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One of the main pathological features noted in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the presence of plagues of aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ1–42)-peptides. Excess deposition of amyloid-β oligomers (AβO) are known to promote neuroinflammation. Sequentially, following neuroinflammation astrocytes become activated with cellular characteristics to initiate activated astrocytes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether total flavonoids derived from Dracocephalum moldavica L. (TFDM) inhibited Aβ1–42-induced damage attributed to activated C8-D1A astrocytes. Western blotting and ELISA were used to determine the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and complement C3 to establish the activation status of astrocytes following induction from exposure to Aβ1–42. Data demonstrated that stimulation of C8-D1A astrocytes by treatment with 40 μM Aβ1–42 for 24 hr produced significant elevation in protein expression and protein levels of acidic protein (GFAP) and complement C3 accompanied by increased expression and levels of inflammatory cytokines. Treatment with TFDM or the clinically employed drug donepezil in AD therapy reduced production of inflammatory cytokines, and toxicity initiated following activation of C8-D1A astrocytes following exposure to Aβ1–42. Therefore, TFDM similar to donepezil inhibited inflammatory secretion in reactive astrocytes, suggesting that TFDM may be considered as a potential compound to be utilized in AD therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a growing body of literature has explored multilingual users' digital practice, dialects adoptions have received relatively little attention. As an important part of the Chinese language, spoken dialects, or '方言' (fangyan), are highly complex in their classification and colloquial usage. Nevertheless, Chinese online users, especially those of younger generations, find ways to incorporate dialects in stylised online expressions for language play. This study explores the strategic adoptions of dialects by investigating stylised dialectal expressions through a leading video-sharing website in China, bilibili.com. By identifying representative Chinese dialectal phrases and phonetic features, the authors coded a total of 1779 instances of dialect-stylised expressions from 159 videos on bilibili.com. Further investigation and analysis reveal that the sampled expressions largely reflect the dialectal features found in Northeastern Guanhua, Cantonese, Southwestern Guanhua and Min, representing an overarching representation of some of the large dialectal groups in Chinese Mainland. In addition, various linguistic strategies, such as phonetic transliteration and Romanised letters, were used to facilitate and stylise the digital representations of these spoken dialects. The findings exhibit Bilibili users' flexible choices of multilingual resources for dialect stylisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NaNO2/MgO/titania spheres prepared via aerosol-assisted self-assembly (AASA) were used as sorbents for CO2 adsorption at moderate temperature. The titania framework as support would allow MgO to disperse well, thereby increasing the contact between MgO and NaNO2 to enhance carbonation. In this study, the effect of Mg/Ti molar ratio and NaNO2 addition amount on CO2 adsorption was investigated. Results showed that the sorbent prepared by AASA with Mg/Ti molar ratio of 2 following the introduction of 30 wt% NaNO2 presented ∼1 μm particle size with rough sphere surface morphology and mesoporous properties, where the surface area and pore volume were 72 m2/g and 0.18 cm3/g, respectively. With NaNO2 addition, the kinetics and capacity of CO2 adsorption significant increased. In the cyclic adsorption/desorption experiment, the superior stability over the NaNO2/MgO/titania spheres was mainly ascribed to the confined space suppressed the degree of the sintering effect. These results indicated the potential application of the nanochannel-restricted sorbent for rapid, high-capacity, and stable CO2 capture at moderate temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language mindsets and L2 willingness to communicate (L2 WTC) are closely related and have contributed greatly to learners’ L2 learning achievements under the SLA paradigm. However, relatively less attention has been given to the influence of language mindsets and L2 WTC on L2 pragmatic acquisition. This paper aims to examine the potential influence of language mindsets and L2 WTC on receptive pragmatic competence, which further includes pragmatic comprehension, awareness, and perception. A total of 208 Chinese university students of English were administered a biographic survey, a receptive pragmatic task, along with language mindsets and L2 WTC questionnaires. The results showed that growth language mindsets predicted pragmatic awareness and that L2 WTC predicted sociopragmatic inappropriateness perception. Language mindsets and L2 WTC did not play a predictive role in pragmatic comprehension. Gender served as the exclusive and significant moderator in the interaction between pragmatic comprehension and L2 WTC. Pedagogical implications for pragmatic instructors and practitioners and suggestions for future research are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater heat pumps (GWHP) are an efficient utilisation of shallow geothermal energy technology and of great significance in terms of promoting energy conservation and reducing emissions. However, recharge clogging has been a key problem restricting the continuous operation of GWHP. In this study, a simulation test device for sand column was designed with the aim of addressing chemical clogging induced by heat pump reinjection in a porous saline aquifer in the Huaibei Plain, China. The trend in the variation of the permeability coefficient was studied based on the detection of the sand sample composition, recharge water quality, and sand layer temperature, and the cause of formation was analysed using the saturation index (SI) and ion ratio method. The results indicated that the permeability coefficient in the sand column decreased exponentially, with a maximum and minimum decrease of 8.14% and 71.65% of the original coefficient, respectively, found in sections P2–P3 and P8–P9. Therefore, the clogging effect of the aquifer at approximately 200–400 mm from the recharge well was significant. Water–rock interactions predominantly involved the dissolution of halite, albite, chlorite, anhydrite, and dolomite and the precipitation of calcite, as well as the exchange adsorption of Ca2+ and Mg2+ to Na+, which were the key sources of ions during the water chemical evolution process. Finally, quartz was formed by the weathering and dissolution of aluminosilicate minerals such as albite, and particle migration and precipitation during the hydrodynamic disturbance were the primary causes of the front-end blockage of the column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose reduced Collatz conjecture that is equivalent to Collatz conjecture, which states that every positive integer can return to an integer less than it, instead of 1. Reduced Collatz conjecture is easier to explore because certain structures must be presented in reduced dynamics, rather than in original dynamics (as original dynamics is a mixture of original dynamics). Reduced dynamics is a computation sequence from starting integer to the first integer less than it, in terms of "I" that represents (3×+1)/2 and "O" that represents x/2. We formally prove that all positive integers are partitioned into two halves and either present "I" or "O" in next ongoing computation. More specifically, (1) if any positive integer x that is i module 2t (i is an odd integer) is given, then the first t computations (each one is either "I" or "O" corresponding to whether current integer is odd or even) will be identical with that of i. (2) If current integer after t computations (in terms of "I" or "O") is less than x, then reduced dynamics of x is available. Otherwise, the residue class of x (namely i module 2t) can be partitioned into two halves (namely i module $2^{t+1}$ 2 t + 1 and $i+2^t$ i + 2 t module $2^{t+1}$ 2 t + 1 ), and either half presents "I" or "O" in the intermediately forthcoming (t + 1)-th computation. This discovery will be helpful to the final proof of Collatz conjecture—if the union of residue classes who present reduced dynamics that become larger with the growth of residue module, equals all positive integers asymptotically, then reduced Collatz conjecture (or equivalently, Collatz conjecture) will be true. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Dysregulation of autophagy may have a huge effect on cardiac hypertrophy induced by overload pressure although reports on autophagy and cardiac hypertrophy have been contradictory. Some studies showed that autophagy activation attenuated cardiac hypertrophy. However, others suggested that inhibition of autophagy would be protective. Different research models or different pathways involved could be responsible for it. Cardiac hypertrophy may be alleviated through regulation of autophagy. This review aims to highlight the pathways and therapeutic targets identified in the prevention and treatment of cardiac hypertrophy by regulating autophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the boundary layer effects on flame temperature measurements using line-of-sight (LOS) absorption spectroscopy. The primary objective is to quantify the measurement uncertainty of the LOS-determined temperature, which is influenced by the thermal and species boundary layers existing in standard laminar premixed flames. The boundary layer thickness (δ), central flame temperature (Tc) and species concentration (Xc) are the major factors investigated in this work. Typical absorption lines of H2O in the wavelength range of 1.4–2.9 μm were examined under different boundary layer conditions (δ/L = 0–50%, L is the optical path length above the flame; Tc = 1400–2200 K; and Xc = 14–20%). As a result, the thermal boundary layer is observed to contribute mainly to the temperature deviation of the LOS measurement, which increases with δ and Tc. In comparison, the variation of Xc between 14% and 20% has a negligible effect on the temperature measurement in the presence of both thermal and species boundary layers. A systematical investigation of all the selected line pairs reveals that a properly selected line pair reduces the temperature deviation by a maximum of 16.8% under typical laminar flame conditions. The particular line pair centered at 4029.52 cm−1 and 4030.73 cm−1, which could be detected by a single tunable semiconductor laser, is recommended for the LOS temperature measurement over a temperature range of 1400–2200 K. Finally, we performed a case study of five representative temperature measurements in laminar flames and successfully corrected the LOS-determined temperature by taking into account the boundary layer effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L2 pragmatics have explored the effects of different factors on different aspects of learners' pragmatic performance, but often not simultaneously. In addition, syntactic complexity is rarely examined in L2 pragmatics. This cross-sectional study aimed to conduct a multidimensional analysis to explore the effects of proficiency and study-abroad (SA) on Chinese EFL learners' refusals. Data were collected from 90 Chinese university students via a computer-animated elicitation task. The participants were divided into three groups: low-proficiency learners without SA experience and advanced learners with/without SA. The scenarios were kept consistent in imposition and social distance but varied in social status. Each participant interacted with a computer-animated native-speaker interlocutor in the scenarios. 20 American native speakers also participated in the study; their responses were used as the comparison data. Participants' performance was evaluated in five aspects: appropriateness, syntactic complexity, refusal strategies, adjuncts and internal modifiers. Results revealed that there were significant effects of L2 proficiency on appropriateness and of SA on syntactic complexity. The interactions of the two factors and social status were also analysed in learners' employment of refusal strategies and internal modification. Implications for pragmatic instruction and feasible suggestions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although research about the effectiveness of second or foreign language collaborative writing for jointly written products has proliferated in the last few decades, there has been less examination of whether and how pre-task preparation could maximize the language learning opportunities that collaborative writing can afford learners. Informed by metacognition theory, this study used a mixed-methods approach to investigate the impacts of one technique for preparing students, namely educating them about collaborative writing knowledge. This study compared collaborative writing products from two parallel classes (one with exposure to explicit collaborative writing knowledge and one without) to investigate whether and how knowledge about collaborative writing affected the complexity, fluency, accuracy, and quality of collaboratively drafted essays. The findings indicated that students who were exposed to collaborative writing knowledge outperformed those who were not in terms of the accuracy, fluency, and quality (content, organization, grammar, and vocabulary) of their collaboratively drafted essays. The findings also revealed that knowledge of collaborative writing affects the quality of collaboratively drafted essays from the perspective of metacognitive strategies, namely planning, monitoring, and evaluating one's own writing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the use of a popular online expression 'skr' by Chinese micro-blogging users on Weibo. Used originally as a hip-hop term for the sound of cars drifting tires, 'skr' was exploited by Chinese micro-blogging users for other meanings and functions. Data were collected from Weibo users' postings over a month. Using the Search function, we examined micro-blogs with 'skr' embedded in the text of the Weibo postings. A total of 1,861 instances of 'skr' were collected. Based on linguistic and communicative functions, the analysis identified eight types of literacy practices of 'skr'. In the decreasing order of frequency, these eight types include phonetic substitution of Chinese, affective exclamation, adjective as appreciation, hip-hop element, intensification device, searchable hashtag, metonymy, and onomatopoeia. The results of the present study suggest that the relocalisation of 'skr' demonstrates Chinese online users' creative and discursive literacy practices, and how the meaning and functions of an American hip-hop oriented term may shift when the expression enters a different lingua-culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) as a frequent diabetic microvascular complication shows signs in one-third of diabetic patients. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have drawn increasing attention because of their regulatory roles in DR. LncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) is documented to be upregulated in diabetes-related diseases, while its effects in DR remains unexplored. ARPE-19 cells under the treatment of high-glucose (HG) were used as DR cell models. The gene expression in ARPE-19 cells was examined using RT-qPCR. The viability and apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells were determined by MTT and TUNEL assays. The levels of inflammation-associated proteins or mRNA were measured using western blot. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull down assay were conducted for the exploration of the underlying mechanism of PVT1. PVT1 was revealed to be upregulated in DR cell models. Silencing of PVT1 promoted the viability and inhibited apoptosis of HG-stimulated ARPE-19 cells. The results revealed that PVT1 can bind with miR-1301-3p. PVT1 negatively modulated miR-1301-3p expression. Additionally, KLF7 was targeted by miR-1301-3p. PVT1 upregulated KLF7 expression by binding with miR-1301-3p. The silenced PVT1-mediated influence on cell viability and cell apoptosis was rescued by overexpression of KLF7. PVT1 suppresses proliferation and promotes apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells treated with HG in vitro by binding with miR-1301-3p to upregulate KLF7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carex laevissima Nakai 1914 (Cyperaceae) is vital for ecological conservation and land virescence, and has high ornamental value. Here the chloroplast genome of Carex laevissima was assembled and systematically analyzed for further genetic research of Carex plants. The chloroplast sequence of Carex laevissima was 188,029 bp in length, including two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 36,699 bp each, a large single-copy (LSC) region of 106,171 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 8460 bp. The overall GC content is 34.0%. It contains 133 genes, including 89 protein-coding, 36 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Carex laevissima is most closely related to Carex neurocarpa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there has been a scholarly call for the incorporation of digital multimodal composing (DMC) in L2 pedagogy over the past decade, the ideologies of teachers and students about using DMC and the pertinent impact on students' investment in language learning remain underexplored. This paper is concerned with the experiences of a group of English teachers and students when they participated in a DMC program that engaged students with video production in a university-based English course in China. Relying on multiple sources of data, the study revealed that teachers and students had different, and sometimes even contrasting, ideologies over the nature of language, the role of teachers, and the legitimate evidence of learning during DMC. A framework is proposed to illustrate how the different and contrasting ideologies created unintended barriers to students' investment in English learning at both micro and macro levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the hypothesis that stay-green genotypes help to increase stalk lodging resistance under high planting density by reducing dry matter remobilization from stalk, a two-year field study with three planting densities (60,000, 75,000, and 90,000 plants per ha) and six hybrids was conducted. When planting density changed from 75,000 to 90,000, stalk dry matter remobilization efficiency increased by 4.1–191%. Stem dry weight per length, rind penetration strength, average crushing strength for the first to fifth internode, and average bending strength for the third to fifth internode decreased by 25.4–47.2%, 5.1–24.6%, 1.4–29.9%, and 14.0–36.0%, respectively. Stalk lodging rate increased by 17–275%. Stalk dry matter remobilization efficiency was negatively correlated to either stem dry weight per length (r = 0.23, p < 0.05), rind penetration strength (r = 0.75, p < 0.01), crushing strength (r = 0.61, p < 0.01), or bending strength (r = 0.32, p < 0.01). Cultivars with higher stay-green degree (SR999, LY99, and NH101) had lower stalk lodging rate compared to the senescent cultivars XY335 and LY918. It is concluded that stay-green genotypes with low dry matter remobilization help to strengthen stem and reduce stalk lodging risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the hypothesis that plants could remobilize more nutrients from vegetative organs to fulfill the requirement of grain formation under high planting density, eight maize cultivars with different leaf senescence characters were chosen to study the relationship between stay-green character, nutrient (N, P, K) accumulation, post-silking nutrient remobilization and grain yield under three planting densities (60,000, 75,000, and 90,000 plants per ha) in 2 years. We found that increased plant density aggravated leaf senescence, reduced concentration of N, P and K in all organs, reduced post-silking N, P, K accumulation per ha, increased nutrient remobilized efficiency. Stay-green degree was positively correlated to yield reduction at high planting density (R2 = 0.35, P < 0.01), and negatively correlated to grain yield across planting densities and experimental years. Grain yield reduction at high planting density was negatively correlated to N (R2 = 0.29, P < 0.01), P (R2 = 0.51, P < 0.01), K (R2 = 0.17, P < 0.05) remobilization efficiency. Thus, we conclude that efficient nutrient remobilization is important for achieving higher yield at high planting density. Stay-green too much may not be a favorable trait for high-yield breeding at high planting density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the cadmium (Cd)-accumulation characteristics of the post-grafting generation of Cyphomandra betacea (Cav.) Sendt., the seeds of C. betacea grafted on Solanum nigrum L., tomato, and eggplant rootstocks were collected and planted in Cd-contaminated soil. Compared with seeds of ungrafted seedlings, the S. nigrum rootstock increased the shoot biomass of the post-grafting generation of C. betacea seedlings, while eggplant and tomato rootstocks decreased or had no significant effects. Only the S. nigrum rootstock increased the chlorophyll a content, net photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance of the post-grafting generation of C. betacea seedlings, while the other rootstocks decreased or had no significant effects on these photosynthetic parameters. The S. nigrum rootstock enhanced the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and soluble protein content, of the post-grafting generation of C. betacea seedlings, while the other rootstocks reduced or had no significant effects on these parameters. The three rootstocks decreased the Cd contents in different organs of the post-grafting generation of C. betacea seedlings, and the order of treatments was ungrafted > tomato rootstock > eggplant rootstock > S. nigrum rootstock. Therefore, S. nigrum was the best rootstock to promote the growth and decrease the Cd contents in post-grafting generation of C. betacea, and this can benefit C. betacea production in Cd-contaminated areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that the weak equivalences, cofibrations and fibrations in Gillespie's flat model structure are invariant under excellent extensions of rings. As applications, the flat and cotorsion dimensions of unbounded complexes along excellent extensions are investigated, and moreover, some homological invariant properties under excellent extensions are studied in the present framework of complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effects