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The dung beetle primarily feeds on the feces of herbivorous animals and play a crucial role in ecological processes like material cycles and soil improvement. This study aims to explore the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota of Catharsius molossus (a renowned dung beetle originating from China and introduced to multiple countries for its ecological value) and exploring whether these gut microbes are transmitted vertically across generations. Using 16S rRNA and ITS rRNA gene sequencing techniques, we described the diversity and composition of gut microbes in C. molossus from different localities and different developmental stages (Egg, young larvae and old larvae). We discovered that the diversity of gut microbiota of dung beetles varied obviously among different geographical localities and different developmental stages, and we also discussed the potential influencing factors. Interestingly, the microbial community structure within the brood balls is more similar to male dung beetle than to that of females, which is consistent with the observation that the brood ball is constructed by the male dung beetle, with the female laying egg in it at the final step. This unique breeding method facilitates offspring in inheriting microbial communities from both the mother and the father. Initially, the larvae's gut microbiota closely mirrors that of the parental gift in these brood balls. As larvae grow, significant changes occur in their gut microbiota, including an increase in symbiotic bacteria like Lactococcus and Enterococcus. Analysis of the gut bacteria of adult dung beetles across various localities and different developmental stages identified nine core genera in adults, contributing to 67.80% of the total microbial abundance, and 11 core genera in beetles at different developmental stages, accounting for 49.13% of the total. Notably, seven genera were common between these two core groups. Our results suggest that Parental gifts can play a role in the vertical transmission of microbes, and the abundance of probiotics increases with larval development, supporting the hypothesis that "larval feeding behavior occurs in two stages: larvae first feed on parental gifts to acquire necessary microbes, then enrich symbiotic microbiota through consuming their own feces." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon cloth (CC) possesses great potential as a sulfur host because of its excellent conductivity, flexibility, and easily modified free‐standing structure. However, the previous works do not take full advantage of CC except for the role of support and current collector. The smooth surface, small specific surface area, and poor binding force between coating materials and CC matrix are unfavorable for loading coating materials. The slow redox kinetics and low sulfur loading of sulfur cathodes still seriously restrict the development of Lithium–Sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Herein, the porous carbon cloth loading cobalt selenide (PCC@CoSe2) is constructed as an integrated sulfur host through a pore‐creating and selenylation strategy. The pore‐creating engineering greatly optimizes the 3D pore structure of CC to raise the sulfur and catalyst loading and provides enough space to accommodate the volume change of sulfur species. In addition, CoSe2 particles as nano‐catalyst units embedded in PCC can effectively adsorb‐catalyze polysulfides and improve the reaction kinetics. The resulting integrated sulfur cathode has realized the high‐efficiency polysulfide catalytic conversion and fast lithium ion migration, significantly enhancing redox kinetics and sulfur loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have shown that the addition of platinum to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) improved outcomes for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, no studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of the combination of taxane and lobaplatin. In this study, we conducted a randomized controlled phase II clinical study to compare the efficacy and safety of taxane combined with lobaplatin or anthracycline. Methods: We randomly allocated patients with stage I–III TNBC into Arm A and Arm B. Arm A received six cycles of taxane combined with lobaplatin (TL). Arm B received six cycles of taxane combined with anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (TEC) or eight cycles of anthracycline combined with cyclophosphamide and sequential use of taxane (EC-T). Both Arms underwent surgery after NAC. The primary endpoint was the pathologic complete response (pCR). Secondary endpoints were event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Results: A total of 103 patients (51 in Arm A and 52 in Arm B) were assessed. The pCR rate of Arm A was significantly higher than that of Arm B (41.2% vs. 21.2%, P = 0.028). Patients with positive lymph nodes and low neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) benefited significantly more from Arm A than those with negative lymph nodes and high NLR (Pinteraction = 0.001, Pinteraction = 0.012, respectively). There was no significant difference in EFS (P = 0.895) or OS (P = 0.633) between the two arms. The prevalence of grade-3/4 anemia was higher in Arm A (P = 0.015), and the prevalence of grade-3/4 neutropenia was higher in Arm B (P = 0.044). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant taxane plus lobaplatin has shown better efficacy than taxane plus anthracycline, and both regimens have similar toxicity profiles. This trial may provide a reference for a better combination strategy of immunotherapy in NAC for TNBC in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop a simple but effective nomogram to predict risk of septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) in the intensive care unit (ICU). We analyzed data from patients who were first admitted to the ICU for sepsis between 2008 and 2019 in the MIMIC-IV database, with no history of heart disease, and divided them into a training cohort and an internal validation cohort at a 7:3 ratio. SCM is defined as sepsis diagnosed in the absence of other cardiac diseases, with echocardiographic evidence of left (or right) ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 50%. Variables were selected from the training cohort using the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression to develop an early predictive model for septic cardiomyopathy. A nomogram was constructed using logistic regression analysis and its receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration were evaluated in two cohorts. A total of 1562 patients participated in this study, with 1094 in the training cohort and 468 in the internal validation cohort. SCM occurred in 13.4% (147 individuals) in the training cohort, 16.0% (75 individuals) in the internal validation cohort. After adjusting for various confounding factors, we constructed a nomogram that includes SAPS II, Troponin T, CK-MB index, white blood cell count, and presence of atrial fibrillation. The area under the curve (AUC) for the training cohort was 0.804 (95% CI 0.764–0.844), and the Hosmer–Lemeshow test showed good calibration of the nomogram (P = 0.288). Our nomogram also exhibited good discriminative ability and calibration in the internal validation cohort. Our nomogram demonstrated good potential in identifying patients at increased risk of SCM in the ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulating bulk charge carrier transfer and surface catalytic reaction kinetics is thought a big challenge to photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Herein, the dual sites of CoNiP are delicately introduced into ZnIn2S4 (RZIS‐CoNiP) nanosheet arrays via a defect anchoring method. The paving [S─Ni─P] interfacial bond like a "bridge" can greatly reduce the phase resistance, improve the charge separation and migration, and promote the surface oxygen evolution reaction (OER) reaction. As expected, the optimized RZIS‐CoNiP photoanode achieved a maximum photocurrent density of 4.77 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in neutral electrolyte solution without the presence of any sacrificial agents, which is ≈12 times higher than that of the pristine ZnIn2S4 under AM 1.5G illumination. And the amount of oxygen evolution for the RZIS‐CoNiP photoanode is as high as 21.9 µmol in 3 h. Transient spectroscopy measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations in situ discovered the mechanism of defect anchoring [S─Ni─P] bond on regulating charge transfer and surface reaction processes. This work provides a feasible anchoring interface route through defect engineering to regulate charge carrier transfer for PEC water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose that volunteering increases the likelihood of self-employment among young adults because volunteering improves self-esteem, which helps prospective entrepreneurs cope with the challenges associated with self-employment. We further predict