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Compound drought and heatwave events (CDHEs) are more devastating than single drought or heatwave events and have gained widespread attention. However, previous studies have not investigated the impacts of the precipitation attenuation effect (PAE) (i.e., the effect of previous precipitation on the dryness and wetness of the current system is attenuated) and event merging (EM) (i.e., merging two CDHEs with short intervals into a single event). Moreover, few studies have assessed short-term CDHEs within monthly scales and their variation characteristics under different background temperatures. Here we propose a novel framework for assessing CDHEs on a daily scale and considering the PAE and EM. We applied this framework to mainland China and investigated the spatiotemporal variation of the CDHE indicators (spatial extent (CDHEspa), frequency (CDHEfre), duration (CHHEdur), and severity (CDHEsev)) from 1968 to 2019. The results suggested that ignoring the PAE and EM led to significant changes in the spatial distribution and magnitude of the CDHE indicators. Daily-scale assessments allowed for monitoring the detailed evolution of CDHEs and facilitated the timely development of mitigation measures. Mainland China experienced frequent CDHEs from 1968 to 2019 (except for the southwestern part of Northwest China (NWC) and the western part of Southwest China (SWC)), whereas, hotspot areas of CDHEdur and CDHEsev had a patchy distribution in different geographical subregions. The CDHE indicators were higher in the warmer 1994-2019 period than in the colder 1968-1993 period, but the rate of increase of the indicators was lower or there was a downward trend. Overall, CDHEs in mainland China have been in a state of remarkable continuous strengthening over the past half a century. This study provides a new quantitative analysis approach for CDHEs.

Man Li,&ast; Fang Wang,&ast; Xinxin Li, Xiaolan Ding, Juan Du Department of Dermatology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, 100044, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Fang Wang; Juan Du, Department of Dermatology, Peking University People’s Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, People’s Republic of China, Fax +861088325474, Email wfangxixi@sina.com; dujuan223@126.comBackground: Dermoscopic and ultrastructural features of vitiligo-associated leukotrichia (VAL) have not been well studied. This study is aimed at the dermoscopic and ultrastructural features of VAL.Methods: We present a cross-sectional study of VAL-related dermoscopic signs and their relationship with disease stages and duration of leukotrichia. Characteristics of hair surface and finer details including melanosomes, macrofibrils, and remnant nucleus were observed under Electron Microscopy (EM).Results: One hundred and forty samples on distinct sites from 100 patients were collected. Among 75 VAL from the scalp, the prevalence of diameter diversity of leukotrichia (52.6% vs 8.1%), Pohl-Pinkus constrictions (34.2% vs 0), and depigmented hair roots signs (34.2% vs 8.1%) in patients with progressive vitiligo was much higher than that in patients with stable vitiligo (all P< 0.05). The EM result of VAL showed that melanosomes were smaller with vesicles formation, reduced counts, and incomplete shape, and macrofibrils were irregularly arranged with widened spaces and vesicles formation.Limitations: No conclusions about the histopathologic characteristics or dermoscopic-histopathologic correlation of the VAL.Conclusion: The dermoscopic signs of diameter diversity of leukotrichia, Pohl-Pinkus constrictions, and depigmented hair roots are related to progressive vitiligo. The process of melanin synthesis and formation of VAL are impaired at the early stage of VAL under Electron microsco

During engineering and construction activities, water and mud burst, house and ground collapse, as well as other hazards often occur in places where karst develops, which can seriously threaten the safety of people's life and property and limit the development of local society and economy. Therefore, it is a meaningful work to figure out the locations of karst development so that corresponding prevention measures could be taken in advance. In this study, a case was introduced by using high density resistivity method to study the karst ground collapse. The geological characteristics, distribution law and control factors of karst ground collapse were clarified through high density resistivity method. Based on the results, the development trend was predicted, and the corresponding treatment measures and suggestions were proposed. The results show that 2 karst developing belts and 3 karst seriously-developed centers were delineated in the study region, which indicates that the high density resistivity method can effectively identify abnormal underground areas in the study region. The results shown in this research would provide the whole site for future drilling and the useful experience for underground karst exploration in similar areas.

