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Sb2S3 has been extensively used as light absorber for photoelectrochemical cell. However, its p‐type nature may result in the formation of Schottky junction with substrates, thus hindering the collection of photogenerated holes. Herein, an ultrathin CuxS layer is successfully engineered as the bottom junction for Sb2S3 for the first time. Capitalizing on its impressive electrical properties and superior optical properties, the CuxS layer exhibits a high work function of 4.90 eV, which causes the upward band bending of p‐type Sb2S3, forming a hole‐transparent structure with ohmic contact. The transparency of the ultrathin CuxS layer enables back‐illumination of the Sb2S3/CuxS platform, facilitating the integration of intricate catalyst layers for photoelectrochemical transformation. When modified with Pt nanoparticles, the photocurrent density reaches −5.38 mA cm−2 at 0 V vs. RHE, marking a fourfold increase compared to the photocathode without CuxS layer. When introducing a molecular hybrid TC‐CoPc@carbon black, a remarkable average photocurrent density of −0.44 mA cm−2 at the overpotential of 0 V is obtained for CO2 reduction reaction, while the photocurrent density is less than −0.03 mA cm−2 without CuxS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in diversity of trace fossils through time provide information about evolutionary innovations in animal‐substrate interactions. Global ichnodiversity changes at ichnogeneric rank are useful to capture major trends, but may be insufficient to reveal minor behavioural innovations. A quantitative analysis of ichnodiversity trajectories at ichnospecies rank for bioturbation structures has been performed for the first time at a global scale to evaluate how innovations in animal‐substrate interactions may be reflected at this ichnotaxonomic hierarchy. The timing of diversification at ichnospecific rank is highly variable, but mostly linked to the Cambrian Explosion (CE) and the Mesozoic Marine Revolution (MMR). Nearly all top‐heavy ichnogenera diversified during the MMR and most bottom‐heavy ichnogenera illustrate innovations during the CE. Timing of diversification at ichnospecies rank refines characterization of the ichnological equivalents of the Cambrian, Palaeozoic and Modern evolutionary fauna. Evaluating the timing of ichnospecific diversification within ichnogenera is a valuable tool in evolutionary palaeoecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A series of azobenzene-bearing organocatalysts with L/D -proline units (Ⅰ-Ⅴ) were developed without tedious treatments. • All of the catalysts exhibited outstanding photoswithchable isomerization and smart artificial switchable catalysis with photoswitchable " ON-OFF" catalytic activities in aldol reaction. • Organocatalysts Ⅰ- L /Ⅰ- D performed the best with good yields and photoswitchable catalyst porperties (photo-regulated yield difference of 50 %). Development of smart artificial switchable catalysis has aroused much research interest in wide fields. Herein, a series of azobenzene-bearing organocatalysts with L/D -proline units (Ⅰ-Ⅴ) were developed and evaluated in the catalytic efficiency for aldol reaction. The photoisomerization behavior of the azobenzene-bearing organocatalysts and the effect of light as external stimulus on the catalytic performance were investigated in depth. Worth to mention that the reaction rate of the aldol reaction can be regulated by light irradiation, detailly, the azobenzene-bearing organocatalysts displayed a substantial difference in photoswitchable "ON OFF" catalytic activity, which exhibited great potential for dynamic control in smart catalytic systems. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systematicness autoimmunity disease with joint inflammation. RA etiology is still unknown. Early and exact diagnosing is still hard to reach. In the paper, we purposed to discover novel diagnosis biological marker for RA. Two open, usable gene expression profiles of human RA as well as controlled specimens (dataset GSE17755 as well as GSE93272) were downloaded from the GEO database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between 331 RA and 88 control samples. Functional enrichment analysis was applied to explore the possible function of DEGs. Expression levels as well as diagnosis values of biological marker in RA were further verified in our cohort by the use of RT-PCR and ROC assays. We identified 13 DEGs between RA samples and control samples. 13 DEGs were remarkably abundant in NF-kappa B signal pathway. Among the 13 DEGs, CKS2, S100A12, LY96, and ANXA3 exhibited a strong diagnostic ability in screening RA specimens from normal specimens using all AUC > 0.8. Moreover, we confirmed that the expression of CKS2 and S100A12 was distinctly upregulated in RA specimens contrasted to normal specimens. Overall, serum CKS2 and S100A12 could be used as novel diagnosis biological markers for RA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) functions as a polypeptide hormone to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, and its expression is regulated by cellular metabolic stress. Pyruvate is an important intermediate metabolite that acts as a key hub for cellular fuel metabolism. However, the effect of pyruvate on hepatic FGF21 expression and secretion remains unknown. Herein, we examined the gene expression and protein levels of FGF21 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and mouse AML12 hepatocytes in vitro, as well as in mice in vivo. In HepG2 and AML12 cells, pyruvate at concentrations above 0.1 mM significantly increased FGF21 expression and secretion. The increase in cellular cAMP levels by adenylyl cyclase activation, phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibition and 8-Bromo-cAMP administration significantly restrained pyruvate-stimulated FGF21 expression. Pyruvate significantly increased PDE activities, reduced cAMP levels and decreased CREB phosphorylation. The inhibition of exchange protein directed activated by cAMP (Epac) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) upregulated FGF21 expression, upon which pyruvate no longer increased FGF21 expression. The increase in plasma pyruvate levels in mice induced by the intraperitoneal injection of pyruvate significantly increased FGF21 gene expression and PDE activity with a reduction in cAMP levels and CREB phosphorylation in the mouse liver compared with the control. In conclusion, pyruvate activates PDEs to reduce cAMP and then inhibits the cAMP–Epac–CREB signaling pathway to upregulate FGF21 expression in hepatocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal action in extraction process had effects on characteristic tryptic peptides identification and gelling properties of porcine gelatin. SDS‐PAGE, HPLC‐LTQ/Orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry, texture analyser and rheometer were used to evaluate collagen depolymerisation degree, characteristic tryptic peptides and gelling properties of gelatins prepared in various thermal actions. Results showed that with increasing temperature and time, depolymerisation degree enlarged, while gel strength, gelling and melting temperature decreased. Mass spectra showed that 47 and 49 common characteristic tryptic peptides were identified in gelatins extracted at 50 °C and 100 °C with various times, respectively. Moreover, 34 common characteristic tryptic peptides were identified in all gelatin samples. Further comparison between this work and our previous investigations yielded 20 common characteristic tryptic peptides, which stably exist in various thermal actions. These common characteristic tryptic peptides may be very helpful for the accurate authentication of porcine gelatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Silurian–Devonian transition experienced dramatic changes of climates, global carbon cycles and faunas, but detailed documentation of the environments and biotas during this transitional interval in the South China Block is needed. The upper