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[Display omitted] Hydrophilic cationic drugs such as mitoxantrone hydrochloride (MTO) pose a significant delivery challenge to the development of nanodrug systems. Herein, we report the use of a hydrophobic ion-pairing strategy to enhance the nano-assembly of MTO. We employed biocompatible sodium cholesteryl sulfate (SCS) as a modification module to form stable ion pairs with MTO, which balanced the intermolecular forces and facilitated nano-assembly. PEGylated MTO-SCS nanoassemblies (pMS NAs) were prepared via nanoprecipitation. We systematically evaluated the effect of the ratio of the drug module (MTO) to the modification module (SCS) on the nanoassemblies. The increased lipophilicity of MTO-SCS ion pair could significantly improve the encapsulation efficiency (∼97 %) and cellular uptake efficiency of MTO. The pMS NAs showed prolonged blood circulation, maintained the same level of tumor antiproliferative activity, and exhibited reduced toxicity compared with the free MTO solution. It is noteworthy that the stability, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and in vivo pharmacokinetic behavior of the pMS NAs increased in proportion to the molar ratio of SCS to MTO. This study presents a self-assembly strategy mediated by ion pairing to overcome the challenges commonly associated with the poor assembly ability of hydrophilic cationic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density functional theory (DFT) characterizations were employed to resolve the structural and energetic aspects and product selectivities along the mechanistic reaction paths of the nickel-catalyzed three-component unsymmetrical bis-allylation of alkynes with alkenes. Our putative mechanism initiated with the in situ generation of the active catalytic species [Ni(0)L2] (L = NHC) from its precursors [Ni(COD)2, NHC·HCl] to activate the alkyne and alkene substrates to form the final skipped trienes. This proceeds via the following five sequential steps: oxidative addition (OA), β-F elimination, ring-opening complexation, C-B cleavage and reductive elimination (RE). Both the OA and RE steps (with respective free energy barriers of 24.2 and 24.8 kcal·mol−1) contribute to the observed reaction rates, with the former being the selectivity-controlling step of the entire chemical transformation. Electrophilic/nucleophilic properties of selected substrates were accurately predicted through dual descriptors (based on Hirshfeld charges), with the chemo- and regio-selectivities being reasonably predicted and explained. Further distortion/interaction and interaction region indicator (IRI) analyses for key stationary points along reaction profiles indicate that the participation of the third component olefin (allylboronate) and tBuOK additive played a crucial role in facilitating the reaction and regenerating the active catalyst, ensuring smooth formation of the skipped triene product under a favorably low dosage of the Ni(COD)2 catalyst (5 mol%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Atherosclerosis (AS) is the common pathophysiological basis of various cardiovascular diseases and the leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease worldwide. When the body is in a hypoxic environment, enhanced oxidative stress and significant accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tissue cells exacerbate the inflammatory response, resulting in increased release of myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalyzing the formation of large quantities of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), further oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and exacerbating the formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaques. The MAPK signaling pathway is important in oxidative stress-mediated promotion of atherogenesis. MPO -/- mice were used in this study to establish a hypoxia model simulating 5000 m altitude and a Western high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis model for 12 weeks. Exploring the role of MPO in the atherosclerotic process in hypoxic mice by observing the MAPK signaling pathway to provide a therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of hypoxic atherosclerotic disease in the plateau. We found that hypoxia promotes the formation of atherosclerosis in mice, and the mechanism may be that increased MPO in vivo promotes an inflammatory response, which plays a crucial role in the formation of atherosclerosis. In addition, hypoxia further exacerbates plaque instability by activating the MAPK signaling pathway to upregulate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), which in turn promotes angiogenesis within the plaque. Therefore, a potential target for preventing and treating hypoxic atherosclerotic disease is the inhibition of MPO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various flood resilience enhancement measures have been proposed to deal with the growing problem of urban flooding. However, there is a lack of evaluation about the applicability of these measures at a community scale. This paper investigates the effects of two types of flood resilience enhancement measures: engineering measures and adaptive measures, in order to explore their effectiveness in different flood-prone communities. A community-scale oriented flood resilience assessment method is used to assess the impact of different types of measures. A case study is applied in three communities that suffer from waterlogging problems in Jingdezhen city, China. Results show that there are spatial differences of flood resilience in three flood-prone communities. Future scenarios present a poorer performance in flood resilience compared to current scenarios due to the effects of urbanization and human activities. Engineering measures are suitable for the old communities with high-density residential areas when sitting alongside the river, for example the communities of Fuliang and Zhushan. On the other hand, adaptive measures exhibit more efficiency in improving flood resilience in all communities, especially effective for the new city town Changjiang where engineering measures are nearly saturated. The findings can help local governments develop appropriate flood resilience enhancement strategies for different types of communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we develop an adiabatic theory for the evolution of large closed surfaces under the area-constrained Willmore (ACW) flow in a three-dimensional asymptotically Schwarzschild manifold. We explicitly construct a map, defined on a certain four-dimensional manifold of barycenters, which characterizes key static and dynamical properties of the ACW flow. In particular, using this map, we find an explicit four-dimensional effective dynamics of barycenters, which serves as a uniform asymptotic approximation for the (infinite-dimensional) ACW flow, so long as the initial surface satisfies certain mild geometric constraints (which determine the validity interval). Conversely, given any prescribed flow of barycenters evolving according to this effective dynamics, we construct a family of surfaces evolving by the ACW flow, whose barycenters are uniformly close to the prescribed ones on a large time interval (whose size depends on the geometric constraints of initial configurations). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study of evolution equations, the method of adiabatic approximation is an essential tool to reduce an infinite-dimensional dynamical system to a simpler, possibly finite-dimensional one. In this paper, we formulate a generic scheme of adiabatic approximation that is valid for an abstract nonlinear evolution under mild regularity assumptions. The key prerequisite for the scheme is the existence of what we call approximate solitons. These are some low energy but not necessarily stationary configurations. The approximate solitons are characterized by a number of parameters (possibly infinitely many) and have a manifold structure. The adiabatic scheme reduces the given abstract evolution equation to an effective equation on the manifold of approximate solitons. We give sufficient conditions for the approximate solitons so that the reduction scheme is valid up to a large time. The validity is determined by the energy property of the original evolution as well as the adiabaticity of the approximate solitons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Joint Deformation Phases: Static friction, sliding, bolt yielding, and tenon-mortise contact. • Joint Deformation Phases: Static friction, sliding, bolt yielding, and tenon-mortise contact. • Cumulative hits reveal initial loading, crack formation, and ultimate failure phases. • Increased force enhances shear resistance; bolt preload boosts positive shear capacity. • Stiffness improvement decreases with higher h/t; stress compression shifts, affecting tenon failure. The dislocation of inter-ring joints in tunnel segments poses a significant risk to tunnel structural safety. Therefore, gaining insights into the shear deformation and failure behavior of these inter-ring joints is paramount. In this study, we developed a robust three-dimensional numerical simulation model grounded in the concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) constitutive model. Complementing this, full-scale