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For a class of full‐states constraints nonlinear system with actuator failure, an adaptive fuzzy disturbance observer tracking design is carried out by using Lyapunov function and the dynamic surface method. The integral explosion problem is avoided by using the dynamic surface design method. Because the disturbance of the system is unknown, a nonlinear fuzzy disturbance observer is designed to estimate the unknown disturbance. And the unknown nonlinear function is approximated fuzzy logic systems. Based on the Lyapunov function method and backstepping approach, the stability of considered systems are analysed. And the proposed method can guarantee that all the signals in the closed‐loop system are bounded and the system output can track the desired signal to the small neighbourhood range. In addition, the fuzzy disturbance observer can estimate the unknown disturbance state well. Finally, several sets of simulation examples are given and compared with other method, and the experimental results are quantitatively analysed. Then, the robustness and superiority of the proposed control scheme are verified and demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the dynamic journey of women as they become academics in non‐elite Chinese public universities. It focuses on their aspirations and the evolving subjectivity that accompanies this process. Ten participants from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) fields, aged 28–57, were interviewed; the transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Adopting a Butlerian perspective, our findings identify two distinct subjectivities that shape Chinese women's decision to become academics: autonomous subjectivity driven by intrinsic desire and strategic subjectivity driven by instrumental desire. We argue that becoming an academic is a complex process influenced by regulatory power, including market forces, institutional and societal constraints, and gender norms, which shape the context in which the desire is pursued. It is essential to view this decision not only from the individual's perspective but also from the larger context within which it is made. This study contributes to the literature on gender equality in academia by interrogating the complexities of the decision‐making processes for Chinese women pursuing academic careers in non‐elite Chinese universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spin‐gapless semiconductors (SGS) are highly attractive for spintronics applications due to their unique spin‐polarized band structure. In this study, the potential SGS candidate of Mn2CoGa alloy is focused on by growing thin films using magnetron sputtering on Si(001)/SiO2 substrates. By applying appropriate heat treatment, the Mn2CoGa thin films can crystallize into the expected Heusler structure, as confirmed by the dominant (220) peak observed in X‐ray diffraction. These films exhibit soft magnetized behavior, with a saturation magnetization of approximately 1.86 μBf.u.−1 at 10 K. This value deviates slightly from the theoretical prediction, indicating the presence of antisite disorder within the film. The resistivity curve shows a negative temperature coefficient, which is attributed to the strong electron–electron interaction that is also connected to the disorder. Despite the presence of disorder, positive variation and sign reversal of the magnetoresistance are observed, along with a nearly vanishing anomalous Hall effect, both of which are typical characteristics of SGS. Compared to bulk Mn2CoGa, the carrier concentration is larger and the mobility is lower in the film, while similar temperature dependences are observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the complete structure of noble metal nanoclusters is both academically and practically significant. However, progress has been hindered by the low synthetic efficiency of many nanocluster syntheses. In this study, we present the first high‐throughput syntheses of homo‐gold, homo‐copper, and gold‐copper alloy nanoclusters in dichloromethane at room temperature. Through high‐throughput screening, we successfully obtained three nanoclusters in a single reaction: Au18(SC6H11)14, [Au41Cu66(SC6H11)44](SbF6)3, and an unidentified copper cluster (referred to as Au18, Au41Cu66, and Cu−NC). The optimized synthesis route was achieved with the assistance of machine learning for experimental data analysis, which also guided the synthesis of other metal nanoclusters such as Au40Cu34(4‐S‐PhF)40 (Au40Cu34), [Au6Cu6(SPh)12]n ([Au6Cu6]n), and Au18Cu32(3,5‐C8H9S)36 (Au18Cu32)). This research demonstrates that high‐throughput screening can be a valuable tool in accelerating the development of nanocluster syntheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three‐dimensional asymmetric supercapacitors (3D ASC) have garnered significant attention due to their high operating window, theoretical energy density, and circularity. However, the practical application of 3D electrode materials is limited by brittleness and excessive dead volume. Therefore, we propose a controlled contraction strategy that regulates the pore structure of 3D electrode materials, eliminates dead volume in the 3D skeleton structure, and enhances mechanical strength. In this study to obtain reduced graphene oxide/manganese dioxide (rGO/MnO2) and reduced graphene oxide/carbon nanotube (rGO/CNT) composite aerogels with a stable and compact structure. MnO2 and CNT as nanogaskets, preventing the self‐stacking of graphene nanosheets during the shrinkage process. Additionally, the high specific capacitor nanogaskets significantly enhance the specific energy density of the rGO aerogel electrode. The prepared rGO/MnO2//rGO/CNT 3D ASC exhibits a high mass‐specific capacitance of 216.15 F g−1, a high mass energy density of 74 Wh kg−1 at 3.5 A g−1, and maintains a retention rate of capacitance at 99.89 % after undergoing 10,000 cycles of charge and discharge at 5 A g−1. The versatile and integrated assembly of 3D ASC units is achieved through the utilization of the robust mechanical structure of rGO‐based aerogel electrodes, employing a mortise and tenon structural design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The potential for totipotency exists in all plant cells; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Earlier findings have revealed that the overexpression of LEAFY COTYLEDON 2 (LEC2) can directly trigger the formation of somatic embryos on the cotyledons of Arabidopsis. Furthermore, cotyledon cells that overexpress LEC2 accumulate significant lipid reserves typically found in seeds. The precise mechanisms and functions governing lipid accumulation in this process remain unexplored.In this study, we demonstrate that WRINKLED1 (WRI1), the key regulator of lipid biosynthesis, is essential for somatic embryo formation, suggesting that WRI1‐mediated lipid biosynthesis plays a crucial role in the transition from vegetative to embryonic development.Our findings indicate a direct interaction between WRI1 and LEC2, which enhances the enrichment of LEC2 at downstream target genes and stimulates their induction. Besides, our data suggest that WRI1 forms a complex with LEC1, LEC2, and FUSCA3 (FUS3) to facilitate the accumulation of auxin and lipid for the somatic embryo induction, through strengthening the activation of YUCCA4 (YUC4) and OLEOSIN3 (OLE3) genes.Our results uncover a regulatory module controlled by WRI1, crucial for somatic embryogenesis. These findings provide valuable insights into our understanding of plant cell totipotency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the moderating effect of regulatory foci on the efficacy of episodic future thinking in reducing delay discounting. We hypothesized that the impact of imagining positive future events (vs. recent positive events) on delay discounting of gains would be stronger for individuals with a high promotion focus than for those with a high prevention focus (Hypothesis 1). Conversely, the effects of imagining