Silurian–Lower Devonian sequence of Qujing, Yunnan, southwestern China, represents one of the rare stratigraphic records of this transition in the South China Block. In this study, the Xiaxishancun Formation of Qujing, a unit generally considered earliest Devonian in age, is studied in terms of sedimentology and ichnology. The results show that the Xiaxishancun Formation typically records the deposition of hyperpycnal flow systems, which have been rarely reported in the Paleozoic. Three facies associations, including mudstone-dominated association, heterolithic association, and sandstone-dominated association, represent different parts of the channels and lobes of hyperpycnal subaqueous deltas on the shelf. Nineteen ichnogenera and 32 ichnospecies were distinguished in the Xiaxishancun Formation, and grouped into two ichnoassemblages, the Lockeia - Ptychoplasma - Oravaichnium ichnoassemblage in hummocky/swaley cross-stratified sandstones, and the Cruziana - Diplichnites - Monomorphichnus ichnoassemblage in thin rippled sandstone beds. The hyperpycnal depositional processes of the Xiaxishancun Formation created nutrient-rich, oxygen-rich, siliciclastic environments that supported diverse benthic ecosystems. Our study provides new insights into the understanding of marginal-marine environments and biotas of South China, immediately following the Silurian–Devonian transition event. • 32 ichnospecies reported from the Lower Devonian Xiaxishancun Formation. • Ichnoassemblages are helpful to analyze the sedimentary process of hyperpycnites. • Hyperpycnites developed in South China during the earliest Devonian. • Inceased terrestrial inputs improved Early Devonian marine community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer (BC) remains the foremost cause of cancer mortality globally, with neutrophils playing a critical role in its pathogenesis. As an essential tumor microenvironment (TME) component, neutrophils are emerging as pivotal factors in BC progression. Growing evidence has proved that neutrophils play a Janus- role in BC by polarizing into the anti-tumor (N1) or pro-tumor (N2) phenotype. Clinical trials are evaluating neutrophil-targeted therapies, including Reparixin (NCT02370238) and Tigatuzumab (NCT01307891); however, their clinical efficacy remains suboptimal. This review summarizes the evidence regarding the close relationship between neutrophils and BC, emphasizing the critical roles of neutrophils in regulating metabolic and immune pathways. Additionally, we summarize the existing therapeutic approaches that target neutrophils, highlighting the challenges, and affirming the rationale for continuing to explore neutrophils as a viable therapeutic target in BC management. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, aims, and objectives: Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is a valuable reliability management tool that can preemptively identify the potential failures of a system and assess their causes and effects, thereby preventing them from occurring. The use of FMEA in the healthcare setting has become increasingly popular over the last decade, being applied to a multitude of different areas. The objective of this study is to review comprehensively the literature regarding the application of FMEA for healthcare risk analysis. Methods: An extensive search was carried out in the scholarly databases of Scopus and PubMed, and we only chose the academic articles which used the FMEA technique to solve healthcare risk analysis problems. Furthermore, a bibliometric analysis was performed based on the number of citations, publication year, appeared journals, authors, and country of origin. Results: A total of 158 journal papers published over the period of 1998 to 2018 were extracted and reviewed. These publications were classified into four categories (ie, healthcare process, hospital management, hospital informatization, and medical equipment and production) according to the healthcare issues to be solved, and analyzed regarding the application fields and the utilized FMEA methods. Conclusion: FMEA has high practicality for healthcare quality improvement and error reduction and has been prevalently employed to improve healthcare processes in hospitals. This research supports academics and practitioners in effectively adopting the FMEA tool to proactively reduce healthcare risks and increase patient safety, and provides an insight into its state‐of‐the‐art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of green supplier evaluation and selection (GSES) in supply chain management is increasingly appreciated due to the intensification of competition, raising public consciousness, and environmental issues. To improve GSES, a large number of approaches have been proposed in the past decades. However, few attempts have been made to systematically review and classify the literature in this field. The objective of this study is to afford a comprehensive review of the studies which aim to develop models and methods in helping enterprises to assess and select the right green suppliers. To achieve this goal, a total of 193 journal articles extracted from the Scopus database over the period of 2009 to 2020 were chosen and reviewed. These publications were classified into ten categories based on their adopted GSES models and analyzed concerning the evaluation criteria, criteria weighting methods, and performance evaluation methods. Moreover, a bibliometric analysis was conducted according to the frequency of supplier selection methods, citation number, publication year, journal, country, and application area. This study supports practitioners, managers, and researchers in effectively recognizing and applying the GSES models to enhance organizational competitiveness and provides an insight into its state of the art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Amotivation is regarded as a core negative symptom in patients with schizophrenia. There are currently no objective methods for assessing and measuring amotivation in the scientific literature, only a trend towards assessing motivation using effort-orientated, decision-making tasks. However, it remains inconclusive as to whether cognitive effort-avoidance in patients with schizophrenia can reflect their amotivation. Therefore, this study aimed to find out whether cognitive effort-avoidance in patients with schizophrenia can reflect their amotivation. Methods: In total, 28 patients with schizophrenia and 27 healthy controls were selected as participants. The demand selection task (DST) was adapted according to the feedback-based Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT) delayed response paradigm, which was combined with the mean amplitude of contingent negative variation (CNV), considered as the criterion of motivation. Results: Our results showed that: (1) patients with schizophrenia showed a lower CNV amplitude for the target stimuli compared to the probe stimuli, whereas the control group showed the opposite trend (P < 0.05); (2) among patients with schizophrenia, the high cognitive effort-avoidance group showed a smaller CNV amplitude for the target stimuli compared to the probe stimuli, whereas the low cognitive effort avoidance group showed a higher CNV amplitude for the target stimuli compared to the probe stimuli; the opposite trend was observed in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings support the claim that CNV amplitude can be used as a criterion for detecting amotivation in patients with schizophrenia. Within the context of the DST, the high and low cognitive effort-avoidance of patients with schizophrenia can reflect their state of amotivation; patients with high cognitive effort-avoidance showed severe amotivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two monoguanidinate rare‐earth metal aminobenzyl enolate complexes LRE(CH2C6H4NMe2‐o)(OCH=CH2)(THF) (L = (PhCH2)2NC(NC6H3iPr2‐2,6)2; RE = Y (1a), Lu (1b)) were synthesized via two pathways of the ring‐opening of THF, and their reactivities with some molecules were also