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[Display omitted] Simultaneously enhancing the durability and catalytic performance of metal-nitrogen-carbon (M−N x −C) single–atom catalysts is critical to boost oxygen electrocatalysis for energy conversion and storage, yet it remains a grand challenge. Herein, through the combination of early and late metals, we proposed to enhance the stability and tune the catalytic activity of M−N x −C SACs in oxygen electrocatalysis by their strong interaction with the M 2 ′C–type MXene substrate. Our density functional theory (DFT) computations revealed that the strong interaction between "early-late" metal–metal bonds significantly improves thermal and electrochemical stability. Due to considerable charge transfer and shift of the d-band center, the electronic properties of these SACs can be extensively modified, thereby optimizing their adsorption strength with oxygenated intermediates and achieving eight promising bifunctional catalysts for ORR/OER with low overpotentials. More importantly, the constant-potential analysis demonstrated the excellent bifunctional activity of SACs supported on MXene substrate across a broad pH range, especially in strongly alkaline media with record-low overpotentials. Further machine learning analysis shows that the d-band center, the charge of the active site, and the work function of the formed heterojunctions are critical to revealing the ORR/OER activity origin. Our results underscore the vast potential of strong interactions between different metal species in enhancing the durability and catalytic performance of SACs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By performing DFT computations, we proposed a promising strategy to tune the ORR/OER catalytic performance of transition metal-nitrogen-carbon by constructing heterostructure with graphdiyne. We found the d-band center and charge transfer of the TM active sites can correlate the ORR/OER catalytic activity and their electronic properties for TM N C/GDY. [Display omitted] • The catalytic activities of the heterostructure between TM N C with GDY (TM N C/GDY) for ORR/OER were studied by means of density functional theory. • Co N C/GDY can be proposed as a bifunctional catalyst for ORR/OER with low overpotential. • According to the constant-potential method, the acidic condition is conducive to boost bifunctional catalytic activity for Co N C/GDY. Exploring high-efficiency electrocatalysts to boost the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is pivotal to the large-scale applications for clean and renewable energy technologies, such as fuel cells, water splitting, and metal–air batteries. Herein, by means of density functional theory (DFT) computations, we proposed a strategy to modulate the catalytic activity of transition metal-nitrogen-carbon catalysts through their interface engineering with graphdiyne (TM N C/GDY). Our results revealed that these hybrid structures exhibit good stability and excellent electrical conductivity. Especially, Co N C/GDY was identified as a promising bifunctional catalyst for ORR/OER with rather low overpotentials in acidic conditions according to the constant-potential energy analysis. Moreover, the volcano plots were established to describe the activity trend of the ORR/OER on TM N C/GDY using the adsorption strength of the oxygenated intermediates. Remarkably, the d-band center and charge transfer of the TM active sites can be utilized to correlate the ORR/OER catalytic activity and their electronic properties. Our findings not only suggested an ideal bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst, but also provided a useful strategy to obtain highly efficient catalysts by interface engineering of two-dimensional heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coining technology produces a wide variety of commemorative coins with exquisite patterns. However, it often encounters defects such as insufficient filling, flash lines, light bands, and so on. Process engineers usually perform multiple tryouts to avoid the above-mentioned problems in actual production. This is not only time-consuming and laborious but also ineffective. The virtual tryout of the finite element method (FEM) could assist engineers to avoid the defects in the coining process with a great improvement in product quality. In order to exactly describe complex patterns of commemorative coins, a large number of elements are employed in the classical FEM. Even then, the three dimensional elements, which come in early contact with the reliefs of the punch/die, undergo large deformation and become distorted. Errors of contact judgment between the tools and the workpiece in the FEM occur during the simulation process. Taking into account the advantage of Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) basis functions when accurately describing complex boundaries or surfaces, isogeometric analysis (IGA) is developed for studying the material filling of coin cavities. Six numerical examples involving elastic and plastic analyses with/without contact issues are considered by the presented IGA frameworks and show good performance of the present method in simulating the cavity filling compared with ABAQUS. In addition, numerical findings also indicate that the proposed method exhibits excellent contact detection and strong anti-mesh distortion in large deformation of the coining process. These encouraging observations motivate us to explore the NURBS description of complicated reliefs of coins and the corresponding IGA framework for the coining process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical trials using fetal retinal pigment epithelium (fRPE), human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE, or human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived RPE for cell-based therapy for degenerative retinal diseases have been carried out. We investigated the culture-induced changes in passaged