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In this study, a tracking and pointing control system with a dual-FSM (fast steering mirror) two-dimensional flexible turntable composite axis is proposed. It is applied to the target-tracking accuracy control in a GI LiDAR (ghost imaging LiDAR) system. Ghost imaging is a multi-measurement imaging method; the dual-FSM GI LiDAR tracking and pointing imaging control system proposed in this study mainly solves the problems of the high-resolution remote sensing imaging of high-speed moving targets and various nonlinear disturbances when this technology is transformed into practical applications. Addressing the detrimental effects of nonlinear disturbances originating from internal flexible mechanisms and assorted external environmental factors on motion control's velocity, stability, and tracking accuracy, a nonlinear active disturbance rejection control (NLADRC) method based on artificial neural networks is advanced. Additionally, to overcome the limitations imposed by receiving aperture constraints in GI LiDAR systems, a novel optical path design for the dual-FSM GI LiDAR tracking and imaging system is put forth. The implementation of the described methodologies culminated in the development of a dual-FSM GI LiDAR tracking and imaging system, which, upon thorough experimental validation, demonstrated significant improvements. Notably, it achieved an improvement in the coarse tracking accuracy from 193.29 μrad (3σ) to 87.21 μrad (3σ) and enhanced the tracking accuracy from 10.1 μrad (σ) to 1.5 μrad (σ) under specified operational parameters. Furthermore, the method notably diminished the overshoot during the target capture process from 28.85% to 12.8%, concurrently facilitating clear recognition of the target contour. This research contributes significantly to the advancement of GI LiDAR technology for practical application, showcasing the potential of the proposed control and design strategies in enhancing system performance in the face of complex disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current low-light enhancement algorithms fail to suppress noise when enhancing brightness, and may introduces structural distortion and color distortion caused by halos or artifacts. This paper proposes a content-illumination coupling guided low-light image enhancement network (CICGNet), it develops a truss topology based on Retinex as backbone to decompose low-light image component in an end-to-end way. The preservation of content features and the enhancement of illumination features are carried out along with depth and width direction of the truss topology. Each submodule uses the same resolution input and output to avoid the introduction of noise. Illumination component prevents misestimation of global and local illumination by using pre- and post-activation features at different depth levels, this way could avoid possible halos and artifacts. The network progressively enhances the illumination component and maintains the content component stage-by-stage. The proposed algorithm demonstrates better performance compared with advanced attention-based low-light enhancement algorithms and state-of-the-art image restoration algorithms. We also perform extensive ablation studies and demonstrate the impact of low-light enhancement algorithm on the downstream task of computer vision. Code is available at: https://github.com/Ruini94/CICGNet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semantic segmentation requires both low-level details and high-level semantics, without losing too much detail and ensuring the speed of inference. Most existing segmentation approaches leverage low- and high-level features from pre-trained models. We propose an interaction semantic segmentation network via Progressive Supervised Learning (ISSNet). Unlike a simple fusion of two sets of features, we introduce an information interaction module to embed semantics into image details, they jointly guide the response of features in an interactive way. We develop a simple yet effective boundary refinement module to provide refined boundary features for matching corresponding semantic. We introduce a progressive supervised learning strategy throughout the training level to significantly promote network performance, not architecture level. Our proposed ISSNet shows optimal inference time. We perform extensive experiments on four datasets, including Cityscapes, HazeCityscapes, RainCityscapes and CamVid. In addition to performing better in fine weather, proposed ISSNet also performs well on rainy and foggy days. We also conduct ablation study to demonstrate the role of our proposed component. Code is available at: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne aiming pod is mainly used for searching, capturing and tracking the target indicated by the laser, and then dropping the laser-guided weapons precisely to complete the close-range support attack or dual-aircraft cooperative instruction/attack. High-precision laser beam pointing technology is the core of the airborne aiming pod, and the accuracy of it is fatal for the realization of the final tactical index. In this paper, the factors affecting the beam pointing accuracy based on the research of airborne aiming pod platform are analyzed. At first, the composition of the pod system and the motion coupling of the composite axis pod are introduced; and then the beam pointing algorithm under the external guidance combined with aircraft disturbance and the effects of atmospheric turbulence and atmospheric attenuation on beam quality, including optical axis drift, beam spread and intensity distribution variation are discussed. Finally, the performance of the pod servo system is simulated and verified in Simulink. The simulation result of the real flight situation with disturbance moment shows that the pointing accuracy of the airborne aiming pod can reach 0.0075 degrees. The data analyzed in this paper can provide technical reference for other aiming photoelectric platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The vehicle theodolite has been the trend of the optical shooting range survey. While tracking and imaging of the long-distance dim targets have not been solved perfectly in this field, so this paper presents one active polarization