that young adults who participate in diverse voluntary organizations are particularly likely to undertake self-employment because affiliations with diverse organizations not only enhance the social-psychological benefits of self-employment but also buffer the potential loss of a source of self-esteem caused by the discontinuation of a voluntary organization. Analysis of the data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (N  = 35,228) supports our hypotheses. Our study highlights that a better-developed self through volunteering benefits the agentic action of entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes following arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in patients over 60 years and to investigate the potential impact of preoperative osteoarthritis (OA) on these outcomes. Methods: A retrospective study included ACL‐injured patients over 60 years who underwent primary arthroscopic ACLR between 2010 and 2020. The Lysholm score and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score were assessed preoperatively and at the final follow‐up. The Tegner activity scale was performed to evaluate patients' activity levels. Data on return to sports, patient satisfaction, subsequent injuries and complications were collected. Preoperative radiographs were used to grade OA according to the Kellgrene–Lawrence classification. Correlation analysis between OA and clinical outcomes was performed. The rates of achieving the minimal clinically significant difference and patient‐acceptable symptoms state were documented. Results: A total of 37 patients were included in this study. The mean age at surgery was 62.3 ± 2.3 years, with a mean follow‐up of 6.3 ± 3.2 years (range: 2.1–12.4). Patients showed statistically significant (all p < 0.001) improvements in the mean IKDC (38.9 ± 9.4–66.8 ± 12.5), Lysholm (48.8 ± 15.4–83.0 ± 12.8) and Tegner (1–3) scores. Fourteen patients (37.8%) returned to sports. No correlation was observed between the degree of preoperative OA and clinical outcomes (n.s.). Conclusion: Patients over 60 years with symptomatic ACL‐deficient knees could benefit from ACLR, even when mild to moderate OA is present preoperatively. Level of Evidence: Level IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper clad laminates (CCLs) with low dielectric constants and dielectric losses are preferred for high-frequency and high-speed printed circuit boards (PCBs). However, the dielectric interlayer of CCLs with improved thermal and electrical performances still requires further exploration. Single component such as polymers or ceramics can hardly meet the developing needs of advanced CCLs. Thus, incorporation of functional nanofillers with polymer resins has been considered as an effective solution. However, chemical or physical modifications are generally conducted for the nanofillers, which is harmful and complex for the fabrication of CCLs. In this work, crystalline polyimide bond-linked covalent organic frameworks (PI-COFs) nanoparticles (NPs) with porous structures have been prepared. Due to the organic nature and preferable particles size, PI-COFs NPs show improved compatibility with epoxy resin (ER). Decreased viscosity, increased settle ability, and improved film-forming capability can be achieved with suitable additive amount of PI-COFs NPs. Due to their high thermal stability and intrinsic low dielectric property, the PI-COFs have been introduced as nanofillers for CCLs. The thermal decomposition temperatures (Td) and glass transition temperatures (Tg) can be improved, while the thermal conductivities show a decreased trend. A lowered dielectric constant of 5.52 with a dielectric loss of 0.00328 can be achieved at 1 MHz for 10 wt% PI-COFs filled CCLs. Higher electrical conductivities and Q factors can be obtained with the addition of PI-COFs NPs. Moreover, the PI-COFs-filled CCLs show improved signal integrity (SI) performances with reduced resonance peaks of insertion loss (IL, S21) and reduced return loss (RL, S11) values. The power integrity (PI) performances of PI-COFs-filled CCLs show reduced filtering effects due to the decreased dielectric properties. Considering the diversity of chemical compositions and porous structures of COFs, their application as resin-compatible nanofillers may provide a new avenue toward advanced high-frequency and high-speed CCLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differential network analysis plays a crucial role in capturing nuanced changes in conditional correlations between two samples. Under the high‐dimensional setting, the differential network, that is, the difference between the two precision matrices are usually stylized with sparse signals and some low‐rank latent factors. Recognizing the distinctions inherent in the precision matrices of such networks, we introduce a novel approach, termed 'SR‐Network' for the estimation of sparse and reduced‐rank differential networks. This method directly assesses the differential network by formulating a convex empirical loss function with ℓ1$$ {\ell}_1 $$‐norm and nuclear norm penalties. The study establishes finite‐sample error bounds for parameter estimation and highlights the superior performance of the proposed method through extensive simulations and real data studies. This research significantly contributes to the advancement of methodologies for accurate analysis of differential networks, particularly in the context of structures characterized by sparsity and low‐rank features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that Cretaceous magmatism in the South China Block (SCB) is related to the Paleo‐Pacific subduction. However, the starting time and the associated deep crust‐mantle processes are still debatable. Mafic dike swarms carry important information on the deep earth (including mantle) geodynamics and geochemical evolution. In the Jiangnan Orogen (South China), there is no information on whether the Mesozoic magmatic activities in this region are also directly related to the Pacific subduction or not. In this study, we present detailed zircon U‐Pb geochronological, whole‐rock element and Sr‐Nd isotope data for Early Cretaceous Tuanshanbei dolerite dikes, and provide new constraints on the condition of the lithospheric mantle and mantle dynamics of the SCB during that time. LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb dating suggests that this dolerite erupted in the Early Cretaceous (∼145 Ma). All samples have alkaline geochemical affinities with K2O + Na2O = 3.11–4.04 wt%, K2O/Na2O = 0.50–0.72, and Mg# = 62.24–65.13. They are enriched in LILE but depleted in HFSE with higher initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio (0.706896–0.714743) and lower εNd(t) (–2.61 to –1.67). They have high Nb/U, Nb/La, La/Sm and Rb/Sr, and low La/Nb, La/Ta, Ce/Pb, Ba/Rb, Tb/Yb and Gd/Yb ratios. Such geochemical signatures suggest that the fractional crystallization is obvious but crustal contamination play a negligible role during magmatic evolution. Tuanshanbei dolerite were most likely derived from low‐degree (2%–5%) partial melting of a phlogopite‐bearing mantle material consisted of ∼85% spinel peridotite and ∼15% garnet peridotite previously metasomatized by asthenosphere‐derived fluids/melts with minor subduction‐derived fluids/melts. Slab‐rollback generally lead to the upwelling of the hot asthenosphere. The upwelling of asthenosphere consuming the lithospheric mantle by thermo‐mechanical‐chemical erosion. The lithospheric mantle may have partially melted due to the heating by the upwelling asthenosphere and lithospheric extension. It is inferred that the Tuanshanbei dolerite might be associated with the initial slab rollback and corresponding lithospheric extension occurred potentially at ca. 145 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitellogenin receptor (VgR) plays a crucial role in oogenesis by mediating endocytosis of vitellogenin and a portion of the yolk proteins in many insect species. However, the function of VgR in minute parasitoid wasps is largely unknown. Here, we applied Trichogramma dendrolimi, a minute egg parasitoid, as a study model to investigate the function of VgR in parasitoids. We developed RNA interference (RNAi) methods based on microinjection of prepupae in T. dendrolimi. RNAi employs nanomaterial branched amphipathic peptide capsules (BAPC) as a carrier for double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA), significantly enhancing delivery efficiency. Also, artificial hosts without medium were used to culture the injected prepupae in vitro. Utilizing these methods, we found that ovarian growth was disrupted after knockdown of TdVgR, as manifested by the suppressed development of the ovariole and the inhibition of nurse cell internalization by oocytes. Also, the initial mature egg load in the ovary was significantly reduced. Notably, the parasitic capacity of the female adult with ovarian dysplasia was significantly decreased, possibly resulting from the low availability of mature eggs. Moreover, ovarian dysplasia in