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Objective: Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is significantly more malignant than other type of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this study, we aimed to identify specific global gene expression signatures of TSCC to investigate the more invasive behavior of the deeply infiltrating cancer. Methods: Using RNA-seq technology, we detected gene expression of 20 TSCCs, 20 matched paratumor tissues, and 10 healthy normal mucosa tissues. Enrichment analysis of gene ontology (GO) and pathway was conducted using online tools DAVID for the dysregulated genes. Additionally, we performed the quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) to validate the findings of RNA-Seq in 10 samples of TSCC, matched paratumor, and normal mucosa, respectively. Results: We detected 252 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TSCC and matched paratumor tissue, including 117 up-regulated and 135 down-regulated genes. For comparison between TSCC and normal mucosa, 234 DEGS were identified, consisting of 67 up-regulated and 167 down-regulated genes. For both two comparisons, GO categories of muscle contraction (GO: 0006936), epidermis development (GO: 0008544), epithelial cell differentiation (GO: 0030855), and keratinization (GO: 0031424) were commonly enriched. Altered gene expression affected some cancer-related pathways, such as tight junction. The qRT-PCR validation showed that gene expression patterns of FOLR1, NKX3-1, TFF3, PIGR, NEFL, MMP13, and HMGA2 were fully in concordance with RNA-Seq results. Conclusion: Findings in this study demonstrated the genetic and molecular alterations associated with TSCC, providing new clues for understanding the molecular mechanisms of TSCC pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nitrogen-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2) nanowire film was synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal method using triethylamine as nitrogen source. The effect of the concentration of the triethylamine on the films was evaluated. In addition, the N-TiO2 nanowires were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. A 3.2× enhancement of the photocurrent for N-TiO2 (0.6) was achieved over the as-prepared TiO2 nanowire, under AM1.5G solar illumination. This was due to nitrogen doping, which could narrow the bandgap of titania to extend the adsorption of the catalyst to the visible light region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY A novel variable frequency modulation technique for multiphase synchronous rectified voltage regulator module (VRM) is proposed in this paper. The proposed technique provides zero voltage switching (ZVS) for high-side and low-side power switches under both light- and heavy-load conditions, thereby increasing the efficiency as compared to the conventional approach. The dependency of switching frequency on the load condition for the proposed modulation technique and the related conduction loss are analyzed. It will be shown that the frequency increases for light-load condition in order to retain ZVS and decrease the conduction loss. Although the switching loss will slightly increase due to the increase of switching frequency, the analysis and experimental results will show that the contribution of frequency increasing can cover this additional loss. Experimental results derived from a single-phase and an eight-phase synchronous rectified VRM show that the proposed modulation technique is superior to the conventional one and compared to conventional constant switching frequency techniques with 250 and 550thinspacekHz, the efficiency can be increased up to 17 and 5% for single-phase VRM and 8 and 4% for eight-phase VRM under various load conditions. Even an off-the-shelf controller with an additional simple and cheap control circuit comprising one switch, two operational amplifiers and several resistors is used to realize the proposed technique, that is, a very low cost and small circuitry is attached to gain the significant benefit. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a zero-current-switching (ZCS)-pulse width modulation (PWM) half-bridge boost rectifier with output voltage balance control using ZCS auxiliary resonant circuits. In the proposed ZCS-PWM half-bridge boost rectifier, ZCS in the active switches and ZCS in passive switches are performed without additional current stress. In addition to reduce switching losses, significant reductions in the conduction loss and in the current stress are realized because the circulating current for the soft-switching flows only through the auxiliary circuit. The steady-state analysis is performed for operation illustration, and the small-signal model is built up for output regulation control and power factor correction (PFC). An average-current-mode for PFC is utilized to control the proposed ZCS-PWM half-bridge boost in the continuous conduction mode. The two output capacitor voltage imbalance is inherent in the half-bridge rectifier, and therefore the balance control technique is added to be more complete for this research. The operational principles, design considerations, and realizations are discussed and verified. The specification of the proposed ZCS-PWM half-bridge boost is rated at 400 W and operates at 30 kHz, with an input ac voltage of 110 \Vrms and a regulated output voltage 400 \Vdc, for experiments to verify the theoretic analysis of the proposed ZCS-PWM half-bridge boost with output voltage balance control. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Rapid urbanization has significantly altered landscape environments in both urban and rural regions, and these landscapes have been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in human well-being. This study develops a coherent framework that integrates landscape change, landscape ecological indicators, and landscape preferences within the context of the evolving landscape environments of rural communities in Taiwan. Four distinct types of rural communities were selected, and a quantitative methodology was employed to investigate the variations and transformations in landscape preferences among rural residents in the context of landscape change. A qualitative methodology was employed to investigate the relationship between landscape ecological indicators and landscape preferences. The study's findings indicate significant temporal variations in residents' landscape preferences, with landscape beauty, stewardship, and coherence emerging as key determinants in the evaluation of these preferences. Landscape ecological indicators were found to be significantly correlated with variables such as landscape complexity, landscape beauty, openness, naturalness, and comprehensive landscape assessment. The findings of this study indicate that design planners, land managers, and public sector organizations can employ multidimensional thinking in the management of rural landscapes to align with the visual aesthetic preferences of rural residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal changes in nutrient concentrations of leaf and fruit structural parts (rind and pulp) from 'Newhall' (Citrus. sinensis Osbeck) and 'Skagg's Bonanza' (C. sinensis Osbeck) navel oranges were investigated during fruit development in two successive years. Leaf calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), and potassium (K) concentrations were relatively constant throughout the whole season with the exception of an increase of K at stage 1, the period of fruitlet growth [before 80 days after full bloom (DAFB)], whereas the magnesium (Mg), boron (B), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) concentrations declined distinctly during stage 2 (80-180 DAFB), the period of fruit rapid enlargement. In rind, Ca, B, Fe, and Mn concentrations reached the greatest levels at stage 2, different from K and Mg, which increased at stage 1 and decreased thereafter. In pulp, concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, and Mn declined gradually with time, whereas a small rise in B toward the end of sampling and a clear increase of Fe at stage 2 were observed. It was suggested that 'Newhall' required greater B inherently in fruits as the cultivar had greater B concentrations in fruit parts and had greater rind/leaf B concentration ratios than 'Skagg's Bonanza.' 'Newhall' had relatively greater rind Ca content and exhibited Ca distribution more uniformly within its fruit parts, which probably enhanced the crack resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: circRNAs have been shown to participate in diverse diseases; however, their role in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), a potentially malignant disorder, remains obscure. Our preliminary experiments detected the expression of circRNA mitochondrial translation optimization 1 homologue (circMTO1) in OSF tissues (n = 20) and normal mucosa tissues (n = 20) collected from Hunan Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, and a significant decrease of circMTO1 expression was showed in OSF tissues. Therefore, we further explored circMTO1 expression in OSF. Methods: Target molecule expression was detected using RT‐qPCR and western blotting. The migration and invasion of buccal mucosal fibroblasts (BMFs) were assessed using wound healing and Transwell assays. The interaction between miR‐30c‐5p, circMTO1, and SOCS3 was evaluated using dual luciferase, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and RNA pull‐down assays. The colocalisation of circMTO1 and miR‐30c‐5p was observed using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). Results: circMTO1 and SOCS3 expression decreased, whereas miR‐30c‐5p expression increased in patients with OSF and arecoline‐stimulated BMFs. Overexpression of circMTO1 effectively restrained the fibroblast–myofibroblast transition (FMT), as evidenced by the increase in expression of Coll I, α‐SMA, Vimentin, and the weakened migration and invasion functions in BMFs. Mechanistic studies have shown that circMTO1 suppresses FMT by enhancing SOCS3 expression by sponging miR‐30c‐5p and subsequently inactivating the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. FMT induced by SOCS3 silencing was reversed by the FAK inhibitor TAE226 or the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Conclusion: circMTO1/miR‐30c‐5p/SOCS3 axis regulates FMT in arecoline‐treated BMFs via the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. Expanding the sample size and in vivo validation could further elucidate their potential as therapeutic targets for OSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although previous research has confirmed that climate change impacts tourism systems, few studies have explored the differences in tourists' adaptation intentions in response to diverse climate change perceptions. Therefore, this study compared two tourist groups with high and low climate change perception levels to understand their adaptation intentions based on protection motivation theory. A valid sample totaling 696 domestic tourists visiting Kenting National Park in Taiwan was surveyed. The results revealed that the low-perception tourist group had externally-oriented adaptation, with the perceived external environment or information dissemination impacting adaptation intention. However, the high-perception tourist group's adaptation intention was internally-oriented, relating to their self-control and personal core values. This study's findings contribute to the literature on different psychological viewpoints for understanding tourists' adaptation intentions based on the protection motivation theory in the context of climate change. Destination management organizations should consider the responding adaptation intention of different tourists and formulate corresponding environmental destination management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study adopted mixed-methods research to explore the effects of reminiscing about nostalgic smells on the physiological and psychological responses of older people in long-term care facilities. A total of 60 participants were randomly divided into two groups and each participant was either interviewed regarding their reminiscence about nostalgic smells (experimental group) or were engaged in daily