imaging technology to find a way to deal with it. Firstly, we put forward a new active polarization imaging system with the lighting mode of circularly polarized laser and receives the reflected light by the mode of range-gating technique; secondly, deduces the pulse laser beam pointing algorithm; thirdly, describes the extended Kalman filtering algorithm to compensate the delay in the process and the calculation of the polarization angle, the attitude angle of flight target using single station cosine method and the depolarization of the circularly polarized laser. Finally, the result of this active polarization imaging technology which is simulated and analyzed in Simulink shows that the pointing precision can reach 0.0075 degrees. Then the analysis in this paper provide a theoretical basis for the application of the active polarization imaging technology in the field of the optical shooting range survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, one active polarization imaging technique is introduced to enhance the contrast between the target and the sky to overcome the environmental interference such as cloud and fog in the long-range detection of air vehicles. At first, the theory of the whole system, the selection of detection system and the wavelength of laser, and the brief design of the optical system are described. Secondly the selection of the laser power is derived based on the elements such as atmosphere attenuation, and the sensitivity, image contrast and signal-to-noise ratio in the detector. Then the polarization imaging mechanism of the full aperture polarization measurement platform is analyzed. Finally a nonlinear differentiator is proposed to improve the speed stability in the tracking to ensure high imaging quality. The purpose of this paper is to lay a theoretical foundation for active polarization imaging technology and to promote its engineering application in shooting range and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug, and has been widely used for the prevention of cardio-cerebrovascular events. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 can degrade the extracellular matrix and may be critical for the development and disruption of atherosclerotic plaques, while tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 may inhibit the degradation of extracellular matrix. The purpose of present study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of aspirin on MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and activity in cultured mouse celiac macrophages, and to determine the possible mechanisms. The results showed that MMP-2/9 mRNA expression and release were significantly decreased after cultured mouse celiac macrophages were treated with aspirin 12.5–50 μg/ml for 24 h, while the TIMP-1 mRNA expression and release, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α/γ mRNA expression were increased after the same treatment. Moreover the aspirin-induced down-regulation of MMP-2/9 mRNA expression and reduction of MMP-9 release were notably alleviated after pretreatment with specific inhibitors of PPARα/γ. These results suggested that aspirin could inhibit the expression and release of MMP-2/9 by up-regulation of PPARα/γ gene expression, and also inhibit the activity of MMP-2/9 by induction of TIMP-1 expression, which might be good for the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and the prevention of cardio-cerebrovascular events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For realizing the engineering application of key technologies in the long-range active polarization imaging system, an experimental platform is built to study the static active polarization imaging technology and related image fusion algorithm in the smoke and dust environment. In the experiments, 532 nm CW laser is used as illumination source after collimation and beam expansion, metal bullet model is used as detection target, smoke environment is created through smoke generator in organic glass hood, polarization direction can be rotated by the polarizer, the images are collected by Lumerera-LM135 camera. The analysis and handling on the images are conducted by the use of the MATLAB software. In the aspects of image information entropy, average gradient, spatial frequency and standard deviation, the polarization imaging effects in various environments are quantitatively compared and analyzed, and the imaging advantages of laser illumination and polarization imaging technology in smoke and dust environment and dim conditions are verified. In order to further improve the imaging quality of active polarization imaging technology, a polarization image fusion algorithm based on fuzzy adaptive is proposed after analyzing a large number of data acquired in the experiment. The experimental results show that the active polarization imaging technology and the improved image fusion algorithm can improve the detection distance of optical system and image contrast, expand the digestible information of images for the long-range dim target imaging in low visibility environment, and provide important data reference and technology support for the application of this technology in shooting range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Osthole, a coumarin derivative, can increase hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) expression and reduce hepatic steatosis and inflammatory response in rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this study, a cell model of NASH was induced with oleic acid (OA)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated for 36 h with different osthole concentrations. Results showed that intracellular lipid and inflammatory cytokine levels gradually decreased after osthole treatment. These effects, however, were abolished or attenuated after PPARα gene silencing. Accordingly, PPARα gene silencing reversed the osthole-mediated expressions of proteins involved in lipid synthesis and fatty acid oxidation. PPARα gene silencing also abrogated the inhibitory effect of osthole on nuclear factor kappa B p65 protein expression. These findings demonstrate that osthole activates PPARα signaling pathway to inhibit lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in OA/LPS-stimulated hepatocytes. Highlights • Osthole inhibited lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in hepatocytes. • Osthole regulated protein expressions related to lipid metabolism by activating PPARα. • Osthole inhibited NF-κB p65 protein expression by activation of PPARα. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The cardiotoxicity of trastuzumab (TRZ) seriously affects the prognosis of breast cancer patients, but the underlying mechanisms remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the potential molecular mechanisms of TRZ-induced cardiotoxicity based on RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and bioinformatics analysis. Kunming mice were exposed to 10 mg/kg TRZ for 6 and 10 days, followed by echocardiography, histopathology and serum biochemical analysis to evaluate the cardiotoxicity model. The results showed no significant changes after 6 days administration of TRZ. After 10 days administration of TRZ, the mice showed cardiac dysfunction, myocardial injury and fibrosis, and the serum levels of LDH, CK, CK-MB and cTnI were increased compared to the control [CON (Day 10)] group, indicating the cardiotoxicity model was successfully established. We compared gene expression levels in mice cardiac tissues by RNA-Seq and screened out 593 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Results based on Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and RT-PCR revealed that the CD74/STAT1 signaling pathway might play an important role in TRZ-induced cardiotoxicity. In the TRZ group, the protein expressions of CD74, p-STAT1 (Tyr) and p-STAT1 (Ser) were increased. The TUNEL staining showed increased apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. In addition, an increased expressions of Bax, Caspase-3, IFN-γ and TNF-α and a decreased expression of Bcl-2 were observed in Western blot results, indicating the apoptosis and inflammation levels were increased. These findings suggested that TRZ may induce cardiotoxicity in mice by activating the CD74/STAT1 signaling pathway, which might be related to the induction of apoptosis and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-fat diet may result in changes in hepatic clock gene expression, but potential mechanisms are not yet elucidated. Adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is recognized as a key regulator of energy metabolism and certain clock genes. Therefore, we hypothesized that AMPK may be involved in the alteration of hepatic clock gene expression under a high-fat environment. This study aimed to examine the effects of timed high-fat evening diet on the activity of hepatic AMPK, clock genes, and lipogenic genes. Mice with hyperlipidemic fatty livers were induced by orally administering high-fat milk via gavage every evening (19:00-20:00) for 6 weeks. Results showed that timed high-fat diet in the evening not only decreased the hepatic AMPK protein expression and activity but also disturbed its circadian rhythm. Accordingly, the hepatic clock genes, including clock , brain-muscle-Arnt-like 1 , cryptochrome 2, and period 2, exhibited prominent changes in their expression rhythms and/or amplitudes. The diurnal rhythms of the messenger RNA expression of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α , acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 α , and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 were also disrupted; the amplitude of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ coactivator 1α was significantly decreased at 3 time points, and fatty liver was observed. These findings demonstrate that timed high-fat diet at night can change hepatic AMPK protein levels, activity, and circadian rhythm, which may subsequently alter the circadian expression of several hepatic clock genes and finally result in the disorder of hepatic lipogenic gene expression and the formation of fatty liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution imaging has become a development trend and is widely used in military and civil fields. As the carrying equipment of imaging system, the speed stability of tracking turntable is the basis of high-resolution and stable imaging. At present, in the aerospace field, there are high requirements for peak power dissipation and holding torque, so flexible joints such as harmonic gear drive are mostly used to realize the function. The characteristics of flexible load have a great impact on the characteristics of motion control, which is easy to cause mechanical resonance, lead to system instability, and have a great impact on speed stability and position tracking accuracy. Therefore, it is necessary to study the servo system of flexible load. In order to solve the problems of high-precision position control and speed stability at low speed of flexible turntable with uncertain load, on the one hand, we comprehensively consider the advantages and disadvantages of semi-closed-loop and full closed-loop control and design a dual-position loop feedback control system combined with the analysis of dynamic equation to realize speed stability and high-precision position control. On the other hand, according to the requirements of the speed stability at low speed of the turntable, the tracking differentiator (TD) is designed innovatively through the language three-point interpolation subdivision and five-point pre-deduction calculation method. Finally, a dual-position loop LLADRC (language linear active disturbances rejection controller) control method based on harmonic gear drive is studied. By comparing the semi-closed loop, dual-position loop, dual-position loop LADRC (linear active disturbances rejection controller, ADRC), and dual-position loop LLADRC methods through simulation analysis, it can be shown that the double position LLADRC control method is obviously superior to other schemes in terms of rapidity, speed stability at low speed, and position tracking accuracy. The theoretical research is verified by experimental test. When the given speed is 0.1 ° / s , taking the pitch axis as an example, the pitch speed error is 0.0039 ° / s (3σ). When the maximum speed of the given curve is 20 ° / s and the maximum acceleration is 16 ° / s , the position tracking error is 0.0025° (3σ). This control method solves the problems of system instability and low-speed stability in high-precision