Xinxin Li, Yifang Sun, Juan Du, Fang Wang, Xiaolan Ding Department of Dermatology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xiaolan Ding, Department of Dermatology, Peking University People’s Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613522658992, Fax +861088325474, Email Lancyding@126.comAbstract: Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune skin disorder, clinically characterized by distinct white macules and patches resulting from progressive melanocyte destruction. JAK-STAT pathway plays an important role in the loss of epidermal melanocytes. Baricitinib can block the JAK-STAT pathway and the downstream chemokines as a new JAK1/2 inhibitor. In this report, we describe the successful treatment of 2 patients with oral baricitinib combined with NB-UVB phototherapy, which provides a good alternative and supplementary to treat refractory vitiligo.Keywords: IFN-γ signaling pathway, Janus kinase inhibitor, baricitinib, vitiligo

Feruloyl esterases (FAEs) and acetyl xylan esterases (AXEs) are important enzymes for plant biomass degradation and are both present in Carbohydrate Esterase family 1 (CE1) of the Carbohydrate-Active enZymes database. In this study, ten novel fungal CE1 enzymes from different subfamilies were heterologously produced and screened for their activity towards model and complex plant biomass substrates. CE1_1 enzymes possess AXE activity, while CE1_5 enzymes showed FAE activity. Two enzymes from CE1_2 and one from CE1_5 possess dual feruloyl/acetyl xylan esterase (FXE) activity, showing expansion of substrate specificity. The new FXEs from CE1 can efficiently release both feruloyl and acetyl residues from feruloylated xylan, making them particularly interesting novel components of industrial enzyme cocktails for plant biomass degradation.

Xyloglucan is a prominent matrix heteropolysaccharide binding to cellulose microfibrils in primary plant cell walls. Hence, the hydrolysis of xyloglucan facilitates the overall lignocellulosic biomass degradation. Xyloglucanases (XEGs) are key enzymes classified in several glycoside hydrolase (GH) families. So far, family GH44 has been shown to contain bacterial XEGs only. Detailed genome analysis revealed GH44 members in fungal species from the phylum Basidiomycota, but not in other fungi, which we hypothesized to also be XEGs. Two GH44 enzymes from Dichomitus squalens and Pleurotus ostreatus were heterologously produced and characterized. They exhibited XEG activity and displayed a hydrolytic cleavage pattern different from that observed in fungal XEGs from other GH families. Specifically, the fungal GH44 XEGs were not hindered by substitution of neighboring glucosyl units and generated various "XXXG-type," "GXXX(G)-type," and "XXX-type" oligosaccharides. Overall, these fungal GH44 XEGs represent a novel class of enzymes for plant biomass conversion and valorization.

As important polysaccharide degraders in nature, fungi can diversify their extensive set of carbohydrate-active enzymes to survive in ecological habitats of various composition. Among these enzymes, xylanolytic ones can efficiently and sustainably degrade xylans into (fermentable) monosaccharides to produce valuable chemicals or fuels from, for example relevant for upgrading agro-food industrial side streams. Moreover, xylanolytic enzymes are being used in various industrial applications beyond biomass saccharification, e.g. food, animal feed, biofuel, pulp and paper. As a reference for researchers working in related areas, this review summarized the current knowledge on substrate specificity of xylanolytic enzymes from different families of the Carbohydrate-Active enZyme database. Additionally, the diversity of enzyme sets in fungi were discussed by comparing the number of genes encoding xylanolytic enzymes in selected fungal genomes. Finally, to support bio-economy, the current applications of fungal xylanolytic enzymes in industry were reviewed.

