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Background: Though the survival of breast cancer (BC) patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has been studied, this has not been specifically studied in the luminal B subtype. Therefore, this study investigated the characteristics and survival of luminal B-BC patients presenting with MPE. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 141 patients diagnosed with postoperative advanced Luminal B breast cancer, including 54 cases with MPE and 87 cases without MPE at the Tianjin Cancer Hospital from January 2012 to January 2015. We assessed the clinical characteristics between the groups. Results: The mean age of all patients was 47 years, with no significant difference between the two groups. Altogether, 29 (33%), 24 (28%), 28 (32%), 45 (52%), and 10 (11%) patients had lung, liver, bone, lymph node, and chest wall metastases, respectively. In addition. The difference in overall survival between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). However, cox regression analysis showed that only the tumor clinical stage at initial diagnosis was related to short overall survival. Further, we conducted a subgroup analysis and found that the higher the clinical stage at initial diagnosis in age < 50 years patients, the shorter the overall survival, while age > 50 years patients was not. (P < 0.05). Conclusions: There was no difference in the overall survival between luminal B-BC patients with MPE and those without. Clinical stages at initial diagnosis were an independent prognostic factor for age < 50 years luminal B BC with MPE overall survival. Our results may help clinicians make positive decisions regarding personalized treatment of luminal B-BC with MPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. Prospective cohort study. Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors and prevalence of intraoperative contamination (IoC) through the microbial culture of superficial and deep samples obtained during surgery. Summary of Background Data. Surgical site infection (SSI) in spinal surgery is a serious complication. The prevalence of IoC may differ based on surgical approach and technique, even in the setting of the same procedure. Materials and Methods. In this in vivo study, microbial cultivation was performed with superficial (ligamentum flavum, LF) and deep (nucleus pulposus, NP) surgical specimens to evaluate IoC in 132 patients undergoing single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Biportal endoscopic --TLIF was performed under continuous wound irrigation (group A, n=66), whereas open microscopic (OM) TLIF was performed under intermittent wound irrigation (group B, n=66). LF and NP specimens were homogenized, gram stained, and cultured in aerobic and anaerobic media for 14 days. Microbial culture results and the occurrence of SSI in the two groups were assessed. The χ² test and Fisher exact test were used to determine significant differences among categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influence of patient characteristics on the prevalence of positive microbial cultures. Results. Of the 132 patients, 34 (25.8%) had positive microbial cultures, and positive culture required an incubation period of 72 hours to 2 weeks in all these patients except for three. Overall, positive culture was significantly higher in group B than in group A P=0.029). The subgroups of LF- and NP-positive cultures were 18.18% (n=24) and 12.88% (n=17), respectively; the SSI was 0.76% (n=1). Group A had a significantly lower subgroup of NP-positive culture than group B (P=0.035). OM technique was an independent risk factor associated with overall positive culture (P<0.05). The most common microorganism was Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). Conclusions. Biportal endoscopic--TLIF with continuous wound irrigation showed significantly lower overall and NP-positive cultures than OM-TLIF with intermittent irrigation. The most common strain of positive culture was C. acnes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, analyses focus on understanding the effects of the scanning pattern and speed on the thermal profile, phase transformation, and residual stress generation in the WAAM deposition. An FE numerical model is constructed that takes into account the phase evolution and transformation plasticity using the ABAQUS user subroutine, UMAT. The results show that the scanning pattern significantly affects the heat accumulation and the cooling rate during the AM deposition, and, eventually, the generation of residual stresses. According to the simulation results, the highest residual stress is generated in the case of the out–in scanning, while the alternate pattern leads to the lowest residual stress. The influence of the scanning speed on the thermal profiles and residual stress are also examined. The analyses show that an increase in the scan speed leads to a decrease in the peak temperature and an increase in the cooling rate, which result in an increase in the martensite volume fraction of the deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is a metal additive manufacturing (AM) technique that has a high throughput and has seen a potential interest for replacing currently available subtractive manufacturing techniques. Contrary to other metal AM machines, WAAM rigs can be built using existing welding plants and using welding wire as feedstock, thus, making it a cheap and viable manufacturing technique for a number of industries, such as the maritime industry. However, the effects of AM parameters, such as the scanning pattern and energy, on the residual stress and deformation, are still not completely understood. In this work, a finite element (FE) study has been conducted to understand the influence of different scanning patterns (alternate, in-out, raster and zigzag) and energies on residual stress and warpage. Analyses show that the in-out scanning pattern leads to the highest residual stress, while the zigzag pattern results in the lowest residual stress for all scanning energies considered in this study. Findings in the present study also show that the scanning pattern affects the residual stress and deformation more than does the scanning energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oblique lumbar interbody fusion is a minimally invasive procedure for treating degenerative lumbar disease. Its advantages include correcting coronal and sagittal spinal alignment and indirect neural decompression. However, achieving a successful outcome is limited in some patients who need direct decompression for central canal lesions including hard stenotic lesions (endplate or facet articular osteophytes and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligaments) and sequestration of the disk. Biportal endoscopic spinal surgery is a minimally invasive technique, which directly decompresses the lesion. By taking advantage of two procedures, in a longlevel lumbar lesion, alignment correction and direct decompression can be both achieved. Herein, the authors introduce multilevel lumbar fusion through oblique lumbar interbody fusion and selective direct decompression through biportal endoscopic spinal surgery and discuss the surgical indications, surgical pitfalls, and recommendations for application. Consequently, it is regarded as a minimally invasive interbody fusion method for patients with multilevel lumbar degenerative degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disordered eating behaviour including binge-eating often results in significant medical conditions, which are at times fatal. It can result in acute gastric dilatation which can lead to ischemic necrosis and stomach rupture. Dyspepsia and bloating are common symptoms following binge eating. Patients commonly use over-the-counter medications like sodium bicarbonate or home remedies for relief. However, in very rare, reported cases, sodium bicarbonate has been attributed to cause acute gastric dilatation and spontaneous gastric rupture instead. Methods: We report two cases of spontaneous gastric rupture following consumption of sodium bicarbonate containing antacids after a large meal, and a review of the literature of similar cases. Results: A total of 36 cases were identified. Approximately half of the cases (47.2%) were correlated with eating disorders, with higher prevalence in females (69%) and a very high mortality rate (41.6%). Amongst the 36 cases, sodium bicarbonate ingestion was associated with 10 cases. The lesser curvature (36.1%) and anterior wall (33.3%) are the most common sites of rupture. Associated causes include binge-eating, gas release from sodium bicarbonate, gastric