fRPE, hESC-RPE, and hiPSC-RPE cells and explored the differentiation and maturation effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on cells for manufacturing and screening high-quality RPE cells for clinical transplantation. RPE cell lines were set up and the culture-induced changes in subsequent passages caused by manipulating plating density, dissociation method, and repeated passaging were studied by a microscope, real-time quantitative PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescent assays. Gene and protein expression and functional characteristics of RPE cells incubated with ATRA were evaluated. Compared with fRPE, hESC-RPE, and hiPSC-RPE showed decreased gene and protein expression of RPE markers. RPE cells underwent mesenchymal changes showing increased expression of mesenchymal markers including a-SMA, N-cadherin, fibronectin and decreased expression of RPE markers including RPE65, E-cadherin, and ZO-1, as a subsequence of low plating density, inappropriate dissociated method, and repeated passaging. RPE cells treated by ATRA showed increased expression of RPE markers and increased expression of negative complement regulatory proteins (CRPs) and increased transepithelial resistance as well. Differences in protein and gene expression among three RPE types exist. ATRA can increase RPE markers, CRPs gene expression in fRPE, and stem cell-derived RPE. These can be used to guide the standard of screening RPE cells for clinical translational cell therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the main aroma components and aroma differences of black tea produced from two tea cultivars, Fuyun 6 and Jinguanyin, E-nose and GC–MS were adopted. The results showed that black tea made of Jinguanyin had a floral aroma, while black tea of Fuyun 6 had a sweet aroma in the sensory review. Forty-six aroma substances in the 2 cultivars were found by GC–MS; 9 aroma substances had significant differences, including heptaldehyde, furfural, 2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexanone, 2-pentadec-2-enylfuran, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, carveol, methyl salicylate, 5-methyl-2-hexanone, and hexanal. Furthermore, the results of the E-nose showed that five out of the ten sensors were able to discriminate the two cultivars, especially, S2 (sulphide and hydrogen sulphide), S6 (biogas, hydrocarbons, and methane), S7 (combustible gases) and S10 (combustible gases and alkanes) were necessary sensors for identifying the differences between the two cultivars. The results of this study clarified the characteristics of the aroma compositions and the distinctions between black teas made of Jinguanyin and Fuyun 6. Furthermore, they provided a theoretical basis for the classification of the different cultivars and types of black tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new compact static wind imaging interferometer, called the Birefringent Doppler Wind Imaging Interferometer (BIDWIN), has been developed for the purpose of observing upper atmospheric winds using suitably isolated airglow emissions. The instrument combines a field-widened birefringent delay plate placed between two crossed Wollaston prisms with an imaging system, waveplates and polarizers to produce four fixed 90 ∘ phase-stepped images of the interference fringes conjugate to the scene of interest. A four-point algorithm is used to extract line-of-sight Doppler wind measurements across the image of the scene. The arrangement provides a similar throughput to that of a field-widened Michelson interferometer; however, the interferometric component of BIDWIN is smaller, simpler to assemble and less complicated to operate. Consequently, the instrument provides a compact, lightweight and robust alternative that can be constructed and operated with lower cost. In this paper, the instrument concept is presented, and the design and optimization of a prototype version of the instrument are discussed. Characterization of the lab prototype is presented, and the performance of the instrument is examined by applying the instrument to measure a low-velocity two-dimensional Doppler wind field with a high precision (5 m s -1) in the lab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new compact static birefringent Doppler wind imaging interferometer has been developed for the purpose of observing upper atmospheric winds using suitably isolated airglow emissions. The instrument, called the Birefringent Doppler Wind imaging Interferometer (BIDWIN), combines a field widened birefringent delay plate placed between two crossed Wollaston prisms with an imaging system, waveplates and polarizers to produce four fixed 90-degree phase stepped images of the interference fringes conjugate to the scene of interest. A four-point algorithm is used to extract line of sight Doppler wind measurements across the image of the scene. The arrangement provides a similar throughput to that of a field widened Michelson interferometer, albeit constructed without moving parts. Consequently, the instrument provides a compact, lightweight and robust alternative. In this paper, the instrument concept is presented and the design and optimization of a prototype version of the instrument is discussed. Characterization of the lab prototype is presented and the performance of the instrument is examined by applying the instrument to measure a low velocity two-dimensional Doppler wind field with a high precision (5 m/s) in the lab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cataract surgery is the most common intraocular procedure. To decrease postsurgical inflammation, prevent infection and reduce the incidence of secondary cataract, we built a temperature-sensitive drug delivery system carrying dexamethasone, moxifloxacin and genistein nanostructured lipid carrier (GenNLC) modified by mPEG-PLA based on F127/F68 as hydrogel. Characterizations and release profiles of the drug delivery system were studied. In