control of turntable system based on harmonic gear drive and provides a method for high-precision control of high-resolution imaging turntable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a tracking and pointing control system with dual-FSM (fast steering mirror) composite axis is proposed. It is applied to the target-tracking accuracy control in a 3D GISC LiDAR (three-dimensional ghost imaging LiDAR via sparsity constraint) system. The tracking and pointing imaging control system of the dual-FSM 3D GISC LiDAR proposed in this paper is a staring imaging method with multiple measurements, which mainly solves the problem of high-resolution remote-sensing imaging of high-speed moving targets when the technology is transformed into practical applications. In the research of this control system, firstly, we propose a method that combines motion decoupling and sensor decoupling to solve the mechanical coupling problem caused by the noncoaxial sensor installation of the FSM. Secondly, we suppress the inherent mechanical resonance of the FSM in the control system. Thirdly, we propose the optical path design of a dual-FSM 3D GISC LiDAR tracking imaging system to solve the problem of receiving aperture constraint. Finally, after sufficient experimental verification, our method is shown to successfully reduce the coupling from 7% to 0.6%, and the precision tracking bandwidth reaches 300 Hz. Moreover, when the distance between the GISC system and the target is 2.74 km and the target flight speed is 7 m/s, the tracking accuracy of the system is improved from 15.7 μrad (σ) to 2.2 μrad (σ), and at the same time, the system recognizes the target contour clearly. Our research is valuable to put the GISC technology into practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apigenin, a flavonoid isolated from Apium graveolens, is an effective natural active ingredient that inhibits transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1)‐induced cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) differentiation and collagen synthesis. However, its effects on isoproterenol‐induced myocardial fibrosis in mice remain unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of apigenin in the prevention of myocardial fibrosis. A mouse model of myocardial fibrosis induced by isoproterenol was established, and the mice were given apigenin 75–300 mg/kg orally for 40 days. The results showed that the heart weight coefficient, myocardial hydroxyproline, collagen accumulation, and malondialdehyde levels in the apigenin‐treated groups were significantly reduced. In contrast, the activity of myocardial superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly enhanced. The results of real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays showed that apigenin could significantly upregulate the expressions of myocardial microRNA‐122‐5p (miR‐122‐5p), c‐Ski, and Smad7 and downregulate the expressions of myocardial miR‐155‐5p, α‐smooth muscle actin, collagen I/III, NF‐κB, TGF‐β1, hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), Smad2/3, and p‐Smad2/3. In vitro, the differentiation and extracellular matrix production, as well as TGF‐β1/Smads axis, were further reduced after treatment of miR‐122‐5p mimic or miR‐155‐5p inhibitor‐transfected and TGF‐β1‐stimulated CFs with apigenin. These results suggested that apigenin increased the expression of miR‐122‐5p and decreased the expression of miR‐155‐5p, which subsequently downregulated and upregulated the target genes HIF‐1α and c‐Ski, respectively. Furthermore, apigenin administration downregulated TGF‐β1‐induced Smad2/3 and upregulated Smad7. In addition, it reduced the NF‐κB/TGF‐β1 signaling pathway axis by increasing antioxidant ability to exert the antifibrotic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of great significance to study on the shift of temperature zone boundaries for revealing the climate change pattern and its environmental effects. Based on daily average temperature data from 32 standard meteorological stations in the Qinling Mountains from 1964 to 2015, the growing season start and end (GSS and GSE) of the climatic growing season parameters were calculated based on a temperature threshold of 10 °C, and the growing season length (GSL) was obtained by subtracting GSE from GSS. We have analyzed the spatiotemporal variations of these parameters in the Qinling Mountains and the shift rules of the warm temperate zone and northern subtropics zone boundaries in China over the past 52 years. Our research generated three primary results. First, the spatial distribution and changing trends of the GSS, GSE, and GSL were significantly different before and after abrupt changes in temperature. After the abrupt change, the coverages of the three were all gradually expanding to the higher altitude areas. The change rates of the three were faster, the trends were more significant, and the differences between the north and the south were obvious, especially in the northern slope. Second, the boundaries of both the warm temperate zone and the northern subtropical zone in China showed upward position shifts, and the area coverage changed along the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains, and the change amplitudes were even greater after the abrupt change in temperature. Third, there was a significant north–south difference in the response of China's temperature zones to climate change. The temperature zone on the northern slope was more sensitive to climate warming. It is worth emphasizing that the shifts of the temperature zones did not change the fact that the Qinling Mountains are the boundary between China's subtropical and the warm temperate zones. The north subtropical zone is still located on the southern slope of the Qinling Mountains, and the northern slope is still in the warm temperate zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It has been reported that soy isoflavones could significantly increase peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ gene expressions, while the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ may attenuate myocardial fibrosis. Puerarin is the main isoflavone isolated from the root of the wild leguminous creeper Pueraria lobata (Willd) Ohwi, so we thought that puerarin could inhibit