content fermentation, proximal and distal outlet obstruction, and muscular atony. Discussion: Sudden distension and impaired emptying mechanism of the stomach is necessary for spontaneous gastric rupture to occur. Acute gastric dilatation with perforation requires definitive surgical management. There should be a low threshold of suspicion for patients presenting with severe abdominal pain and abdominal distension following an episode of binge-eating. There is a need for patient education around the use of over-the-counter medications or home remedies. Plain English summary: Disordered eating ranges from simple dieting to eating disorders. A large proportion of overweight or obese adolescents and young adults engage in disordered eating behaviours, most commonly binge-eating. While such behaviours can result in significant medical conditions, it commonly results in uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms. Over-the-counter medications are often used to relieve symptoms like indigestion, abdominal pain, and heartburn. Sodium bicarbonate, a common ingredient in these medications, has been associated with spontaneous stomach rupture. Despite this, sodium bicarbonate is suggested online as a home remedy for these symptoms. In this article we report two such cases of spontaneous stomach ruptures following the consumption of sodium bicarbonate containing antacids, following a large meal. We then review the literature for similar cases. We discuss the functional changes in the body resulting in the injury, the mortality rates, suggested management approaches and the relevance of our study. Our article emphasises the need for a low threshold of suspicion for patients presenting with severe abdominal pain with abdominal distension following a binge-eating episode. There is also a need to educate patients surrounding the use of over-the-counter medications or home remedies, as they are often unaware of potentially fatal adverse effects with inappropriate use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calculating source composition of consumer products' utility, appearance and symbolic function innovations driven by design, and verifying acting routes of design-driven function innovations with heterogeneity, have important theoretical and practical value for the transformation and upgrading of Chinese manufacturing industry. The theoretical framework of Chinese design-driven innovation had been reconstructed, and data were obtained through questionnaire survey to complete the structural equation modeling and hypothesis test. The algorithm of Bootstrap mediating effect was applied to calculate and reveal that the quality of design organizations' relationship and the diversity of network resource both have direct or indirect effects on utility, appearance and symbolic function innovations of consumer products. Among them, joint problem solving has the largest effect on utility and appearance function innovations indirectly, and information sharing has the secondary effect on utility function innovation directly, and the diversity of network resource has the largest effect on symbolic function innovation directly. Strengthening relationship quality is more favorable for improved design innovation, and acquiring diversified network resources is relatively suitable for breakthrough design innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual stress is one of the critical issues for the welded structure. In order to ensure the quality and the productivity of welding process, it is necessary to control the process parameters based on understanding the underlying mechanism of residual stress generation. The welding process parameters are normally determined based on experience without optimization. Among such process parameters, the welding speed has significant effects on thermal history and phase transformation of material, which could lead to the formation of residual stress. In the present study, a finite element study has been performed to investigate the effects of welding speed on the residual stress in EH36 steel. Analyses suggest that (1) the residual stress decreases with increase of the welding speed (2) as the welding speed increases, the size of heat affected zone decreases and thus the influence of phase transformation on residual stress is also reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess the carbon sequestration capacity and net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of Quercus glauca forests, we analyzed the net primary productivity (NPP), carbon storage, and carbon emission of soil in a Q. glauca forest on Jeju Island (South Korea) from 2016 to 2018. Results: The average carbon stock in the above- and below-ground plant biomass was 223.7 Mg C ha-1, while the average amount of organic carbon fixed by photosynthesis was 9.8 Mg C ha-1 yr-1, and the average NPP was 9.6 Mg C ha-1 yr-1. Stems and branches contributed to the majority of the above- and below-ground standing biomass and NPP. The average heterotrophic carbon emission from the soil was 8.7 Mg C ha-1 yr-1, while the average NEP was 1.1 Mg C ha-1 yr-1. Although the carbon stock, carbon absorption, and soil respiration values were higher than those reported in other oak forests in the world, the NEP was similar or lower. Conclusions: These results indicator that Q. glauca forests perform the role of a large carbon sink through the CO2 absorption in the plants in terms of carbon balance. And it is judged to be helpful as data for assessment of carbon storage and flux in the forests and mitigation of elevated CO2 in the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methylene blue is widely used in industrial and agricultural production and daily life, leading to the prevalence of methylene blue in the environment, which is toxic and persistent in large quantities. Coordination polymers (CPs), as a type of novel photocatalytic material with special structural characteristics and tunability, have high potential for efficient removal of methylene blue. A novel Cd-CP material [Cd2(dda)(bibp)2]·H2O (YAU-10, H4dda = 3,3,5,5-azodibenzoic acid, bibp = 4,4′-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-1,1′-biphenyl) was successfully prepared by a solvothermal method. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of YAU-10 reveal a three-dimensional (3D) network structure consisting of a Cd2 cluster, [dda]4− and bibp ligands as nodes having a (2,3,8)-connected binodal net with {44·610·8}{44·62} topology. In the 3D network structure, there are several types of strong weak interaction forces, such as π–π stacking and hydrogen bonds, which further enhance the stability of YAU-10. Investigation of YAU-10 for visible light-assisted photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue at room temperature resulted in a high degradation rate. The remarkable high, visible-light catalytic performance of YAU-10 has been attributed to the cooperative effect of its structural characteristics, light, H2O2, pH and other factors. Conversely, the CP [Cd(dda)0.5(bibp)2]·3H2O, with a Cd2+ mononuclear node and one-dimensional structure, does not show good photocatalytic activity under similar conditions. Furthermore, the frame structures and photocatalytic activity of YAU-10 did not change significantly after six cycles of experiment. To the best of our knowledge, YAU-10 is the first example of a CP based on a binuclear 3D structure that exhibits visible light-assisted degradation of methylene blue in the presence of H2O2 and pH = 10 without the assistance of noble metal cocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) has been recently introduced for diagnosing interstitial lung diseases. We aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of TBLC by identifying the specific patterns of histology in the diagnosis of connective tissue disease–related interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) and interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF). Methods: The clinical-radiological-pathological data from the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University between July 1, 2017, and October 31, 2020, of patients whose clinical-radiological or clinical-radiological-pathological diagnosis was CTD-ILD or IPAF and who underwent TBLC, transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), or surgical lung biopsy were retrospectively analyzed and summarized with review. The size of biopsy samples, complications, and diagnostic yield were compared. Results: Fourteen patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 12 underwent TBLC, 1 underwent TBLB, and 1 underwent each procedure at different times. Compared to the