conversation (control group). The results indicated that anxiety and depression symptoms were more effectively relieved in the experimental group than in the control group. Moreover, most of the nostalgic smells recalled by the experimental group were associated with naturally occurring smells. Regarding heart rate variability, the normalised low-frequency of the experimental group decreased significantly. The results verified the utility of using reminiscence about olfactory memories in reminiscence therapy as this can calm anxiety and lessen depression, which can be very important for older adults living in long-term care facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient biolistic transformation system of banana combined with a liquid medium selection system was developed during this study. An embryogenic cell suspension (ECS) of Musa acuminata cv. Baxi (AAA) was bombarded with a particle delivery system. After 7 days of restoring culture in liquid M2 medium, embryogenic cells were transferred to a liquid selection M2 medium supplemented with 10 mg/mL hygromycin for resistance screening. The untransformed cell clusters were inhibited or killed, and a small number of transformants proliferated in the liquid selection medium. After the 0th, first, second, and third generation of antibiotic screening, there were 0, 65, 212, and 320, respectively, vitality-resistant buds obtained from a 0.5-mL packed cell volume (PCV) of embryogenic cell suspension. The β-glucuronidase (GUS) staining, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, and Southern blot hybridization results all demonstrated a 100% positive rate of regenerated resistant seedlings. Interestingly, the number of buds obtained through third-generation screening was almost equal to that obtained from the original ECS in M2 medium without antibiotics. These results suggested that the liquid medium selection system facilitated the proliferation of a positive transgenic ECS, which significantly improved the regeneration rate of transformants. This protocol is suitable for the genetic transformation of all banana genotypes and is highly advantageous to varieties with low callusing potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banana (Musa acuminata, AAA group) is a representative climacteric fruit with essential nutrients and pleasant flavors. Control of its ripening determines both the fruit quality and the shelf life. NAC (NAM, ATAF, CUC2) proteins, as one of the largest superfamilies of transcription factors, play crucial roles in various functions, especially developmental processes. Thus, it is important to conduct a comprehensive identification and characterization of the NAC transcription factor family at the genomic level in M. acuminata. In this article, a total of 181 banana NAC genes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that NAC genes in M. acuminata, Arabidopsis, and rice were clustered into 18 groups (S1–S18), and MCScanX analysis disclosed that the evolution of MaNAC genes was promoted by segmental duplication events. Expression patterns of NAC genes during banana fruit ripening induced by ethylene were investigated using RNA-Seq data, and 10 MaNAC genes were identified as related to fruit ripening. A subcellular localization assay of selected MaNACs revealed that they were all localized to the nucleus. These results lay a good foundation for the investigation of NAC genes in banana toward the biological functions and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Landscape changes of production, living, and ecological rural communities in Taiwan. • Selected landscape indicators are related to landscape preference. • Provide reference for Taiwan's non-urban spatial planning system. Climate change and urbanization are the main factors causing landscape changes not only in urban areas but also in rural communities. Rural communities have economic, cultural, social, and significant ecological value. Based on the background of environmental change, this study selects three main classes of rural communities in Taiwan as the research areas. Based on the remote sensing images from 2001 to 2020 and the survey of land use status, the land transfer matrix and landscape index method were used to analyze the landscape spatial pattern changes and driving forces of rural communities. The results revealed that (1) the land use changes of the four different types of rural communities have both common features. The growth of construction land and transportation land area is a common phenomenon, and the growth rate matches the type of rural community. Forest land or farmland is the main land cover. From the perspective of land transfer analysis, it is the mutual conversion and loss of agricultural land, forest land and other land. (2) There are differences in the landscape pattern changes of the three main classes of rural communities. The production community (Dalian) pattern is progressing steadily. The ecological community (Gangbian) pattern is progressing slowly. The process of living community pattern varies greatly, while the progress of village experience type (Shuangtan) pattern is slow. The comprehensive wealth type (Seshui) pattern is developing unevenly and at a fast pace. (3) The driving force of land use change mainly comes from the policy drive of the public sector, the spatial planning system, and community development activities. This study fills in the gaps in the development of landscape spatial patterns of different types of rural communities, and provides a reference for the formulation of regulations on the spatial planning system of rural communities in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an anatase/rutile mixed-phase titanium dioxide (TiO2) hierarchical network deposited with Au nanoparticles (Au/TiO2 ARHN) was synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method followed by a simple calcination step. Such a unique structure was designed for improving the light harvest, charge transportation/separation, and the performance of photo-electro-chemical (PEC) cells. The properties of the as-synthesized Au/TiO2 ARHN in PEC cells were investigated by electrochemical