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Realizing the harmonious coexistence of environmental and economic benefits is an inevitable requirement, and promoting the sustainable development of corporate environmental governance and physical enterprises “from virtual to real” is the essence. Using a sample of Chinese A-share listed heavily polluting enterprises from 2004 to 2020, the impact mechanism of green mergers and acquisitions (M&A) on corporate financialization is investigated through multiple regression analysis. The results show that green M&A can inhibit corporate financialization, with government environmental concerns playing a negative moderating role and corporate governance capabilities playing a positive moderating role. Further results on the transmission mechanism show that financing constraints mediate the relationship between green M&A and corporate financialization. The results of the study not only show that green M&A is a “sincere” behavior of enterprises to promote sustainable development, but also reveal the “dynamic” role of government environmental concerns and corporate governance capabilities. In addition, the “reservoir” effect of corporate financialization is also confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare chronic autoimmune disease caused by the production of autoantibodies against the postsynaptic membrane receptors present at the neuromuscular junction. This condition is characterized by fatigue and muscle weakness, including diplopia, ptosis, and systemic impairment. Emerging evidence suggests that in addition to immune dysregulation, the pathogenesis of MG may involve mitochondrial damage and ferroptosis. Mitochondria are the primary site of energy production, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated due to mitochondrial dysfunction can induce ferroptosis. Nanomedicines have been extensively employed to treat various disorders due to their modifiability and good biocompatibility, but their application in MG management has been rather limited. Nevertheless, nanodrug delivery systems that carry immunomodulatory agents, anti-oxidants, or ferroptosis inhibitors could be effective for the treatment of MG. Therefore, this review focuses on various nanoplatforms aimed at attenuating immune dysregulation, restoring mitochondrial function, and inhibiting ferroptosis that could potentially serve as promising agents for targeted MG therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-wall carbon nanotube filled shape memory polymer composite (MWCNT/SMC) possessed enhanced modulus, strength, and electric conductivity, as well as excellent electrothermal shape memory properties, showing wide design scenarios and engineering application prospects. The thermoelectrically triggered shape memory process contains complex multi-physical mechanisms, especially when coupled with finite deformation rooted on micro-mechanisms. A multi-physical finite deformation model is necessary to get a deep understanding on the coupled electro-thermomechanical properties of electrothermal shape memory composites (ESMCs), beneficial to its design and wide application. Taking into consideration of micro-physical mechanisms of the MWCNTs interacting with double-chain networks, a finite deformation theoretical model is developed in this work based on two superimposed network chains of physically crosslinked network formed among MWCNTs and the chemically crosslinked network. An intact crosslinked chemical network is considered featuring with entropic-hyperelastic properties, superimposed with a physically crosslinked network where percolation theory is based on electric conductivity and electric-heating mechanisms. The model is calibrated by experiments and used for shape recoveries triggered by heating and electric fields. It captures the coupled electro-thermomechanical behavior of ESMCs and provides design guidelines for MWCNTs filled shape memory polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Songliao Basin is rich in uranium ores, and the Yaojia Formation, which is dominated by gray fine-grained sandstones, contains the main ore-bearing stratum. Rocks in the formation contain high SiO2, Al2O3, and total alkali, with enrichment in Rb, Th, U, K, and light rare earth elements but are depleted in high field strength elements, similar to upper crustal rocks. U–Pb dating of zircon grains from sandstones in the formation yielded four groups of ages, including 99–182, 202–245, 284–365, and 1800–1900 Ma. These ages combined with the Hf isotope composition, geochemical characteristics, and regional history suggest that the Yaojia Formation rocks are associated with passive and active continental margin settings. These clastic rocks originate principally from felsic rocks in the Zhangguangcailing–Xiao Xing'anling area, and these were deposited in oxic freshwater environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic molecules with second near‐infrared (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm) emission have significant advantages over NIR‐I (600–900 nm) dyes, and have been widely used as phototheranostic agents (PTAs) and fluorescent probes. However, the two biggest challenges for such reagents are improving photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), and simplifying tedious synthetic procedures. Herein, different from the traditional NIR skeleton, for the first time, it develops two novel dibenzofulvene‐based NIR‐II emission PTAs via D‐π‐A concept with high PCEs through two simple synthetic steps. The increased intramolecular charge transfer effect and extended π‐conjugation effectively red‐shift their emissions to the NIR‐II region. In addition, the introduction of molecular rotors/vibrators and the formation of π–π stacking prompt the two PTAs to exhibit high PCEs. Notably, FE‐IDMN nanoparticles (FE‐IDMN NPs) achieve an exciting PCE of 82.6%, higher than most reported photothermal agents with NIR‐II emission. FE‐IDMN NPs also possess good colloidal, pH, and photothermal stabilities, as well as excellent photoacoustic response, which is further successfully applied for NIR‐II fluorescence/photoacoustic/photothermal imaging‐guided photothermal therapy. This work provides a simple strategy for constructing new D‐π‐A PTAs with low molecular weight, NIR‐II emission, and high PCE for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mental model of art design in the realm of virtual reality (VR) technology is a dynamic fusion of creativity, immersion, and technological innovation. In this paradigm, artists leverage the immersive capabilities of VR to transcend traditional boundaries, creating a multisensory experience that goes beyond the confines of a two-dimensional canvas. The artist's mental canvas extends into a threedimensional space where users can engage with art on a profound level, exploring and interacting with the artwork in ways previously unimaginable. The core objective is to redefine art design design through the lens of machine vision cognition into the ethical and social implications inherent in Art Design. With the integration of Hidden Markov Probabilistic Swarm Optimization (HMPSO) to amplify the capabilities of VR systems. At the forefront of this study is the reimagination of art design design, characterized by aesthetics, ergonomics, and functionality. The infusion of machine vision cognition into these designs not only enhances user experience but also prompts contemplation of ethical considerations surrounding privacy, accessibility, and informed consent. Ethical and social implications are scrutinized comprehensively, acknowledging the profound impact of VRs on individual rights, security, and privacy. The research probes into equitable access to VR technologies, ethical data utilization