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Cognitive language processing (CLP), situated at the intersection of natural language processing (NLP) and cognitive science, plays a progressively pivotal role in the domains of artificial intelligence, cognitive intelligence, and brain science. Among the essential areas of investigation in CLP, cognitive signal decoding (CSD) has made remarkable achievements, yet there still exist challenges related to insufficient global dynamic representation capability and deficiencies in multidomain feature integration. In this article, we introduce a novel paradigm for CLP referred to as disentangled frequency–spatial–temporal attention (D-FaST). Specifically, we present a novel cognitive signal decoder that operates on disentangled frequency–space–time domain attention. This decoder encompasses three key components: frequency domain feature extraction employing multiview attention (MVA), spatial domain feature extraction utilizing dynamic brain connection graph attention, and temporal feature extraction relying on local time sliding window attention. These components are integrated within a novel disentangled framework. Additionally, to encourage advancements in this field, we have created a new CLP dataset, MNRED. Subsequently, we conducted an extensive series of experiments, evaluating D-FaST's performance on MNRED, as well as on publicly available datasets including ZuCo, BCIC IV-2A, and BCIC IV-2B. Our experimental results demonstrate that D-FaST outperforms existing methods significantly on both our datasets and traditional CSD datasets including establishing a state-of-the-art accuracy score 78.72% on MNRED, pushing the accuracy score on ZuCo to 78.35%, accuracy score on BCIC IV-2A to 74.85%, and accuracy score on BCIC IV-2B to 76.81%.

Nanocellulose has been used as a promising material in electronic devices for its great advantages of low cost, wide source, renewability, and biodegradability. However, the low piezoelectric coefficient of cellulose material (only the shear piezoelectric coefficient ${d} _{{14}}$ = 0.1 pC/N, lack of longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient ${d} _{{33}}$ ) limits its application in piezoelectric devices. In this article, a piezoelectric flexible sensor is made based on 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl oxidized cellulose nanocrystals (TOCNCs) film with excellent tensile strength and ease of manufacture. First, TOCNC films are generated from coniferous wood paddles using the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidation process. Then, a mild electric contact poling method is used to polarize the TOCNC films to longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient ${d} _{{33}}$ . The TOCNC films are converted into piezoelectric sensors by a straightforward manufacturing procedure. Also, a lightweight charge preamplifier is used to increase the output capability of the TOCNC sensors. The tensile strength of TOCNC films measured by mechanical tensile test is 127 MPa, which is 141.9% more than that of polyvinylidene fluoride/cellulose nanocrystals (PVDF) films. The ${d} _{{33}}$ sensitivity of TOCNC films after the mild electric contact poling is measured to be 2.08 ± 0.45 pC/N. Finally, combined with the lightweight charge preamplifier, the experimental platforms are built to test the voltage output of the sensor subjected to static forces and vibration. The experimental results show that the TOCNC sensor has good detection capability and stability.

Objective To assess the diagnostic performance of FFDM-based and DBT-based radiomics models to differentiate breast phyllodes tumors from fibroadenomas.Methods 192 patients (93 phyllodes tumors and 99 fibroadenomas) who underwent mammography were retrospectively enrolled. Radiomic features were respectively extracted from FFDM and the clearest slice of DBT images. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to select radiomics features. A combined model was constructed by radiomics and radiological signatures. Machine learning classification was done using logistic regression based on radiomics or radiological signatures (clinical model). Four radiologists were tested on phyllodes tumors and fibroadenomas with and without optimal model assistance. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was computed to assess the performance of each model or radiologist. The Delong test and McNemar's test were performed to compare the performance.Results The combined model yielded the highest performance with an AUC of 0.948 (95%CI: 0.889-1.000) in the testing set, slightly higher than the FFDM-radiomics model (AUC of 0.937, 95%CI: 0.841-0.984) and the DBT-radiomics model (AUC of 0.860, 95%CI: 0.742-0.936) and significantly superior to the clinical model (AUC of 0.719, 95%CI: 0.585-0.829). With the combined model aid, the AUCs of four radiologists were improved from 0.808 to 0.914 (p=0.079), 0.759 to 0.888 (p=0.015), 0.717 to 0.846 (p=0.004), and 0.629 to 0.803 (p=0.001).Conclusion Radiomics analysis based on FFDM and DBT shows promise in differentiating phyllodes tumors from fibroadenomas.