measurements using a three-electrode system in a 1 M NaOH electrolyte. Remarkably, a 4.5-folds enhancement of the photocurrent for Au/TiO2 ARHN was observed as compared to that for TiO2 nanowire (NW), under AM1.5G solar illumination, suggesting its potential application in PEC cells. A mechanism has been proposed to explain the high photocurrent of Au/TiO2 ARHN in PEC water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is involved in the development of and anti-apoptotic effects in various types of human cancer. However, miRNA-mediated regulation of oral verrucous carcinoma (OVC) remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of miR-181b in OVC and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The expression levels of miR-181b were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and leucine rich repeats and immunoglobulin like domains 1 (LRIG1), were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining. The correlation between Bcl-2 and LRIG1 expression was determined using a Pearson correlation analysis. The expression levels of miR-181b and Bcl-2 in OVC were significantly higher compared with normal mucosal tissue (NM); however, lower compared with the OSCC. The key target of miR-181b was LRIG1 and it was significantly lower in OVC tissues compared with NM tissue; however this was higher when compared with OSCC tissue. The expression levels of Bcl-2 were correlated with expression levels of LRIG1 in OVC tissues. Therefore, LRIG1 may be associated with anti-apoptotic function in OVC tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to confirm reasonable air supply volume for refuge station in underground mine, the contaminant purification time, contaminant distribution(including CO and C02), ventilation efficiency, and human thermal comfort of unmanned/manned experiments under different ventilation conditions were numerical simulated through RNG κ-ε model and SIMPLE method. The calculating results were compared with experimental ones then, and basically matched. The simulation results indicate that the forced air should supply no less than 0.1 m³/min per person in the scenario of high CO concentration inside the living section, and purification agent are recommended for use to accelerate purification process; when in normal refuge state, the basic request for both health and thermal comfort can be satisfied by supplying forced air at a lower rate of 600 m³ /h, with local ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fusarium wilt, caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), is considered the most lethal disease of Cavendish bananas in the world. The disease can be managed in the field by planting resistant Cavendish plants generated by somaclonal variation. However, little information is available on the genetic basis of plant resistance to Foc TR4. To a better understand the defense response of resistant banana plants to the Fusarium wilt pathogen, the transcriptome profiles in roots of resistant and susceptible Cavendish banana challenged with Foc TR4 were compared. Results: RNA-seq analysis generated more than 103 million 90-bp clean pair end (PE) reads, which were assembled into 88,161 unigenes (mean size = 554 bp). Based on sequence similarity searches, 61,706 (69.99%) genes were identified, among which 21,273 and 50,410 unigenes were assigned to gene ontology (GO) categories and clusters of orthologous groups (COG), respectively. Searches in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway database (KEGG) mapped 33,243 (37.71%) unigenes to 119 KEGG pathways. A total of 5,008 genes were assigned to plant-pathogen interactions, including disease defense and signal transduction. Digital gene expression (DGE) analysis revealed large differences in the transcriptome profiles of the Foc TR4-resistant somaclonal variant and its susceptible wild-type. Expression patterns of genes involved in pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) recognition, activation of effector-triggered immunity (ETI), ion influx, and biosynthesis of hormones as well as pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, transcription factors, signaling/regulatory genes, cell wall modification genes and genes with other functions were analyzed and compared. The results indicated that basal defense mechanisms are involved in the recognition of PAMPs, and that high levels of defense-related transcripts may contribute to Foc TR4 resistance in banana. Conclusions: This study generated a substantial amount of banana transcript sequences and compared the defense responses against Foc TR4 between resistant and susceptible Cavendish bananas. The results contribute to the identification of candidate genes related to plant resistance in a non-model organism, banana, and help to improve the current understanding of host-pathogen interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of automobile industry in China did improve people's quality of life. However, it has also damaged the ecological environment. The emission of a large amount of automobiles is one of the serious air pollution sources. In recent years, the shortage of petrochemical energy, the rapid rise of harmful particles in the air (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10), and the increasing worse atmospheric environment are becoming obstacles to China's sustainable development. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are recognized as an ideal alternative to conventional cars. This study aims to explore the factors that can promote consumers' adoption of BEVs and to construct domains of these factors. Firstly, an open web questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were conducted to widely collect factors that promote consumers' purchase of BEVs. Then, questionnaire survey and exploratory factor analysis were used to construct domains of promoting consumers' purchasing willingness. A total of six factors that promote consumers' adoption of BEVs were obtained. Finally, the research results can provide references for the Chinese government and the BEV manufacturers in the development and promotion of EVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]