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The synthesis of high-quality nanopowders holds immense significance in the advancement of high-performance high-entropy rare-earth silicates (HERESs). Here, for the first time, we present the synthesis of HERES nanopowders, specifically high-entropy rare-earth monosilicates (HEREMs) and disilicates (HEREDs), using a rapid combustion synthesis method. Benefiting from the shortened synthesis time and the utilization of ultrafine nano SiO 2 templates, grain coarsening can be effectively hindered. As a result, the single-phase HEREM nanopowders (∼60 nm in size) with homogeneously distributed elements can be successfully synthesized. Additionally, the feasibility of this method for the HERED synthesis is also investigated. This research provides an efficient approach to synthesizing high-quality HERES nanopowders. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the toxigenic characteristics of 14 strains of Microcystis were analyzed, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and insertion/deletion (InDel) loci in microcystin synthetase (mcy) gene clusters were screened. Based on SNP and InDel loci associated with the toxigenic characteristics, primers and TaqMan or Cycling fluorescent probes were designed to develop duplex real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) assays. After evaluating specificity and sensitivity, these assays were applied to detect the toxigenic Microcystis genotypes in a shrimp pond where Microcystis blooms occurred. The results showed a total of 2155 SNP loci and 66 InDel loci were obtained, of which 12 SNP loci and 5 InDel loci were associated with the toxigenic characteristics. Three duplex real-time FQ-PCR assays were developed, each of which could quantify two genotypes of toxigenic Microcystis. These FQ-PCR assays were highly specific, and two Cycling assays were more sensitive than TaqMan assay. In the shrimp pond, six genotypes of toxigenic Microcystis were detected using the developed FQ-PCR assays, indicating that above genotyping assays have the potential for quantitative analysis of the toxigenic Microcystis genotypes in natural water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid expansion of low-cost sensor networks for air quality monitoring necessitates rigorous calibration to ensure data accuracy. Despite numerous published field calibration studies, a universal and comprehensive assessment of factors affecting sensor calibration remains elusive, leading to potential discrepancies in data quality across different networks. To address these challenges, this study deployed eight sensor-based monitors equipped with electrochemical sensors for NO2, NO, CO, and O3 measurement in strategically chosen locations within Hong Kong, Macau, and Shanghai, covering a wide range of climatic conditions: Hong Kong's subtropical climate, Macau's similar yet distinct urban environment, and Shanghai's more variable climate. This strategic deployment ensured that the sensors' performance and calibration processes were tested across diverse atmospheric conditions. Each monitor employed a patented dynamic baseline tracking method for the gas sensors, which isolates the concentration signals from temperature and humidity effects, enhancing the sensors' accuracy and reliability. The tests, which involved evaluating the validation performance by analyzing randomly selected calibration sample subsets ranging from 1 to 15 days, indicated that the length of the calibration period, pollutant concentration range, and time averaging period are pivotal for sensor calibration quality. We determined that a 5–7 days calibration period minimizes calibration coefficient errors, and a wider concentration range improves the validation R2 values for all sensors, suggesting the necessity of setting specific concentration range thresholds. Moreover, a time averaging period of at least 5 minutes for data with 1-minute resolution was recommended to enable optimal calibration in field operation. This study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive calibration assessment and the importance of considering environmental variability in sensor calibration condition. These findings offer methodological guidance for the calibration of other sensor types, providing a reference for future research in the field of sensor calibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Na2S is a key material in sodium‐sulfur batteries and its single‐monolayer film may also be a new 2D material. Herein, the results are first reported by STM, XPS, and DFT simulation that the Na2S single‐monolayer film shows different atomic structures depending on the underlying metals, and these structures can be changed by thermal annealing. All structures are well supported by DFT simulation on corresponding Na2S up, down, and standing models, as well as the NaS in‐plane model. Further, a wide bandgap of Na2S single‐monolayer film is measured, which decreases from Au(111) to Ag(111) and Cu(111) due to the different Na2S interactions with metal substrates. Finally, it is demonstrated that dibenzo 18‐crown‐6‐ether molecules can grow on phase VI of Na2S film at room temperature, as compared with preferred metal surfaces and Na2S phase III structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides detailed information about the synthesis and characterization of several compounds, specifically derivatives of spiro[benzofuran-2,3'-indolin]-2'-one. The compounds are described in terms of their physical properties, such as melting point and color, and their chemical structures are provided. The document includes data from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) analyses, as well as yield and diastereomeric ratio information for each synthesis. These compounds have potential applications in various fields. [Extracted from the article]

Lithium metal anode holds great promise due to its highest theoretical capacity and lowest redox potential. However, its practical application is hindered by lithium dendrite growth and exhaustive side reactions, which poses concerns to both cell performance and safety. Herein, a relocatable composite membrane is developed to simultaneously inhibit dendrite growth and stabilize solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film. The compact packing of hollow multishelled structure (HoMS) provides percolated lithium ion channels and uniform ion flux, while the combined elastic polymer endows membrane structural flexibility to dynamically accommodate volume changes, which results in dendrite‐free lithium deposition inside HoMS and underneath the membrane and stable SEI film restricted to the outer surface of HoMS. Consequently, the membrane‐modified lithium metal half cell achieves an impressive Coulombic efficiency of 99.6% for over 600 cycles. Notably, full cell paired with LiFePO4 cathode stably runs for over 700 cycles, with a decay rate of only 0.045% per cycle, while the one paired with LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode demonstrates a high capacity of 164.1 mAh g−1 at 1 C and a good capacity retention. This HoMS‐based composite membrane opens up new opportunities to realize the practical application of lithium metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communication security has become particularly crucial with the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT). Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology, a prevalent method in wireless communication, has a wide range of applications in the Internet of Things. Enhancing the security of frequency hopping sequences is an essential means to improve the security of frequency hopping communication in the Internet of Things, as the performance of frequency hopping sequences plays a crucial role in frequency hopping systems. This paper proposes constructing secure adaptive frequency hopping sequence sets based on the advanced encryption standard (AES) algorithm. As a block cipher algorithm with superior security, the AES algorithm can provide a fundamental guarantee for the security of the proposed frequency hopping sequences. The mapping methods from ciphertext sequences to frequency hopping sequences proposed in this paper can achieve the construction of frequency hopping sequences of any frequency set size to meet the requirements of adaptive frequency hopping. In addition, we also model and analyse the problem of overlapping spectrum band of the IoT groups in the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band, aiming to achieve better packet transmission performance by adjusting the frequency set size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] As a potential catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), tungsten nitride (W 2 N) has attracted extensive attention, due to its Pt-like characteristic. Nevertheless, insufficient active sites, slow electron transfer, and lack of scale-up nano-synthesis methods significantly limit its practical application. Constructing multi-component active centers and interface-rich heterojunctions to increase exposed active sites and modulate interface electrons is a very effective modification strategy. Therefore, a nano-heterostructure formed from tungsten nitride, tungsten phosphide and tungsten encapsulated in N, P co-doped carbon nanofiber (W 2 N/WP/W@NPC) was synthesized by a flexible and scalable electrospinning technology. Experimental results reveal that abundant heterojunctions are formed, electron transfer occurs between tungsten nitride and tungsten phosphide, and carbon nanofibers play a confinement role. The optimized W 2 N/WP/W@NPC-3 electrocatalyst demonstrates excellent HER catalytic activity and robust stability in both acidic and base media. Furthermore, the overall water splitting performance is tested using W 2 N/WP/W@NPC as the cathode through a two-electrode electrolyzer, which also exhibits impressive electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of high‐quality nanopowders is crucial to developing high‐performance, high‐entropy rare‐earth silicates (HERESs). Herein, we report the synthesis of HERES nanopowders, including high‐entropy rare‐earth monosilicates (HEREMs) and high‐entropy rare‐earth disilicates (HEREDs), via a simple chemical co‐precipitation method for the first time. By rationally optimizing the synthesis conditions, monoclinic HEREM nanopowders can be well synthesized with highly uniform element distributions. The formation of HEREM nanoparticles is governed by the production of the precursor from the co‐precipitation reactions between rare‐earth hydroxide and silicic acid at the atomic scale, followed by the dehydration of precursor skeletons. Furthermore, the validation of using this approach to prepare HERED nanopowders is also confirmed. This research will open up a new research area in synthesizing HERES nanopowders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Krascheninnikovia ewersmanniana is a dominant desert shrub in Xinjiang, China, with high economic and ecological value. However, molecular systematics research on K. ewersmanniana is lacking. To resolve the genetic composition of K. ewersmanniana within Amaranthaceae and its systematic relationship with related genera, we used a second-generation Illumina sequencing system to detect the chloroplast genome of K. ewersmanniana and analyze its assembly, annotation, and phylogenetics. Total length of the chloroplast genome of K. ewersmanniana reached 152,287 bp, with 84 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNAs, and eight rRNAs. Codon usage analysis showed the majority of codons ending with base A/U. Mononucleotide repeats were the most common (85.42%) of the four identified simple sequence repeats. A comparison with chloroplast genomes of six other Amaranthaceae species indicated contraction and expansion of the inverted repeat boundary region in K. ewersmanniana, with some genes (rps19, ndhF, ycf1) differing in length and distribution. Among the seven species, the variation in non-coding regions was greater. Phylogenetic analysis revealed Krascheninnikovia ceratoides, Dysphania ambrosioides, Dysphania pumilio, and Dysphania botrys to have a close monophyletic relationship. By sequencing the K. ewersmanniana chloroplast genome, this research resolves the relatedness among 35 Amaranthaceae species, providing molecular insights for germplasm utilization, and theoretical support for studying evolutionary relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces an innovative approach to 3D environmental mapping through the integration of a compact, handheld sensor package with a two-stage sensor fusion pipeline. The sensor package, incorporating LiDAR, IMU, RGB, and thermal cameras, enables comprehensive and robust 3D mapping of various environments. By leveraging Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and thermal imaging, our solution offers good performance in conditions where global positioning is unavailable and in visually degraded environments. The sensor package runs a real-time LiDAR-Inertial SLAM algorithm, generating a dense point cloud map that accurately reconstructs the geometric features of the environment. Following the acquisition of that point cloud, we post-process these data by fusing them with images from the RGB and thermal cameras and produce a detailed, color-enriched 3D map that is useful and adaptable to different mission requirements. We demonstrated our system in a variety of scenarios, from indoor to outdoor conditions, and the results showcased the effectiveness and applicability of our sensor package and fusion pipeline. This system can be applied in a wide range of applications, ranging from autonomous navigation to smart agriculture, and has the potential to make a substantial benefit across diverse fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimization of urban traffic efficiency and reduction of pollution through minimizing the number of taxis has become a topic of increasing interest. However, the problem of determining the minimum fleet that considers both time and distance efficiency has received limited attention. Furthermore, little research has been done on how this problem is influenced by factors such as city size and travel demand (i.e., the number of trips). This study extends the minimum fleet problem to the min-cost minimum fleet problem, and proposes a method to address the problem by constructing a "dispatch network" and finding the minimum weight and minimum path cover of it. A comparative analysis of the method is conducted with the taxi trajectory data of three cities, New York, Chengdu, and Chicago, and the results show a 60% reduction in the off-load travel time of vehicles compared to the previous method, while maintaining the same fleet size. With the introduction of an emissionsmodel and its combination with our methodology, emissions can also be minimized. Moreover, the relationship between min-cost minimum fleet and city size and travel demand (number of trips) is studied. Experimental results indicate that fleet size and idle time (distance) vary linearly with the number of trips. Meanwhile, city size also has an essential impact on the algorithm's performance. Furthermore, these results indicate that the min-cost minimum fleet will help small cities to achieve higher efficiency (smaller fleet and less connection time) than large cities. The acceleration of urbanization is driving changes in the transportation system.Our findings are expected to have significant implications for transport planning, resource conservation, and reducing pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the relationship between PM2.5 and ambient temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed and air indices was investigated by combining specific facilities at uranium mine with villages and cities. Humidity, atmospheric pressure and air quality index were positively correlated with PM2.5 concentration, whereas temperature and wind speed were negatively correlated, while altitude had no correlation with PM2.5 concentration. By constructing the corresponding PMF model data analysis, this study obtained six sources of eight metallic elements (U, Th, Al, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ti, Zn) in PM2.5 around a decommissioned uranium mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐resolution present‐day earth surface deformation maps from satellites provide important data constraints, which help us better understand tectonic processes and analyze seismic hazards. Here, we use Sentinel‐1 Radar images (2014–2020) and accurate positioning measurements (2009–2019) to get a high‐resolution three‐dimensional earth surface velocity map for the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, and we invert the slip rate and coupling ratio of major regional faults. We find ∼4 mm/yr uplift along an arc from the Qilianshan to Lajishan, relative to the neighboring low‐elevation area to the east, which indicates ongoing rapid orogeny. We find transient deformation along the Laohushan and 1920 M8.5 Haiyuan rupture segments of the Haiyuan fault, whereas the western Haiyuan, southern Liupanshan, central Lajishan and central‐western West Qinling faults are essentially locked above 15–20 km, suggesting a potentially high seismic hazard. Plain Language Summary: The northeast Tibetan Plateau, which is impeded by the tectonically stable Ordos block, continues to grow in response to the far‐field India‐Eurasia collision. This region has several large‐scale active faults that hosted some destructive earthquakes in the last 100 years. Although intensively studied, the fault kinematics of those seismogenic faults are still not clear, mainly because of poor observational constraints. Hence, high‐resolution present‐day deformation maps are essential to answering this question, either of scientific or societal concern. We provide satellite‐based ground deformation rate maps with mm‐accuracy for this region. They show shallow fault creep along some segments of the Haiyuan fault which is better constrained than previous results, active tectonic uplift in the Lajishan. Our work gives new constraints for the seismic hazard for the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau case. Key Points: We derive a new high‐resolution three‐dimensional present‐day deformation map for the Northeastern Tibetan PlateauGeodetic data reveals ongoing rapid uplift along an accurate orogenic belt from the eastern Qilianshan and LajishanNew constraints for the seismic hazard analysis for the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae encodes a type III secretion system avirulence effector protein, AvrB, that induces a form of programmed cell death called the hypersensitive response in plants as a defense mechanism against systemic infection. Despite the well-documented catalytic activities observed in other Fido (Fic, Doc, and AvrB) proteins, the enzymatic activity and target substrates of AvrB have remained elusive. Here, we show that AvrB is an unprecedented glycosyltransferase that transfers rhamnose from UDP-rhamnose to a threonine residue of the Arabidopsis guardee protein RIN4. We report structures of various enzymatic states of the AvrB-catalyzed rhamnosylation reaction of RIN4, which reveal the structural and mechanistic basis for rhamnosylation by a Fido protein. Collectively, our results uncover an unexpected reaction performed by a prototypical member of the Fido superfamily while providing important insights into the plant hypersensitive response pathway and foreshadowing more diverse chemistry used by Fido proteins and their substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZrO 2 –Al 2 O 3 -A 3 S 2 (3Al 2 O 3 ·2SiO 2) composites are ideal Casting filter materials with excellent mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance. In this paper, 3Y–ZrO 2 (3 mol% Y 2 O 3 -stabilized ZrO 2) was added to kaolin and α-Al 2 O 3 to prepare ZrO 2 –Al 2 O 3 -A 3 S 2 composites by pressureless sintering. The results showed that when the addition amount of 3Y–ZrO 2 is 15 wt%, the bending strength and fracture toughness of the composites sintered at 1600 °C are 152.51 MPa and 3.52 MPa m1/2, respectively. The bending strength increased to 161.83 MPa after 30 thermal shocks (1100 °C to room temperature), with an increase rate of 6.11 %. The ZrO 2 crystals are evenly distributed between corundum and mullite crystals, effectively preventing abnormal growth of corundum and mullite crystals, and a small number of pores exist in the samples, which could act as a "buffer zone" to prevent the expansion of cracks in the thermal shock, resulting in high mechanical strength and excellent thermal shock resistance for composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method of internal pressure–temperature coupling analysis for the thermal decomposition of GFRP composites under high-temperature conditions was established, which incorporates coupled calculations of heat transfer equations, the Arrhenius equation, Darcy's law, and the ideal gas state equation. Using the overlapping mesh method, the coupling calculation of temperature and internal pressure is realized based on the UMATHT and USDFLD user subroutines developed. Specifically, two user subroutines, UMATHT-1 and UMATHT-2, are used to define the heat transfer equation and gas diffusion equation separately. Numerical simulations are conducted to simulate the polymers' thermal decomposition in high-temperature environments. For glass fiber/vinyl ester composites and glass fiber/phenolic composites, the predicted temperature and pressure values are in good agreement with experimental measurements, and porosity and permeability are then analyzed. Due to the accumulation of thermal decomposition gases, inter-pressure within the material surged and reached a peak value. After that, it began to decrease, but the factors affecting the pressure decrease vary at different positions. Specifically, the pressure closest to the heating surface is influenced by the combined effects of decomposition rate, permeability, and porosity, while the pressure far away from the heating surface is only affected by the initial permeability. The pressure in the intermediate region may be influenced by both increased porosity and initial permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of ultrafine powders of high‐entropy rare‐earth silicates (HERESs) is critical for expanding their applications. Here, we report the synthesis of ultrafine HERES powders via a simple molten salt method for the first time. The results show that the single‐phase high‐entropy rare‐earth disilicates (HEREDs) and monosilicates (HEREMs) with monoclinic crystal structures can be successfully synthesized at 1073 and 1173 K, with the content ratios of raw rare‐earth oxides to SiO2 of 1:2.4 and 1:0.9, respectively. The average particle sizes of the as‐synthesized HEREDs and HEREMs powders are measured to be 1.32 and 1.64 μm, respectively. Meanwhile, uniform elemental distributions are confirmed in these powders without any element separation or segregation. In addition, a "dissolution–precipitation" mechanism is proposed to clarify the synthesis process of HERESs. This study not only provides a new synthesis methodology for HERES powders but also reveals a new insight into the growth mode for HERES powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZrO 2 –Al 2 O 3 -A 3 S 2 (3Al 2 O 3 ·2SiO 2) composites are ideal Casting filter materials with excellent mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance. In this paper, 3Y–ZrO 2 (3 mol% Y 2 O 3 -stabilized ZrO 2) was added to kaolin and α-Al 2 O 3 to prepare ZrO 2 –Al 2 O 3 -A 3 S 2 composites by pressureless sintering. The results showed that when the addition amount of 3Y–ZrO 2 is 15 wt%, the bending strength and fracture toughness of the composites sintered at 1600 °C are 152.51 MPa and 3.52 MPa m1/2, respectively. The bending strength increased to 161.83 MPa after 30 thermal shocks (1100 °C to room temperature), with an increase rate of 6.11 %. The ZrO 2 crystals are evenly distributed between corundum and mullite crystals, effectively preventing abnormal growth of corundum and mullite crystals, and a small number of pores exist in the samples, which could act as a "buffer zone" to prevent the expansion of cracks in the thermal shock, resulting in high mechanical strength and excellent thermal shock resistance for composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study combined geographic factors to predict Chinese healthy male RBP reference values from a geographic perspective, with the aim of exploring the spatial distribution and regional differences in Chinese healthy male Retinol-Binding Protein(RBP) reference values, and then providing a theoretical basis for medical diagnosis of healthy male RBP reference values in different regions of China. Using the actual measured RBP values of 24,502 healthy men in 256 cities in China combined with 16 geographical factors as the base data, the spatial autocorrelation, correlation analysis and support vector machine were used to predict the RBP reference values of healthy men in 2322 cities in China, and to generate a spatial distribution map of the RBP reference values of healthy men in China. It was found that the spatial distribution of healthy male RBP reference values in China showed a trend of gradual increase from the first to the third terrain steps. Combined with the distribution map, it is suggested that the RBP reference values of healthy men in China should be divided into the low value zone of the first-level terrain step (25mg/L~40mg/L), the middle value zone of the second-level terrain step (40mg/L~45mg/L) and the high value zone of the third-level terrain step (45mg/L~52mg/L). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ticagrelor is a novel receptor antagonist that selectively binds to the P2Y12 receptor, thereby inhibiting adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-mediated platelet aggregation. Compared to clopidogrel, ticagrelor has the advantages of a fast onset, potent effects, and a reversible platelet inhibition function, which make this drug clinically suitable for treating acute coronary syndrome (ACS), especially acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Objective: This review was performed to determine the basic characteristics, clinical effects, and adverse reactions of ticagrelor. Methods: Relevant trials and reports were obtained from the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Results: Ticagrelor is rapidly absorbed by the body after oral administration, exhibits inherent activity without requiring metabolic activation, and binds reversibly to the P2Y12 receptor. Ticagrelor has been recommended in ACS treatment guidelines worldwide due to its advantageous pharmacological properties and significant clinical benefits. Ticagrelor inhibits platelet aggregation, inhibits inflammatory response, enhances adenosine function, and has cardioprotective effects. However, ticagrelor also causes adverse reactions such as bleeding tendency, dyspnea, ventricular pause, gout, kidney damage, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in clinical treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to risk assessments when using ticagrelor. Conclusion: Ticagrelor is a promising drug for the effective treatment of ACS. When using ticagrelor, individualized treatment should be provided based on the specific conditions of the patients to avoid serious adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have shown that neural responses following concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) muscle contractions are different, which suggests differences in motor control associated with CON and ECC contractions. This study aims to determine brain activation of the left primary motor cortex (M1) and left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFCs) during ECC and CON of the right bicep brachii (BB) muscle at low‐ and high‐contraction intensities. Eighteen young adults (13M/5F, 21–35 years) were recruited to participate in one familiarization and two testing sessions in a randomized crossover design. During each testing session, participants performed either ECC or CON contractions of the BB (3 sets × 8 reps) at low‐ (25% of maximum ECC/CON, 45°/s) and high‐intensity (75% of maximum ECC/CON, 45°/s) on an isokinetic dynamometer. Eleven‐channel functional near‐infrared spectroscopy was used to measure changes in oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb) from the left M1, and left and right DLPFC during ECC and CON contractions. Maximum torque for ECC was higher than CON (43.3 ± 14.1 vs. 46.2 ± 15.7 N m, p = 0.025); however, no differences in O2Hb were observed between contraction types at low or high intensities in measured brain regions. High‐intensity ECC and CON contractions resulted in greater increases in O2Hb of M1 and bilateral DLPFC compared to low‐intensity ECC and CON contractions (p = 0.014). Our findings suggest no differences in O2Hb responses between contraction types at high and low intensities. High‐contraction intensities resulted in greater brain activation of the M1 and bilateral DLPFC, which may have implications for neurorehabilitation to increase central adaptations from exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To quantify the results of superficial parotidectomy (SP) and partial SP (PSP) for benign parotid tumours using a systematic evaluation method. Methods: A systematic search of English and Chinese databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang and Vipshop) was conducted to include studies comparing the treatment outcomes of SP with PSP. Results: Twenty-three qualified, high-quality studies involving 2844 patients were included in this study. The results of this study showed that compared to the SP surgical approach, the PSP surgical approach reduced the occurrence of temporary facial palsy (OR = 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26–0.41), permanent facial palsy (OR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.16–0.52) and Frey syndrome (OR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.23–0.56) in patients after surgery, and the surgery operative time was reduced by approximately 27.35 min (95% CI − 39.66, − 15.04). However, the effects of PSP versus SP on salivary fistula (OR = 0.70; 95% CI 0.40–1.24), sialocele (OR = 1.48; 95% CI 0.78–2.83), haematoma (OR = 0.34; 95% CI 0.11–1.01) and tumour recurrence rate (OR = 1.41; 95% CI 0.48–4.20) were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Compared with SP, PSP has a lower postoperative complication rate and significantly shorter operative time, suggesting that it could be used as an alternative to SP in the treatment of benign parotid tumours with the right indications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dioxaphosphabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes (L1–L4) have been prepared in a one-pot reaction from tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine and various α,β-unsaturated ketones. The non-volatile phosphines oxidise very slowly in air. They possess highly upfield 31P chemical shifts (−59 to −70 ppm), small cone angles (121–140°) and a similar electronic parameter to PPh3. Reaction of L1 with [Rh(acac)(CO)2] gave the complex [Rh(acac)(CO)(L1)] with a ν(C≡O) of 1981.5 cm−1, whereas reaction L1 with [Rh(CO)2Cl]2 gave [Rh(CO)(L1)2Cl] with a ν(C≡O) of 1979.9 cm−1, remarkably similar to the CO stretching frequencies reported for analogous PPh3 complexes. The cage phosphines were explored as ligands in rhodium catalysed hydroformylation of 1-octene. All of the ligands gave a linear selectivity to n-nonanal of 68%, regardless of the substituents. However the ligand substituents had a significant effect on the catalyst activity, with increased steric bulk around the coordination environment giving a three-fold increase in aldehyde yield. The phosphines undergo ligand subsitution with [Pd(MeCN)2Cl2] forming square planar trans-[Pd(L)2Cl2] complexes. Subsequent reduction with hydrazine furnishes homoleptic tetravalent [Pd(L1)4] which was applied as a catalyst in Suzuki–Miyaura couplings, furnishing the C–C coupled products in moderate yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The clinical efficacy of Lenvatinib (a multi-kinase