in art design, identity verification, and surveillance contexts. Central to this multidisciplinary inquiry is the integration of Hidden Markov Probabilistic Swarm Optimization (HMPSO). With swarm intelligence and probabilistic modelling, HMPSO enhances the efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of Mental Model VR systems. It addresses the critical challenge of reducing false positives and false negatives in VR authentication. The research methodology comprises performance evaluations, ethical analyses, and socio-cultural investigations, offering a comprehensive view of the interplay between design innovation, machine vision cognition, ethical awareness, and the application of HMPSO in the Art Design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two‐dimensional material‐based field‐effect transistors (2DM‐FETs) are playing a revolutionary role in electronic devices. However, before electronic design automation (EDA) for 2DM‐FETs can be achieved, it remains necessary to determine how to incorporate contact transports into model. Reported methods compromise between physical intelligibility and model compactness due to the heterojunction nature. To address this, quasi‐Fermi‐level phase space theory (QFLPS) is generalized to incorporate contact transports using the Landauer formula. It turns out that the Landauer‐QFLPS model effectively overcomes the issue of concern. The proposed new formula can describe 2DM‐FETs with Schottky or Ohmic contacts with superior accuracy and efficiency over previous methods, especially when describing non‐monotonic drain conductance characteristics. A three‐bit threshold inverter quantizer (TIQ) circuit is fabricated using ambipolar black phosphorus and it is demonstrated that the model accurately predicts circuit performance. The model could be very effective and valuable in the development of 2DM‐FET‐based integrated circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a mechanical analysis of the foundation of a temporary offshore platform using a temporary embedded eight-leg support structure. The model is simulated using the finite element simulation software MIDAS-3D, with the modified RANS equation and Forchheimer saturated resistance model used to control the fluid. The stress analysis principle of the structure is simplified by the pile group theory. The stability of the eight-legged supporting structure is investigated under different embedding depths, pile diameters, wave periods, and amplitudes of the main piles. The results show that the eight-legged supporting structure can intercept and divert water flow, eliminating the impact of the water flow on the main piles during large waves. Additionally, as the diameter of the structure increases under the same wave conditions, the influence of the base volume and surface curvature gradually increases, deteriorating the stress environment of the main pile and decreasing the supporting effect of the eight-legged support structure. Numerical calculations of the seabed rock foundation of the eight-leg supporting structure show that the shallow pile foundation undergoes significant deformation, while the eight-leg supporting structure is still supported by the dead weight of the main pile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of ß-mannanase on metabolizable energy (ME) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of protein in various feedstuffs including barley, copra meal, corn, corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), palm kernel meal, sorghum, and soybean meal. Methods: A basal diet was formulated with 94.8% corn and 0.77% amino acids, minerals, and vitamins and test diets replacing corn-basal diets with barley, corn DDGS, sorghum, soybean meal, or wheat (50%, respectively) and copra meal or palm kernel meal (30%, respectively). The basal diet and test diets were evaluated by using triplicated or quadruplicated 2×2 Latin square designs consisting of 2 diets and 2 periods with a total of 54 barrows at 20.6±0.6 kg (9 wk of age). Dietary treatments were levels of ß-mannanase supplementation (0 or 800 U/kg of feed). Fecal and urine samples were collected for 4 d following a 4-d adaptation period. The ME and ATTD of crude protein (CP) in feedstuffs were calculated by a difference procedure. Data were analyzed using Proc general linear model of SAS. Results: Supplementation of ß-mannanase improved (p<0.05) ME of barley (10.4%), palm kernel meal (12.4%), sorghum (6.0%), and soybean meal (2.9%) fed to growing pigs. Supplementation of ß-mannanase increased (p<0.05) ATTD of CP in palm kernel meal (8.8%) and tended to increase (p = 0.061) ATTD of CP in copra meal (18.0%) fed to growing pigs. Conclusion: This study indicates that various factors such as the structure and the amount of ß-mannans, water binding capacity, and the level of resistant starch vary among feedstuffs and the efficacy of supplemental ß-mannanase may be influenced by these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article's primary focus is on introducing the "AdaTaskRec" framework for spatial crowdsourcing, which aims to enhance task recommendations for workers based on their location and travel intentions. It addresses challenges related to modeling worker preferences in diverse geographical areas, dynamic task recommendation, and fairness considerations in task allocation.

Pulsed x-rays are crucial for various applications such as radiography, biological effects, and the system-generated electromagnetic pulse effect. X rays with a higher dose rate and a higher total dose can generate more significant radiation effects and more effective radiography. However, most pulsed sub-100 keV x-ray systems with high dose rates operate in the single pulse mode with limited total dose, and most repetitive pulsed x-ray systems have a low dose rate. This paper develops a compact high-current repetitive pulsed x-ray system with a low-impedance diode to generate high dose rate pulsed x-rays with an average energy below 100 keV. A diode with a double-ring cathode is designed and tested to produce uniform pulsed x-rays. In order to investigate the x-ray intensity and the pulse number of repetitions for different anode thicknesses, five typical thicknesses are tested. The experimental results show that this system can operate stably at a repetitive rate of 0.2 Hz with a peak voltage of about 200 kV and a peak current of about 100 kA. The dose rate is about 2.4 × 105 Gy(LiF)/s, and the average x-ray energy is about 55 keV with the 40 µm thick tantalum anode. The x-ray uniformity is better than 2:1 over the measuring plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PDE4 inhibitors exhibit anti-stress and antidepressant-like abilities by catalyzing the hydrolysis of cAMP, a primary regulator for intracellular communication in the brain. Herein, novel diarylpyrazole derivatives are synthesized and investigated for their ability to inhibit PDE4. In vitro studies indicate that most of the synthesized compounds show significant potency for the inhibition of PDE4. Specifically, N-(4-(3-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzyl)-2-morpholinoethan-1-amine exhibits the most potent PDE4 inhibition, with an IC50 value of ca. 0.09 µM. It also produces antidepressant-like activities in sugar water consumption and in forced swimming tests in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neuroprotective attributes of chlorogenic acid (CGA) have been delineated in prior literature, yet its precise role in addressing encephalopathy associated with sepsis remains to be elucidated. The primary objective of this study was to delineate the neurocognitive effects of CGA and to ascertain the underlying mechanisms of its action in a caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced model of sepsis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sepsis via the CLP procedure and subsequently segregated into distinct cohorts: (1) CLP + CGA; (2) CLP + saline; (3) sham + CGA; and (4) sham + saline. The experimental paradigm entailed the intraperitoneal administration of 30 mg/kg CGA. In the novel object recognition assay, septic rats manifested discernible deficits in memory retention, as evidenced by their diminished ability to recognize novel objects during both acute and protracted assessments. Contrastingly, CGA administration efficaciously attenuated these cognitive shortcomings, signifying an enhancement in mnemonic function. Concurrently, in the open field assessment, CGA-treated rats mirrored the behavioural patterns exhibited by sham-operated counterparts, alluding to the preservation and potential augmentation of cognitive faculties. Collectively, these observations underscore the putative therapeutic efficacy of CGA in ameliorating cognitive dysfunctions and mnemonic deficits engendered by sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective • To compare and analyze the effects of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) and femoral head replacement in treating elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture. Methods • A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures from February 2019 to February 2021 in the hospital. Patients were divided into a control group (PFNA) and a study group (femoral head replacement) based on surgical methods after propensity score matching. Perioperative indicators, hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (Hb), hip function, and complications one year after surgery were compared between the two groups after excluding confounding factors. Result • Both groups had complete follow-ups without any cases lost. The study group had longer surgical time, higher intraoperative blood loss, and greater postoperative drainage volume compared to the control group, while the hospital stay and weight-bearing starting time were shorter in the study group (P<.05). There were statistically significant differences in HCT and Hb after surgery between the two groups (P < .05). One year after surgery, the excellent and good rate of hip function was 90.28% in the study group and 76.39% in the control group (P<.05). The total incidence rate of postoperative early complications was higher in the study group, while the total incidence rate of late postoperative complications was lower in the study group compared to the control group (P<.05). Conclusion • PFNA and femoral head replacement have their respective advantages in treating elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures. PFNA causes less trauma to patients but has poorer postoperative hip function recovery, while femoral head replacement causes greater trauma to patients but has better postoperative hip function recovery. Therefore, the appropriate surgical method can be selected based on the patient’s specific conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Minneart resonance is a low frequency resonance in which the wavelength is much larger than the size of the resonators. It is interesting to study the interaction between two adjacent bubbles when they are brought close together. Because the bubbles are usually compressible, in this paper we mainly investigate resonant modes of two general convex resonators with arbitrary shapes to extend the results of Ammari, Davies, and Yu in [Multiscale Model. Simul., 18 (2020), pp. 1299--1317], where a pair of spherical resonators are considered by using bispherical coordinates. We combine the layer potential method for the Helmholtz equation in [Ammari, Davies, and Yu, Multiscale Model. Simul., 18 (2020), pp. 1299--1317, Ammari et al., Proc. A, 473 (2017), 20170469] and the elliptic theory for gradient estimates in [Li, SIAM J. Math. Anal., 52 (2020), pp. 3350--3375, Li, Li, and Yang, Multiscale Model. Simul., 17 (2019), pp. 899--925], to calculate the capacitance coefficients for the coupled C2,α resonators, and then show the leading-order asymptotic behaviors of two different resonant modes and reveal the dependence of the resonant frequencies on their geometric properties, such as convexity, volumes, and curvatures. By the way, the blow-up rates of gradient of the scattered pressure are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monolithic integration of InAs related devices on (001) Si platforms offers potential to extend integrated Si photonics to the mid-infrared (MIR). Here, we systematically studied the hetero-epitaxial growth of in-plane InAs nano-ridges and coalesced thin films on CMOS-standard (001) Si wafers. We started with the growth and optimization of in-plane InAs nano-ridges inside nano-scale Si trenches and developed a three-step growth procedure with a reduced growth rate to obtain uniform InAs nano-ridges with excellent crystalline qualities. We then developed a coalescence process for the optimized InAs nano-ridges to evolve into high quality continuous thin films. In the parametric growth study, we found that a low coalescence rate results in the formation of large InAs islands, while a high coalescence rate promotes the creation of uniform InAs thin films. These InAs/Si templates could serve as virtual substrates for the growth of light emitters and detectors in MIR Si photonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most existing research uses experimental designs for testing, which cannot efficiently analyse the migration and sorting rules of particles in the disturbed slurry. Therefore, based on the fluidized bed flow film theory, a slurry flow film structure system is established according to the disturbance state of the fluid. On this basis, the particle size and distribution law of the disturbing force formed by slurry disturbance are analyzed, and the calculation model of single particle lift in the flowing film is also analyzed. On this basis, using Markov probability model, the probability of particle lifting and sorting between layers is theoretically deduced. Then, according to the particle ratio of the original mud, the settlement gradation of the particles in the disturbance is analyzed. It can also predict the separation degree of particle in natural turbulence, fluidized beds, and sludge mechanical dewatering. Finally, according to the particle flow software PFC (Particle Flow Code), the main influencing parameters (disturbing force and gradation) were verified and analyzed. The results show that the particle flow simulation results are in good agreement with the calculation results. The model of slurry membrane separation proposed in this paper can provide a basis for studying the mechanism of slurry disturbance separation and particle deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mainland Chinese born in the 1940s–1950s have experienced unique socio-cultural circumstances that have shaped their late-life immigration experiences. Little is known about what this population perceives would reduce their loneliness. This study aimed to investigate the role of co-design in the development of community-based resources/services for ameliorating the loneliness of Chinese late-life immigrants. Eight co-researchers completed three co-design workshops, and two key service providers were consulted. Co-researchers co-designed guidebooks on accessing primary healthcare facilities, social services, aged care facilities, and public transport, which were considered helpful for ameliorating loneliness. Co-housing was co-designed as a concept and regarded as a feasible way of living to strengthen social interactions and reduce loneliness. Providing more public social housing, adding 'next-bus stop' announcements, and conducting