T. dendrolimi caused by VgR deficiency are conserved despite feeding on different hosts. The results confirmed a critical role of TdVgR in the reproductive ability of T. dendrolimi and provided a reference for gene functional studies in minute insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generating circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with simultaneous high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and dissymmetry factor (glum) is difficult due to usually unmatched electric transition dipole moment (μ) and magnetic transition dipole moment (m) of materials. Herein we tackle this issue by playing a "cascade cationic insertion" trick to achieve strong CPL (with PLQY of ~100 %) in lead‐free metal halides with high glum values reaching −2.3×10−2 without using any chiral inducers. Achiral solvents of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and N, N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) infiltrate the crystal lattice via asymmetric hydrogen bonding, distorting the perovskite structure to induce the "intrinsic" chirality. Surprisingly, additional insertion of Cs+ cation to substitute partial (CH3)2NH2+ transforms the chiral space group to achiral but the crystal maintains chiroptical activity. Further doping of Sb3+ stimulates strong photoluminescence as a result of self‐trapped excitons (STEs) formation without disturbing the crystal framework. The chiral perovskites of indium‐antimony chlorides embedded on LEDs chips demonstrate promising potential as CPL emitters. Our work presents rare cases of chiroptical activity of highly luminescent perovskites from only achiral building blocks via spontaneous resolution as a result of symmetry breaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generating circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with simultaneous high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and dissymmetry factor (glum) is difficult due to usually unmatched electric transition dipole moment (μ) and magnetic transition dipole moment (m) of materials. Herein we tackle this issue by playing a "cascade cationic insertion" trick to achieve strong CPL (with PLQY of ~100 %) in lead‐free metal halides with high glum values reaching −2.3×10−2 without using any chiral inducers. Achiral solvents of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and N, N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) infiltrate the crystal lattice via asymmetric hydrogen bonding, distorting the perovskite structure to induce the "intrinsic" chirality. Surprisingly, additional insertion of Cs+ cation to substitute partial (CH3)2NH2+ transforms the chiral space group to achiral but the crystal maintains chiroptical activity. Further doping of Sb3+ stimulates strong photoluminescence as a result of self‐trapped excitons (STEs) formation without disturbing the crystal framework. The chiral perovskites of indium‐antimony chlorides embedded on LEDs chips demonstrate promising potential as CPL emitters. Our work presents rare cases of chiroptical activity of highly luminescent perovskites from only achiral building blocks via spontaneous resolution as a result of symmetry breaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current data on post-discharge mortality and rehospitalization is still insufficient among in-hospital survivors of cardiogenic shock (CS), including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and non-AMI survivors. Methods: Patients with CS who survived after hospital discharge were selected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Each patient was followed up at 3-year intervals. Mortality and rehospitalization were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models. Results: There were 16,582 eligible patients. Of these, 42.4% and 57.6% were AMI-CS and non-AMI-CS survivors, respectively. The overall mortality and rehospitalization rates were considerably high, with reports of 7.0% and 22.1% at 30 days, 24.5% and 58.2% at 1 year, and 38.9% and 73.0% at 3 years, respectively, among in-hospital CS survivors. Cardiovascular (CV) problems caused approximately 40% mortality and 60% rehospitalization. Overall, the non-AMI-CS group had a higher mortality burden than the AMI-CS group owing to older age and a higher prevalence of comorbidities. In multivariable models, the non-AMI-CS group exhibited a lower risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60 to 0.78) and CV mortality (aHR 0.65, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.78) compared to the AMI-CS group. However, these risks diminished and even reversed after one year (aHR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.25 for all-cause mortality; aHR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.49 for CV mortality).This reversal was not observed in all-cause and CV rehospitalization. For rehospitalization, AMI-CS was associated with the risk of CV rehospitalization in the entire observation period (aHR:0.80, 95% CI:0.76–0.84). Conclusions: In-hospital AMI-CS survivors had an increased risk of CV rehospitalization and 30-day mortality, whereas those with non-AMI-CS had a greater mortality risk after 1-year follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the interplay between exit selection models and local pedestrian movement patterns within floor field frameworks. Specifically, this investigation analysed the performance of a multinomial logit exit choice model, incorporating both expected utility theory and cumulative prospect theory frameworks when coupled with three distinct local-level pedestrian movement models (FF-Von Neumann, FF-Moore, and NSFF). The expected utility theory framework considers the deterministic component as a linear relationship, while the cumulative prospect theory framework further considers the decision-maker's risky attitudes by transforming objective terms into subjective terms using a power value function. The core objective was to comprehend how local movement dynamics, as represented by the floor field models, influence decision-making during exit selection. Comparative analyses revealed intriguing variations between the three local models, despite their shared expected utility theory-based exit choice framework. These discrepancies stemmed from the diverse pedestrian trajectory behaviours generated by each model. Consequently, these local dynamics impacted the decision-maker's assessment of critical factors, such as the number of evacuees close to the decision-maker ( N C D M ) and the number of evacuees close to an exit ( N C E ), which the exit choice model incorporates. These assessments, in turn, significantly affected higher-level decision-making. The integration of the three models with the multinomial logit exit choice model, using either cumulative prospect theory and expected utility theory frameworks, further strengthened the observed bilateral relationship. While the specific nature of this relationship varied depending on the chosen framework and its implementation details, these consistent findings demonstrate the robustness of the results. This reinforced the influence of local-level pedestrian dynamics on higher-level exit selection, highlighting the importance of accurate crowd dynamics modelling, especially when advanced exit choice models consider local movement factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas–solid Fluidized bed technology has a pivotal role in coal separation. Bubble movement behavior is an important factor affecting the fluidization stability. Fluidized bed measurement is an essential link in the bubble behavior study. As the main evaluation parameters, the concentration distribution and density distribution can reflect the bubble movement behavior. This work uses a noninvasive method of electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) for fluidized bed measurements, combined with COMSOL simulation validation for real-time imaging of bubbles in Geldart Group B magnetite powder particles. Meanwhile, the most suitable reconstruction algorithm for gas–solid separation fluidized bed is selected from three image reconstruction algorithms. And then concentration distribution and density distribution are analyzed. The results show that under reasonable gas velocity conditions (U–Umf =2.28 and 3.17 cm/s), the central region ([0, 1/4]) concentrations of [0.43–0.45] and [0.39–0.42] and densities of [1.98–2.06 g/cm3] and [1.86–1.96 g/cm3] are obtained by ECT measurements, respectively. Finally, the bed density obtained from the ECT sensors in the experiment was validated using three different bed density models. The error can be controlled to within 20%, which indicates that the ECT measurement method has a fairly high reliability and accuracy in dry coal beneficiation field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reported the social parasitism behavior between Vespula structor and Vl. flaviceps for the first time. These two Vespula species are both popular edible wasps in southwest China. Such a nest with these two mixed Vespula species in their natural state was found in the field, and observations both in situ and in doors were performed. Workers of the two Vespula species have distinct different looking but possess similar antennal sensilla. Mitochondrial DNA analysis proved these two Vespula were indeed two different species, with genetic difference of 14%. The queen observed in the nest belongs to Vl. structor which was supported both from morphology and DNA. The larvae collected during nest dissecting could not be distinguished which species they belong to, but DNA analysis proved that they were all Vl. structor individuals. Combined the behavior observation with the DNA data, we concluded that it was the queen of Vl. structor encroached on the nest of Vl. flaviceps, killed the queen of Vl. flaviceps, enslaved the workers in the nest, laid its own eggs, and gradually established the population of Vl. structor. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete mitochondrial genomes showed that they are close, and the Vl. structors was the more ancient species in evolution. In this case of wasp parasitism, the relatively ancient species Vl. structors parasitized the younger species Vl. flaviceps, suggesting that the social parasites (Vl. structor) were not evolved from their host (Vl. flaviceps), which rejected the Emery's rule in its strict sense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast optical modulation of nanoplasmonics is fundamental for on-chip integration of all-optical devices. Although various strategies have been proposed for dynamic modulation of surface plasmons, critical issues of device compatibility and extremely low efficiency in the visible spectrum hamper the application of optoplasmonic nanochips. Here we establish an optoplasmonic system based on Au@Cu2–xS hybrid core–shell nanoparticles. The optical excitation of hot electrons and their charge transfer to the semiconductor coating (Cu2–xS) lead to lowered electron density of Au, which results in the red shift of the localized surface plasmon resonance. The hot electrons can also transport through the Cu2–xS layer to the metal substrate, which increases the conductance of the nanogap. As such, the coupled gap plasmon blue-shifts with a magnitude of up to ∼15 nm, depending on the excitation power and the thickness of the coatings, which agrees with numerical simulations. All of this optoelectronic tuning process is highly reversible, controllable and fast with a modulated laser beam, which is highly compatible and sufficiently useful for on-chip integration of nanophotonic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: The investigation of n‐type doping holds a significant interest for the application of thermoelectrics. Herein, the doping of an indandione‐terminated compound Q‐4F with a singlet open‐shell ground state was studied using two n‐dopants N‐DMBI and LCV. Both of these two dopants can effectively dope Q‐4F due to the large offset between the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) of dopants and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of Q‐4F. N‐DMBI has a higher doping ability than LCV as demonstrated by the UV‐vis‐NIR and EPR measurements. However, in comparison to N‐DMBI doped Q‐4F, LCV doped system exhibits much higher electrical conductivity and power factor due to its unperturbed molecular packing and favorable morphology after doping. The optimal conductivity of LCV doped Q‐4F is 7.16 × 10–2 ± 0.16 S·cm–1 and the highest power factor reaches 12.3 ± 0.85 μW·m–1·K–2. These results demonstrate that the modulation of n‐dopants is a powerful strategy to balance the doping efficiency and microstructure toward a maximum thermoelectric performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet C (UVC) light has a great promising application in the field of sterilization. However, how to obtain efficient UVC emission with peak maximum at 265 nm that is called 'golden sterilization wavelength' remains a great challenge. Herein, we propose a defect-engineering strategy to obtain enhanced UVC emission at the golden sterilization wavelength of 265 nm through introducing oxygen vacancies into Pr3+ doped Ba 2 MgSi 2 O 7 melilite phosphors. Combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and thermoluminescence (TL) characterizations, it is confirmed that the calcination of Ba 2 MgSi 2 O 7 :Pr3+ in an inert atmosphere could efficiently increase oxygen vacancy concentration, promoting the efficient energy transfer from the melilite host to Pr3+ ions. It could lead to a significant enhancement of the luminescence intensity to 2.43 times of the initial one with less oxygen vacancies. The optimized Ba 2 MgSi 2 O 7 :0.4%Pr3+ phosphor could effectively inactivate 100 % of Staphylococcus aureus within 8 min, showing higher efficiency than commercially available mercury lamp. This work provides an effective solution for the design and preparation of UVC phosphors using defect engineering to achieve golden UVC emission. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A finite difference numerical scheme is proposed and analyzed for the Cahn-Hilliard-Stokes system with Flory-Huggins energy functional. A convex splitting is applied to the chemical potential, which in turns leads to the implicit treatment for the singular logarithmic terms and the surface diffusion term, and an explicit update for the expansive concave term. The convective term for the phase variable, as well as the coupled term in the Stokes equation, is approximated in a semi-implicit manner. In the spatial discretization, the marker and cell difference method is applied, which evaluates the velocity components, the pressure and the phase variable at different cell locations. Such an approach ensures the divergence-free feature of the discrete velocity, and this property plays an important role in the analysis. The positivity-preserving property and the unique solvability of the proposed numerical scheme are theoretically justified, utilizing the singular nature of the logarithmic term as the phase variable approaches the singular limit values. An unconditional energy stability analysis is standard, as an outcome of the convex-concave decomposition technique. A convergence analysis with accompanying error estimate is provided for the proposed numerical scheme. In particular, a higher order consistency analysis, accomplished by supplementary functions, is performed to ensure the separation properties of numerical solution. In turn, using the approach of rough and refined error estimates, we are able to derive an optimal rate convergence. To conclude, several numerical experiments are presented to validate the theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complexity of terrain features poses a substantial challenge in the effective processing and application of airborne LiDAR data, particularly in regions characterized by steep slopes and diverse objects. In this paper, we propose a novel multiscale filtering method utilizing a modified 3D alpha shape algorithm to increase the ground point extraction accuracy in complex terrain. Our methodology comprises three pivotal stages: preprocessing for outlier removal and potential ground point extraction; the deployment of a modified 3D alpha shape to construct multiscale point cloud layers; and the use of a multiscale triangulated irregular network (TIN) densification process for precise ground point extraction. In each layer, the threshold is adaptively determined based on the corresponding α. Points closer to the TIN surface than the threshold are identified as ground points. The performance of the proposed method was validated using a classical benchmark dataset provided by the ISPRS and an ultra-large-scale ground filtering dataset called OpenGF. The experimental results demonstrate that this method is effective, with an average total error and a kappa coefficient on the ISPRS dataset of 3.27% and 88.97%, respectively. When tested in the large scenarios of the OpenGF dataset, the proposed method outperformed four classical filtering methods and achieved accuracy comparable to that of the best of learning-based methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the impact of upwarp deformation in the ballastless track on the jumping behavior of the high-speed vehicle, utilizing UM and ANSYS joint simulation, a vertical vibration model of high-speed vehicle on CRTS II slab ballastless track was developed based on the non-Hertz wheel–rail contact model of virtual penetration theory. By using the single-wave cosine curve simulating the characteristics of upwarp deformation in the track slab, we calculated the whole process of wheel jumping. This allowed us to analyze how the amplitude and wavelength of the track slab upward deformation influence the vibration response of the vehicle–track system. Our findings indicate that when a wheel passes through the arch section of the track slab, the entire wheel jumping process consists of distinct stages: “wheel–rail bonding, wheel–rail separation, wheel–rail impact (one or more times), and wheel–rail bonding.” As the amplitude of upwarp deformation increases and the wavelength decreases, significant changes occur in several parameters, including the vertical force between the wheel and rail, wheel unloading rate, wheel jump height, frequency, duration, and vertical displacement of the rail. Additionally, when the wavelength is between 2 and 6m and the amplitude is 8mm, the vertical force between the wheel and rail becomes zero, the wheel load reduction rate is one, and the wheel jumps. When the wavelength is less than 3m, the wheel jump height exceeds the flange height, increasing the risk of derailment. Meanwhile, during the first wheel–rail impact, the wheel–rail vertical force and the rail vertical displacement reach their maximum, potentially impacting rail service performance negatively. Finally, compared to the amplitude of the track slab camber deformation, its wavelength has a greater impact on the entire process of wheel jumping. It is recommended that attention be paid to the change in the wavelength of the track slab camber during the maintenance and repair of the ballastless track. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic biology is propelling medicine into a new era through its capacity to genetically program living cells. One of the particular interests is engineering bacteria as a live and targeted therapeutic delivery system. Herein, the bacterial biohybrid (E. coli‐pE@PCN) is developed by genetically engineering Escherichia coli BL21 to overexpress catalase (E. coli‐pE) and electrostatically adsorbing nano‐sonosensitizers (PCN NPs) for enhanced and targeted sonodynamic therapy (SDT). Leveraging the ability to colonize and penetrate deep in tumors, engineered bacteria can not only sustainably express catalase to relieve tumor hypoxia, but also facilitate the enriched and expanded distribution of the carried sonosensitizer at the tumor site, so as to trigger effective SDT. More interestingly, it is found that E. coli‐pE@PCN‐based SDT can successfully inhibit the growth of subcutaneous and orthotopic colorectal tumors by inducing potent antitumor immune responses due to the released tumor‐associated antigens and native immunogenicity of bacterial pathogen‐associated molecular patterns. Furthermore, E. coli‐pE@PCN‐based SDT can not only prime a strong immune memory response to prevent tumor recurrence but also elicit a potent abscopal effect to inhibit tumor metastasis. Therefore, the programmable bacteria‐based biohybrids developed here pave an avenue to prepare next‐generation sonodynamic‐immunotherapeutics to eliminate cancer and prevent its relapse and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chiral sillenite Bi25FeO40 exhibits versatile properties including electro‐optics, magneto‐optics, optical rotation, and photorefraction, showing great potential in multi‐functional magneto‐optical devices. However, the weak magnetism of this crystal leads to a poor magneto‐optical property, which is extremely hindering its practical applications. Combining with the sillenite structure, the formation energy and the magnetic‐optical effect are calculated based on density functional theory. The codoping of strongly magnetic Co and Fe ions is predicted to enable high doping concentrations. The hybridization between Bi 6p orbitals and Fe/Co 3d orbitals significantly enhances the optical transition and thus greatly improves the magneto‐optical properties. The millimeter‐sized Bi26‐x‐yCoxFeyO40 crystals are successfully prepared by hydrothermal methods. The characterizations on structure, TG‐DSC, magnetism, and magneto‐optical effect confirm the theoretical predictions that the Co‐Fe codoped crystals maintain the chiral bismuth ferrite structure with multifunctional properties and high thermal stability. The Co‐Fe codoping significantly enhances the magnetism and magneto‐optical properties of Bi25FeO40 crystal. The magnetization of Bi19.0Co3.5Fe3.5O40 increases by 27 times and the magneto‐optical effect of Bi19.8Co3.0Fe3.2O40 at 720, 777, 1288, 1388, and 1790 nm are greater than Bi:YIG and undoped Bi25FeO40. Bi26‐x‐yCoxFeyO40 crystals with enhanced magneto‐optical properties by Co‐Fe codoping are promising for novel multifunctional magneto‐optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SRY‐box transcription factor 30 (SOX30) participates in tumor cell apoptosis in lung cancer. The occurrence of somatic SOX30 mutations, the expression signature of SOX30 in normal and cancer tissues, the correlation of SOX30 with immune cells and immune‐related genes, and the clinical significance of SOX30 in various cancers have stimulated interest in SOX30 as a potential cancer biomarker. SOX30 influences drug sensitivity and tumor immunity in specific cancer types. In this review, we have comprehensively summarized the latest research on the role of SOX30 in cancer by combining bioinformatics evidence and a literature review. We summarize recent research on SOX30 in cancer regarding somatic mutations, trials, transcriptome analysis, clinical information, and SOX30‐mediated regulation of malignant phenotypes. Additionally, we report on the diagnostic value of SOX30 mRNA expression levels across different cancer types. This review on the role of SOX30 in cancer progression may provide insights into possible research directions for SOX30 in cancer and a theoretical basis for guiding future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study measured serum levels of vitamin A (VA) and vitamin D (VD) in children with chronic tic disorders (CTD) and investigated their potential association with CTD and comorbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the association of their co-insufficiencies or deficiencies with CTD symptoms. A total of 176 children (131 boys and 45 girls, median age of 9 years) with CTD were recruited as the CTD group. During the same period, 154 healthy children were selected as the healthy control (HC) cohort. Circulating retinol and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were measured for all participants using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) was employed for the assessment of tic status and CTD impairment. The Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale (SNAP-IV) and the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) were used to evaluate comorbidity symptoms. CTD pediatric participants exhibited markedly diminished circulating retinol and 25(OH)D levels compared to HCs. Moreover, VA and VD deficiencies and their co-insufficiencies/deficiencies were more prevalent in CTD participants than HCs. Circulating 25(OH)D levels were inversely proportional to the YGTSS motor tic scores. YGTSS scores in CTD children with only VA or VD insufficiency or deficiency or with VA and VD co-insufficiency/deficiency did not differ from those in CTD children with normal VA and VD. CTD children with comorbid ADHD displayed reduced circulating retinol and 25(OH)D concentrations and elevated prevalence of VD deficiency compared to CTD participants without comorbid ADHD. Lower serum retinol content was intricately linked to the presence of elevated CTD and comorbid ADHD. VA and VD deficiencies and their co-insufficiencies/deficiencies were markedly enhanced in CTD pediatric participants compared to HCs. Lower VA concentration was linked to the presence of enhanced CTD and comorbid ADHD. Therefore, children with CTD, especially with comorbid ADHD, may be at a higher risk of VA or VD deficiency, which may prompt the clinicians to consider whether blood tests for VA and VD in CTD children would be helpful for clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D transition metal carbide/nitride heterostructures are emerging pseudocapacitive materials for supercapacitors (SCs); however, the lack of efficient synthesis methods and an in‐depth understanding of the pseudocapacitive storage mechanism of these potentially important materials impede their applications in SCs. Herein, 2D MoN/MoC nanosheets with a precisely regulated interface are prepared controllably by a scalable salt‐assisted method with bulk MoS2 as the precursor. In operando infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance results reveal that the pseudocapacitance of the MoN/MoC nanosheets originates from the reversible reaction between Mo–N sites and H+ in the acidic electrolyte. Density‐functional theory calculations and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy disclose that the MoC/MoN heterointerface induces the internal electric field from the accumulated negative charges at the Mo–N sites by electron donation from MoC, leading to enhanced H+ adsorption at the Mo–N sites and superior pseudocapacitive storage. The heterostructured MoN/MoC nanosheets show a large volumetric capacity of 1045.3 F cm−3 at 1 A cm−3, high‐rate capability of 702.8 F cm−3 at 10 A cm−3, and superior cyclability with capacity retention of 98% after 10,000 cycles, which outperform reported Mo‐based carbides and nitrides. The results provide new insights into the development of