size of TBLB specimens (5.625 ± 0.479 mm2), the size of TBLC specimens (12.00 (12.00, 15.00) mm2) was much larger (Z = − 3.262, P = 0.001). The diagnostic yields of TBLC and TBLB were 100.00% (13/13) and 0.00% (2/2), respectively (P = 0.0095). The most frequent complication was mild bleeding. The risk of bleeding between TBLB (1/2, 50.00%) and TBLC (10/13, 76.92%) did not differ significantly (P = 0.469). Conclusion: TBLC can add extra diagnostic value by effectively identifying specific types of histology for patients with suspected CTD-ILD or IPAF, with a procedure that is safe from adverse events. Key Points • Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy has been introduced recently for diagnosing interstitial lung disease. • Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy was found to be effective and safe in the diagnosis for patients with suspected interstitial lung disease. It can be used as a preferred method for biopsy when the clinical-radiological diagnosis is uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Cu‐pyrrolidone/spherical activated carbon (SAC) catalysts were prepared via a simple incipient wetness impregnation method and then assessed in acetylene hydrochlorination, and the catalytic evaluation result indicated that the 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NMP) ligand was found to be the most effective one to significantly improve the activity and stability of Cu catalyst. The catalyst with the optimal molar ratio of NMP/Cu = 0.25 showed 94.2% acetylene conversion at 180°C and an acetylene gas hourly space velocity of 180 h−1. Moreover, the acetylene conversion of Cu‐0.25NMP/SAC remained stable over 99.1% for about 220 h under the industrial condition. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses proved that NMP ligand improved the dispersion of Cu species. In addition, hydrogen temperature‐programmed reduction (H2‐TPR), X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunner–Emmet–Teller (BET) indicated that the additive of NMP was preferential to stabilize the catalytic active Cu+ and Cu2+ species and inhibit the reduction of Cuα+ to Cu0 during the preparation process and reaction, hence restraining the coke deposition. Furthermore, the steady coordination structure between Cu and NMP was confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectra (FT‐IR) and Raman combining with density functional theory (DFT) calculation, which could effectively lower the adsorption energy of catalyst for C2H2 and inhibit the serious carbon deposition caused by excessive acetylene self‐accumulation. Our findings suggest that the efficient, well‐stabilized cost‐effective, and environmentally friendly Cu catalyst has great potential in acetylene hydrochlorination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ru-based catalyst improved by quaternary ammonium IL has high catalytic performance in acetylene hydrochlorination. • TBAH IL enhanced the Ru dispersion and stabilized the Ru valence. • The interaction mechanism of TBAH IL with Ru active species and AC support has been revealed. Five quaternary ammonium ionic liquids (QAILs) were employed to synthesize Ru-based catalysts with the purpose of exploring an efficient non-mercuric catalyst for the acetylene hydrochlorination reaction. The activity and stability of Ru-QAILs/AC catalysts were investigated. Importantly, the method and sequence of impregnation were compared. The 0.1Ru15TBAH/AC catalyst prepared by co-impregnation method achieved 95% initial conversion of acetylene and 99.5% selectivity of vinyl chloride, and remained stable in the 200 h life evaluation under the conditions of T = 170 °C, GHSV (C 2 H 2) = 90 h−1 and V (HCl): V (C 2 H 2) = 1.1. A series of characterizations demonstrated that the addition of TBAH could improve the dispersion of Ru species, effectively prevent the appearance of coke deposition and increase the content of Ru4+ active species. Particularly, the mechanism of coke inhibition by adding TBAH IL was discussed via Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) analysis, and the interaction mechanism of TBAH IL with the AC support and with the Ru species were revealed via XPS spectrum combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate not only the risk of total preterm birth (PTB) but also spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) and indicated preterm birth (iPTB) in vanishing twin (VT). Study design: This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study. In 12 different healthcare institutions, women with singleton pregnancies were enrolled in early pregnancy and followed up till delivery. Results: A total of 4,746 women were included in the final analysis, and. the frequency of VT was 1.1% (54/4746). VT group had a higher risk for total PTB (PTB<34 weeks, 2.1% vs. 14.8%, p<0.001; PTB<32 weeks, 1.6% vs. 13.0%, p<0.001; PTB<28 weeks, 0.9% vs. 13.0%, p<0.001) than singleton group. The VT group had increased risk for both sPTB and iPTB (<34 weeks, <32 weeks, and <28 weeks), and this increased risk for sPTB and iPTB in VT group remained significant even after controlling for confounders such as maternal age, parity, pre-pregnancy BMI, and mode of conception. Conclusion: Vanishing twin can be an independent risk factor for both sPTB and iPTB when compared with singleton pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim was to investigate the effect of -maternal smoking exposure assessed by urinary tobacco-specific nitrosamine metabolite 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-a1-butanol (NNAL) with adverse pregnancy outcomes.Methods: A total of 251 pregnant women were recruited. Urinary cotinine and NNAL were measured. Participants' sociodemographics were obtained by questionnaire and pregnancy outcomes were collected by charts review after delivery.Results: The prevalence of smoking was 8.4% (21 of 249), 1.2% (3 of 241), and 3.7% (9 of 241) in pregnant women according to questionnaire, cotinine, and NNAL, respectively. As compared with questionnaire positivity and cotinine levels, women with positive NNAL were independent determinants for spontaneous abortion (adjusted OR 12.357, 95% CI 2.053-74.368), preterm birth (adjusted OR 22.239, 95% CI 3.737-132.357), and small for gestational age (adjusted OR 6.915, 95% CI 1.385-34.524).Conclusions: Urinary NNAL might be a useful biomarker in detection of maternal smoking status in association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Use of this marker in preconception and pregnancy counselling before planning pregnancy may allow prevention of several adverse pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ReaxFF molecular dynamics simulation has been employed to investigate the iron oxide-catalyzed supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of naphthalene (NAP), a common component of refractory polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Simulation results showed that synergistic effects between SCW and iron oxide catalyst enormously promoted the degradation of NAP and the production of H 2 and CO. During the gasification process, SCW served not only as H source for H 2 generation but also as O source for CO generation and lattice oxygen recompense, while the major roles of iron oxide catalyst were to provide lattice oxygen with high hydrogen-abstraction ability, catalyze SCW to produce more active species, and weaken the C–C bonds. The effects of different parameters were subsequently revealed: increasing the use of H 2 O molecules raised H 2 and CO yields along with the lattice oxygen supplement but slowed the rate of CO generation, high hydrogen recovery was achieved at high NAP concentration accompanied by a low carbon gasification efficiency. Our simulated results further demonstrated that the deactivation of iron oxide catalyst was caused by carbon deposition, lattice oxygen exhaustion and iron loss. SCW media effectively inhibited the iron loss, while calcination in O 2 environment could successfully regenerate the iron oxide catalyst by cleaning up the carbon deposition and replenishing the lattice oxygen. Image 1 • SCW served not only as H source but also as O source. • Iron oxide provided lattice oxygen, catalyze SCW and C–C breaking. • Carbon deposition, lattice oxygen and iron loss caused catalyst deactivation. • Catalyst regeneration mechanism in O 2 environment was also revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed β-addition of enals to 3-alkylenyloxindoles was developed. All of the β-aryl, β-alkenyl and β-alkyl enals worked well for the reaction to give the corresponding 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles bearing contiguous all-carbon quaternary