Search

The Thurstone model is a common model for analyzing the paired comparison data. However, there is lack of asymptotic properties for the moment estimator of parameters in this model. Therefore, we prove uniform consistency and asymptotic normality of the moment estimator in the Thurstome model. Simulation studies and a data example illustrate the theoretical result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the right node raising construction in Chinese (henceforth the RNR). It aims to provide a novel analysis that can deal with two new observations made in the Chinese RNR construction, including the tone sandhi phenomenon, which provides clues to the syntax of RNR from syntax-prosody mapping, and a syntactic constraint that only arguments, but not adjuncts, may qualify as an RNR target. Based on these new observations, I show that none of the previous analyses of the RNR (mainly in English) are fully adequate in accounting for the RNR in Chinese. An alternative analysis is pursued here. Given the syntactic and syntax-prosodic properties, I propose to analyze the gaps within the coordinated structure in Chinese Right-Node Raising (RNR) by exploring the notion of an empty noun, along with the concept of the True Empty Category. In the RNR construction, the coordinated structure undergoes leftward movement over the RNR target, which is driven by considerations of information structure. As a result, this induces an illusion of rightward movement on the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the structure of finite groups in which some Sylow subgroup is -permutable. In particular, we mainly reveal the structure of its formation and the properties of -modular subgroups of some quotient groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We argue that the contrastive dislocation to the low peripheral position in Mandarin Chinese does not target phrase markers, like TopicP or FocusP, contra recent proposals that attempt to extend the cartographic theory to the low IP‐area. We argue that such dislocations are best analyzed as PF movements, which display the total reconstruction effect and do not affect the LF interface. We show that the contrastive dislocation to the low periphery in Mandarin Chinese is subject to the same PF licensing condition found in the Object Shift construction in Scandinavian. Our analysis thus claims that the low periphery is not a part of the narrow syntax (unlike the left periphery). The templatic nature of the low periphery explains why it is more restricted across languages and is prone to linguistic variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Regulating pH and inoculating P. chrysosporium increased HS by 81.98% than T1. • Improved transformation of POL and AA accelerated humification process in T4. • Regulating pH at cooling stage helped to the colonization of P. chrysosporium. • P. chrysosporium inoculation improved fungal communities and microbial interactions. • Phanerochaete and Thermomyces as key taxa were enriched in T4 for HA formation. This study aimed to explore the effect of regulating pH and Phanerochaete chrysosporium inoculation at the cooling stage of composting on the lignocellulose degradation, humification process and related precursors as well as fungal community for secondary fermentation. Results showed that composting with P. chrysosporium inoculation and pH regulation (T4) had 58% cellulose decomposition, 73% lignin degradation and improved enzyme activities for lignin decomposition. There was 81.98% increase of humic substance content and more transformation of polyphenols and amino acids in T4 compared to control. Inoculating P. chrysosporium affected the fungal community diversity, and regulating pH helped to increase the colonization of P. chrysosporium. Network analysis showed that the network complexity and synergy between microorganisms was improved in T4. Correlation and Random Forest analysis suggested that enriched Phanerochaete and Thermomyces in the mature stage of T4 were key taxa for lignocellulose degradation, and humic acid formation by accumulating precursors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we demonstrate a simple approach to improve the electrochromic performances of polyaniline (PANI) by incorporating PANI nanofibers (PANI-NFs) synthesized by interfacial polymerization into water-soluble PANI:poly(styrene sulfonate) (PANI:PSS). The one-dimensional PANI-NFs endow spin-coated PANI film high electrochemical activities and electrochromic properties. The structures and morphologies of PANI-NFs were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and SEM observation. The electrochemical behaviors of PANI/PANI-NFs composites were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrochromic properties of composites were tested using electrochemical working station combining a UV-Vis spectrometer. The results show that the PANI-NFs with even diameter of ~ 30 nm can be synthesized easily using interfacial polymerization method. With the increasing of feeding amount of PANI-NFs, the oxidation peaks of CV curves shift to low potential direction, indicating enhanced electrochemical activities. The electrochromic test confirms that the PANI/PANI-NFs composites films have higher electrochromic contrast of 0.67 as comparison to 0.49 of PANI:PSS film. The PANI/PANI-NFs also exhibit excellent electrochromic stability. After 2000 cycles switching, only less than 4% contrast decay is observed. The enhanced electrochromic properties can be attributed to the small charge-transfer resistance and facile ion diffusion process brought by PANI-NFs. The EIS tests exhibit that with incorporating of highly conductive PANI-NFs, the PANI/PANI-NFs composites possess relatively lower charge-transfer resistance of 76 Ω as comparison to 94 Ω of neat PANI:PSS.Graphical abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unanticipated and highly efficient selective amidation in the C2 position of 8‐amidoquinolines has been developed via C‐H bond elaboration. The method is transition‐metal‐free, operationally simple with broad functional group tolerance. In this work, isocyanide has been successfully utilized as the source of amide. Furthermore, various kinds of 8‐amidoquinolines in combination with different substituted isocyanides under oxidative