loneliness screening were recommended at the national level. Our findings affirmed the need to truly listen to the voices of both service end-users and service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bandgap characteristics of periodic structures show a great application prospect in seismic isolation and vibration mitigation. A T-shaped partially embedded periodic pile barrier is designed and studied based on the Bloch's theorem. The proposed structure is fabricated and tested in field experiment to validate the simulation and the isolation performance. Good agreements are observed between the measured and the corresponding simulated results which present effective isolation for surface waves. The influences of the embedded length in the soil and the arrangement of the pile are investigated. The results show that the embedded length is the key parameter affecting the vibration attenuation. The smaller the embedded length, the lower the frequency of attenuation zone, and thanks to the embedded length; the proposed barrier exhibits better performances than the fully embedded and non-embedded barriers in maximum bandgap width, tunability, and feasibility in engineering. Gradient distribution of the embedded length leads to a wider frequency range of attenuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mainland Chinese born in the 1940s-1950s have experienced unique socio-cultural circumstances that have shaped their latelife immigration experiences. Little is known about what this population perceives would reduce their loneliness. This study aimed to investigate the role of co-design in the development of community-based resources/services for ameliorating the loneliness of Chinese late-life immigrants. Eight co-researchers completed three co-design workshops, and two key service providers were consulted. Co-researchers co-designed guidebooks on accessing primary healthcare facilities, social services, aged care facilities, and public transport, which were considered helpful for ameliorating loneliness. Co-housing was co-designed as a concept and regarded as a feasible way of living to strengthen social interactions and reduce loneliness. Providing more public social housing, adding 'next-bus stop' announcements, and conducting loneliness screening were recommended at the national level. Our findings affirmed the need to truly listen to the voices of both service end-users and service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic facilitated the rapid development of digital detection surveillance (DDS) for outbreaks. This qualitative study examined how DDS for infectious diseases (ID) was perceived and experienced by primary care physicians and patients in order to highlight ethical considerations for promoting patients' autonomy and health care rights. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposefully selected group of 16 primary care physicians and 24 of their patients. The group was reflective of a range of ages, educational attainment, and clinical experiences from urban areas in northern and southern China. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and translated. Two researchers coded data and organized it into themes. A third researcher reviewed 15% of the data and discussed findings with the other researchers to assure accuracy. RESULTS Five themes were identified: ambiguity around the need for informed consent with usage of DDS; importance of autonomous decision making; potential for discrimination against vulnerable users of DDS for ID; risk of social inequity and disparate care outcomes; and authoritarian institutions' responsibility for maintaining health data security. The adoption of DDS meant some patients would be reluctant to go to the hospital for fear of either being discriminated against or forced into quarantine. Certain groups (older people and children) were thought to be vulnerable to DDS misappropriation. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate the paramount importance of establishing national and international ethical frameworks for DDS implementation. Frameworks should guide all aspects of ID surveillance, addressing privacy protection and health security, and underscored by principles of social equity and accountability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-oxide arresters (MOA) are widely used to protect equipment against transient electromagnetic disturbances (TED) like very fast transient overvoltage (VFTO), high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP), lightning pulse, et al. Researches on the performance of MOA under microsecond level rise-time TED are abundant, such as lightning pulse. However, when MOA is subjected to TED of rise-time at nanosecond level, the voltage/current responses of MOA are not fully studied due to the lack of a standardized and reliable test setup. In this paper, a test setup is proposed for acquiring the response behavior of MOA under nanosecond level pulse. The setup is comprised of a pulse generator, a two-branch transmission line system and a high voltage power divider. The generator can provide stable double exponential pulse with tunable rise-time ranging from 5 ns to 100 ns. The divider ensures an even distribution of voltage/current surge wave along the two-branch line. Through the numerical analysis, both impinging and residual surge waveforms could be retrieved from measurements. The proposed method has been applied to investigate response behavior of MOA subjected to nanosecond level rise-time pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc/air batteries have received extensive attention due to their low cost, high safety, and high energy density. However, as the zinc/air battery is operated in the practical environment, water exchange between the battery and the environment occurs and affects the specific capacity and service life of the battery. In this paper, high relative‐humidity water‐vapor‐resistant membrane is prepared based on water‐absorbent polyacrylic acid. Using this membrane, water exchange is effectively reduced due to the decreased humidity gradient through gas diffusion electrode. When the thickness of the PAA wet film is 150 μm, the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) reduced to 51 % of the blank. The excellent discharge performance of zinc/air battery is also achieved with the discharge voltage plateau of 1.10 V and the specific capacity of 612.5 mAh g−1 under the current density of 20 mA cm−2, which is 33.8 % higher than that without PAA membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drastic price fluctuation of livestock products caused by frequent swine epidemics has seriously affected the stable and healthy development of the livestock product market. It is important to develop strategies for the stability and development of livestock product market by understanding the impact of swine epidemic on the price of livestock products. Therefore, we systematically analyzed the impact of the swine epidemic on the price of livestock products in China based on monthly data from February 2009 to July 2020 using the factor augmented vector auto regression (FAVAR) model. The results showed that: (i) During the swine epidemic, the price of pork first showed a negative response and then a positive response, while the price of other livestock products showed positive response overall. (ii) The price of pork was the most affected by the swine epidemic, followed by price of chicken. Price fluctuation of beef and mutton was similar, and the price response of eggs and fresh milk was relatively smaller. Based on these results, we put forward policy suggestions for stabilizing the price of livestock products in China during swine epidemic from the aspects of improving the defense system and