and tertiary stereocenters in good yields with moderate to high diastereoselectivities and excellent enantioselectivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract Controlled synthesis of noble metal nanocatalysts with desirable catalytic activities remains a great challenge. Inspired by electron-rich functional groups and supramolecular assembly properties of natural nucleotides, herein we propose a versatile approach to construct Pd nanocatalysts through employing seven nucleotides as both electron donors and stabilizers. The catalytic performance of nucleotide-Pd complexes are greatly associated with the chemical structures of nucleobases as well as the number of phosphate groups. Guanosine 5′-triphosphate-Pd complexes possess high activities in the hydrogenation reduction of 4-nitrophenol assisted by NaBH 4 , with the relative rate constant of 7770 min−1 mM−1 at 25 °C. Pd(II)-coordinated nucleotides are also promising in NaBH 4 -mediated degradation of organic dyes. This work demonstrates a green and facile process to construct Pd nanocatalysts containing abundant active sites under the assistance by natural nucleotides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel luminescent cadmium coordination polymers (Cd-CPs), [Cd(TPA)(DIB)]n (1) and [Cd(TPA)(BIYB)]n (2), have been successfully designed and synthesized using Cd2+, deprotonated 3,3′-thiodipropionic acid (H2TPA), and 4,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)biphenyl (BIYB) or 1,4-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzene (DIB). CP 1 has a 3D structure with a new topology. CP 2 possesses a double layer 2D structure with two types of 1D tunnel. The fluorescence property application and mechanisms of the two Cd-CPs for detecting Hg2+, Cr2O72−, nitrobenzene (NB), or 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) have been researched. CPs 1–2 demonstrate good chemical stability, high sensitivity and selective responsive detection of Hg2+, Cr2O72−, NB, or 2,4-DNP. The high quenching percentages in dilute aqueous solutions were 98.5% (Hg2+, 1), 96.2% (Hg2+, 2), 98.5% (Cr2O72−, 1), 96.4% (Cr2O72−, 2), 99.6% (NB, 1) and 99.2% (2,4-DNP, 2). The detection limits were 2.1 × 10−7 (Hg2+, 1), 1.1 × 10−6 (Cr2O72−, 1), 2.7 × 10−7 (NB, 1), 1.9 × 10−7 (Hg2+, 2), 2.4 × 10−7 (Cr2O72−, 2), and 1.3 × 10−7 (2,4-DNP, 2) and are similar to the permissible limits set by the USEPA. The mechanism of Hg2+ luminescence quenching involves an interaction with the free thio sites of the CPs. The Cr2O72−, NB, and 2,4-DNP quenching mechanism involves the overlap of the absorption bands of the recognition materials with the excitation or emission bands of CPs 1–2. To the best of our knowledge, these are the best examples of CPs as probes for sensing Hg2+, Cr2O72−, NB, or 2,4-DNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the mediation effect of cognitive factors on the relationship between cancer-related online information seeking and cancer-preventative behaviors. Using data obtained from the National Cancer Institute's 2013 Health Information National Trends Survey (N = 2,896), we performed structural equation modeling and demonstrated that online information seeking about cancer did not decrease users' cancer fatalism; however it elevated users' level of self-efficacy. Moreover, the findings show that cancer-related information seeking indirectly influenced cancer-preventative behaviors via self-efficacy, and individuals' level of self-efficacy significantly mediated the association between fatalistic beliefs and cancer-preventative behaviors. The results call for attention to cognitive mediators in explaining the relationship between online information seeking and related behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle positioning plays an important role in the design of protocols, algorithms, and applications in the intelligent transport systems. In this paper, we present a new framework of spatiotemporal local-remote sensor fusion (ST-LRSF) that cooperatively improves the accuracy of absolute vehicle positioning based on two state estimates of a vehicle in the vicinity: a local sensing estimate, measured by the on-board exteroceptive sensors, and a remote sensing estimate, received from neighbor vehicles via vehicle-to-everything communications. Given both estimates of vehicle state, the ST-LRSF scheme identifies the set of vehicles in the vicinity, determines the reference vehicle state, proposes a spatiotemporal dissimilarity metric between two reference vehicle states, and presents a greedy algorithm to compute a minimal weighted matching (MWM) between them. Given the outcome of MWM, the theoretical position uncertainty of the proposed refinement algorithm is proven to be inversely proportional to the square root of matching size. To further reduce the positioning uncertainty, we also develop an extended Kalman filter model with the refined position of ST-LRSF as one of the measurement inputs. The numerical results demonstrate that the proposed ST-LRSF framework can achieve high positioning accuracy for many different scenarios of cooperative vehicle positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the use of methotrexate (MTX) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other immune-related inflammatory diseases. It discusses the differences between oral and injectable MTX and highlights the fast-acting anti-inflammatory effects of MTX injections. The article suggests that injectable MTX may become the preferred method for induction therapy in active RA and other immune-related inflammatory diseases. It also mentions the potential benefits of MTX in reducing the risk of stroke and cancer in patients with RA. Overall, MTX is seen as a versatile treatment option for various immune-related inflammatory conditions. [Extracted from the article]

The solubility data of linezolid form II in five pure solvents (water, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol) and a binary (water + methanol) solvent were determined among the temperature range from 283.15 K to 318.15 K under atmospheric pressure. The results indicated that the solubility increased with the temperature increasing. Seven thermodynamic models were used here to correlate the experimental solubility data. Through the comparison of the experimental data in pure solvents with the calculated results, we found that the modified Apelblat equation fit the experimental data best. Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that the solubility in different solvents related to the interaction strength between the linezolid and the solvent molecules. Finally, the molar enthalpy change, molar entropy change and molar Gibbs free energy change of dissolution of linezolid in the different solvents were also calculated by van't Hoff equation in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. A retrospective cohort study. Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiographic and patient-reported outcomes at minimum 2 years after revision surgery for proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK), correlating these results with PJK etiology. Summary of Background Data. There are no studies detailing the results of revision surgery for PJK following posterior segmental instrumentation. Methods. Thirty-two consecutive patients treated with revision surgery after PJK above posterior fusions (25 women/7 men, average age at surgery 60.6 yrs) were reviewed for radiographic and patient-reported outcomes (mean follow-up, 4.5 yrs; range, 2–10 yrs). Patients were subdivided into fracture (F) and nonfracture (NF) groups on the basis of PJK etiology. Results. Radiographic severity of PJK improved significantly with revision surgery and was maintained at ultimate follow-up (P<0.001). However, initial sagittal vertical axis (SVA) correction was not maintained through ultimate follow-up (P=0.04). There were significant postrevision improvements in mean Oswestry scores (P<0.001) and SRS total scores (P<0.001) in all patients. In patients with pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) mismatch<11°, final PJK measurement was smaller than in patients with mismatch ≥11° (9.4° vs. 19.8°, P=0.009). Six patients (19%) developed new postrevision PJK, with two (6%) requiring additional surgery. Patients who sustained PJK through a fracture had greater improvements in Oswestry (P=0.004), total SRS (P=0.04), pain (P<0.001), and satisfaction (P=0.05) scores, although the fracture patients had less maintained SVA correction (P=0.002). Conclusion. Revision surgery for PJK following posterior instrumentation achieved acceptable radiographic and clinical outcomes at minimum 2-year follow-up. Patients