vitro functions were detected by CCK-8 test, immunofluorescence, wound-healing assay, real time-PCR and western blotting. The size of GenNLCs was 39.47 ± 0.69 nm in average with surface charges of − 4.32 ± 0.84 mV. The hydrogel gelation temperature and time were 32 °C, 20 s with a viscosity, hardness, adhesiveness and stringiness of 6.135 Pa.s, 54.0 g, 22.0 g, and 3.24 mm, respectively. Transmittance of the gel-release medium was above 90% (93.44 ± 0.33% to 100%) at range of 430 nm to 800 nm. Moxifloxacin released completely within 10 days. Fifty percent of dexamethasone released at a constant rate in the first week, and then released sustainably with a tapering down rate until day 30. Genistein released slowly but persistently with a cumulative release of 63% at day 40. The thermoresponsive hydrogel inhibited the proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of SRA 01/04 cells, which were confirmed by testing CCK-8, wound-healing assay, western blot, real time-PCR (RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence. These results support this intracameral thermoresponsive in situ multi-drug delivery system with programmed release amounts and release profiles to cut down the need of eye drops for preventing inflammation or infection and to reduce posterior capsular opacification following cataract surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • M-N-C/MoS 2 heterostructures exhibit good structural stability, excellent electrical conductivity, and improved stiffness. • The anchored Ir-N-C, Rh-N-C, and Co-N-C are identified as eligible bifunctional ORR/OER electrocatalysts. • The optimal binding strength with the oxygenated intermediates endow anchored M-N-C good catalytic performance. The development of highly-efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts is essential to the large-scale commercialization of energy-related conversion and storage technologies. In this work, using first-principle computations, we systematically investigated the catalytic activities of a variety of metal-N-C/MoS 2 heterostructures (M-N-C/MoS 2 , M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, and Pt) towards the oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER). Our result revealed that these M-N-C/MoS 2 heterostructures exhibit good structural stability, excellent electrical conductivity, and improved stiffness. Furthermore, the anchored Ir-N-C was identified as the best bifunctional ORR/OER electrocatalyst due to its lowest overpotentials (0.28/0.38 V) among all candidates, which were well rationalized by its optimal binding strength with the oxygenated intermediates. Thus, by combining M-N-C and MoS 2 monolayer, the highly-efficient bifunctional ORR/OER electrocatalysts can be achieved, which offers a new strategy to further explore heterostructures-based materials for other electrochemical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image segmentation is an essential step in medical image analysis, as its results directly affect the quality of the follow-up analysis. Because of the high calculation speed and the good performance of the segmentation algorithms based on neural networks (NNs), image segmentation has been extensively researched and developed in clinical analysis and applications. However, the existing NN-based image segmentation methods only consider the pixel information of the image that needs to be segmented, and they cannot guarantee the continuity and smoothness of the segmented edge. Consequently, we propose the model and data-driven hybrid approach, namely, the model-data-driven hybrid-fusion network for medical image segmentation. We consider the attention mechanism and the high-low features, and embed the traditional curvature regularisation segmentation model into the NN in the form of a loss function. Moreover, our model considers not only the semantic information of the segmented image but also the boundary length information of the ROI and the target region information. These can ensure the smoothness of the edge of the medical image segmentation results. We conduct intensive experiments on several benchmark datasets to evaluate the effectiveness of our method in dealing with complex backgrounds and noise. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms other state-of-the-art segmentation methods. • We propose a loss function that combines contour length and region information and adds an elastic energy term to it, which tackles the problem of the unsmooth borders caused by purely network training. • We introduce a curvature based regularization function into the segmentation model to regularize the contour length term and improve the over-fitting phenomenon in network training. • We use a new network of a dual-path feature extraction module (DP-FEM) with channel attention and a high-level and low-level feature fusion module (HLFFM) with spatial attention, which improves the accuracy of training. • The results of the proposed fusion network segmentation are analysed with multiple existing models. The results prove that our proposed model can obtain reasonable image segmentation results on datasets, such as remote projection and fundus colour images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Channeled spectropolarimetry is a snapshot scheme for the full polarization spectra measurement. It has the advantages of static, compact, lightweight, and easy to implement. However, while the broadband polarization spectra can be precisely reconstructed using the regular methods, such as the method based on the Fourier transform, the reconstruction of narrowband polarization spectra always suffers from errors caused by the crosstalk among channels in the optical path difference domain. We present an efficient narrowband full polarization spectra reconstruction method for channeled spectropolarimetry. The line shape of the intensity spectrum is estimated by the envelop curve of the measured high frequency modulated