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In this paper, we are concerned with the two-species and two-stimuli chemotaxis system with loop in a bounded domain with smooth boundary. Under appropriate regularity assumptions of the initial data, we show that the system possesses a unique and global bounded classical solution. In addition, the asymptotic behavior of the solutions is discussed. Our results generalize and improve partial previously known ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise, controllable, and safe application of pesticides can effectively reduce pesticide consumption and minimize chemical pollution at the source. Here, a light‐responsive controlled‐release system with flexible control, precise release, easy recovery, and suitability for future pesticide application in aquatic environments is proposed. The system precisely controls the release of pesticides through a light‐responsive composite nanochannel membrane (CTC@SNM/PET) with reactive coumarin derivatives (CTC) as gating molecules. The prepared nanochannel membrane has an ultrathin thickness of 67.5 nm and well‐ordered vertical nanochannels with a uniform size of 1.9 nm, providing a prerequisite for precise molecular gating and high permeability for mass transport. CTC monomers can realize cycloaddition/cyclocracking and nanochannel closing/opening to control the release of pesticides by controlling 365/254 nm ultraviolet light irradiation. As a proof of concept, the light‐responsive controlled‐release system based on CTC@MSF/PET against Saprolegnia parasitica achieves an inhibition rate of more than 95% and reduces pesticide residues by 56.5% compared to the control group. The proposed membrane system has great application potential to easily enable remote, quantitative, timed, and positioned pesticide application, thereby reducing pesticide residues and providing a prospective approach to reducing environmental and human risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms associated with nematodes or enriched in galls have been reported previously to aid plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) in infecting and establishing parasitism in the host plants. However, the rhizosphere-associated microbiota, which strengthens the pathogenicity of PPNs, remains largely unknown. This study illustrated rhizosphere bacteria enhancing Meloidogyne incognita infection on Arabidopsis thaliana by comparing the gall numbers of the treatments between natural soil and the sterile soil or soils drenched with antibiotics. By culture-dependent and pot testing methods, sixteen bacterial combinations from rhizosphere soils of A. thaliana were demonstrated to enhance M. incognita pathogenicity, including the most effective Nocardioides. Single-strain inoculation from the Nocardioides combination significantly resulted in M. incognita forming more galls on roots than the control, in which N. nematodiphilus R-N-C8 was the most effective strain. Strain R-N-C8 could substantially facilitate the M. incognita second-stage juveniles (J2s) moving towards the roots of A. thaliana and infecting the roots by releasing chemoattractant to attract J2s. The chemoattractant from strain R-N-C8 was determined to be L-lysine. This study furnishes vital insights for understanding the infection of root-knot nematodes associated with rhizosphere microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a novel green and high-performance propellants, H 2 O 2 /H 2 O/Al propellants have the potential to solve the pollution problem faced by composite solid propellants while maintaining high performance. However, the drawback that it cannot be ignited at a low oxidizer-to-fuel weight ratio (O/F) and a low pressure hinders its further development. Fortunately, this ignition defect was addressed by the mixture of hydrogen peroxide gel and micron-Al in our recent work. In this paper, the effects of Al content and particle size on the combustion characteristic of burning surface propagation and combustion products of the mixture were investigated. Combustion experiments were conducted in a windowed pressure vessel, using mixtures with three mixing ratios (fuel-lean, stoichiometric, and fuel-rich) and Al particle diameters between 1 and 12 μm. The burning surface propagation was captured by a high-speed camera. The particle size distribution, component, and morphology of combustion products were characterized by laser particle size analyzer, X-ray powder diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. And it is the first time that the combustion properties of H 2 O 2 /H 2 O/Al propellants (including H 2 O/Al propellants) are studied from the prospective of particle size distribution of combustion products. Results showed that with the decrease of Al content and the increase of particle diameter, the combustion intensity of the mixture decreased, resulting in the agglomeration of melted Al droplets on the burning surface. When the Al content was decreased to O/F = 1.7, Al particles in the mixture were no longer further oxidized in the process of combustion. When the Al particle diameter was increased to 7–10 μm, burning rates of the mixture at O/F = 1.7–1.1 tended to be stable. The combustion of mixtures containing 3–7 μm was kinetically controlled. From the prospective of variable burning rate and efficient combustion, the appropriate Al content in the mixture was O/F = 1.7–1.1, and the Al particle diameter should be kept within 1–7 μm. • Two agglomeration mechanisms exist during the combustion of hydrogen peroxide gel and micron-Al mixtures. • Burning rates approach stable when Al particle diameter beyond 7–10 μm. • Al particles reach the oxidation limit during combustion when O/F = 1.7. • The morphology of combustion products is greatly affected by combustion intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a significant challenge to global healthcare systems, with current treatments offering only modest relief and often bringing unwanted side effects, necessitating the exploration of more effective and safer drugs. In this study, we employed the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model, specifically the AD-like CL4176 strain expressing the human Aβ(1–42) protein, to investigate the potential of Reineckia carnea extract and its fractions. Our results showed that the Reineckia carnea ether fraction (REF) notably diminished the paralysis rates of CL4176 worms. Additionally, REF also attenuated the neurotoxicity effects prompted by Tau proteins in the BR5270 worms. Moreover, REF was observed to counteract the accumulation of Aβ and pTau proteins and their induced oxidative stress in C. elegans AD-like models. Mechanistic studies revealed that REF's benefits were associated with the induction of autophagy in worms; however, these protective effects were nullified when autophagy-related genes were suppressed using RNAi bacteria. Together, these findings highlight Reineckia carnea ether fraction as a promising candidate for AD treatment, warranting further investigation into its autophagy-inducing components and their molecular mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve the goal of both lightweight and strong absorption, tailoring the microstructure and components of microwave absorber had been regarded as a promising method. Herein, in-situ growth of magnetic Ni nanoparticles on honeycomb-like porous carbon nanofibers were prepared by electro-blowing spinning and subsequent high-temperature pyrolysis technique. The honeycomb-like porous structure of carbon nanofibers was formed by the decomposition of pore forming agent PTFE nanoparticles during carbonization process, and the effects of PTFE content on the specific surface area and pore size distribution were systematically studied. Simultaneously, the magnetic Ni nanoparticles were in-situ formed and homogenously dispersed in the fiber skeleton. The obtained fibers were connected into a three-dimensional (3D) interconnected macroscopic network, which could form an electrically conductive network to enhance the conductive loss, and induce multiple reflecting and scattering to consume electromagnetic waves. The honeycomb-like porous structure with large specific surface area could shorten the impedance gap with free space and endow the absorber with light-weight feature. In addition, the in-situ growth magnetic Ni nanoparticles introduced additional magnetic loss, which was also benefit to improve the impedance matching. Moreover, the formed heterojunctions at the interface of magnetic Ni nanoparticles and carbon nanofibers triggered intensive interfacial polarization. Under the synergistic effect of magnetic-dielectric loss, appropriate impedance matching, strong interfacial polarization and multiple reflecting and scattering, the optimal sample of Ni/PCNF -2 presented an excellent microwave absorption performance with the minimum RL of −40.48 dB at 1.5 mm thickness, and the effective absorption bandwidth reached to 4.0 