experiments were conducted on circumferential joints, subjecting them to both positive and negative shear loads. To enhance our understanding, we employed distributed optical fiber sensing (DOFS) and acoustic emission (AE) detection technologies. Our investigation delved into the deformation process, mechanical behavior of bolts, and failure characteristics of inter-ring joints featuring double bolt-tenon and mortise structures. Various parameters were explored, including longitudinal force, bolt preload, and the height-to-thickness ratio of the tenon and mortise (h/t). Notably, our results unveiled distinct stages in the shear deformation process of the joints. In the final failure stage, the tenon exhibited crushing failure, while the mortise underwent shear failure. As the h/t ratio increased, the mortise's failure mode transitioned from overall failure at the root to localized failure at the contact area. Analyzing the mechanical behavior of bolts, we observed more favorable outcomes in positive shear than in negative shear. Bolt preload emerged as a modest factor for enhancing the load-carrying capacity of the joint in positive shear, with minimal impact in negative shear. Furthermore, an increase in longitudinal force was found to positively enhance the joint's load-carrying capacity in both shear conditions. Our findings contribute valuable insights for optimizing the design and safety considerations of tunnel structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the concentration property of solutions to the dispersive Ginzburg-Landau (or Gross-Pitaevskii) equation in three dimensions. On a spatial domain, it has long been conjectured that such a solution concentrates near some curve evolving according to the binormal curvature flow, and conversely, that a curve moving this way can be realized in a suitable sense by some solution to the dispersive Ginzburg-Landau equation. Some partial results are known with rather strong symmetry assumptions. Our main theorems here provide affirmative answer to both conjectures under certain small curvature assumption. The results are valid for small but fixed material parameter in the equation, in contrast to the general practice to take this parameter to its zero limit. The advantage is that we can retain precise description of the vortex filament structure. The results hold on a long but finite time interval, depending on the curvature assumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipase immobilization with hydrophobic interaction is of interesting exploration, and some functionalized groups on supports are special for activity increasing. To achieved a good performance of cost-effective immobilization on macro-supports for feasible usage and recycle, eco-friendly PLA-based 3D printing macro-scaffolds with fabrication was designed, and phenyl groups with different length of linkers and combined two kinds of groups were anchored for lipase YCJ01 binding with improving payload, the highest enzyme expression of 2227.5 U/g, activity recovery of 137.3%, and increasing specific activity of 815.9 U/mg were attained by using PLA@AMTS-C7-Ph/PLA@AMTS-C9-Ph scaffolds as carries. The immobilized lipase YCJ01 on bifunctionalized 3D printing scaffolds was further applied to the efficient resolution of racemic 1-indanol (267 mM) with high stereoselectivity using a binary solvent system. The immobilized lipase YCJ01 could control the over transesterification of (S)-1-indanol and exhibit good operational stability of repetitive usage for 9 cycles. This is beneficial to obtain the high enantiomerical pure product by feasible separation of immobilized biocatalyst without rigorous operation. • The eco-friendly PLA-based 3D-printed macro-scaffolds provides a cost-effective and quick fabrication process for lipase immobilization with feasible operation. • Phenyl groups with suitable length of alkyl linkers and combination of such functionalized groups greatly improved the performance of lipase immobilization. • Efficient resolution of racemic 1-indanol with under higher concentration of 267 mM was achieved using binary solvent system. • The immobilized lipase showed good catalytic properties of high stereoselectivity, controlling the over transesterification of (S)-1-indanol and operational stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the 2000s observed enormous changes in China, little is known about the variation in the prevalence of mental disorders. The study compared the prevalence in a Chinese population between 2004 and 2015.Methods: Multistage stratified random sampling methods were used to identify primary sampling sites for cross-sectional surveys in 2004 and 2015 in Shandong, China. In 2004 and 2015, 22,718 and 28,194 adults, respectively, completed an expanded version of the General Health Questionnaire, then 5,402 and 9,420 adults, respectively, were administered a Chinese version of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV axis I disorders.Results: The adjusted 1-month prevalence of any mental disorders was 18•7% (95% CI: 16•7-20•8) and 17•1% (95% CI:15•9-18•4) in 2004 and 2015, respectively. However, the prevalence of major depressive disorders increased from 1•5% (95% CI: 1•2 -1•8) in 2004 to 2•3% (95% CI: 1•9-2•8) in 2015; meanwhile the prevalence of alcohol abuse disorders were becoming more common among men and urban residents. Although mood and anxiety disorders were more prevalent in women, a much more prevalent alcohol abuse disorders for men contributed to a higher overall prevalence among men than among women. Compared to that in urban residents, the overall prevalence in rural residents declined more, and it was lower in 2015 than in 2004.Limitations: The results may not apply to the population from other regions.Conclusions: Despite of the stable overall prevalence, mental disorders beyond psychotic disorders should be focused on, especially alcohol abuse and major depressive disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: Little is known about the variation in sleep quality and its association with coping style and mental health in 21st century China, despite of enormous socioeconomic changes. This study aims to document the variation in sleep quality and its contribution to the association between coping style and mental health in China.Methods: Pooled cross-sectional data of 46,561 adults was obtained from the 2004 and 2015 mental health surveys conducted in Shandong Province, China. A Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were assessed, with mental health measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). A mediation regression model was run to test the mediating effect of sleep quality.Results: Above 10% reported poor sleep quality or median-to-high risk of mental disorders according to GHQ results in year 2015, and a significant but small improvement for sleep quality and mental health came during the studied decade, with the exception of poor sleep quality increasing among males. In 2015, a one-point increase in sleep quality score was associated with an increase of 0.17 (95% CI, 0.16-0.18) and 0.16 (95% CI, 0.14-0.17) points on the GHQ for males and females, respectively. Sleep quality mediated the relationship between negative tendency of coping style and elevated GHQ scores, and the mediating effects grew stronger in 2015 than those in 2004.Limitation: The study is a cross-sectional study, and the sample is not nationally representative.Conclusion: An integrative intervention of mental health promotion is recommended to account for sleep quality and coping strategies.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization growth has increased the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) and has the potential for recycling and reuse. However, it is frequently limited to a linear lifecycle mode which end up in landfills. A novel attributional lifecycle inventory model for lifecycle assessment based on value retention process (VRP) model of circular economy was developed to quantify the lifecycle inventory and measure the environmental impacts of multiple lifecycle stages, from in-community separation to the end-of-use/life stage and subsequent lifecycles. This investigation focused on assessing the environmental impacts of two distinct in-community waste glass separation methods - separate kerbside glass recycling bin (SKGRB) and mixed kerbside recycling bin (MKRB) - in combination with two recycling approaches - open-loop (asphalt) and closed-loop (glass container). The goal of the study was to make a comparative evaluation of the environmental impacts of these methods. Results showed that the SKGRB method had better environmental performance (40–60% reduction compared to the MKRB method) for both materials. Closed-loop recycling of glass container production had higher environmental impacts due to higher energy consumption in production in one lifecycle, while the open-loop recycling method of asphalt had higher environmental impacts despite fewer circulations, due to higher production volume in 21 years. The results of the sensitivity/uncertainty analysis showed that environmental impacts decreased as the allocation coefficient decreased, reaching stability when the coefficient reached the waste materials percentage in the new product's mixed design. • Novel circular economy LCI model quantifies