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In order to assess the impact of electron beam irradiation on the physicochemical properties and edible quality of highland barley rice, an investigation was conducted to identify the optimal irradiation dose for barley and rice processing. In this study, a series of analyses were conducted on barley rice samples subjected to electron beam irradiation at four doses (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kGy). These analyses included the determination of basic nutrients, colony and mold counts, storage indexes, pasting characteristics, rheological properties and edible quality. The results demonstrated that electron beam irradiation at a dose of 0~1.5 kGy had no significant impact on the composition and content of basic nutrients and amino acids in barley and rice. Furthermore, the total number of colonies and molds were significantly reduced (P

Abstract Bipolar membranes in electrochemical CO2 conversion cells enable different reaction environments in the CO2-reduction and O2-evolution compartments. Under ideal conditions, water-splitting in the bipolar membrane allows for platinum-group-metal-free anode materials and high CO2 utilizations. In practice, however, even minor unwanted ion crossover limits stability to short time periods. Here we report the vital role of managing ionic species to improve CO2 conversion efficiency while preventing acidification of the anodic compartment. Through transport modelling, we identify that an anion-exchange ionomer in the catalyst layer improves local bicarbonate availability and increasing the proton transference number in the bipolar membranes increases CO2 regeneration and limits K+ concentration in the cathode region. Through experiments, we show that a uniform local distribution of bicarbonate ions increases the accessibility of reverted CO2 to the catalyst surface, improving Faradaic efficiency and limiting current densities by twofold. Using these insights, we demonstrate a fully platinum-group-metal-free bipolar membrane electrode assembly CO2 conversion system exhibiting

A few large-scale spatiotemporal patterns of brain activity (quasiperiodic patterns or QPPs) account for most of the spatial structure observed in resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). The QPPs capture well-known features such as the evolution of the global signal and the alternating dominance of the default mode and task positive networks. These widespread patterns of activity have plausible ties to neuromodulatory input that mediates changes in nonlocalized processes, including arousal and attention. To determine whether QPPs exhibit variations across brain conditions, the relative magnitude and distribution of the three strongest QPPs were examined in two scenarios. First, in data from the Human Connectome Project, the relative incidence and magnitude of the QPPs was examined over the course of the scan, under the hypothesis that increasing drowsiness would shift the expression of the QPPs over time. Second, using rs-fMRI in rats obtained with a novel approach that minimizes noise, the relative incidence and magnitude of the QPPs was examined under three different anesthetic conditions expected to create distinct types of brain activity. The results indicate that both the distribution of QPPs and their magnitude changes with brain state, evidence of the sensitivity of these large-scale patterns to widespread changes linked to alterations in brain conditions.

Abstract Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant hematologic disease caused by gene mutations and genomic rearrangements in hematologic progenitors. The PHF6 (PHD finger protein 6) gene is highly conserved and located on the X chromosome in humans and mice. We found that PHF6 was highly expressed in AML cells with MLL rearrangement and was related to the shortened survival time of AML patients. In our study, we knocked out the Phf6 gene at different disease stages in the AML mice model. Moreover, we knocked down PHF6 by shRNA in two AML cell lines and examined the cell growth, apoptosis, and cell cycle. We found that PHF6 deletion significantly inhibited the proliferation of leukemic cells and prolonged the survival time of AML mice. Interestingly, the deletion of PHF6 at a later stage of the disease displayed a better anti-leukemia effect. The expressions of genes related to cell differentiation were increased, while genes that inhibit cell differentiation were decreased with PHF6 knockout. It is very important to analyze the maintenance role of PHF6 in AML, which is different from its tumor-suppressing function in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Our study showed that inhibiting PHF6 expression may be a potential therapeutic strategy targeting AML patients.

Abstract Bone marrow ablation is routinely performed before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) require a stable bone marrow microenvironment to expand and refill the peripheral blood cell pool after ablation. Roundabout guidance receptor 4 (Robo4) is a transmembrane protein exclusive to endothelial cells and is vital in preserving vascular integrity. Hence, the hypothesis is that Robo4 maintains the integrity of bone marrow endothelial cells following radiotherapy. We created an endothelial cell injury model with γ-radiation before Robo4 gene manipulation using lentiviral-mediated RNAi and gene overexpression techniques. We demonstrate that Robo4 and specific mesenchymal proteins (Fibronectin, Vimentin, αSma, and S100A4) are upregulated in endothelial cells exposed to irradiation (IR). We found that Robo4 depletion increases the expression of endoglin (CD105), an auxiliary receptor for the transforming growth factor (TGF-β) family of proteins, and promotes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (End-MT) through activation of both the canonical (Smad) and non-canonical (AKT/NF-κB) signaling pathways to facilitate Snail1 activation and its nuclear translocation. Endothelial Robo4 overexpression stimulates the expression of immunoglobulin-like adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) and alleviates irradiation-induced End-MT. Our coculture model showed that transcriptional downregulation of endothelial Robo4 reduces HSPC proliferation and increases HSC quiescence and apoptosis. However, Robo4 overexpression mitigated the damaged endothelium’s suppressive effects on HSC proliferation and differentiation. These findings indicate that by controlling End-MT, Robo4 preserves microvascular integrity after radiation preconditioning, protects endothelial function, and lessens the inhibitory effect of damaged endothelium on hematopoietic reconstitution.