Background: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication with poor prognosis in the elderly, but its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. There is evidence that the changes in synaptic activity in the brain are closely related to the occurrence of POD. And neuronal pentraxin 2 (NPTX2) can regulate synaptic activity in vivo. Aims: This study aims to explore whether decreased NPTX2 levels affects POD and whether the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of POD mediate this association. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we interviewed patients with knee/hip replacement 1 day before surgery to collect patient information and assess their cognitive function. CSF was extracted for measuring the CSF levels of NPTX2 and other POD biomarkers on the day of surgery. And postoperative follow-up visits were performed 1–7 days after surgery. Results: Finally, 560 patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into POD group and NPOD (non-POD) group. The POD group had a median age of 80 years, a female proportion of 45%, a median BMI of 24.1 kg/m2, and a median years of education of 9 years. The Mann–Whitney U test showed that CSF NPTX2 levels were significantly lower in POD group, compared with the NPOD group (P< 0.05). Univariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that reduced CSF levels of NPTX2 protected against POD (crude OR = 0.994, 95% CI 0.993–0.995, P< 0.001). The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that CSF NPTX2 level had high predictive value for POD. Mediation analyses showed that CSF T-tau (mediating proportion = 21%) and P-tau (mediating proportion = 29%) had significant mediating effects on the association between CSF NPTX2 and POD. Conclusion: CSF NPTX2 levels were associated with the occurrence of POD. Low CSF NPTX2 levels may be an independent protective factor for POD. CSF T-tau and P-tau could mediate the association between CSF NPTX2 and POD occurrence. Clinical trial registration: The trial registration number (TRN): ChiCTR2200064740, Date of Registration: 2022-10-15.

The diagnosis of pneumoconiosis is complex and subjective, leading to inevitable variability in readings. This is especially true for inexperienced doctors. To improve accuracy, a computer-assisted diagnosis system is used for more effective pneumoconiosis diagnoses. Three models (Resnet50, Resnet101, and DenseNet) were used for pneumoconiosis classification based on 1250 chest X-ray images. Three experienced and highly qualified physicians read the collected digital radiography images and classified them from category 0 to category III in a double-blinded manner. The results of the 3 physicians in agreement were considered the relative gold standards. Subsequently, 3 models were used to train and test these images and their performance was evaluated using multi-class classification metrics. We used kappa values and accuracy to evaluate the consistency and reliability of the optimal model with clinical typing. The results showed that ResNet101 was the optimal model among the 3 convolutional neural networks. The AUC of ResNet101 was 1.0, 0.9, 0.89, and 0.94 for detecting pneumoconiosis categories 0, I, II, and III, respectively. The micro-average and macro-average mean AUC values were 0.93 and 0.94, respectively. The accuracy and Kappa values of ResNet101 were 0.72 and 0.7111 for quadruple classification and 0.98 and 0.955 for dichotomous classification, respectively, compared with the relative standard classification of the clinic. This study develops a deep learning based model for screening and staging of pneumoconiosis is using chest radiographs. The ResNet101 model performed relatively better in classifying pneumoconiosis than radiologists. The dichotomous classification displayed outstanding performance, thereby indicating the feasibility of deep learning techniques in pneumoconiosis screening.

Based on China’s real estate investment (REI), commercial housing sales (CHS), and GDP data from 2001 to 2020, we studied the dependence, asymmetry, and transmission direction of China’s real estate and economy. Their cross-correlation is demonstrated through the deep cross-correlation analysis (DCCA) algorithm, multifractal asymmetric detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-ADCCA) algorithm and DCCA algorithm based on a time delay. Both REI and CHS have persistence with GDP. The real estate industry and economy have asymmetric multifractal characteristics. Meanwhile, real estate and the economy have different trends, and they can affect each other with the same length of time delay. This effect diminishes in a short period of time, and there are unsteady fluctuations in cross-correlation persistence in the long term.