environmental impacts of MSW multi-lifecycles. • Comparative evaluation of early-stage separations and open-looped vs. closed-loop recycling. • Different functional units 1 ton production vs annual wastes in multiple cycles gives different results. • High environmental impacts in closed-loop recycling for the functional unit of 1-ton production compared to open-loop recycling. • Higher environmental impacts in open-loop for annual wastes in multiple cycles, due to total production weight, compared to closed-loop recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underground natural gas storage (UGS) serves as an environmentally sustainable remedy for mitigating regional and temporal disparities in energy supply and demand. The phenomenon of substantial well interference and non-uniform pressure distributions in UGS, resulting from high injection and withdrawal rates, requires a comprehensive examination. This study presents an analytical model aimed at investigating the ramifications of well interference on transient pressure dynamics during UGS. Employing the Laplace transform method, an analytical framework for diverse wells within UGS is derived, with well interference effects being effectively incorporated through the application of the superposition principle. To validate the proposed analytical solutions under various scenarios, a commercial numerical simulator is employed. The analysis reveals that when an adjacent well is engaged in gas withdrawal, interference induces an initial rise in pressure derivative followed by a subsequent plateau. Conversely, during gas injection into an adjacent well, the pressure derivative curve exhibits a continuous decline, akin to situations characterized by constant pressure boundaries. Notably, the likelihood of interference with a target well is more pronounced when gas injection or production occurs in a vertical well as opposed to a horizontal one. Preliminary data from the Hutubi UGS in China, one of the largest projects of its kind, indicate cumulative gas injection and withdrawal volumes of 155.43 × 108 m3 and 130.81 × 108 m3, respectively, with a maximum storage capacity of 107 × 108 m3. Ultimately, the gas storage volume reaches 93.50% of the UGS's designated capacity. This substantial quantity of stored natural gas equates to the calorific value of 9.88 × 109 kg of crude oil or 1.29 × 1010 kg of coal. In comparison to conventional fossil fuels such as oil and coal, the utilization of natural gas in the Hutubi UGS results in a significant reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, amounting to 1.04 × 1010 kg and 1.38 × 1010 kg, respectively. This contribution advances the field by proposing an analytical model for the systematic analysis of well interference on pressure dynamics within the Hutubi UGS, thereby facilitating the transition from oil and coal to natural gas, a crucial step in the pursuit of cleaner and more sustainable energy production practises. • A new meshless pressure analysis approach for well interference in underground gas storage is proposed. • Impact of well interference on transient pressure behavior during underground gas storage is clarified. • The actual data from the Hutubi case are used to show the method practicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most important and directly affected infrastructure by flood disasters in urban areas, the road system plays a crucial role in maintaining the order of human production and life, as well as providing a foundation for the implementation of emergency response work in disaster scenarios. The existing flood resilience quantification methods based on maximum inundation depths of each individual road unit neglects the influences on flood resilience caused by the connectivity of road system. Therefore, this paper focuses on the road system, simulates the flood resilience of the road system in multiple disaster scenarios based on the functionality curve of road system under rainfall-inundation processes, then quantifies the improvement effect of Low Impact Development (LID) measures on flood resilience. A case study is conducted in Yunmen community, Jingdezhen city in China. The results indicate that: (1) The flood resilience of the road system decreases with the increase of rainfall intensity under different scenarios, and the magnitude of the decrease reduces. (2) The road system exhibits strong adaptability during the early stages of rainfall; The duration of functionality loss increases with increasing of rainfall intensity in different scenarios. (3) Implementation of LID measures can significantly improve system robustness by enhancing the reliability of the roads around critical nodes, thereby effectively enhancing flood resilience. The conclusions can provide a theoretical basis for decision-makers to develop urban flood mitigation engineering plans and resilience strategies tailored to local conditions. • The flood resilience of the road system decreases with the increase of rainfall intensity. • The road system functionality curve is constructed based on urban flood modeling. • The response characteristics of time-varying flood resilience at different stages is investigated. • The influencing mechanism of LID measures on flood resilience is reveled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilateral well is a promising solution to increase natural gas hydrate (NGH) production. To simplify the production prediction of multilateral wells in NGH, this paper proposes a meshless method. The moving boundary divides the hydrate reservoir into an expanded dissociated region and an original formation. The Laplace transform and the Stehfest inversion method are used to obtain the solution of dual-porosity media in the dissociated region and the outer original formation with different flow abilities. The superposition principle is chosen to handle the interference effect among various branches. A numerical verification in the commercial simulator is performed. The case study from Shenhu area and the sensitivity analysis show that the production behaviors can be divided into three stages. The first stage of rapid production decline is controlled by the structure of multilateral wells. The second stage reflects the gas flow from matrix to natural fractures in the dissociated region and the dissociation of hydrate to natural gas in the original formation. The third stage is mainly affected by the original reservoir properties and hydrate decomposition. Since the proposed method does not require mesh generation, it has advantages in computational performance and convergence compared with traditional numerical techniques. [Display omitted] • A meshless production prediction approach for multilateral wells in natural gas hydrate is proposed. • The typical production behaviors can be divided into three stages. • The well structures comparison and sensitivity analysis are conducted. • The actual parameters from Shenhu area are used to carry out the case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is increasingly recognized that many human carcinomas express immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules that are distinct from B-cell-derived Ig and play important roles in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of cancer-derived Ig remain elusive. Here, we report that lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) cells frequently express high levels of cancer IgG (CIgG) that is specifically recognized by a monoclonal antibody RP215. RP215 recognizes CIgG via a novel epitope that involves an N-glycan modification at a non-consensus site within the CH1 domain. We demonstrate that RP215 recognized CIgG (RP215-CIgG) promotes survival, migration and in vivo growth of LSCC cells, and these oncogenic activities are strongly inhibited by RP215. Mechanistically, RP215-CIgG executes its oncogenic function through interacting with the integrin α6β4 complex and activating the FAK and Src pathways. Notably, the CIgG-integrin-FAK signaling depends on the N-glycan epitope, which is inhibited by RP215. Together, our studies identified a novel CIgG molecule that activates the oncogenic integrin-FAK signaling in LSCC cells. In addition, the activity of CIgG is inhibited by RP215, providing an attractive target for antibody-based therapy of LSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A visible-light-promoted α-oxidation of amines to amides is reported. Natural pigment chlorophyll is used as photosensitizer to generate singlet molecular oxygen 1O 2 as oxidants. [Display omitted] A novel method for the metal-free synthesis of 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones and N -phenyl oxalamides from 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronisoquinoline and N -phenyl glycine derivatives based on visible-light photoredox catalysis under aerobic conditions is reported. Natural pigment chlorophyll is used as photosensitizer to generate singlet molecular oxygen 1O 2 , which is involved in the aerobic α-oxidation of N -phenyl amines. The protocol provides amides in good yields at room temperature under mild conditions. Based on the experimental results, a plausible photoredox mechanism is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the tremendous development of artificial intelligence (AI)‐based mobile apps, they suffer from quality