myocardial fibrotic formation. A mouse myocardial fibrotic model was induced by hypodermic injection of isoprenaline when these mice were simultaneously treated with puerarin 600 and 1200 mg/kg by gavage for 40 days, respectively. The results showed that puerarin could significantly improve myocardial fibrosis and decrease the collagen accumulation, collagen volume fraction, hydroxyproline content in myocardial tissue and cardiac weight index. The results from reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction indicated that the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of transforming growth factor-β1 in myocardial tissue was decreased, while the mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ were increased, in the puerarin groups as compared with the model group. Importantly, puerarin could significantly decrease the protein expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 and nuclear factor-κB in myocardial tissue. These results suggested that puerarin could prevent isoprenaline-induced myocardial fibrosis in mice, and its mechanisms might be related to reduction of transforming growth factor-β1 expression via activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ and subsequent inhibition of nuclear factor-κB in myocardial tissue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rare-earth-doped luminescent thin films have been responsible for unprecedented positive impacts in optoelectronic devices with high lateral resolution, excellent thermal stability, and strong adhesion to the solid surface. However, limited emission intensity and high-cost fabrication routine deeply inhibit their practical and commercial applications. Here, we propose a grain orientation engineering strategy via simple and low-cost polymer-assisted deposition (PAD) to fabricate textured BaMoO 4 : Eu3+ thin films with highly improved emission intensity by reducing the lattice mismatch between the thin films and substrates. The high-quality <004>-textured BaMoO 4 : Eu3+ thin film mounted on the (001)-oriented Si substrate with the Lotgering factor F 004 of 94.6%, boosting up the emission intensity of which to 366% compared to their randomly oriented counterparts. Moreover, the as-fabricated BaMoO 4 : Eu3+ film shows strong red emission at 615 nm corresponding to the 5 D 0 →7 F 2 transition of Eu3+ with correlated color temperature (CCT) of 2922 °C and ultra-high color purity (nearly 100%). Furthermore, the geometry, size, and luminescence performance of the crystals can be precisely manipulated by tuning the growth temperature, layers of the film, and doping concentration. The present research offers a novel and low-cost route to engineer luminescent films with controllable orientation and enhanced emission intensity, which demonstrate great potentials towards practical applications and industrialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the inhibitory effect of stevioside on unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)‐induced kidney fibrosis. The UUO mice were daily given 50–100 mg/kg stevioside by gavage for 14 days after the operation. The results showed that stevioside decreased the levels of blood urea nitrogen and renal hydroxyproline, severity of kidney fibrosis, and expressions of renal collagen I/III and α‐smooth muscle actin proteins. Importantly, stevioside increased the expressions of renal peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and Smad7 proteins and level of renal glutathione peroxidase, decreased the expressions of renal nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), p‐STAT3, transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), Smad2/3, and p‐Smad2/3 proteins, suggesting that the antifibrotic mechanisms are related to the activation of PPARγ and subsequent downregulations of NF‐κB‐mediated STAT3 and TGF‐β1 expressions and inhibition of Smad‐mediated signaling pathway. These findings provide an applied perspective of stevioside for kidney fibrosis. Practical applications: Stevioside is widely used in food products as a sweetener, and it has many beneficial biological effects, including antidiabetes, antihypertension, and renal protective action. Here, we provide a novel potential application of stevioside in the prevention and treatment of kidney fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and spectra instability, the two most difficult challenges in blue‐emitting CsPbBrxCl3−x NCs, have not yet been solved. Quickly controlling the reaction thermodynamics is crucial to enhance crystallinity, thus PLQY and spectra stability, but it has been ignored until now. An ultrafast thermodynamic control (UTC) strategy is designed by utilizing liquid nitrogen to instantaneously freeze the superior crystal lattices of CsPbBrxCl3−x NCs formed at high temperature. The average cooling rate exhibits a 33‐fold increase compared to conventional ice‐water cooling (from 1.5 to 50 K s−1). This UTC can make the reaction thermodynamic energy of the system lower than the threshold very quickly. Therefore, abrupt termination of further crystal growth can be achieved, which also avoids additional nucleation at low temperature. With the assist of defect passivation, the final blue‐emitting CsPbBrxCl3−x NCs exhibit an absolute PLQY of 98%, representing the highest value in Pb‐based blue perovskites to date. More importantly, they exhibit superior spectra instability. This UTC strategy not only represents a new avenue to synthesize perovskite NCs with excellent crystal quality and ultrahigh PLQY, but also provides a good reference to deal with the recognized bottleneck of spectra instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luteolin, a natural flavonoid, can attenuate hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in obese mice. Therefore, we hypothesized that luteolin may also improve the abnormal glucolipid metabolism of hypertrophic myocardial cells. This study aimed to investigate the effect and possible molecular mechanisms of luteolin. Hypertrophic H9c2 cells were induced by angiotensin II/hypoxia and simultaneously treated with 2 to 8 μg/mL luteolin for 24 h. Luteolin might dose-dependently decrease intracellular total protein, atrial natriuretic peptide, and free fatty acid levels, and increase supernatant glucose levels. Western