This study investigates the efficiency of humorous teaching videos integrated with the echo method in comparison with traditional teaching methods using humorous teaching handouts. There are 59 participants in this study divided into 2 groups of a quasi-experimental design. The findings indicate that the new teaching method design with humorous videos and echo method help learners gain higher learning outcomes, effectiveness of memorizing vocabulary and self-efficacy for learning & performance motivation. Educators are suggested to integrate humorous videos and the echo method in teaching Chinese. Future research should provide a selection standard of humorous videos in teaching Chinese. The impact of humorous videos on 6 dimensions of learning motivation in MSLQ should be further investigated.

Abstract Electrochemical conversion of organic compounds holds promise for advancing sustainable synthesis and catalysis. This study explored electrochemical carbonyl hydrogenation on single-site M–N–C (Metal Nitrogen-doped Carbon) catalysts using formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone as model reactants. We strive to correlate and understand the selectivity dependence on the nature of the metal centers. Density Functional Theory calculations revealed similar binding energetics for carbonyl groups through oxygen-down or carbon-down adsorption due to oxygen and carbon scaling. Fe–N–C exhibited specific oxyphilicity and could selectively reduce aldehydes to hydrocarbons. By contrast, the carbophilic Co–N–C selectively converted acetaldehyde and acetone to ethanol and 2-propanol, respectively. We claim that the oxyphilicity of the active sites and consequent adsorption geometry (oxygen-down vs. carbon-down) are crucial in controlling product selectivity. These findings offer mechanistic insights into electrochemical carbonyl hydrogenation and can guide the development of efficient and sustainable electrocatalytic valorization of biomass-derived compounds.

Abstract Coupled tandem electrolyzer concepts have been predicted to offer kinetic benefits to sluggish catalytic reactions thanks to their flexibility of reaction environments in each cell. Here we design, assemble, test, and analyze the first complete low-temperature, neutral-pH, cathode precious metal-free tandem CO2 electrolyzer cell chain. The tandem system couples an Ag-free CO2-to-CO2/CO electrolyzer (cell-1) to a CO2/CO-to-C2+ product electrolyzer (cell-2). Cell-1 and cell-2 incorporate selective Ni-N-C-based and Cu-based Gas Diffusion Cathodes, respectively, and operate at sustainable neutral pH conditions. Using our tandem cell system, we report strongly enhanced rates for the production of ethylene (by 50%) and alcohols (by 100%) and a sharply increased C2+ energy efficiency (by 100%) at current densities of up to 700 mA cm−2 compared to the single CO2-to-C2+ electrolyzer cell system approach. This study demonstrates that coupled tandem electrolyzer cell systems can offer kinetic and practical energetic benefits over single-cell designs for the production of value-added C2+ chemicals and fuels directly from CO2 feeds without intermediate separation or purification.

Abstract Human MutT Homolog 1 (MTH1) is a nucleotide pool sanitization enzyme that hydrolyzes oxidized nucleotides to prevent their mis-incorporation into DNA under oxidative stress. Expression and functional roles of MTH1 in platelets are not known. Here, we show MTH1 expression in platelets and its deficiency impairs hemostasis and arterial/venous thrombosis in vivo. MTH1 deficiency reduced platelet aggregation, phosphatidylserine exposure and calcium mobilization induced by thrombin but not by collagen-related peptide (CRP) along with decreased mitochondrial ATP production. Thrombin but not CRP induced Ca2+-dependent mitochondria reactive oxygen species generation. Mechanistically, MTH1 deficiency caused mitochondrial DNA oxidative damage and reduced the expression of cytochrome c oxidase 1. Furthermore, MTH1 exerts a similar role in human platelet function. Our study suggests that MTH1 exerts a protective function against oxidative stress in platelets and indicates that MTH1 could be a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of thrombotic diseases.

Recent studies found linguistic positivity bias in academic writing, that is, researchers tend to present their works with more positive words than negative ones. The present study aims to examine the issue from a diachronic perspective, and it is probably the first one that employed a mixed method of both a small lexicon analysis and sentiment analysis in this line of research. Specifically, a series of experiments were performed based on a corpus of 775,460 abstracts published between 1969 and 2019 in 123 scientific journals covering 12 research disciplines in life sciences. The results demonstrated a linguistic positivity bias in academic writing. More importantly, a significant upward trend of linguistic positivity bias was observed over the past 5 decades. Major communicative functions of positive and negative sentences are also analysed. Reasons for this linguistic positivity bias are explored from the perspectives of publication pressure/bias, employment of linguistic devices to promote research, and language use for political correctness purposes. Lastly, implications for authors and learners of academic writing and for researchers of sentiment analysis are also discussed.

