems of low precision and local optimization of the swarm intelligence algorithm in partial discharge localization system of GIS equipment, this paper proposes a 3D localization algorithm based on a time difference of arrival (TDOA) model of the improved artificial fish swarm algorithm (IAFSA). By introducing the investigation behaviour of the artificial bee colony(ABC) algorithm into the artificial fish swarms algorithm (AFSA), this algorithm is more efficient to jump out of the local extremum, enhance the optimization performance, improve the global search ability and overcome the premature convergence. Furthermore, more precise positioning can be achieved with dynamic parameters. The results of the testing function show that IAFSA is significantly superior to AFSA and particle swarm optimization (PSO) in terms of positioning accuracy and stability. When applied to partial discharge localization experiments, the maximum relative positioning error is less than 2.5%. This validates that the proposed method in this paper can achieve high-precision partial discharge localization, has good engineering application value, and provides strong support for the safe operation of GIS equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the existence of normalized solution to the following nonlinear mass super-critical Kirchhoff equation - a + b ∫ R N | ∇ u | 2 ▵ u + V (x) u + λ u = g (u) in R N 0 ≤ u ∈ H r 1 (R N) where a , b > 0 are constants, λ ∈ R , and V(x) satisfies appropriate assumptions; g has a mass super-critical growth when N = 3 , and g (u) = | u | p - 2 u with p ∈ (2 + 8 N , 2 ∗) , 2 ∗ = 2 N N - 2 when N ≥ 3 . Here, we prove the existence of ground state normalized solution via variational methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Object Methods Results Conclusions Vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms (VBDAs) are known to have a poor natural history with high rates of re-bleeding and mortality. There is a strong relation between hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and cerebrovascular disease; we perform a retrospective study within the male of Chinese Han population to explore the association between HHcy and VBDAs.Eighty-eight male patients with VBDA and Eighty-one male control subjects were evaluated for their serum total homocysteine levels. With multiple logistic regression analysis, the association between HHcy and the risk of VBDAs was estimated. Interaction and stratified analyses were conducted according to age, BMI, smoking status, drinking status, and chronic disease histories. The two-piecewise linear regression model examined the threshold effect.The multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed a significant association between HHcy and VBDAs (odds ratio (OR) = 2.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–6.71) after adjusting for classical vascular risk factors. The relationship was stable in all subgroup analysis. The interactive role was not found in the association between HHcy and VBDAs for the potential risk factor.In summary, our study provides evidence that HHcy can increases the risk of VBDAs in the male Han Chinese population. Further researches with appropriate study designs including sex differences and aneurysm types are needed to verify this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been widely used to produce high quality 2D transitional metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDCs). However, violent evaporation and large diffusivity discrepancy of metal and chalcogen precursors at elevated temperatures often result in poor regulation on X:M molar ratio (M = Mo, W etc.; X = S, Se, and Te), and thus it is rather challenging to achieve the desired products of 2D TMDCs. Here, a modified spatially confined strategy (MSCS) is utilized to suppress the rising S vapor concentration between two aspectant substrates, upon which the lateral/vertical growth of 2D WS2 can be selectively regulated via proper S:W zones correspond to greatly broadened time/growth windows. An S:W‐time (SW‐T) growth diagram was thus proposed as a mapping guide for the general understanding of CVD growth of 2D WS2 and the design of growth routes for the desired 2D WS2. Consequently, a comprehensive growth management of atomically thin WS2 is achieved, including the versatile controls of domain size, layer number, and lateral/vertical heterostructures (MoS2‐WS2). The lateral heterostructures show an enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction performance. This study advances the substantial understanding to the growth kinetics and provides an effective MSCS protocol for growth design and management of 2D TMDCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horticulture productivity has been increasingly restricted by heat stress from growing global warming, making it far below the optimum production capacity. As a popular ornamental cultivar of tree peony, Paeonia suffruticosa 'Yu Hong' has also been suffering from heat stress not suitable for its optimal growth. To better understand the response mechanisms against heat stress of tree peony, investigations of phenotypic changes, physiological responses, and quantitative proteomics were conducted. Phenotypic and physiological changes indicated that 24 h of exposure to heat stress (40 °C) was the critical duration of heat stress in tree peony. The proteomic analyses revealed a total of 100 heat-responsive proteins (HRPs). According to bioinformatic analysis of HRPs, the heat tolerance of tree peony might be related to signal