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Accurate prediction of significant wave height is crucial for ocean engineering. Traditional time series prediction models fail to achieve satisfactory results due to the non-stationarity of significant wave height. Decomposition algorithms are adopted to address the problem of non-stationarity, but the traditional direct decomposition method exists information leakage. In this study, a hybrid VMDLSTM- rolling model is proposed for non-stationary wave height prediction. In this model, time series are generated by a rolling method, after which each time series is decomposed, trained and predicted, then the predictions of each time series are combined to generate the final prediction of significant wave height. The performance of the LSTM model, the VMD-LSTM-direct model and the VMD-LSTM-rolling model are compared in terms of multi-step prediction. It is found that the error of the VMD-LSTM-direct model and the VMD-LSTM-rolling model is lower than that of the LSTM model. Due to the decomposition of the testing set, the VMD-LSTM-direct model has a slightly higher accuracy than the VMD-LSTM-rolling model. However, given the issue of information leakage, the accuracy of the VMD-LSTM-direct model is considered false. Thus, it has been proved that the VMD-LSTM-rolling model exhibits superiority in predicting significant wave height and can be applied in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Slit guidance ligand 3 (SLIT3) has been identified as a potential therapeutic regulator against fibroblast activity and fibrillary collagen production in an autocrine manner. However, this research aims to investigate the potential role of SLIT3 in cardiac fibrosis and fibroblast differentiation and its underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice (male, 8-10 weeks, n=47) were subcutaneously infused with Ang II (2.0 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. One to two-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of 1% pentobarbital sodium (60 mg/kg) and ketamine (50 mg/kg) and the cardiac fibroblast was isolated aseptically. The mRNA and protein expression were analyzed using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Results: The SLIT3 expression level was increased in Ang II-induced mice models and cardiac fibroblasts. SLIT3 significantly increased migrated cells and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in cardiac fibroblasts. Ang II-induced increases in mRNA expression of collagen I (COL1A1), and collagen III (COL3A1) was attenuated by SLIT3 inhibition. SLIT3 knockdown attenuated the Ang II-induced increase in mRNA expression of ACTA2 (α-SMA), Fibronectin, and CTGF. SLIT3 suppression potentially reduced DHE expression and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were significantly increased in cardiac fibroblasts. Additionally, SLIT3 inhibition markedly decreased RhoA and ROCK1 protein expression, whereas ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 (10 μM) markedly attenuated the migration of cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by Ang II and SLIT3. Conclusion: The results speculate that SLIT3 could significantly regulate cardiac fibrosis and fibroblast differentiation via the RhoA/ROCK1 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Corilagin (Cor) is reported as beiing hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-oxidant, while the effect on atrial fibrosis remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the protective effect of Cor in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced atrial fibrosis and atrial fibrillation (AF). Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice (male, 8-10 weeks, n = 40) were subcutaneously infused either with saline or Ang II (2.0 mg/kg/day) and Cor (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally injected 2 hr before Ang II infusion for 4 weeks. Mice were grouped into the control group (n=8), Cor group (n=8), Ang II group (n=8), and Ang II + Cor group (n=8). Morphological, histological, and biochemical examinations were performed. In vivo, transesophageal burst pacing was used to generate AF. Results: Cor treatment markedly reduced Ang II-induced AF development in mice. Ang II + Cor therapy potentially decreased the atrial fibrotic area. It significantly decreased the increase in smooth muscle alpha-actin (α-SMA), CTGF, Collagen I, and Collagen III expressions brought on by Ang II treatment. Moreover, Ang II + Cor treatment remarkably decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were potentially increased (all, P<0.001). In addition, Ang II + Cor significantly reduced Ang II-induced interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations in atrial tissues. Furthermore, Cor significantly inhibited Ang II-induced p-PI3K, p-Akt, and NF-κB p-p65 protein expression in atrial tissues. Conclusion: Our data speculated that Cor could have a protective effect against Ang II-induced atrial fibrosis and AF via down-regulation of the PI3K-Akt pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate prediction of significant wave height is of great reference value for wave energy generation. However, due to the non-linearity and non-stationarity