The present study examines college teachers' initial and long-term career motivations. It was found that 1) themes in teachers' reports aligned with dimensions included in the FIT-Choice framework, 2) peak moments (PMs) contributed to long-term career motivation and job satisfaction. We propose that PMs should be considered as a valid dimension to the FIT-Choice scale.

Abstract Background Adults aged 65 years and above account for over half of all cancer diagnoses in the United States, but little is known about trend of elderly cancer survival in the United States. We aimed to assess the survival trend for elderly cancer in the United States from 1995 to 2014. Methods We used data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 12 registries and included 1,112,441 eligible patients aged 65 years or older who were diagnosed between 1995 and 2014 with cancer and followed up until December 2019. Overall and stage‐specific 5‐year relative survival, ratio of observed survival to expected survival, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of elderly cancer patients stratified by age were estimated during four periods (1995–1999, 2000–2004, 2005–2009, and 2010–2014). Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios for cancer‐specific death among patients diagnosed during 2000–2004, 2005–2009, 2010–2014, compared diagnoses in 1995–1999. We also calculated stage distribution and treatment rate during four periods. Results In the United States, 5‐year relative survival for elderly cancer patients improved from 57.3% (95% CIs 57.0–57.5) in 1995–1999 to 60.7% (60.5–60.9) in 2010–2014. After controlling for sociodemographic and tumor characteristics, about a 19% reduction in cancer‐specific deaths among diagnoses in 2010–2014 compared with 1995–1999. Cancer survival improved for elderly patients in all age groups, with exception of stable survival for patients aged 85 and above. Comparing 1995–1999 with 2010–2014, relative survival improved from 84.7% (84.3–85.1) to 86.7% (86.3–87.0) for localized stage and from 12.4% (12.1–12.7) to 18.7% (18.4–19.0) for distant stage for all cancers combined. The trends in stage distribution and treatment rate for all cancers combined were relatively stable. Conclusions In the United States, survival for elderly cancer patients has improved slightly from 1995 to 2014, possibly mainly due to advances in treatment. Further studies are warranted to explore interventions to improve elderly cancer survival.

Abstract Background Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation involves irradiation preconditioning which causes bone marrow endothelial cell dysfunction. While much emphasis is on the reconstitution of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow microenvironment, endothelial cell preservation is indispensable to overcome the preconditioning damages. This study aims to ascertain the role of Roundabout 4 (Robo4) in regulating irradiation-induced damage to the endothelium. Methods Microvascular endothelial cells were treated with γ-radiation to establish an endothelial cell injury model. Robo4 expression in the endothelial cells was manipulated employing lentiviral-mediated RNAi and gene overexpression technology before irradiation treatment. The permeability of endothelial cells was measured using qPCR, immunocytochemistry, and immunoblotting to analyze the effect on the expression and distribution of junctional molecules, adherens junctions, tight junctions, and gap junctions. Using Transwell endothelial monolayer staining, FITC-Dextran permeability, and gap junction-mediated intercellular communication (GJIC) assays, we determined the changes in endothelial functions after Robo4 gene manipulation and irradiation. Moreover, we measured the proportion of CD31 expression in endothelial cells by flow cytometry. We analyzed variations between two or multiple groups using Student’s t-tests and ANOVA. Results Ionizing radiation upregulates Robo4 expression but disrupts endothelial junctional molecules. Robo4 deletion causes further degradation of endothelial junctions hence increasing the permeability of the endothelial cell monolayer. Robo4 knockdown in microvascular endothelial cells increases the degradation and delocalization of ZO-1, PECAM-1, occludin, and claudin-5 molecules after irradiation. Conversely, connexin 43 expression increases after silencing Robo4 in endothelial cells to induce permeability but are readily destroyed when exposed to 10 Gy of gamma radiation. Also, Robo4 knockdown enhances Y731-VE-cadherin phosphorylation leading to the depletion and destabilization of VE-cadherin at the endothelial junctions following irradiation. However, Robo4 overexpression mitigates irradiation-induced degradation of tight junctional proteins and stabilizes claudin-5 and ZO-1 distribution. Finally, the enhanced expression of Robo4 ameliorates the irradiation-induced depletion of VE-cadherin and connexin 43, improves the integrity of microvascular endothelial cell junctions, and decreases permeability. Conclusion This study reveals that Robo4 maintains microvascular integrity after radiation preconditioning treatment by regulating endothelial permeability and protecting endothelial functions. Our results also provided a potential mechanism to repair the bone marrow vascular niche after irradiation by modulating Robo4 expression.