inhibitor) and Nivolumab (an immune checkpoint inhibitor) have been shown in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, real-life experience data of HCC patients receiving the Nivolumab and Lenvatinib combination are scarce, especially those who experienced the first-line or even multi-line treatment. Methods: Recurrent HCC patients (n = 28) treated with Nivolumab plus Lenvatinib as salvage therapy in Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from December 2016 to March 31,2020, were analyzed. All patients were treated with Nivolumab (3 mg/kg), and Lenvatinib (8 mg/day), and administered every three weeks. Demographics, clinical statistics, and start and end dates of combination therapy were collected and recorded. In addition, progression-free survival (PFS) and OS were calculated from the start of Nivolumab plus Lenvatinib. Treatment outcomes were scored based on the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4.0. SPSS17.0 software and GraphPad Prism were used for statistical analyses. Results: All the patients had portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) who were in Child-Pugh grade A and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C. 11 patients (39.3%) were treated with sorafenib only, and 17 patients (60.7%) were treated with at least two lines of multi-target treatment. The disease control rate (CR+PR+SD) was 23/28 (82.1%), with the median overall survival (OS) and median progression-free survival (PFS) of 8.7 months and 5.7 months, respectively. Hyperbilirubinemia was the most common adverse event encountered with these combinations. However, no grade 3 or 4 toxicity was found in all HCC patients. Conclusions: The combination salvage therapy of Nivolumab and Lenvatinib was found effective in HCC patients, and most importantly, the side effects were controllable, and no grade 3 - 4 side effects were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This case series would like to highlight hypophosphatemia related to ferric carboxymaltose and its adverse clinical consequences. Background: Intravenous iron supplementation is a good alternative to oral iron replacement in iron deficiency anaemia due to its ability to correct iron deficit with minimal infusions without incurring the gastrointestinal side effects of oral iron replacement. Ferric carboxymaltose is one common formula for intravenous iron supplementation. However, an increasingly recognised adverse side‐effect of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose is hypophosphatemia. There has been increasing reports and studies highlighting hypophosphatemia related to intra‐venous iron therapy. Though initially thought to be transient and asymptomatic, recent studies have shown that persistent hypophosphatemia in iron therapy can result in debilitating disease including myopathy, fractures and osteomalacia. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients who had ferric carboxymaltose was performed. Results: We highlight 3 cases where hyposphatemia affected the clinical outcomes. Conclusion: With the increased use of IV iron it is important to be aware of the high potential for hypophosphatemia secondary to ferric carboxymaltose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C50H74N2O4, orthorhombic, P1 (no. 1), a = 7.3320(3) Å, b = 11.8132(4) Å, c = 13.1604(5) Å, α = 99.1910(10)°, β = 95.039(1)°, γ = 95.8560(10)°, V = 1113.06(7) Å3, Z = 1, Rgt(F) = 0.0662, wRref(F2) = 0.1655, T = 273(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astrocytes have countless links with neurons. Previously, astrocytes were only considered a scaffold of neurons; in fact, astrocytes perform a variety of functions, including providing support for neuronal structures and energy metabolism, offering isolation and protection and influencing the formation, function and elimination of synapses. Because of these functions, astrocytes play an critical role in central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The regulation of the secretiory factors, receptors, channels and pathways of astrocytes can effectively inhibit the occurrence and development of CNS diseases, such as neuromyelitis optica (NMO), multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease. The expression of aquaporin 4 in AS is directly related to NMO and indirectly involved in the clearance of Aβ and tau proteins in AD. Connexin 43 has a bidirectional effect on glutamate diffusion at different stages of stroke. Interestingly, astrocytes reduce the occurrence of PD through multiple effects such as secretion of related factors, mitochondrial autophagy and aquaporin 4. Therefore, this review is focused on the structure and function of astrocytes and the correlation between astrocytes and CNS diseases and drug treatment to explore the new functions of astrocytes with the astrocytes as the target. This, in turn, would provide a reference for the development of new drugs to protect neurons and promote the recovery of nerve function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil‐in‐dispersion (O/D) emulsions are the focus in many fields due to their new microstructures and new functions. Herein, O/D emulsions were successfully prepared using series of cationic gemini surfactants 12‐s‐12 (s = 2, 3, and 6) and alumina nanoparticles. The microstructures and type of emulsions were identified using optical microscopy, zeta potential and contact angle methods. Gemini surfactants with two head groups carry more charges than that of conventional surfactants when adsorbed at the oil–water interface. The O/D emulsions can be stabilized at lower surfactant concentrations compared with the conventional single‐headed surfactants. In the presence of 0.1 wt% alumina nanoparticles, gemini surfactants 12‐s‐12 (s = 2, 3, and 6) can stabilize emulsions at the concentration of 3 × 10−4 mM (1.84 × 10−5 wt%), 6 × 10−4 mM (3.76 × 10−5 wt%) and 1 × 10−3 mM (6.68 × 10−5 wt%), respectively. Addition of excessive organic salts such as sodium salicylate and sodium p‐methylbenzenesulfonate shielded the head group charges of gemini surfactants, leading to gemini surfactants to behave as nonionic surfactants Adsorption of surfactants at the alumina nanoparticles occurred, resulting in the transformation from the O/D emulsions to Pickering emulsions. This work shows the advantages of preparing O/D emulsions using gemini surfactants and also provides a new methods of emulsion type transformations by adding excessive oppositely charged organic salts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid heteropolyacids with high intrinsic proton conductivity, like phosphotungstic acid (HPW), were added to further enhance the proton conductivity of sulfonated poly ether ketone (SPEEK). The great solubility of solid acid within water, however, would produce a dramatic decline in stability and durability. In this study, we utilized polydopamine (PDA) coated polyimide (PI) nanofiber to form the acid-base pair between PDA@PI nanofiber and HPW/SPEEK to anchor the HPW. Additionally, a pocket was constructed in the sandwich-structure PDA@PI/SPEEK + HPW membrane to help better anchor the HPW. After 6 weeks of durability treatment during 60 °C and 100% RH, proton conductivity of PDA@PI/SPEEK + HPW-20 was 163.5 mS cm−1, which was only 23.0% lower than that of the initial state. By sharp contrast, it was 55.2% lower than the initial state for pristine SPEEK. And its swelling ratio is only 54% compared with 128% of pristine SPEEK under the same condition. We first revealed and investigated the acid-base pair created by PDA@PI and HPW/SPEEK, which was beneficial for proton conductivity and durability. This pocket-like PDA@PI/SPEEK + HPW membrane would inspire a wide application in PEM among excellent proton conductivity, better stability, with endurance. [Display omitted] • The sandwich-structure PDA@PI/SPEEK + HPW membrane was fabricated to anchor HPW. • Excellent proton conductivity and durability of PDA@PI/SPEEK + HPW were achieved. • The acid-rich layer and acid-base interaction were confirmed by XPS, FTIR, and TEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of the basal metabolic rate (BMR) in osteoarthritis (OA) remains unclear, as previous retrospective studies have produced inconsistent results. Therefore, we performed a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to systematically investigate the causal relationship between the BMR and OA. Methods: Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data related to BMR and OA were collected in a genome-wide association study. Using OA as the outcome variable and BMR as the exposure factor, SNPs with strong correlation with the BMR as the tool variable were screened. The correlation between the BMR and OA risk was evaluated using the inverse-variance weighted method, and heterogeneity and pleiotropy were evaluated using a sensitivity analysis. Results: There was a potential causal relationship between the BMR and OA risk (odds ratio [OR], 1.014; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.008–1.020; P = 2.29e − 6). A causal relationship was also revealed between the BMR and knee OA (OR, 1.876; 95% CI, 1.677–2.098; P = 2.98e − 28) and hip OA (OR, 1.475; 95% CI, 1.290–1.686; P = 1.26e − 8). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these results. Conclusion: Here, we identified a latent causal relationship between the BMR and the risk of OA. These results suggest that the risk of OA in the hip or knee joint may be reduced by controlling the BMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detoxification plays a crucial role in agricultural pests to withstand pesticides, and cytochrome P450s, carboxyl/choline esterases (CCEs), and glutathione‐S‐transferases are the main proteins responsible for their detoxification ability. The activity of CCEs can be upregulated, downregulated, or modified by mutation. However, few studies have examined the role of alternative splicing in altering the properties of CCEs. We identified 2 variants of TcCCE23 in Tetranychus cinnabarinus: a long version (CCE23‐V1) and a short version that is 18 nucleotides shorter than CCE23‐V1 (CCE23‐V2). Whether splicing affects the activity of TcCCE23 remains unclear. Overexpression of CCE23‐V2 in fenpropathrin‐resistant T. cinnabarinus revealed that splicing affected the detoxification of fenpropathrin by CCE23‐V2. The mortality of mites was significantly higher when the expression of CCE23‐V2 was knocked down (43.2% ± 3.3%) via injection of CCE23‐dsRNA (double‐stranded RNA) compared with the control group injected with green fluorescent protein‐dsRNA under fenpropathrin exposure; however, the downregulation of CCE23‐V1 (61.3% ± 6.3%) by CCE23‐small interfering RNA had no such effect, indicating CCE23‐V2 plays a greater role in xenobiotic metabolism than CCE23‐V1. The tolerance of flies overexpressing CCE23‐V2 to fenpropathrin (50% lethal dose [LD50] = 19.47 μg/g) was significantly higher than that of Gal4/UAS‐CCE23‐V1 transgenic flies (LD50 = 13.11 μg/g). Molecular docking analysis showed that splicing opened a "gate" that enlarges the substrate binding cavity of CCE23‐V2, might enhance the ability of CCE23‐V2 to harbor fenpropathrin molecules. These findings suggest that splicing might enhance the detoxifying capability of TcCCE23. Generally, our data improve the understanding of the diversity and complexity of the mechanisms underlying the regulation of CCEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels with high strength are strongly needed to perform such operations as fluid plugging and water shutoff in the oil & gas industry. In this work, a new type of tough hydrogel consisting of the acrylic acid grafted nanocellulose network and the copolymer (AA-co-AM) network was synthesized via one-pot free-radical polymerization, and further cross-linked by using Al3+. The prepared dual-crosslinked double network hydrogel (DN-Poly -X-CNF-g-AA) showed the high compressive strength and toughness at low concentrations of nanocellulose (within 0.2 wt%), i.e., the maximum compressive strength was 2.5 MPa at strains of 90% and the recovery rates exceeded to 90% after 10 compressive cycles. Meanwhile, the grafted nanocellulose endowed the double-network hydrogels with the strong intermolecular forces and the well-ordered hierarchical structure, which exhibited a high thermal decomposition temperature, solid-like elastic behavior and a swelling suppression. Finally, the sand-pack plugging experiments showed that the double-network hydrogels could effectively plug the porous media with different permeability, in which the breakthrough pressure gradient was between 4.9 and 104.63 MPa/m. The results demonstrated that the obtained tough hydrogel has a great potential to be applied as soft materials for water shutoff and conformance control in reservoirs. [Display omitted] • A novel hydrogel consisting of the grafted nanocellulose and copolymer. • The grafted nanocellulose for double-network construction as low as 0.2 wt%. • The prepared hydrogel with the super-high compressive strength and toughness. • Tough hydrogel has high potential as a soft materials used for water shutoff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early-season crop mapping and information extraction is essential for crop growth monitoring and yield prediction, and it facilitates agricultural management and rapid response to agricultural disasters. However, training classifiers by remote sensing classification features for early crop prediction can be challenging, as early-season mapping can only use remote sensing image data during part of the crop growth period. In order to overcome this limitation, this study takes the Sanjiang Plain as an example to investigate the earliest identification time of rice, maize and soybean based on Sentinel-2 time-series data and the random forest classification algorithm. Crop information extraction was then performed. Following the analysis of the remote sensing classification features by the random forest importance approach and the subsequent normalization, the optimal features greater than or equal to 0.5 have yielded quite results in early crop mapping, and their overall accuracy was the highest in early-season mapping. The overall accuracy was observed to improve by 5% for 10 to 20 days of delay. In addition, rice, maize, and soybean were mapped at the irrigation transplanting period (10 May), jointing stage (9 July) and flowering (29 July), with an overall accuracy of 90.4%, 90.0% and 90.9%, respectively. This study shows that features suitable for early crop classification can be selected by random forest importance analysis as well as the ability of remote sensing to extract crop acreage information within the reproductive period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C28H36FNO2, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 6.3277(3) Å, b = 11.9665(19) Å, c = 32.2419(19) Å, V = 2441.4(2) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0537, wRref(F2) = 0.1403, T = 273(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational design and synthesis of high-performance electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) is crucial to large-scale commercialization of direct ethanol fuel cells, but it is still an incredible challenge. Herein, a unique Pd metallene/Ti3C2Tx MXene (Pdene/Ti3C2Tx)-supported electrocatalyst is constructed via an in-situ growth approach for high-efficiency EOR. The resulting Pdene/Ti3C2Tx catalyst achieves an ultrahigh mass activity of 7.47 A mgPd-1 under alkaline condition, as well as high tolerance to CO poisoning. In situ attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy studies combined with density functional theory calculations reveal that the excellent EOR activity of Pdene/Ti3C2Tx catalyst is attributed to the unique and stable interfaces which reduce the reaction energy barrier of *CH3CO intermediate oxidation and facilitate oxidative removal of CO poisonous species by increasing the Pd-OH binding strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describing travel patterns and identifying significant locations is a crucial area of research in transportation geography and social dynamics. Our study aims to