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a clinical syndrome of ovarian dysfunction characterized by cessation of menstruation occurring before the age of 40 years. The genetic causes of idiopathic POI remain unclear. Here we recruited a POI patient from a consanguineous family to screen for potential pathogenic variants associated with POI. Genetic variants of the pedigree were screened using whole‐exome sequencing analysis and validated through direct Sanger sequencing. A homozygous variant in TUFM (c.524G>C: p.Gly175Ala) was identified in this family. TUFM (Tu translation elongation factor, mitochondrial) is a nuclear‐encoded mitochondrial protein translation elongation factor that plays a critical role in maintaining normal mitochondrial function. The variant position was highly conserved among species and predicted to be disease causing. Our in vitro functional studies demonstrated that this variant causes decreased TUFM protein expression, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired autophagy activation. Moreover, we found that mice with targeted Tufm variant recapitulated the phenotypes of human POI. Thus, this is the first report of a homozygous pathogenic TUFM variant in POI. Our findings highlighted the essential role of mitochondrial genes in folliculogenesis and ovarian function maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the non-semisimple 0:1 resonance (i.e. the unperturbed equilibrium has two purely imaginary eigenvalues ± i α ( α ∈ R and α > 0) and a non-semisimple double-zero one) Hamiltonian bifurcation with one distinguished parameter, which corresponds to the supercritical Hamiltonian pitchfork bifurcation. Based on BCKV singularity theory established by [H.W. Broer, S. -N. Chow, Y. Kim, and G. Vegter, A normally elliptic Hamiltonian bifurcation, Z. Angew. Math. Phys. 44 (3) (1993), pp. 389–432], this bifurcation essentially triggered by the reversible universal unfolding M = 1 2 p 2 + 1 4 q 4 + (λ + I 1) q 2 with respect to BCKV-restricted morphisms of the planar non-semisimple singularity 1 2 p 2 + 1 4 q 4 (the I 1 is regarded as distinguished parameter with respect to the external parameter λ). We first give the plane bifurcation diagram of the integrable Hamiltonian on each level of integral in detail, which is related to the usual supercritical Hamiltonian pitchfork bifurcation. Then, we use the S 1 -symmetry generated by the additional pair of imaginary eigenvalues ± i α to reconstruct the above plane bifurcation phenomenon caused by the zero eigenvalue pair into the case with two degrees of freedom. Finally, we prove the persistence of typical bifurcation scenarios (e.g. 2-dimensional invariant tori and the symmetric homoclinic orbit) under the small Hamiltonian perturbations, as proposed by [H.W. Broer, S. -N. Chow, Y. Kim, and G. Vegter, A normally elliptic Hamiltonian bifurcation, Z. Angew. Math. Phys. 44 (3) (1993), pp. 389–432]. An example system (the coupled Duffing oscillator) with strong linear coupling and weak local nonlinearity is given for this bifurcation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the electronic properties and selective adsorption for CO2 of nickel boride clusters (NiB)n, (n = 1~10) using the first principles method. We optimized the structures of the clusters and analyzed their stability based on binding energy per atom. It was observed that (NiB)n clusters adopt 3D geometries from n = 4, which were more stable compared to the plane clusters. The vertical electron affinity, vertical ionization energy, chemical potential, and highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gap were calculated. Our results revealed that (NiB)6 and (NiB)10, with high chemical potential, exhibit a higher affinity for CO2 adsorption due to a charge delivery channel that forms along the Ni→B→CO2 path. Notably, (NiB)10 demonstrated a more practical CO2 desorption temperature, as well as a broader window for the selective adsorption of CO2 over N2. The density of states analysis showed that the enhanced CO2 adsorption on (NiB)10 can be attributed to the synergistic effect between Ni and B, which provides more active sites for CO2 adsorption and promotes the electron transfer from the surface to the CO2 molecule. Our theoretical results imply that (NiB)10 should be a promising candidate for CO2 capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) patients present with a chronic inflammatory state. Cell-free mitochondria DNA (cf-mtDNA) has been explored as a reliable biomarker for estimating the inflammation-related disorders, however, the cf-mtDNA levels in POI patients have never been measured. Therefore, in the presenting study, we aimed to evaluate the levels of cf-mtDNA in plasma and follicular fluid (FF) of POI patients and to determine a potential role of cf-mtDNA in predicting the disease progress and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: We collected plasma and FF samples from POI patients, biochemical POI (bPOI) patients and control women. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the ratio of mitochondrial genome to nuclear genome of cf-DNAs extracted from the plasma and FF samples. Results: The plasma cf-mtDNA levels, including COX3, CYB, ND1 and mtDNA79, were significantly higher in overt POI patients than those in bPOI patients or control women. The plasma cf-mtDNA levels were weakly correlated with ovarian reserve, and could not be improved by regular hormone replacement therapy. The levels of cf-mtDNA in FF, rather than those in plasma, exhibited the potential to predict the pregnancy outcomes, although they were comparable among overt POI, bPOI and control groups. Conclusions: The increased plasma cf-mtDNA levels in overt POI patients indicated its role in the progress of POI and the FF cf-mtDNA content may hold the value in predicting pregnancy outcomes of POI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a heterogeneous 6 × 4 dual‐polarized MIMO antenna array was developed to achieve antenna elements with uniform 10 dB‐beamwidth (120° ± 10°). To constrain the 10 dB‐beamwidth, two types of antenna elements are designed and properly placed in the antenna array according to the nonuniform electromagnetic coupling environment. A nonuniform aperiodic metasurface with equivalent capacitance loading effect is then proposed to compensate the inductance of the heterogeneous antenna array. It results in a low‐profile height of 0.17λL and good impedance matching over 40% bandwidth. The unit cells in the metasurface are arranged with non‐uniform spacing to achieve uniform 10 dB‐beamwidth of the antenna elements in an antenna array environment. Both simulation and measurement results validate that the proposed design achieves stable radiation patterns and uniform 10 dB‐beamwidth (120° ± 10°) over a wide frequency band of 1.8–2.7 GHz. Because of these attractive features, the proposed antenna array becomes a promising candidate for massive multiple‐input and multiple‐output base station antennas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Researchers have recently redirected their attention toward aqueous batteries in pursuit of safety and affordability. The water-based electrolyte promises many appealing merits such as non-flammability and environmental friendliness but is also cursed with low energy density. In an attempt of lifting the curse, many efforts have been made to re-formulate the aqueous electrolyte, which seems unlikely to succeed without understanding the interplay between electrolytes' physical properties and electrochemical performance. Starting from the composition of electrolytes, we discuss how various formulas of zinc ion battery electrolytes lead to diverse electrochemical performances. By evaluating the electrochemical performance of batteries in five metrics, it provides a la carte electrolyte designing strategies with different battery purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the adsorption effect of methane (CH4) gas molecular on monolayer PbSe with and without vacancy defects is studied based on first-principles calculations. The effects of the adsorption of methane molecular on monolayer PbSe and on the Se vacancy (VSe) and Pb vacancy (VPb) of monolayer PbSe are also explored. Our results show that methane molecules exhibit a good physical adsorption effect on monolayer PbSe with and without vacancy defects. Moreover, our simulations indicate that the adsorption capacity of CH4 molecules on monolayer PbSe can be enhanced by applying strain. However, for the monolayer PbSe with Vse, the adsorption capacity of CH4 molecules on the strained system decreases sharply. This indicates that applying strain can promote the dissociation of CH4 from VSe. Our results show that the strain can be used as an effective means to regulate the interaction between the substrate material and the methane gas molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: 2D materials have attracted intensive attention due to their