transduction, synthesis/degradation, heat kinetic proteins, antioxidants, photosynthesis, energy conversion, and metabolism. Our research will provide some new insights into the molecular mechanism under the response against the heat stress of tree peony, which will benefit the future breeding of heat-resistant ornamental plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has promising applications in civil engineering. However, the elastic modulus of UHPC is relatively low compared with its compressive strength, which may result in insufficient stiffness in service. This work was carried out to explore the feasibility of producing UHPC with high elastic modulus by nano-Al2O3 (NA). Based on particle densely packing theory, the initial mixture of UHPC was designed via the modified Andreasen and Andersen model. An experimental investigation was conducted to systematically examine the effects of NA on different properties of UHPC, including its fluidity, mechanical properties, durability, and microstructure. It was found that: (1) Compared with UHPC without NA, the flexural strength, compressive strength, and elastic modulus of UHPC were improved by 7.38–16.87%, 4.08–20.58%, and 2.89–14.08%, respectively, because of the incorporation of NA; (2) the addition of NA had a prohibiting impact on the threshold pore diameter and porosity of UHPC, which suggested that NA could be conducive to its pore structure; (3) the incorporation of NA led to a decline of 2.9–11.76% in the dry shrinkage of UHPC, which suggested that incorporating NA in a proper amount could reduce the risk of cracking and alleviate the dry shrinkage of UHPC; (4) the optimal amount of NA in UHPC was 1.0%, considering the effects of NA on workability, mechanical properties, microstructure, and the durability of UHPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unintended leakage of toxic and radioactive uranyl ion (UO 2 2+) ions poses high harmful to human health and environment, hence its monitoring and detection is of utmost significance. Here, we developed a mild synthetic route to prepare stable N-doped carbon nanodots (CDs) with special hydrophilicity functional groups and graphitic N by polymerization and carbonization of novel norfloxacin precursor with nitrogen heterocyclic structure. The morphology, chemical structure, fluorescent properties, sensing competition and selectivity behaviors of CDs-UO 2 2+ were systematically analyzed. Controllable experiments including low and high concentration CDs-UO 2 2+ and another type of carbon dots (TEA-CDs) with low graphitic N amount using triethanolamine (TEA) precursor without nitrogen heterocyclic structure were designed, which further confirmed the effective coordination and interaction mechanism between CDs and UO 2 2+ that graphitic N in CDs induced the formation UO 2 +(V) by electron transfer. It is very suitable for on-site and real-time monitoring of UO 2 2+ with an ultra-fast response time (∼20 s) and low detection limit of 20.38 nM (4.7 μg L−1), which is lower than the permissible limits (30 μg L−1) defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). More importantly, different form the liquid sensor, solid sensors (printed test strip and hydrogel) were also successfully employed to monitor UO 2 2+ targets quickly, broadening the potential application for the advanced image encryptions. Carbon nanodots (CDs) derived from norfloxacin precursor with nitrogen heterocyclic structure exhibited excellent selectivity and sensitivity for UO 2 2+ detection because graphitic N in CDs induced the formation UO 2 +(V) by electron transfer. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms underlying the differences in the pharmacokinetics of Huangqi Liuyi decoction extract (HQD) under physiological and pathological conditions. The roles of liver cytochrome P450 metabolic enzymes (Cyp450) and small intestinal transporters were also investigated. The cocktail probe drug method was used to investigate the effects of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and HQD on metabolic enzyme activity. The expression levels of liver Cyp450 metabolic enzymes (Cyp1A2, Cyp2C37, Cyp3A11, Cyp2E1, and Cyp2C11) and small intestinal transporters (breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), P-glycoprotein (P-gp), organic cation transporters (OCTs), and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRPs) were determined using western blot. Compared to normal mice, the expression of OCT1, OCT2, MRP1, and MRP2 was increased in DN mice, while that of P-gp and BCRP (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001) was inhibited. HQD inhibited expression of Cyp1A2 and Cyp3A11 and increased the expression of P-gp and BCRP in normal mice. In DN mice, HQD induced expression of BCRP and inhibited expression of Cyp2C37, Cyp3A11, OCT2, MRP1, and MRP2. The activity of each Cyp450 enzyme was consistent with changes in expression. The changes in pharmacokinetic parameters of HQD in DN might, in part, be secondary to decreased expression of P-gp and BCRP. HQD varied in regulating transporter activities between health and disease. These findings support careful application of HQD-based treatment in DN, especially in combination with other drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new kind of rotary chemical vapor deposition (R-CVD) system was built to prepare in-situ uniformly dispersed carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on alumina (Al 2 O 3) powder (matrix) by using Ni as catalyst and acetylene (C 2 H 2) as carbon source. The