issues. Data‐driven AI software poses challenges for maintenance and quality assurance. Metamorphic testing has been successfully adopted to AI software. However, most previous studies require testers to manually identify metamorphic relations in an ad hoc and arbitrary manner, thereby encountering difficulties in reflecting real‐world usage scenarios. Previous work showed that information available in user reviews is effective for maintenance and testing tasks. Yet, there is a lack of studies leveraging reviews to facilitate AI function maintenance and testing activities. This paper proposes METUR, a novel approach to supporting maintenance and testing for AI functions based on reviews. Firstly, METUR automatically classifies reviews that can be exploited for supporting AI function maintenance and evolution activities. Then, it identifies test contexts from reviews in the usage scenario category. METUR instantiates the metamorphic relation pattern for deriving concrete metamorphic relations based on test contexts. The follow‐up test dataset is constructed for conducting metamorphic testing. Empirical studies on plant identification apps indicate that METUR effectively categorizes reviews that are related to AI functions. METUR is feasible and effective in detecting inconsistent behaviors by using the metamorphic relations constructed based on reviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The novel prodrugs equipped with branched fatty chains were designed to facilitate efficient delivery of high-toxic CTX. • The CTX prodrug nanoassemblies displayed greatly improved pharmacokinetics in vivo. • Tumor-selective drug release of CTX prodrug nanoassemblies remarkably improved the tolerability of CTX. • Our studies provided new perspectives for the rational design of prodrug nanoassemblies to deliver high-toxic agents. Cabazitaxel (CTX) exhibits stronger antineoplastic activity than paclitaxel and docetaxel owing to its capacity to circumvent taxane resistance. However, the therapeutic index of CTX is heavily restricted by poor pharmacokinetics and severe systemic toxicity. Here, a guerbet alcohol, octyldodecanol (OD), was chosen to chemically modify CTX employing tumor-selective sulfur/selenium bonds as linkages, and the prodrugs were capable of forming nanoassemblies spontaneously (termed CTX-S-OD NPs, CTX-Se-OD NPs, CTX-SS-OD NPs, respectively). The CTX-SS-OD NPs displayed superior pharmacokinetic behavior with a 395.5-fold higher AUC than free CTX, allowing for more efficient tumor accumulation. Moreover, the redox sensitive drug release of the prodrug improved the selectivity of cytotoxicity between normal cells and tumor cells, hence reducing the systemic toxicity of prodrug nanoassemblies and facilitating dose intensification. Notably, CTX-SS-OD NPs exhibited potent antitumor efficiency in the 4T1 mouse model due to the elevated tolerance dose. Overall, our studies provided new perspectives for the rational design of prodrug nanoassemblies to deliver high-toxic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the mechanical behavior of the shield tunnel segment lining of underwater pipelines, based on the prototype segment structure practically applied in a project, a local model test of the combined shield segment considering front and rear ring staggered joints was designed. The internal forces and strains, joint opening and misalignment, and structural deflection change with the axial pressure ratio at different locations of the segment in the range of axial pressure ratio 0.02–0.54 were investigated, and the final failure form of the segment structure was also obtained. The experiment results show that in the assembly segments, the middle segment has the highest stiffness, followed by the side segments. When the segments are damaged, the maximum opening of the longitudinal joint is 1.75 mm. Because the overall damage of the segments is earlier than the joint damage, it is suggested that the development of structural cracks, joint misalignment, and structural deflection be taken as the basis for evaluating the safety of tunnel segments. When the axial compression ratio is loaded above 0.50, top concrete crush damage occurred in the middle segment, while the concrete on both sides happened to incur an oblique 45° shear damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5), a member of the bZIP gene family, is a positive regulator of the light signaling pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana. Whereas the hy5 mutant exhibits an elongated hypocotyl when grown in the light, the hy5 homolog (hyh) mutant does not. Although the functions of HY5 and HYH in light-mediated seedling development have been revealed, the tissue-specific expression patterns of HY5 and HYH and their interconnected regulation are largely unknown. Here, we report that HY5 regulates HYH expression in roots and contributes to root growth under different light conditions. We generated HY5 and HYH transcriptional and translational fusion reporter lines to investigate their expression patterns. HY5 was constitutively expressed in all root tissues, while HYH was predominantly expressed in root xylem cells. Root growth after a dark-to-light transition was perturbed in the hy5 and hy5hyh mutant lines, but not in the hyh mutant line, indicating that HY5 plays a major role in light-regulated root growth. Light-induced HY5/HYH expression occurred autonomously in roots. HYH expression in roots was decreased in the hy5 mutant, suggesting that HY5 regulates HYH expression. Collectively, these results indicate that an organ-specific HY5-mediated pathway controls root photomorphogenic development independently of light signaling in the shoot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The damage evolution of concrete occurs earlier than that of the bolt. • Stress states of bent bolt and tenon affect inter-ring joint shearing performance. • Shearing stress mode of bolt & tenon create vulnerable areas at various positions. • Joint shear stiffness is higher under positive shearing than negative shearing. When a gas transmission shield tunnel passes through an underwater stratum under high water pressure for a long distance, structural damage due to segment joint dislocation notably affects the tunnel safety during service. Thus, the shearing characteristics of inter-ring joints constitute a critical research topic for the structural mechanical response of a segment. Considering the structure of an inter-ring joint, this study uses positive and negative shearing tests to investigate joint dislocation, shear stiffness, and the mechanism of the shear failure of segment joints. The main findings are as followings. The stress states of a bent bolt and tenon are critical factors affecting the shear performance of the inter-ring joint. Vulnerable areas appear at different positions according to the shear stress mode of the bolt and tenon. The failure process can be classified into the following three stages owing to the stress state. 1) Friction at the contact surface of the joints counteracts the shearing force, 2) the groove and convex tenons contact each other and the bolt begins to bear the force, and 3) visible cracks and collapse appear in the segment structure. Finally, the damage evolution of concrete occurs earlier than that of the bolt. Moreover, until the concrete fails, the bent bolt is close to yielding but is still not damaged. These findings can improve the design and theoretical analysis of oil and gas transmission shield tunnels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization along with population growth have led to a problem of excessive waste production worldwide. Australia is not an exception, where waste management and recycling are urgently required. The use of waste glass as a replacement for virgin aggregates can be one of the solutions. Many studies have focused on experiments and developing new materials with waste glass. However, those studies mostly ignored the embodied energies of the waste glass collection and sorting processes, which can significantly influence the environmental impact and thus demand further investigation. This research applies the life cycle assessment (LCA) technique to evaluate the environmental impacts of recovering glass material from two kerbside open-loop recycling models (early-stage separation) for asphalt production. The two kerbside recycling models belong, one with separating glass via a traditional mixed kerbside recycling bin model (MKRB model) and the other with collecting glass only through a separate kerbside glass recycling bin model (SKGRB model). It shows that the SKGRB is the most environmentally friendly model, which can lower environmental impacts by around 40–60% per ton of asphalt production compared to the MKRB model. • Comparative LCA study on open-loop recycling processes for kerbside glass waste as asphalt material was conducted. • Energy and material consumptions and environmental impacts of a full lifecycle were studied. • Early-stage separation and collection methods significantly affected the environmental impacts. • Adding glass waste stream reduced the embodied energy and environmental impacts. • Transportation distance had a marginal impact on the environmental impact of kerbside glass recycling for asphalt production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, Fe-doped