unique electrical and optical properties associated with their strictly defined low dimensionalities. They provide a wide range of basic building blocks for future electronics and optoelectronics. The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been proposed to be efficient to realize the controllable thickness, scalable size, which are necessary for both industrial applications and fundamental researches. Herein, we share our research works to realize the controllable growth of 2D materials. We found that stable growth microenvironment can regulate the growth of 2D materials. Thus, we developed near‐steady source supply, space‐confined, and additive‐assisted passivated growth methods to solve the problem of unstable growth environment caused by uneven source and mass transfer. Then, we developed several strategies to precisely control the parity, separation, and transport of the carriers in 2D materials including fabricating defect‐free interface via van der Waals dielectrics, modulating the parity of carriers via ferroelectric‐field, and the separation of carriers via band engineering. Toward future development, we highlight the opportunities and challenges in this field. What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group? Additive‐assisted passivated chemical vapor deposition for growing 2D materials such as non‐layered 2D materials and 2D inorganic molecular crystals. How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers? I got my introduction to chemical vapor deposition for growing nanomaterials from my undergraduate training. Then I focused on transistors and photodetectors during my postgraduate research in Japan. When I came back, I found that 2D materials are promising for the next generation optoelectronics. Thus, I started to get into this field of synthesis of 2D materials for optoelectronics. What is the most important personality for scientific research? Interest, is the driving force to find novel phenomenon, and persist in scientific research. How do you supervise your students? I prefer to discuss different experimental directions according to each student's interests. In terms of topic selection, I will give them more space for thinking and ask them to discuss with me with their problems. Then, we will choose one or more directions that deserve to be focused. I will follow up the details of their experiments every week. In the meantime, I also coach them how to design research projects for their research, and perform multidisciplinary research in collaboration with others. What are your hobbies? Running. If you have anything else to tell our readers, please feel free to do so. As a scientist, please keep interests and curiosity in your scientific research, as well as persistent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe-based chemical looping gasification is a clean biomass technology, which has the advantage of reducing CO2 emissions and the potential of self-sustaining operation without supplemental heating. A novel process combining Fe-based chemical looping and biomass pyrolysis was proposed and simulated using Aspen Plus. The biomass was first subjected to pyrolysis to coproduce biochar, bio-oil and pyrolysis gas; the pyrolysis gas was subjected to an Fe looping process to obtain high-purity hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The influences of the pyrolysis reactor operating temperature and fuel reactor operation temperature, and the steam reactor and air reactor on the process performance are researched. The results showed that, under the operating condition of the established process, 23.07 kg/h of bio-oil, 24.18 kg/h of biochar, 3.35 kg/h of hydrogen and a net electricity of 3 kW can be generated from 100 kg/h of rice straw, and the outlet CO2 concentration of the fuel reactor was as high as 80%. Moreover, the whole exergy efficiency and total exergy loss of the proposed process was 58.98% and 221 kW, respectively. Additionally, compared to biomass direct chemical looping hydrogen generation technology, the new process in this paper, using biomass pyrolysis gas as a reactant in the chemical looping hydrogen generation process, can enhance the efficiency of hydrogen generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidic biocatalytic reactors have attracted widespread attention in recent years, but the production cost is generally high, which makes it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale industrial production. Developing a low-cost, green fluid reactor has become an urgent requirement. Here, inspired by the three-dimensional hierarchical structure of natural wood, a cellulose-based bionic microfluidic biocatalytic reactor with vertically aligned channels and a porous inner wall is reported for the continuous fluid catalytic conversion of polydatin to resveratrol. NiO nanoparticles were immobilized on cellulose-based bionic materials as metal arms to adsorb poly-histidine-tagged enzymes to form a stable and efficient biocatalytic reactor. Due to the unidirectionally aligned channels and porous inner wall, the fluid in different channels of the bionic xylem reactor is disturbed through the porous inner wall, which greatly prolongs the residence time for the fluid inside the reactor and increases the probability for contact with the enzyme, improving the internal mass and heat transfer efficiency to achieve high catalytic activity (98.69% treatment efficiency) and excellent stability (maintain a conversion rate of more than 90% within 15 days). Because of the good and stable enzyme immobilization and high catalytic activity of the reactor, it can greatly simplify industrial upstream and downstream production and has broad application prospects for catalytic reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The host‐associated microbiome highly determines plant health. Available organic resources, such as food for microbes, are important in shaping microbial community structure and multifunctionality. However, how using organic resources precisely manipulates the soil microbiome and makes it supportive of plant health remains unclear.Here, we experimentally tested the influence of carbon resource diversity on the microbial trophic network and pathogen invasion success in a microcosm study. We further explored how resource diversity affects microbial evenness, community functions, and plant disease outcomes in systems involving tomato plants and the in vivo soil microbiome.Increasing available resource diversity altered trophic network architecture, increased microbial evenness, and thus increased the certainty of successful pathogen control. By contrast, the invasion resistance effects of low resource diversity were less effective and highly varied. Accordingly, increases in the evenness and connection of dominant species induced by high resource diversity significantly contributed to plant disease suppression. Furthermore, high carbohydrate diversity upregulated plant immune system regulation‐related microbial functions.Our results deepen the biodiversity‐invasion resistance theory and provide practical guidance for the control of plant pathogens and diseases by using organic resource‐mediated approaches, such as crop rotation, intercropping, and organic amendments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decision-making under time pressure may better reflect an individual's response preference, but few studies have examined whether individuals choose to be more selfish or altruistic in a scenario where third-party punishment is essential for maintaining social norms. This study used a third-party punishment paradigm to investigate how time pressure impacts on individuals' maintenance of behavior that follows social norms. Thirty-one participants observed a Dictator Game and had to decide whether to punish someone who made what was categorized as a high unfair offer by spending their own Monetary units to reduce that person's payoff. The experiment was conducted across different offer conditions. The study results demonstrated that reaction times were faster under time pressure compared with no time pressure. Time pressure was also correlated with less severe punishment. Specifically, participants were less likely to punish the dictator under time pressure compared with no time pressure when the offer was categorized as a high unfair. The findings suggested that individuals in these game conditions and under time pressure do not overcome their pro-selves and that time pressure weakens an individual's willingness to punish high unfair offers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More studies have demonstrated that people have the capacity to learn and make use of environmental regularities. This capacity is known as statistical learning (SL). Despite rich empirical findings, it is not clear how the two forms of SL (SL of target location and SL of distractor location) influence visual search and whether they rely on the shared cognitive mechanism. In