with PI-LL mismatch <11° experienced more ultimate PJK correction than patients with mismatch ≥11°. Although the NF group experienced more sustained correction of sagittal balance, the F group reported greater improvements in patient-reported outcomes. Ultimate clinical outcomes after revision surgery for PJK were similar between patients with and without compression fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) and Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulation-based analyses are performed to understand the influence of grain boundary (GB) misorientation on the tensile strength of SiC bicrystals. The tensile strength is governed by the changes in electron density and bond strength of atoms in GBs. An investigation of dislocation activity during mechanical deformation shows that the extent of the propagation of dislocations across the bicrystal grains is directly proportional to the extent of GB misorientation. An analytical relation that predicts the tensile strength as a function of GB misorientation is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Tetraspanins are a group of cell surface molecules involved in cell adhesion, motility, metastasis, signal transduction, and immune cell activation. Members of the tetraspanin family include CD9, CD37, CD63, CD53, and others. However, few tetraspanins have been investigated in teleosts. In this study, we obtained the open reading frame of CD53 cDNA from orange spotted grouper ( Epinephelus coioices ), an economically important fish. The predicted amino acid structure contains four membrane-spanning domains and a conserved CCG motif. The amino acid identity between human and grouper CD53 was only 38%; however, both CD53 proteins share the same structure. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that mRNA is abundant in immune organs, including the head and trunk kidneys, spleen, thymus, gill, and blood. Immunochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses further revealed that CD53 was majorly expressed in the leukocytes of various organs. Finally, mRNA and protein expression for CD53 was down-regulated in fish treated with immune stimulators, including LPS, Poly (I:C), Vibrio, recombinant grouper IL-6, and CCL4. Our results indicate that the expression of CD53 may play important roles in pathogen invasion and inflammation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate reasons underlying the low uptake of the influenza A H1N1v vaccination in the UK during the 2009/10 pandemic.Methods: We analysed data from five national telephone surveys conducted in the UK during the latter stages of the pandemic to identify predictors of uptake amongst members of the public offered the vaccine by their primary care physician (n=1320). In addition to demographic variables, participants reported: reasons for declining the vaccination, levels of worry about the risk of catching swine flu, whether too much fuss was being made about the pandemic, whether they or a close friend or relative had had swine flu, how effective they felt the vaccine was, whether they had previously had a seasonal flu vaccination, how well prepared they felt the government was for a pandemic and how satisfied they were with information available about the pandemic. Most participants (n=734, 55.6%) reported being vaccinated against swine flu, compared to 396 who had not been vaccinated and were unlikely to be vaccinated in the future.Results: The main reasons given for declining vaccination were concerns over the vaccine's safety, and being generally healthy. Controlling for demographic variables, risk factors for not being vaccinated were: being female, not having a long-standing infirmity or illness, not having been vaccinated against seasonal flu in previous years, feeling that too much fuss had been made about the pandemic and believing that the vaccine was ineffective.Conclusions: Interventions that target these factors may be effective in improving uptake in a future pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tensile deformation of a tungsten (W) microstructure is examined at elevated temperatures and at varying levels of irradiation. The computational framework used in this study is based on the finite element (FE) method using the Anand viscoplastic model. In order to account for viscoplasticity at high temperatures, the relevant material parameters of the Anand viscoplastic model have been determined through uniaxial tests upon W samples containing a high level of neutron irradiation. Analyses show that the effect of thermal softening decreases with increase in irradiation dose. In addition, a sigmoidal dependence of irradiation dose on the yield strength of W microstructures is observed. The FE analyses also suggest that the yield strength of W is directly correlated with temperature and irradiation dose. Based on the simulation results, an empirical relation for predicting the yield strength of W is proposed based upon the temperature and irradiation dose. The developed relation is found to predict the yield strength of W well over a wide range of temperatures and irradiation doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of knock-on atom induced damage on the peak tensile strength of cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC) is examined using an ab-initio simulation framework based on Car–Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) method. The framework examines the effect of impact damage caused by a knock-on atom with velocities corresponding to four different kinetic energy levels (50 eV, 500 eV, 1 keV, and 2 keV) in three different SiC structure samples with different grain boundary (GB) configurations. Analyses show that peak tensile strength of the examined structures decreases by up to 37% in samples with GBs due to the impact damage caused by knock-on atom when compared with the case of single crystalline SiC under similar conditions. Analyses reveal new insights regarding the influence of bond strength change under knock-on atom induced impact damage on peak tensile strength of the examined structures. It is found that the peak tensile strength of the examined structures is a function of change in temperature, impact energy, and GB configuration. In order to extend the observed correlation of the peak tensile strength with atomic configurations to other structure types, a fractal dimension based approach is adopted to predict structure peak tensile strength as a function of knock-on atom impact energy, temperature, and GB configuration. Analyses show that the tensile strength of the examined SiC structures increases as a function of their fractal dimension increase. Fractal dimensions also change as a function of change in impact energy level and the corresponding damage in an inversely proportional manner. Based on the observed correlations, an empirical relation to predict structure peak tensile strength as a function of simulation parameters is developed. The developed relation is found to predict strength data of structures not included in the fitting with good accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: To investigate prenatal ultrasound findings and the chromosomal outcomes of mosaic embryo transfer. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on pregnant women who underwent mosaic embryo transfer following blastocyst-stage preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) at CHA Gangnam Medical Center from January 2021 to July 2024. Trophectoderm biopsy specimens were collected using standard protocols, and next-generation sequencing profiles were defined as mosaics when displaying copy number counts in the 20–80% range. The results of the PGT-A, the amniocentesis results, the findings of prenatal ultrasounds, and the pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 88 mosaic embryos were transferred, of which 77 embryos were successfully implanted. Sixty-seven embryo-maintained pregnancies went beyond 11 weeks (87.0%), all among 58 patients with singleton pregnancies. The chaotic subtype showed the lowest ongoing pregnancy rate, and high-level mosaicism was less frequent in the ongoing group, compared to the total study group and the successful implantation group. Amniocentesis was performed on 33 mothers (56.9%), revealing two cases with abnormal findings that did not correlate with the PGT-A results. Two cases showed abnormalities in the second trimester detailed ultrasound, and both subsequently demonstrated normal findings in the third trimester and after birth. The average gestational age at birth was 38.4 weeks, and the average birth weight was 3313 g. No congenital anomalies were detected in 16 postnatal cases. Conclusions: Our study indicated that mosaic embryos can develop into euploid healthy infants with various levels or types of mosaicism, although the postnatal follow-up data are limited. This study is invaluable for counseling clinical results after mosaic embryo transfer, reassuring that, if patients do not have euploid embryos available, mosaic embryos can also be a viable option for transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the effects of cerclage on twin pregnancies. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, cohort study was conducted at 10 tertiary centers using a web-based data collection platform. The study population included twin pregnancies delivered after 20 weeks of gestation. Patients with one or two fetal deaths before 20 weeks of gestation were excluded. Maternal characteristics, including prenatal cervical length (CL) and obstetric outcomes, were retrieved from the electronic medical records. Results: A total of 1,473 patients had available data regarding the CL measured before 24 weeks of gestation. Seven patients without CL data obtained prior to cerclage were excluded from the analysis. The study population was divided into two groups according to the CL measured during the mid-trimester: the CL ≤2.5 cm group (n = 127) and the CL >2.5 cm group (n = 1,339). A total of 127 patients (8.7%) were included in the CL ≤2.5 cm group, including 41.7% (53/127) who received cerclage. Patients in the CL >2.5 cm group who received cerclage had significantly lower gestational age at delivery than the control group (hazard ratio (HR): 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–2.87; p =.016). Patients in the CL ≤2.5 cm group who received cerclage had a significantly higher gestational age at delivery than the control group (HR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.30–0.82; p value =.006). Conclusions: In twin pregnancies with a CL ≤2.5 cm, cerclage significantly prolongs gestation. However, unnecessary cerclage in women with a CL >2.5 cm may result in a higher risk of preterm labor and histologic chorioamnionitis although this study has a limitation originated from retrospective design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reinforcement learning agents that have not been seen during training must be robust in test environments. However, the generalization problem is challenging to solve in reinforcement learning using high-dimensional images as the input. The addition of a self-supervised learning framework with data augmentation in the reinforcement learning architecture can promote generalization to a certain extent. However, excessively large changes in the input images may disturb reinforcement learning. Therefore, we propose a contrastive learning method that can help manage the trade-off relationship between the performance of reinforcement learning and auxiliary tasks against the data augmentation strength. In this framework, strong augmentation does not disturb reinforcement learning and instead maximizes the auxiliary effect for generalization. Results of experiments on the DeepMind Control suite demonstrate that the proposed method effectively uses strong data augmentation and achieves a higher generalization than the existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing inexpensive, eco-friendly and efficient catalysts is the key to photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants from wastewater. In this paper, a novel pre-treatment activated shaddock peel biochar mediated hexagonal Cd 0.8 Zn 0.2 S composite photocatalyst (CZS/BC) was fabricated by hydrothermal method and comprehensively characterized. The photocatalytic performance was assessed by degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. Compared with the pristine Cd 0.8 Zn 0.2 S (CZS), the doping of shaddock peel biochar (BC) not only significantly reduces the band gap energy (E g) of the CZS, but also significantly improves the adsorption and photocatalytic performance. Under the synergistic action of adsorption and photocatalysis, the optimal CZS/BC-0.3 sample exhibited the best removal performance, and could almost completely eliminate RhB pollutant within 50 min with good stability, possessing great application potential in practical environmental remediation. The removal efficiency was 6.4 folds higher than pristine CZS. Studies on photocatalytic mechanism showed that photocatalysis was mainly predominated by •O 2 - and •OH induced pathways, and the enhancement of photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the formation of hexagonal CZS, with biochar as an electron bridge and trap, the photogenerated carrier can be separated more effectively, thus enhancing the photocatalytic performance. This work provides a new idea for constructing new composite photocatalysts using BC as electron transport bridge. • A novel shaddock peel biochar mediated Cd 0.8 Zn 0.2 S nanocomposite photocatalyst was fabricated by hydrothermal method. • The doping of BC to CZS decreased the energy band gap of CZS and enhanced the transfer of photogenerated carriers. • The prepared CZS/BC composite exhibited superior photocatalytic performance for the degradation of RhB. • A possible photocatalytic mechanism with •O 2 - and •OH as the dominant active species was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Grain boundary damage under impact in 3C–SiC examined using ab initio simulations. [•] Higher impact velocity leads to lower grain boundary peak tensile strength. [•] Grain boundary peak tensile strength is a function of their unique fractal dimension. [•] Grain boundary structure-strength relationship established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Analyses in the present work focus on understanding the effect of helium (He) point defects on the peak tensile strength of tungsten (W) using an ab initio simulation framework. Nine W nanostructure samples that include three different grain boundary (GB) configurations for each of the following case: first without any He point defects, second with He point defects solely in substitutional sites, and third with He point defects solely in interstitial sites, are analyzed. Peak tensile strength of the examined nanostructures is analyzed as a function of temperature, the type of He point defect site, and the type of GB configuration. The tensile strength decreases by up to 21% in the presence of GBs when compared with the single crystalline case. Presence of interstitial He point defects leads to highest increase in the tensile strength. A linear relationship between structural fractal dimension and tensile strength is observed in all examined structures. Therefore, a fractal dimension based empirical relationship is developed to characterize the strength of the examined nanostructures as a function of temperature, type of He point defect site, and type of GB configuration. The developed relation is found to predict strength data for structures that were not included in the empirical relation development, establishing a notion that fractal dimension could be a possible way to interpret infinitesimal material volume quantum mechanical strength data for higher scale continuum plasticity modeling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An accurate estimation of pipe attributes, pose of pipeline inspection gauge (PIG), and downstream pipeline topology is essential for successful in-line inspection (ILI) of underground compressible gas pipelines. Taking a 3D point cloud of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) or time-of-flight (ToF) camera as the input, in this paper, we present the simultaneous pipe-attribute and PIG-pose estimation (SPPE) approach that estimates the optimal pipe-attribute and PIG-pose parameters to transform a 3D point cloud onto the inner pipe wall surface: major- and minor-axis lengths, roll, pitch, and yaw angles, and 2D deviation from the center of the pipe. Since the 3D point cloud has all spatial information of the inner pipe wall measurements, this estimation problem can be modeled by an optimal transformation matrix estimation problem from a PIG sensor frame to the global pipe frame. The basic idea of our SPPE approach is to decompose this transformation into two sub-transformations: The first transformation is formulated as a non-linear optimization problem whose solution is iteratively updated by the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm (LMA). The second transformation utilizes the gravity vector to calculate the ovality angle between the geometric and navigation pipe frames. The extensive simulation results from our PIG simulator based on the robot operating system (ROS) platform demonstrate