of significant wave height, traditional algorithms face difficulties in achieving satisfactory prediction results. In this study, a hybrid CEEMDAN-VMD-TimesNet model is proposed for non-stationary significant wave height prediction. Based on the significant wave height in the South Sea of China, the performance of the SVM model, the GRU model, the LSTM model, the TimesNet model, the CEEMDAN-TimesNet model and the CEEMDAN-VMD-TimesNet model are compared in terms of multi-step prediction. It is found that the prediction accuracy of the TimesNet model is higher than that of the SVM model, the GRU model and the LSTM model. The non-stationarity of significant wave height is reduced by CEEMDAN decomposition. Thus, the CEEMDAN-TimesNet model performs better than the TimesNet model in predicting significant wave height. The prediction accuracy of the CEEMDAN-VMD-TimesNet model is further improved by employing VMD for the secondary decomposition of components with high and moderate complexity. Additionally, the CEEMDAN-VMD-TimesNet model can accurately predict trends and extreme values of significant wave height with minimal phase shifts even during typhoon periods. The results demonstrate that the CEEMDAN-VMD-TimesNet model exhibits superiority in predicting significant wave height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a sample of oil shale from the Lucaogou Formation in Shichanggou, Xinjiang, China, the mechanism of changes in the physical and mechanical properties of oil shale during in-situ pyrolysis was systematically analyzed, and combined with the kinetics of the pyrolysis reaction, a constitutive model of permeability change during the in-situ pyrolysis of oil shale was established. By leaching experiments, the changes in the physicochemical parameters and pollutant concentration of oil shale immersion solution under different pyrolysis temperatures were studied. Basing on the theoretical permeability value and pollutant concentration under in-situ pyrolysis conditions, a hydrogeological model was established to simulate groundwater pollution caused by the in-situ pyrolysis of oil shale. The results showed that the permeability of oil shale after in-situ pyrolysis increased by three orders of magnitude, changing from a water-proof layer before pyrolysis to a weakly permeable layer after pyrolysis. However, the permeability of oil shale after complete pyrolysis at 600 °C was only 2.062 mD and still very low, and the pollutants had low concentration and were mainly concentrated in the pyrolyzed oil shale layer. The in-situ pyrolysis of oil shale would not pollute the groundwater in the mining area, but the pH of groundwater would gradually increase with rising pyrolysis temperatures. At 600 °C, pH even increased to 11.68, which is strongly alkaline. It is suggested that the pyrolysis temperature should be 400-500 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): The present study’s objective was to investigate the association between angiopoietinlike 4 (ANGPTL4) levels and the prognosis of Atrial fibrillation (AF), the causative effect in angiotensin II- (Ang II) induced AF, and its underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Baseline serum ANGPTL-4 concentrations were measured in 130 patients with AF. Rat atrial fibroblasts were isolated from 14-day-old SD rats and transfected with Ang II treatment. Transfected cells were divided into: The control group, ANGPTL4-OE group, Ang II group, and Ang II+ANGPTL4-OE group. Transfected cells were used to analyze fibroblasts’ proliferation, migration, and collagen production at the cellular level. RT-qPCR and western blotting evaluated the ANGPTL4-targeted gene and PPARγ-Akt pathway. Results: In patients with AF, serum ANGPTL4 concentrations decreased significantly compared with the healthy group. ANGPTL4 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly down-regulated in Ang II-induced cardiac fibroblasts. ANGPTL4 overexpression potentially attenuated Ang II-induced fibroblast proliferation, migration, and collagen production in atrial tissue. ANGPTL4 inhibited the signaling proteins, such as PPARγ, α-SMA, and Akt. Conclusion: Our experimental data speculate that ANGPTL4 is a key factor in regulating AF progression. Therefore, increasing ANGPTL4 expression could be an effective strategy for AF treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The friction and wear behaviors of cartilage replacement materials against articular cartilage are considered essential characteristics that determine the function and performance of the replacement. Previous studies have often been conducted under a reciprocal linear motion, while a cross-shear motion has been shown to widely exist in joints. The difference resulting between cross-shear motion and reciprocal linear motion, and the effect of bearing surface roughness on the frictional and wear behaviors of cartilage should be further investigated. In this study, experimental tribology investigations were conducted under the cross-shear motion for articular cartilage against commonly used three replacement materials, including high cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and cobalt-chromium molybdenum alloy (CoCrMo). The experimental results showed