blot assay showed that luteolin could inhibit the expressions of intracellular hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) proteins, and increase the expressions of intracellular peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1A (CPT-1A), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 (PDK-4) proteins. These findings demonstrate that luteolin can improve abnormal glucolipid metabolism in angiotensin II/hypoxia-induced hypertrophic H9c2 cells, and its mechanisms are related to the inhibition of HIF-1α expression and subsequent modulation of PPARα-mediated target genes, including CPT-1A, PDK-4, and GLUT-4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-inorganic halide perovskites have attracted great attention by virtue of the merits of bright emission, tunable wavelength and narrow-band emission. Despite the excellent optical features, all-inorganic halide perovskite materials have suffered from intrinsic instability, which has limited their applications in various optoelectronic devices. To mitigate the intractable issue, we demonstrated the CsPbBr3 nanoparticles decorated with smaller SiO2 nanocrystals to passivate the surface defects; SiO2 nanoparticles were applied as a barrier layer to maintain the optical property and enhance environmental stability. A facile in situ method was proposed to prepare CsPbBr3/SiO2 nanocomposites, in which an environmental ethanol/water solvent system was needed with the addition of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a silicon precursor. The obtained CsPbBr3/SiO2 nanocomposites have better optical characteristic and stability than bare CsPbBr3 nanoparticles. Even 70% photoluminescence intensity of as-prepared CsPbBr3/SiO2 nanocomposites can be maintained after 168 h storage in ethanol. This newly developed synthesis will open up a new route for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices in an environmentally friendly way, and the as-obtained perovskite materials with improved stability will make them great potential for multifunctional optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Na+ and Pr3+ co-doped orange-emitting CaYAl3O7 (CYAO) phosphors were prepared by a conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction method. The crystalline structure, the luminescence properties and the decay times of the as-prepared samples were systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence. Under ultraviolet (UV) light and blue light excitation, the CYAO:Pr3+ phosphors exhibited orange photoluminescence emission and show potential for application in warm white LEDs, and the emission spectra of the as-prepared samples in the near-infrared (NIR) region were detected. Furthermore, Na+ ions were designed as charge compensators to maintain the charge balance. The luminescence intensities in the visible and NIR regions can be effectively enhanced by adjusting the doping amounts of Pr3+ ions and Na+ ions. Moreover, the optical spectra of Pr3+ in the CYAO host crystals were calculated by conventional parametric modeling based on the diagonalization of the complete 91 × 91 energy matrix. The calculated optical spectra were in good agreement with the observed ones and the obtained crystal field parameters were also in a reasonable range. This systemic study, and all of the above, will give a deep insight into the luminescence mechanism of the phosphors and then open one way to exploit the new phosphors for white LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-inorganic perovskite nanocrystals have held great promise as incredibly effective luminescent materials and also have been synthesized efficiently by room temperature approaches. Toluene, a high toxicity solvent, is often used as a valid antisolvent in ligand-assisted reprecipitation strategy, which badly restricts the commercial application of this convenient method. Here, aiming to address the toluene toxicity issue, the low toxic tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) is employed as a new alternative antisolvent to achieve high uniform and composition dependent luminescent all-inorganic perovskite Cs 4 PbX 6 (X = I, Br, Cl) combined with CsPbX 3 (X = I, Br, Cl) nanocrystals with tunable emission large-span wavelengths (626–437 nm) and remarkably narrow full width at half-maximum (FWHM) monochromaticity (down to 19 nm). Meanwhile, the ratio of CsBr to PbBr 2 is proved to be a critical factor to control the crystalline phase of the resulting perovskite nanocrystals. Additionally, one monochromatic light-emitting diode (LED) lamp with brightly pure green emission is fabricated based on bromine-based perovskite nanocrystals. This newly developed low toxicity antisolvent synthesis (LTaS) is suitable candidate for commercial production in an environmentally-friendly way, and the as-obtained perovskite materials with superior optical merits will be brought to the forefront of lighting and displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous studies have indicated that osthole may ameliorate the hepatic lipid metabolism and inflammatory response in nonalcoholic steatohepatitic rats, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether the effects of osthole were mediated by the activation of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ). A rat model with steatohepatitis was induced by orally feeding high-fat and high-sucrose emulsion for 6 weeks. These experimental rats were then treated with osthole (20 mg/kg), PPARα antagonist MK886 (1 mg/kg) plus osthole (20 mg/kg), PPARγ antagonist GW9662 (1 mg/kg) plus osthole (20 mg/kg) and MK886 (1 mg/kg) plus GW9662 (1 mg/kg) plus osthole (20 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. The results showed that after osthole treatment, the hepatic triglycerides, free fatty acids, tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and liver index decreased by 52.3, 31.0, 32.4, 28.9, 36.3, 29.3 and 29.9%, respectively, and the score of steatohepatitis also decreased by 70.0%, indicating that osthole improved the hepatic steatosis and inflammation. However, these effects of osthole were reduced or abrogated after simultaneous addition of the specific PPARα antagonist MK886 or/and the PPARγ antagonist GW9662, especially in the co-PPARα/γ antagonists-treated group. Importantly, the