Experiment 1 and Experiment 2, we manipulated the probability of target location and the probability of distractor location, respectively. The results suggest that attentional guidance (they referred to overt attention) may mainly contribute to the SL effect of the target location and the distractor location, which is in line with the notion of priority mapping. To a small extent, facilitation of response selection may also contribute to the SL effect of the target location but does not contribute to the SL effect of the distractor location. However, the main difference between the two kinds of SL occurred in the early stage (it involved covert attention). Together, our findings indicate that the two forms of SL reflect partly shared and partly independent cognitive mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collapse failure under external pressure is one of the common failure forms of casing. Much research has been performed on the casing body, but few on the threaded connection, in view of the general belief that the threaded connection has a thicker wall and larger collapse strength than the casing body. However, under external pressure, the sealing capacity of a worn casing connection will decrease due to deformation of the sealing structure, so the influence of sealing ability should be considered to determine the collapse strength of casing. In this paper, we established a three-dimensional finite element model of a 7" crescent-worn casing connection and calculated the collapse strength of the connection under different wear depths. Meanwhile, the stress distribution characteristics on the sealing surface were obtained and the influence of wear on the sealing performance of the casing connection under external pressure was analyzed. The results showed that when the wear rate exceeds a certain value, the collapse strength of the connection based on sealing integrity was lower than that of the casing body. Based on these, a collapse strength model for a 7" crescent-worn casing connection considering sealing integrity was developed and a safety evaluation method of the collapse strength of the worn casing string was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) patients are predisposed to metabolic disturbances, including in lipid metabolism and glucose metabolism, and metabolic disorders appear to be a prerequisite of the typical long-term complications of POI, such as cardiovascular diseases or osteoporosis. However, the metabolic changes underlying the development of POI and its subsequent complications are incompletely understood, and there are few studies characterizing the disturbed metabolome in POI patients. The aim of this study was to characterize the plasma metabolome in POI by using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) metabolomics and to evaluate whether these disturbances identified in the plasma metabolome relate to ovarian reserve and have diagnostic value in POI. Methods: This observational study recruited 30 POI patients and 30 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls in the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, from January 2018 to October 2020. Fasting venous blood was collected at 9:00 am on days 2–4 of the menstrual cycle and centrifuged for analysis. An untargeted quantitative metabolomic analysis was performed using UHPLC–MS/MS. Results: Our study identified 48 upregulated and 21 downregulated positive metabolites, and 13 upregulated and 48 downregulated negative metabolites in the plasma of POI patients. The differentially regulated metabolites were involved in pathways such as caffeine metabolism and ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis. Six metabolites with an AUC value > 0.8, including arachidonoyl amide, 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid, dihexyl nonanedioate, 18-HETE, cystine, and PG (16:0/18:1), were correlated with ovarian reserve and thus have the potential to be diagnostic biomarkers of POI. Conclusion: This UHPLC–MS/MS untargeted metabolomics study revealed differentially expressed metabolites in the plasma of patients with POI. The differential metabolites may not only be involved in the aetiology of POI but also contribute to its major complications. These findings offer a panoramic view of the plasma metabolite changes caused by POI, which may provide useful diagnostic and therapeutic clues for POI disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The feedstock from waste PET can be directly used in 100 % for synthesizing PU. • PU developed by a synergistic molecular design in the soft and hard segments. • PU elastomer exhibited excellent optical transparency of near 90% • The PU can be stretched up to 670% and directly return to the original size. Polymers with excellent optical and mechanical performance fabricated from renewable resources, have been paid an increasing attention in recent years. Here, high-performing polyurethane elastomers with significant mechanical properties, crystallinity, excellent stretchability and good transparency are prepared by a synergistic molecular design in the soft and hard segments. Using the liquid glycolysis degradation product (LGOP) as a chain extender, polyurethane elastomer is synthesized from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste bottles. The results suggest that the degradation products from waste PET can be directly used as feedstock for preparing polyurethane elastomers with significant performance. The polyurethanes exhibited excellent optical transparency of near 90%, and can be stretched up to 670% without any treatment to return to original size. It is assumed that the symmetrical hard domain composed of aromatic rings and ester groups in LGOP creates sufficient chain fluidity for the dynamic exchange of hydrogen bonds and urethane. This paper has devoted to achieve a complete and mature system from waste PET to polyurethane products, to create a closed loop of waste PET plastic recycling and regeneration, and to realize the polyurethane industrial chain of raw material self-supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The long-term oncologic outcomes after laparoscopic and open procedures for patients with intermediate‑ and high‑risk endometrial cancer (EC) remain unclear. Accordingly, laparoscopy cannot still be recommended as the standard choice for intermediate‑ and high‑risk EC. This retrospective study aimed to assess the perioperative and long-term oncologic outcomes of laparoscopy and open surgery in patients with intermediate- and high‑risk ECs within a minimum 4-year follow-up.Methods: We included 201 patients who underwent laparoscopic or open procedures for intermediate‑ and high‑risk EC between 2010 and 2017. Between-procedure comparisons of perioperative and oncological outcomes were performed using the independent t-test or Pearson's chi-squared test and the Kaplan-Meier method, respectively.Results: Finally, there were 136 intermediate‑ and 65 high‑risk endometrial tumors in the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. There were no between-group differences in all baseline characteristics. Compared with the open group, the laparoscopic group had a significantly longer mean operating time (p = 0.005) and a lower mean estimated blood loss (EBL) (p = 0.031). There was a higher possibility of postoperative complication in the open group than in the laparoscopic group (p = 0.048). There were no significant between-group differences in pathological outcomes as well as the recurrence-free survival and overall survival rates (p = 0.626 and p = 0.148, respectively).Conclusions: Among patients with intermediate‑ and high‑risk EC, laparoscopic surgery has an advantage over the open surgery in reducing EBL and the rate of postoperative complications without weakening the oncological control. There were no between-procedure differences in the recurrence-free and overall survival rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-assisted water electrolysis uses carbon oxidation reaction replacing oxygen evolution reaction to decrease the anode potential and the energy consumption for water electrolysis hydrogen production. However, the mass transfer between carbon particle-electrolyte-anode limits its energy saving effect. Based on the principle of self-corrosion/oxidation of carbon-based electrode materials, the biochar sacrificial anode was proposed and investigated to solve the mass transfer issue in carbon slurry assisted water electrolysis for hydrogen production. Results showed that the activity and stability of sacrificial anode could be improved simultaneously in high concentration alkaline electrolyte using pinewood char as active substance, graphite as conductive agent and coal liquefying residue as binder. The biochar anode produced less oxygen than Pt anode, and the anode potential of biochar was 60–76% of that Pt anode. The application of biochar as sacrificial anode offers an industrial clean, scalable and