that there was no significant difference in friction and wear behavior between cross-shear and reciprocal linear motion. For the implants with low surface roughness, the water contact angle of the bearing surface affected the friction and wear behaviors of the cartilage, while for the implants with high rough surfaces, the surface roughness of the material affected the friction and wear behaviors of the cartilage. The damage of cartilage under cross-shear motion mainly consisted of deformations and accumulations. This phenomenon was especially evident at high roughness. Of the three bearing materials considered, PEEK was more suitable for osteochondral implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic infectious disease transmitted by sandflies. The primary clinical manifestations are remittent fever, pancytopenia, and splenomegaly. As VL is rare with atypical symptoms, its diagnosis is often incorrect, missed, or delayed. Without appropriate treatment, the case fatality rate of symptomatic disease is more than 95%, but the prognosis is good if diagnosed and treated timeously. We report a case of VL that was diagnosed using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of a peripheral blood sample. By using mNGS and a bone marrow smear, we were able to make a timely diagnosis. The patient was treated with antimony, rapidly recovered, and was discharged from the hospital. This case illustrates the value of mNGS for making a timely diagnosis of VL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Non-specific low back pain affects people of all ages and is a leading contributor to disease burden worldwide. Chronic low back pain (LBP) reduces working hours, increases comorbidities, and increases rehabilitation needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there were differences in pain, dysfunction, and psychological factors between two groups. The supplementary demonstrated the relationship between these influencing factors and anxiety. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to analyze the differences in pain, disability, and psychological function in non-specific LBP patients with and without anxiety. In total, 60 subjects were divided into two groups based on self-rated anxiety scores: 30 patients with SAS score ≥50 were in the low back pain with anxiety group, and 30 for the LBP without anxiety group with SAS score <50. The pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale; psychological function, using the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, and the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire; functional disability, using the Oswestry Disability Index and the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire; quality of life using 36-Item Short- Form Health Survey questionnaire; and the quality of sleep using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the relationships between variables and anxiety scores were estimated using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: A total of 60 participants were enrolled after self-rated anxiety was assessed and the full investigation was finished. The analyses showed significant differences of pain intensity (p = 0.034, disability (ODI, p = 0.007; RMDQ, p = 0.012) and psychological function (TSK, p = 0.000; PASS, p = 0.009; FABQ, p = 0.000; SF-36, p = 0.000; and PSQI, p = 0.000) between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the anxiety score had significant positive correlations with functional disability (ODI, p = 0.004 and 95% CI = 0.112–0.573; RMDQ, p = 0.003, 95% CI = 0.135–0.586) and psychological function (TSK, p = 0.001, 95% CI = 0.174–0.612), excellent positive correlation with quality of sleep (PASS, p = 0.025, 95% CI = 0.031–0.512), and strongly negative correlations with the quality of life (SF-36, p = 0.000, 95% CI = 0.761–0.433). Conclusion: We recognized that anxiety in low back pain patients was mainly due to interaction with the intensity of pain, disability level, and a mass of psychological function. The future research direction could be to alleviate the anxiety on the comprehensive efficacy of patients with low back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is defined as a papillary carcinoma measuring ≤ 10 mm. The current management of PTMC has become more conservative; however, there are high-risk tumor features that can be revealed only postoperatively. For thyroid cancer, BRAF mutations and somatic copy number variation (CNV) are the most common genetic events. Molecular testing may contribute to clinical decision-making by molecular risk stratification, for example predicting lymph node (LN) metastasis. Here, we build a risk stratification model based on molecular profiling of thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) washout DNA (wDNA) for the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Methods: Fifty-eight patients were recruited, FNA wDNA samples were analyzed using CNV profiling through low-coverage whole genome sequencing (LC-WGS) and BRAF mutation was analyzed using quantitative PCR. FNA pathology was reported as a Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC) score. Ultrasound examination produced a Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) score. Results: In total, 37 (63.8%) patients with a TIRADS score of 4A, 13 (22.4%) patients with a TIRADS score of 4B, and 8 (13.8%) patients with a TIRADS score of 4C were recruited after ultrasound examination. All patients underwent FNA with wDNA profiling. CNVs were identified in 17 (29.3%) patients. CNVs were frequent in patients with a BSRTC score of V or VI, including eight (47.1%) patients with a score of VI and five (29.4%) with a score of V, but not in patients with a score of III, II, or I (0%). BRAF mutation was not significantly correlated with BSRTC score. LN metastasis was found more frequently in CNV-positive (CNV+) than in CNV-negative (CNV--) patients (85.7% vs. 34.6%, odds ratio = 11.33, p = 0.002). In total, three molecular subtypes of thyroid nodules were identified in this study: 1) CNV+, 2) CNV-- and BRAF positive (BRAF+), and 3) CNV-- and BRAF negative (BRAF--). For the CNV+ subtype, 10 (83.3%) lesions with LN metastasis were found, including four (100%) small lesions (i.e. ≤ 5 mm). For the CNV-- and BRAF+ nodules, LN metastases were detected in only seven (60.0%) larger tumors (i.e. > 5 mm). For CNV-- and BRAF-- tumors, LN metastasis was also frequently found in larger tumors only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Cardiac fibrosis is a key biological process of cardiac remodeling and heart failure. Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) is a lipid-binding protein that can regulate glucose and lipid homeostasis, and its expression was elevated in heart failure. However, whether FABP4 is involved in cardiac fibrosis remains unknown. Materials and Methods: The cardiac fibrosis model was established in male C57BL/6 mice with subcutaneously infused angiotensin II (Ang-II) (2.8 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. DMSO or FABP4 inhibitor BMS309403 (50 mg/kg/day) was intraperitoneally injected for 4 weeks. Ang II-infused mice, FABP4 inhibitor (BMS309403) injected mice, and ventricular tissue were used for morphological studies, and histological and biochemical analyses (FABP4 protein composition and expression). Results: Ang II infusion increased FABP4 mRNA and protein expression in the mouse ventricular tissue. After treatment with FABP4 inhibitor BMS309403 for 4 weeks, mice showed improved cardiac structure and function as detected by echocardiography. BMS309403 suppressed cardiac and systemic inflammatory response, reduced collagen deposition, and mRNA expression of collagen type I (COL1A1) and collagen type III (COL3A1) in Ang II-infused mice. BMS309403 also reduced the number of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)+cells and decreased the mRNA expression of α-SMA, matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in ventricular tissue. Conclusion: The inhibitory effect of BMS309403 on cardiac fibrosis might be associated with inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which Ang II activated. Thus, our data speculated that inhibition of FABP4 could significantly induce cardiac fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia with atrial myocyte hypertrophy linked with stroke, heart failure, and increased mortality. Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) involves the crosslinking of collagen in the extracellular matrix (ECM). In the present study, we investigated the roles and underlying mechanisms of LOXL2 on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Materials and Methods: The expression of LOXL2 mRNA and protein were detected in angiotensin II (Ang II) treated rat cardiomyocytes H9c2 by RT-qPCR and western blot. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated LOXL2 gene silencing was used to evaluate cardiac hypertrophy and related markers. Also, the protein expression of EMT markers and Smad3/NF-κB pathway was determined by western blot. Results: Ang II significantly increased mRNA and protein expressions of LOXL2 and increased mRNA levels of myocardial hypertrophy markers, including ANP, BNP, and β-MHC in H9c2 cells. Silencing of LOXL2 significantly suppressed Ang II-induced hypertrophy and reversed the increase in ANP, BNP, and β-MHC mRNA levels. Also, EMT markers' expressions, as evidenced by increased E-cadherin and decreased vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibroblast-specific protein (FSP), and collagen 1A1. Mechanistically, we found that LOXL2 silencing suppressed protein expressions of TGF-β1, p-Smad3, and p-NF-κB in Ang II-stimulated H9c2 cells. LOXL2 silencing also attenuated Ang II-induced increased expression and content of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β (H) and TNF-α. Conclusion: Our data speculated that LOXL2 might be a potential contributing factor to Ang IIinduced cardiac hypertrophy, and TGF-β1/Smad3/NF-κB is involved in a signal axis and might be a potential strategy in treating cardiac hypertrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of inhomogeneity in supercritical fluids (SCFs) is of great importance. In this work, we propose the concept of local activity coefficients in supercritical (SC) solutions, which link thermodynamics and inhomogeneity in SC systems. The local activity coefficients of CO2+acetonitrile+phenol blue and CO2+acetic acid+phenol blue