contribute to this field by analyzing taxi trip data from Chengdu and New York City. Specifically, we investigate the probability density distribution of trip distance in each city, which enables us to construct long- and short-distance trip networks. To identify critical nodes within these networks, we employ the PageRank algorithm and categorize them using centrality and participation indices. Furthermore, we explore the factors that contribute to their influence and observe a clear hierarchical multi-centre structure in Chengdu's trip networks, while no such phenomenon is evident in New York City's. Our study provides insight into the impact of trip distance on important nodes within trip networks in both cities and serves as a reference for distinguishing between long and short taxi trips. Our findings also reveal substantial differences in network structures between the two cities, highlighting the nuanced relationship between network structure and socio-economic factors. Ultimately, our research sheds light on the underlying mechanisms shaping transportation networks in urban areas and offers valuable insights into urban planning and policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatic naphthalene thermotropic liquid crystal copolyesters (N-TLCP) have strong intermolecular forces and possess excellent comprehensive properties. In this study, the N-TLCP/MWCNT nanocomposites derived from 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA), 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid (NDA), terephthalic acid (TA), 4,4′-dihydroxy biphenyl (BP) and carboxyl MWCNT were prepared via in situ "one-pot" melt polymerization method. The structure and properties of N-TLCP/MWCNT composites were fully analyzed. The interaction between MWCNT and TLCP matrix was confirmed by FTIR, XPS, Raman spectrum and rheometric measurements; and the strong interaction was observed for addition of a small amount of MWCNT (<0.5 wt%), which was attributed to the fact that the functional group COOH on the surface of MWCNTs enhances the dispersion state of the CNTs and molecular interaction through hydrogen bond/chemical covalent bonds. As a result, the glass transition temperature, melting temperature, thermal stability and mechanical properties of the N-TLCP/MWCNT composite was improved. However, more addition of MWCNT would tend to aggregate and impact the molecular weight and structure of the N-TLCP by the chemical reaction between its COOH group and OH group of the N-TLCP, which is not favor for improving the mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paleoproterozoic Khondalite Belt, located in the northwestern segment of North China Craton (NCC), is characterized by widespread high-temperature/ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) granulite/gneiss and large-scale magmatic activity. The tectonic evolution is still controversial. Here, we report new geochronological, elemental, and Hf-O-Sr-Nd isotopic data for a Paleoproterozoic layered complex in the Jining terrane to constrain the tectonic evolution of the Khondalite Belt. In situ zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the Sanchakou gabbros were emplaced between ~1.94 Ga and ~1.82 Ga, which might be the heat source of UHT metamorphism. The elemental and Hf-O-Sr-Nd isotopic analysis shows that the formation of Sanchakou gabbros is consistent with the assimilation and fractional crystallization (AFC) process. The magma originates from the 10%~20% partial melting of the spinel + garnet lherzolite mantle. The Sanchakou gabbros are magmatic crystallization products mixed with crustal wallrocks in the magma chamber. We have established a tectonic evolution model involving asthenosphere upwelling after the amalgamation of the Ordos and Yinshan Blocks at ~1.95 Ga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the problem that the cold/heat released from the underground pipe of coal mine into the soil layer is difficult to dissipate in a short time, the technology of enhancing the underground flow field of coal mine in geothermal energy development to improve the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is proposed. In this paper, based on the ground source heat pump project located in a coal mine, the energy efficiency enhancement technology of the artificial flow field ground source heat pump system is studied and tested. The test results show that when starting work at about 8:00, due to the increase of heating load, the accumulation of cooling capacity around the buried pipe increases gradually, and the return water temperature at the ground source side decreases gradually. At 14:05, the water was pumped for the operation of the artificial groundwater flow field. It can be seen that the temperature of the return water at the ground source side began to rise gradually, indicating that the accumulation of cold water around the buried pipe was relieved to a certain extent. In conclusion, the artificial groundwater flow field can alleviate the accumulation of cold water around the buried pipe heat exchanger to a certain extent, improve the return water temperature of the buried pipe heat exchanger, and improve the energy efficiency of the ground source heat pump system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the problem that the cold/heat released from the underground pipe of coal mine into the soil layer is difficult to dissipate in a short time, the technology of enhancing the underground flow field of coal mine in geothermal energy development to improve the energy efficiency of the heat pump system is proposed. In this paper, based on the ground source heat pump project located in a coal mine, the energy efficiency enhancement technology of the artificial flow field ground source heat pump system is studied and tested. The test results show that when starting work at about 8:00, due to the increase of heating load, the accumulation of cooling capacity around the buried pipe increases gradually, and the return water temperature at the ground source side decreases gradually. At 14:05, the water was pumped for the operation of the artificial groundwater flow field. It can be seen that the temperature of the return water at the ground source side began to rise gradually, indicating that the accumulation of cold water around the buried pipe was relieved to a certain extent. In conclusion, the artificial groundwater flow field can alleviate the accumulation of cold water around the buried pipe heat exchanger to a certain extent, improve the return water temperature of the buried pipe heat exchanger, and improve the energy efficiency of the ground source heat pump system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extremely heavy rainfall event occurred in Zhengzhou, China, on 20 July 2021 and produced an hourly rainfall rate of 201.9 mm, which broke the station record for mainland China. Based on radar observations and a convection-permitting simulation using the WRF-ARW model, this paper investigates the multiscale processes, especially those at the mesoscale, that support the extreme observed hourly rainfall. Results show that the extreme rainfall occurred in an environment characteristic of warm-sector heavy rainfall, with abundant warm moist air transported from the ocean by an abnormally northward-displaced western Pacific subtropical high and Typhoon In-Fa (2021). However, rather than through back building and echo training of convective cells often found in warm-sector heavy rainfall events, this extreme hourly rainfall event was caused by a single, quasi-stationary storm in Zhengzhou. Scale separation analysis reveals that the extreme-rain-producing storm was supported and maintained by the dynamic lifting of low-level converging flows from the north, south, and east of the storm. The low-level northerly flow originated from a mesoscale barrier jet on the eastern slope of the Taihang Mountain due to terrain blocking of large-scale easterly flows, which reached an overall balance with the southerly winds in association with a low-level meso-β-scale vortex located to the west of Zhengzhou. The