guiding consumption scientifically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces the measurement and analysis of the transient electric field (E-field) derived from the switching operation of the modular multilevel converter (MMC) and the high voltage direct current (HVdc) circuit breaker (CB) in a 200 kV converter station constructed in the Zhoushan Islands, China. It is revealed that the switching transient E-field in the converter station is a quasi-static field. Although the switching E-field pulse is a kind of electromagnetic interference to the secondary electronic circuit of the converter station, it can be used to accurately monitor the action moment of the MMC and the CB. The action moment of the MMC and the CB can be measured with an error of less than 0.005 ms based on the steep pulse front of the switching E-field pulse. This result, which is far more accurate compared to the measurement using the voltage recording system that comes with the converter station. This is of significance to the relay protection of the HVdc transmission system whose fault rapidly develops. Additionally, this method has the advantage of being noninvasive, flexible, and low cost. It has potential application value in the condition monitoring of the MMC and the HVdc CB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many fields, e.g., ground-penetrating radar and ultra-wideband radiation, a high-pulse-repetition-frequency (PRF) and high-time-base-stability sub-nanosecond pulser is required, and its output waveform should be close to a gaussian pulse. In this article, the transistorized pulser is studied and optimized to improve its output parameters. The printed circuit board circuit parameters of the pulser are first optimized, which is beneficial for the amplitude and the rise time. To improve the time base stability, the collector voltage ramp triggering mode is adopted to replace the conventional base triggering mode for the pulser. For higher PRF, the pulser with the capacitance–transistor parallel structure is immersed in the fluorinert liquid. Moreover, the deficit-charge method is adopted, and small charging capacitances are used in the last few stages to weaken the oscillation in the pulse falling edge. From experimental results, the amplitude of the optimized pulser is 1.35 kV, its rise time is reduced from about 200 to 135 ps, the maximum PRF is improved from 250 to 500 kHz, the pulse jitter is reduced to 22 ps, and the pulse drift is reduced from hundreds of ps/min to 47 ps/min. Meanwhile, the oscillation in its falling edge is greatly suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-consistency between Compton electrons and electromagnetic (EM) fields is an important physical mechanism in the generation and propagation of early-time high-altitude EM pulse (HEMP). This article develops an iterative self-consistent HEMP simulation scheme based on high-frequency approximation (HFA) algorithms. The self-consistent effect between electrons and fields is decoupled and neglected in the first iteration and then is taken into account by considering the results of the field as the independent fields, which affect electrons in the next iteration. The computation can be improved up to tens of times faster than the existing non-iterative method. This article provides a detailed study about self-consistent HEMP with regard to the influence of prompt gamma yield and various prompt gamma ray spectra. The saturation phenomenon caused by secondary electrons is considered as well. The self-consistent effect is significant in the source region. At ground level, it shortens the duration and reduces the amplitude of HEMP. Numerical results showed that the differences caused by self-consistency are significant in the simulation with different prompt gamma yields and prompt gamma ray of monoenergetic and spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exponential spacing and sinusoidal folded helical (ESSFH) antenna backed with a cavity is developed in this paper. Compared with the conventional helical (CH) antenna, the proposed antenna not only has smaller dimension but also exhibits a wider working bandwidth, a higher gain, and a better circular polarization (CP) characteristic. To reduce the dimension of the helical antenna, a sinusoidal structure is adopted along the circumference of the helix. However, it deteriorates the CP characteristic of the antenna. Therefore, the structure of the exponential helix spacing is introduced into the sinusoidal folded helical (SFH) antenna. Then, to further improve the gain of the ESSFH antenna, its ground plane is replaced by an optimized cavity. Compared with the CH antenna, the helix diameter of the ESSFH antenna Dλ is reduced from 0.32 to 0.23, and its volume is reduced to 53%. The ESSFH antenna backed with a cavity has an impedance bandwidth of 0.43–1.02 GHz, which is much wider than 0.48–0.60 GHz of the CH antenna. Moreover, it has an axial ratio of 1.77, while the axial ratio of the CH antenna is 2.61. In addition, its effective potential gain is 0.56, which is 22% higher than that of the CH antenna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Gegen Yinlian decoction (GYD), made from lobed kudzuvine root, baicalensis, huanglian and liquorice, and metformin on liver metabolism dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. Methods: Wistar rats were treated with high-fat diet and a single intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) injection to establish T2DM model. Thereafter, the T2DM-rats were treated with GYD and metformin (GYD/metformin). Serum triglyceride (TG), TC, LDL, and HDL levels, as well as glucose and insulin tolerance of the rats were evaluated. Furthermore, the effects of GYD/metformin treatment on the expressions of the related genes were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunoblot assay. Results: After GYD-metformin treatment, the metabolic indicators in T2DM rats significantly improved (p < 0.05). However, there was decrease in t liver miR-1955p expressions. Silencing miR-195-5p improved glucose consumption and triglyceride levels of palmitate (PA)-induced pathological state in ALM12 cells (p < 0.05). Furthermore, miR-195-5p targeted insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1). Suppression of IRS1 partly annulled the impact of miR-195-5p silencing on ALM12 cell model. Moreover, IRS1 downregulation significantly mitigated the impact of the silencing on PI3K/AKT pathway activity (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Combination of GYD with metformin ameliorated dysfunctional liver metabolism via control of miR-195-5p/IRS1/PI3K/AKT axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this communication, a time-frequency joint method is proposed to evaluate the performance of ultrawideband (UWB) antennas for the radiation of high-power (HP) electromagnetic pulses. First, conventional antenna parameters, such as the efficiency, gain, and so on, are translated to UWB pulsed antennas from the energy perspective, so as to get several scalar antenna parameters, since energy in one pulse is finite. Thus, the power-spectrum weighted efficiency ($\eta _{e}$), directivity ($D_{e}$), and gain ($G_{e}$) are proposed. Then, several electromagnetic norms of the radiating pulse are selected to characterize the sensitive parameters of the equipment under test (EUT). Based on these, several other scalar antenna parameters are proposed, which are the effective potential gain ($G_{ep}$), pulse sharpening factor (PSF), and peaking impulse gain ($G_{PI}$). Thus, a set of time-domain scalar criteria are proposed to evaluate the performance of HP-UWB antennas. These criteria can be calculated with the frequency functions of conventional antenna parameters, which demonstrate the