systems are investigated at 308.15 K in critical region and outside critical region. To do this, the local compositions of CO2+acetonitrile and CO2+acetic acid mixed solvents around phenol blue are first estimated using UV-visible spectroscopy. Then it is considered that there exist bulk phase and local phase around phenol blue in the systems. The activity coefficients of CO2 and the cosolvents (acetonitrile or acetic acid) in bulk phase are calculated using Peng-Robinson equation of state. The local activity coefficients of CO2 and the cosolvents are then calculated on the basis of thermodynamic principles. It is demonstrated that in the critical region the local activity coefficients differ from bulk activity coefficients significantly and are sensitive to pressure. This can explain many unusual phenomena in SC systems in critical region thermodynamically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies about landslide modeling and monitoring are becoming more diverse. Data assimilation is an approach to combine mechanism models and observations. In this study, an improved particle filtering algorithm is used to assimilate the transient rainfall infiltration and grid-based regional slope-stability analysis (TRIGRS) model and landslide surface deformation monitoring data observed with GPS and InSAR. After assimilation calculation, FS has been effectively corrected, rather than continuously decreasing as the background model output. The root mean square difference (RMSD) tends to decrease from a maximum of 0.084 to a minimum of 0.026 in the process of assimilation, which means the assimilation process makes the model output FS closer to the actual observations. The friction angle (φ), which is an investigated parameter, can be updated and fed back in each step of assimilation. The value of the investigated parameter makes the model output closer to the observation. The groundwater pressure head is output as an assimilation result simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In actual building structure, it usually takes tens of years for the degradation to be significantly observed during impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) process. Thus, simulated ICCP with aqueous electrolyte (instead of concrete) was used as an accelerated method to study degradation mechanism and make service life prediction. In this work, the impact of parameters including current (density) and NaCl electrolyte concentration on the degradation mechanism and service life prediction was evaluated for a simulated ICCP system with CFRP as anode. Experiments were performed with different levels of applied current (4, 10, and 20 mA) as well as with different NaCl electrolyte concentrations (3, 10, and 20% by mass). Test results showed that under all the designed conditions, both chlorination and oxidation reaction occurred during the simulated ICCP process, ensuring consistency of mechanism. From the aspect of service life prediction of CFRP, it was found that the system was not sensitive to the concentration of NaCl electrolyte but was much more influenced by the current (density) applied. Thus, for the simulated ICCP system, the current (density) should be carefully chosen since a tiny change in level of current may cause a large variation in service life prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel Li4Ti5O12, known as a zero-strain material, is capable to be a competent anode material for promising applications in state-of-art electrochemical energy storage devices (EESDs). Compared with commercial graphite, spinel Li4Ti5O12 offers a high operating potential of ~1~55 V vs Li/Li+, negligible volume expansion during Li+ intercalation process and excellent thermal stability, leading to high safety and favorable cyclability. Despite the merits of Li4Ti5O12 been presented, there still remains the issue of Li4Ti5O12 suffering from poor electronic conductivity, manifesting disadvantageous rate performance. Typically, a material modification process of Li4Ti5O12 will be proposed to overcome such an issue. However, the previous reports have made few investigations and achievements to analyze the subsequent processes after a material modification process. In this review, we attempt to put considerable interest in complete device design and assembly process with its material structure design (or modification process), electrode structure design and device construction design. Moreover, we have systematically concluded a series of representative design schemes, which can be divided into three major categories involving: (1) nanostructures design, conductive material coating process and doping process on material level; (2) self-supporting or flexible electrode structure design on electrode level; (3) rational assembling of lithium ion full cell or lithium ion capacitor on device level. We believe that these rational designs can give an advanced performance for Li4Ti5O12-based energy storage device and deliver a deep inspiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We achieved a low-cost and small-sized Rb optical frequency standard based on 85Rb 5S1/2 → 6P3/2 transition with 10−15 stability, which is comparable with that of the best 532 nm I2 optical frequency