Co 3 O 4 nanofilms were fabricated by electrodeposition on FTO glass substrates for the first time. The structures of the as-prepared nanofilms were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Characterization results demonstrate that Fe was doped homogeneously in the nanofilms. As the different concentration ratios of Fe 2+ /Co 2+ were explored, nanofilm with the ratio of 1:5 exhibits the optimal performance in electrochemical properties assessments. It is considered that the difference in the catalytic activities for the ORR of the samples may be due to the fact that the joining of iron changed the catalyst surface's electric state and enhanced the acidity of cobalt centers, on the other hand, the doping process probably modified the absorption property of the nanofilms. The experimental results suggest that the Fe-doped Co 3 O 4 nanofilms in this work exhibit favorable electrocatalytic activity toward ORR and appear to be promising cathodic electrocatalyst in alkaline fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel electrochemical sensor based on poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) functionalized graphene (PDDA-G) composite film has been developed for the detection of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The PDDA-G was successfully prepared and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Due to PDDA-G has more functional groups which were beneficial for the absorption of 4-NP by electrostatic interaction, it was found that the sensitivity for 4-nitrophenol was remarkably improved at the PDDA-G nanocomposite film modified GCE. The experimental parameters such as the pH of buffer solution, the scan rate, the accumulation time and potential were optimized. Under the optimum experimental conditions, this sensor had a wide linear range over 4-NP concentration from 0.06 μM to 110 μM with a detection limit of 0.02 μM (S/N = 3). Furthermore, the PDDA-G sensor not only exhibited good stability with adequate reproducibility and accuracy, but also demonstrated efficiency in the detection of 4-NP in water samples. It was expected that this method has great promise for simple, sensitive, selective detection of 4-NP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study extends from the 2015 Shandong Province Epidemiological Survey of Mental Disorders in adults aged 18 and above. Over five years, it investigates pain characteristics and influencing factors in individuals with depressive disorders in Shandong Province. The study encompasses 871 individuals who met DSM-IV criteria for depressive disorders in 2015. Using 1:1:1 matching by gender, age, and residence, 825 non-afflicted individuals were selected as high-risk controls, and 825 screening-negative individuals became low-risk controls. A follow-up study in 2020 involved 1848 participants. Survey tools included a general information questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), SCID-I/P, Global Pain Scale (GPS), Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ), PSQI, MoCA, and clinical data questionnaire. GPS scores in the current depressive group were higher than in non-current depressive group (Z = 14.36 , P < 0.01). GPS scores in study group exceeded those in high-risk and low-risk control groups (H = 93.71 , P < 0.01). GPS scores in non-remission group were higher than in the remission group (Z = 8.90 , P < 0.01). Regression analysis revealed positive correlations between GPS scores and physical illnesses, current depression, incumbency, GHQ-12 total score, and PSQI total score. Negative correlations were observed with QLQ total score and MoCA total score. The study could not assess pain during the 2015 survey, limiting controlled pain analysis before and after five years. Depression sufferers may experience prolonged heightened pain, potentially relieved when depression subsides. Individual pain is influenced by depression, physical illnesses, sleep quality, quality of life, cognitive function, gender, residence, and occupation. • Pain Persists in Depression: Depressed individuals have prolonged pain, even after remission. • Multifactorial Pain Influence: Pain level in depression linked to depression, physical illness, and sleep quality. • Gender and Location Impact: Female gender and rural residence contribute to higher depression-related pain. • Depression Affects Quality of Life: Pain in depression harms quality of life, warranting comprehensive treatment. • Occupational Status Matters: Occupational status, like incumbency, affects pain levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the development and performance evaluation of an ultra-stable laser for an 27Al+ optical clock. After a series of noise suppressions, especially the vibrational and temperature fluctuation noise, the 30 cm long cavity stabilized laser obtains a frequency instability of 1.3 × 10−16 @1 s. This result is predicted by noise summation and confirmed by the three-cornered hat method. The 27Al+ optical clock transition is also used to characterize the laser frequency noise, and consistent results are yielded. This is the first reported instance of using single ion optical clocks to measure the frequency noise of ultra-stable lasers, as far as we know. With the implementation of the ultra-stable clock laser, an ultra-narrow linewidth clock transition of 2.8 Hz is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both Diheptyl-phthalate (DHpP) and Diisodecyl-phthalate (DIDP) were used extensively as plasticizers. Recently, their occurrence in the environmental matrices and human body fluids have been reported. Unfortunately, these phthalate congeners are without basic toxicity profiles. Hence, we studied the toxic effects of both DHpP and DIDP in the median lethal concentration (LC 50 96-h) on zebrafish (Danio rerio). We assessed swimming behavior strength and tissues biomarker responses including total antioxidants capacity (TAOC), transaminases, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme. Fish exposed to phthalate congeners (Treatment-I and-II) for 15-days showed alterations on fish swimming behavior and circadian rhythm. At the end of the exposure period, both liver and heart tissue transaminases activities were found to be accelerated in DHpP and DIDP treated fish, when compared to control group. TAOC and AChE activities were found to be decreased in brain, gills, intestine, and muscle tissues of phthalate congeners treated fish than the control group. Alterations observed in the studied biomarkers were concentration-based response. Among treatment groups DHpP showed higher effects. Comparative studies on swimming behavior and biochemical activities were reasonable to know the swimming responses are mediated due to external stress or internal stress. More studies on molecular and biomarkers assessments are warranted on toxicity of emerging contaminants. Image 1 • DHpP and DIDP can cause behavior abnormal on zebrafish in online monitoring system. • Circadian rhythm disorder of zebrafish could be observed in phthalate treatments. • Phthalate congers pose negative effects on enzymes, and antioxidants activity. • Phthalate-mediated biochemical mechanism results in behavior anomalies on zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the continuous physiological changes of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in 0.1 μg/L thallium (Tl) in 15 days were investigated. The results showed that Tl(I) stress had a significant positive linear correlation with zebrafish ammonia nitrogen excretion (ANE) (p < 0.001), and the mean value of ANE in Tl(I) treatment (435 ± 227 mg/kg/h) was approximately 2 times higher than in the control group (239 ± 168 mg/kg/h), which suggested that ANE was suitable for Tl(I) stress assessment. A substantial difference based on oxygen consumption rate (OCR) between the control group (587 ± 112 mg/kg/h) and Tl(I) treatment (260 ± 88 mg/kg/h) with a high significance p < 0.001 could be observed, and the results indicated that Tl(I) played a negative role in OCR of zebrafish. The characteristics of both ANE and OCR changes under slight Tl(I) stress could be reflected by the ammonia quotient (AQ). It was noteworthy that AQ increased rapidly in first 6 h from 0.66 to 4.50, which was 3 times higher than 1.2, indicating rapid increase in both anaerobic energy utilization and protein metabolism in 0.1 μg/L Tl(I) exposure. It is concluded that the physiological changes of zebrafish based on metabolism can be regarded as a sensitive biological indicator of Tl(I) pollution, which could work as a substitute of potassium that disrupts the normal biological metabolism in the process of transport. • Zebrafish ANE shows a significant (p < 0.001) positive linear relationship with 0.1 μg/L Tl. • 0.1 μg/L Tl played a negative role in OC of zebrafish with the significance p < 0.001. • AQ of zebrafish in 0.1 μg/L Tl exposure indicates an increase in protein metabolism. • The metabolic changes of zebrafish have the potential to be used as an indicator of Tl pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydraulic fracture dimension is one of the key parameters affecting stimulated porous media. In actual fracturing, plentiful uncertain parameters increase the difficulty of fracture dimension prediction, resulting in the difficulty in the monitoring of reservoir productivity. In this paper, we