of hyperaccumulator straw application on the growth and cadmium (Cd) accumulation of accumulator Perilla frutescens, four hyperaccumulator plant straws (Youngia erythrocarpa, Galinsoga parviflora, Gnaphalium affine and Crassocephalum crepidioides) were mulched on the surface of a Cd-contaminated soil (10 mg/kg) and P. frutescens seedlings were planted. The Y. erythrocarpa, G. affine and C. crepidioides straws increased P. frutescens root and shoot biomasses, and its chlorophyll a, carotenoid and total chlorophyll contents, whereas G. parviflora decreased or had no significant effect on these parameters. The G. affine and C. crepidioides straws enhanced the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and increased the Cd contents in roots and shoots of P. frutescens, whereas Y. erythrocarpa and G. parviflora straws had a smaller increasing effect. The Y. erythrocarpa, G. affine and C. crepidioides straws increased Cd extraction by P. frutescens shoots by 13.44%, 51.96% and 55.67%, respectively, compared with the control, whereas G. parviflora straw decreased it. Therefore, mulching with Y. erythrocarpa, G. affine and C. crepidioides straws could promote P. frutescens growth and enhance its phytoremediation ability for Cd-contaminated soil, with a better effect for G. affine and C. crepidioides straws than Y. erythrocarpa straw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among Aurivillius-phase ferroelectric ceramics, CaBi2Nb2O9 is considered as the best candidate with potential applications in ultrahigh-temperature piezoelectric devices due to the highest Tc (∼940 °C). This paper reports that BiMn co-substitution at A and B sites gives rise to dramatic enchantments in ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, and electrical resistivity of CaBi2Nb2O9 ceramics. The optimum composition (Ca0.97Bi2.03Nb1.99Mn0.01O9) with a Tc of 953 ± 3°C shows a high ferroelectric remnant polarization (Pr), field-induced strain (S33), piezoelectric activity d33 and d 33 ∗ with values of ∼11.1 µC/cm2, 4.9 × 10−4, 20.8 and 26.1 pC/N, respectively, which are about two to three times those of CaBi2Nb2O9. Significant ferroelectric remnant polarization (Pr = 11.1 µC/cm2), field-induced strain (S33 = 4.9 × 10−4), and piezoelectric activity (d33 = 20.8 pC/N, d 33 ∗ = 26.1 pC/N) are simultaneously induced in ultrahigh Tc CaBi2Nb2O9 piezoceramics by BiMn substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of different rootstocks on the cadmium (Cd) accumulation characteristics of the post-grafting generations of Cd-hyperaccumulator Galinsoga parviflora plants. Five treatments, ungrafted and G. parviflora seedlings grafted on the rootstocks of Kalimeris indica, Senecio scandens, Conyza canadensis, and Artemisia sieversiana, were utilized. The four rootstock grafts decreased the shoot biomass of the G. parviflora post-grafting generation compared with ungrafted. The K. indica and S. scandens grafts increased the Cd concentration in shoots of the G. parviflora post-grafting generation by 15.06% and 14.40%, respectively, compared with ungrafted, while the C. canadensis and A. sieversiana grafts had no significant effects. K. indica grafts increased the amount of Cd extracted by shoots of the G. parviflora post-grafting generation by 10.59% compared with ungrafted, while the other treatments resulted in decreases. Compared with ungrafted, the different rootstocks had no significant effects on the photosynthetic pigment content of the G. parviflora post-grafting generation, and only C. canadensis grafts increased the superoxide dismutase activity level, while only K. indica grafts increased the peroxidase activity level. Therefore, the K. indica rootstock could increase the phytoremediation capability of G. parviflora post-grafted plants grown in Cd-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the role of mTOR signaling pathway in modulating epileptogenesis in an N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-induced infant spasm (IS) rat model. Methods: After inducing IS successfully, the phosphorylation status of PI3K, Akt, mTOR and S6K of brain and hippocampus tissues was assessed using western blot and immunochemistry analysis, respectively. The possible mechanism of mTOR signaling pathway was evaluated by the, inhibitors for mTOR and PI3K, rapamycin and wortmannin, respectively. The inhibitors were injected into the intraperitoneal space of the rats to examine the effects of PI3K and mTOR in IS rat model. Results: The phosphorylated levels of mTOR and PI3K in hippocampus increased significantly (P < 0.05) 7 days after IS induction in rats. After administration of wortmannin, the phosphorylated levels of PI3K and mTOR decreased. However, only the phosphorylated level of mTOR decreased obviously after rapamycin administration. No obvious neurogenesis was found after IS induction. Discussion: Results of the present study suggest that hippocampal PI3K may be another potential target for IS treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of rapid urbanization and climate change, many large- and medium-sized cities in China frequently undergo urban disasters with severe impacts that result in many casualties, induce significant economic losses, and restrict sustainable social and economic development. Providing timely and accurate early warnings is the most effective measure for disaster prevention and mitigation before such disasters can impose severe impacts. In this study, we propose a dynamic impact assessment method for rainstorm waterlogging using land-use data. First, based on a detailed collection of disaster prevention and mitigation data, we construct an impact assessment index based on the assessment objects of this study. Then, a waterlogging simulation is performed, and the simulation results are found to meet the assessment requirements. Finally, we conduct an impact assessment every half hour during a heavy rainfall event and evaluate the performance of the proposed method by assessing the socioeconomic impact, object impact, industry impact, regional impact, and comprehensive impact of the event. These assessments produce valuable information for providing diverse and timely services in the event of urban waterlogging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous work, we developed lead-free potassium sodium niobate-based textured ceramics with a piezoelectric response (d33*) of 505 pm/V and superior thermal stabilities. However, the dielectric loss of the ceramics is 3.5% at 1 kHz which is higher than the PZT-based ceramics. To solve this problem, MnO2 was introduced into the KNLN-BZ-BNT ceramics in this work. It is found that the introduction of MnO2 does not affect the crystalline phase nor grain size. In addition, the effect of MnO2 of less than 2.0% on the texture degree is insignificant. The 0.5% and 1.0% MnO2 modified samples show similar electrical properties and thermal stability as the one without MnO2. The addition of MnO2 can reduce the dielectric loss. Compared to the ceramic with 0.5% MnO2 addition, the 1.0% MnO2-added KNLN-BZ-BNT ceramic possesses a better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel relaxor solid solution of (1-x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPb(Cd1/3Nb2/3)O3 [(1-x)PMN-xPCN] is synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure, electric properties and relaxor behavior are investigated. This system exhibits an average cubic perovskite structure at room temperature. The cation ordering, which is hardly detectable in the canonical PMN by laboratory-based high-resolution X-ray diffraction, is clearly evidenced in this solid solution. The relaxor behavior of the solid solution is found to be enhanced in the (1-x)PMN-xPCN solid solution compared with PMN. The enhanced relaxor behavior is attributed to be formation of complex ordered and disordered structures, which leads to a broader distribution of the size and dynamics of local polar heterogeneities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study whether grafting can reduce the heavy metal uptake of Cyphomandra betacea, C. betacea seedlings were grafted onto three different rootstocks (eggplant, Solanum nigrum, and tomato) and planted in cadmium (Cd)contaminated soil. Compared with ungrafted seedlings, S. nigrum rootstock increased the biomass of different organs of C. betacea seedlings, while eggplant and tomato rootstocks decreased it or had no significant effect. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll contents of C. betacea seedlings were ranked as follows: S. nigrum rootstock > ungrafted > eggplant rootstock > tomato rootstock. The three rootstocks had no significant effects on the superoxide dismutase activity of C. betacea seedlings. Solanum nigrum rootstock enhanced the peroxidase and catalase activities and soluble protein content of C. betacea seedlings, while the other rootstocks reduced or had no significant influence on these parameters. The three rootstocks increased the Cd content of aboveground organs of C. betacea seedlings as follows: S. nigrum rootstock > eggplant rootstock > tomato rootstock > ungrafted. Grafting onto S. nigrum rootstock can therefore promote the growth of C. betacea; however, all rootstocks investigated in this study promote Cd uptake in C. betacea and thus cannot be used in Cd-contaminated areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescent carbon-based nanoparticles, called chronically as carbon dots (CDs), were synthesised from citric acid (CA) and 2-Aminothiophenol (2AT) via an N and S co-doped hydrothermal method. After a series of micro-structural characterisation, N and S elements could be sufficiently doped by means of the heteroatom in the CDs solution. The as-prepared CDs solution showed blue colour fluorescence with the highest QY of 78.6%, and study on the UV–visible and PL spectra further revealed that the outstanding fluorescence of as-prepared CDs mainly originates from the generated molecular fluorophores instead of the surface state. Owing to the strong fluorescence, the as-prepared CDs can be used as a sensing probe for the detection of Ag+ with high sensitivity and selectivity. However, the changes of fluorescence intensity exhibited the complex nature of the quenching mechanism due to the –SH and –NH2 groups on the fringes of carbonaceous cores or molecular fluorophores to aggregate into another fluorescent cores with the assistance of Ag+ ions, which promises a new approach for efficient detection of Ag+ for the application in industrial pollutants. This figure shows citric acid (CA) and 2-Aminothiophenol (2AT) via an N and S co-doped hydrothermal method to prepare CDs with blue colour fluorescence and the highest QY of 78.6%. Owing to the excellent fluorescence, the as-prepared CDs can be used as a sensing probe for the detection of Ag+ with high sensitivity and selectivity, and the changes of fluorescence intensity exhibited the complex nature of the quenching mechanism due to the –SH and –NH2 groups on the fringes of carbonaceous cores or molecular fluorophores to aggregate into another fluorescent cores with the assistance of Ag+ ions, which promises a new approach for efficient detection of Ag+ for the application in industrial pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescent carbon-based nanoparticles, called chronically as carbon dots (CDs), were synthesised from citric acid (CA) and 2-Aminothiophenol (2AT) via an N and S co-doped hydrothermal method. After a series of micro-structural characterisation, N and S elements could be sufficiently doped by means of the heteroatom in the CDs solution. The as-prepared CDs solution showed blue colour fluorescence with the highest QY of 78.6%, and study on the UV–visible and PL spectra further revealed that the outstanding fluorescence of as-prepared CDs mainly originates from the generated molecular fluorophores instead of the surface state. Owing to the strong fluorescence, the as-prepared CDs can be used as a sensing probe for the detection of Ag+ with high sensitivity and selectivity. However, the changes of fluorescence intensity exhibited the complex nature of the quenching mechanism due to the –SH and –NH2 groups on the fringes of carbonaceous cores or molecular fluorophores to aggregate into another fluorescent cores with the assistance of Ag+ ions, which promises a new approach for efficient detection of Ag+ for the application in industrial pollutants. This figure shows citric acid (CA) and 2-Aminothiophenol (2AT) via an N and S co-doped hydrothermal method to prepare CDs with blue colour fluorescence and the highest QY of 78.6%. Owing to the excellent fluorescence, the as-prepared CDs can be used as a sensing probe for the detection of Ag+ with high sensitivity and selectivity, and the changes of fluorescence intensity exhibited the complex nature of the quenching mechanism due to the –SH and –NH2 groups on the fringes of carbonaceous cores or molecular fluorophores to aggregate into another fluorescent cores with the assistance of Ag+ ions, which promises a new approach for efficient detection of Ag+ for the application in industrial pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study extends our understanding of Chinese university students' motivation to learn languages other than English (LOTEs) by adding a contextual dimension to the L2 Motivational Self System. The study drew on Higgins' ([1987]. "Self-discrepancy: A Theory Relating Self and Affect." Psychological Review 94: 319–340.) original Own-Other standpoints and Lanvers' ([2016]. "Lots of Selves, Some Rebellious: Developing the Self Discrepancy Model for Language Learners." System 60: 79–92.; [2017]. "Contradictory Others and the Habitus of Languages: Surveying the L2 Motivation Landscape in the United Kingdom." The Modern Language Journal 101 (3): 517–532.) Self-Discrepancy Theory for Language Learners to enrich the framework, and recruited two different learner groups with Chinese as their first language and English as their second language – voluntary learners of Spanish as a third language and non-voluntary learners of Spanish. The Q-methodology was applied to profile these two groups' multilingual selves, with four motivational profiles emerging from the analysis: self-motivated with multilingual posture, self-motivated with instrumentality, other-motivated with promotion-focused instrumentality, and other-motivated with prevention-focused instrumentality. The findings revealed that multilingual posture was prominent in the self-motivated learners' investment in learning Spanish, and the other-motivated learners were subjugated to the macro-level sociological influences of global English and the national foreign language policy. Our findings also suggested a potential gate-keeping role of global English in conceptualising non-Anglophone learners' LOTE learning motivation. This paper concludes with some methodological and theoretical implications for future LOTE learning motivation research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of mutual grafting on cadmium (Cd) accumulation in post-grafting generations of two Bidens pilosa ecotypes (farmland and mining) were studied in a pot experiment involving the following: ungrafted farmland ecotype (F-CK), the farmland ecotype as the rootstock (F-Rootstock), the farmland ecotype as the scion (F-Scion), ungrafted mining ecotype (M-CK), the mining ecotype as the rootstock (M-Rootstock), and the mining ecotype as the scion (M-Scion). The mutual grafting increased the shoot biomass and photosynthetic pigment contents (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid) of the post-grafting generations of both ecotypes, with F-Scion and M-Rootstock producing the highest values in their respective ecotypes. However, mutual grafting had no significant effect on the root and shoot Cd contents of the post-grafting generations. Additionally, mutual grafting increased the Cd extraction by the shoots of the post-grafting generations of farmland and mining ecotypes, with the F-Scion and M-Rootstock values 33.94% and 24.07% higher than those of F-CK and M-CK, respectively. Therefore, the mutual grafting of the two ecotypes promoted the growth and ability to extract Cd (phytoremediation ability) of post-grafting B. pilosa generations. Moreover, the farmland ecotype as scion and mining ecotype as rootstock was the best combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study homotopy categories of model categories arising from a cotorsion triple, and the equivalences between corresponding stable categories. We characterize homological dimensions with respect to a cotorsion triple. Then, we lift cotorsion triple to complexes, and get the equivalence of homotopy categories of complexes via Quillen equivalence of model categories. Finally, we specify to Gorenstein cotorsion triple. By Quillen equivalence, it is shown that for a left-Gorenstein ring, there is an equivalence , which restricts to an equivalence (compare to [J. Algebra, 2010, 324:2718-2731]); a new proof for Bennis and Mahdou's equality of Gorenstein global dimension is also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the phytoremediation ability of the heavy metal accumulator Perilla frutescens, melatonin (MT) was applied at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 μmol/L) to P. frutescens growing in cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil (10 mg/kg). The MT treatments increased the root and shoot biomasses of P. frutescens, with the maximum increase in the 150 μmol/L MT treatment (79.51% and 36.18% higher, respectively, than those of the control). The MT treatments also enhanced superoxide dismutase activity, peroxidase activity, and the soluble protein concentration of P. frutescens, and 100–200 μmol/L MT increased the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll concentrations in P. frutescens. The MT treatments increased the Cd concentrations in roots and shoots of P. frutescens in a dose-dependent manner. Different MT concentrations increased the Cd accumulation amounts of roots and shoots of P. frutescens, with the maxima accumulation amounts in the 150 μmol/L MT treatment (226.98% and 85.89% higher, respectively, than those of the control). These results show that MT can promote the growth and phytoremediation ability of P. frutescens growing in Cd-contaminated soil, and the optimum MT dose is 150 μmol/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of mutual grafting on the cadmium (Cd) accumulation characteristics of two ecotypes (farmland and mining) of the potential Cd-hyperaccumulator Solanum photeinocarpum were studied through a pot experiment for one month. Four treatments were used in the experiment: ungrafted farmland ecotype (F-CK), ungrafted mining ecotype (M-CK), the farmland ecotype as the scion grafted onto rootstocks of the mining ecotype (F-Scion), and the mining ecotype as the scion grafted onto rootstocks of the farmland ecotype (M-Scion). Mutual grafting increased the rootstock biomass of both S. photeinocarpum ecotypes. However, mutual grafting decreased the scion biomass of F-Scion compared with F-CK and M-CK, and the scion biomass of M-Scion was higher than that of M-CK and lower than that of F-CK. The Cd content in the rootstock of M-Scion increased compared with F-CK, and the Cd content in the rootstock of F-Scion increased compared with M-CK, but mutual grafting decreased the Cd content in scions of both S. photeinocarpum ecotypes. Mutual grafting increased Cd extraction by rootstocks of both S. photeinocarpum ecotypes, but decreased extraction by scions. Therefore, mutual grafting can increase Cd accumulation in S. photeinocarpum rootstocks but not increase Cd accumulation in S. photeinocarpum scions in a short period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experiment, four cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator species (Crassocephalum crepidioides, Galinsoga parviflora, Sigesbeckia orientalis, and Solanum nigrum) were intercropped with grape (Vitis vinifera) cuttings together in Cd-containated soil to study the effects of intercropping with the Cd-hyperaccumulator plants on growth and Cd accumulation of grape seedlings. Compared with the monoculture, intercropping with S. nigrum increased the biomass of grape seedlings, but intercropping with the other three hyperaccumulator species decreased the grape seedling biomass. Intercropping with S. nigrum increased chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll contents in leaves of grape seedlings compared with the monoculture, whereas intercropping with the other three hyperaccumulator species showed either a decrease or no effect. Intercropping with hyperaccumulator plants had no significant effects on chlorophyll b and carotenoid contents in leaves of grape seedlings compared with the monoculture. Compared with the monoculture, intercropping with C. crepidioides, G. parviflora, S. nigrum and S. orientalis significantly decreased Cd contents in shoots of grape seedlings by 78.7%, 12.7%, 29.8% and 26.5%, respectively. Therefore, intercropping with hyperaccumulator plants can decrease Cd accumulation in grape, and intercropping with S. nigrum can also promote grape seedling growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this opening commentary we highlight the tension surrounding the emergence and development of bilingual education programs in mainland China, which has attracted much attention in research. Scholars have contradictory views about efforts aimed at promoting and sustaining bilingualism/multilingualism through education in different parts of China. To contribute to this ongoing discussion, this special issue contains the collective efforts of scholars holding different views and examining three types of bilingual education initiatives in mainland China: bilingual education programs for ethnic minority students, the rise of Chinese-English bilingual education, and the vitality of regional Chinese varieties or dialects in major coastal cities. We contend that all the efforts to promote and sustain bilingualism in the aforementioned aspects are to some extent double-edged and require critical examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HfO2-based resistive random access memory (RRAM) is one of the most promising candidates for non-volatile memory applications. The detection and examination of the dynamic behavior of oxygen ions/vacancies are crucial to deeply understand the microscopic physical nature of the resistive switching (RS) behavior. By using synchrotron radiation based, non-destructive and bulk-sensitive hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES), we demonstrate an operando diagnostic detection of the oxygen 'breathing' behavior at the oxide/metal interface, namely, oxygen migration between HfO2 and TiN during different RS periods. The results highlight the significance of oxide/metal interfaces in RRAM, even in filament-type devices. The oxygen 'breathing' behavior at the oxide/metal interface of filament-type resistive random access memory devices is operandoly detected using hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let R⊂A be a Frobenius extension of rings. We prove that: (1) for any left A-module M, AM is Gorenstein projective (injective) if and only if the underlying left R-module RM is Gorenstein projective (injective). (2) if G-proj.dimAM<∞, then ; the dual for Gorenstein injective dimension also holds. (3) G-gldim(A) = G-gldim(R). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there has been a steady rise of empirical studies investigating pragmatic strategies in oral communication using English as a lingua franca (ELF), there have been relatively few published studies about pragmatic strategies in written ELF communication. Email, despite its current popularity, has scarcely been examined in ELF communication. To extend the existing research on ELF into email discourse, this study investigates Chinese-English bilingual professionals' real-life emails in ELF communication. Email data were collected from 15 Chinese-English bilingual professionals in Mainland China. The paper analyzes and discusses the pragmatic strategies employed by these Chinese bilingual professionals both to solve and to avoid problems of understanding when writing their emails in ELF communication. The results reveal no evidence of non-understanding and only a few misunderstandings. The Chinese bilingual professionals employed various pragmatic strategies to prevent and resolve problems of understanding in ELF communication and to facilitate understanding and ensure communicative effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramics of a perovskite solid solution, (1-x)PbTiO3-xDyFeO3, with x ≤ 0.4 are synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. The linear magnetization vs. magnetic field relation as well as the Curie-Weiss type temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility observed in compositions with x ≤ 0.2 suggests the paramagnetic nature. When x ≥ 0.25, the weak ferromagnetic state can be induced. Moreover, the Dy3+ ions are enrolled into the superexchange coupling together with Fe3+ ions at low temperature, giving rise to magnetic phase transitions upon cooling in compositions with x = 0.4. Furthermore, the paraelectric subsystem is proposed to exist in weak ferromagnetic compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While extensive research has explored translanguaging practices online in relation to named languages, written signs, such as punctuation, are under-researched despite their creative, multifunctional, and playful potential. This study investigates the use of parentheses on a Chinese micro-blogging site, Weibo with a translanguaging lens. We explore how online users exploited parentheses for innovative meanings and functions and how creative adoptions of parentheses facilitate the translanguaging practices featured with trans-boundary communication. Data were collected using Python with keywords “parenthesis literature” – a cyberliteracy in which parentheses are often used in ways that deviate from its conventional usages, along with manual data cleaning. We identified four types of trans-semiotic practices, including trans-scenarios, trans-semiotizing for new punctuation marks, trans-modality for stylizing emoticons, and conventionalizing parentheses for indicating speech acts. We argue that online users engage in trans-semiotic practices via fluid controls of parentheses, during which they turn a conventional punctuation into translanguaging cues, rendering extra-linguistic resources important components in meaning-making in digital communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three cadmium (Cd) accumulator species (Conyza canadensis, Cardamine hirsuta, and Cerastium glomeratum) were co-cultured in Cd-contaminated soil in pots to study the effects of intercropping on co-remediation. Only C. canadensis intercropped with C. glomeratum, C. hirsuta intercropped with C. glomeratum, and three-species intercropping increased plant biomass compared with their respective monocultures. The treatments of C. canadensis intercropped with C. glomeratum and three-species intercropping increased the Cd contents in roots and shoots of C. canadensis, whereas the other intercropping treatments decreased or had no significant impact on Cd contents. As for Cd accumulation, the treatments of C. canadensis intercropped with C. glomeratum, C. hirsuta intercropped with C. glomeratum, and three-species intercropping increased Cd accumulation in a single plant compared with that of their respective monocultures, whereas other intercropping treatments decreased Cd accumulation in individual plants. Only the treatments of C. canadensis intercropped with C. glomeratum and C. hirsuta intercropped with C. glomeratum increased Cd accumulation in shoots of a single pot compared with that of their respective monocultures. Therefore, C. canadensis intercropped with C. glomeratum and C. hirsuta intercropped with C. glomeratum may improve the phytoremediation efficiency for Cd-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramics of a novel solid solution system, (1-x)Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3-xBi(Zn2/3Nb1/3)O3 [(1-x)PZT-xBZN], with compositions near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), are synthesized by solid-state reaction method and investigated by X-ray diffraction, dielectric spectroscopy, and ferroelectric and piezoelectric measurements. It is found that the increasing amount of Bi(Zn2/3Nb1/3)O3 (BZN) changes the structure of this system from the tetragonal symmetry to the MPB. The remnant polarization, coercive field and electromechanical properties are significantly enhanced compared with pure PZT ceramics, which is correlated with the MPB feature of the (1-x)PZT-xBZN system. With the increase of BZN content, a gradually diffuse phase transformation with monotonically decreasing Curie temperature and increasing dielectric loss is found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial ecosystems play a significant role in global carbon and water cycles because of the substantial amount of carbon assimilated through net primary production and large amount of water loss through evapotranspiration (ET). Using a process-based ecosystem model, we investigate the potential effects of climate change and rising atmospheric CO2 concentration on global terrestrial ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) during the twenty-first century. Future climate change would reduce global WUE by 16.3% under high-emission climate change scenario (A2) and 2.2% under low-emission climate scenario (B1) during 2010-2099. However, the combination of rising atmospheric CO2 concentration and climate change would increase global WUE by 7.9% and 9.4% under A2 and B1 climate scenarios, respectively. This suggests that rising atmospheric CO2 concentration could ameliorate climate change-induced WUE decline. Future WUE would increase significantly at the high-latitude regions but decrease at the low-latitude regions under combined changes in climate and atmospheric CO2. The largest increase of WUE would occur in tundra and boreal needleleaf deciduous forest under the combined A2 climate and atmospheric CO2 scenario. More accurate prediction of WUE requires deeper understanding on the responses of ET to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations and its interactions with climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mid-infrared two-line thermometry based