explored. Reaction of complex 1a with iPrNCNiPr gave the insertion product LY[(NiPr2)2CCH2C6H4NMe2‐o](OCH=CH2)(THF) (2). Whereas, in the case of PhNCS, LY[SC(CH2C6H4NMe2‐o)NPh](OCH=CH2)(THF) (3) and the ligands redistribution binuclear yttrium enolate complex [LY(µ‐OCH=CH2)(OCH=CH2)]2 (4) were obtained. The protonolysis products LY(NHPh)(OCH=CH2)(THF)2 (5), LY(NHPh)2(THF)2 (6) and LY(NPh2)(OCH=CH2)(THF)2 (7) were achieved by reaction of 1a with arylamine. Moreover, the THF ring‐opening insertion products with unique structures {LY[O(CH2)4PPh2][µ‐O(CH2)4PPh2]}2 (8) and {LY(SCH2C6H4NMe2‐o)[µ‐O(CH2)4SCH2C6H4NMe2‐o]}2 (9) were afforded through reactions of complex 1a with diphenylphosphine and elemental sulfur. It was the first example of THF activation promoted by rare‐earth metal thiolate complex. And some interesting chemical transformations were observed in our work. Complexes 1 could also serve as efficient initiators in the ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐lactide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trace fossil Rhizocorallium is abundant in the shallow‐marine settings of the Upper Devonian Wangguangou Formation in Xichuan, Henan Province, northern margin of the South China block. Based on its morphological characteristics, the studied Rhizocorallium is attributed to Rhizocorallium commune var. auriforme. There is a significant compositional difference between the fillings of the marginal tube and the spreite. The fillings in the marginal tube are similar to the surrounding rock, with abundant bioclasts. The fillings in the spreite are relatively fine‐grained and obviously affected by biological activities. Four types of pyrite framboids (pyritohedral, octahedron, cube and spherical) have been found within the Rhizocorallium. Moreover, the ratio of pyrite framboids diameter (D) to submicron crystal diameter (d) is <10, suggesting that they were formed by microbial activities. Relatively large pyrite framboids with smooth surface mainly occur in the marginal tube, while small pyrite framboids with sheath are abundant in the spreite. Energy spectrometer (EDS) analysis showed that the S/Fe ratio in the pyrite increased with decreasing crystal diameter, indicating different redox conditions in the marginal tube and the spreite. These features indicate that Rhizocorallium from the Xichuan section is not simply a foraging trace, but is probably a multi‐functional, complex burrow system utilized for living, caching and farming microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary shifts can alter the relative availability of different nutrients and are therefore associated with metabolic adaptation in animals. The Coccinellidae (ladybirds) exhibits three major types of feeding habits and provides a useful model to study the effects of dietary changes on the evolution of mitogenomes, which encode proteins directly involved in energy metabolism. Here, mitogenomes of three coccinellid species were newly sequenced. These data were combined with other ten previously sequenced coccinellid mitogenomes to explore the relationship between mitogenome evolution and diets. Our results indicate that mitogenomic data can be effectively used to resolve phylogenetic relationships of Coccinellidae. Strong codon usage bias in coccinellid mitogenomes was predominantly determined by nucleotide composition. The 13 mitochondrial protein‐coding genes (PCGs) globally evolved under negative constraints, with some PCGs showing a stronger purifying selection. Six PCGs (nad3, nad4L, and nad5 from Complex I; cox1 and cox3 from Complex IV; and atp6 from Complex V) displayed signs of positive selection. Of these, adaptive changes in cox3 were potentially associated with metabolic differences resulting from dietary shifts in Coccinellidae. Our results provide insights into the adaptive evolution of coccinellid mitogenomes in response to both dietary shifts and other life history traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs are critical regulators of the development and progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). However, the role of microRNA-154 (miR-154) in the development and progression of LSCC has not been clarified. We found that down-regulated miR-154 expression in LSCC tissues was associated with poorer prognosis in LSCC patients. MiR-154 over-expression inhibited the proliferation, clonogenicity, and migration of LSCC cells and induced cell cycle arrest, which were reversed by miR-154 inhibition. MiR-154 targeted GALNT7 expression by reducing GALNT7-regulated luciferase activity in LSCC cells while up-regulating GALNT7 mRNA transcription in LSCC tissues and cells. GALNT7 silencing significantly attenuated the proliferation, clonogenicity, and migration of LSCC cells and induced cell cycle arrest. Finally, intravenous treatment with lentivirus for miR-154, but not scrambled control miRNA, significantly restrained the growth of implanted LSCC Hep-2 tumors and decreased the tumor mass by reducing GALNT7 expression in mice. Therefore, miR-154 may serve as a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for LSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace fossils are important evidence of benthic activity and proxies of bottom and interstitial water oxygen content, making them a promising tool to understand the oceanic redox evolution and extinction patterns during the end-Permian mass extinction (EPME). Detailed bed-by-bed ichnologic studies were performed at a high-resolution scale from two uppermost Permian sections (Shangsi and Dongpan) in South China, documenting the presence of Chondrites targionii , Chondrites isp., Nereites isp., Planolites isp. A, Planolites isp. B, Palaeophycus isp., Phycosiphon incertum , Thalassinoides isp., and Zoophycos isp. The uppermost Permian strata at the Shangsi section mainly comprise siliceous limestone interbedded with illite-montmorillonite claystone and shale, recording a deep shelf setting. The uppermost Permian strata at the Dongpan section consist of mixed chert, mudstone and claystone, formed in a slope environment. Bioturbation index in uppermost Permian strata is mostly 1–2, but with thin intervals reaching 3–4. Fluctuating bioturbation intensities, ichnofaunal composition ( Thalassinoides , Planolites , Zoophycos ) and ethologies, as well as the ratio of highly reactive iron to total iron (Fe Hr/ Fe T ) and the proportion of the highly reactive iron pool in the form of pyrite (Fe py /Fe HR ) suggest that bottom and interstitial oxygen levels were not permanently anoxic/euxinic, but were interrupted by brief periods of aerobic conditions during the latest Permian. Three bioturbation phases in the EPME are identified. Phase I is characterized by the absence of typical pascichnia ichnotaxa (e.g. Nereites isp.) and relatively large fodinichnia burrow (e.g., Planolites isp. B; Zoophycos isp.). Phase II mainly consists of smaller Planolites isp. A, Thalassinoides isp. and Chondrites isp., recording a transition from softground to firmground. Only occasional smaller Planolites isp. A occur in Phase III without any associated vertical burrows. Ichnodiversity and bioturbation index from Phase I to Phase III show a step by step decline, corresponding to the two-stage extinction patterns. Long-term environmental stress (e.g., oceanic anoxia, volcanic winter, global warming, ocean acidification, hypercapnia) may have played major role in the collapse of the infaunal ecospace and only facies-crossing, highly tolerant, opportunistic organisms may have persisted in otherwise vacant ecological niches in the aftermath of the extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and linear-ion trap (LTQ)/Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry were combined to systematically differentiate three mammalian gelatins including bovine-hide gelatin, porcine-hide gelatin and donkey-hide gelatin. Interestingly, hemoglobin was found only in the donkey-hide gelatin while not in bovine-hide gelatin and porcine-hide gelatin. In marker peptide determination for each individual