ABSTRACTTo investigate the role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1A) in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury of cardiomyocytes induced by high glucose (HG). The in vitro model of coronary heart disease with diabetes was that H9c2 cells were stimulated by H/R and HG. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis were used to detect the expression of HIF1A and angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) in H9c2 cells. Cell viability and apoptosis were, respectively, estimated by Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) and TUNEL assays. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, inflammation and oxidative stress were in turn detected by their commercial assay kits. Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were used to confirm the association between HIF1A and ANGPTL2 promoter. The expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins were also detected by Western blot analysis. As a result, ANGPTL2 expression was upregulated in H9c2 cells induced by HG or/and H/R. ANGPTL2 positively modulated HIF1A expression in H9c2 cells. HG or/and H/R suppressed the cell viability and promoted apoptosis, inflammatory response and oxidative stress levels in H9c2 cells. However, the knockdown of ANGPTL2 could reverse the above phenomena in H/R-stimulated-H9c2 cells through activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. HIF1A transcriptionally activated ANGPTL2 expression. The effect of knockdown of ANGPTL2 on H/R triggered-H9c2 cells was weakened by HIF1A overexpression. In conclusion, knockdown of HIF1A downregulated ANGPTL2 to alleviate H/R injury in HG-induced H9c2 cells by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Thanks to their extremely large surface-to-volume ratio, colloidal quantum dots are potential high-performance sensing materials. However, previous sensing works using their spontaneous emission suffer from low sensitivities. The absence of an amplification process and the presence of the steric hindrance of long-chain organic ligands are two possible causations. Herein we propose that these two issues can be circumvented by using the amplified spontaneous emission of colloidal quantum dots capped by short-chain inorganic ligands. To exemplify this concept, we performed humidity sensing and observed a ∼31 times enhancement in sensitivity. Meanwhile, we found that the amplified spontaneous emission threshold power was reduced by 34% in a high humidity environment. On the basis of our transient absorption measurements, we attribute these observations to the mitigation of ultrafast subpicosecond trapping processes, which are enabled by the absorption of water molecules.

According to behavioral finance theory, investor sentiment generally exists in investors’ trading activities and influences financial market. In order to investigate the interaction between investor sentiment and stock market as well as financial industry, this study decomposed investor sentiment, stock price index and SWS index of financial industry into IMF components at different scales by using BEMD algorithm. Moreover, the fluctuation characteristics of time series at different time scales were extracted, and the IMF components were reconstructed into short-term high-frequency components, medium-term important event low-frequency components and long-term trend components. The short-term interaction between investor sentiment and Shanghai Composite Index, Shenzhen Component Index and financial industries represented by SWS index was investigated based on the spillover index. The time difference correlation coefficient was employed to determine the medium-term and long-term correlation among variables. Results demonstrate that investor sentiment has a strong correlation with Shanghai Composite Index, Shenzhen Component Index and different financial industries represented by SWS index at the original scale, and the change of investor sentiment is mainly influenced by external market information. The interaction between most markets at the short-term scale is weaker than that at the original scale. Investor sentiment is more significantly correlated with SWS Bond, SWS Diversified Finance and Shanghai Composite Index at the long-term scale than that at the medium-term scale.

Tissue engineering of the annulus fibrosus (AF) shows promise as a treatment for patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD). However, it remains challenging due to the intrinsic heterogeneity of AF tissue. Fabrication of scaffolds recapitulating the specific cellular, componential, and microstructural features of AF, therefore, is critical to successful AF tissue regeneration.

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common urological tumor, and most BCas are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to the lack of reliable diagnostic markers. In this study, transcriptomic and clinical data from BCa patients in the TCGA database were analyzed and all patients were randomly divided into a training group and a validation group. Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to screen miRNAs significantly associated with BCa prognosis, followed by multivariate Cox regression analysis in the training group to establish a prognostic risk model for multiple miRNAs. The model was validated in the validation group and in the whole group and assessed using Norman plots. KEGG pathway and GO enrichment analyses were performed on possible target genes, and PPI networks were constructed. Finally, a prognostic model for 5-miRNA was successfully constructed. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that it had good predictive properties and could be used as a novel biomarker to predict prognosis and survival of BCa patients and may exert its biological function through IGF1.

Background:Enhancer RNA (eRNA) is a non-coding RNA transcribed by enhancers and has a crucial role in controlling gene transcription. However, the potential functions of eRNA in prostate cancer (PCa) are still not fully understood.Methods:Clinical information and expression data of eRNAs and their target genes for PCa were downloaded from TCGA. Each eRNA in PCa samples was divided into high- and low-expression groups. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to identify the eRNAs significantly associated with the overall survival of PCa. Their correlations with age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and tumor stage were analyzed using Spearman coefficients. Finally, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEEG) analyzes were used to predict the possible biological functions and pathways associated with eRNAs.Results:We identified 12 eRNAs associated with PCa survival, of which PARGP1 was the most clinically significant. It was associated with biochemical recurrence in PCa patients and was also a valuable complement to distinguish between PSA 0–4 ng/ml and 4–10 ng/ml. GO, and KEEG analysis showed that herpes simplex virus-1 infection was the most biologically significant enriched process.Conclusions:PARGP1 is associated with biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer and contributes to assessing the outcome.