standards. In this system, we directly lock the 420 nm diode laser on the 5S1/2 F = 3 → 6P3/2 F′ = 4 hyperfine transition line without an additional Pound-Drever-Hall pre-locking system. The signal-tonoise- ratio reaches as high as 350 000 when the averaging time is at 1 s. Eventually by the fluctuation of the residual error signal after locking, the preliminary stability of the optical frequency standard reaches 1.2 × 10-14/√τ decreasing to 2.1 × 10−15 at 80 s. It shows potential in stability performance, experimental cost, and system volume compared with the 532 nm I2 optical frequency standard as a wavelength standard. It also opens a door for the achievement of wavelength standards by using higher excited states of alkalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among various energy-storage devices, electrochemical capacitors (ECs) are prominent power provision but show relatively low energy density. One way to increase the energy density of ECs is to move from carbon-based electric double-layer capacitors to pseudocapacitors, which manifest much higher capacitance. However, compared with carbon materials, the pseudocapacitive electrodes suffer from high resistance for electron and/or ion transfer, significantly restricting their capacity, rate capability and cyclability. Rational design of electrode materials offers opportunities to optimize their electrochemical performance, leading to devices with high energy density while maintaining high power density.This paper reviews the different approaches of electrodes striving to advance the energy and power density of ECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind energy has become a fast growing industry in China in the last decade. The development of the wind energy industry presents interesting policy questions. In the context of China, in additional to national energy policies, provincial policies were designed and implemented to stimulate the growth of wind power. This paper examines factors, especially provincial wind energy policies, in driving the growth of wind power capacity in the Chinese provinces. Statistical analysis with a longitudinal data set for wind power capacity in Chinese provinces from 2001 to 2012 reveals that the adoption of wind energy policies and a general energy plan at the provincial level are having positive effects on the growth of wind capacity in Chinese provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

miR-124, a brain-specific microRNA, was originally considered as a key regulator in neuronal differentiation and the development of the nervous system. Here we showed that miR-124 expression was suppressed in patients with epilepsy and rats after drug induced-seizures. Intrahippocampal administration of a miR-124 duplex led to alleviated seizure severity and prolonged onset latency in two rat models (pentylenetetrazole- and pilocarpine-induced seizures), while miR-124 inhibitor led to shortened onset latency in pilocarpine-induced seizure rat models. Moreover, the result of local field potentials (LFPs) records further demonstrated miR-124 may have antiepilepsy function. Inhibition of neuronal firing by miR-124 was associated with the suppression of mEPSC, AMPAR- and NMDAR-mediated currents, which were accompanied by decreased surface expression of NMDAR. In addition, miR-124 injection resulted in decreased activity and expression of cAMP-response element-binding protein1 (CREB1). a key regulator in epileptogenesis. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm that miR-124 targeted directly the 3'UTR of CREB1 gene and repressed the CREB1 expression in HEK293T cells. Immunoprecipitation studies confirmed that the CREB1 antibody effectively precipitated CREB1 and NMDAR1 but not GLUR1 from rat brain hippocampus. These results revealed a previously unknown function of miR-124 in neuronal excitability and provided a new insight into molecular mechanisms underlying epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper puts forward the concept of key strata in immediate roof (KSIF) and studied the dynamic effect and control mechanism of KSIF. The results show that KSIR controls the caving of its upper immediate roof strata; the break of KSIR has direct dynamic impact on its lower strata and this impact increases along with the increase of the thickness and hardness of the KSIR and the decrease of the distance to the working seam. The KSIR and main roof can easily form the bilayer structure “Cantilever-Masonry beam.” Support work load is affected by the position, thickness, and hardness of KSIR. The support work load increased on the condition of increase of the thickness and hardness of KSIR and the decrease of the distance to the face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydrogenated TiO2–reduced-graphene oxide (H-TiO2–RGO) nanocomposite is synthesised via a facile one-pot hydrogenation treatment process. The morphologies and structures are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms revealed that the H-TiO2–RGO exhibited large specific surface area of 114.4 m2 g-1. Compared with the TiO2–RGO nanocomposite, the H-TiO2–RGO nanocomposite exhibits a much higher rate capability and better capacity retention. At a current rate of 5 C, the