gelatin, 28, 27 and 14 distinct peaks were detected to represent the bovine-hide gelatin, porcine-hide gelatin and donkey-hide gelatin, respectively. In the gelatin mixtures, all gelatins can be differentiated by their marker peptides. However, the number of detectable marker peptides in each gelatin decreased with reduced concentration of target gelatin in their mixtures. Under low content of target gelatin (less than 10%), 11, 15 and 5 marker peptides were detected in the gelatin mixture digests for bovine-hide gelatin, porcine-hide gelatin and donkey-hide gelatin, respectively. HPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry could be a promising technology to accurately identify bovine-hide gelatin, porcine-hide gelatin and donkey-hide gelatin for controlling the quality of food products added with gelatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New ichnological data from the Lower Triassic (Induan) Dongchuan Formation (Longmendong, South China) record the recovery interval of marginal-marine communities following the end-Permian mass extinction. Here, we document six ichnogenera from the upper part of the Dongchuan Formation of Dienerian (Early Triassic) age in the Longmendong area, Sichuan Province, South China. These are Cylindrichnus , Diplocraterion , Palaeophycus , Planolites , Siphonichnus , and Teichichnus , illustrating a depauperate Cruziana Ichnofacies. Facies analysis suggests that the depauperate Cruziana Ichnofacies is present in deposits recording the transition from fluvial to tide-dominated estuarine settings. Compilation of worldwide brackish-water ichnofaunas from Permian (average alpha ichnodiversity = 6.2) to Triassic (average alpha ichnodiversity = 5.5) suggests that no significant ichnodiversity decrease took place in these settings as a result of the mass extinction and further implies that the impact of the mass extinction may have been less severe in marginal-marine settings. Ichnofaunas in pre- and post-extinction marginal-marine environments are remarkably similar and tend to be dominated by facies-crossing ichnotaxa (e.g., Diplocraterion , Palaeophycus , Planolites ) produced by opportunistic faunas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has become the focus of research for the treatment of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) based on unique medical theory system. Man-Pen-Fang (MPF), a Chinese herbal compound, which is composed of Thlaspi arvense L. (Cruciferae), Gleditsia sinensis Lam. (Leguminosae), Smilax china L. (Liliaceae), Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. (Celastraceae) and Vaccaria segetalis (Neck.) (Caryophyllaceae) MPF has been used for the treatment of CPID and exerted significant clinical curative effects. However, the corresponding active principles and anti-inflammatory mechanism of MPF are still unknown. Aim of the study The objective of present study is to evaluate the effect of MPF on CPID in the chronic pelvic inflammation (CPI) rat model and elucidate its possible anti-inflammatory mechanism. Materials and Methods The CPI in rats was induced by administration with E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Beta-hemolytic streptococcus. MPF (8.112 g/(kg d) (20 times of adult dosage), 4.056 g/(kg d) (10 times of adult dosage) and 2.028 g/(kg d) (5 times of adult dosage)) and Jingangteng Capsule 2 g/(kg d) (20 times of adult dosage) were administered orally for 20 days. The serum levels of five inflammation-associated cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and TGF-β 1 ) were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay, and the mRNA expression levels of TGF-β 1 , P53, Fas, FasL and MMP-2 in the uterus tissue were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Furthermore, the expression of NF-κB p65 in uterus and ovary tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry assay and the pathological changes induced in the uterus and ovary tissues were observed by histology. Results MPF caused a reduction in serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and TGF-β 1 . The expression of P53 mRNA, Fas/FasL mRNA and MMP-2 mRNA in the uterus tissue was significantly elevated after treating with MPF, in contrast the expression of TGF-β 1 mRNA was decreased. Furthermore, the expression of NF-κB p65 in uterus and ovary tissue was inhibited after treating with MPF. Conclusions These results taken together suggest that MPF has a significant anti-CPID effect, probably due to inhibition of the inflammation reaction by the promotion, and the induction of the apoptosis of inflammatory cells and downregulation of the serum levels of inflammation cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy is a minimally invasive and promising new method in cancer treatment and has attracted considerable attention in recent years. An ideal photosensitizer is a crucial element to photodynamic therapy. In the present paper, a novel porphyrin derivative, 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (5-(pyrrolidin-1-yl) pentyl) porphin (TPPP) was synthesized. Its spectroscopic and physicochemical properties, therapeutic efficacy as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy for human bladder cancer in vitro and in vivo were investigated. TPPP had strong absorption at 648 nm (ε = 1.75 × 10 4 M − 1 cm − 1 ), and two fluorescence emission peaks at 652 nm and 718 nm. PDT with TPPP showed low dark toxicity and high phototoxicity to human bladder cancer T24 cells in vitro. In bearing T24 tumor nude mice, the growth of tumor was significantly inhibited by combining use of 5 mg/kg TPPP with 100 J/cm 2 (650 nm, 180 mW/cm 2 ) laser irradiation at 3 h following injection of TPPP. The antitumor effect was also confirmed with histopathological assay. The histopathological study results revealed that PDT using TPPP and 100 J/cm 2 (650 nm, 180 mW/cm 2 ) laser irradiation induced tumor cells shrunken and necrotic. These results indicate that TPPP is useful as a new photosensitizer in PDT for cancer, and deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using V-shaped mixed ligands bis-imidazole and aromatic carboxylic acids, five new coordination polymers namely, {[Ni(B-im)(Br-a)Cl]·H 2 O} n ( 1 ), {[Ni(B-im)(I-a)(H 2 O) 2 ]·0.5H 2 O} n ( 2 ), [Ni(B-im)(I-a)(H 2 O) 2 ] n ( 3 ), [Ni(B-im)(M-a)(H 2 O) 2 ] n ( 4 ) and {[Mn 2 (B-im) 2 (I-a) 2 ]·2H 2 O} n ( 5 ) [B-im = 1,1′-(5-methyl-1,3-phenylene)bis(1H-imidazole), Br-a = 5-bromonicotinic acid, I-a = isophthalic acid and M-a = 5-methylisophthalic acid] were solvothermally synthesized and fully characterized by IR spectra, element analyses, X-ray powder and single-crystal diffractions, and thermogravimetric analyses. Complexes 1 and 2 feature polymeric macrocyclic chain structures containing interesting nanotubular channels, which are constructed by bridging 30-membered macrocyclic [Ni 3 (B-im) 3 ] subunits with Br-a ligands and by bridging folded 20-membered macrocyclic [Ni 2 (B-im) 2 ] subunits with I-a ligands, respectively. Isomorphic complexes 3 and 4 represent double-chain structures containing folded 18-membered macrocyclic [Ni 2 (B-im)(I-a)] subunits and [Ni 2 (B-im)(M-a)] subunits, respectively. Complex 5 is a 2D porous coordination polymer containing novel chiral four-stranded Mn(II) chains consisting of two (B-im)-bridged aspiral chiral chains and two (I-a)-bridged heterochiral coaxial 2 1 -helical chains. The results of thermal gravimetric analyses suggest that the dehydrated frameworks of 1 – 5 are stable up to 320 °C. Additionally, the magnetism of complexes 3 and 5 were also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the antitumor activity of a chlorophyll-a derivative, 2-[1-hydroxyethyl]-2-devinylpyropheophorbide-a (HEPa). Photophysical characteristics of HEPa were measured. And its cytotoxicity, intracellular localization, biodistribution, efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT), histological analysis were investigated using human bile duct carcinoma cells (QBC-939) and QBC-939 tumor bearing BABL/c nude mice as animal model. The results showed that HEPa was localized mainly within the cytoplasmic region and partially in lysosome. Biodistribution of HEPa in QBC-939 tumor bearing BABL/c nude mice showed its fast rate of clearance and high tumor selectivity. In vitro, HEPa had low dark toxicity and high photoxicity against QBC-939 cells. The inhibition rate of QBC-939 tumor could increase up to 92.3%, and H&E staining confirmed that HEPa could cause serious damage to the tumor with light dose of 100 J/cm 2 , implying that HEPa has potential to be a new antitumor candidate for photodynamic therapy (PDT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New borophosphates Li3Cs2M2B3P6O24 (M = Pb, Sr) have been synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reactions. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction data reveal their non-centrosymmetric cubic space group P213 and lattice parameters of a = 12.7246(3) Å and 12.687(2) Å and V = 2060.31(8) Å3 and 2042.3(4) Å3 for Li3Cs2Pb2B3P6O24 and Li3Cs2Sr2B3P6O24, respectively. They are three-dimensional (3D) [BP2O8]3−∞ anionic frameworks formed by a new double six-membered ring building unit consisting of BO4 and PO4 units joined alternately. Interestingly, such a double six-membered ring is regarded as the structural variation of the 12-membered ring in the known KSrBP2O8, fusing at the BO4 tetrahedron induced by the coexistence of the Li+ and Cs+ cations with their large size difference. The title compounds show weak SHG intensity and exhibit photoluminescence emissions at 410 nm for Li3Cs2Pb2B3P6O24 and 440 nm for Li3Cs2Sr2B3P6O24. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trace fossil Zoophycos is abundant in the shallow-marine deposits (tempestites) of the Lower Devonian (Emsian) Yangmaba Formation in Ganxi of Sichuan, South China. It often occurs as part of complex trace fossils that comprise different integrated elements: scratch traces, simple to complex spreiten structures with marginal tubes ( Zoophycos) and vertical tunnels. The complex Zoophycos burrows consist of spreiten with a marginal tube, preserved as convex hyporeliefs on the sole of an erosion surface. The exquisite, complex spreiten are interpreted to have been formed by deposit-feeding behaviour, where the animal constructed the trace upwards without leaving faeces in the spreiten. The width of the marginal tube in different whorls is almost constant. The scratches are observed on the wall of the marginal tubes. The Zoophycos intergrades with Spongeliomorpha and Chondrites and was later cut by vertical shafts. All these features together indicate that the Zoophycos-maker might have been a vermiform polychaete instead of a predator such as a decapod crustacean ( Spongeliomorpha producer). Based on stratigraphical and ichnological features, the complex trace fossils resulted from the complex activity of different opportunistic organisms (r-strategist) that quickly occupied and thrived within the quiet, nutrient-rich environment after storm events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trace fossil Rhizocorallium commune is abundant in shallow-marine deposits of the Upper Devonian (Frasnian) Tuqiaozi Formation in Ganxi, Sichuan Province, South China. It consists of U-shaped spreite burrows developed more or less parallel or slightly inclined to the bedding of marly limestone. Four types of iron framboids (mostly oxygenated from pyrite framboids) were found within the Rhizocorallium burrow, including (1) smooth, sheathed spherical, (2) prismatic, (3) octahedral, and (4) pyritohedral submicron crystals. Chemically, the submicron crystals mainly consist of iron, sulphur, oxygen and carbon. The iron framboids represent the stage of evolution of their original pyrite framboids from irregular morphologies and spherical framboids to octahedral and pyritohedral habits due to the activity of sulphate-reducing bacteria. No similar framboids were observed outside Rhizocorallium . Therefore, it is likely that sulphate-reducing bacteria colonised the Rhizocorallium spreite and marginal tube within a dysoxic environment. With increasing degree of oxygenation of pore water, the pyrite framboids were partly oxygenated into iron framboids and by exceptional circumstances preserved the original morphology of the crystals. Furthermore, it is proposed that the investigated Rhizocorallium was constructed by its trace maker for gardening with multifunctional purpose, where different microbial colonies were planted and cultured in the marginal tube and spreite on the mutual basis of food supply and redox conditions. These features indicate that a combined deposit-feeding and gardening model may apply for the construction of Rhizocorallium commune from the Devonian of Ganxi. The responsible trace maker probably was a worm-like organism, such as a polychaete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Bacteriochlorin derivatives are promising photosensitive agents for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors. In the current study, the photodynamic activity of a novel bacteriochlorin derivative, cis-2, 3, 12, 13-tetracarboxymethyl-5, 10, 15, 20-tetraphenyl bacteriochlorin (TCTB), was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Physicochemical characteristics of the novel photosensitizer were measured. The efficiency of TCTB-PDT in vitro was analyzed by MTT assay, clonogenic assay and in situ trypan blue exclusion test. The intracellular distribution of photosensitizer was detected with laser scanning confocal microscopy. The accumulation of TCTB in human malignant tumor cells was measured by fluorescence spectrometer, and the pathway of cell death was analyzed by flow cytometry. S180 tumor model was used to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of TCTB-PDT. And histopathological study was also used to confirm the anti-tumor effect. Results: TCTB shows a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.56 and displays a characteristic long wavelength absorption peak at 732 nm. The accumulation of TCTB increased in time-dependent manner, and it was found in cytoplasm and nuclear membranes. In vitro PDT using TCTB and Nd:YAG laser showed drug concentration-, laser dose-dependent cytotoxicity to human esophageal cancer Eca-109 cells. In mice bearing osteosarcoma S180 tumors, the combined use of 10 mg/kg TCTB and 120 J/cm showed superior anti-tumor activity. Histology examination of tumor tissues revealed that PDT using TCTB and the Nd:YAG laser induced tumor cells shrunken and necrotic. Conclusion: In in vitro and in vivo studies, we found that TCTB has excellent anti-tumor effect. It suggests that TCTB is a potential photosensitizer of PDT for cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the clinical value of brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) in the diagnosis of vertebrobasilar ischemia (VBI). Methods: The subjects were divided into the 2 following groups: an observation group of 300 VBI patients and a control group of 100 normal healthy volunteers. BAEP examination was carried out in both groups, and then the results were analyzed and compared. Results: BAEP abnormalities were observed in 59% (177 out of 300) of the patients in the observation group: brainstem type 64.4% (114 cases), inner-ear type 7.4% (13 cases), and mixed type 28.2% (50 cases). In the control group, abnormalities were observed in only 9% (9 cases): inner-ear type 66.7% (6 cases) and mixed type 33.3% (3 cases). There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in their total abnormality rates (p < 0.05). After the neck twisting test, the BAEP abnormality rate of the observation group rose to 85% (255 cases) and was significantly different from that of normal BAEP (p < 0.05). Conclusion: BAEP is an easy but effective auxiliary means for the noninvasive examination of VBI with a high positive rate, thus providing objective evidence for the diagnosis of VBI that may be useful in future clinical application. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exact traveling wave solutions to a class of 5th-order nonlinear wave equations were studied with the sub-equation method and the dynamic system analysis approach. The lower- order sub-equations of this class of high-order nonlinear equations were first derived, then the traveling wave solutions were investigated via the various exact solutions to the sub-equations under different parameter conditions. As an example, 2 families of exact valley-form solitary wave solutions and 2 families of smooth periodic traveling wave solutions to the Sawada- Kotera equation were presented. This method can be applied to study the traveling wave solutions to high-order nonlinear wave equations of which the corresponding traveling wave system can be reduced to the nonlinear ODEs involving only even-order derivatives, sum of squares of lst-order derivatives and polynomial of dependent variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel photosensitizer meso-tetra (3-pyrrolidinomethyl-4-methoxyphenyl) chlorin (TPMC) was reported. It displays a characteristic long wavelength absorption peak at 656 nm and it shows a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.48. After light irradiation with 650 nm laser, it can kill Eca-109 and SMMC-7721 cells in vitro (25 mW/cm2, 1.2 to 3.6 J/cm2) and destroy Eca-109 tumor in nude mice (50 mW/cm2, 90 J/cm2). It has the perspective to be developed as a new anti-tumor drug in photodynamic therapy (PDT) photodiagnosis, and deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising noninvasive treatment, which has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of localized tumors. With the aim to select an appropriate photosensitizer for tumor treatment in PDT, the antitumor effect of a novel chlorin-based photosensitizer, meso-tetra (3-morphlinomethyl-4-methoxyphenyl) chlorin (TMMC) (Fig. 1a) on two types of human malignant tumor cells in vitro and a esophageal cancer model in nude mice, was evaluated in the present paper.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] Methods: The efficiency of TMMC-PDT in vitro was analyzed by MTT assay and clonogenic assay. The intracellular distribution of photosensitizers was detected with laser scanning confocal microscopy. The accumulation of TMMC in human malignant tumor cells was measured by Fluorescence Spectrometer, and the pathway of cell death was analyzed by flow cytometry. Eca-109 tumor model was used to evaluate the antitumor effects of TMMC-mediated PDT. And the singlet oxygen quantum yield of TMMC was also measured using DPBF as substrate. Results: TMMC shows a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.59 and displays a characteristic long wavelength absorption peak at 655 nm. The accumulation of TMMC increased in time-dependent manner, and it was found in cytoplasm and nuclear membranes. TMMC-PDT induced cell death by the major death pathway of necrosis and significantly reduced the growth of Eca-109 tumors in nude mice (180 mW/cm, 120 J/cm). Conclusion: The studies suggest that TMMC is an effective photosensitizer for PDT to tumors. Therefore, TMMC has great potentials for tumor treatment in PDT and deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt and alkali stress limit crop growth and reduce agricultural productivity worldwide, which have led to increased interest in enhancing salt tolerance in crop plants. Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor(Linn.) Moench) is a monocotyledonous crop species that shows greater tolerance to salt–alkali stress than most other crops, although the underlying mechanisms behind this tolerance remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of salt and alkali stresses on two sweet sorghum varieties M-81E, which is stress tolerant, and 314B, which is stress sensitive. Namely, we surveyed plant growth parameters, measured Na+and K+distributions at the level of the whole plant as well as in three specific tissues, and then determined the activities of H+-ATPase, H+-PPase and Na+/H+exchange in root vacuole membranes under stress conditions. Following treatment of the seedlings for 3 days with salt or alkali solutions, the plant growth was inhibited and Na+levels in the whole plant, leaves, sheath, and roots were increased in both genotypes. Under alkali stress, K+levels in the whole plant, leaves, sheath, and roots were decreased in both genotypes. M-81E roots accumulated significantly higher levels of Na+than leaves, whereas the opposite was true for 314B. Under salt stress, both the hydrolytic and proton-transporting activities of V-H+-ATPase were enhanced and Na+/H+exchange activity was dramatically upregulated, whereas V-H+-PPase activity was decreased. M-81E showed a greater capacity to compartmentalize Na+within root cell vacuoles and maintain higher levels of K+uptake compared with 314B, resulting in higher K+/Na+transport selectivity in this genotype. These results also demonstrated that H+-ATPase activity and ionic homeostasis (Na+/K+) were likely important contributors to the tolerance of saline-alkali stress and crucially important for understanding alkaline stress in both crops and wild plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report discusses a female patient with axial spondyloarthritis (AS) who developed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) after being treated with secukinumab (SEC), an interleukin-17 inhibitor. The patient had a family history of AS and psoriasis, and her symptoms worsened after starting SEC treatment. She experienced upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The report highlights the association between SEC and the exacerbation of gastrointestinal symptoms leading to IBD. It also mentions the low incidence rate of IBD in patients treated with SEC and the lack of reports on neurological damage associated with SEC use. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Several published articles investigated the relationship between a polymorphism −148C>T in the β-fibrinogen gene ( FGB) and risk of ischemic stroke, and did not reach the same conclusion. To shed light on these inconclusive findings, we performed a meta-analysis of studies relating the FGB genetic polymorphism (−148C>T) to the risk of ischemic stroke. Methods: We identified articles by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases (CNKI), and Wanfang database in China and by reviewing the references of retrieved articles. We included studies that reported odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between the FGB −148C>T polymorphism and stroke risk. Data from eligible studies were extracted for meta-analysis. Stroke risk associated with FGB −148C>T polymorphism was estimated by pooled ORs and 95% CIs. The software Review Manager (version 5.2) was utilized for meta-analysis. Publication bias was tested by funnel plot. Results: Eighteen independent case-control studies containing 2159 ischemic stroke patients and 3222 control subjects were included. Our results showed that −148C>T polymorphism in the FBG gene was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke ([TT+CT] vs. CC: OR=1.40, 95% CI [1.20-1.45], p<0.0001; T vs. C: OR=1.35, 95% CI [1.18-1.56], p<0.0001, respectively] by a meta-analysis. Conclusion: The results of our meta-analysis suggested that the−148C>T polymorphism in the FGB gene is a susceptibility marker of ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Lower Devonian (Emsian) tempestite in the western Yangtze plate, China, was studied based on ichnological and stratigraphical features. The results indicated that the local tempestite can be grouped into clastic constituent types, which include bottom erosion structures, graded beds, swaley cross-stratification (SCS), parallel lamination, bioturbation and the new composition Zoophycos ichnofabrics. Five storm sequences and three Zoophycos ichnofabrics ( Zoophycos-Chondrites ichnofabric, Zoophycos-Chondrites-Thalassinoides ichnofabric and Zoophycos-Thalassinoides-Palaeophycus ichnofabric) were discerned. It is demonstrated that the Zoophycos-producers from the complex types of Zoophycos in storm sequences were opportunistic organisms (r-strategists). This study reveals storm-generated physical and biogenic structures and textures and provides a good ichnological method to identify storm deposits. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reports on a design of inverse class-E amplifier with finite D.C. feed inductance. The finite D.C. feed inductance is resonated by the parallel capacitance at the fundamental frequency. The direct design equations required to determine the optimum operations are derived in detail. Comparing with the classic inverse class-E amplifier, numerical results show that improvements in minimizing size, cost, and complexity of the circuit can be obtained by the inverse class-E topology with finite D.C. feed inductance. Comparing with the sub-harmonic and parallel-circuit class-E amplifiers, the inverse class-E topology with finite D.C. feed offers advantages for MMIC realization. Theoretical analysis is validated by numerical simulation and measurement. Excellent agreement between theory and simulation results is achieved. Comparison between simulations and measurements of an experimental circuit validate the feasibility of the design. A measured output power of 40.01dBm, with a drain efficiency of 80.16% and power-added efficiency of 78.93% were obtained at 250MHz with a 22-dBm input power. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The crystal structure of ethylenediamine dilauroleate was determined by X-ray crystallography. A thermochemical cycle was designed in accordance with Hess law. The enthalpy change of the synthesis reaction of ethylenediamine dilauroleate was determined to be $$ \Updelta_{{\text{r}}} H_{{\text{m}}}^{\Uptheta } $$ = −(49.07 ± 0.11) kJ mol by an isoperibol solution-reaction calorimeter. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the title compound was calculated to be $$ \Updelta_{\text{f}} H_{\text{m}}^{\Uptheta } $$ = −(38.78 ± 0.43) kJ mol by the designed thermochemical cycle, the enthalpies of dissolution and other auxiliary thermodynamic quantities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposed a novel routing strategy with two tunable parameters, α 1 , β , based on the dynamic local information in a finite buffer network. The system behaves differently from that with a local routing strategy based on the degree with an adjustable parameter α 2 . Simulations show that, under dynamic local strategy, the maximal capacity of the network system increases with β whereas it increases with the decrement of α 1 in the case of all the nodes having identical delivering ability. The dynamic local routing performs much better than the local routing, which is demonstrated by a larger value of the critical packet generation rate. We found that buffer coefficient has a limited impact on the performance of network system. We also demonstrate that a smaller α 1 would be better if we want to have an excellent traffic capacity considering the travel time, average path length and waiting time. Our study will be helpful to improve traffic performance in finite buffer networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) electro-optic (EO) modulator based on micro-strip line (MSL) electrode and guest-host EO polymer DR1/SU-8 is experimentally demonstrated. For achieving high response speed, electrode structure is especially optimized and fabrication technology is seriously controlled. The final characteristic impedance of electrode is about 49.4 Ω, and the difference between microwave index (1.5616) and lightwave index (1.6006) is also minimized. At 1,550 nm, the insertion loss and extinction ratio are 12 and 16 dB, respectively, and under switching operation, the rise time and fall time are 16.3 and 16.7 ns, respectively. A long-term monitoring over 2000 hours at room temperature (25 °C) is performed on switching response, and a novel mathematical modeling on response time variation is established using logistic function. The rise time and fall time are observed to change from the initial value of ~16 ns to the stable value of ~28 ns within 300 and 2000 hours, respectively. The device exhibits nanosecond response time by virtue of impedance-matched electrode, small index mismatch and serious control on fabrication process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Crystal structure of n-decylammonium ethyl sulfate was determined by X-ray crystallography. Lattice potential energy and molar volume of the solid compound and its anion were respectively obtained. Ionic radius of the anion was calculated from the corresponding effective volume of the anion. Molar enthalpies of dissolution of the compound at different concentrations m /(mol·kg–1) were measured by an isoperibol solution–reaction calorimeter at T =298.15K. According to the Pitzer’s electrolyte solution theory, molar enthalpy of dissolution of the compound at infinite dilution () was determined to be (21.284±0.042) kJ·mol–1, and enthalpy of hydration of the anion SO4C2H5 − was calculated to be ΔH– =−340.68kJ·mol–1. The values of apparent relative molar enthalpies ( ΦL) of the title compound and relative partial molar enthalpies ( and ) of the solute and the solvent at different concentrations were derived from experimental values of enthalpies of dissolution of the compound. Finally, enthalpies of hydration of the compound and its anion were calculated by designing a thermochemical cycle in accordance with lattice potential energy and molar enthalpy of dissolution at infinite dilution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The crystal structure of n-undecylammonium bromide monohydrate was determined by X-ray crystallography. The crystal system of the compound is monoclinic, and the space group is P2/ c. Molar enthalpies of dissolution of the compound at different concentrations m/(mol·kg) were measured with an isoperibol solution-reaction calorimeter at T = 298.15 K. According to the Pitzer's electrolyte solution model, the molar enthalpy of dissolution of the compound at infinite dilution ( $$ \Updelta_{\text{sol}} H_{\text{m}}^{\infty } $$) and Pitzer parameters ( $$ \beta_{\text{MX}}^{(0)L} $$ and $$ \beta_{\text{MX}}^{(1)L} $$) were obtained. Values of the apparent relative molar enthalpies ( $$ {}^{\Upphi }L $$) of the title compound and relative partial molar enthalpies ( $$ \bar{L}_{2} $$ and $$ \bar{L}_{1} $$) of the solute and the solvent at different concentrations were derived from experimental values of the enthalpies of dissolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystal structure of n-undecylammonium bromide monohydrate was determined by X-ray crystallography. Low-temperature heat capacities of the compound were measured by a precision automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 78 to 390 K. Two solid–solid phase transitions were observed for the title compound. The temperatures, molar enthalpies, and entropies of the phase transitions were derived based on the analysis of heat–capacity curve. Two polynomial equations of heat capacities as a function of temperature were fitted by least-squares method. Based on the two polynomial equations, smoothed heat capacities and thermodynamic functions of the compound relative to the standard reference temperature 298.15 K were calculated and tabulated at 5 K intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel compound n-octanammonium oxalate (C8H17NH3)2C2O4(s) was synthesized by the method of liquid phase reaction. Crystal structure of n-octanammonium oxalate was determined by X-ray crystallography. The lattice potential energy of the compound was calculated to be U POT =1050.90kJ·mol−1. Molar enthalpies of dissolution of the compound at different concentrations m/(mol·kg−1) were measured by an isoperibol solution–reaction calorimeter at T =298.15K. According to the Pitzer’s electrolyte solution theory, the molar enthalpy of dissolution of the compound at infinite dilution () and Pitzer parameters () were obtained. The values of apparent relative molar enthalpies (ΦL ) of the title compound and relative