high‐performance 2D heterostructured materials for superior pseudocapacitive storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new species of Cryptochironomus Kieffer, 1918, C. absum Liu, sp. nov., C. beardi Liu, sp. nov., C. dentatus Liu, sp. nov., C. ferringtoni Liu, sp. nov., C. parallelus Liu, sp. nov. and C. taylorensis Liu, sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on adult males. The specimens were collected from various water systems in the United States and preserved by Dr. Leonard Charles Ferrington Jr. An updated key to adult males of all known Cryptochironomus species in the Nearctic region is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a protocol for the direct site‐selective difunctionalization of pyrazoles under mild reaction conditions. This protocol showcase a notable site‐selectivity and encompasses a wide substrate scope. Detailed mechanistic investigations elucidate the dual role of the sulfonium salt acting both as the reaction substrate and acid donor, thereby effectively catalyzing the reaction. The demonstrated one‐pot synthesis, scale‐up reaction and subsequent product modifications can assist in advancing the potential application of this protocol in organic synthesis and its associated domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In salt lake areas, cast-in situ concrete structures are subjected to long-term corrosion by sulfate and magnesium ions. The properties of concrete can be improved by adding materials like basalt fiber (BF). To investigate the degradation process and mechanism of cast-in situ concrete with premixed BF under the dual corrosion of sulfate and magnesium salts, concrete with a content of BF ranging from 0 to 0.5% was prepared. Specimens were subjected to different internal and external corrosion conditions and immersed for 180 days. Dimension, mass, and appearance changes at different immersion times were recorded. The compressive and flexural strength of the specimens were tested and continually observed throughout the immersion time. Mineral and microstructural changes at different immersion times were determined by the XRD, TG, and SEM analysis methods. Results indicated that external sulfate–internal magnesium combined attack had a significant negative effect on the early strength. The compressive and flexural strength of the corroded specimens decreased by 17.2% and 14.1%, respectively, compared to the control group at 28 days. The premixed magnesium ions caused the decomposition of the C-S-H gel, resulting in severe spalling and lower mechanical properties after immersing for a long time. As the BF can inhibit crack development, the properties of the concrete premixed with BF were improved. Specimens exhibited superior performance at a BF content of 0.5%, resulting in a 16.2% increase in flexural strength. This paper serves as a valuable reference for the application of basalt fiber-reinforced concrete under the challenging conditions of sulfate–magnesium combined attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSurface radiative exchange is widely used in the fields related to industrial and environment. Accurate and rapid calculation of the surface radiant heat flux can predict and prevent accidents. In this study, a solver for surface radiative exchange based on the OpenFOAM platform is developed. The solver’s accuracy can be verified by calculating the net heat rate of the cubic cavity and the triangular-prism geometries. The solarLoad radiation model is used to study the variation of heat flux with respect to the solar incidence angle for a satellite in orbit and a human standing in a room with a window. Finally, a Graphical User Interface (GUI) based on the PyQt5 for this solver is developed to simplify the operation process and make the solver user-friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial dysfunction is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular events, but the mechanism is unclear. In our study, we found elevated levels of RIPK1 in patients with CKD and cardiovascular events through bioinformation analysis. Elevated RIPK1 levels were found in serum samples of CKD patients and were associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction and renal function. We constructed the five of six nephrectomy of CKD mice model, finding that RIPK1 expressions were elevated in abdominal aorta endothelial cells. After RIPK1 inhibition and overexpression, it was found that RIPK1 could regulate the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1), and activation of inflammatory responses and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In addition, uremic toxin induced abnormal expression of RIPK1 in vitro. We observed RIPK1‐mediating endothelial dysfunction and inflammation responses by ER stress pathways through gain and loss of function. In order to explore the specific mechanism, we conducted co‐immunoprecipitation and expression regulation of RIPK1 and IKK, finding that RIPK1 formed complex with IKK and regulated IKK expression. In conclusion, we demonstrated that RIPK1 levels were closely associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with CKD. With uremic toxins, RIPK1 expression was elevated, which led to the activation of inflammation through the ER stress pathway, resulting in vascular endothelial injury. Besides, activation of RIPK1‐IKK‐NF‐κB axis was a key driver of endothelial dysfunction in CKD. Our study provides a new perspective for the study of cardiovascular events in CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the development of a novel microfluidic biosensor using a graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) design for the parallel label-free analysis of multiple biomarkers. Overcoming the persistent challenge of constructing μm2-sized FET sensitive interfaces that incorporate multiple receptors, we implement a split-float-gate structure that enables the manipulation of multiplexed biochemical functionalization using microfluidic channels. Immunoaffinity biosensing experiments are conducted using the mixture samples containing three liver cancer biomarkers, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), α-fetoprotein (AFP), and parathyroid hormone (PTH). The results demonstrate the capability of our label-free biochip to quantitatively detect multiple target biomarkers simultaneously by observing the kinetics in 10 minutes, with the detection limit levels in the nanomolar range. This microfluidic biosensor provides a valuable analytical tool for rapid multi-target biosensing, which can be potentially utilized for domiciliary tests of cancer screening and prognosis, obviating the need for sophisticated instruments and professional operations in hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise design and development of high-performing oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for the production of industrial hydrogen gas through water electrolysis has been a widely studied topic. A profound understanding of the nature of electrocatalytic processes reveals that Ni-based catalysts are highly active toward OER that can stably operate at a high current density for a long period of time. Given the current gap between research and applications in industrial water electrolysis, we have completed a systematic review by constructively discussing the recent progress of Ni-based catalysts for electrocatalytic OER at a large current density, with special focus on the morphology and composition regulation of Ni-based electrocatalysts for achieving extraordinary OER performance. This review will facilitate future research toward rationally designing next-generation OER electrocatalysts that can meet industrial demands, thereby promoting new sustainable solutions for energy shortage and environment issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on COVID-19 outcomes remains uncertain. To address this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, analyzing 30 studies, to investigate the impact of ICS on patients with COVID-19. Our study focused on various outcomes, including mortality risk, hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), mechanical ventilation (MV) utilization, and length of hospital stay. Additionally, we conducted a subgroup analysis to assess the effect of ICS on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Our findings suggest that the prior use of ICS did not lead to significant differences in mortality risk, ICU admission, hospitalization, or MV utilization between individuals who had used ICS previously and those who had not. However, in the subgroup analysis of patients with COPD, prior ICS use was associated with a lower risk of mortality compared to non-users (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.90–1.00). Overall, while the use of ICS did not significantly affect COVID-19 outcomes in general, it may have beneficial effects specifically for patients with COPD. Nevertheless, more research is needed to establish a definitive conclusion on the role of ICS in COVID-19 treatment. PROSPERO registration number:CRD42021279429. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A stable scale-up production strategy is necessary to propel high-performance Pt nanoparticles (NPs) catalysts from academic research to industrial applications. Conventional batch-type reactors scale up the production of Pt NPs catalysts by expanding the volume of the reaction vessel, which induces insufficient reaction control due to the limited heat transfer capacity. It can lead to severe agglomeration of Pt NPs and prevent the original high catalytic activity. Here, the continuous flow technology with efficient heat transfer was demonstrated to possess excellent properties of efficient and stable reaction control, which can effectively avoid agglomeration and stably produce Pt NPs catalysts with Pt NPs of uniform size and homogeneous dispersion on carbon supports at various production scales. The results show that the continuous flow technology enables the reaction slurry to reach the equilibrium temperature with a tiny difference (<1 °C) from the preset temperature within 1 min, reducing the reaction time from 4 h in the batch-type reactor to 10 min. The Pt NPs catalyst synthesized by it achieved a performance of 1.32 W cm−2 at 0.6 V, 1.4 times that of the batch-type reactor. It is an ideal solution to promote the rapid industrial application of high-performance Pt NPs catalysts that conduct laboratory synthesis studies of small amounts by the efficient and convenient continuous flow reactor and then use the same continuous flow reactor to perform efficient and stable scale-up production. • Continuous flow technology allows scale-up production of Pt NPs catalysts at various scales with stable quality. • Heat transfer is substantially improved, and reaction conditions are more stably controlled. • Continuous flow technology can reduce reaction times from 4 h to 10 min. • Pt nanoparticles are less agglomerated and more homogeneously distributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been the third most prevalent cancer worldwide. Liver metastasis is the critical factor for the poor prognosis of CRC. Here, we investigated the expression and role of PLOD3 in CRC. Methods: Different liver metastasis models were established by injecting PLOD3 stable knockdown or overexpression CT26 or MC38 mouse CRC cells into the spleen of mice to verify the tumorigenicity and metastasis ability in vivo. Results: We identified PLOD3 is significantly overexpressed in liver metastasis samples of CRC. High expression of PLOD3 was significantly associated with poor survival of CRC patients. The knockdown of PLOD3 exhibited remarkable inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion in CRC cells, while the opposite results could be found in different PLOD3-overexpressed CRC cells. Stable knockdown of PLOD3 also significantly inhibited liver metastasis of CRC cells in different xenografts models, while stable overexpression of PLOD3 promotes liver metastasis and tumor progression. Further studies showed that PLOD3 facilitated the T cell activation in the tumor microenvironment and affected the TNF-α/ NF-κB pathway. Conclusions: This study revealed the essential biological functions of PLOD3 in colon cancer progression and metastasis, suggesting that PLOD3 is a promising translational medicine target and bioengineering targeting PLOD3 overcomes CRC liver metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With rapid economic expansion, China is faced with environmental challenges like air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting from conventional fossil fuels to renewable energy (REN) sources is critical to facilitate sustainable development in China. Compared to coal and oil, REN such as solar and wind energy emit less carbon emissions. Fostering innovation of REN technologies is thus essential for China's green transition. This study aims to analyze the impact of REN technology innovation on China's economic growth using panel data models. The results demonstrate that advancing REN technologies significantly promotes GDP increase in China. Targeted policy incentives must be implemented to accelerate REN technology progression and adoption across the country. Transitioning towards REN systems will be instrumental for China to achieve environmental sustainability while maintaining economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify effective teaching strategies and challenges in computer science (CS) teaching and K-12 CS teachers' needs for professional development (PD). The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five K-12 CS teachers and eight CS instructors in higher education and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that (1) connecting the classroom to the real world, project-based assessment, and teamwork are effective teaching strategies; (2) teaching challenges include CS teachers' knowledge gaps, students' technology access and use, and elective courses; and (3) teachers' PD opportunities and needs include content and pedagogical knowledge and an ongoing learning community. The findings offer implications for K-12 CS education and teachers' PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal stability and phase transition rate are two important issues that restrict the engineering applications of phase change memories. In this paper, GeSb/Sb multilayer films were prepared by multilayer stacking, and their phase transition properties were investigated. GeSb/Sb multilayer films had higher crystallization temperature, better data retention, and lower resistance drift than pure Sb films, which indicated that they had excellent thermal stability and accuracy of resistance identification. The test results of X‐ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy showed that GeSb spacer layers could inhibit grain growth of Sb film layers, thus reducing the roughness and potential fluctuation of the film surface. X‐ray reflectivity experiments showed that the GeSb/Sb multilayer films before and after crystallization had small volume changes. The devices based on [GeSb(7 nm)/Sb(3 nm)]8 multilayer films could achieve reversible resistive transition operation between SET and RESET at a pulse width of 10 ns, showing satisfactory transition rate and operational power consumption. The low resistance drift and ultra‐fast phase transition speed make GeSb/Sb multilayer films one of the promising choices for phase change memories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate dynamic modeling is the basis for achieving high-precision motion control of a wheeled wall-climbing robot. In a dynamic model, the magnetic attractive force is one of the important influencing forces. In this study, to quickly obtain the attractive force of the magnetic wheel under different wall structure and attitude, the equivalent magnetic circuit method is combined with an analytical approach to construct attractive force models on the flat wall, the 90° concave corner, and the 90° convex corner, respectively. By establishing the geometric relations of the air gap, the reluctance is calculated to analyze the effects of changes in wall structure and relative attitude. The formula for calculating the attractive force is obtained based on this analysis. The proposed model's accuracy was confirmed by comparing it to finite element analysis (FEA) results. These models enable rapid calculation of the dynamic attractive force, providing a foundation for establishing a high-precision dynamic model for a wheeled wall-climbing robot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leveraging the precision of its radiation dose distribution and the minimization of postoperative complications, low‐dose‐rate (LDR) permanent seed brachytherapy is progressively adopted in addressing hepatic malignancies. Purpose: The present study endeavors to devise a sophisticated treatment planning system (TPS) to optimize LDR brachytherapy for hepatic lesions. Methods: Our TPS encompasses four integral modules: multi‐organ segmentation, seed distribution initialization, puncture pathway selection, and inverse dose planning. By amalgamating an array of deep learning models, the segmentation module proficiently labels 17 discrete abdominal targets within the images. We introduce a knowledge‐based seed distribution initialization methodology that discerns the most analogous tumor shape in the reference treatment plan from the knowledge base. Subsequently, the seed distribution from the reference plan is transmuted to the current case, thus establishing seed distribution initialization. Furthermore, we parameterize the puncture needles and seeds, while concurrently constraining the puncture needle angle through the employment of a virtual puncture panel to augment planning algorithm efficiency. We also presented a user interface that includes a range of interactive features, seamlessly integrated with the treatment planning generation function. Results: The multi‐organ segmentation module, which is trained by 50 cases of in‐house CT scans and 