reversible capacity of the H-TiO2–RGO electrode is up to 166.3 mA h g-1 and with only 2.4% capacity loss after 100 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance is strongly related to the high electronic conductivity derived from hydrogenated TiO2 frameworks and the good contact between the zero-dimensional (0D) H-TiO2 nanoparticles with two-dimensional (2D) reduced-graphene oxide nanosheets, which efficiently shortened the Li+ diffusion path lengths, enhanced the electrolyte–active material contact area and facilitated rapid e- transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted extensive interest in the context of energy storage due to their high surface areas, controllable structures and excellent electrochemical properties. In particular, Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) have recently gained attention as a new class of cathode materials for rechargeable batteries. However, the anode properties of the host framework have been very limited. Herein, we demonstrate that nanoparticles of cobalt hexacyanocobaltate and manganese hexacyanocobaltate, typical Prussian blue analogues with the chemical formula M3II[CoIII(CN)6]3·nH2O (M = Co, Mn), can be operated as novel battery anodes in an organic liquid-carbonate electrolyte. The Co3[Co(CN)6]2 material exhibits a clear electrochemical activity in the voltage range of 0.01-3 V vs. Li/Li+ with a reversible capacity of 299.1 mA h g-1. Furthermore, superior rate capability (as the current density increases from 20 to 2000 mA g-1, the capacity retains about 34%) could be achieved, attributing to the small particle sizes and rapid transport of Li+ ions through large channels in the open-framework. We believe that this work provides a new insight into the electrochemical properties of PBAs and opens new perspectives to develop anode materials for rechargeable batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To synthesize monodisperse palladium nanoparticles dispersed on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets, we have developed an easy and scalable solvothermal reduction method from an organic solution system. The RGO-supported palladium nanoparticles with a diameter of 3.8 nm are synthesized in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and in the presence of oleylamine and trioctylphosphine, which facilitates simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide and formation of Pd nanocrystals. So-produced Pd/RGO was tested for potential use as electrocatalyst for the electro-oxidation of formic acid. Pd/RGO catalyzes formic acid oxidation very well compared to Pd/Vulcan XC-72 catalyst. This synthesis method is a new way to prepare excellent electrocatalysts, which is of great significance in energy-related catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, extensive attention has been focused on a new topological phase induced by nonmagnetic disorder, known as the topological Anderson insulator (TAI). In this work, we study the disorder strength dependence of the edge states in TAI phase in disordered HgTe/CdTe quantum wells. It is shown clearly that the disorder-induced edge states appear above a critical disorder strength after a gap-closing phase transition. These edge states are then found to decline with an increase of disorder strength in a stepwise pattern due to the finite-width effect, where the opposite edges couple to each other through the localized bulk states. This is in sharp contrast with the localization of the edge states themselves by time-reversal symmetry breaking. The size-independent phase boundaries are further obtained through scaling analysis, where a metallic phase is found separating two topologically distinct phases, which is due to the Fermi energy and mass renormalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe here a novel biomolecule-assisted hydrothermal strategy for the synthesis of two-dimensional ultra-thin α-Co(OH)2mesocrystal nanosheets. These unique ultra-thin α-Co(OH)2mesocrystal nanosheets have good electrical conductivity and are highly attractive for application in electrochemical capacitors due to many of their properties, such as high crystallinity with small particle size, large specific surface area, high porosity as well as good handling. Impressively, a specific capacitance (SC) of 506 F g−1can be achieved by the nanoporous α-Co(OH)2mesocrystals at 10 mA cm−2(ca.1.33 A g−1), and even 427 F g−1at 40 mA cm−2(ca.5.33 A g−1), indicating their great ability to deliver a large SC and high electrochemical utilization at high rates. Moreover, a low SC degradation of ca.3% after 2000 continuous charge–discharge cycles at a current density of 5.33 A g−1reveals their good electrochemical stability at high rates, which is of great importance for their practical application. The synthesis strategy reported here is a simple and cost-effective means of performing the large-scale production of α-Co(OH)2mesocrystal nanosheets with good electrochemical capacitance, and is expected to be applied in the preparation of other metal hydroxides or oxides with similar microstructures and electrochemical properties for use in electrochemical capacitors or even for use in Li-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]