condition resulted in direct access to N‐quinoline‐2‐carboxamides in good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Urea instead of chicken manure as nitrogen source can significantly reduce the EC value of compost products. • Adding phosphogypsum can reduce the N loss and maintain a suitable C/N ratio in the initial stage of composting. • After adding phosphogypsum (10%∼20%) in the rice husk + urea composting system, the total N loss (85.2%∼89.2%) is similar to the rice husk + chicken manure composting system. • Adding 10%∼20% of phosphogypsum can promote the substrate utilization of rice husk + urea compost product. To explore the effectiveness of urea replacing poultry manure as the nitrogen source in the rice husk composting system, and to promote the utilization of compost products as substrates, 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of phosphogypsum were added respectively in the urea composting system, and were compared with the chicken manure composting (RCP0). Finally, the fermentation and maturation of RCP0 were achieved, but high EC value limited the utilization of compost products as the substrate. Urea, as an N source, could lower the EC value, but the C/N ratio was uncoordinated during the initial stage of composting. Adding an appropriate proportion of phosphogypsum could ensure a proper C/N ratio to promote smooth fermentation and enable the products to be ideal substrates. When the added proportion was 30%, the thermophilic stage was shortened significantly but this may increase heavy metals. 10%-20% were concluded to be the recommended proportion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to observe antinociceptive effect of Oxymatrine (OMT) and its effect on voltage-activated K channel, the acetic acid-induced abdominal contraction model of mouse was used to test the antinociceptive effect in vivo, and in vitro, the delayed rectifier K currents (Ik) in PC12 cells (rat pheochromocytoma cells) was recorded using the automated patch-clamp method. The results indicated that after application of OMT, the number of acetic acid-induced animal abdominal contraction was significantly decreased, Ik in PC12 cells was significantly decreased, and showed a concentration-dependent manner. After application of OMT, both the activation and inactivation curves of Ik of PC12 cells were shifted to negative potentials. This study revealed that OMT showed antinociceptive effect in mice. The inhibition of voltage-activated K channel might be one of mechanisms in which the enhanced both activation and inactivation of K channel were involved and might play important roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous study, the remarkable analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the combination of sodium ferulate (SF) and oxymatrine (OMT) had been found. In this study, we investigated the effect of the combination of SF and OMT on acute lung injury using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model. The cell counting and the protein concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. The animal lung edema degree was evaluated by wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio. The superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activity and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was assayed by SOD and MPO kits, respectively. The levels of inflammatory mediators including C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The data showed that treatment with the combination of SF and OMT markedly attenuated inflammatory cell numbers and protein concentration in the BALF and improved SOD activity and inhibited MPO activity compared to LPS group. Moreover, the combination significantly inhibited the production of CRP and TNF-α in lung homogenate. The histological changes of the lungs were also more significantly improved by the combination. At the same dose, the obvious protective effect was not found in SF or OMT-treated alone group except that the protein concentration slightly decreased in SF group. The results indicated that the combination SF and OMT had a protective effect on LPS-induced ALI in mice, and the effect was much better than that of SF or OMT used alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lignin content was reduced during composting by Phanerochaete chrysosporium. • Inoculation of P. chrysosporium during cooling avoided high temperature. • Inoculation of P. chrysosporium during cooling achieved intensive degradation of lignin. • Inoculation during cooling significantly improved compost humification. To enhance the humification process, Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium) was inoculated during different fermentation phases of the co-composting of maize straw and canola residue. The humification process was determined by evaluating cellulose and lignin contents and key enzyme activities during composting. Results showed that the cellulose and lignin degradation efficiency and humification degree of compost were significantly enhanced in the treatment that inoculated P. chrysosporium in the cooling period (T2). At the end of composting, compared with that in T1 (no inoculation), the content of cellulose and lignin in T2 decreased significantly by 40.00% and 64.30%, respectively, and compared with that in T1 and T3 (inoculation in the initial stage of composting) the content of humus in T2 increased significantly by 55.40% and 75.20%, respectively. This study confirms that inoculating P. chrysosporium during the cooling period promoted the degradation of cellulose and lignin, and therefore enhanced the compost humification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, polyaniline (PANI) nanostructures with different morphologies (nanofibers, nanotubes, and nanospheres) were obtained via interfacial polymerization, rapid mixing reaction, and hydrothermal method. The influences of the synthesis methods on the morphologies and supercapacitive properties of PANI nanostructures were investigated. The chemical structures of materials were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images were used to explore the morphologies of PANI nanostructures. N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, cyclic voltammetry, charge–discharge test, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the