spectrum. The full polarization spectra can be reconstructed by the least-square method under the assumption that polarization states change slowly with wavelength for narrowband polarization spectra. The feasibility of the reconstruction method has been verified by the simulation and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We propose a scheme to measure spectrum, image, and full polarization of targets using polarization modulation array, which offers us a novel method for polarization modulation-demodulation. • The principle and the detection mode of the scheme has been demonstrated. It has no slit and internal moving elements, which makes the system high throughput, robust and compact. • The feasibility of the system has been verified by simulation and experiment. The systematic errors and the sensitivity to noise of the system has been analyzed. • With specified optical designs, this system can be applied in many fields such as remote sensing, biomedical diagnosis, and target identification. In this paper, we propose an instrument concept based on a polarization modulation array for the simultaneous measurement of the irradiance, spectrum, and polarization states of the target of interest. Using a group of retarders and polarizers oriented in specific directions, the full set of Stokes parameters can be determined directly without internal moving parts or extensive calculations. The polarization array consists of two retarders and four linear polarizers located at the incident aperture, so that the incident light is divided into four separate modulation channels. To measure the modulated spectra, we include an interference spectrometer based on the Savart polariscope principle in the system and retrieve the polarization spectra by Fourier transform. We apply a tempo-spatially modulation mode in the scheme to extract the multi-dimensional data of each point in the field of view. The system's performance, especially the capability for Stokes spectra measurement, is verified through both computer simulation and laboratory experiments. Possible sources of error are also analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appendiceal cancers are usually diagnosed after appendectomy accidentally. The need for subsequent right hemicolectomy in these patients was determined by the potential risk of regional lymph node (LN) metastasis. Establishing a nomogram to forecast the potential risk of lymph node metastasis of appendiceal cancer could help in the next step of treatment. Patients with appendiceal cancer undergoing surgery was queried in the American cancer database of Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database from 2004 to 2016. A nomogram was established based on Logistic regression model. Finally, 3,075 patients were diagnosed with appendectomy cancer from 2004 to 2016. Among them, there were 2028 (65.9%) cases with negative lymph nodes, 1047 (34.1%) cases with positive lymph nodes. Risk factors associated with lymph node metastasis include age, histological type, tissue grade, T stage, distant metastasis, and tumor size. We drew the ROC curves of the training group（0.754, P < 0.001） and the validation group （0.775, P < 0.001） respectively. C-index values of predictions were 0.772 (95%CI, 0.750-0.793) and 0.776 (95%CI, 0.746-0.807), and Brier score were 0.178 and 0.172 in training and validation group respectively. All of them showed excellent performance of the nomogram in our study. A new nomogram was created to assess the potential risk of LN metastasis in patients of appendiceal cancer by utilizing age, tumor histology, tumor pathologic grade, tumor size, T-stage, and M-stage. The nomogram could provide a strong reference for the right hemicolectomy and facilitate clinic decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Calcined Ge-UTL encountered structural degradation under pure water solution at RT. • A simply ultrasonic treatment caused random arrangement of the formed cfi layers. • The stacking faults of cfi layers generated abundant intracrystal mesopores. • An excellent styrene epoxidation activity (TOF = 403 h−1) is achieved on Co-Meso-UTL. Co-zeolites with hierarchical porous are significantly desirable for the liquid-phase selective epoxidation of styrene that required relatively open reaction spaces. A typical UTL germanosilicate with the absence of organic structure-directing agent molecules inside pore channels suffered from severe structural collapse after ultrasonic treatment under pure water medium, originating from the unstable germanium-rich double four ring subunits. The simple strategy cleaved the weak linkage Ge-O bands and caused the irregular location of silicon-rich cfi layers. Subsequently, Co activity centers was incorporated into the framework through reacting with the abundant silanol groups located in the hydroxyl nests at room temperature. The random arrangement of mono- or multi- cfi layers induced the stacking faults and generated a large amount of intracrystal mesopores after calcination. The resultant Co-Meso-UTL catalysts favored the molecules diffusion of large-sized styrene and target products, improving the accessibility of Co active sites and exhibiting excellent catalytic performance in the styrene epoxidation reaction with single hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) oxidant. Especially, high styrene oxide product selectivity was also obtained through controlling appropriate H 2 O 2 -added content as well as reaction time, which possessed a highest turnover frequency value of 403 h−1 among the reported catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mars Atmospheric Wind Imaging Interferometer offers several advantages, notably its high throughput, enabling the acquisition of precise and high vertical resolution data on the temperature and wind fields in the Martian atmosphere. Considering the current absence of such an Interferometer, this paper introduces a novel Mars wind field