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Organic semiconductors usually exhibit low structural-order owing to their weak intermolecular interactions, which leads to inferior charge transport and strong carrier recombination in photovoltaics. In this work, three thiophene structured solid additives namely thieno[3,2- b ]thiophene (TT), 3,6-dibromothieno[3,2- b ]thiophene (TTBB) and 3-bromo-6-iodio-thieno[3,2- b ]thiophene (TTBI) are utilized to enhance the molecular interactions in a range of electron donors and acceptors. X-ray technique and molecular dynamics simulations reveal that by adjusting their electrostatic potential and dipole moment, their interacting site and interaction energy with donor (PM6 and D18) or acceptor (L8-BO) can be finely tuned. We find the most electropositive TTBB shows the strongest interaction with PM6, leading to enhanced crystallization; whilst the asymmetric TTBI brings the strongest molecular packing of L8-BO, consequent to more compact π-π stacking and ordered alkyl chain packing. As the results, the bulk heterojunction PM6:L8-BO photovoltaics upon the assistance of TTBI or TTBB obtain improved charge transport and reduced non-radiative energy loss, translating to power conversion efficiency (PCE) values of 18.7 % and 19.1 %. When further taking the synergetic effect of TTBB and TTBI on PM6(D18) and L8-BO respectively, the layer-by-layer deposited PM6(TTBB)/L8-BO(TTBI) and D18(TTBB)/L8-BO(TTBI) allowed superior PCEs of 19.4 % and 19.9 %, which are among the highest values of single-junction organic solar cells. [Display omitted] • Thiophene structured additives improve crystallinity for donor but compact molecular packing for acceptor. • Morphology transformation leads to enhanced charge transport with suppressed non-radiative energy loss. • PCE of 19.9 % is achieved with the synergistically optimization on donor and acceptor via layer-by-layer deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • GA inhibits HFD-induced inflammation and obesity. • GA improves HFD-induced gut epithelial impairments. • GA and its extracts improve gut microbial composition and metabolites. • GA alters Dubosiella and Alistipes in regulating fat deposition. • 5-Hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxylflavone contributes to the anti-obesity of GA. The aim of this study was to expose anti-obesity effect of Gnaphalium affine (GA) and its underlying mechanism by combining biochemical analysis, 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. The results showed GA alleviated high-fat diet (HFD)-mediated oxidative stress, fat accumulation and inflammation. Moreover, GA improved gut barrier and immunity in HFD-fed mice through up-regulating tight junction protein, decreasing Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) level and inhibiting pro-inflammatory makers production in LPS/ toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) / Myd88 / NF-κB pathway. Additionally, GA and its extracts altered composition and metabolism of gut microbiota. GA promoted abundances of Dubosiella and decreased abundance of Alistipes in HFD-fed mice, which were closely linked to 5-Hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxylflavone from GA and levels of weight, inflammatory markers, gut microbial metabolites of mice. Collectively, GA offers its anti-obesity properties through regulating gut microbiota by mucosal barrier functions, indicating that GA and its natural compounds hold great potential as a functional food ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although moxibustion has been assessed in studies of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), there is no consensus on its effectiveness. This systematic review (SR) aimed to evaluate moxibustion-affected cognitive function in MCI patients. Nine Chinese and English databases were searched up to December 1, 2021 for potential randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on moxibustion used for MCI. Two researchers independently retrieved information from the included RCTs. The primary outcome was overall cognitive function, followed by specific domains of cognition as a secondary outcome. The methodological quality was assessed via the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool v.2.0. Review Manager v.5.4 was applied for statistic analyses. The quality of evidence was evaluated by GRADE tool. There were nine RCTs with 845 patients in this SR. The methodological quality of most RCTs was moderate. Moxibustion may enhance MCI patients' global cognitive function (SMD 0.34, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.56; low-quality evidence). Nonetheless, there was no difference in memory improvement (SMD 0.21, 95% CI: -0.24 to 0.66; severely low-quality evidence). The subgroup analysis revealed that (1) there were no statistical differences reported in increasing overall cognitive ability, memory function between moxibustion and conventional medicine; (2) the statistical differences were reported in improving global cognitive ability, memory between moxibustion and sham moxibustion. Six studies found that the adverse events were tolerable but not severe. Moxibustion is capable of helping MCI patients improve their overall cognitive ability. These findings are preliminary and need to be interpreted with caution as more high-quality evidence is required to substantiate these results. This study was registered in Open Science Framework (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/B2M73). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: When development of China''s large airplane, the YUN-10 (Y-10), began in the 1970s, disputes arose between those who supported imitation and those who espoused innovation. This paper discusses the three main stages of a debate that has endured almost four decades due to complex historical, political, technical, economic, public relations, and proprietary rights issues. In the first stage, innovation prevailed and the highly successful Y-10 resulted, leading to additional achievements and shortening the technological distance between Chinese and American airplane manufacturers. In the second stage, imitation dominated and the financing of Y-10 development was stopped. In the third stage, innovation again prevailed, and the Y-10 became China''s National Important Project for the future. Two conclusions emerge. First, both the imitative and innovative technological routes have coexisted in Chinese airplane design and manufacture since the establishment of the People''s Republic of China in 1949. But after the reform and opening-up of China, major changes occurred as a result of debates between the adherents of imitation and those who supported innovation. Academic arguments were instrumental in this fight. Second, imitation and innovation exert distinct functions at different periods and for different industries. However, innovation is most applicable to high-tech fields like airplane manufacture, and can greatly promote a country''s scientific, technological, and economic systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Patients with esophageal cancer often experience clinically relevant deterioration of quality of life (QOL) after esophagectomy owing to malnutrition, lack of physical exercise, and psychological symptoms.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a comprehensive intervention model using a mobile health system (CIMmH) in patients with esophageal cancer after esophagectomy.Methods: Twenty patients with esophageal cancer undergoing the modified McKeown surgical procedure were invited to join the CIMmH program with both online and offline components for 12 weeks. The participants were assessed before surgery and again at 1 and 3 months after esophagectomy. QOL, depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, nutrition, and physical fitness were measured.Results: Of the 20 patients, 16 (80%) completed the program. One month after esophagectomy, patients showed significant deterioration in overall QOL (P=.02), eating (P=.005), reflux (P=.04), and trouble with talking (P<.001). At the 3-month follow-up, except for pain (P=.02), difficulty with eating (P=.03), dry mouth (P=.04), and trouble with talking (P=.003), all other QOL dimensions returned to the preoperative level. There were significant reductions in weight (P<.001) and BMI (P=.02) throughout the study, and no significant changes were observed for physical fitness measured by change in the 6-minute walk distance between baseline and the 1-month follow-up (P=.22) or between baseline and the 3-month follow-up (P=.52). Depressive symptoms significantly increased 1 month after surgery (P<.001), while other psychological measures did not show relevant changes. Although there were declines in many measures 1 month after surgery, these were much improved at the 3-month follow-up, and the recovery was more profound and faster than with traditional rehabilitation programs.Conclusions: The CIMmH was feasible and safe and demonstrated encouraging efficacy testing with a control group for enhancing recovery after surgery among patients with esophageal cancer in China.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IPR-1800019900); http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=32811. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The micro-climate condition is important topic in urban environment research. Field measurements can provide the characteristics and distributions of the climatic parameters, such as air temperature accurately in built environments. How to deal with the limitation of measurement on the large area and compare the data of a large number of measuring points simultaneously needs further research. In this study, The Triangle Method and Thiessen Polygon Method were proposed to get the adjustment coefficients of mobile stations and thus the air temperature values of all measuring stations were adjusted to a certain time for obtaining the distribution maps of Wuhan City in summer and winter. The data of 17 fixed meteorological stations were compared with those of 101 mobile stations established in different time periods. The two methods' accuracy, applicability and data comparison was researched. From the derived distribution maps of air temperature, urban areas showed different climate conditions that the maximum temperature difference in the summer was above 11 °C, whereas, in the winter, it was 2–3 °C. The mean correlation values in the adjustments were 0.793 and 0.764 for the Triangle Method and Thiessen Polygon Method respectively, indicating that both methods were feasible for the adjustment of the measured data and could effectively solve the problem of the time inconsistencies of each station. The Triangle Method carried on the mean value processing, which is better at avoiding the errors and the Thiessen Polygon Method has the advantages of a simple algorithm and high boundary adaptability. • Fixed and mobile measurements were conducted for environmental investigation. • The temperature distribution map was made to study the built environment of the city. • ∙The Triangle Method and Thiessen Polygon Method were proposed for data adjustment. • ∙Both methods are feasible while the Triangle Method is better for adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aurantiochytrium , a unicellular eukaryotic marine microalga, is receiving considerable research attention because of its great potential in lipid and biodiesel production. To enhance the saturated fatty acid (SFA) and biodiesel production in Aurantiochytrium , we first aimed to improve tricarboxylate transportation-related NADPH generation by overexpressing the malic enzyme (ME)-encoding gene. The SFA yield of the resultant recombinant strain, termed SD116::ME, reached 6.42 g L−1. Subsequently, by feeding 30 mM malic acid at the late logarithmic phase, the SFA yield was further increased to 8.65 g L−1, which was an increase of >105% compared to the yield in the wild type. Moreover, the enhanced activities of ME and malic acid dehydrogenase led to an improvement in tricarboxylate transportation-related NADPH generation, which is essential for biodiesel production. This is the first report indicating a possibility for large-scale biodiesel production by regulating the NADPH generation system in Aurantiochytrium. Unlabelled Image • Aurantiochytrium could be developed as a candidate for biodiesel production. • Saturated fatty acid yield reached 8.65 g L−1 in Aurantiochytrium sp. SD116::ME. • Malic enzyme gene was successfully overexpressed in Aurantiochytrium sp. SD116::ME. • Biodiesel production was improved by enhancing the tricarboxylate transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]