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a highly aggressive cancer that most commonly occurs in the extremities and trunk but is extremely rare in the kidney. This study reports a 60-year-old woman with obstinate cough and fever as the first symptoms and an initial diagnosis of inflammatory lung disease. However, none of the symptoms improved after one month of treatment. A repeated chest computed tomography (CT) scan suggested a huge renal mass in the left kidney; therefore, a radical nephrectomy was finally performed in the urology department. And the postoperative pathological examinations revealed UPS. Interestingly, the bothersome symptoms of the patient magically disappeared on the 2nd day after the surgery. During a follow-up of 32 months, there was no sign of recurrence. We found that early diagnosis together with thorough surgical treatment is currently the most effective approach to prolong the survival time of patients. In addition, postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy could be alternative options to benefit patients.

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is one of the regions with the most dynamic economies, highest degrees of openness, strongest innovation capacities and largest populations, as well as an important engine driving China’s economic development. Currently, the development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region faces many difficulties, including an inefficient distribution of regional functions, imbalance in industrial structure, low sophistication, and serious overburdening of resources and the environment. Promoting the overall coordinated development of the region has become an urgent challenge. In this paper, according to the conventions of industrial structure optimization, the three core indicators of regional industrial structure rationalization, sophistication and ecologicalization are constructed. With the help of the grey dynamic correlation model, the three indicators are coupled with the economic growth rate, and the industrial structure optimization index of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is comprehensively measured. The study shows that rationalization of the industrial structure in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is increasing but that this trend is not obvious; sophistication of the industrial structure is relatively high and has also been operating at a high level; however, the overall ecological level of the industrial structure in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is not high and presents the characteristics of high in the middle and low at both ends. In terms of the relationship between industrial structure and economic growth in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, ecologicalization of the industrial structure has the greatest influence on economic growth, followed by sophistication of the industrial structure, and rationalization of the industrial structure has the weakest influence.

ABSTRACTCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved and widely present, but their functions remain largely unknown. Recent development has highlighted the importance of circRNAs as the sponge of microRNA (miRNA) in cancer. We previously reported that gga-miR-375 was downregulated in the liver tumors of chickens infected with avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) by microRNA microarray assay. It can be reasonably assumed in accordance with previous studies that the gga-miR-375 may be related to circRNAs. However, the question as to which circRNA acts as the sponge for gga-miR-375 remains to be answered. In this study, circRNA sequencing results revealed that a circRNA Vav3 termed circ-Vav3 was upregulated in the liver tumors of chickens infected with ALV-J. In addition, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), biotinylated RNA pull-down and RNA-fluorescence in situhybridization (RNA-FISH) experiments were conducted to confirm that circ-Vav3 serves as the sponge of gga-miR-375. Furthermore, we confirmed through dual luciferase reporter assay that YAP1 is the target gene of gga-miR-375. The effect of the sponge function of circ-Vav3 on its downstream genes has been further verified by our conclusion that the sponge function of circ-Vav3 can abrogate gga-miR-375 target gene YAP1 and increase the expression level of YAP1. We further confirmed that the circ-Vav3/gga-miR-375/YAP1 axis induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through influencing EMT markers to promote tumorigenesis. Finally, clinical ALV-J-induced tumor livers were collected to detect core gene expression levels to provide a proof to the concluded tumorigenic mechanism. Together, our results suggest that circ-Vav3/gga-miR-375/YAP1 axis is another regulator of tumorigenesis.