imaging interferometer. In analyzing the photochemical model of O2 (a1Δg) 1.27 μm molecular airglow radiation in the Martian atmosphere and considering the impact of instrument signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), we have chosen an optical path difference (OPD) of 8.6 cm for the interferometer. The all-solid-state polarized wind imaging interferometer is miniaturized by incorporating two arm glasses as the compensation medium in its construction, achieving the effects of field-widening and temperature compensation. Additionally, an F-P Etalon is designed to selectively filter the desired three spectral lines of O2 dayglow, and its effect is evaluated through simulations. The accuracy of the proposed compact Mars polarized wind imaging interferometer for detecting Mars' wind field and temperature field has been validated through rigorous theoretical derivation and comprehensive computer simulations. The interferometer boasts several advantages, including its compact and small size, static stability, minimal stray light, and absence of moving parts. It establishes the theoretical, technological, and instrumental engineering foundations for future simultaneous static measurement of Martian global atmospheric wind fields, temperature fields, and ozone concentrations from spacecraft, thereby significantly contributing to the dataset for investigating Martian atmospheric dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Calcined *CTH experienced structural collapse and reconstruction by HNO3 treatment. • Sn-*CTH were post-synthesized via the structural rearrangement and Sn incorporation. • Sn-*CTH exhibited a high catalytic activity in the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation. • High ε-caprolactone selectivity was obtained through controlling reaction parameters. Germanium-rich *CTH zeolite without organic molecules located inside pore channels experienced only partial structural collapse and subsequently repaired to high-silica structure analogous to the original topology in a short time. The surprise acid-hydrolysis process has caused a large amount of framework Ge ions were removed, giving rise to abundant hydroxyl nests. Benefiting from the unexpected variation of framework structure and chemical composition, stannosilicates Sn-*CTH with extra-large pores and various Sn loadings (Si/Sn molar ratio in the range of 30-∞) were post-prepared depending on the reaction between the added (NH 4) 2 SnCl 6 species and the formed silanol groups in the hydroxyl nests. The resultant Sn-*CTH zeolites were able to release significantly the diffusion limitations encountered by the bulky substrates and oxidants, exhibiting promising activities to catalyze the Baeyer-Villiger (B-V) oxidation of ketones with single oxidant either hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) or large-sized tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). Especially, high ε-caprolactone product selectivity was also obtained in the B-V oxidation of cyclohexanone using H 2 O 2 oxidant through reducing the H 2 O 2 /cyclohexanone molar ratio as well as controlling appropriate reaction time, which was more efficient than the traditional Sn-Beta-F catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the ratio of two retarders for the demodulation in the intensity modulation spectropolarimeter is proposed. The five-channel autocorrelation function is introduced for the first time, its forming conditions and the principle of spectrum reconstruction are analyzed. From the analysis of the spectropolarimeter based on the interference spectrometer, we can conclude that the spectral resolution of some Stokes parameters reconstructed by the five-channel interferogram is improved compared with the seven-channel interferogram. The simulation experiment of spectrum recovery of five-channel autocorrelation function is carried out. The simulation results are in good agreement with the theory, and the results show that the scheme of the five-channel is feasible, which provides a good theoretical basis and reference for the optimization design of the spectropolarimeter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic principle of Fourier-transform imaging spectrometer (FTIS) based on Savart interferometer is outlined. The un-identical distribution of the optical path difference which leads to the wavelength drift of each row of the interferogram is analyzed. Two typical methods for wavelength calibration of the presented system are described. The first method unifies different spectral intervals and maximum spectral frequencies of each row by a reference monochromatic light with known wavelength, and the dispersion compensation of Savart interferometer is also involved. The second approach is based on the least square fitting which builds the functional relation between recovered wavelength, row number and calibrated wavelength by concise equations. The effectiveness of the two methods is experimentally demonstrated with monochromatic lights and mixed light source across the detecting band of the system, and the results indicate that the first method has higher precision and the mean root-mean-square error of the recovered wavelengths is significantly reduced from 19.896 nm to 1.353 nm, while the second method is more convenient to implement and also has good precision of 2.709 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theoretical operation and experimental demonstration of a Fourier-transform linear imaging spectropolarimeter are presented. It is composed of a rotating Glan-Taylor prism and a Fourier-transform spectrometer based on Savart polariscope. The polarized light enters the spectrometer to create three sets of interferograms, where the spectral linear Stokes parameters can be calculated and acquired. Compared with previous instruments, the significant advantages of the described sensor are that there are no spatial aliasing in the polarized spectra and