Xinxin Li,1– 3 Yibao Chen,1– 3 Shuang Wang,1– 3 Xiaochao Duan,1– 3 Fenqiang Zhang,1– 3 Aizhen Guo,1– 3 Pan Tao,1– 3 Huanchun Chen,1– 3 Xiangmin Li,1– 3 Ping Qian1– 3 1State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China; 2College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of China; 3Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, the Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ping Qian, Tel +86-27-87282608, Fax +86-27-87282608, Email qianp@mail.hzau.edu.cnBackground: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important zoonotic pathogen worldwide. Infections due to MRSA are associated with higher mortality rates compared with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. Meanwhile, bacteriophages have been shown to overcome the emergence of MRSA.Methods: Phage PHB22a, PHB25a, PHB38a, and PHB40a were isolated. Here, we evaluated the ability of a phage cocktail containing phages PHB22a, PHB25a, PHB38a, and PHB40a against MRSA S-18 strain in vivo and in vitro. Phage whole-genome sequencing, host-range determination, lytic activity, and biofilm clearance experiments were performed in vitro. Galleria mellonella larvae and a mouse systemic infection model to evaluate the efficacy of phage therapy in vivo.Results: The phage cocktail exhibited enhanced antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects compared to the single phage. Phage cocktail contained with Ca2+/Zn2+ significantly reduced the number of viable bacteria (24-h or 48-h biofilm) by more than 0.81-log compared to the phage cocktail alone. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the addition of Ca2+ and Zn2+ phage cocktail could increase the survival rate of G. mellonella larvae infected with S. aureus by 10% compared with phage cocktail alone. This was further con

The key to the text classification task is language representation and important information extraction, and there are many related studies. In recent years, the research on graph neural network (GNN) in text classification has gradually emerged and shown its advantages, but the existing models mainly focus on directly inputting words as graph nodes into the GNN models ignoring the different levels of semantic structure information in the samples. To address the issue, we propose a new hierarchical graph neural network (HieGNN) which extracts corresponding information from word-level, sentence-level and document-level respectively. Experimental results on several benchmark datasets achieve better or similar results compared to several baseline methods, which demonstrate that our model is able to obtain more useful information for classification from samples., Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures

Xinxin Li,1,2,* Chunsheng Yang,3,4,* Yingkai Tao,1,2 Xiaoyang Hou,1,2 Yanqun Liu,1,2 Hong Sang,3 Guan Jiang1,2 1Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, People’s Republic of China; 3Jinling Hospital Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Huai’an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, The Second People’s Hospital of Huai’an, Huai’an, 223002, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hong SangJinling Hospital Department of Dermatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail sanghong@nju.edu.cnGuan JiangDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail dr.guanjiang@xzhmu.edu.cnPurpose: A near-infrared (NIR)-triggered trans-activating transcriptional activator (TAT)-based targeted drug delivery system for the combined chemo/photothermal therapy of melanoma, namely, TAT-TSL-TMZ (temozolomide)/IR820, was developed for the first time.Methods: TAT-TSL-TMZ/IR820 liposomes were synthesized via thin-film dispersion and sonication. IR820 and TMZ were encased in the inner layer and lipid bilayer of the liposomes, respectively.Results: Dynamic light scattering results showed that the liposomes had an average hydrodynamic size of 166.9 nm and a zeta potential of − 2.55 mV. The encapsulation rates of TMZ and IR820 were 35.4% and 28.6%, respectively. The heating curve obtained under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation showed that TAT-TSL-TMZ/IR820 liposomes had good photothermal conversion efficiency. The in vitro drug release curve revealed that NIR laser irradiation could ac

Drug-resistant Plasmodium vivax malaria impedes efforts to control, eliminate, and ultimately eradicate malaria in Southeast Asia. P. vivax resistance to antifolate drugs derives from point mutations in specific parasite genes, including the dihydropteroate synthase (pvdhps), dihydrofolate reductase (pvdhfr), and GTP cyclohydrolase I (pvgch1) genes. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and spread of drug resistance markers in P. vivax populating the China-Myanmar border. Blood samples were collected from symptomatic patients with acute P. vivax infection. Samples with single-clone P. vivax infections were sequenced for pvdhps and pvdhfr genes and genotyped for 6 flanking microsatellite markers. Copy number variation in the pvgch1 gene was also examined. Polymorphisms were observed in six different codons of the pvdhps gene (382, 383, 512, 549, 553, and 571) and six different codons of the pvdhfr gene (13, 57, 58, 61, 99, 117) in two study sites. The quadruple mutant haplotypes 57I/L/58R/61M/117T of pvdhfr gene were the most common (comprising 76% of cases in Myitsone and 43.7% of case in Laiza). The double mutant haplotype 383G/553G of pvdhps gene was also prevalent at each site (40.8% and 31%). Microsatellites flanking the pvdhfr gene differentiated clinical samples from wild type and quadruple mutant genotypes (F ST= 0.259-0.3036), as would be expected for a locus undergoing positive selection. The lack of copy number variation of pvgch1 suggests that SP-resistant P. vivax may harbor alternative mechanisms to secure sufficient folate.