Yeast nucleotides are a fine functional additive in human and animals. The effects of dietary yeast nucleotides supplementation on intestinal development, expression of intestinal barrier-related genes, intestinal microbiota, and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) antibody titer of specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were investigated. A total of 60 1-d-old chickens were divided into 4 groups, each of which included 3 replicates of 5 chickens. Group 1 served as a control that was fed a basal diet. Groups 2 to 4 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5% yeast nucleotides, respectively. All chickens were inoculated intranasally with inactivated IBV vaccine at day 1 and day 10. At day 17, the intestinal development, expression of intestinal barrier-related genes and microbiota were evaluated. There was a significant increased ileal villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in group 2 (P< 0.05). Moreover, group 4 exhibited higher expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Occludin gene in ileum (P< 0.05), whereas groups 2 and 3 exhibited higher expression of Mucin 2 (MUC2) and trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) gene (P< 0.05), group 2 showed lower expression of IFN-α gene (P< 0.05). Dietary yeast nucleotides increased intestinal bacterial diversity (P< 0.05), and the abundance of Lactobacillus(P< 0.05). At day 10, 17, 24, 31, 38, and 45, the serum IBV antibody titers were tested. Group 2 exhibited higher IBV antibody titer at day 17 (P< 0.05), furthermore, groups 2 to 4 reached the effective levels 1 wk earlier than control group. In conclusion, dietary yeast nucleotides supplementation can help birds to mount a faster and stronger antibody response to IBV vaccine. In addition, dietary yeast nucleotides supplementation can also promote the intestinal development and barrier-related genes expression, and diversity and richness of intestinal microbiota.

For the long-term success of an implantation, an intelligent medium based on conducting photopolymers was decorated on implant surfaces, and a priority between promoting osteogenic and antibacterial activity could be dynamically switched through applying a specific electrical stimulus as needed at different clinical stages of implantation.

Thanks to the narrow line width and high brightness, colloidal quantum dot (CQD) lasers show promising applications in next-generation displays. However, CQD laser-based displays have yet to be demonstrated because of two challenges in integrating red, green, and blue (RGB) lasers: absorption from red CQDs deteriorates the optical gain of blue and green CQDs, and imbalanced white spectra lack blue lasing due to the high lasing threshold of blue CQDs. Herein, we introduce a facile surfactant-free self-assembly method to assemble RGB CQDs into high-quality whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) RGB lasers with close lasing thresholds among them. Moreover, these RGB lasers can lase nearly independently even when they are closely integrated, and they can construct an ultrawide color space whose color gamut is 105% of that of the BT.2020 standard. These combined strategies allow us to demonstrate the first full-color liquid crystal displays using CQD lasers as the backlight source.

In the early stages of embryonic development, a precise and strictly controlled hierarchy of gene expression is essential to ensure proper development of all cell types and organs. To better understand this gene control process, we constructed a small RNA library from 1- to 5-day-old chick embryos, and identified 2,459 miRNAs including 827 existing, 695 known, and 937 novel miRNAs with bioinformatic analysis. There was absolute high expression of a number of miRNAs in each stage, including gga-miR-363-3p (Em1d), gga-miR-26a-5p (Em2d and Em3d), gga-miR-10a-5p (Em4d), and gga-miR-199-5p (Em5d). We evaluated enriched miRNA profiles, identifying VEGF, Insulin, ErbB, MAPK, Hedgehog, TLR and Hippo signaling pathways as primary regulatory mechanisms enabling complex morphogenetic transformations within tight temporal constraints. Pathway analysis revealed miRNAs as pivotal nodes of interaction, coordinating cascades of gene expression critical for cell fate determination, proliferation, migration, and differentiation across germ layers and developing organ systems. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) generated hub miRNAs whose modular connections spanned regulatory networks, including: gga-miR-181a-3p (blue module), coordinating immunegenesis and myogenesis; gga-miR-126-3p (brown module), regulating vasculogenesis and angiogenesis; gga-miR-302c-5p (turquoise module), enabling pluripotency and self-renew; and gga-miR-429-3p (yellow module), modulating neurogenesis and osteogenesis. The findings of this study extend the knowledge of miRNA expression in early embryonic development of chickens, providing insights into the intricate gene control process that helps ensure proper development.