critical CNT growth factors, such as synthesis temperature, growth time, the carbon-source gas-flow rate ratio, and the rotation speed of the furnace tube were investigated for process optimization. In addition, the quality and quantity of the synthesized CNTs on the surface of Al 2 O 3 were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that the R-CVD allows the use of higher concentrations of a carbon source gas (C 2 H 2 :N 2 = 1:5) and lower synthesis temperature (500 °C) compared to the traditional CVD process. The synthesized CNTs also exhibit a higher yield rate and more uniform distribution, which has greater application prospects in the field of preparing CNTs reinforced composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the rules of emotional performance in performances, opera singers based it on their emotional labor. Opera actors need to use certain stage scenarios and script designs during performances in order to convey the emotions of the characters in a way that will resonate with the audience and provide excellent stage effects. Opera singers put a lot of emotional work into their performances, which is at the core of them. Whatever the actor's genuine feelings may be, he or she must channel them as a skilled opera actor in order to provide the audience with a rich visual feast. This article investigated the connection between emotional labor and opera singers' professional self-efficacy in order to support the strong development of the opera business. In order to improve the professional self-efficacy of opera actors, the metaregression analysis method (MRA) was applied during the research procedure. The convenience sample approach was utilised to distribute 324 copies of the questionnaire survey, which had 319 valid questions about the emotional labor and professional effectiveness of opera actors. Through the simulation of the data set, it was discovered that the adoption of emotional labor strategy can raise the professional self-efficacy of opera actors by 2.36 percent, thereby fostering the growth of opera actors as individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex differences in analgesic effects have gradually attracted public attention in preclinical and clinical studies. Both human and animal females are more sensitive to cannabinoid antinociception than males. Expression of the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) and the function of the endocannabinoid system have been explored in both male and female mice and CB1Rs in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) participate in antinociception. However, whether there are cell‐type‐ and sex‐specific patterns of vlPAG CB1R expression that affect analgesia is unknown. In the current study, we either activated or inhibited CB1Rs in the vlPAG and found that female mice produced stronger analgesia or developed more robust mechanical allodynia than males did. Specific deletion of GABAergic CB1Rs in the vlPAG promoted stronger mechanical allodynia in female mice than that in male mice. However, no sex differences in cannabinoid antinociception were found following chemogenetic inhibition of GABAergic neurons. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we found that the sex difference in cannabinoid antinociception was due to females having higher expression of GABAergic CB1Rs in the vlPAG than males. Furthermore, activation of CB1Rs in the vlPAG significantly reduced the frequency of GABA‐mediated spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents recorded in vGlut2‐tdTomato positive neurons in both sexes. This effect was greater in females than males and this reduction was closely related to CB1R expression difference between sexes. Our work indicates that vlPAG GABAergic CB1Rs modulate cannabinoid‐mediated analgesia in a sex‐specific manner, which may provide a potential explanation of sex difference found in the analgesic effect of cannabinoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a generalized Markowitz model, which is a convex kurtosis minimization under mean and variance constraints, is proposed. It has a close relationship to the classical Markowitz model. The corresponding optimization problem is a convex quartic polynomial minimization problem with linear and quadratic constraints, which differs from the non-convex polynomial optimization models in the literature. A numerical method with an alternating minimization framework is proposed to solve this quartic optimization problem to a global minimizer, whose global convergence is established under a mild assumption. With a careful separation of the nonlinear constraints in the alternating iterations, two subproblems are solved respectively by accelerated proximal gradient method and semidefinite relaxation method efficiently. Moreover, it is shown that the semidefinite relaxation is tight in this situation without any further assumption. A real data from eight stock indices and some synthetic data are tested for the feasibility of this model and the proposed algorithm, whose performance is quite promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delta and Notch-like endothelial growth factor-related receptor (DNER) is a transmembrane protein that mediates signal communication between neurons and glial cells. This study was performed to elucidate the specific mechanism by which DNER inhibits human glioma growth. RNA sequencing was used to detect differentially expressed genes after DNER inhibition in glioma cells. The functions of the Torsin family 4 member A (TOR4A) gene were