pore distribution, electrochemical, and supercapacitive properties of PANI nanostructures. The results show that PANI nanotubes (PANI-T) exhibit the best electrochemical performances among three kinds of PANI nanostructures. The PANI-T exhibits high specific capacitances of 648 and 290 F g−1 at current densities of 0.5 and 10 A g−1, respectively, indicating its good supercapacitive property and rate capability. The enhanced electrochemical and supercapacitive performances can be attributed to its hollow nanotube structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A transient and recyclable C−H iodination has been designed for the synthesis of isoflavonoids through the domino reactions of o‐hydroxyphenyl enaminones and aryl boronic acids in the presence of catalytic KI and Pd catalyst. Instead of the conventional cross‐coupling strategy employing pre‐halogenated substrates, this method transforms raw C−H bond by means of a transient C−H halogenation to smoothly relay the subsequent C‐arylation. Consequently, such a method avoids the pre‐functionalization for C−halogen bond installation as well as the generation of stoichiometric halogen‐containing waste following the cross‐coupled product, disclosing an intriguing new coupling protocol to forge the C−C bond in the virgin area between classical C−X (X=halogen) bond cross coupling and the C−H activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochromic properties of organic or inorganic materials can be improved through preparing organic/inorganic electrochromic nanocomposites. In electrochromic nanocomposites, the interfacial interactions between the organic and inorganic phases play three important roles in preparation and application of the nanocomposites. Firstly, the interfacial interactions result in stable molecular structures. Secondly, they also improve the electron conduction and ion transport process in the nanocomposites. Thirdly, they enhance the electrochemical and electrochromic properties of the nanocomposites. In this paper, we review the common interfacial interactions including covalent bond, coordination bond, electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond and π-π stacking interaction between the organic and inorganic phases in the electrochromic nanocomposites. The preparation method, the relationship between the structure and properties, and the mechanism of modulation of electrochromic effect in the nanocomposites with various interfacial interactions are surveyed. The strong interfacial interaction, e.g., covalent bond, is helpful for obtaining electrochromic nanocomposites with high electron conduction and high structural strength. However it is very complicated to construct covalent bond between the organic and inorganic phases. Another strong interfacial interaction, the coordination bond is mainly confined to preparation of electrochromic complex of metal ion and pyridine derivative. While, the weak interfacial interactions, e.g., electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bond and π-π stacking interaction, exist widely between the organic and inorganic phases in the electrochromic nanocomposites. Relative to single strong interaction, the multiple weak interactions may be a development direction for achieving high performance electrochromic effect in the organic/inorganic nanocomposites, owing to their integrated effect and various adjusting mechanisms of electrochromic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid carcinoma (TC) is one of the most common types of endocrine neoplasm with poor prognosis due to its aggressive behavior. Biomarkers for early diagnosis and prevention of TC are in urgent demand. By using a bioinformatics analysis, the present study aimed to identify essential genes and pathways associated with TC. First, the GSE27155 and GSE50901 expression profiles were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained using the two microarray datasets and further subjected to integrated analysis. A gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis revealed 45 common DEGs in the two datasets. GO and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the biological functions of the DEGs included protein binding, cardiac muscle cell potential involved in contraction, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, the TGF-β receptor signaling pathway and the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. A protein-protein interaction network was also constructed and visualized to display the nodes of the top 9 up- and 36 downregulated common DEGs. The integrated bioinformatics analysis indicated that potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 2 (KCNJ2) was the most significantly upregulated DEG. The transcriptional levels of KCNJ2 were confirmed to be elevated in TC tissues compared with those in normal tissues using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis. Furthermore, the expression level of KCNJ2 was significantly associated with the 5-year survival rate of patients with TC, which was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. In TC cell lines, KCNJ2 was also upregulated as compared with that in a normal control cell line. Finally, small interfering RNA was used to knock down the expression of KCNJ2, which was demonstrated to inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while increasing apoptosis in TC cells. In conclusion, in the present study, KCNJ2 was screened as an oncogene with a crucial role in TC development and progression and may represent a promising candidate biomarker and therapeutic target for TC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for 1%–2% of thyroid cancer in the United States based on the latest Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data, and this study aimed to construct a comprehensive predictive nomogram based on various clinical variables in MTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes dissection. Methods. Data regarding 1,237 MTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes dissection from 2004 to 2015 were obtained from the SEER database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to screen for meaningful independent predictors. These independent factors were used to construct a nomogram model, a survival prognostication tool for 3- and 5-year overall survival, and cancer-specific survival among these MTC patients. Result. A total of 1,237 patients enrolled from the SEER database were randomly divided into the training group (n = 867) and the test group (n = 370). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify meaningful independent prognostic factors (P < 0.05). Tumor size, age, metastasis status, and LNR were selected as independent predictors of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Finally, two nomograms were developed, and the predicted C-index of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate in the training group was 0.828 and 0.904, respectively. The predicted C-index of overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate in the test group was 0.813 and 0.828. Conclusion. Nomograms constructed by using various clinical variables can make more comprehensive and accurate predictions for MTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and neck lymph nodes. These predictive nomograms help identify postoperative high-risk MTC patients and facilitate patient counseling on clinical prognosis and follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The performance and odor issue were clarified in full-scale windrow and trough composting. • Windrow composting was more susceptible to high relative air humidity. • High relative air humidity retarded windrow composting process, no effect on H 2 S emission. • Trough composting was recommended in the areas with high relative air humidity. To comprehensively investigate the effect of different air humidity conditions on the performance and odor emission in composting technology, a full-scale experiment was conducted simultaneously in the regions with low air relative humidity (Kunming) and high relative air humidity (Xishuangbanna), Yunnan province. The results showed that: In the regions with low relative air humidity, similar performances were found on organic matter degradation and germination index values in windrow and trough composting. Windrow composting got lower H 2 S emission, but higher NH 3 release comparing with trough composting. Windrow composting was more susceptible to high relative air humidity. The degradation rate and germination index were 22% and 28% lower than those in trough composting. Therefore, the trough composting was recommended in the areas with high relative air humidity, while suitable NH 3 mitigation measure should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we designed a novel organic-inorganic nanohybrid electrochromic material through tethering polyaniline and gold colloids with an interfacial coordinate bond. The enhanced electrochemical and electrochromic properties were expected owing to the high conductivities of the gold colloids and strong interfacial interaction between the organic phase and inorganic phase. The water-dispersible polyaniline-gold (PANI-Au) nanohybrids were synthesized successfully through grafting copolymerization of aniline with p -aminothiophenol (PATP) functionalized gold colloids in an aqueous system using a macromolecular acid, poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) as the dopant agent. The structures, morphologies, and electrochemical and electrochromic properties of PANI-Au nanohybrids were characterized by the UV–vis, FTIR, Raman spectrometers, SEM, and electrochemical working station, respectively. The results show that through incorporating gold nanoparticles into the PANI matrix with the interfacial coordinate bond, PANI-Au nanohybrids possess uniform nanoparticles morphologies with diameter ~180 nm. The electrochemical activity and the charge transfer process of PANI were enhanced, which is proved by the CV test and EIS analysis. As the results, the PANI-Au nanohybrids can switch at relatively lower potentials and give a higher optical contrast as comparison with neat PANI: PSS. With ~1.4 wt% Au loading amount, the contrast of PANI-Au nanohybrid is 0.97, which is much higher than 0.76 of PANI: PSS. The coloration and bleaching time are also shortened from 13.4 s and 8.9 s for PANI: PSS to 8.3 s and 7.6 s for PANI-Au-c, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: The combination of Radix Angelicae sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and Radix Sophora flavescens Ait. was extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, such as acne, heart disease, and hepatitis. Sodium ferulate (SF) and oxymatrine (OMT) were effective component of Radix Angelicae sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and Radix Sophora flavescens Ait., respectively. Aim of the study: In this study, we investigated the synergistic anti-inflammatory effect of the combination of SF and OMT, and its modulation on inflammation-associated mediators in RAW 264.7 cells. Materials and methods: In vivo, the anti-inflammatory effects of the combination of SF and OMT were evaluated with the xylene-induced mouse ear edema model and the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. In vitro, chemokines and cytokines mRNA expressions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells were determined by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) microarray analysis. The levels of interleukin-11 (IL-11), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interferon-γ (INF-γ) in the supernatant of LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were measured by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The combination of SF and OMT could significantly inhibit the edema in the xylene-induced mouse ear edema and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, but no effect was found when each drug was used alone according to above doses. The combination exhibited a better effect in down-regulating mRNA expressions of inflammation-associated mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells than SF or OMT alone. The ELISA results showed that the combination synergistically inhibited LPS-induced IL-11, CRP and INF-γ production in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: The combination of SF and OMT showed synergistic anti-inflammatory effect, and the activity was probably related to its modulation on inflammation-associated mediators, especially IL-11, CRP and INF-γ. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]