Introduction:Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in sickle cell disease is associated with high morbidity and early mortality, yet the pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. In vitrodata by our group implicates extracellular hemoglobin in the endothelial dysfunction that leads to precapillary vascular changes seen in PH and identifies endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) as a likely mechanism. To support these findings, we hypothesize that a murine model of chronic hemolysis will show signs of EndoMT and early development of PH.MethodsC57BL/6J mice were treated with 40 mg/kg of phenylhydrazine (PHZ), a toxin known to induce hemolysis, or saline, as control, twice a week for three weeks. Plasma cytokine concentrations and complete blood counts were measured. Non-invasive and invasive measures of PH were obtained by echocardiography (TTE), hemodynamic pressure assessments, and measures of right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy. Explanted lung tissue was homogenized and subjected to Western blot analysis to evaluate markers of EndoMT.ResultsPHZ administration causes anemia (9.1 g/dL vs 11.4 g/dL in control mice) without a significant drop in other hematopoietic cell lines. PHZ-treated mice have increased plasma cytokines CXCL1 and IL-6, which are known to be upregulated in PH. TTE shows significantly decreased pulmonary artery acceleration time (16.7 vs 19.5 msec, p < 0.05), and a trend toward decreased tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion in PHZ-treated mice (0.9 vs 1.2 mm). Invasive hemodynamics show a slight increase in right ventricular systolic pressure (25.6 vs 23.4 mm Hg) and analysis of RV hypertrophy shows increased Fulton index in PHZ-treated mice compared to control (0.28 vs 0.24). Western blot analysis of lung tissue shows upregulation of EndoMT transcription factor SNAI2 in PHZ-treated mice versus control.ConclusionsPHZ-treated mice demonstrate early invasive and non-invasive signs of PH with upregulation of EndoMT transcription factor SNAI2, suggesting a relationship between hemolysis, EndoMT, and the development of PH. PHZ administration may be a novel murine model for PH due to chronic hemolysis, facilitating pathobiological and therapeutic discovery for this devastating complication of sickle cell disease.

Single-polarization single-mode (SPSM) fiber can efficiently eliminate polarization mode coupling, polarization mode dispersion, and polarization-dependent loss. Up to now, most single-polarization fibers have been designed based on form birefringence, which would result in a non-Gaussian field distribution and a small effective mode field area. In this paper, a novel structure of SPSM photonic crystal fibers based on the resonant coupling phenomena is proposed and analyzed by using a full-vector finite-element method with a second-order transparent boundary condition. From the numerical results it is confirmed that this fiber has a near-Gaussian mode field within the wavelength range from 1.46 to 2.2μm, where only one polarized mode exists effectively, and the mode field area is about 79μm^2 at the wavelength of 1.55μm, matching that of the conventional single-mode fiber.

Metabolic activation of retinol (vitamin A) via sequential actions of retinol and retinal dehydrogenases produces the active metabolite all-trans-retinoic acid. This work reports cDNA cloning, enzymatic characterization, function in a reconstituted path of all-trans-retinoic acid biosynthesis in cell culture, and mRNA expression patterns in adult tissues and embryos of a mouse retinol dehydrogenase, RDH1. RDH1 represents a new member of the short chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily that differs from other mouse RDH in relative activity with all-transand cis-retinols. RDH1 has a multifunctional catalytic nature, as do other short chain dehydrogenase/reductases. In addition to retinol dehydrogenase activity, RDH1 has strong 3α-hydroxy and weak 17β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activities. RDH1 has widespread and intense mRNA expression in tissues of embryonic and adult mice. The mouse embryo expresses RDH1 as early as 7.0 days post-coitus, and expression is especially intense within the neural tube, gut, and neural crest at embryo day 10.5. Cells cotransfected with RDH1 and any one of three retinal dehydrogenase isozymes synthesize all-trans-retinoic acid from retinol, demonstrating that RDH1contributes to a path of all-trans-retinoic acid biosynthesis in intact cells. These characteristics are consistent with RDH1 functioning in a path of all-trans-retinoic acid biosynthesis starting early during embryogenesis.

We treat naturally pigmented karakul wool with a surface modification system of chlorination and catalytic bleaching, then examine its structure and properties. SEM photos reveal the surface morphology of karakul wool, and the Allwörden reaction shows the extent of damage to the epicuticle. The results show that the surface modification removes the bulk of the fiber scales and bleaching increases fiber whiteness. After bleaching, the felting propensity of karakul wool improves slightly and its dye uptake decreases. For modified and bleached karakul wool, the felting propensity decreases, the dyeing rate increases, and equilibrium exhaustion decreases compared with untreated karakul wool.

Purpose:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of a percutaneous Port-Catheter System (PCS) implanted via the subclavian artery (SCA) for regional chemotherapy or chemoembolization of thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic malignant tumors.