inherent properties of one antenna. Finally, the performance of two kinds of typical HP-UWB antennas, namely the impulse radiating antenna and the combined antenna, is measured and compared with the proposed method. It indicates that, with the proposed method, one can not only get the inherent properties of one antenna in the frequency domain but also quantitatively compare the performance of different antennas with a given exciting pulse in the time domain with the proposed scalar antenna parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling the geomagnetic induction in pipeline networks is essential for the risk assessment and management of geomagnetic disturbances. The induced geoelectric field (GEF) is usually spatially nonuniform, depending on the distribution of the geomagnetic variation and the earth conductivity. However, few studies have been conducted on the induction in complex pipeline networks with nonuniform GEF. In this article, a calculation model for induction in pipeline networks with nonuniform GEF is proposed by utilizing the modified equivalent-pi circuits. Then, the proposed model is used to investigate the distribution of pipe-to-soil potentials and geomagnetically induced currents in the pipeline network under several typical nonuniform GEF scenarios due to geomagnetic source fields, including local enhancement and spatially gradual variation. Furthermore, taking the coast effect as a typical case, the influence of the lateral variation of earth conductivity on the induction is analyzed. The results show that the nonuniform GEF may greatly affect the induction results in the local parts of the pipeline network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing knowledge-grounded dialogue (KGD) systems access the knowledge from an external knowledge base, then generate the context-coherent response accordingly. However, the knowledge access capability is constrained to the scale of a knowledge base. On the one hand, a small-scale knowledge base makes a model hard to generalize on unseen topics, while the improper shift of topics may induce an unsmooth conversation flow. On the other hand, a large-scale knowledge base requires a strong retrieval component to accurately index the context-relevant knowledge from many plausible candidates, costing significant amounts of time and resources. To address this, we regard the language model as a virtual knowledge base and propose homogenizing internalized knowledge of different language models into hybrid prompts. The hybrid prompts are a set of continuous vectors learned to represent knowledge inherently encoded in different language models. Furthermore, we devise a two-stage knowledge-grounding manner, in which both the knowledge internalized in language models and the knowledge provided by evidence can be jointly optimized to generate a knowledgeable response. We compare our proposed method with two groups of methods, including methods with explicit knowledge retrieval and those with implicit knowledge access. Experimental results on three knowledge-grounded dialogue corpora demonstrate advantages over these competitive methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We proposed an innovative clamp reinforcing technique for the main leg and diagonal members of operational transmission towers. • We conducted an experiment on transmission tower reinforced with clamps. • We analyzed the synergy between the original and retrofitting members in the reinforced transmission tower. • We analyzed the failure modes of a transmission towers under wind loads based on an experiment, and compared the numerical simulation and experimental results. • Further, We developed formulas for computing the ultimate loads of reinforced compound members under eccentric compression. Transmission towers frequently collapse under extreme weather conditions such as strong winds. To ensure the stability of existing transmission towers, we propose an innovative clamp reinforcing technique for the main leg and diagonal members of operational transmission towers. This technique employs star-shaped plates with stiffeners, angle steel clamps, connecting plates, and bolts to connect the reinforcing members to the original members of the transmission tower without drilling or welding. It was demonstrated by performing sub-assemblage tests that the ultimate bearing capacity of the reinforced structure can be enhanced by 21.96% compared with the original structure while maintaining a strong synergy between the reinforcing and original members. Finally, a formula for computing the ultimate loads of reinforced compound members under eccentric compression is proposed along with a method for calculating the section coefficient, and 40 sets of eccentric compressed members were employed as samples for verification. The findings of the study can serve as a theoretical analysis basis for the retrofitting design of transmission towers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial function depends on the RNA processing of mitochondrial gene transcripts by nucleus-encoded proteins. This posttranscriptional processing involves the large group of nuclear-encoded pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins. Mitochondrial processes represent a crucial part in animal immunity, but whether mitochondria play similar roles in plants remains unclear. Here, we report the identification of RESISTANCE TO PHYTOPHTHORA PARASITICA 7 (AtRTP7), a P-type PPR protein, in Arabidopsis thaliana and its conserved function in immunity to diverse pathogens across distantly related plant species. RTP7 affects the levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) by participating in RNA splicing of nad7, which encodes a critical subunit of the mitochondrial respiratory chain Complex I, the largest of the four major components of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system. The enhanced resistance of rtp7 plants to Phytophthora parasitica is dependent on an elevated mROS burst, but might be independent from the ROS burst associated with plasma membrane-localized NADPH oxidases. Our study reveals the immune function of RTP7 and the defective processing of Complex I subunits in rtp7 plants resulted in enhanced resistance to both biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens without affecting overall plant development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to diverse applications of Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (LiNixCoyMnz, NCM) composites in advanced electronics and material/alloy, the analysis of impurity composition is an important areas for evaluating its quality. In this paper, the sulfur determination in NCM composites by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was proposed. The coexisting impurities effect of Si, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, Ni, Cr and main matrix was investigated. Using the optimized conditions, a good linear relationship of sulfur was exhibited in the range of 0-10 mg/L (0. 