sustainable idea to obtain green hydrogen. • The substitution of OER was achieved by biochar sacrificial anode. • The sacrificial anode avoids mass transfer of carbon assisted water electrolysis. • The optimal ratio of biochar/graphite/binder is 1:1:1. • Cell voltage of water electrolysis reduced about 20%. • Larger size anode could extend service life biochar sacrificial anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection part plays a considerable role in quantum key distributions (QKD). However, in practical applications, the imperfections of detectors compromise the performance and security of QKD systems, especially when moving into the Gigahertz regime. In this work, we mainly study the impact of afterpulse and dead-time on the key rate of reference-frame-independent quantum key distribution (RFI-QKD) systems. Our simulation results show that the dead-time and the afterpulse effects have significant influences on the key rate at both short and long transmission distances. The present work may provide valuable references for constructing QKD network under practical environments and setups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydropower has transitioned from base-load generation into an energy regulator in the hydro-wind-solar integrated systems, resulting in prolonged turbine operation under off-design conditions. Inspired by the new requirements of operation mode, an innovative Francis draft tube with inclined conical diffuser is presented to mitigate the pressure fluctuations and fatigue damage induced by flow instabilities. The design is optimized and comprehensively investigated to improve the operational flexibility. Computational fluid dynamics combined with design of experiments, artificial neural network and multi-objective optimization process lead to two optimal designs denoted as Opt-1 and Opt-2 from the Pareto fronts. Corresponding maximum pressure fluctuation amplitude is reduced by 15 % and 20 % compared to the traditional, respectively. An 81 % decrease of the fluctuating pressure recovery for the modified draft tube is obtained, leading to a steadier runner torque and consequently lower power swing. The asymmetric design of inclined daft tube is mainly targeted at the mitigation of the synchronous component as well as the attenuation of interaction between the swirling flow and elbow, accompanied with the mitigated energy of first-order vortex structure. The proposed innovative draft tube and optimization technique are found useful to broaden the operating range of hydraulic turbine in a computationally affordable way. • An innovative draft tube design allowing a wider operation of turbine is optimized. • An intelligent optimization framework is applied to the innovative draft tube. • Lower pressure fluctuations and power swing are achieved with optimization. • The mitigating mechanism of the optimized draft tube is explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data and code related to the SIFP system are provided: https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/131009-sifp-system. [Display omitted] • A shearing interferometry fringe projection (SIFP) system (also called interferometry phase measuring deflectometry, IPMD) is proposed. • A unidirectional slope Fourier transform reconstruction algorithm is proposed. • The proposed IPMD system can generate higher-density interference fringes. • The reconstruction algorithm indicates that the number of the recorded fringe patterns can be reduced. It is known that digital projectors have a nonlinear effect that deforms the ideal sinusoidal fringe pattern to be nonsinusoidal and finally introduces errors. To obtain high-density and pure sine projection fringes, this paper proposes a shearing interferometry fringe projection (SIFP) system (also called interferometry phase measuring deflectometry, IPMD) as well as a unidirectional slope Fourier transform reconstruction algorithm. The experiments of the phase modulation monitoring are performed, and the result shows that the root-mean-square (RMS) values are 0.1044λ (for a Gaussian modulated phase) and 0.0848λ (for an aspheric modulated phase). Also, the experiment of the diopter detection for the ophthalmic glasses is carried out. The result shows that the measured diopter is −3.0073D (the ideal diopter is −3.0D), and the prediction error of the diopter is 0.0073D. All the results have proved that the proposed SIFP (IPMD) system and the unidirectional slope Fourier transform reconstruction algorithm are effective. The density of the interference fringe in the SIFP system can be easily adjusted, which effectively avoids the nonlinear effect caused by digital projectors. With the improvement of the unidirectional slope Fourier transform reconstruction algorithm, the application of the SIFP system in phase quantitative measurement can be further promoted. Simultaneously, the successful application of the proposed method in the diopter detection of the ophthalmic glasses may provide a new scheme for wavefront aberrations detection of human eyes. © 2020 Optica Publishing Group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proposed method to transform BIM models of hub stations into network models. • Improved MDPM by using node embedding, Enhanced applicability of MDPM to simulation of evacuation scenarios. • Based on the simulation results of MDPM, the "congested cluster" is proposed to explain the mechanism of bottleneck cause. • Discussed the impact of bottleneck expansion options on evacuation efficiency. • Simulation results for MDPM were analyzed using DTW to discuss the existence of MFDs during evacuation. In order to predict the evacuation capacity of a hub station in advance during the design and planning period, this paper proposes a network loading model to describe the overall evacuation problem of a hub station. Firstly, this paper introduces two principles: the fundamental diagram and spatial density consistency. The method of abstracting from Building Information Modeling (BIM) to the network model is standardized and objective density consistency is achieved using the social force model. Additionally, the consistency between the results of the microscopic and macroscopic network models is verified through simulation experiments of microscopic scenarios. The Macro-Dynamic Propagation Model (MDPM) has been enhanced in three aspects to better suit evacuation scenarios. Furthermore, the quantization of pedestrians' path selection results is achieved by synchronously propagating node embeddings. Based on the established evacuation case's fundamental diagram of pedestrian flow, the logic of fundamental diagram matching (LFM) is designed to be applicable to evacuation scenarios. Finally, using the real-time density of the nodes and the node embeddings as attribute terms, this paper designs a pedestrian selection model that enables the MDPM to consider the following effect of the pedestrians in the evacuation case. The evacuation process of the hub station is simulated, the distance matrix between the nodes is calculated using the Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) method, the nodes are clustered and analyzed based on this matrix and the macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) is statistically calculated from the clustering results. The results suggest that MFD may be an intrinsic feature of a dynamic transportation network system, emerging from node message passing. Additionally, the system formula model bases on the MFD with the optimization idea of the evacuation process is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient remediation of soil contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is challenging. To determine whether soil ecoenzyme stoichiometry influences PAH degradation under biostimulation and bioaugmentation, this study initially characterized soil ecoenzyme stoichiometry via a PAH degradation experiment and subsequently designed a validation experiment to answer this question. The results showed that inoculation of PAH degradation consortia ZY-PHE plus vanillate efficiently degraded phenanthrene with a K value of 0.471 (depending on first-order kinetics), followed by treatment with ZY-PHE and control. Ecoenzyme stoichiometry data revealed that the EEA C:N , vector length and angle increased before day five and decreased during the degradation process. In contrast, EEA N:P decreased and then increased. These results indicated that the rapid PAH degradation period induced more C limitation and organic P mineralization. Correlation analysis indicated that the degradation rate K was negatively correlated with vector length, EEA C:P , and EEA N:P , suggesting that C limitation and relatively less efficient P mineralization could inhibit biodegradation. Therefore, incorporating liable carbon and acid phosphatase or soluble P promoted PAH degradation in soils with ZY-PHE. This study provides novel insights into the relationship between soil ecoenzyme