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic spreads around the world, the demand for imaging examinations increases accordingly. The value of conventional chest radiography (CCR) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of CCR in the detection of COVID-19 through a comparative analysis of CCR and CT. This study included 49 patients with 52 CT images and chest radiographs of pathogen-confirmed COVID-19 cases and COVID-19-suspected cases that were found to be negative (non-COVID-19). The performance of CCR in detecting COVID-19 was compared to CT imaging. The major signatures that allowed for differentiation between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 cases were also evaluated. Approximately 75% (39/52) of images had positive findings on the chest x-ray examinations, while 80.7% (42/52) had positive chest CT scans. The COVID-19 group accounted for 88.4% (23/26) of positive chest X-ray examinations and 96.1% (25/26) of positive chest CT scans. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CCR for abnormal shadows were 88%, 80%, and 87%, respectively, for all patients. For the COVID-19 group, the accuracy of CCR was 92%. The primary signature on CCR was flocculent shadows in both groups. The shadows were primarily in the bi-pulmonary, which was significantly different from non-COVID-19 patients (p= 0.008). The major CT finding of COVID-19 patients was ground-glass opacities in both lungs, while in non-COVID-19 patients, consolidations combined with ground-glass opacities were more common in one lung than both lungs (p= 0.0001). CCR showed excellent performance in detecting abnormal shadows in patients with confirmed COVID-19. However, it has limited value in differentiating COVID-19 patients from non-COVID-19 patients. Through the typical epidemiological history, laboratory examinations, and clinical symptoms, combined with the distributive characteristics of shadows, CCR may be useful to identify patients with possible COVID-19. This will allow for the rapid identification and quarantine of patients.

AbstractAs a mimic of the oxygen evolution complex in photosystem II, the title manganese(III) complex was synthesized. X-ray structure analysis shows that acetate anions bridge adjacent Mn(III) atoms to form a polymeric chain in the crystal. An anion of the Schiff base, N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-l,3-propyldiamine, coordinates to a Mn(III) atom with an umbrella configuration; the coordination geometry around the Mn(III) atom is flexible.

Simultaneous polymerization and formation of poly(propargyl alcohol) (POHP) films by [Pd(C=CCH2OH)2(PPh3)2](Pd–C) catalyst in CH2Cl2–CCl4mixed solvent system have been investigated. Some features and kinetic behavior for the OHP polymerization are described and discussed. The overall polymerization activation energy was found to be 76.4 k J mol-1and the rate equation can be expressed as Rp=kp[OHP][Pd–C], where kp=1.32×10-3L mol-1s-1(58°C). The POHP polymer obtained is a black sheeny film stable in air and chlorinated by CH2Cl2–CCl4mixed solvent. Its conducting properties were investigated.

The nicotinate complex of Cu(II), 2,2'-bipyridine(nicotinato)monoaquacopper(II) nitrate dihydrate has been prepared and its crystal structure has been determined by means of X-ray methods. The nicotinate anions bridge adjacent Cu(II) atoms through both the pyridine N atom and the carboxyl group to form infinite chains. The carboxyl group of the nicotinate anion coordinates to the Cu(II) atom as a chelate. Based on the molecular structure the infrared spectrum is discussed.

Objective:To evaluate the mammographic features, clinicopathological characteristics, treatments, and prognosis of pure and mixed tubular carcinomas of the breast. Materials and methods:Twenty-five tubular carcinomas were pathologically confirmed at our hospital from January 2011 to May 2019. Twenty-one patients underwent preoperative mammography. A retrospective analysis of mammographic features, clinicopathological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes was performed. Results:Altogether, 95% of the pure tubular carcinomas (PTCs) and mixed tubular carcinomas (MTCs) showed the presence of a mass or structural distortions on mammography and the difference was not statistically significant (P= .373). MTCs exhibited a larger tumor size than PTCs (P= .033). Lymph node metastasis was more common (P= .005) in MTCs. Patients in our study showed high estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positivity rates, but low human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positivity rate. The overall survival rate was 100% in both PTC and MTC groups and the 5-year disease-free survival rates were 100% and 75%, respectively with no significant difference between the groups (P= .264). Conclusion:Tubular carcinoma of the breast is potentially malignant and has a favorable prognosis. Digital breast tomosynthesis may improve its detection. For patients with PTC, breast-conserving surgery and sentinel lymph node biopsy are recommended based on the low rate of lymph node metastasis and good prognosis. MTC has a relatively high rate of lymph node metastasis and a particular risk of metastasis. Axillary lymph node dissection should be performed for MTC even if the tumor is smaller than 2 cm.