9999), the standard addition recovery was 98.11-102.07 % and the RSD was 3.69 %, the levels of coexisting impurities lower than 5.0 % has no obvious interference on the determination of sulfur. This method could be served as a reliable determination of trace sulfur content in NCM composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We numerically study the impact of a liquid drop onto no-slip rigid substrates with different wettabilities using a diffuse interface method, aiming to obtain a universal model for the maximal spreading of the impacting drop at moderate Weber numbers. We find that the wettability plays an important role in the maximal spreading and that the ratio of the surface energy to the initial kinetic energy of the drop at the maximal spreading, η, follows η ∼ W e − 1 / 2 at high fixed Reynolds numbers, where We is the Weber number. Taking account of the wettability effect, we obtain a scaling law at high Reynolds numbers from an analysis of energy transformation. This scaling law is compatible with the one derived from the momentum balance at the high impact velocity by Clanet et al. ["Maximal deformation of an impacting drop," J. Fluid Mech. 517, 199–208 (2004)]. Moreover, we attribute it to the presence of a viscous–capillary regime, in which the viscous dissipation of the kinetic energy from the substrate is as significant as the kinetic energy transformed into the surface energy. Accordingly, we identify a new impact parameter, which makes all the numerical results of maximum drop deformation (from the viscous regime to the viscous–capillary regime with Reynolds number up to 104) collapse onto a single curve. Finally, we propose a universal model, the predictions of which are shown to agree well with numerical results for a wide range of Weber and Reynolds numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various vanadates have been investigated to accelerate the development of advanced technologies, especially in the area of electronics. Amorphous FeVO4 was synthesized by the liquid phase precipitation method. This precursor was firstly discharged and then charged as cathode material of lithium second battery, in which the valence of two kinds of metals can be changed. Thermal analysis (TG-DTA), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been used for their characterization. The result revealed the existence of two pairs of redox couples, Fe3+/Fe2+ and V5+/V4+. The electrochemical investigation has shown that at higher potentials amorphous FeVO4 can react with 1, 1.5 and 2 mol Li, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contribute to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the mechanistic link between toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and ER stress in IBD remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which ER stress and TLR4 promote inflammation in IBD. IBD mouse model was established by the induction of TNBS, and Grp78 and TLR4 in intestine tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. THP-1 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), ER stress inducer or inhibitor tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), or p38 MAPK inhibitor. The activation of MAPK signaling was detected by Western blot, and the production and secretion of inflammatory factors were detected by PCR and ELISA. We found that the expression levels of TLR4 and GRP78 were significantly higher in the intestine of IBD model mice compared with control mice but were significantly lower in the intestine of IBD model mice treated with ER stress inhibitor TUDCA. ER stress inducer significantly increased while ER stress inhibitor TUDCA significantly decreased the expression and secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 in THP-1 cells treated by LPS. Only p38 MAPK signaling was activated in THP-1 cells treated by ER stress inducer. Furthermore, p38 inhibitor SB203580 inhibited the production and secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8 in THP-1 cells treated with LPS. In conclusion, TLR4 promotes ER stress induced inflammation in IBD, and the effects may be mediated by p38 MAPK signaling. TLR4 and p38 MAPK signaling are novel therapeutic targets for IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a high-power ultra-wideband radiation system, composed of multiply radiation modules, is developed based on the space-synthesis method. The radiation module mainly consists of a transistorized pulser, a 2 × 2 combined antenna array, and a power divider. To improve the out parameters [the amplitude, the pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and the rise time] of the transistorized pulser based on the Marx circuit, the influence of the traveling wave process on the output pulse must be concerned. Based on the theoretical analysis, the printed circuit board circuit parameters and the circuit structure of the pulser are optimized. To improve the power synthesis efficiency, the pulse jitter characteristic of the pulser is improved by replacing the conventional base triggering mode with the collector voltage ramp triggering mode for the first-stage avalanche transistor in the pulser. The previous optimized antenna array is utilized in this radiation system, which has a better radiation performance in the prescribed aperture area. In addition, based on the gradient microstrip structure, the power divider integrated with the pulser is designed, which has the advantages of wide bandwidth, low loss, and light weight. Experimental results show that the peak effective potential rEp of the radiation system of 20 radiation modules is 221.8 kV, the maximum PRF could reach 10 kHz, and the half-power radiation angles of its radiation field are about 5° in both the E plane and the H plane. More radiation modules could be integrated into the system to achieve a higher electric field in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, an analytical electromagnetic field coupling to transmission line model is proposed to efficiently evaluate the induced voltage/current responses of loads connected at the terminals. Specifically, an equivalent circuit is developed by combining the Lorentz reciprocity theorem with the classic passive transmission line model, and it is found that active contribution by impinging field could be cast in analytic form, as a function of the far-field radiation pattern and input impedance of the transmission line system in the transmitting mode. Compared with Agrawal’s model, the proposed method reports concise and physical formulations without degrading the accuracy. Moreover, it is demonstrated that defining impinging field in spherical coordinates aligning parallelly with line is advantageous in revealing the wave propagation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calculation of geomagnetically induced current (GIC) flowing through power system during the geomagnetic storm has attracted more attention recently. However, for high voltage power systems with transmission lines over hundreds or even thousands of kilometers, the earth model and geomagnetical field generally vary significantly. So, it is essential to take them into consideration using limited earth survey sites and geomagnetic observatories. To address this problem, a Kriging method is introduced in this paper to make earth model and geomagnetical field interpolations. It has the characteristic of spatial autocorrelation by considering not only the distances between predicted points and training points but also the distances between training points themselves. Finally, a case study of the Central China 1000 kV ultra-high voltage (UHV) grid is carried out to illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since many electromagnetic compatibility tests are resourcelimited, it is important to quantify the uncertainties of instruments beforehand. One of the common instruments is the trigger pulse generator with self-breakdown switches. Due to the abrupt changing caused by self-breakdown switches, stochastic methods based on the generalized polynomial chaos suffer from Gibbs-type phenomena and become erroneous around abrupt transition point. This article proposes an effective technique based on the Haar wavelets for quantifying the time delay of self-breakdown switches in stochastic simulations. Wiener–Haar wavelet expansion method is suitable for dealing with abrupt-changing problems and is applied to the nodal-analysis-based circuit model. The stochastic circuit model is expanded to an augmented model with deterministic