established a three-dimensional model to analyze the key factors on the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV), with the response surface method (RSM). Considering the rock properties and fracturing parameters, we established a multivariate quadratic prediction equation. Simulation results show that the interactions of injection rate (Q), Young's modulus (E) and permeability coefficient (K), and Poisson's ratio (μ) play a relatively significant role on SRV. The reservoir with a high Young's modulus typically generates high pressure, leading to longer fractures and larger SRV. SRV reaches the maximum value when E1 and E2 are high. SRV is negatively correlated with K1. Moreover, maintaining a high injection rate in this layered formation with high E1 and E2, relatively low K1, and μ1 at about 0.25 would be beneficial to form a larger SRV. These results offer new perceptions on the optimization of SRV, helping to improve the productivity in hydraulic fracturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depressive symptoms are a serious public mental health problem, and dietary intake is often considered to be associated with depressive symptoms. However, the relationship between the quality of dietary carbohydrates and depressive symptoms remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between high and low-quality carbohydrates and depressive symptoms and to attempt to construct an integrated model using machine learning to predict depressive symptoms. A total of 4982 samples from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in this study. Carbohydrate intake was assessed by a 24-h dietary review, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9). Variance inflation factor (VIF) and Relief-F algorithms were used for variable feature selection. The results of multivariate linear regression showed a negative association between high-quality carbohydrates and depressive symptoms (β: −0.147, 95 % CI: −0.239, −0.056, p = 0.002) and a positive association between low-quality carbohydrates and depressive symptoms (β: 0.018, 95 % CI: 0.007, 0.280, p = 0.001). Subsequently, we used the XGboost model to produce a comprehensive depressive symptom evaluation model and developed a corresponding online tool (http://8.130.128.194:5000/) to evaluate depressive symptoms clinically. The cross-sectional study could not yield any conclusions regarding causality, and the model has not been validated with external data. Carbohydrate quality is associated with depressive symptoms, and machine learning models that combine diet with socioeconomic factors can be a tool for predicting depression severity. • Exploring the association between high and low carbohydrate diet quality and depressive symptom severity • Building an integrated economic society-diet machine learning model for predicting depression severity • Development of a convenient web-based model for predicting depression severity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider Markovian open quantum dynamics (MOQD) in the continuum. We show that, up to small-probability tails, the supports of quantum states evolving under such dynamics propagate with finite speed in any finite-energy subspace. More precisely, we prove that if the initial quantum state is localized in space, then any finite-energy part of the solution of the von Neumann–Lindblad equation is approximately localized inside an energy-dependent light cone. We also obtain an explicit upper bound for the slope of this light cone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the shortcomings of feature extraction and fault identification in fault diagnosis of wind power converters, a novel method for open circuit fault diagnosis of wind power converters based on variational mode decomposition (VMD) energy entropy (EE) and time domain feature analysis (TDFA) is proposed. Primarily, the three‐phase output current at the grid side of the wind power converter is collected as the original signal, and the VMD is used to decompose the original signal into a series of intrinsic mode functions (IMF). To reduce noise interference as much as possible, the Pearson correlation coefficient between each mode component and the original signal under different fault states is analyzed, and the IMF component containing the major failure features is selected to calculate the energy entropy of each component; afterward, according to the Pearson correlation coefficient results, the modal components of the first layer are selected for time domain feature analysis; finally, the feature matrix that combines energy entropy and time domain feature analysis is inputted into the long short‐term memory neural network for training and fault identification. The simulation and experimental results show that the open circuit fault diagnosis method proposed in this paper has high accuracy and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) containing tertiary alcohols are valuable as precursors of natural products and active pharmaceutical ingredients. However, the assembly of such ncAA scaffolds from simple material by C−C bond formation remains a challenging task due to the presence of multiple stereocenters and large steric hindrance. In this study, we present a novel solution to this problem through highly selective enzymatic decarboxylative aldol addition. This method allows for the streamlined assembly of multifunctionalized ncAAs with γ‐tertiary alcohols from readily available materials, such as L‐aspartatic acid and isatins, vicinal diones and keto esters. The modularity of electrophiles furnished four classes of ncAAs with decent efficiency as well as excellent site and stereocontrol. Computational modeling was employed to gain detailed insight into the catalytic mechanism and to provide a rationale for the observed selectivities. The method offers a single‐step approach to producing multifunctionalized ncAAs, which can be directly utilized in peptide synthesis and bioactivity assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) containing tertiary alcohols are valuable as precursors of natural products and active pharmaceutical ingredients. However, the assembly of such ncAA scaffolds from simple material by C−C bond formation remains a challenging task due to the presence of multiple stereocenters and large steric hindrance. In this study, we present a novel solution to this problem through highly selective enzymatic decarboxylative aldol addition. This method allows for the streamlined assembly of multifunctionalized ncAAs with γ‐tertiary alcohols from readily available materials, such as L‐aspartatic acid and isatins, vicinal diones and keto esters. The modularity of electrophiles furnished four classes of ncAAs with decent efficiency as well as excellent site and stereocontrol. Computational modeling was employed to gain detailed insight into the catalytic mechanism and to provide a rationale for the observed selectivities. The method offers a single‐step approach to producing multifunctionalized ncAAs, which can be directly utilized in peptide synthesis and bioactivity assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nurses face substantial career challenges arising from global pandemics, economic crises, and their roles in conflict-ridden areas. In this context, the rights of nurses pertaining to decent work, such as freedom, fairness, safety, and dignity, are not adequately safeguarded. This study examines decent work status among Chinese nurses and its links to demographics, work engagement, and turnover intention. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used following STROBE guidelines. Through a convenient sampling method, a total of 476 nurses were surveyed. These participants were drawn from three esteemed tertiary Grade A hospitals in Hangzhou, with data collection spanning from June to August in 2023. We used a comprehensive set of assessment instruments, encompassing an evaluation of demographic characteristics, the Decent Work Perceptions Scale (DWPS), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UEWS), and turnover intention questionnaire. Bootstrapping procedures were used to ensure the robustness and reliability of the model. Results: The study revealed that nurses' perceptions of decent work significantly impacted work engagement (β = 0.603, p < 0.001) and turnover intention (β = -0.275, p < 0.001). Work engagement operated as a mediator between decent work and turnover intention, decreasing the likelihood of nurses leaving their positions (β = -0.062, p < 0.001). Factors such as age, years of working experience, professional title, job category, and attendance at professional conferences significantly influenced nurses' perceptions of decent work (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study examines factors affecting decent work among nurses and explores its connection with work engagement and the intention to leave. Despite limitations (sample, social desirability bias), the study offers valuable insights for nursing practice. This suggests managers improve decent work for young nurses through rational shift schedules and continuous education. Policymakers should consider adjusting nursing policies for better employment conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Background Methods Results Conclusions Implications for nursing and health