adverse future events (vs. recent negative events) on delay discounting of losses would be stronger for individuals with a high prevention focus than for those with a high promotion focus (Hypothesis 2). We conducted two experiments in which participants, randomly allocated to episodic future thinking (EFT) or episodic recent thinking (ERT) groups, completed a delayed discounting task of gain (Experiment 1) or loss (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 (N = 73) weakly supported Hypothesis 1; Experiment 2 (N = 99) did not support Hypothesis 2. Our findings suggest positive EFT is particularly effective for individuals with a high promotion focus compared to individuals with a high prevention focus, which further reveals how EFT attenuates delay discounting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate detection of violations in the process of high‐altitude operation plays an essential role in improving the safety production level of distribution network work. The basis of detecting violations in work at high altitude is to accurately measure the ground height of relevant workers and tools. Therefore, in this study, a method of on‐site elevation measurement in distribution network based on the combination of atmospheric pressure measurement and climbing motion detection is proposed. Through the atmospheric pressure sensor installed on the operator, the accurate value of the altitude change of the operator in a short time can be obtained. At the same time, the acceleration sensor and SVM classifier are used to identify the climbing action of the operator, and the CDHA algorithm is proposed to accumulate the height changes measured by the atmospheric pressure sensor when the operator climbs, so as to obtain the height value of the operator relative to the ground. At the same time, the problem that the height measurement results of the atmospheric pressure sensor drift significantly after a long time of operation is solved. The experimental results show that the average measurement error of the operator's height above the ground by this method is 0.33 m, which is better than the existing comparison methods, and further verifies the validity of the proposed method in accurately determining the height of operator off the ground. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shuangyuangou copper deposit is located in the southern segment of the Qinling orogenic belt in central China. The ore‐related intrusions include quartz diorite porphyry, granite porphyry and lamprophyre. In this study, we present whole‐rock geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology, trace elements and Lu–Hf isotope data on the Shuangyuangou intrusions which provide critical constraints on the emplacement age, magma origin, petrogenesis and implications for porphyry Cu mineralization in this newly discovered deposit. Zircon U–Pb dating constrains the emplacement age of quartz diorite porphyry, lamprophyre and granite porphyry at 150–147 Ma. The quartz diorite porphyry and granite porphyry display high‐K calc–alkaline I‐type granite affiliation. The rocks show enrichment of LREE and LILE (Rb, Ba), depletion in HREE and HFSE (Nb, Ta, Ti) and absence of Eu anomaly. Zircon εHf(t) values of quartz diorite porphyry, lamprophyre and granite porphyry range from −7.5 to −1.7 with TDM2 ages of 1.3–1.6 Ga. Our data suggest that the parental magma was derived from partial melting of juvenile lower crust and metasomatic lithospheric mantle, with more involvement of mantle material for the lamprophyre. The zircon Eu/Eu* values of 0.55–0.78 suggest high magmatic water content which suppresses the fractionation of plagioclase. In addition, the ΔFMQ values calculated from zircon trace elements range from −0.90 to 2.96 which is a favourable factor for porphyry Cu mineralization at Shuangyuangou. The Late Jurassic Shuangyuangou intrusion and associated Cu mineralization were formed within an intracontinental setting after the collisional assembly of the Qinling orogenic belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optically transparent and angularly stable frequency selective surface (FSS) with a broad stopband is introduced for addressing millimeter wave (mmW) electromagnetic interference. The unique FSS unit cell pattern incorporates a cross patch with Y‐shaped branches, effectively broadening the bandwidth and enhancing the angular stability. Utilizing transparent conductive indium tin oxide deposited on both sides of a glass substrate enables the FSS to reflect and absorb electromagnetic waves. Consequently, the proposed FSS exhibits an exceptionally wide stopband ranging from 18.7 to 40.2 GHz, featuring an insertion loss of 14 dB and maintaining stable angular response up to 60° for both transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarizations. Moreover, an equivalent circuit model is developed to characterize the stopband behavior of the FSS. Finally, measurements conducted on a physical prototype of the proposed FSS validate its effectiveness, showing good agreement with the simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Trans‐North China Orogen (TNCO) is a major Palaeoproterozoic collisional orogen in the North China Craton and has experienced complex tectonic evolution during the assembly of the Eastern and Western Blocks. The vestiges of subducted oceanic crust preserved in this orogen can be used to gain insights into the subduction–collision process associated with the Palaeoproterozoic orogeny. In this study, we investigate garnet amphibolites from the Wanzi Group in the Fuping Complex along the TNCO through integrated petrography, mineral chemistry, phase equilibrium modelling and zircon U–Pb geochronology. Three stages of metamorphic mineral assemblages are identified as follows: (i) the prograde assemblage is preserved as plagioclase, amphibole, biotite and quartz inclusions in garnet porphyroblasts; (ii) the peak mineral assemblage includes coarse‐grained amphibole, garnet, plagioclase, ilmenite, biotite and quartz; and (iii) the retrograde assemblage is mainly represented by the corona of amphibole, plagioclase and biotite in the matrix. Petrological features and phase equilibrium modelling define a clockwise pressure–temperature path involving a prograde stage of 7.2–9.6 kbar and <670°C, peak conditions of 10.0–10.2 kbar and 690–810°C, and a retrograde stage with near‐isothermal decompression to ~7.4 kbar and cooling. Zircon U–Pb dating shows weighted mean ages of 1848 ± 22 Ma and 1836 ± 31 Ma, representing the growth of zircon in the retrograde stage during the uplift and cooling process. In combination with available data from the TNCO, the post‐peak decompression and cooling process is inferred to be long‐lived during 1.90–1.76 Ga, following collision along the TNCO that occurred during 1.97–1.90 Ga, ultimately leading to the final assembly of the North China Craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the aging population and the ongoing pandemic, older persons account for a large proportion of ICU admissions. Despite numerous studies on the impact of COVID‐19 on older persons, there has been a small body of research investigating nursing practice with critically ill older patients admitted to ICU for COVID‐19. Aims: To explore current challenges in the nursing care of older persons with severe COVID‐19 through the experience of frontline nurses. Study Design: A qualitative descriptive design was used. In‐depth and semi‐structured interviews with 18 ICU nurses were conducted to explore the experience of providing care for older persons with severe COVID‐19 in the Omicron wave. A content analysis approach was adopted to analyse qualitative data. Findings: Three themes emerged as follows: (1) no plan survives first contact with the enemy, (2) expectations versus Reality and (3) difficulty in providing holistic care. Conclusions: Challenges could be encountered in different stages of providing care for older persons with severe COVID‐19, including the preparation and training of knowledge and skills