explored through cell proliferation and clonogenic assays, flow cytometric analysis, in vitro cell migration and invasion assays, in vivo glioma transplantation, and human glioma tissue analysis using the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas database. Protein expression levels were determined using the western blot assay. We found that TOR4A was highly expressed after the inhibition of DNER in glioma cells. The prognosis of patients with gliomas that expressed high levels of TOR4A was worse than those with low levels of the protein. TOR4A promoted the proliferation of glioma cells and inhibited their apoptosis, likely by enhancing the expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) and inhibiting that of antiapoptotic proteins. We confirmed that TOR4A is an oncogene and that DNER acts as a tumor suppressor gene by inhibiting TOR4A and its functions of promoting p-AKT and inhibiting antiapoptotic protein expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of how to use large amounts of historical data for tunnel safety management has a greater practical application value. The association rule method in data mining technology can provide effective decision support for tunnel safety prevention by mining historical data. To address the problem of large data volume and sparse data items in tunnel safety management, an association rule method—Apriori algorithm—based on the Hadoop platform is proposed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of data mining in cloud environment. First, the parallel MapReduce implementation steps are analyzed on the basis of the distributed Hadoop framework. Then, the existing single-user data validation algorithm is improved by applying a multiuser parallel validation algorithm to Apriori in order to reduce the number of validations. Next, the traditional association rule Apriori algorithm is MapReduce optimized to generate a smaller set of useless candidate items. At the same time, Boolean ranking is used to optimize the way transactional data are stored in the database, reducing the number of redundant subsets and the number of times the database is connected, and shortening the task processing time. The experimental results show that the proposed method is able to mine the relationships between tunnel safety hazards and provide effective decision support for tunnel safety prevention. At the same time, the proposed method more efficiently operates than other association rule methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a serious neurodegenerative disease wherein the progressive destruction of dopaminergic neurons results in a series of related movement disorders. Effective oral delivery of anti-Parkinson's drugs is challenging owing to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the limited plasma exposure. However, polymeric nanoparticles possess great potential to enhance oral bioavailability, thus improving drug accumulation within the brain. In this work, biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PEG-PTMC) nanoparticles (PPNPs) were developed to deliver Ginkgolide B (GB) as a potent treatment for PD, aiming to enhance its accumulation within both the blood and the brain. The resultant GB-PPNPs were able to facilitate sustained GB release for 48 h and to protect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+)-induced neuronal cytotoxicity without causing any toxic damage. Subsequent pharmacokinetic studies revealed that GB-PPNPs accumulated at significantly higher concentrations in the plasma and brain relative to free GB. Oral GB-PPNP treatment was also linked to desirable outcomes in an animal model of PD, as evidenced by improvements in locomotor activity, levels of dopamine and its metabolites, and tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Together, these data suggest that PPNPs may represent promising tools for the effective remediation of PD and other central nervous system disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global spin polarization of hadrons in heavy ion collisions has been measured in the solenoidal tracker at relativistic heavy ion collider experiments, which opens up a new window in the study of the hottest, least viscous, and most vortical fluid that has ever been produced in the laboratory. We present a different approach to spin polarization from conventional ones: a topological realization of spin polarization through quantum vortex formation in collisions of Bose–Einstein condensates. This approach is based on the observation that the vortex is a topological excitation in a superfluid in the presence of local orbital angular momentum and is an analog of spin degrees of freedom. The formation processes of vortices and vortex–antivortex pairs are investigated by solving the Gross–Pitaevskii equation with a large-scale parallel algorithm on a graphics processing unit to very high precision. In a rotating environment, the primary vortex with winding number one is stable against perturbation, which has minimal energy and fixed orbital angular momentum (OAM), but the vortices with larger winding numbers are unstable and will decay into primary vortices through a redistribution of the energy and vorticity. The injection of OAM can also be realized in non-central collisions of self-interacting condensates, part of the OAM of the initial state will induce the formation of vortices through concentration of energy and vorticity density around topological defects. Different from a hydrodynamical description, the interference of the wave function