policy This study aimed to assess the potential mediating roles of nurses' job satisfaction and burnout in the association between decent work and turnover intention.There is a global challenge of nursing shortages in healthcare systems worldwide. Decent work is crucial for safeguarding the rights and professional development outcomes of nurses. However, there is currently limited research on decent work among nurses, and there is a lack of studies exploring the relationships between nurses' decent work, job satisfaction, burnout, and turnover intention.A cross‐sectional survey design was employed with a sample of 460 nurses from three hospitals: The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Third People's Hospital, and Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital. The STROBE checklist was used. Mediation analysis using the PROCESS Macro was used to examine the relationships between decent work, job satisfaction, burnout, and turnover intention.The results showed that nurses' perception of decent work directly influences their turnover intention. Additionally, these findings strongly support the role of job satisfaction and burnout as mediating factors in the relationship between decent work and turnover intention.Decent work reduces nurse burnout and turnover intention of enhancing their job satisfaction.This study's findings have important implications for healthcare organizations and policymakers. Recognizing the pivotal role of decent work in nurses' job satisfaction and well‐being can guide the development of strategies to improve working conditions and reduce turnover rates. It is imperative for healthcare institutions to prioritize creating safe, supportive, and equitable work conditions for nurses, as this can contribute to higher job satisfaction and, subsequently, lower turnover rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High-altitude exposure can cause oxidative stress damage in the intestine, which leads to increased intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation, resulting in local and systemic inflammation. Control of infection is critically dependent on the host's ability to kill pathogens with reactive oxygen species (ROS). Myeloperoxidase (MPO) targets ROS in pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hypoxia on the colonic mucosal barrier and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-mediated innate immune response in the colon. Methods and Results: Genetically engineered mice were exposed to a hypobaric oxygen chamber for 3 days and an inflammation model was established using Salmonella Typhimurium infection. We found that hypoxic exposure caused the development of exacerbated bacterial colitis and enhanced bacterial dissemination in MPO-deficient mice. Infection and disease severity were associated with significantly increased Ly6G+ neutrophil and F4/80+ macrophage counts in infected tissues, which is consistent with elevated proinflammatory cytokines and chemoattractant molecules. Hypoxia restrained antioxidant ability and MPO deficiency aggravated the respiratory burst in the colon. Conclusion: Hypoxia can damage the colonic mucosa. MPO mediates the innate immune response and regulates the mucosal and systemic inflammatory responses to Salmonella infection during hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrically assisted superplastic forming and diffusion bonding (EASPF/DB) is based on the electrically assisted technique in which the electric current is directly and simply introduced into metallic sheets during hot processing. Through the rapidly increasing heat by the Joule effect after several minutes, the advantages of the EASPF/DB process are further strengthened, and the limitations of commercial exploitation (e.g., long processing period) are partly overcome. In this study, an experimental setup of EASPF/DB was assembled for the experimental validation of this concept. The Ti2AlNb alloy sheet, which is regarded as a superior substitute for the nickel-based alloy, was diffusion-bonded and formed, and a double-layer structure was fabricated by means of the EASPF/DB process. The temperature distribution measured by an infrared imaging camera was apparently influenced by detour effects of the electric current. To examine the forming and bonding effects, the height and thickness were measured in different positions. The microstructures of the bonding interface were observed, and no microcavity and crack were found, which indicated the feasibility of the variant of the SPF/DB process. Meanwhile, the large-size grains of B2 phase compose the microstructure of forming zone with some fine needle–like precipitates. Finally, the hardness test showed higher values of Vickers hardness than that of the as-received sheet and the compression test showed three stages of the double-layer structure during continuous loading. The important values and significance for use of this variant are presented by markedly reducing the heating and cooling time and the targeted heating manner for metallic sheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the Ginzburg-Landau equations on line bundles over non-compact Riemann surfaces with constant negative curvature. We prove existence of solutions with energy strictly less than that of the constant curvature (magnetic field) one. These solutions are the non-commutative generalizations of the Abrikosov vortex lattice of superconductivity. Conjecturally, they are (local) minimizers of the Ginzburg-Landau energy. We obtain precise asymptotic expansions of these solutions and their energies in terms of the curvature of the underlying Riemann surface. Among other things, our result shows the spontaneous breaking of the gauge-translational symmetry of the Ginzburg-Landau equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on depressive disorders. Methods: The electronic databases of Web of Science Core Collection, Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycInfo, CNKI, Wanfang and Weipu were used to select relevant publications. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were undertaken following PRISMA guidelines for preferred reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analysis. RevMan5.4 was used for meta-analysis. Results: 11 studies with a total of 962 patients were included. Random-effects model analysis showed that ACT could effectively reduce the level of depressive symptoms in patients with depressive disorders (SMD = − 1.05, 95% CI: − 1.43–− 0.66, P < 0.00001), improve psychological flexibility (MD = 4.84, 95% CI: 2.70–6.97, P < 0.00001), and have good maintenance effect (SMD = − 0.70, 95% CI: − 1.15–− 0.25, P = 0.002). All differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: ACT not only improves depressive symptoms and psychological flexibility, but also has a good maintenance effect, and it is particularly effective in Chinese patients. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to validate the findings from this meta-analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific understanding of the driving relationship between water-related ecosystem services (WESs) and influencing factors, as well as the trade-off and synergy relationship between WESs and WESs, is the premise of reasonably bringing them into management decisions. However, the existing research often separates the above-mentioned two relationships and conducts independent research, which leads to the conflict of research conclusions and cannot be well adopted by managers. Therefore, based on the panel data of Loess Plateau in 2000–2019, this paper uses the simultaneous equation model to combine the two kinds of relationships existing between WESs and influencing factors, establish a feedback loop, and reveal the interactions mechanism of WESs nexus. The results show that: (1) The fragmentation of land use leads to the uneven spatial-temporal distribution of WESs. (2) Vegetation factors and land factors are the main driving factors that affect WESs, and the impact of climate factors on WESs is decreasing year by year. (3) The increase of water yield ecosystem services will lead to the obvious increase in soil export ecosystem services, and there is a synergistic relationship between soil export ecosystem services and nitrogen export ecosystem services. The conclusion can provide an important reference for implementing the strategy of ecological protection and high-quality development. • Water-related ecosystem services (WESs) showed obvious spatial heterogeneity. • A set of simultaneous equations of WESs nexus is constructed. • The interactions mechanism of WESs nexus is revealed. • Key driving factors of WESs nexus in the Loess Plateau are determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of mild, efficient, and enantioselective methods for preparing chiral building blocks from simple, renewable carbon units has been a long‐term goal of the sustainable chemical industry. Mandelate derivatives are valuable pharmaceutical intermediates and chiral resolving agents, but their manufacture relies heavily on highly toxic cyanide. Herein, we report (S)‐4‐hydroxymandelate synthase (HmaS)‐centered biocatalytic cascades for the synthesis of mandelates from benzaldehydes and glycine. We show that HmaS can be engineered to perform R‐selective hydroxylation by single‐point mutation, empowering