that the proposed SPPE can estimate the pipe attributes and PIG pose with excellent accuracy and is also applicable to real-time and post-processing non-destructive testing (NDT) applications thanks to its high computational efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the risk gradient of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal or neonatal death across a socioeconomic spectrum of pregnant women. Methods: We used the data from the Korean Prenatal Diagnosis Study (KPDS), which included singleton pregnancies who were candidates for fetal aneuploidy screening enrolled from the Seoul Capital Area from December 2016 to April 2018. We analyzed chromosomal abnormalities which were diagnosed pre- or postnatally, and fetal or neonatal death. The highest level of education among the women and the average monthly household income were used as proxies for socioeconomic status. Results: Among the 6,715 women, the majority of were 30–39 years old and university graduates, with a reported household income higher than the national median. Chromosomal abnormalities occurred in 45 women (6.7 per 1,000). Fetal or neonatal death occurred in 70 (11.3 per 1,000), excluding pregnancies affected by chromosomal abnormality diagnosis. The adjusted odds ratio for chromosomal abnormalities was higher when household income was < 4,484 USD per month. For fetal or neonatal death, the risk estimates for lower education and lower household income were generally positive but remained imprecise. Conclusion: We observed some evidence of an inverse association between the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormality and level of household income in a prospective cohort of pregnant women. Interventions to reduce socioeconomic disparities in perinatal health should focus on those with a low household income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nannochloropsis oculata is widely used in grouper larvae hatcheries for the production of green water to stabilize water quality, provide shielding for light-sensitive fish larvae, and breed super-small rotifers (SS-rotifers), the first feed of grouper larvae. However, the practical use of N. oculata is hindered by an insufficient yield of this alga. This study evaluated Picochlorum strain S1b, an indigenous marine microalga capable of cultivation at high growth rates, to determine its suitability as an alternative to N. oculata in grouper larvae hatcheries. Feasibility was evaluated mainly according to two parameters: 1) the nutritive value of the microalga for SS-rotifers; and 2) the nutritive value of SS-rotifers for grouper (Epinephelus coioides) larvae. The nutritive value of algae was evaluated by comparing the proliferation rate and egg ratio of SS-rotifers. The nutritive value of SS-rotifers was evaluated by comparing the size and amino acid composition of SS-rotifers feeding on different microalgae. We also examined the “green water effect”, i.e., changes in the vibrio community in the rearing tank following the introduction of microalgae, as well as its influence on the survival and growth rates of grouper larvae. In these experiments, S1b provided the highest nutritive value for SS-rotifers, particularly when grown under mixotrophic conditions (S1b [mixo]). The cultivation of SS-rotifers using S1b [mixo] increased the percentage of small-size organisms, which are highly suitable as first feed for grouper larvae; and cultivation with S1b [mixo] altered the amino acid composition of SS-rotifers to more closely match that of grouper larvae, thereby enhancing their nutritive benefits. Green water produced with either Picochlorum S1b or N. oculata was shown to inhibit the blooming of vibrio, an opportunistic pathogen of fish. Grouper larvae reared in green water produced with Picochlorum S1b had the same survival rate but a higher growth rate than those reared in green water produced with N. oculata. These results demonstrate the potential benefits of replacing N. oculata with Picochlorum S1b for the rearing of grouper larvae. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Photobacterium damselae ssp. piscicida (Ph.d.p.), the causative agent of photobacteriosis, is among the most important pathogens affecting finfish aquaculture globally. With the emergence of recombinant technology, subunit vaccines have been actively pursued, but mostly for viral diseases. Bacterial subunit vaccines are more difficult to develop since the bacterial genome is more complex, with numerous candidate antigens, leading to a lengthy and laborious screening process. Immunoproteomics, using western blotting on protein analyzed with 2DE and LC-MS/MS to isolate immune-reactive proteins and acquire amino acid sequences, followed by recombinant technology to clone the candidate gene, identified eight candidate antigens from Ph.d.p., which have been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). These proteins were purified and used as antigens in an efficacy trial. Three, rHSP60, rENOLASE, and rGAPDH proteins, elicited higher specific antibody titers and stronger protective immunity than the other five and an inactivated Ph.d.p. whole bacterial vaccine. These three antigens may be candidates for the development of a subunit vaccine against Ph.d.p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether the −1562C>T, R279Q, P574R, and R668Q polymorphisms of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) gene are related to endometriosis. Design: Case-control study. Setting: University-based hospital in Korea. Patient(s): Patients with endometriosis stage III/IV (n = 225) who underwent pelvic surgery and controls (n = 198) with no endometriosis in a Korean population. Intervention(s): Peripheral blood samples were collected by venipuncture. Main Outcome Measure(s): Frequencies of genotypes and haplotypes were compared with the risk of endometriosis including −1562C>T, R279Q, P574R, and R668Q polymorphisms of MMP-9. Result(s): In the two-locus haplotype analyses using the four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), an increase in the distribution of the R279Q/P574R (2678G>A/4859C>G) (AC haplotype: odds ratio [OR] = 3.180, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.956–5.170; GG haplotype: OR = 4.374, 95% CI = 2.376-8.053) and −1562C>T/R668Q (−1562C>T/5546G>A) (CA haplotype: OR = 3.280, 95% CI = 1.406–7.653) haplotypes was significantly associated with endometriosis. By contrast, the risk of endometriosis was not associated with the individual SNPs studied. Conclusion(s): These findings suggest that haplotype analysis was more informative than SNP analysis. The haplotypes in the MMP-9 gene may correlate with the progression of endometriosis, and further study of these variations might improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Expression of the immunity-related ikaros and rag1 genes during development signals the onset of lymphopoiesis in vertebrates. Partial sequences of ikaros and rag1 in Epinephelus malabaricus were cloned by degenerate primer-mediated reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Their expression profiles in the thymus, head kidney, trunk kidney, spleen, intestine, brain, liver and pancreas, and the onset of expression at various developmental stages, were examined by RT-PCR using identical primers. Expressions of both ikaros and rag1 genes were detected as early as 3 days post fertilization (dpf). The thymus is thought to be the first organ of lymphopoiesis to develop in fish; its histogenesis in E. malabaricus was examined and used for comparison. To avoid the potential influence of environmental factors on different hatches, both age and larval morphology were used as indicators of maturation to define the stage of development. A bud-like thymus was observed at 9 dpf; lymphopoietic cells appeared at 19 dpf; and further development, such as cortex/medulla differentiation and the appearance of lymphocytes, occurred by 26 dpf. Trabecula development was detected at 41 dpf. Based on the histological evidence, the lymphoid cell expressed rag1 before the thymus developed, suggesting that extra-thymic lymphopoiesis takes place in E. malabaricus, and that a functional immune system might develop early in the metamorphosis stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Density functional theory has been used to study the thermodynamics associated with the steam reforming of dimethyl ether (DME) under cold plasma conditions. The calculation showed that the only thermodynamic obstacle of the production of hydrogen, CO, dimethoxymethane (DMMT) and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DMET) was the dissociation of DME and steam molecules, which was easy