Qing Zhu,1 Cuiting Zhao,1 Yonghuai Wang,1 Xinxin Li,1 Yixue Xue,2– 4 Chunyan Ma1 1Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China; 3Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health of China, China Medical University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China; 4Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chunyan MaDepartment of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjingbei Street, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 2483282129Email cmu1h_mcy@126.comBackground: Coronary slow flow (CSF) is an angiographic phenomenon characterized by delayed coronary opacification with normal or near-normal epicardial coronary arteries. The pathogenesis of CSF is closely related to inflammatory response. Accumulating evidence shows that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanism underlying the influence of the lncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcripts 1 (NEAT1) on CSF is still unknown.Patients and Methods: Forty CSF patients and forty control subjects were included in the study and underwent coronary angiography, Seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ) and echocardiography. The plasma levels of the inflammatory factors soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were determined by ELISA. The expression levels of NEAT1, miR-148b-3p and ICAM-1 in cells were measured by qRT-PCR or Western blotting. Cell proliferation was measured by 5‐Ethynyl‐2ʹ‐deoxyuridine (EdU) and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell apoptos

The fungal members of Carbohydrate Esterase family 1 (CE1) from the CAZy database include both acetyl xylan esterases (AXEs) and feruloyl esterases (FAEs). AXEs and FAEs are essential auxiliary enzymes to unlock the full potential of feedstock. They are being used in many biotechnology applications including food and feed, pulp and paper, and biomass valorization. AXEs catalyze the hydrolysis of acetyl group from xylan, while FAEs release ferulic and other hydroxycinnamic acids from xylan and pectin. Previously, we reported a phylogenetic analysis for the fungal members of CE1, establishing five subfamilies (CE1_SF1–SF5). Currently, the characterized AXEs are in the subfamily CE1_SF1, whereas CE1_SF2 contains mainly characterized FAEs. These two subfamilies are more related to each other than to the other subfamilies and are predicted to have evolved from a common ancestor, but target substrates with a different molecular structure. In this study, four ascomycete enzymes from CE1_SF1 and SF2 were heterologously produced in Pichia pastoris and characterized with respect to their biochemical properties and substrate preference toward different model and plant biomass substrates. The selected enzymes from CE1_SF1 only exhibited AXE activity, whereas the one from CE1_SF2 possessed dual FAE/AXE activity. This dual activity enzyme also showed broad substrate specificity toward model substrates for FAE activity and efficiently released both acetic acid and ferulic acid (∼50%) from wheat arabinoxylan and wheat bran which was pre-treated with a commercial xylanase. These fungal AXEs and FAEs also showed promising biochemical properties, e.g., high stability over a wide pH range and retaining more than 80% of their residual activity at pH 6.0–9.0. These newly characterized fungal AXEs and FAEs from CE1 have high potential for biotechnological applications. In particular as an additional ingredient for enzyme cocktails to remove the ester-linked decorations which enables ac