osthole-induced hepatic expressions of PPARα/γ proteins were decreased, and the osthole-regulated hepatic expressions of lipogenic and inflammatory gene proteins were also reversed by PPARα/γ antagonist treatment. These findings demonstrated that the ameliorative effect of osthole on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was mediated by PPARα/γ activation, and osthole might be a natural dual PPARα/γ activator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apigenin, identified as 4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone, is a natural flavonoid compound present in a variety of fruits, vegetables, functional foods, and medicinal plants. Many studies have revealed that apigenin has the cytostatic and cytotoxic effects on the various cancer cells, prevents the atherogenesis, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, ischemia/reperfusion-induced heart injury, and autoimmune myocarditis, protects the chemicals- and ischemia/reperfusion-induced liver injury, inhibits the asthma, bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, abnormal behavior, and oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced neural cell apoptosis, improves the pancreatitis, type 2 diabetes and its complication, osteoporosis, and collagen-induced arthritis. These biological effects suggest that apigenin may be a potential health promoting agent. In the article, we will review these effects and possible biochemical mechanisms. Practical applications Apigenin-rich chamomile, propolis, and garlic oil have been used in the prevention ane cure of hypertension and chemicals-induced liver injury as food supplements. However, their bioactive components and mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Apigenin may be a common effective component and play an important role in the process of therapy. In addition, apigenin itself may also be considered as a potential functional food, but the further development will be needed to apply to the prevention and treatment of some-related diseases in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used radioresistant SU3-5R stem cells-inoculated subcutaneous glioma model to investigate the radiosensitization effect of apigenin. After treatment of glioma with apigenin 20 mg/kg for 12 days, irradiation 8 Gray twice or their combination, the tumor volume and weight were decreased, especially in the combination group. Apigenin inhibited the activities of glycolytic enzymes and expressions of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, hypoxia inducible factor-lα (HIF-1α), glucose transporter (GLUT)-1/3 and pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) proteins in tumor tissues. After treatment of SU3-5R cells with apigenin 7.5 µM, the fluorescence intensity of CD133 positive cells was decreased, the percentage of cells with comet tails was increased, and the expressions of lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-κB p65, HIF-1α, GLUT-3 and PKM2 proteins were reduced. These results demonstrate that apigenin can sensitize the radiotherapy of glioma via the attenuations of cell stemness and DNA damage repair by inhibiting NF-κB/HIF-1α-mediated glycolytic enzymes and protein expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Some polyphenols derived from plants may ameliorate hyperlipidemic fatty livers; therefore, we hypothesized that polyphenol-rich Chrysanthemum morifolium extract (CME) may exert an inhibitory effect on the formation of hyperlipidemic fatty livers in mice. This study aimed to examine the effects of CME on lipids in blood and liver and on peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)α–mediated gene expression. Mice with hyperlipidemic fatty livers induced by orally administering high-fat milk via gavage and being simultaneously treated with 75 to 300 mg/kg CME for 6 weeks. After CME addition, the serum total cholesterol levels and hepatic weight coefficients decreased, but no significant reduction in the serum triacylglycerol levels were observed. It is important to note that CME might decrease hepatic lipid accumulation, sterol regulatory element binding protein–1c, and fatty acid synthase expression and increase hepatic PPARα, lipoprotein lipase, and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase expression. However, the expected reduction in hepatic diacylglycerol acyltransferase mRNA expression was not observed. These findings demonstrate that polyphenol-rich CME may prevent hyperlipidemic fatty liver in mice, and its mechanisms may be related to the modulation of sterol regulatory element binding protein–1c, FAS, lipoprotein lipase, and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase 1 expression through the PPARα-mediated pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Lightning strike, icing, strong wind, and pollution are the main meteorological factors affecting the safe and stable operation of transmission lines. • A fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model based on the analytic hierarchy process is established. • Compared with GIS data synthesis, the model can accurately predict the risk level of transmission lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For highly efficient photocatalytic remediation of organic pollutants, broad-spectrum light response and effective charge separation are two key goals. To achieve these goals, a novel biochar (BC) modified PbMoO 4 composite catalyst was successfully synthesized in situ by combining coprecipitation with pyrolysis treatment of poplar sawdust and the technical feasibility of degradation of tetracycline (TC) with compound photocatalyst prepared from recovered agricultural and forestry residues was preliminarily demonstrated. The characterization demonstrated that the presence of BC narrowed the bandgap, enhanced visible light absorption as well as facilitated charge separation. Three composites (with the mass ratio of PbMoO 4 to BC = 1:4; 1:1; and 4:1, respectively) displayed higher activity than pure PbMoO 4. The results showed that the composite with the PbMoO 4 to BC ratio of 1:4 exhibited the best photocatalytic activity, for 150 mg L−1 TC the removal rate was 61.0%, and the rate constant was 8.1 × 10−3 min−1, while the photocatalytic activity of PbMoO 4 was 26.0% and 3.9 × 