to be overcome under cold plasma conditions. The formation of hydrogen and CO was through a multi-step pathway via the methoxy radical conversion and dissociation of formaldehyde, while the recombination of H generated extra hydrogen. The syntheses of DMMT and DMET are from the recombination of and CH3O , which could be primarily generated through DME dissociation or the reactions: H+CH3OCH3, OH +CH3OCH3, . The structure and electronic properties of DME anion were also studied in this work. Theoretical calculation showed that the DME anion was less stable than the neutral molecule. The route for the formation of and from DME anion is thermodynamically favorable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) is a major viral pathogen that infects grouper and other fish at their larval stage. This infection often causes mortality rates higher than 99% and leads to total losses in the hatchery; hence, it is important to develop a preventive vaccine. However, the onset of this disease at the larval stage, with fish small and sensitive to handling makes the vaccination by injection or immersion impossible. In this report, we describe an oral NNV vaccine composed of Artemia-encapsulated recombinant E. coli expressing the NNV capsid protein gene. The NNV VP-containing Artemia were used to vaccinate grouper larvae. Immuno-histochemical analysis showed antigen to be delivered to, and absorbed in, the hindgut of grouper, and that it induced anti-NNV VP specific antibodies 7 days after vaccination, as assayed by ELISA. The vaccinated larvae showed a certain degree of protection after challenge with NNV achieving a Relative Percentage Survival of 64.2% and 69.5%. Oral NNV vaccine could effectively immunize grouper larvae. This method could be expanded to the development of other oral vaccines and for use in other fish species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We demonstrated high-efficiency red organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) employing a europium complex, Eu (III) tris(thenoyltrifluoroacetone) 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl- 1,10-phenanthroline (Eu(TTA)3(Tmphen)), as an emitter and a blue electrophosphorescent complex, Iridium (III) bis[4,6-di-fluorophenyl-pyridinato-N, C2] picolinate (FIrpic), as an assistant dopant codoped into 4,4-N,N-dicarbazole-biphenyl (CBP) host as an emissive layer. A pure red electroluminescence (EL) only from Eu3誉 at 612?nm with a full width at half maximum of 3?nm was observed and the EL efficiency was significantly enhanced. The maximum EL efficiency reached 7.9?cd?A?1at 0.01?mA?cm?2current density, which is enhanced by 2.8 times compared with electrophosphorescence-undoped devices. The large improvements are attributed to energy transfer assistance effects of FIrpic, indicating a promising method for obtaining efficient red OLEDs based on rare-earth complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tumor suppressor p53 can trigger cell death independently of its transcriptional activity through subcellular translocation and activation of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members. The regulation of such activity of endogenous p53 in response to stress remains largely unknown. Here we show that nuclear, activated FOXO3a could impair p53 transcriptional activity. However, activation of FOXO3a either on serum starvation or by expressing a constitutively active form of FOXO3a could induce p53-dependent apoptosis, even in cells bearing a transcriptionally inactive form of p53. Furthermore, FOXO3a could promote p53 cytoplasmic accumulation by increasing its association with nuclear exporting machinery. Our data also suggest that PUMA and Bax are required for p53-dependent apoptosis in manner that is independent of p53 transcriptional activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cobia (Rachycentron canadum), a warm water fish recently commercially cultured in Taiwan, has encountered severe mortalities with survival rates often below 20%. The major causative pathogens were Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida. We prepared a combined three inactivated bacterins antigen preparation and vaccinated cobia. This mixture of bacterins was safe, and the immune response in cobia stimulated specific antibody in 1 week that remained for at least 6 weeks until the end of the aquarium trial. Its efficacy in protecting fish was evaluated in aquarium and field trials. In the aquarium challenge, the vaccine gave a relative percentage survival of 93.8%, 91.1% and 84.7% after challenge with V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus and P. damselae subsp. piscicida, respectively. In two farm trials using two batches of fish from different hatcheries, one vaccination gave a survival rate of 86–92%. A single vaccination of three combined inactivated bacteria into cobia elicited specific antibodies, and protected fish in both the laboratory aquarium challenge and a farm trial. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Memory effects in single-layer organic light-emitting devices based on Sm3+, Gd3+, and Eu3+ rare earth complexes were realized. The device structure was indium-tin-oxide (ITO)/3,4-poly(ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene-sulfonate) (PEDOT)/Poly(N-vinyl carbazole) (PVK): rare earth complex/LiF/Ca/Ag. It was found experimentally that all the devices exhibited two distinctive bistable conductivity states in current-voltage characteristics by applying negative starting voltage, and more than 106 write-read-erase-reread cycles were achieved without degradation. Our results indicate that the rare earth organic complexes are promising materials for high-density, low-cost memory application besides the potential application as organic light-emitting materials in display devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of Ptn (n = 1−3) clusters on the defect-free anatase TiO2(101) surface has been studied using total energy pseudopotential calculations based on density functional theory. The defect-free anatase TiO2(101) surface has a stepped structure with a step width of two O−Ti bond distances in the (100) plane along the [101̄] direction and the edge of the step is formed by 2-fold-coordinated oxygen atoms along the [010] direction. For a single Pt adatom, three adsorption sites were found to be stable. Energetically, the Pt adatom prefers the bridge site formed by 2 2-fold-coordinated oxygen atoms with an adsorption energy of 2.84 eV. Electronic structure analysis showed that the Pt−O bonds formed upon Pt adsorption are covalent. Among six stable Pt2 adsorption configurations examined, Pt2 was found to energetically favor the O−O bridge sites on the step edge along [010] with the Pt−Pt bond axis perpendicular to [010]. In these configurations, one of the Pt atoms occupies the same O−O bridge site as for a single Pt adatom and the other one either binds a different 2-fold-coordinated oxygen atom on the upper step or a 5-fold-coordinated Ti atom on the lower terrace. Three triangular and three open Pt3 structures were determined as minima for Pt3 adsorption on the surface. Platinum trimers adsorbed in triangular structures are more stable than in open structures. In the most stable configuration, Pt3 occupies the edge O−O site with the Pt3 plane being upright and almost perpendicular to the [001] terrace. The preference of Ptn to the coordinately unsaturated 2-fold-coordinated oxygen sites indicates that these sites may serve as nucleation centers for the growth of metal clusters on the oxide surface. The increase in clustering energy with increasing size of the adsorbed Pt clusters indicates that the growth of Pt on this surface will lead to the formation of three-dimensional particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate high efficiency polymer electrophosphorescent light-emitting diodes based on a new iridium complex tris{diphenyl-(4-pyridin-2-yl-phenyl)-amine}iridium (III) (Ir(dpppa)3) doped into a poly (N-vinyl carbazole) (PVK) host. Electron transporting 1,3,5-tris(2-N-phenylbenzimidazolyl) benzene (TPBI) and hole transporting N,N-bis-(1-naphthyl)-N,N'-diphenyl-1,1'-biphenyl-4, 4'-diamine (NPB) were doped simultaneously into the host to improve the transport balance of the charge carriers and avoid the accumulation of the space charges caused by unbalanced charge transport and direct carrier trapping on Ir(dpppa)3. The effect of the TPBI and NPB concentrations was examined. By optimizing the concentrations of the TPBI and NPB in the blend, the device showed a current efficiency as high as 25.2 cd A-1 at a current density of 0.85 mA cm-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]