on H2O absorption was developed for in situ and sensitive temperature measurements of laminar flames. The H2O absorption lines inv3fundamental band were systematically investigated and a new promising line pair (4029.52 cm–1and 4030.73 cm–1) was selected to achieve strong absorption line-strength and high-temperature sensitivity over the temperature range of 1000–3000 K. This line pair was readily assessed by a single current scan of a distributed feedback laser near 2.5 μm. The scanned-wavelength laser absorption strategy was adopted for temperature measurements for both laminar sooting and non-sooting flames. This optical sensor was applied in measuring various flame conditions including CH4/air and C2H4/air premixed flames (Ф = 0.8–1.2), C2H4/air sooting flames (Ф = 1.78–2.38), and partially premixed flames. Our measurements were in good agreement with thermocouple measurements for all the flame conditions. In addition, numerical simulations using the detailed chemical kinetic mechanisms (CH4flame: GRI 3.0, C2H4flame: USC 2.0) were conducted to validate the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Poor water solubility and side effects hampered the clinical application of gambogic acid (GA) in cancer therapy. Accordingly, GA-loaded polyethylene glycol-poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PEG–PCL) nanoparticles (GA-NPs) were developed and administered peritumorally to evaluate their antitumor activity. The particle size, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of GA-NPs were 143.78 ± 0.054 nm, 0.179 ± 0.004, 81.3 ± 2.5% and 14.8 ± 0.6%, respectively. In addition, GA-NPs showed excellent stability, good biocompatibility and sustained release profile. Endocytosis studiesin vitrodemonstrated that the GA-NPs were effectively taken up by tumor cells in a time-dependent manner.In vivoreal-time imaging showed that the nanoparticles effectively accumulated within the tumor tissue after peritumoral administration. The cytotoxicity study revealed that the GA-NPs effectively inhibited the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. In vivoantitumor therapy with peritumoral injection of GA-NPs exhibited superior antitumor activity compared with free GA. Moreover, no toxicity was detected in any treatment group. Histological studies confirmed a lower cell density and a higher number of apoptotic cells in the GA-NPs group compared with the free GA group. Furthermore, the expression level of the cysteine proteases 3 precursor (pro-caspase3), a crucial component of cellular apoptotic pathways, was efficiently reduced in mice treated with GA-NPs. In conclusion, the GA-NPs system provided an efficient drug delivery platform for chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The artificially high soil cadmium (Cd) concentration screening method was used to screen Cd-hyperaccumulators from floricultural plants. Among the five species of floricultural plants screened,Cosmos bipinnatashowed the characteristics of Cd-accumulators. A pot experiment was conducted to further study Cd accumulation characteristics ofC. bipinnata. The results showed that the biomass, chlorophyll content, superoxide dismutase activity, peroxidase activity and soluble protein content ofC. bipinnatafirst increased and later decreased with the increase in soil Cd concentration, but the carotenoid content and catalase activity ofC. bipinnatareduced. Cd contents in roots, stems, leaves and shoots ofC. bipinnataincreased with increasing soil Cd concentration. When the soil Cd concentration was 50 mg kg−1, the Cd content in shoots was up to 112.62 mg kg−1, which was higher than the Cd-hyperaccumulator critical value. The root and shoot bioconcentration factors exceeded 1 in various Cd treatments, but the translocation factors were less than 1. When the soil Cd concentration was 50 mg kg−1, the Cd accumulation in shoots achieved the maximum of 224.30 μg plant−1. Therefore, considering the tolerance and accumulation of Cd,C. bipinnatais a Cd-accumulator that could be used to remediate Cd-contaminated urban soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion:This method might be an effective intra-operative way to access hearing threshold under general anesthesia in the operating room. Objective:To develop an intra-operative hearing monitoring method for surgeons to access hearing threshold under general anesthesia in the operating room. Method:System establishment and calibration was done firstly. Normal hearing (NH) and conductive hearing loss (CHL) participants were recruited. This study applied pure tone audiometry (PTA) to all subjects and tone pip ABR (tp-ABR) via loudspeakers in sound booth and operating room for NH and CHL subjects, respectively. For NH subjects, Bland Altman was conducted to compare 1k Hz PTA and tp-ABR threshold. For CHL participants, Pairedt-test, Satterth waitet’-test, and linear correlation analysis were used to compare the two methods.p < .05 was considered statistically different. Results: (1) Bland Altman showed all plots were inside the 95% confidence interval, indicating that there was no difference between the two methods for NH subjects. (2) The two methods had a high correlation (Pearson’s coefficient =0.872 > 0.6,p < .05) in assessing hearing threshold in the operating room. (3) Satterth waitet’-test showed the ossicular chain malfunction enlarged the deviation of threshold by the two methods (.01 < p < .025). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the present study, we select the Sylysia 350 (Sylysia) as mesoporous material, distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine-poly(ethylene glycol)2000(DSPE-PEG) as absorption enhancer and hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as crystallization inhibitor to prepare sorafenib tosylate (SFN) nanomitrix (MSNM@SFN) for improving the anti-tumor activity of SFN. The MSNM@SFN was prepared by solvent evaporation method. The solubility, dissolution, and bioavailability of SFN in MSNM@SFN were also investigated. The anti-tumor activity of MSNM@SFN was evaluatedin vitroandin vivo. Our results indicated that the solubility and dissolution of SFN in MSNM@SFN were significantly increased. The oral bioavailability of SFN in MSNM@SFN was greatly improved 7.7-fold compared with that in SFN suspension. The enhanced anti-tumor activity of MSNM@SFN was confirmedin vitroandin vivoexperiments. This nanomatrix developed in this study could be a promising drug delivery platform for improving the therapeutic efficacy of poorly water-soluble drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the profound impact of marketization in academic world has been extensively studied, analytical attention is substantially concentrated on the organizational operation of universities. Less attention has been paid to the impact of marketization on the structure of academic disciplines and the communication of academicians, which is particular true in non-English-speaking countries. Drawing on the theory of genre analysis, this study sets out to investigate how the uptake of market discourse reshapes the structure of one Chinese academic discipline – the Chinese English Language Teaching (ELT) discipline, and how it redefines the pattern of Chinese ELT practitioners’ disciplinary interaction. Textual data examined include textbooks, policy documents, curricula, syllabus, and insiders’ accounts. Analytical results demonstrate that marketization is both a force driving the commercialization of Chinese ELT academic activities and a force facilitating the fragmentation of the formerly monolithic Chinese ELT discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]