the stereodivergent synthesis of both (S)‐ and (R)‐mandelate derivatives. These biocatalytic cascades enabled the production of various mandelate derivatives with high atom economy as well as excellent yields (up to 98 %) and ee values (up to >99 %). This methodology offers an effective cyanide‐free technology for greener and sustainable production of mandelate derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of mild, efficient, and enantioselective methods for preparing chiral building blocks from simple, renewable carbon units has been a long‐term goal of the sustainable chemical industry. Mandelate derivatives are valuable pharmaceutical intermediates and chiral resolving agents, but their manufacture relies heavily on highly toxic cyanide. Herein, we report (S)‐4‐hydroxymandelate synthase (HmaS)‐centered biocatalytic cascades for the synthesis of mandelates from benzaldehydes and glycine. We show that HmaS can be engineered to perform R‐selective hydroxylation by single‐point mutation, empowering the stereodivergent synthesis of both (S)‐ and (R)‐mandelate derivatives. These biocatalytic cascades enabled the production of various mandelate derivatives with high atom economy as well as excellent yields (up to 98 %) and ee values (up to >99 %). This methodology offers an effective cyanide‐free technology for greener and sustainable production of mandelate derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of supervised learning methods using numerical weather prediction (NWP) data have been exploited for short-term wind power forecasting (WPF). However, the NWP data may not be available enough due to its uncertainties on initial atmospheric conditions. Thus, this study proposes a novel hybrid intelligent method to improve existing forecasting models such as random forest (RF) and artificial neural networks, for higher accuracy. First, the proposed method develops the predictive deep belief network (DBN) to perform short-term wind speed prediction (WSP). Then, the WSP data are transformed into supplementary input features in the prediction process of WPF. Second, owing to its ensemble learning and parallelization, the random forest is used as supervised forecasting model. In addition, a data driven dimension reduction procedure and a weighted voting method are utilized to optimize the random forest algorithm in the training process and the prediction process, respectively. The increasing number of training samples would cause the overfitting problem. Therefore, the k-fold cross validation (CV) technique is adopted to address this issue. Numerical experiments are performed at 15-min, 30-min, 45-min, and 24-h to indicate the superiority and signal advantages compared with existing methods in terms of forecasting accuracy and scalability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the pathologic changes and pathogenesis of multikinase inhibitor (MKI)-induced skin lesions in an animal model.Methods: Tumor-bearing nude mice and BDF1 mice were treated with different doses (30-240 mg/kg, Bid) of sorafenib. The pathology and severity of the skin lesions was assessed and evaluated. The concentration of sorafenib in the skin was also determined.Results: Sorafenib transiently induced skin rash at high doses (120-240 mg/kg). The induced skin lesions had pathological manifestations resembling the observations in human patients. The skin of mice treated with sorafenib had significantly increased pathological scores and thickness of the stratum spinosum compared with the control, and induced more severe cutaneous lesions in nude mice than in BDF1 mice. The severity of skin lesions was correlated with the local concentration of sorafenib in the skin, which was significantly higher in nude mice than in BDF1 mice. Sorafenib treatment significantly increased the expression of F4-80, Ly6G, tumor growth factor (TGF)-1β, Smad2/3, α-smooth-muscle actin, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen.Conclusions: The severity of skin lesions was positively correlated with the concentration of sorafenib in the skin. Our results suggested the involvement of the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway in the skin reaction induced by MKIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A meta-analysis was conducted to compare oncologic outcomes for patients of T1a glottic carcinoma who were treated with laser surgery (LS) or radiotherapy (RT). Methods: All related studies published up to October 2016 were acquired by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane were conducted by two authors, with the index words: vocal, glottis, larynx, laser, surgery, cordectomy, radiotherapy, radiation, irradiation, carcinoma, and cancer. Relative studies which compared oncologic outcomes between LS and RT were included. Results: A total of nine eligible studies were included for the analysis, which contained two prospective studies and seven retrospective studies. LS has increased larynx preservation (OR=3.86, 95% CI=1.47-10.13, p=.006) compared with RT group. No statistical difference was observed between LS group and RT group in terms of local control, overall survival, and disease-specific survival. There was a slight trend in terms of local control, overall survival, and disease-specific survival that all favored LS, although all data did not reach the level of statistical significance. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis indicate that LS may be a better option for the treatment of T1a glottic carcinoma because patients underwent LS may benefit from increased larynx preservation compared with RT. However, more multi-center randomized controlled trials would be urgently needed to prove these differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arabidopsis thaliana LONG HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) is a positive regulator of the light signaling pathway. The hy5 mutant has an elongated hypocotyl in all light conditions, whereas the hy5 homolog ( hyh ) mutant has a very weak phenotype, but only in blue light. However, overexpression of HYH rescues the elongated hypocotyl phenotype in the hy5 null mutant. Here, we report the identification of four HYH splicing variants in Arabidopsis . Alternative splicing in the 5′ region of the HYH gene occurred such that the proteins encoded by all four HYH variants retained their bZIP domain. In hypocotyl tissue, transcript levels of HYH.2 , HYH.3 , and HYH.4 were higher than those of HYH.1 . Like HY5 , all HYH variants were induced by light. Functional analysis of the four HYH variants, based on their abilities to complement the hy5 mutant, indicated that they have similar roles in hypocotyl development, and may function redundantly with HY5 . Our results indicate that the bZIP domain in HYH is critical for the function of four variants in the compensation of hy5 mutant in hypocotyl development. Additionally, while HY5/HYH is found in plant species ranging from green algae to flowering plants, the potential alternative splicing events are distinct in different species, with certain HYH variants found with greater frequency in some species than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising antineoplastic modality in the oncology field. We assessed the safety of repeated intravenous administrations of sinoporphyrin, a porphyrin derivative, with and without illumination in rats. Toxicokinetic studies of single and multiple administrations of sinoporphyrin were also carried out. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the dark-toxicity and PDT groups. Animals in the dark toxicity group received an i.v. infusion of sinoporphyrin at 3 doses: 2 mg kg−1, 6 mg kg−1, and 18 mg kg−1. The PDT group included 2 doses of sinoporphyrin (2 mg kg−1 and 18 mg kg−1), and the rats received 60 J of 630 nm laser illumination 24 h after photosensitizer infusion. The treatments were repeated every 7 days for 5 cycles and were followed by a 14-day recovery period. Systematic analyses were conducted at the end of treatment and recovery periods. Blood samples were obtained 5 min, 30 min, 2 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h after the first and fifth treatments for toxicokinetic studies. Sinoporphyrin-PDT led to the death of one out of 270 rats; the dead animal had been treated with 18 mg kg−1 sinoporphyrin and died at the end of the fifth PDT treatment. Liver injury, the primary toxicity observed in the study, was identified using biochemical tests, necropsy, and histopathology. Elevated white blood cell and neutrophil counts were found in the rats in both the dark toxicity and PDT groups. Skin lesions at the illumination site were obvious in the PDT group. Pigment deposits were detected in multiple organs such as the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and ovaries in the 6 mg kg−1 and 18 mg kg−1 groups. No other abnormalities were observed. The toxicokinetic parameters of single and multiple sinoporphyrin administrations were calculated and compared. Repeated sinoporphyrin administrations both alone and in combination with laser illumination were tolerable, and all toxicities were transient. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for repeated sinoporphyrin administration and sinoporphyrin-PDT was 6 mg kg−1 and 2 mg kg−1, respectively. Further studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]