10−3 min−1. The reactions in the presence of radical quenchers indicated that holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (O 2 −) were the dominant active species for photodegradation. In different water matrices, for 150 mg L−1 TC solution the photocatalytic activity of optimal photocatalyst decreased as follows: ultrapure water > artificial sewage > farm sewage > municipal sewage. Moreover, the catalyst exhibited good stability over five cycles. Therefore, BC doped PbMoO 4 provides a useful strategy for improving the photocatalytic ability of PbMoO 4 -based photocatalysts and offers a promising method for water purification. [Display omitted] • Using poplar sawdust as biochar source realized the rational application of waste. • In situ synthesis enhanced the adsorption and photocatalytic activity of PbMoO 4. • Superior electrical conductivity of BC helps transport of photogenerated carrier. • BC strengthened the visible light response of PbMoO 4 @BC-1. • PbMoO 4 @BC-1 showed promising visible-light photodegradation for TC degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, aspirin has been shown to alleviate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the effects of aspirin on oxidative low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-stimulated human monocyte-derived macrophages were examined. Following treatment of cells with aspirin, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and release were significantly reduced. Moreover, expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) α and γ was markedly enhanced. The effect of PPAR inhibitors on MMP levels in aspirin-treated cells was examined. RT-PCR and ELISA assays showed that inhibition of MMP-9 levels by aspirin was notably alleviated by PPAR antagonists. Interestingly, expression of nuclear factor (NF)- κB was also decreased by aspirin. RT-PCR study also indicated that aspirin could upregulate the expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2. In all of these studies, lower dosage (50 or 100 μg/ml) exerted the best effect. These results demonstrate that aspirin could inhibit MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression through upregulation of PPARα/γ expression in ox-LDL-stimulated macrophages, and could potentially inhibit MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity by induction of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression. This finding may demonstrate a novel pharmacological effect of aspirin protecting against atherosclerotic plaque rupture. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Air-stable MAPbI 3 was fabricated by solvent dose control and ligand regulation. • The MAPbI 3 quantum dots exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yield up to 80%. • The quantum yield was still at 74% of its original value after 20 days. • The strategy is also suitable for preparing color-tunable MAPbX 3 (X = Cl, Br, I). Methyl-ammonium lead iodide (MAPbI 3) perovskite quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as a promising material for photoelectronic, however, they usually suffer intrinsically from the environmental instability and low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), which will seriously impede their commercial applications. Here, we report an internal-external combination strategy by lowering the dose of good solvent and reducing the chain length of amine ligand to simultaneously enhance the air stability and PLQY of MAPbI 3 QDs. The low-dose solvent can effectively reduce internal iodine vacancies defects and external residual solvent molecules, meanwhile, the faster and denser assembly of nimble short-chain (SC) ligand on the MAPbI 3 QDs surface can helpfully enhance the external surface passivation. As a result, compared to MAPbI 3 QDs synthesized by traditional ligand-assisted reprecipitation (LARP) method, the air stability and PLQY of which are improved by more than four orders of magnitude (from a few minutes to dozens of days) and nearly two times (from 42% to 80%) prepared by our strategy. Besides, this strategy can widely tune the color of MAPbX 3 (X = Cl, Br, I) QDs from 388 to 735 nm through regulating components. This internal-external combination strategy can provide some beneficial enlightenment for preparing long-term air-stable hybrid perovskite QDs with high PLQY, which drastically driving their commercial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible photodetectors (PDs) are attracting more attention due to their promising applications in wearable optoelectronic devices, bendable imaging sensors, and implantable optoelectronics. For the easy‐processable technology of massively fabricating PDs, instead of the expensive and complex high‐vacuum technique, the well‐matched work function of their active materials is essential. Herein, all‐sprayed‐processable and large‐area PDs are demonstrated on common paper based on two‐dimensional (2D) CsPbBr3 nanosheets and conductive Ti3C2Tx (MXene). Ascribed to the superior conductivity of MXene, high crystallinity of 2D CsPbBr3, and their well‐matched work function, the as‐prepared PDs exhibit an outstanding on/off current ratio up to 2.3 × 103 and a remarkable photoresponse as fast as 18 ms. Specifically, the detectivity (D*) of 6.4 × 108 Jones and responsivity (R) of 44.9 mA W−1 under a bias of 10 V are achieved. Besides, after bending 1500 cycles, the as‐prepared PDs can still maintain the excellent flexibility and stability. Based on this, a superior‐quality and large‐area 1665 pixel sensor in 72 cm2 (≈24 units cm−2) is developed, and it can clearly transmit the image of "0" to realize the photocommunication function. This work provides a low‐cost method of massively producing the flexible large‐area PDs for wearable optoelectronic devices and expanded photocommunication. The on‐paper flexible photodetectors based on 2D perovskite nanosheets and Ti3C2Tx (MXene) as the active materials and electrode materials by all‐spraying method are demonstrated. The low‐cost photodetectors have high stability, flexibility, photoelectric performance, and can effectively realize the optical communication function of image sensing by large‐area arrays. This technique can be potentially expanded to other optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]