it can be used in wider spectral coverage with low cost, ultra-compact size and a simpler common-path configuration. Another static linearly Stokes imaging spectropolarimeter based on the field of view division technique and SPIIS is conceptually described. The spectral dependence of linear Stokes parameters can be recovered with Fourier transformation. Since there is no rotating or moving parts, the system is relatively robust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic principle of channeled Fourier-transform imaging spectropolarimeter (CFTISP) is outlined. The two mainstream techniques existing for performing polarization state demodulation are analyzed, which show uncertainty that may not be suitable for CFTISP based on lateral shear interferometer. A modified demodulation method for Stokes parameters is described. The method separate the phase of the sign and the high-order retarders’ retardations from the total phase acquired from the fast Fourier transform of the interferogram, which will not cause the amplitude error from the reference beam. Furthermore, the retardations and the residual phase error in each band introduced by instrument can be seen directly in this method. The effectiveness of this method is experimentally demonstrated with four known input states of polarization, and the results are satisfactory. The RMS error of each Stokes parameters is also presented, which demonstrates that the low spectral signal-to-noise ratio can increase the RMS error by nearly a factor of 2–5 for the individual Stokes parameters. The comparison of reconstructed results by four methods further demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, L1 (2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)quinoxaline) and L2 ((1‐((1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)ethylidene)benzene‐1,2‐diamine) ⋅ (1‐(1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)ethanone)) were synthesized and reacted with CoCl2 ⋅ 6H2O and NiCl2 ⋅ 6H2O to produce complexes 1–4. We found several interesting pieces of crystal structure information. Firstly, ligands L1 and L2 with completely different molecular structures were obtained by reacting the precursors containing similar N‐heterocycles with 1,2‐diaminobenzene. Secondly, in methanol and DMF solvents, 1 showed two structures, the binuclear and mononuclear cobalt complexes 1 a and 1 b. Finally, the structure of 4 showed the formation of a new 2 : 1 type ligand at eutectic L2 in the presence of a Ni2+ template. Upon treatment with AIBN, 1–4 showed moderate to high activities for MMA polymerization, producing PMMA with low to high molecular weights (2.02∼73.03×104 g⋅mol‐1) and moderate dispersity indices (PDI: 1.72∼3.32). Moreover, 1 b displayed higher catalytic activities (up to 1.138×105 g mol−1 ⋅ h−1), which was 20 times higher than that of 3 and more than 7 times higher than that of 1 a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic principle of the near-infrared static wind imaging interferometer (NIR-SWINDII) is expounded. The instrument can simultaneously detect the atmospheric wind speed, temperature, and ozone concentration in the middle and lower thermosphere (25–110 km). According to the optical transmission principle, the exact expression of the ideal and actual optical throughput of the NIR-SWINDII is obtained. To analyze and discuss the influence of the field of view, wavelength, and refractive index systematically, we select a high refractive index and a low refractive index glass matching schemes according to the "full compensation" principle of the wide-field Michelson interferometer, the simulation of NIR-SWINDII's optical throughput is carried out. For the high refractive index matching scheme, the results show that when the field of view is within 3 degrees, the transmittance of the NIR-SWINDII can reach 23.38%, and the optical throughput of the entire system is about 0.1024 cm2 ⋅ sr. Comparing with the parameters of other instruments, it is found that our instrument's optical throughput performance is comparable to other instruments. This research provides the theoretical basis and practical guidance for the throughput optimization of the NIR-SWINDII. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discussed the principle of the ozone wind imaging interferometer developed by our group, which used remote sensing method to detect wind field and ozone concentration simultaneously, focused on the analysis and calculation of the instrument visibility and gave the theoretical representation of the instrument visibility. Computer simulation was used to analyze the influence of the system transmittance, compensation glass surface tilt and mirror surface accuracy on the instrument visibility. The results showed that the splitting ratio of the beam splitter and the field of view would affect the distribution of the instrument visibility; the tilt angle of the compensation glass surface can greatly affect the instrument visibility. We also gave the random error range of wind field speed and temperature at the instrument visibility U > 0.9. This research provides an important theoretical basis and practical guidance for the development and engineering of ozone wind imaging interferometers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to establish nomograms that could forecast the postoperative survival for patients with appendiceal cancer after surgery, this study collected 5945 patients with surgically removed appendiceal cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were analyzed by Cox regression analysis and nomograms. The population was randomly separated into a training group (n = 3963) and a validation group (n = 1982). Age, histological grade, T stage, N stage, regional nodes examination, tumor size, and CEA were independent prognostic factors for OS and were used in the nomogram. In addition, radiotherapy and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for CSS. The C-index