plays an important role in the transport of energy and vorticity, reflecting the quantum nature of the vortex formation process. The study of the vortex formation may shed light on the nature of particle spin and spin–orbit couplings in strong interaction matter produced in heavy-ion collisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface modification via low-temperature plasma has an extensive application prospect in different engineering fields due to its comprehensive merits in facilitating the introduction of functional groups and creating more heterogeneous interfaces. Herein, a simple high-temperature plasma method is developed to get novel multiple-phase nanocomposites of core-shell Fe/FeN/Fe 3 C@GN nanoparticles with bifunctional characteristics of microwave absorption (MA) and anti-corrosion. And then, we further investigate the MA properties of Fe/FeN/Fe 3 C@GN nanoparticles after low-temperature NH 3 plasma etching. It is found that surface modification of Fe/FeN/Fe 3 C@GN nanoparticles can generate remarkable changes in specific surface areas, Raman features and MA properties of these nanocomposites. The Fe/FeN/Fe 3 C@GN nanoparticles after NH 3 plasma etching possess excellent MA properties with an optimal reflection loss (RL) of −51.0 dB at an ultra-thin thickness of 1.9 mm with a low filling content of 30 wt% and the corresponding effective absorption bandwidth (EAB < −10 dB) up to 4.7 GHz (13.3–18.0 GHz). The fascinating MA properties of etched Fe/FeN/Fe 3 C@GN nanoparticles may be attributed to the cooperative effect of several points: (i) The NH 3 plasma etch introduces a large number of polar functional groups, which can be regarded as the polarization center to produce more polarization loss; (ii) The appropriate dielectric loss and impedance matching achieve a good balance, and the abundant heterogeneous interface significantly enhances the polarization relaxation loss; (iii) The existence of hetero-nanostructure further improves the multiple reflections and scattering of the propagating microwaves. In addition, this work provides a new strategy for the design and fabrication of core-shell MA materials. [Display omitted] • More defects and functional groups are introduced by surface modification with controllable NH 3 plasma. • Impedance matching is improved by the etching effect of plasma. • Optimal reflection loss can reach −51.0 dB at a thin thickness of only 1.9 mm. • A maximum effective absorption bandwidth of 5.8 GHz at 1.8 mm can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the domain of municipal solid waste (MSW) management, incineration is recognized as an efficient volume reduction method, yet it produces substantial quantities of bottom ash (IBA). Redirecting IBA into cementitious frameworks is challenging due to diminished workability, mechanical properties, and durability. This study investigates alumina micro powder (ALMP)'s effect on improving the mechanical and durability aspects of ecological ultra-high performance concrete (EUHPC) produced with IBA. The research examines ALMP's role at various doping levels on the EUHPC's rheological properties, mechanical strengths, durability indices, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and elastic modulus. Additionally, nanoindentation tests discern ALMP's reinforcing effect on EUHPC's stiffness. Summarizing key findings: ALMP significantly enhances EUHPC's flexural and compressive strengths, with increases ranging from 6.98 % to 24.87 % and 12.39–20.81 %, respectively. Moreover, ALMP raises the elastic modulus by 6.05–19.07% and UPV by 3.11–7.18 %, reflecting a denser, more compact matrix structure. Durability enhancements are evidenced by reductions in drying shrinkage by 4.41–20.01 % and decreased chloride migration by 7.01–22.14 %. Nanoindentation reveals a densification in the microstructure, with escalated high-density C-S-H phases and reduced low-density C-S-H and unhydrated materials. IBA replacement yields energy savings of 11.43 %, CO 2 emission reduction of 7.01 %, and cost savings of 1.18 %. The optimal ALMP inclusion is identified at 10 %, balancing workability, mechanical and microstructural benefits in EUHPC. These revelations position IBA as a useful component in the concrete sector and advocate for ALMP as a beneficial adjunct to elevate the performance of IBA-based concrete towards sustainable development goals. • Mixture of eco-UHPC was designed via MAA particle packing model. • Properties of eco-UHPC were improved via Al 2 O 3 micro-powder. • Optimal content of Al 2 O 3 micro-powder in eco-UHPC was 10%. • Al 2 O 3 micro-powder contributed to a denser microstructure of eco-UHPC. • Environmental friendliness of eco-UHPC was improved via Al 2 O 3 micro-powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages are dynamic cells susceptible to the local microenvironment which includes tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in cancers. TAMs are a collection of heterogeneous macrophages, including M1 and M2 subtypes, shaped by various activation modes and labeled with various markers in different tumors. CCL22+-infiltrating cells are thought to be significantly associated with the prognosis of cervical cancer patients. Moreover, CCL22 is an established marker of M2a macrophages. Although the phenotypic identification of M1 and M2 macrophages is well established in mice and human macrophages cultured in a medium with fetal calf serum (FCS), fewer studies have focused on M2 subtypes. In addition, the question of whether CCL22 affects polarization of M2a