stoichiometry and PAH degradation. It is suggested that soil ecoenzyme stoichiometry be evaluated before designing bioremeiation stragtegies for PAH contanminated soils. [Display omitted] • Microbial mediated soil PAHs biodegradation is a coupled with the dynamic ecoenzyme stoichiometry. • Initial degradation period induces C and P limitations. • PAH degradation negatively links to C limitation. • Relative higher phosphatase activity benefits PAH degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A high-resolution (1 km) model study of Red Snapper larvae dispersal. • Buoyancy and ontogenetic vertical migration are pivotal behaviors. • Ocean advection can shape larvae dispersal. • Limited connectivity between areas west and east of the Mississippi Delta. Advancements in computing power and improved biophysical dispersal models, have enhanced our ability to realistically simulate distributions and behaviors of fish larvae. In this study, a 1 km high-resolution ocean model capable of capturing the ocean's mesoscale and sub-mesoscale motions is integrated with a biophysical dispersal model that considers a range of larval behaviors. Together they are used to investigate the dispersal and connectivity of Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) larvae, a key species for both commercial and recreational fisheries in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). We quantify how various larval behaviors influence the spatiotemporal dispersal, connectivity and settling of Red Snapper larvae focusing on egg buoyancy, larvae swimming capability, and ontogenetic vertical migration. Alongside habitat preferences, the ocean advection of Red Snapper larvae is crucial in shaping their dispersal patterns. Moreover, our simulations suggest different settling and connectivity characteristics between the eastern and western GOM. These results, indicate the need to divide these regions into distinct entities for stock management, rather than treating them as a unified stock as conventionally done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The coupling model of riser string and drill string is established by using Euler-Bernoulli beam model. • The dynamic characteristics of drill string are compared with those under the condition of fixed riser string. • The kinematic characteristics of drill string in "pipe in pipe" structure were obtained. The deepwater drilling string system consists of riser and drill string, forming a "pipe in pipe" structure with the riser as the outer pipe and the drill string as the inner pipe, thereby increasing the complexity of simulation and analyzing the dynamic characteristics of the string system. In this paper, a coupling model of the riser string and drill string is established by using Euler-Bernoulli beam model. Based on obtaining the dynamics of drill string, considering the influence of riser vibration, the dynamic characteristics of drill string are compared with those under the condition of fixed riser string. The kinematic characteristics of drill string in the "pipe in pipe" structure are analyzed as well. The distribution of contact forces between the drill string and the inner wall of riser is also studied. The results indicate that the vibration of the riser string has a significant influence on the dynamic characteristics of the inner drill string, and there is a high risk of failure due to serious contact wear between the riser and the drill string near the underwater wellhead. This observation is consistent with practical observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficiently solving inverse kinematics (IK) of robot manipulators with offset wrists remains a challenge in robotics due to noncompliance with Pieper criteria. In this paper, an improved method to solve the IK for 6-DOF robot manipulators with offset wrists is proposed. This method is based on the Newton iteration technique, but it does not require a selection of initial estimation of joint variables. The solution is divided into two parts: the first part is to reconstruct a simplified structure with analytical IK solution, and the second part is to obtain a numerical solution by iteration. Further, a robot manipulator HSR-BR606 with an offset wrist is used as an example to specifically elaborate the mathematical procedure of the method and to investigate the algorithm in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and application of motion planning. A comparative experiment is conducted with a typical IK algorithm, which demonstrates a higher accuracy and shorter calculation time of the proposed method. The mean calculation time for a single IK solution required for this algorithm is only 4% of the comparison algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The torrefaction and pyrolysis experiments on hawthorn seed (HS) were carried out, and biochar obtained was utilized as a catalyst in dry reforming of methane (DRM) under microwave field. The product was characterized and analyzed to explore the influence of torrefaction on HS, subsequent pyrolysis process and catalytic performance of biochar. Results reveal that increasing torrefaction temperature enhanced deoxygenation and dehydration of solid product, thus increase gas and liquid product. And the yield of tar increases significantly with pyrolysis temperature. The carbon content of biochar with potential as carbon-based catalyst can exceed 80%. As torrefaction was implement before pyrolysis, not only was smokey flavor of tar improved, but also carbonization of biochar was further enhanced. As torrefaction temperature and pyrolysis temperature was respectively set at 300 °C and 600 °C, the biochar acquired could make the conversion rate of CH 4 and CO 2 reach 75% and 85% in the DRM reaction, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfide solid electrolytes with high conductivity that is close to that of liquid electrolyte have been considered to be one of the most promising electrolytes for all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs). Unfortunately, the narrow electrochemical windows of sulfide electrolyte and contact loss at the interface upon cycles much limits the application of sulfide‐based ASSLBs. In this work, an organic quinone cathode, 5,7,12,14‐pentacenetetrone (PT), is used to fabricate an ASSLB with a sulfide electrolyte of glass ceramic 70Li2S‐30P2S5 (LPS). Based on the various in situ/ex situ analyses, it is successfully demonstrated that the decomposition of LPS is negligible and the corresponding effects on interfacial impedance are reversible with optimized carbon additives. In addition, the inherent low Young's modulus of the PT electrode efficiently prevents the contact loss at the interface. As a result, the PT‐based ASSLBs deliver a high specific capacity (312 mAh g−1) and an excellent capacity retention (90.6%) over 500 cycles which is superior to previous reports. Moreover, a carbon‐free ASSLB is constructed by employing Mo6S8 as conductive additives in a PT‐based cathode, which shows an improved rate performance and a long life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assembly of colloidal particles to crystal structure on micrometer scale is attractive due to the unique and complex structure with stable physical and chemical properties, and even good anti-reflectivity. In this work, the pyramidal Al 2 O 3 film was prepared via the designed process combining the sol-gel method and hydrothermal reaction. We employed Al(NO 3) 3 and H 2 NCONH 2 as precursors and precipitant respectively on monocrystalline silicon wafer without etching. The bulk structure and components of the pyramidal Al 2 O 3 film were investigated and analyzed by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, etc. The fabricated Al 2 O 3 films were composed of pyramidal structures, which mainly consisted of nanorods and nanospheres with both side length and thickness in micro scales. The surface reflectance and water contact angle results suggested that the surface of the film was hydrophilic and the average surface reflectance was 17.9%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unique combination of excellent mechanical and functional properties makes graphene an ideal component for high-performance ‘smart’ composites, which are sensitive to thermal, optical, electrical and mechanical excitations, hence being potential in application of a range of sensors. It has confirmed that the addition of graphene into metal matrix can significantly enhance the mechanical property and deliver surprising functional properties. Thus, graphene reinforced metal matrix composites (GMMCs) have long been regarded as potential prospects of nanotechnology applications. Recently, researchers mainly focused on: (i) solving the interfacial issues and realizing controllable alignment of graphene in metal matrix to achieve optimal performance; (ii) reasonable designing of the microstructures basing on usage requirement and then fabricating via efficient