partial molar enthalpies of the solute and the solvent at different concentrations were derived from experimental values of enthalpies of dissolution. The enthalpy change of the synthesis reaction of n-octanammonium oxalate was determined to be by an isoperibol solution–reaction calorimeter, and standard molar enthalpy of formation of (C8H17NH3)2C2O4(s) was calculated to be by using the enthalpies of dissolution and other auxiliary thermodynamic quantities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Crystal structures of three long-chain n-alkylammonium dihydrogen phosphates n-C n H2n+1NH3·H2PO4(s) (n=8, 9 and 10) (abbreviated as C8P, C9P and C10P), which may be used as the phase change materials in storage and utilization of solar energy, were determined in layered structures by X-ray crystallography, and the same hydrogen bonding network is observed for these long carbon chain compounds. Low-temperature heat capacities of the compounds were measured by a precision adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 78 to 380K. Two solid–solid phase transitions were observed for C8P and C9P, but only one solid–solid phase transition was observed for C10P. The temperatures, molar enthalpies and entropies of the phase transitions were determined based on the analysis of heat capacity curves. Experimental heat capacities for each compound were fitted to two polynomial equations. The smoothed heat capacities and thermodynamic functions and of the three compounds were calculated with an interval of 10K in terms of the polynomial equations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The acid sludge, which was obtained from the recovery of used oil, was disposed through an in situ mixing with styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) modifier during its neutralization reaction to afford an usable road paving material. Different contents of SBS (1.0%, 2.0%, 4.0%, and 6.0% by weight of asphalt) were blended, respectively, with an contrast industrial 70/100 paving grade asphalt and the neutralizing sludge binder. Unmodified (0% SBS), modified sludge asphalt (SBA), and industrial binders (IB) were subjected to the tests of physicochemical, tensile, toughness, and storage-stability. The analyses of test results show that the tensile and toughness properties of SBS modified sludge asphalt are much improved, and its storage-stability is better than conventional SBS modified industrial binders. The results revealed that SBA is a stable binder for containing calcium sulphate interacted with SBS, and it can be confidently used as paving materials, hence a promising disposal method for acid sludge of used oil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Under solvent-free and ultrasonic irradiation conditions, efficient methods for the synthesis of 1,2-disubstitued benzimidazoles and 2-substitued benzothiazoles by employing rare-earth metal chlorides as catalysts are described. The methods have the advantages of broad generality, economical catalysts, good yields, simple operation, solvent-free condition, and ambient temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The crystal structure of 1-decylammonium hydrobromide was determined by X-ray crystallography. Lattice potential energy and molar volumes of the solid compound and its cation were obtained respectively. The ionic radius of the cation can be calculated from the corresponding effective volume of the cation. The molar enthalpies of dissolution of the compound at different concentrations m/(mol·kg−1) at T =298.15K were measured by an isoperibol solution-reaction calorimeter at T =298.15K. According to the Pitzer’s electrolyte solution theory, the molar enthalpy of dissolution of the compound at infinite dilution and Pitzer parameters ( and ) were obtained. The values of apparent relative molar enthalpies of the title compound and relative partial molar enthalpies ( and ) of the solute and the solvent at different concentrations were derived from the experimental values of the enthalpy of dissolution of the compound. Finally, hydration enthalpies of the compound and its cation were calculated by designing a thermochemical cycle in accordance with lattice potential energy and the molar enthalpy of dissolution of the title compound at infinite dilution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An adaptive output feedback controller based on neural network feedback–feedforward compensator (NNFFC) which drives a surface ship at high speed to track a desired trajectory is designed. The tracking problem of the surface ship at low speed has been widely investigated. However, the coupling interactions among the forces from each degree of freedom (DOF) have not been considered in general. Furthermore, the influence of the hydrodynamic damping is also simplified into a linear form or neglected. On the contrary, coupling interactions and the nonlinear characteristics of the hydrodynamic damping can never be neglected in high speed maneuvering situation. For these reasons, the influence of the nonlinear hydrodynamic damping on the tracking precision is considered in this paper. Since the hydrodynamic coefficients of the surface ship at high speed are very difficult to be accurately estimated as a prior, it will be compensated by NNFFC as an unknown part of the tracking dynamics system. The stability analysis will be given by the Lyapunov theory. It indicates that the proposed control scheme can guarantee that all the signals in the closed-loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB), and numerical simulations can illustrate the excellent tracking performance of the surface ship at high speed under the proposed control scheme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The phase equilibria, diffusion growth and diffusivities in the Ni-Al-Pt system at 1 150, 1 200 and 1 250 °C were studied using Pt/?-NiAl diffusion couples. Based on the measured concentration profiles coupled with the local equilibrium hypothesis, the tie-lines between neighboring phases were determined. Two intermediate phases, Pt3Al and ?-NiPt(Al), are found to develop between the Pt and ?-NiAl couples. The thicknesses of Pt3Al and ?-NiPt(Al) layers varies linearly with the square of annealing time, indicating that the growth of Pt3Al and ?-NiPt(Al) are diffusion-controlled. The calculated Arrhenius equations of the parabolic growth constants, k, for the Pt3Al and ?-NiPt(Al) phases are obtained, respectively. The average ternary inter-diffusivities of the Pt3Al and ?-NiAl phases at different temperatures are determined from an integration of inter-diffusion fluxes calculated directly from the experimental concentration profiles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The direct reaction of o-aminopyrazocarbonitriles and carbonyl compounds to afford pyrazolopyrimidinones was discovered; hence, a simultaneous synthetic method for pyrazolopyridines and pyrazolopyrimidinones was achieved. Under microwave irradiation, better yields of products than those of conventional method were given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The tracking control problem of AUV in six degrees-of-freedom (DOF) is addressed in this paper. In general, the velocities of the vehicles are very difficult to be accurately measured, which causes full state feedback scheme to be not feasible. Hence, an adaptive output feedback controller based on dynamic recurrent fuzzy neural network (DRFNN) is proposed, in which the location information is only needed for controller design. The DRFNN is used to online estimate the dynamic uncertain nonlinear mapping. Compared to the conventional neural network, DRFNN can clearly improve the tracking performance of AUV due to its less inputs and stronger memory features. The restricting condition for the estimation of the external disturbances and network''s approximation errors, which is often given in the existing literatures, is broken in this paper. The stability analysis is given by Lyapunov theorem. Simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]