macrophages remains unanswered. This study constructed a co-culture system to shape TAMs in vitro. We found that CCL22 was mainly secreted by TAMs but not cervical cancer cell lines. Human peripheral blood monocytes were differentiated into uncommitted macrophages (M0) and then polarized to M1, M2a, M2b, and M2c macrophages using LPS plus IFNr, IL-4, LPS plus IL1β, and IL-10, respectively. Using flowcytometry, we found CD80++ was the marker of M1 and M2b, CD206++ was the marker of M2a, and CD163++ was the marker of M2c, compared with M0 macrophages. By regulating CCL22, we found that the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD206 in TAMs was significantly affected compared to the control group. Therefore, CCL22 could polarize TAMs of cervical cancer toward M2a macrophages. In conclusion, our study revealed that CCL22 could be a therapeutic target for cervical cancer, which might be because of its role in regulating macrophage polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dielectric constant of CCTO materials can be as high as 104, which makes it suitable for use in electronic devices but the high dielectric loss limits its application. In this paper, a series of Sr and Zr co-doped CCTO ceramics having the formula Ca0.8Sr0.2Cu3Ti4−xZrxO12 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) were obtained via a solid-state reaction technique. We force the effect of the Zr content on the phase composition, microstructure, cationic valence states, impedance, and dielectric properties of the as-prepared ceramics to reduce dielectric loss. The results demonstrate that Sr and Zr co-doping increases dielectric constant and reduces dielectric loss simultaneously, and the maximum dielectric constant (1.87 × 105, 1 Hz) and minimum dielectric loss (0.43, 102 Hz) are obtained when x = 0.3. Mixed Cu+/Cu2+ and Ti3+/Ti4+ valence states are observed to coexist in the co-doped material lattices, which promote dipole polarization, and thereby increase the dielectric constant of the ceramics. The dielectric properties of the materials are analyzed according to the internal barrier layer capacitance model, which elucidates the contributions of the grains and grain boundaries to dielectric performance. The maximum grain boundary resistance (3.7 × 105 Ω) is obtained for x = 0.3, which contributes toward the minimum dielectric loss (0.43) obtained for this ceramic at a frequency less than 1 kHz. The average grain sizes of the samples decrease with increasing Zr content, which is the primary factor increasing the grain boundary resistance of the co-doped ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenging transamidation of unactivated tertiary amides has been accomplished via cooperative acid/iodide catalysis. Most crucially, the method provides a novel manifold to re‐route the reactivity of unactivated N,N‐dialkyl amides through reactive acyl iodide intermediates, thus reverting the classical order of reactivity of carboxylic acid derivatives. This method provides a direct route to amide‐to‐amide bond interconversion with excellent chemoselectivity using equivalent amounts of amines. The combination of acid and iodide has been identified as the essential factor to activate the amide C−N bond through electrophilic catalytic activation, enabling the production of new desired transamidated products with wide substrate scope of both unactivated amides and amines, including late‐stage functionalization of complex APIs (>80 examples). We anticipate that this powerful activation mode of unactivated amide bonds will find broad‐ranging applications in chemical synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenging transamidation of unactivated tertiary amides has been accomplished via cooperative acid/iodide catalysis. Most crucially, the method provides a novel manifold to re‐route the reactivity of unactivated N,N‐dialkyl amides through reactive acyl iodide intermediates, thus reverting the classical order of reactivity of carboxylic acid derivatives. This method provides a direct route to amide‐to‐amide bond interconversion with excellent chemoselectivity using equivalent amounts of amines. The combination of acid and iodide has been identified as the essential factor to activate the amide C−N bond through electrophilic catalytic activation, enabling the production of new desired transamidated products with wide substrate scope of both unactivated amides and amines, including late‐stage functionalization of complex APIs (>80 examples). We anticipate that this powerful activation mode of unactivated amide bonds will find broad‐ranging applications in chemical synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huangqi Liuyi decoction is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been widely used in China for the management of diabetes since the Song Dynasty. Today, it is commonly used for treating diabetic nephropathy (DN). Our previous experimental studies have suggested that the mixture HQD, containing astragalus saponin, astragalus flavone, astragalus polysaccharide, and glycyrrhetinic acid, could be used for the treatment of DN and to improve renal function. The objective of this study was to develop a sensitive and reliable high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous quantitation of astragaloside IV, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, calycosin-glucuronide, ononin, formononetin, and glycyrrhizic acid, which are the main active constituents in HQD, and to compare the pharmacokinetics of these active constituents in control and DN mice orally treated with HQD. The results indicated that the pharmacokinetic parameters of HQD were significantly different between the control and DN mouse groups. The absorption of HQD in the DN mice was greater than that in control mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: At the global and country levels, several important sanitation improvement initiatives were launched in the last decade. This study aimed to explore the temporal trend of and factors associated with access to residential toilets among the middle-aged and elderly in rural China from 2011 to 2018.Methods: This study used the 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018 data of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). CHARLS was conducted among adults aged ≥ 45 years in 28 provinces of China. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regressions for data analysis.Results: We found that residential toilet coverage increased by about 6% among population aged ≥ 45 years in rural China from 2011 to 2018. The coverage of flushable toilets and toilets with seats among this sector of the population increased by more than 10% during this period. We also found that being female, higher levels of education, higher annual per capita household consumption, having running water in the residence, larger household size, and better health status were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of residential toilet ownership among population aged ≥ 45 years in rural China.Conclusions: China made progress in sanitation improvement in rural areas from 2011 to 2018. However, considering the current coverage levels of residential toilets and the vulnerable subgroups who are more prone to toilet deprivation in rural areas, we suggest to the government to implement further targeted toilet improvement interventions to ensure universal coverage of sanitation facilities for the whole of the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the mixed least squares-scaled total least squares (MLSSTLS) problem which unifies the mixed least squares-total least squares (MTLS) problem and the scaled total least squares (STLS) problem. Firstly, we present the explicit expression of the MLSSTLS solution under some conditions. Then, the perturbation analysis and condition numbers of the MLSSTLS solution are obtained. These results can reduce to some corresponding published results of the MTLS problem and the STLS problem, respectively. Finally, numerical experiments are given to illustrate our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of the endosperm is strikingly different in monocots and dicots: it often manifests as a persistent tissue in the former and transient tissue in the latter. Little is known about the controlling mechanisms responsible for these different outcomes. Here we characterized a maize (Zea mays) mutant, endosperm breakdown1 (enb1), in which the typically persistent endosperm (PE) was drastically degraded during kernel development. ENB1 encodes a cellulose synthase 5 that is predominantly expressed in the basal endosperm transfer layer (BETL) of endosperm cells. Loss of ENB1 function caused a drastic reduction in formation of flange cell wall ingrowths (ingrowths) in BETL cells. Defective ingrowths impair nutrient uptake, leading to premature utilization of endosperm starch to nourish the embryo. Similarly, developing wild-type kernels cultured in vitro with a low level of sucrose manifested early endosperm breakdown. ENB1 expression is induced by sucrose via the BETL-specific Myb-Related Protein1 transcription factor. Overexpression of ENB1 enhanced development of flange ingrowths, facilitating sucrose transport into BETL cells and increasing kernel weight. The results demonstrated that ENB1 enhances sucrose supply to the endosperm and contributes to a PE in the kernel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Myocardial I/R injury is one of the most serious complications after reperfusion therapy in patients with myocardial infarction. Remifentanil has been found to protect the heart against I/R injury. However, its underlying mechanism remains uncertain in myocardial I/R injury. Methods: The myocardial I/R injury rat model was established by 30 min of ischaemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. The animal model was evaluated by the levels of TC, ALT and AST and H&E staining. The binding of miR-206-3p and TLR4 was predicted and verified using TargetScan software, luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. The functional role and mechanism of remifentanil were identified by ultrasonic echocardiography, oxidative stress markers, H&E, Masson and TUNEL staining and western blot. Key findings: The rat myocardial I/R injury model displayed a significantly high level of TC, ALT, AST, TLR4, p-IκBα and p-p65 and the presence of disorganized cells and inflammatory cell infiltration. The model also showed increased levels of LVEDD, LVESD, MDA, fibrosis and apoptosis and decreased levels of EF, FS, SOD and GSH, which were reversed with remifentanil treatment. Knockdown of miR-206-3p damaged cardiac function and aggravated oxidative stress. miR-206-3p could directly bind to TLR4. TLR4 overexpression destroyed cardiac function, exacerbated oxidative stress, increased levels of p-IκBα and p-p65 and aggravated pathology manifestation affected by remifentanil. Conclusions: Our results elucidated that remifentanil alleviated myocardial I/R injury by miR-206-3p/TLR4/NF-κB signalling axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]