in the early stage, the challenges posed by old age in the diagnostic and treatment stage and the challenges of psychological care and rehabilitation care. Relevance to Clinical Practice: With the regular prevention and control of COVID‐19, our study provides guidance for establishing measures (training courses of ICU nurses) to improve the nursing quality of older persons with severe COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the causal interaction between significant sensorimotor network (SMN) regions and other brain regions in Parkinson's disease patients with drooling (droolers). Methods: Twenty‐one droolers, 22 PD patients without drooling (non‐droolers), and 22 matched healthy controls underwent 3T‐MRI resting‐state scans. We performed independent component analysis and Granger causality analysis to determine whether significant SMN regions help predict other brain areas. Pearson's correlation was computed between imaging characteristics and clinical characteristics. ROC curves were plotted to assess the diagnostic performance of effective connectivity (EC). Results: Compared with non‐droolers and healthy controls, droolers showed abnormal EC of the right caudate nucleus (CAU.R) and right postcentral gyrus to extensive brain regions. In droolers, increased EC from the CAU.R to the right middle temporal gyrus was positively correlated with MDS‐UPDRS, MDS‐UPDRS II, NMSS, and HAMD scores; increased EC from the right inferior parietal lobe to CAU.R was positively correlated with MDS‐UPDRS score. ROC curve analysis showed that these abnormal ECs are of great significance in diagnosing drooling in PD. Conclusion: This study identified that PD patients with drooling have abnormal EC in the cortico‐limbic‐striatal‐cerebellar and cortio‐cortical networks, which could be potential biomarkers for drooling in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Vitamin D3 has been implicated in multiple reproductive events, whereas the effect of its bioactive metabolite 1α, 25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH) 2D3) on transcriptome profile of the placenta is unclear. The aim of this article is to determine transcriptome‐wide profile caused by 1,25(OH) 2D3 in human placental trophoblast cells. Methods: We performed RNA sequencing after stimulation of HTR‐8/SVneo cells with 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 nM 1,25(OH)2D3 for 24 h, identified differentially expressed genes by edgeR package (version 3.38.4), and analyzed Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways by webtool Metascape. Also, common genes and specific genes in different concentrations of 1,25(OH) 2D3 were identified. Results: There were 180, 158, 161, and 174 differentially expressed genes after 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 nM 1,25(OH) 2D3 stimulation, respectively. KEGG pathway analysis displayed that "lipid and atherosclerosis" were significantly enriched at 0.1 and 1 nM 1,25(OH)2D3, while "cytokine‐cytokine receptor interaction," "TGF‐beta signaling pathway" and "hippo signaling pathway" were significantly enriched in 1, 10, and 100 nM 1,25(OH)2D3. CYP24A1 was a significantly expressed common gene. UCP3 was significantly expressed in low concentrations and might affect energy metabolism. TCF24, EIF3CL, ABCD2, EPHA7, CRLF1, and SECTM1 were specific genes at physiological concentration. Similarly, SPDYE1, IQUB, IL18R1, and ZNF713 were considered as specific genes at supraphysiological concentration. Conclusions: 1,25(OH)2D3 mainly affected the expression of CYP24A1 gene in HTR‐8/SVneo cells. Specific genes accounted for the majority of differentially expressed genes at different concentrations. However, their functions need to be further confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tethys domain preserves one of the largest continent‐continent collisional orogenic belts on Earth. This belt can be divided into the Proterozoic to Palaeozoic Proto‐Tethyan orogenic belt, Late Palaeozoic to Triassic Palaeo‐Tethyan orogenic belt and Triassic to Cenozoic Meso‐ and Neo‐Tethyan orogenic belts. The Tethyan metallogenic domain, representing one of the three major metallogenic domains in the world, extends more than 10,000 km from east to west and has developed world‐class ore belts, such as the South‐east Asia tin ore belt, Sanjiang metallogenic belt in South‐west China, Gangdese–Pakistan–Iran porphyry copper belt and South‐east Europe epithermal gold belt. The geology of the Tethys domain has been studied for more than 100 years and many important advances have been made recently, although scientific issues remain controversial. This thematic section of Geological Journal contains 10 articles focusing on the formation of rocks and ore deposits, including petrology and geochemistry of magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, and the formation mechanism of mineral deposits in the Eastern Tethyan Realm. These articles reflect new progress in related studies and provide important reference for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the experiences of male and female academics in China's higher education system concerning career progression and examines how they perceive the challenges faced by the opposite gender. Our analysis of interviews with 40 academics from a research university revealed that academics' experience of career progression is informed by gendered divisions of labour at home and work and by gendered role expectations that are prevalent in Chinese culture. Female academics reported performing a disproportionate amount of household work: some felt satisfied with having moderately successful academic careers, whereas others aspired to do more but grappled with the difficulties of doing so. In contrast, male academics mentioned great pressure to pursue promotion and career progression: they reported feeling less work–family stress but were fearful of failing in their role as breadwinners. Male and female academics showed mixed comprehension of each other's plight, but in general, female academics recognised that male academics faced higher career expectations but lower household burdens, and male academics felt that female academics had lower career expectations and many more burdens and constraints. Male academics tended to stress biological and societal reasons for gender differences in Chinese academia, whereas female academics highlighted the power of cultural and social beliefs. We argue that the challenges faced by Chinese academics can only be mitigated if gender‐specific promotion paths that recognise men's and women's social roles and obligations are made available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydride AuI bonds are labile due to the mismatch in electric potential of an oxidizing metal and reducing ligand, and therefore the structure and structure–activity relationships of nanoclusters that contain them are seldom studied. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of [Au7(PPh3)7H5](SbF6)2 (abbrev. Au7H52+), an Au cluster complex containing five hydride ligands, which decomposed to give [Au8(PPh3)7]2+ (abbrev. Au82+) upon exposure to light (300 to 450 nm). The valence state of AuI and H− was verified by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, NMR, UV/Vis and XPS. The two nanoclusters behaved differently in the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR): Au7H52+ exhibited 98.2 % selectivity for H2, whereas Au82+ was selective for CO (73.5 %). Further DFT calculations showed that the H− ligand inhibited the CO2RR process compared with the electron‐donor H. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydride AuI bonds are labile due to the mismatch in electric potential of an oxidizing metal and reducing ligand, and therefore the structure and structure–activity relationships of nanoclusters that contain them are seldom studied. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of [Au7(PPh3)7H5](SbF6)2 (abbrev. Au7H52+), an Au cluster complex containing five hydride ligands, which decomposed to give [Au8(PPh3)7]2+ (abbrev. Au82+) upon exposure to light (300 to 450 nm). The valence state of AuI and H− was verified by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, NMR, UV/Vis and XPS. The two nanoclusters behaved differently in the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR): Au7H52+ exhibited 98.2 % selectivity for H2, whereas Au82+ was selective for CO (73.5 %). Further DFT calculations showed that the H− ligand inhibited the CO2RR process compared with the electron‐donor H. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a respiratory disease with high morbidity and mortality rates and is the primary cause of death in children and the elderly around the world. The use of Chinese foods in the complementary and alternative treatment of ALI has attracted more and more attention. This study aimed to explore the anti‐ALI activity of Chinese functional foods Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit polyphenols (RRTP). RRTP was administered to lipopolysaccharide‐induced ALI mice, and its protective effects were comprehensively evaluated by lung histopathological examination, wet/dry (W/D) ratio, and cytokine production. Metabolomics analysis was used to identify the differential metabolites and metabolic pathways in plasma, and molecular docking and systemic biology‐based network pharmacology assay were performed to explore the active components and potential therapeutic targets. The results indicated that RRTP significantly attenuated the severity of pathological changes and pulmonary capillary permeability. Furthermore, RRTP limited the increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) levels and the decrease in interleukin 10 (IL‐10) levels in ALI mice. Metabolomics studies revealed that RRTP markedly affected 19 different metabolites, three amino acid metabolism pathways, and sphingolipid metabolism. Moreover, network pharmacology identified AKT1 (AKT serine/threonine kinase 1), TP53, IL‐6, VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A), and TNF (tumor necrosis factor) as the most promising target proteins, while quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol were the core active components of RRTP. This study investigated the complex mechanisms of RRTP against ALI for the first time, and provided a foundation for the application of RRTP as a functional food, facilitating the research of nutritional food additives for the adjuvant treatment of ALI. This study revealed the protective effects and mechanism of RRTP against ALI for the first time and clarified the potential therapeutic targets of RRTP on ALI. This study provided a breakthrough for the development and demonstration of RRTP as a functional food, or the research of nutritional food additives for the adjuvant treatment of ALI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Normal early erythropoiesis depends on the precise regulation of protein expression and phosphorylation modification. Dysregulation of protein levels or modification contributes to erythroid disorders. To date, the dynamics of protein phosphorylation profiling across human erythroid development is not fully understood. Here, we characterized quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic profiling by tandem mass‐tagging technology. We systemically built phospho‐expression profiling and expression clusters of 11 414 phosphopeptides for human early erythropoiesis. The standardization methods for multitier integrative analyses revealed multiple functional modules of phosphoproteins (e.g., regulation of the G2/M transition) and active phosphorylated signalling (e.g., cell cycle‐related pathways). Our further analysis revealed that CDK family members were the main kinases that phosphorylate substrates in erythroid progenitors and identified that CDK9 played an important role in the proliferation of erythroid progenitors. Collectively, our phosphoproteomic profiling, integrative network analysis and functional studies define landscapes of the phosphoproteome and reveal signalling pathways that are involved in human early erythropoiesis. This study will serve as a valuable resource for further investigations of phosphatase and kinase functions in human erythropoiesis and erythroid‐related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how women academics in Chinese higher education have been understood as a topic of research by conducting a comprehensive review of publications on the theme in Chinese national academic journals, that is, national journals written in Chinese. The study identifies publication trends and key research issues concerning academic women in China, adopting a knowledge mapping perspective that unveils research and methodological choices, including data collection methods used in Chinese national journals since the mid‐1980s, when the first publication on women academics was identified. The study finds that despite the rapid expansion of the population of women academics in the Chinese higher education system, this topic has been intermittently researched: interest in it peaked in the early 2010s but has declined since then. Past interest in the topic would be largely activated by governmental policy considerations and changes, but would become relatively dormant during periods of lower policy activity. The research has been mainly focused on policy and practice, and has lacked long‐term perspectives; it has not always acknowledged societal and structural challenges that academic women face, and has not engaged in theory building. The latter is probably because much of the knowledge production has been based on personal opinions and views, and has suffered from a lack of critical thinking, a reliance on largely unsophisticated methods, and findings that are not generalisable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic skin (e‐skin) is widely studied for its ability to detect physiological information and provide feedback through electrical signals. Biocompatible stimulus‐responsive DNA‐based hydrogels exhibit high sensitivity, which makes them outstanding candidates for biomedical applications. However, several disadvantages, such as weak mechanical properties, expensive manufacturing costs, cumbersome double chain design, and difficulty obtaining bulk size, seriously limit their practical application. Based on the double network (DN) strategy, a universal, low‐cost, and high‐toughness deoxyribonucleic acid/poly(N‐hydroxyethyl acrylamide) (DNA/pHEAA) DN hydrogel is designed. The transparent hydrogel shows tensile stress/strain of 0.96 ± 0.043 MPa/2537.55 ± 23.24%, rapid self‐recovery ability (peak stress/energy dissipation recovery rate of 99.72%/95.38% after 30 s resting), excellent fatigue resistance (peak stress/energy dissipation retention rate of 91.08%/81.05% after 100 loading‐unloading cycles with strain of 50%), reversible adhesive ability (≈45 KPa), and good biocompatibility. Thus, the DNA/pHEAA DN hydrogel can be used as an e‐skin. Sensing signals are displayed on a smartphone as images sent through wireless technology; the images change with the collected signals, achieving motion detection. The universal and low‐cost design of stimulus‐responsive DNA‐based hydrogels with high toughness, excellent self‐recovery, and anti‐fatigue performance is expected to promote their application in the biomedical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduction of soluble hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) to sparingly soluble tetravalent uranium (U(IV)) with semiconductor photocatalysts is recognized as a novel, green, and simple U‐extraction method. Furthermore, effective charge separation and utilization are critical factors to achieve high‐efficiency U(VI) photoreduction. Herein, a UiO‐66‐based heterostructured photocatalyst (MnOx/UiO‐66/Ti3C2Tx) with spatially separated dual cocatalysts (MnOx nanoparticles and Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets) is successfully developed for efficient U(VI) photoreduction without sacrificial agents. As co‐catalysts, MnOx