large-scale easterly inflows that fed the deep convection via transport of thermodynamically unstable air into the storm prevented the eastward propagation of the weak, shallow cold pool. As a result, the convective storm was nearly stationary over Zhengzhou, resulting in record-breaking hourly precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inserting an ultrathin low-conductivity interlayer between the absorber and transport layer has emerged as an important strategy for reducing surface recombination in the best perovskite solar cells. However, a challenge with this approach is a trade-off between the open-circuit voltage (Voc) and the fill factor (FF). Here, we overcame this challenge by introducing a thick (about 100 nanometers) insulator layer with random nanoscale openings. We performed drift-diffusion simulations for cells with this porous insulator contact (PIC) and realized it using a solution process by controlling the growth mode of alumina nanoplates. Leveraging a PIC with an approximately 25% reduced contact area, we achieved an efficiency of up to 25.5% (certified steady-state efficiency 24.7%) in p-i-n devices. The product of Voc × FF was 87.9% of the Shockley-Queisser limit. The surface recombination velocity at the p-type contact was reduced from 64.2 to 9.2 centimeters per second. The bulk recombination lifetime was increased from 1.2 to 6.0 microseconds because of improvements in the perovskite crystallinity. The improved wettability of the perovskite precursor solution allowed us to demonstrate a 23.3% efficient 1-square-centimeter p-i-n cell. We demonstrate here its broad applicability for different p-type contacts and perovskite compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel water-stable CdII-based metal–organic framework, namely {[Cd(BIBT)(TDC)]·2H2O}n (JXUST-28, BIBT = 4,7-bi(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzo-[2,1,3]thiadiazole and H2TDC = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid), was synthesized using a mixed-ligand strategy. Structural analysis demonstrates that JXUST-28 exhibits a two-dimensional layer structure with 4-connected sql topology. Intriguingly, JXUST-28 presents good stability in boiling water (at least 5 days), common organic solvents and aqueous solutions with different pH values of 2–12 (more than 24 hours). Furthermore, fluorescence experiments revealed that JXUST-28 could sense Hg2+ ions in aqueous solution via a quenching effect with a detection limit of 0.097 μM. Meanwhile, JXUST-28 can also be regenerated at least 5 times to detect Hg2+ ions. In addition, light-emitting diode lamps, luminescent films, and test papers of JXUST-28 have been successfully developed for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the concept of primal wonder in P4C, proposed by Thomas E. Jackson, can be seen as a "sprout" or seed of intellectual virtue. My understanding of his insight is inspired by Mengzi's view of moral cultivation and Aristotle's eudaimonist account of virtue ethics. According to Mengzi, all humans possess four innate sprouts of virtue, and the aim of moral education is to nurture these moral sprouts so that they can grow up into fully ripened virtues. In terms of P4C, Jackson contends that all of us are born already with a special feeling of wonder which he refers to as "primal wonder". Synthesizing his statement with Mengzi's agricultural metaphor of moral sprouts, I shall take one step forward by arguing that the innate sense of wonder within every child can be seen as a sprout of virtue. Additionally, once children's primal wonder has been transformed into a virtue through implementing P4C in the classroom, this admirable character trait, I suggest, should be understood as an intellectual virtue according to Aristotelian virtue ethics. This is because the virtue of wonder can promote children's intellectual flourishing, which is fully endorsed by Aristotle's contention that the happiest kind of life is a philosophical one, and that philosophy begins in wonder. In short, if primal wonder as a sprout of intellectual virtue can lead to the highest good for human beings, then one of the main educational goals of doing philosophy with children, I suggest, is to turn their primal wonder into a virtuous habit so that they can live an examined life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus suis is a major swine pathogen that is increasingly recognized as a porcine zoonotic pathogen that threatens the health of both pigs and humans. Metal homeostasis plays a critical role during the process of bacterial infection. In this study, RNA sequencing was used to identify potential candidate genes involved in the maintenance of intracellular copper homeostasis. CopA was identified as the primary copper exporter in S. suis. The copA deletion mutant strain was found to be more sensitive to copper and accumulated more intracellular copper than the wild-type (WT) parent strain. In addition, adding manganese increased the ability of S. suis to resist copper, and the manganese transporter, TroABCD, was involved in tolerance to copper. The copA deletion mutant strain accumulated less copper when supplemented with manganese. Furthermore, when cultured with copper, the double deletion mutant (ΔcopAΔtroA) exhibited improved growth compared to the copA deletion mutant strain. In addition, the double deletion mutant (ΔcopAΔtroA) accumulated less copper than the copA deletion mutant strain. These data were consistent with a model wherein defective TroABCD resulted in decreased cellular copper accumulation and protected the strain against copper poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the neurogenic niches of the adult hippocampus, new functional neurons are continuously generated throughout life, and generation of these neurons has been implicated in learning and memory. Astrocytes, as components of the neurogenic niches, are critical in the regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). However, little is known about how astrocytes receive and respond to extrinsic cues to regulate AHN. By using a transgenic strategy to conditionally delete astrocytic CRHM1 in mice and AAV (adeno-associated virus)–mediated overexpression of astrocytic CHRM1 specifically in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, we systematically investigated the role of astrocytic CHRM1 in the regulation of AHN and the underlying mechanisms using the combined approaches of immunohistochemistry, retrovirus labeling, electrophysiology, primary astrocyte cultures, immunoblotting, and behavioral assays. We report that genetic ablation of CHRM1 in astrocytes led to defects in neural stem cell survival, neuronal differentiation, and maturation and integration of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus. Astrocytic CHRM1-mediated modulation of AHN was mediated by BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) signaling. Furthermore, CHRM1 ablation in astrocytes impaired contextual fear memory. These impairments in both AHN and memory were rescued by overexpression of astrocytic CHRM1 in the dentate gyrus. Our findings reveal a critical role for astrocytes in mediating cholinergic regulation of AHN and memory through CHRM1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoremediation, as a green and safe bioremediation technology, has attracted much attention to researchers. The rhizosphere effect caused by plant–microbe-soil interaction, which makes plant roots adapt to the external environment, plays an important role in phytoremediation. Therefore, we summarized the membrane transport, morphological transformation, migration and distribution mechanism of uranium in plants under rhizosphere effect, and the molecular mechanism of microbial-mediated uranium-contaminated soil remediate; the influencing factors and regulatory measures of rhizosphere remediate. Finally, we conclude some promising research challenges regarding the rhizosphere effect of phytoremediation in uranium-contaminated soil, in order to provide a useful reference for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]