694 cases of publicly available CT scans, achieved average Dice of 0.80 and Hausdorff distance of 5.2 mm in testing datasets. The results demonstrate that knowledge‐based initialization exhibits a marked enhancement in expediting the convergence rate. Our TPS also demonstrates a dominant advantage in dose‐volume‐histogram criteria and execution time in comparison to commercial TPS. Conclusion: The study proposes an innovative treatment planning system for low‐dose‐rate permanent seed brachytherapy for hepatic malignancies. We show that the generated treatment plans meet clinical requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arc plasma is widely used in various fields due to its excellent advantages, such as elevated temperature, high enthalpy, and increased energy density. Under this direction, a four‐electrode V‐shaped arc plasma torch was developed to increase both the arc power and plasma volume. The arc dynamic characteristics, the volt‐ampere characteristics, and the thermal efficiency of the arc plasma torch were systematically studied. From the acquired results, a large‐scale, and low‐frequency re‐strike process between the arc channels was demonstrated. Compared with the common twin‐electrode structure, the stability of the four‐electrode structure during the discharging process was improved, exhibiting a wider frequency distribution of the re‐strike events. The electrode layout may also affect the dynamic evolution process of the arc. However, from a statistical point of view, no significant differences in electrical characteristics were recorded. The four‐electrode V‐shaped arc plasma torch presented a typical descending volt‐ampere characteristic, and the re‐strike frequency increased with an increase in the current. A high thermal efficiency (above 83%) was obtained in the range of arc current of 80–200 A. At a current value of 200 A, the jet enthalpy and the average gas temperature can reach 17.41 MJ/kg and 6590 K, and the corresponding jet length was close to 80 cm because of both the high thermal efficiency and enthalpy. The stable discharge process, high thermal efficiency, high jet enthalpy value, and large volume rendered the proposed four‐electrode V‐shaped arc plasma torch to be suitable for various applications including nanomaterial preparation, metal powder spheroidization, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The demand for high-performance electric vehicle (EV) batteries, specifically all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs), has been on the rise. Although notable advancements have taken place, there's still a noticeable gap to achieve the targets set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Designing and fabricating thin solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) are crucial to achieve high energy densities and boost the practical application of ASSLBs. However, the thickness reduction in SSEs introduces challenges such as a heightened risk of dendrite growth. This review focuses on reducing the thickness of SSEs to boost the energy density and overall efficiency of ASSLBs. Strategies such as optimizing manufacturing processes for thin SSE films and enhancing mechanical strength and ion conductivity at room temperature for thin SSE films are critically reviewed. The review highlights the cost-effective and scalable methods to produce thin SSEs, and discusses future opportunities in this burgeoning area, ranging from fundamental research to practical applications, to further accelerate the transition from conventional lithium-ion batteries to ASSLBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is an inevitable trend of the development of world first-class universities to promote the construction of a powerful country in higher education and to build and own a number of world first-class universities around the world. Under the actual background of the construction of "world first-class university," this paper studies the comprehensive evaluation of university competitiveness. Firstly, considering the selection condition and development tasks of "world first-class university," 13 indexes are selected to construct a comprehensive evaluation index system of university competitiveness from six aspects of talent training, scientific research, teacher construction, social service, social reputation and internationalization degree, and the method of principal component analysis (PCA) is used to determine the weights of these 13 indexes. Secondly, a new Deviation Degree-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (DD-TOPSIS) method is proposed to comprehensively evaluate the university competitiveness. Thirdly, 15 universities in Hubei Province of China and 10 top universities in UK are selected for empirical analysis, respectively. Finally, according to the results of empirical analysis, some suggestions on the construction of "world first-class university" are provided from the aspects of teacher construction, talent training, social service and university management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of introducing the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) nursing model on postoperative delirium occurrence and rehabilitation quality in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures. Methods: A total of 160 elderly patients with femoral neck fractures, who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted between March 2021 to March 2023, were divided into two groups: the traditional care group and the ERAS nursing model group. In addition to traditional care measures, the ERAS nursing model group received interventions based on the principles of the ERAS nursing model. The occurrence of delirium and sleep quality were observed at 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively, as well as during the overall hospital stay. The duration of hospitalization, time to first mobilization, and post-discharge follow-up on quality of life were compared between the two groups. Results: The ERAS nursing model group exhibited a significant difference in the occurrence of delirium at 48 and 72 h postoperatively, as well as during the overall hospital stay (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of delirium at 24 h postoperatively (P > 0.05). The sleep quality of the two groups showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The ERAS nursing model group had shorter time to first mobilization, reduced hospitalization duration, and higher Harris and SF-36 scores during post-discharge follow-up, compared to the traditional care group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The implementation of the ERAS nursing model in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures improved postoperative sleep quality, reduced delirium occurrence, shortened average hospitalization duration, and enhanced patients' quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) were synthesized from cucurbit[7]uril (Q[7]) and 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic (DMPA) by a hydrothermal method. The Q[7]–DMPA complex was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The CQDs showed blue fluorescence, photostability, and ionic strength stability. They were used to detect histamine with a low limit of 2.33 × 10−6 M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthracnose of oak (Quercus) caused by Colletotrichum spp. is one of the most common diseases in oak forests. To investigate the species diversity of Colletotrichum associated with oak anthracnose, symptomatic leaf samples of three oak species (Q. acutissima, Q. mongolica and Q. variabilis) were collected from Anhui, Hainan, Henan, Shaanxi and Shandong Provinces, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Beijing City in China from 2019 to 2022. A total of 219 Colletotrichum isolates were obtained and identified by morphological and phylogenetic analyses of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh), chitin synthase 1 (chs‐1), actin (act) and β‐tubulin (tub2) sequences. Nine species were identified: C. fioriniae (two isolates, 0.9%), C. camellia‐japonicae (two isolates, 0.9%), C. karstii (three isolates, 1.4%), C. quercicola (two isolates, 0.9%), C. aenigma (three isolates, 1.4%), C. endophyticum (two isolates, 0.9%), C. fructicola (68 isolates, 31.1%), C. gloeosporioides sensu stricto (74 isolates, 33.8%) and C. siamense (63 isolates, 28.8%). Pathogenicity was confirmed using Koch's postulates, which showed that five species (C. camellia‐japonicae, C. endophyticum, C. fructicola, C. gloeosporioides s. s. and C. siamense) caused Q. acutissima anthracnose, four species (C. karstii, C. fructicola, C. gloeosporioides s. s. and C. siamense) caused Q. mongolica anthracnose and six species (C. fioriniae, C. quercicola, C. aenigma, C. fructicola, C. gloeosporioides s. s. and C. siamense) caused Q. variabilis anthracnose. This study demonstrates the pathogenic species diversity of Colletotrichum on Q. acutissima, Q. mongolica and Q. variabilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]