values of the nomograms predicting postoperative OS and CSS were 0.76 (95% CI 0.74–0.78) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.78–0.82) in the training group and 0.77 (95% CI 0.74–0.79) and 0.81 (95% CI 0.78–0.84) in the validation group. Moreover, nomograms were better than traditional American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM 8th Edition Staging System in predicting prognosis derived from the results of DCA and ROC curves. In a word, we constructed new nomograms based on a large database that can accurately predict the OS and CSS of patients with appendiceal cancer after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neoadjuvant radiotherapy has been shown to improve marginal negative resection and local control of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, whether it improves overall survival (OS) in patients with non-metastatic PDAC remains controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the benefits of only surgery, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy, and surgery plus chemotherapy for OS in patients with non-metastatic PDAC.Methods: PDAC diagnosed by surgical histopathology in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2016 was selected. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the prognosis of patients with different treatments. Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze independent predictors of OS. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to analyze the tumor prognosis of different treatment methods.Results: Before PSM analysis, the OS of surgery plus chemotherapy (HRs = 0.896, 95%CIs, 0.827-0.970; P = 0.007) were significantly better than the other three treatments for stage T1-3N0M0 PDAC patients. For stage T1-3N + M0 patients, adjuvant radiotherapy (HRs = 0.613, 95% CIs, 0.579-0.649; P < 0.001) had significantly better OS than surgery plus chemotherapy and neoadjuvant radiotherapy. For stage T4N0M0 patients, neoadjuvant radiotherapy (HRs = 0.482, 95% CIs, 0.347-0.670; P < 0.001) had significantly better OS than surgery plus chemotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy. For stage T4N + M0 patients, neoadjuvant radiotherapy (HRs = 0.338, 95% CIs, 0.215-0.532; P < 0.001) had significantly longer OS than adjuvant radiotherapy and surgery plus chemotherapy. Even after PSM, Chemotherapy plus surgery was still the best treatment for T1-3N0M0 patients. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy had the best prognosis among T1-3N + M0 patients, and neoadjuvant radiotherapy was the best treatment for T4 patients.Conclusions: For patients with non-metastatic PDAC, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy and surgery plus chemotherapy were superior to only surgery in OS. For patients with stage T4 non-metastatic PDAC, neoadjuvant radiotherapy had the potential to be strongly recommended over adjuvant radiotherapy and surgery plus chemotherapy. However, neoadjuvant radiotherapy failed to benefit the survival of T1-3N0M0 stage patients, and surgery plus chemotherapy was preferred. For T1-3N + M0, neoadjuvant radiotherapy had no obvious advantage over adjuvant radiotherapy or surgery plus chemotherapy in OS, and adjuvant radiotherapy was more recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a coded aperture snapshot linear-Stokes imaging spectropolarimeter (CASSIS) based on a combination of coded aperture spectral imager and a division-of-focal-plane polarization camera. The CASSIS achieves aperture coding with a digital micromirror device (DMD) first, and then encodes polarization state using the polarization camera. Finally, the camera gets the coded polarization spatio-spectral image at a single snapshot. Linear-Stokes spectral images are estimated with sparsity-constrained optimization from the acquired image. The principle and feasibility are validated with simulations. It is noted that a modest peak-signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) is recovered with a single snapshot, and higher PSNR is obtained with multiple snapshots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Plate-like BaFe 12 O 19 @ZnFe 2 O 4 /MWCNTs nanocomposites were successfully fabricated via a facile method. • MWCNTs formed conductive networks in the ternary hybrids. • The exchange coupling between BaFe 12 O 19 and ZnFe 2 O 4 could widen the absorption band. • RL min reaches to −42.3 dB at 8.2 GHz and −10 dB bandwidth reaches 3.6 GHz. In order to reduce the radiation and interference of electromagnetic waves, rational assembly of dielectric materials and magnetic materials is becoming a promising strategy to produce highly efficient microwave absorbers. Herein, a novel kind of ternary nanocomposites, multi-wall carbon nanotubes decorated plate-like BaFe 12 O 19 @ZnFe 2 O 4 (BaFe 12 O 19 @ZnFe 2 O 4 /MWCNTs), was fabricated via a two-step method. Plate-like BaFe 12 O 19 was prepared firstly as a template for the growth of ZnFe 2 O 4 layer, forming a core-shell structure. MWCNTs dispersed between BaFe 12 O 19 @ZnFe 2 O 4 particles and ZnFe 2 O 4 microspheres, forming three-dimensional (3D) conductive networks. The careful design of the structure and the combination of the dielectric material with the hard-soft magnetic material caused excellent impedance matching and multiple loss mechanisms, which endow the ternary hybrids with remarkable microwave absorption performance. The minimum reflection loss reaches −42.3 dB at 8.2 GHz with a layer thickness of 2.5 mm, and the effective bandwidth is 3.6 GHz (from 12.5 GHz to 16.1 GHz) with a layer thickness of 1.5 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Highly porous carbon decorated with Co nanoparticles were synthesized. • The rambutan-like composites exhibite excellent microwave absorption property. • The pyrolysis temperature is the main factor for the composites. Abstract Nanoporous carbon (NPC) composites embedded with magnetic nanoparticles have been widely studied