coefficients by exploiting wavelets’ orthogonality. Furthermore, the distribution of time delay is represented as the mean value of a Heaviside function, which is implemented by an auxiliary circuit in the model. The statistical mean can be directly obtained from the 0th coefficient of Wiener–Haar expansion. A case study of a trigger generator for electromagnetic pulse generators is provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. It is shown that, compared with Monte Carlo methods, Wiener–Haar representation provides robust results with less computational time and a faster convergence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulsed current injection (PCI), as an important conducted susceptibility testing method, has been introduced in several standards. However, the selection of couplers for PCI tests has not been clearly specified, which leads to the fact that the injected electrical quantities by different couplers might be rather different and it is inadequate to inject the proper disturbance at the testing ports. So, it is of significance to evaluate their performance quantitatively and determine the usage scenarios for couplers. This article focuses on the quantitative performance evaluation of inductive and capacitive couplers including inductive ferrite-core clamps and capacitive coupling clamps. A distributed-parameter multiconductor transmission line (MTL) model has been proposed for couplers clamped on N wires. The validation test confirms the accuracy of the model in the bandwidth of PCI tests. The performances of an inductive coupler and a capacitive coupler are analyzed and compared based on MTL models. The selection criterion of the couplers is concluded as that a proper coupler should lead to higher time-waveform norms, which indicate possible nonlinear effects of the tested objects, such as the overcurrent, the turn-to-turn breakdown, and the component burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Three-dimensional hollow structure Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67@Co-Ni LDH was synthesized. • Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67@Co-Ni LDH exhibited high adsorption capacity in aquatic environments. • The adsorption process for two NSAIDs was exothermic, spontaneous, and stable. • Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67@Co-Ni LDH is a promising candidate adsorbent for removing NSAIDs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have gained significant attention as emerging pollutants and are increasingly detected in aquatic environments. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the efficient removal of NSAIDs from water systems. In this study, a magnetic LDH with three-dimensional hollow structure (Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67@Co-Ni LDH) was synthesized using ZIF-67 as a template for the removal of carprofen (CPF) and flurbiprofen (FLU) from water environments. The adsorption process of CPF and FLU on Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67@Co-Ni LDH and the competitive adsorption between these two NSAIDs were investigated. The adsorption mechanism was explored by experimental analysis and theoretical calculation. Results demonstrated that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Liu isotherm model can better fit the kinetic and isotherm data, and according to the thermodynamic data analysis, the adsorption process was exothermic, spontaneous and stable. The adsorption capacity of CPF and FLU on Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67@Co-Ni LDH can reach 856.2 mg/g and 797.5 mg/g. Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67@Co-Ni LDH exhibited high adsorption capacity for CPF and FLU in actual environment water, with stronger affinity towards CPF when both NSAIDs coexisted simultaneously. The three-dimensional hollow structure enhanced the adsorption capacity of Fe 3 O 4 @ZIF-67@Co-Ni LDH, making it a promising adsorbent for NSAIDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the topologies proposed for zeolites, six metastable semiconductor carbon allotropes with band gaps of 2.72-3.89 eV are predicted using ab initio density functional calculations. The hardnesses of these allotropes are about 90%-94% that of diamond, indicating that they may be superhard materials. We also present simulated X-ray diffraction spectra of these new carbon allotropes to provide a basis for possible experimental observations and synthesis. These new carbon structures with a range of band gaps and with hardnesses comparable to diamond could be potential targets for the synthesis of hard and transparent materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• BNNS-NH 2 with a high aspect ratio was fabricated via semi-solid-state milling method. • BNNS/GO composite membranes were prepared via layer-by-layer assembling strategy. • The membrane exhibits a rapid fire response of 0.2 s and an extended duration of 52 s. This study aims to develop a highly sensitive fire-warning material by synergistically combining graphene oxide (GO) with boron nitride (hBN), renowned for its exceptional thermal conductivity and flame retardancy. Urea and water were employed as precursors to exfoliate and functionalize hBN via a semi-solid-state stone-milling method, yielding amino-functionalized boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS-NH 2) possessing a high aspect ratio. Subsequently, BNNS-NH 2 was assembled with GO through a layer-by-layer assembly approach to fabricate a BNNS/GO composite membrane. Fire-warning tests were conducted on the composite membrane, unveiling an impressively short fire response time of only 0.2 s and an extended duration of up to 52 s, thus demonstrating its exceptional sensitivity and long-lasting fire-warning performance. Upon exposure to fire, the GO layer within the composite membrane underwent thermal reduction, leading to the formation of electrically conductive reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The high thermal conductivity of the BNNS layer, coupled with strong interfacial bonding, facilitated rapid heat propagation throughout the composite membrane, thereby promoting the thermal reduction reaction of GO and enhancing the response speed. Furthermore, the outstanding flame retardancy of BNNS contributed to the material's persistent fire-warning performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To realize fully integrated silicon photonics (Si photonics), reliable III–V light sources that can be efficiently coupled with Si/SiN waveguides are essential. Here, based on a monolithic InP/silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform, we developed a selective regrowth scheme and constructed a regrowth platform for on-chip lasers that can be efficiently coupled with Si/SiN waveguides. InP and InGaAs/InP multi-quantum wells (MQWs) were regrown on the regrowth template on SOI as well as patterned commercial InP wafers in the same growth run for comparison. A flat (001) top surface after regrowth with a low roughness of 0.38 nm was obtained on SOI. Benefitting from the high quality of MQWs regrowth, strong photoluminescence emission at telecom band can be obtained on both growth templates. Also, multi-wavelength emission on the same chip can be potentially achieved by designing various regrowth openings. Furthermore, the large material volume with vertical stacking structure and intimate placement of MQWs and the Si layer of SOI allow for the potential demonstration of electrically pumped lasers and efficient light coupling between them and Si/SiN waveguides. Therefore, the demonstrated regrowth method provides a promising solution for the monolithic integration of III–V on-chip lasers on Si. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]