nanoparticles favor the trapping of holes, while Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets tend to collect electrons. Consequently, the photogenerated holes and electrons flow into and out of the photocatalyst, respectively, achieving efficient charge separation required by MnOx/UiO‐66/Ti3C2Tx to remove U(VI). Impressively, the U(VI) removal ratio via MnOx/UiO‐66/Ti3C2Tx reaches to 98.4% in the U(VI) solution after 60 min, with a photoreaction rate constant of 0.0948 min−1. Moreover, MnOx/UiO‐66/Ti3C2Tx exhibits brilliant U(VI) extraction capacity in various U(VI) wastewater and U(VI)‐spiked real seawater. Further mechanistic studies indicates that the photogenerated electrons are transferred from the conduction band of UiO‐66 to Ti3C2Tx MXene to reduce U(VI) and generate ·O2–, further leading to a stable crystal phase of (UO2)O2·2H2O. Furthermore, the photogenerated holes are extracted by MnOx nanoparticles in MnOx/UiO‐66/Ti3C2Tx to oxidize water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges encountered by Pt‐based electrocatalysts in alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction include high Pt dosage and conflicting demands for modulating adsorption strengths among diverse intermediates. Here, an ultrasmall Pt cluster grafted on antimony tin oxide nanocrystalline with strong electron donor ability to minimal Pt dosage yet maximized electrocatalytic performance is developed. Mechanism studies show that the formation of Pt–Sn/Sb interaction at the heterointerface and the resultant reversed electron transfer selectively enhance the adsorption for OH‐ while concurrently weakening the binding strength for *H and CO toward Pt clusters. This accelerates the kinetics of H2/CO oxidation by promoting the binding of OH species with *H/*CO, yielding the catalyst with up to 5.7‐fold higher mass‐specific activity than benchmark Pt/C and increased resistance to CO poisoning. This work demonstrates the rational design of the synergistic multi‐site interactions towards advanced Pt‐based catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article puts forward an adaptive neural network fault‐tolerant control scheme under the state constraints for the flexible manipulator system with uncertain terms. The dynamic model of the system is described by partial differential equations. The tangent barrier Lyapunov functions are chosen in the design process for the sake of ensuring that all states in the system satisfy the constrained conditions. The uncertainties resulted from load mass, hub inertia, and bending stiffness in the system are approximated by using the universal approximation property of neural networks. The adaptive method is used to counteract the influence of joint motor actuator failure. At the same time, combining with the backstepping design framework to design effective controllers to assure that all signals in the closed‐loop system are bounded. Lyapunov stability analysis method is used to prove the stability of the system. Finally, the simulation results prove the availability of the raised control method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of cis‐[Ru(acac)2(CH3CN)2] (acac−=acetylacetonate) with 1.5 equiv. of corresponding bidentate nitrogen and sulfur ligands in ethanol gave a series of bis(acetylacetonato) ruthenium(II/III) complexes [(acac)2Ru(dimbpy)](PF6) (dimbpy=4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) (1), [(acac)2Ru(phen)] (phen=o‐phenanthroline) (2), [(acac)2Ru(opd)] (opd=o‐phenylenediamine) (3), [(acac)2Ru(4‐Bropd)] (4‐Bropd=4‐bromo‐o‐phenylenediamine) (4) and [(acac)2Ru(S2CNMe2)] (5), respectively. Complexes 1–5 were characterized by FT‐IR, NMR and UV‐Vis spectroscopies along with their electrochemical properties. The structures of complexes 1–5 have been unambiguously established by single crystal X‐ray crystallography. The photocatalytic properties for hydrogen production by water splitting of complexes 1–5 under visible light (λ>420 nm) were also investigated in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of new cage compounds with high energy and low sensitivity by introducing –C(R2)–, –N(R)–, and –O– were designed. Then their properties including electronic structures, heats of formation, densities, detonation performances, thermal stability, and impact sensitivity were investigated using density functional theory. The results show that most of the designed compounds show excellent performance comparable with CL‐20, indicating that designing novel cage compounds is a very effective way to obtain potential energetic compounds with outstanding detonation properties. Taking both the detonation performance and stability into consideration, six compounds may be selected as attractive potential candidates of high energy density compounds. It may be expected that our results would contribute to the theoretical design of new‐generation energetic explosives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The accelerated shedding of extracellular domains of syndecan‐4 (SDC4) is associated with central obesity and insulin resistance, while the association between serum SDC4 and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is unknown. We aimed to examine the association between SDC4 and NAFLD. Methods: Adults undergoing a health examination from 1 June 2019 to 31 December 2019 were enrolled. A diagnosis of NAFLD was made with an abdominal ultrasound. Logistic regression models and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the role of SDC4 in predicting NAFLD. Results: In total, 533 eligible participants were finally enrolled, among them 157 (29.46%) had NAFLD. The proportion of patients with NAFLD increased with the increasing quartiles of serum SDC4. With the increase of serum SDC4 levels, metabolic features including waist circumference, serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were significantly increased. SDC4 was an independent factor for NAFLD (odds ratio 1.963, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.628‐2.367, P < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve of SDC4 for predicting NAFLD was 0.934 (95% CI 0.910‐0.959). The optimal cut‐off value was 6.575 ng/mL at Youden's index of 0.767. SDC4 had the highest diagnostic sensitivity (84.1%), positive predictive value (82.5%), negative predictive value (93.3%) and positive likelihood ratio (11.356) among all the variables. Conclusions: Elevated serum SDC4 level is associated with metabolic disorders and the prevalence of NAFLD among general population. Serum SDC4 may serve as a biomarker of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bimetallic core–shell nanostructures hold great promise in elucidating the bimetallic synergism. However, it remains a challenge to construct atomically precise core–shell with high‐valence active metals on the gold surface. In this work, we report the total structure of a [Au42Cd40(SR)52]2− core–shell nanocluster and multiple implications. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) reveals that the structure possesses a two‐shelled Au6@Au36 core and a closed cadmium shell of Cd40, and the core–shell structure is then protected by 52 thiolate (‐SR) ligands. The composition of the nanocluster is further confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). A catalytic test for styrene oxidation and a comparison with relevant nanoclusters reveal the surface effect on the catalytic activity and selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bimetallic core–shell nanostructures hold great promise in elucidating the bimetallic synergism. However, it remains a challenge to construct atomically precise core–shell with high‐valence active metals on the gold surface. In this work, we report the total structure of a [Au42Cd40(SR)52]2− core–shell nanocluster and multiple implications. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) reveals that the structure possesses a two‐shelled Au6@Au36 core and a closed cadmium shell of Cd40, and the core–shell structure is then protected by 52 thiolate (‐SR) ligands. The composition of the nanocluster is further confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). A catalytic test for styrene oxidation and a comparison with relevant nanoclusters reveal the surface effect on the catalytic activity and selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this paper, the adaptive fuzzy controller design problem is investigated for a class of switched nonlinear systems in nonstrict feedback form, in which the unknown functions are considered and are approximated. Moreover, the system states are constrained in corresponding compact. By using Barrier Lypunov function method and backstepping technique, the adaptive fuzzy controller is designed such that all the signals in the closed‐loop system are bounded, the system output can track the desired signal to small compact, and all the system states satisfy the constraint conditions. Finally, the simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this article, based on partial differential equations (PDEs), the flexible manipulator system with both dead‐zone input and state constraints is studied. The dynamic model of the flexible manipulator system is described by PDEs. The parameters of the dead‐zone input are unknown, and the state constraint problem is also considered. An adaptive approach is proposed to offset the effects caused by dead‐zone input. Thus, to guarantee that all states remain within their respective constraint regions, the boundary control law based on the barrier Lyapunov function is given, and an adaptive controller is designed. According to the Lyapunov analysis method, the control method is given to ensure that all signals of the closed‐loop system are bounded and all states satisfy the constraint conditions. Finally, simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed control method in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qianhe gold deposit, located at Xiong'ershan in Eastern Qinling, with estimated gold reserves of 22 tons, hosts six orebodies within auriferous quartz veins and hydrothermally‐altered rocks along E–W trending faults. Here we present results from an integrated study involving field investigation, ore petrology, in situ sulphur isotopes, and trace elements analysis of gold‐bearing pyrite with a view to understanding the genesis of the hydrothermal gold mineralization. Three generations of pyrite are identified in the Qianhe Au deposit: Py1 is composed of coarse‐grained, euhedral cubic grains occurring at the margin of stage I quartz + pyrite vein; Py2 is occurs as porous grains coexisting with other sulphide minerals in stage II quartz + polymetallic sulphide veins; and Py3 is mainly composed of anhedral grains in stage III quartz + calcite + fluorite vein. Among the three generations, Py2 has the highest contents of Au (mean = 3.5 ppm), Ag (mean = 46.0 ppm), Zn (mean = 303 ppm), and Cu (mean = 346 ppm). The distribution and concentration of these trace elements are likely to be controlled by micro/nano‐inclusions in pyrite. The Co/Ni ratios range from 0.010 to 296, with most values lying between 0.1 and 10. The δ34S values of the various pyrite generations show a wide range between −17.9‰ and 4.5‰ with obviously higher values in Py3 (2.0‰ to 4.5‰) than those in Py1 (−16.7‰ to −13.5‰) and Py2 (−17.9‰ to −9.0‰). The negative δ34S values in Py1 and Py2 possibly resulted from sulphur isotope fractionation between sulphide and sulphate minerals. As sulphate minerals are absent in stage III, the slightly positive δ34S values in Py3 suggest a mixed source from mantle‐derived material and wall rocks of the Xiong'er Group. We correlate the genesis of gold mineralization in the Qianhe deposit with the extension and lithospheric thinning during Early Cretaceous, when ore‐bearing fluids channelled along fault zones induced hydrothermal alteration and Au mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We designed nine new cage compounds by using different numbers of linkages –N(NO2)– and –N(NH2)– to connect the two skeletons of 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazinane (RDX) or 1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocane (HMX) to construct the cage frameworks, similar to the skeleton of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL‐20). Then, their electronic structures, heats of formation, energetic properties, and impact sensitivities were studied using density functional theory. The types of intermolecular interactions and the changes in sensitivity were analyzed. Compared to the parent compounds RDX, HMX, and CL‐20, all the designed compounds present extraordinary high detonation properties (D > 9.70 km/s and P > 44.30 GPa). Considering the detonation performance and impact sensitivity, the four compounds may be regarded as potential candidates of high‐energy‐density compounds. Our results will contribute to a new strategy for the theoretical design of new energetic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In eukaryotes, N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor (NSF) is a conserved AAA+ATPase and a key component of the membrane trafficking machinery that promotes the fusion of secretory vesicles with target membranes. Here, we demonstrate that the Arabidopsis thaliana genome contains a single copy of NSF, AtNSF, which plays an essential role in the regulation of leaf serration. The AtNSF knock‐down mutant, atnsf‐1, exhibited more serrations in the leaf margin. Moreover, polar localization of the PIN‐FORMED1 (PIN1) auxin efflux transporter was diffuse around the margins of atnsf‐1 leaves and root growth was inhibited in the atnsf‐1 mutant. More PIN1‐GFP accumulated in the intracellular compartments of atnsf‐1 plants, suggesting that AtNSF is required for intracellular trafficking of PIN between the endosome and plasma membrane. Furthermore, the serration phenotype was suppressed in the atnsf‐1 pin1‐8 double mutant, suggesting that AtNSF is required for PIN1‐mediated polar auxin transport to regulate leaf serration. The CUP‐SHAPED COTYLEDON2 (CUC2) transcription factor gene is up‐regulated in atnsf‐1 plants and the cuc2‐3 single mutant exhibits smooth leaf margins, demonstrating that AtNSF also functions in the CUC2 pathway. Our results reveal that AtNSF regulates the PIN1‐generated auxin maxima with a CUC2‐mediated feedback loop to control leaf serration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to discover new agents with high anti‐inflammatory activity, 22 new 4‐sulfonyloxy/alkoxy benzoxazolone derivatives were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their anti‐inflammatory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced nitric oxide (NO) production and TNF‐α expression in RAW 264.7 cells in vitro. Most of these compounds displayed greater inhibitory ability against NO production than the lead compound 4‐o‐methyl‐benzenesulfonyl benzoxazolone, and the most active compound 2h exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity against NO, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 production with IC50 values 17.67, 20.07, and 8.61 μΜ, respectively. The effects of 2h were comparable or stronger than those of the positive control celecoxib. Compound 2h also displayed higher activity in vivo than celecoxib in a mouse model of xylene‐induced ear edema, based on their inhibitory rates of 42.69% and 30.87%, respectively. Further molecular analysis revealed that compound 2h significantly reduced the iNOS levels in cell supernatant and suppressed the protein expression of iNOS, p‐p38, p‐ERK, and nuclear NF‐κB. The results indicated that the anti‐inflammatory effect of 2h might be realized through the regulation of ERK‐ and p38‐mediated mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)‐NF‐κB/iNOS signaling, thereby reducing the excessive release of NO, IL‐1β, and IL‐6. Our findings demonstrated that compound 2h, a new benzoxazolone derivative, could inhibit activation of the MAPK‐NF‐κB/iNOS pathway, supporting its potential as a novel anti‐inflammatory agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant cells have a powerful capacity in their propagation to adapt to environmental change, given that a single plant cell can give rise to a whole plant via somatic embryogenesis without the need for fertilization. The reprogramming of somatic cells into totipotent cells is a critical step in somatic embryogenesis. This process can be induced by stimuli such as plant hormones, transcriptional regulators and stress. Here, we review current knowledge on how the identity of totipotent cells is determined and the stimuli required for reprogramming of somatic cells into totipotent cells. We highlight key molecular regulators and associated networks that control cell fate transition from somatic to totipotent cells. Finally, we pose several outstanding questions that should be addressed to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying plant cell totipotency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: It is unclear how primary colorectal cancer (CRC) cells select to metastasize to the liver or lungs, the most frequent distant metastasis of CRC. We aimed to identify the key genes and pathways that may predict the distant metastasis of CRC to these sites. Methods: Three gene expression array datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus were analyzed. Protein–protein network analyses, best subsets regressions and backward stepwise regression analyses were used to screen the key genes and their expressions were used to construct a predictive logistic regression model. Expression data from local clinical samples were used as a validation dataset. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to test the performance of the predictive model. Results: In total, 59 differentially expressed genes (DEG) related to liver‐metastasis, 90 related to lung metastasis and 45 related to both liver and lung metastasis were identified. The KEGG pathways and gene oncology (GO) terms that were enriched in liver and lung metastasis were identified. A predictive logistic regression model consisted of SPARC, COL1A2, MMP9, COL11A1, COL3A1, CXCL12 and THBS2 was established. The area under the ROC curve reached 0.839 in predicting liver and lung metastasis, using our clinical samples as the validation dataset. Conclusions: Seven key genes capable of predicting liver and lung metastasis of colorectal cancer were identified, which provides clues for exploring the mechanism of selecting target organs during the metastatic process in CRC and inspires the researches for new potential targets for therapy to inhibit metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestinal mucosal barrier is the first line to defense against luminal content penetration and performs numerous biological functions. The intestinal epithelium contains a huge surface that is lined by a monolayer of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). IECs are dominant mediators in maintaining intestinal homeostasis that drive diverse functions including nutrient absorption, physical segregation, secretion of antibacterial peptides, and modulation of immune responses. Autophagy is a cellular self‐protection mechanism in response to various stresses, and accumulating studies have revealed its importance in participating physiological processes of IECs. The regulatory effects of autophagy depend on the specific IEC types. This review aims to elucidate the myriad roles of autophagy in regulating the functions of different IECs (stem cells, enterocytes, goblet cells, and Paneth cells), and present the progress of autophagy‐targeting therapy in intestinal diseases. Understanding the involved mechanisms can provide new preventive and therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal dysfunction and diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Downstream of tyrosine kinase 6 (DOK6), which is specifically expressed in the nervous system, was previously recognized as an adapter only in neurite outgrowth. Recent studies also demonstrated the potential role of DOK6 in solid tumors such as gastric cancer and breast cancer. However, previous studies of DOK6 have not dealt with its roles in myeloid malignancies. Herein, we verified the promoter methylation status of DOK6 and further explored its clinical implication in de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Methods: A total of 100 newly diagnosed adult AML patients were involved in the current study. DOK6 expression and methylation were detected by real‐time qPCR and methylation‐specific PCR (MSP), respectively. Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) was performed to assess the methylation density of the DOK6 promoter. Results: Downstream of tyrosine kinase 6 promoter methylation was significantly increased in AML patients compared to controls (P = .037), whereas DOK6 expression significantly decreased in AML patients (P < .001). The expression of DOK6 was markedly up‐regulated after treated by 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐aza‐dC) in THP‐1 cell lines. The methylation status of the DOK6 promoter was associated with French‐American‐British classifications (P = .037). There was no significant correlation existed between DOK6 expression and its promoter methylation (R = .077, P = .635). Interestingly, of whole‐AML and non‐APL AML patients, both have a tendency pertaining to the DOK6 methylation group and a significantly longer overall survival (OS) than the DOK6 unmethylation group (P = .042 and.036, respectively). Conclusion: Our study suggested that DOK6 promoter hypermethylation was a common molecular event in de novo AML patients. Remarkably, DOK6 promoter methylation could serve as an independent and integrated prognostic biomarker not only in non‐APL AML patients but also in AML patients who are less than 60 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This paper is concerned with adaptive tracking control for switched uncertain nonlinear systems, which contain the time‐varying output constraint (TVOC) and input asymmetric saturation characteristic. In response to the unknown functions, the fuzzy logic systems are adopted. The controller is constructed by the backstepping technique. Based on the Tangent Barrier Lyapunov Function (BLF‐Tan), an adaptive switched control scheme is designed. It is demonstrated that all signals in the resulted system are semiglobally uniformly ultimately bounded with TVOC under arbitrary switchings. Furthermore, the effectiveness of presented control method is validated via the simulation example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Urea is commonly over‐applied as a nitrogen (N) fertilizer to crops in southern China and has a low utilization efficiency as a result of the high precipitation and high temperatures in this region. This has led to a need to optimize the management of N fertilizer use in maize crops on the subtropical hilly uplands of southern China. RESULTS: We investigated the effects of applying different amounts of N in the form of polymer‐coated urea (PCU) on the yield of maize and gaseous losses of N from soils in the form of NH3 and N2O. The field plots used in this trial had zero‐added N (0 kg N ha−1), the addition of urea (240 kg N ha−1) and four levels of fertilization with PCU (1 PCU, 0.9 PCU, 0.8 PCU and 0.7 PCU), which represented a 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% reduction, respectively, in the application of PCU‐N relative to the urea plot. Compared to the urea plot, there was little variation in the yield of maize for all the PCU‐N treatments, with a significant improvement in the utilization efficiency of N (up to 46.0–51.2%) with a 0–30% reduction in the application of PCU‐N. Significant effects in the mitigation of the N2O emission flux and the accumulation of N2O‐N were observed in the 0.8 PCU and 0.7 PCU plots. The application of PCU‐N significantly reduced the flux and total amount of NH3‐N lost to the environment: as the application rate for N decreased by 0–30%, the NH3 loss was significantly reduced by 12.7–36.1%. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study suggest that the use of PCU could allow a reduction in the application of N of 20–30% compared to traditional agricultural practices in this area with the same yield of maize, although with significantly decreased NH3 and N2O losses and the increased utilization of N. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid rain is generally believed to inhibit litter decomposition, but this inhibition effect often depends on local soil environmental factors such as nutrient and physicochemical property. Karst ecosystem is typically characterized by rich CaCO3, which can potentially react with H+ from acid rain. However, it is unknown whether the effect of acid rain on litter decomposition will be mitigated by this potential reaction. To investigate the effect of acid rain on decomposition, we undertook a field experiment on the decomposition of litters of Cunninghamia lanceolata needle and Cinnamomum camphora leaf during 1 year in a karst region in subtropical China. Contrary to hypothesis, litter decomposition was significantly decelerated by acid rain for the two litter types. For C. lanceolata litter, at the end of incubation, we noted that moderate acid rain resulted in the highest loss in mass (43%), while severe one showed the lowest loss (39%); for C. camphora litter, the mass loss was as follows: ambient treatment (66%) > moderate treatment (56%) > severe treatment (42%). Also microbial activities (including CO2 flux, fungal biomass and microbial degrading enzymes) showed similar variation patterns among acid rain treatments to mass loss. These responses indicated that the deceleration effect of acid rain on litter decomposition did not depend on calcareous soil as well as litter quality. Together, these results suggest that acid rain had a predominant controlling of litter decomposition over soil and litter qualities, and this information may be useful for predicting functional responses of karst ecosystem to environmental factors. The litter decomposition was significantly decelerated by acid rain for Cunninghamia lanceolata needle and Cinnamomum camphora leaf. Also microbial activities (including CO2 flux, fungal biomass and microbial degrading enzymes) showed similar variation patterns among acid rain treatments to mass loss. These responses indicated that the deceleration effect of acid rain on litter decomposition did not depend on calcareous soil as well as litter quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qinling orogenic belt is a complex subduction–accretion–collision orogen that welded the North China Craton and the Yangtze Craton during the final continental collision in the Triassic. The Xiong'ershan area, located in east Qinling, exposes a typical Triassic syenite pluton and several contemporaneous Mo, Au, and Cu deposits. The aegirine–augite syenites and syenites from the Mogou pluton are characterized by alkalic to peralkalic (total alkali Na2O + K2O = 13.95–14.63 wt.%, CaO = 0.06–2.87 wt.%), and shoshonitic features (K2O = 11.86–14.34 wt.%). Zircon LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of the aegirine–augite syenite and syenite yield emplacement ages of 232.5 ± 0.6 and 221.8 ± 0.7 Ma, indicating multiple pulses of magmatism. Evidence from zircon Hf isotopes; occurrence of mafic microgranular enclaves; heterogeneous peralkaline composition; and wide ranges of MgO, Ni, and other trace elements suggest that the parental magma was mainly sourced from partial melting of Archean to Paleoproterozoic crustal sources, mixed with juvenile mantle‐derived mafic magmas. The Mogou pluton was probably emplaced in the tectonic transition from syn‐collision to post‐collision settings and accompanying slab break‐off process, from the commencement of collision at approximately 245 Ma and post‐collisional extension at approximately 210 Ma. Gold, molybdenum, and copper deposits formed during the interval of 255–208 Ma, and the close temporal and spatial relationship between these Triassic polymetallic deposits and the Mogou alkaline pluton invokes a genetic linkage. The heat source for magmatism and related metallogeny is correlated to a hot upwelling asthenospheric mantle that caused partial melting of the Archean to Paleoproterozoic crustal basement, resulting in magma mixing between the two end‐members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative wound healing is an important part of the success of the dental implant surgery. However, in case of complex surgery or unfavorable factors, wound healing is often unsatisfactory. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of vitamin C supplementation in wound healing, following the placement of dental implants with or without bone grafts and patients with chronic periodontitis. Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial included 128 patients requiring dental implants to replace missing teeth. Patients were divided into four groups, group A received dental implants supported by guided bone regeneration (GBR) technique, group B received dental implants with Bio‐Oss Collagen, group C received dental implants in patients with chronic periodontitis, and group D received dental implants without any bone grafting or periodontal disease. Each group was divided into an experimental subgroup, who received vitamin C, and a control subgroup. Follow‐up appointments were performed at day 3, day 7, and day 14 postsurgery, during which soft tissue healing and pain response scores were evaluated using the Landry index and visual analogue scale, respectively. Results: The experimental subgroups had significantly higher healing indices than the controls (P < .05) at day 7 postsurgery for group B and day 14 postsurgery for groups A, B, and C. Group D displayed no difference between the experimental and control groups at any time point. In reference to vitamin C for pain relief, there were no statistically significant differences between the study groups. Conclusion: Using vitamin C supplementation improves postoperative healing following dental implant surgery in patients with chronic periodontitis and patients treated with GBR or Bio‐Oss Collagen grafts. However, vitamin C supplementation does not decrease the postoperative pain associated with dental implant surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A highly transparent NiO layer was prepared by a solution processing method with nickel(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate in non‐polar solvent and utilized as HTM in perovskite solar cells. Excellent optical transmittance and the matched energy level lead to the enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE, 18.15 %) than that of conventional sol–gel‐processed NiO‐based device (12.98 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two two-dimensional supramolecular copper(II) and cobalt(III) complexes, Cu(L1)2 ( 1; HL1 = 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde oxime) and [Co(L2)2]2⋅2CH3COOCH2CH3 ( 2; HL2 = 1-(2-{[( E)-3-methoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene]amino}phenyl)ethanone oxime), have been synthesized via complexation of Cu(II) nitrate trihydrate and Co(II) acetate tetrahydrate with HL. A plausible reaction mechanism for the formation of HL1 is proposed. HL was synthesized and characterized using infrared, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra, as well as elemental analysis. Complexes 1 and 2 were investigated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and have a 2:1 ligand-to-metal ratio. Different geometric features of both complexes are observed. In their crystal structures, 1 and 2 form infinite two-dimensional structures and 2 forms a three-dimensional supramolecular framework. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of 1 and 2 were also investigated. Moreover, thermal and electrochemical properties and antimicrobial activity of 2 were also studied. In addition, the calculated HOMO and LUMO energies show the character of complex 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]