for applications in microwave absorption. Herein, highly porous rambutan-like carbon composites decorated with controllable carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Co nanoparticles were synthesized through a thermal decomposition of Co-doped zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) under different temperatures. The MOF-derived carbon nanocomposites with the cobalt content accounting for 30% of the total mass of cobalt and zinc, carbonized at 700 °C, exhibited excellent microwave absorption property of −30.2 dB. Characterizations exhibit that the in-situ generated Co nanoparticles are uniformly embedded into NPC matrix, which are surrounded by highly graphitized CNTs. The research presents a facile and promising route for rapid mass production of metal-doped NPC/CNTs composites for high-efficiency microwave absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigated the interaction mechanism between carbon monoxide (CO) and lignite organic matter in lignite liquefaction systems. The study found that a CO atmosphere can facilitate lignite conversion, but its hydrogen supply capacity is poor, resulting in lower liquefaction effects compared to an H 2 atmosphere. Increasing the initial reaction pressure and CO content can enhance the conversion of lignite to low molecular compounds. In-situ studies on lignite pyrolysis in CO and N 2 atmospheres show that CO plays an effective role in promoting the fracture of multiple hydrogen bonds present in lignite, which is linked to the water-gas shift reaction that CO takes part. Additionally, CO can also facilitate the breaking of oxygen-containing ether bonds in lignite, thereby eliminating oxygen and producing CO 2 in the gaseous phase. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that CO reacts with the group after the ether bond breaks, which reduces the formation energy of the product and promotes the ether bond breaking. In summary, CO in syngas may benefit the breaking of ether and hydrogen bonds in lignite during liquefaction, thus promoting lignite conversion. [Display omitted] • The interaction mechanism between CO and lignite organic matter in liquefaction was studied. • CO in syngas may be beneficial to the breaking of ether bond and hydrogen bond in lignite. • CO can promote the conversion of lignite to low molecular compounds during liquefaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a static wind imaging Michelson interferometer (SWIMI) developed by us, two-arm glasses are used to achieve the achromatic thermally compensation. The arm glass is cemented with the beam splitter. The tilt of the arm glass would cause a change to the optical path difference (OPD), thereby reducing the visibility of the interferogram and introducing phase error to the SWIMI system, which eventually responsible for errors in the inversion of temperature and wind velocity. In this paper, we present the principle of static wind imaging interferometer and derivate the variation of OPD caused by the two-dimensional tilt of arm glass in detail. By considering a rectangle incident beam, we analyze the effect of arm glass tilt on wind speed and temperature inversion. The results show that in order to realize the wind velocity error less than 3 m/s, the temperature error less than 3 K, and the instrument visibility greater than 0.8, the two-dimensional tilted angle of arm glass should be less than 1". The tolerance of tilted angle can expand by adjusting the refractive index of the medium on both two sides of the arm glass or by adjusting the reflector mirror of the interferometer precisely. The results would be helpful for the cement of arm glass, beam splitter of SWIMI, and provide a reference for the design of a field-widened wind imaging interferometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tempo-spatially mixed modulation Fourier transform imaging spectropolarimeter based on polarization modulation array (PMAFTISP) without internal moving parts was presented, which can obtain the image, spectrum, and full-stokes parameters of the target at the same time. The principle and feasibility were validated with simulations. The system was simulated and the influence of retarder error on the recovery of the full-Stokes parameters was mainly analyzed. Compared with channeled interference imaging spectropolarimetry (CIISP), the system separated four fringe patterns in space, without channel crosstalk as well as simplifying the data processing. Additionally, the advantages of the Fourier transform spectrometer are maintained, such as high throughput (Jacquinot) and multiplex (Fellgett) advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, representation-based subspace clustering algorithms for hyperspectral images (HSIs) have been developed with the assumption that pixels belonging to the same land-cover class lie in the same subspace. Polarization is regarded to be a complement to spectral information, but related research only focus on the clustering for HSIs without considering polarization, and cannot effectively process large-scale hyperspectral datasets. In this paper, we propose an efficient representation-based subspace clustering framework for polarized hyperspectral images (PHSIs). Combining with spectral information and polarized information, this framework is extensible for most existing representation-based subspace clustering algorithms. In addition, with a sampling-clustering-classification strategy which firstly clusters selected in-sample data into several classes and then matches the out-of-sample data into these classes by collaborative representation-based classification, the proposed framework significantly reduces the computational complexity of clustering algorithms for PHSIs. Some experiments were carried out to demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency and potential capabilities of the algorithms under the proposed framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]