technique. Thus, it is necessary to figure out key roles of microstructure in fabrication process, mechanical and multi-functional properties. This review consists of four parts: (i) fabrication process. The fabrication processes are firstly divided into three kinds basing on the different bonding nature between graphene and metal matrix. (ii) Mechanical property. The microstructural characteristics of metal matrix accompanying by the incorporation of graphene and their vital effects on mechanical properties of GMMCs are systematically summarized. (iii) Functional property. The crucial effects of microstructure on electrical and thermal properties are summarized. (iv) Prospect applications and future challenges. Application and challenges basing on the research status are discussed to provide useful directions for future exploration in related fields. All these four parts are discussed with a focus on key role of microstructure characteristics, which is instructive for the microstructures design and fabrication process optimization during academic researches and potential commercial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issues of whether mobile-assisted English as a foreign language (EFL) reading is effective have become increasingly important for EFL teachers and policy-makers. However, empirical studies investigating EFL students' reading comprehension performance on mobile phones and students' perceptions of these reading formats are lacking. The present research employed questionnaire surveys and semistructured interviews to investigate whether differences exist between mobile-assisted and paper-based EFL reading in terms of participants' reading comprehension accuracy, reading speed, and reading strategy used (i.e. general, problem-solving or support strategies) and explore EFL learners' perceptions of mobile-assisted EFL reading. A sample of 81 first-year college students participated in a quasiexperiment, 6 participants participated in a semistructured interview, and a sample of an additional 10 students participated in a pilot study. The analyses, including qualitative descriptions, mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA), paired-sample t-tests, and independent-sample t-tests, indicated that participants achieved superior reading comprehension accuracy when reading from printed paper compared to reading from mobile phones. Superior reading speed from paper was observed only when participants were instructed to read and complete the comprehension test the first time, while no difference in speed between the two reading media was observed the second time. Additionally, participants' use of reading strategies during mobile-assisted EFL reading was not as effective as that during paper reading. Regarding participants' preferences, most participants (79%) preferred reading from paper over mobile phones because hard copies provided a better reading experience and promoted active reading engagement. However, participants held positive attitudes toward mobile-assisted EFL learning and wanted to continue to read from mobile phones to assist their foreign language learning due to their convenient built-in functions and portability. The implications for the use of mobile devices to assist language pedagogical practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a dual-function speckle interferometry system based on the temporal phase-shifting technique for both the digital speckle pattern interferometry (DSPI) and digital shearography (DS) measurement. The principle of the dual-function system has been described comprehensively based on the scalar diffraction theory. The simulation results show that the dual-function system which is based on the object beam multiplexing can simultaneously measure the out-of-plane displacement and slope under the single loading. The sensitivity of the out-of-plane displacement solved by the DSPI and DS method is discussed. Due to the error of the integration, the accuracy of the out-of-plane displacement calculation in DSPI is better than in DS. Finally, the dual-function speckle interferometry system has been proven effective in the edge detection of internal defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The inhibition efficiency following the order: KI

Pd/C-[BMIm][BF 4 ] catalyst displayed high activity for acceptorless dehydrogenation of biomass-derived alcohols to produce aromatic ketones under mild conditions without any acid/base additives, and this catalyst could be recovered and reused for 5 runs without obvious activity loss. This work provides a potential approach for the effective utilization of renewable biomass resources to produce aromatic compounds and clean H 2. [Display omitted] • The combination of Pd/C with specific ionic liquid of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF 4 ]) displayed high activity for the dehydrogenation of aromatic alcohols to produce aromatic ketones. • The Pd/C-[BMIm][BF 4 ] pair promoted the dehydrogenation of aromatic alcohols and inhabited the hydrogenation of aromatic alcohols. • The catalyst could be recycled for 5 runs without obvious loss of activity. • Pd/C could be anchored and stabilized by the IL through interacting with [BMIm]+ cation, and both the [BMIm]+ cation and the [BF 4 ]- anion play vital roles in activating hydroxyl-H and hydroxyl α-H of the aromatic alcohol. Acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols is a promising pathway for biomass resource utilization and hydrogen supply, but still lacking for simple and effective catalysts. Herein, we report a metal-ionic liquids (ILs) catalyst for synergistical catalytic dehydrogenation of aromatic alcohols to aromatic ketones under mild conditions without any acid/base additives. It is found that the combination of Pd/C with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF 4 ]) displays high activity for the dehydrogenation of biomass-derived alcohols including 1-phenyl-1-ethanol, 1-phenyl-1-propanol and 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethanol. Mechanistic studies reveal that the Pd/C can be anchored and stabilized by the IL via interacting with [BMIm]+ cation, and the [BF 4 ]- anion plays vital role in the activation of hydroxyl-H and α-H protons via hydrogen bonding interactions. These interactions create an effective microenvironmental for Pd/C catalyzing the cleavage of the hydroxyl-H and α-C H bonds of α-hydroxyl aromatic alcohols to generate aromatic ketones and H 2. Moreover, the Pd/C-[BMIm][BF 4 ] catalyst could be recovered and reused for 5 runs without obvious activity loss. This strategy provides more evidences for the synergetic catalysis of metal and ionic liquids and exhibits potential application prospects for hydrogen supply from renewable biomass-derived alcohols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A ternary solid solution BiOCl x Br y I 1-x-y was prepared by one pot solvothermal method. • The Cl, Br and I element were distributed uniformly in nanosheet BiOCl x Br y I 1-x-y lattice. • The solid solution structure improved charge separation and transitions greatly. • h+ and •O 2 – played an important role in the photocatalytic process. A ternary solid solution (BiOCl x Br y I 1-x-y) was constructed in this work to improve the photocatalytic activity of BiOX (X = Cl, Br, I). Compared with BiOCl and BiOBr, the optical absorption properties of BiOCl x Br y I 1-x-y in the visible light region have been enhanced due to their narrower band gap. This enhancement could be attributed to the modulation of electronic structure originated from the coupling of Cl, Br and I. Additionally, the separation of photogenerated carriers has been enhanced, and the active species, h+ and •O 2 –, contributed more to the photocatalytic performance due to the positions of VB and CB. The pseudo-first-order rate constant of the optimal sample BiOCl 0.6 Br 0.2 I 0.2 was 14 times higher than that of BiOCl in photodegradation of RhB and 4 times higher in the case of tetracycline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strain W712T was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Nicotiana tabacum L. collected from Kunming, south-west China. Cells were Gram-staining negative, aerobic, motile and rod shaped. The isolate grew at 20–45 °C (optimum 30 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and in the presence of up to 3.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1%, w/v). Ubiquinone-10 was the only respiratory quinone type. Polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmehtylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and an unidentified aminolipid. The major fatty acids were detected as summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c or C18:1 ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c or C16:1 ω6c) and C18:1 2OH. The genomic DNA G + C content was 68.7%. The ANI values were 94.3%, 93.3% and 93.6% between Azospirillum baldaniorum Sp245T, Azospirillum brasilense ATCC 49958T, Azospirillum formosense CC-Nfb-7T and strain W712T, respectively, which were lower than the prokaryotic species delineation threshold of 95.0–96.0%. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between A. baldaniorum Sp245T, A. brasilense ATCC 49958T, A. formosense CC-Nfb-7T and strain W712T indicated that the candidate represents a novel genomic species. According to the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, we propose that strain W712T warrants the assignment to a novel species, for which the name Azospirillum tabaci sp. nov. (type strain W712T = CGMCC 1.18567T = KCTC 82186T) is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between immune and inflammatory responses in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has garnered significant interest. In the peripheral blood and tumour microenvironment (TME), neutrophils, which are innate immune cells, crucially respond to various inflammatory factors, leading to tumour progression. To some extent, they affect the clinical treatment strategy and survival among HCC patients. A high circulating neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a reliable factor that can be used to predict poor outcomes in HCC patients. However, the mechanisms underlying the protumoural effects of circulating neutrophils remain poorly understood. Besides, the distinct role and function of neutrophils at the site of HCC remain relatively unclear, which is partially attributed to their substantial heterogeneity compared with other immune cells. In this review, we firstly discuss the current information available, detailing distinct subsets, functional phenotypes, and the impact of circulating and tumour-infiltrating neutrophils on tumourigenesis in HCC. Furthermore, we describe recent pre-clinical and clinical studies concerning neutrophils for evaluating the feasibility of targeting diverse protumoural aspects to improve therapeutic efficacy, thus paving the way for neutrophil-based treatment, especially in combination with immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of science and technology, the need for high performance sensors is more and more urgent to deal with different needs and environments. In this study, a flexible strain sensor with performance of self‐healing is developed based on porous nickel as conductive filler and polyurethane (PU) with hydrogen bonding, disulfide bond, and metal coordination bond as polymer matrix. Porous nickel is prepared by a new biotemplates method, and the effects of reaction temperature and concentration of NiCl2·6H2O on the morphology of porous nickel are studied. Polyurethanes containing hydrogen bonding, disulfide bonds, and metal coordination bonds are prepared, and the mechanical properties and self‐healing properties of polyurethanes with different contents of hard and soft segments are studied. A strain sensor is prepared by mixing porous nickel and polyurethane. The effect of filler content on mechanical properties, self‐healing properties, and electrical self‐healing properties is studied. The sensor is attached to the joints of human limbs, and the peak diagram of time‐relative resistance changes is obtained through the cyclic and repeated movements of the limbs. The sensor has excellent sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sulfur redox conversion with catalytically improved kinetics is promising to mitigate the polysulfides shuttling. While the size of electrocatalyst always brings different catalytic behaviors for various heterogeneous catalytic reactions, it is yet to be explored for Li‐S batteries. Herein, a systematical study of size‐dependent catalytic activity toward polysulfides conversion and the relevance to electrochemical performance are reported, by constructing Co catalysts with different atomic scales from single atoms, atomic clusters to nanoparticles. Fundamental electrocatalytic studies are focused by probing the reduction kinetics and activation energies of sulfur chemistry. The single atomic Co shows the best charge transfer/kinetic toward sulfur redox, especially for the rate‐determining reaction (Li2S4 ↔ Li2S) as demonstrated by the significantly lowered energy barrier for Li2S nucleation/dissolution. This is owing to stronger geometric deformation of the catalyst with lower aggregation extent when it interacts with sulfur species, thus leading to decreased Gibbs free energy changes as elucidated by DFT calculations. The superior catalytic activity of single atomic Co promises a high specific capacity (4.98 mAh cm−2) at an areal loading of 4.3 mg cm−2 over long‐term cycling. The finding emphasizes the significance of the size‐dependent catalytic activity to the reaction kinetics and the overall performance of Li‐S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) in female patients is mainly characterized by short stature, primary amenorrhea, absent or incomplete sexual maturation, and infertility. Successful pregnancies among these patients are rare. In this report, we describe a successful pregnancy and delivery in a 28‐year‐old Chinese woman with PSIS following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The patient exhibited typical symptoms, including multiple pituitary hormone deficiency, typical triad signs in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), undetectable serum gonadotropins and estradiol levels, and invisible antral follicles in both ovaries. During the first attempted controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycle, 14 oocytes were retrieved and six embryos were acquired. Artificial endometrial preparation and frozen–thawed embryo transfer were performed, resulting in a clinical pregnancy after the transfer of a day 5 blastocyst. The patient was closely monitored throughout the pregnancy and multiple hormone dosages were modulated accordingly. She delivered a healthy boy by elective cesarean section, and the newborn developed normally during a 1‐year follow‐up period. This is the first report of a successful live birth in a woman with PSIS achieved through in vitro fertilization and frozen–thawed embryo transfer. A literature review on this topic is also presented. Synopsis: We report a case of successful pregnancy and delivery in a female with pituitary stalk interruption syndrome following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] QED atoms are composed of unstructured and point-like lepton pairs bound together by the electromagnetic force. The smallest and heaviest QED atom is formed by a τ + τ - pair. Currently, the only known atoms of this type are the e + e - and μ + e - atoms, which were discovered 64 years ago and remain the sole examples found thus far. We demonstrate that the J τ ( τ + τ - atom with J PC = 1 - - ) atom signal can be observed with a significance larger than 5 σ including both statistical and systematic uncertainties, via. the process e + e - → X + Y - Ɇ (X , Y = e , μ , π , K , or ρ , and Ɇ is the missing energy due to unobserved neutrinos) with 1.5 ab - 1 data taken around the τ pair production threshold. The τ lepton mass can be measured with a precision of 1 keV with the same data sample. This is within one year's running time of the proposed super tau-charm facility in China or super charm-tau factory in Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel porous starch with a V-type crystalline structure and high adsorption capacity was obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of V-type granular starch (VGS) in an aqueous ethanol solution. The effects of different starch concentrations, reaction temperatures, and ethanol concentrations on the microstructure, crystal morphology, crystallinity and adsorption properties of VGS before and after enzymatic hydrolysis were studied, and native normal corn starch (NNCS) and A-type porous starch (APS) prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of NNCS were used as controls. The results showed that compared with NNCS, VGS was easier to hydrolyze with a higher hydrolysis degree and the corresponding V-type porous starch (VPS) had more and larger pores and thus showed better adsorption performance than APS. Under the same enzymatic hydrolysis time, temperature and rotation speed, VPS prepared with a starch concentration of 20%, reaction temperature of 140 °C and ethanol concentration of 70% showed an irregular spongelike porous structure, highest V-type relative crystallinity of 25.09%, highest oil adsorption capacity of 241.70% and water adsorption capacity of 805.59%. • V-type porous starch (VPS) was prepared by amylase hydrolysis of V-type granular starch (VGS) in aqueous ethanol solution. • VPS prepared under optimal conditions possessed an irregular spongelike porous structure. • VPS with better oil adsorption capacity exhibits higher V-type crystallinity and hydrolysis degree. • Higher proportion of amorphous regions and V-type crystalline structure of VGS made VGS prone to amylase hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]