Grapes are the most important cash crop in Xinjiang. However, the effective utilization of agricultural water and fertilizer in this area is relatively low, which is very unfavourable for the development of Xinjiang grape industry. At present, there is a lack of research based on multi-objective water and fertilizer optimization to guide grape production. Field experiments were thus conducted over three consecutive years (2015–2017) to study the effects of water and fertilizer coupling on the yield, fruit quality, water use efficiency (WUE), fertilizer partial productivity (PFP), and net profits of Vitis vinifera cv. “Frey” grapes in northern Xinjiang. The optimum input range of water and fertilizer for multi-objective optimization were determined by using multiple regression and spatial analysis. Five levels of N–P2O5–K2O (180–225–495, 240–300–660, 300–375–825, 360–450–990, 420–525–1155 kg ha−1) were set up in the experiment, designated F60 %, F80 %, F100 %, F120 %, and F140 %, respectively. Three drip irrigation levels were designated W60 %, W80 %, W100 %, accounting for 60 %, 80 %, and 100 % of the ETc (where ETc denotes evapotranspiration under sufficient water supply for crops). The results show that at the same fertilization level, the leaf area index (LAI), vitamin C content, titratable acid, soluble solids content, dry matter yield, grape yield, PFP, and net profit increased with an increase in irrigation. They reached their maximum under full irrigation (W100 %). Compared to W80 % and W60 % irrigation levels, the WUE at a full (W100 %) irrigation was lower, but the PFP was the highest. The maximum grape bunch weight over three years was 407, 383, and 378 g, respectively. The highest harvest index (HI) was 0.460, 0.425, and 0.416, respectively. When the irrigation range was 334–348 mm and the N–P2O5–K2O fertilization range was 320–400–880∼392–490–1077 kg ha−1, the grape yield, net profit, WUE, vitamin C content, titratable acid content, and soluble solids co

Xiaoyang Hou,1,* Yingkai Tao,1,* Xinxin Li,1,* Yanyu Pang,1 Chunsheng Yang,2 Guan Jiang,1 Yanqun Liu1 1Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221002, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Huai’an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, The Second People’s Hospital of Huai’an, Huai’an 223002, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Guan Jiang; Yanqun LiuDepartment of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huai Hai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail dr.guanjiang@xzhmu.edu.cn; xyfylyq@sohu.comObjective: Nanotechnology-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively new anti-tumor strategy. However, its efficacy is limited by the hypoxic state in the tumor microenvironment. In the present study, a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticle that encapsulated both IR820 and catalase (CAT) was developed to enhance anti-tumor therapy.Materials and Methods: HA-PLGA-CAT-IR820 nanoparticles (HCINPs) were fabricated via a double emulsion solvent evaporation method. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), laser scanning confocal microscopy, and an ultraviolet spectrophotometer were used to identify and characterize the nanoparticles. The stability of the nanoparticle was investigated by DLS via monitoring the sizes and polydispersity indexes (PDIs) in water, PBS, DMEM, and DMEM+10%FBS. Oxygen generation measurement was carried out via visualizing the oxygen bubbles with ultrasound imaging system and an optical microscope. Inverted fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were used to measure the uptake and targeting effect of the fluorescent-labeled nanoparticles. The live-dead method and tumor-bearing mouse models were applied to study the HCINP-induced enhanced PDT effect.Resul

A computer-aided ionic liquid design (CAILD) study is presented for the frequently encountered alkane/cycloalkane separations in petrochemical industry. Exhaustive experimental data are first collected to extend the UNIFAC-IL model for this system, where the proximity effect in alkanes and cycloalkanes is considered specifically by defining distinct groups. The thermodynamic performances of a large number of ILs for 4 different alkane/cycloalkane systems are then compared to select a representative example of such separations. By applying n-heptane/methylcyclohexane extractive distillation as a case study, the CAILD task is cast as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem based on the obtained task-specific UNIFAC-IL model and two semi-empirical models for IL physical properties. The top 5 IL candidates determined by solving the MINLP problem are subsequently introduced into Aspen Plus for process simulation and economic analysis, which finally identify 1-hexadecyl-methylpiperidinium tricyanomethane ([C16MPip][C(CN)3]) as the best entrainer for this separation.

We propose a neural network architecture for learning vector representations of hotels. Unlike previous works, which typically only use user click information for learning item embeddings, we propose a framework that combines several sources of data, including user clicks, hotel attributes (e.g., property type, star rating, average user rating), amenity information (e.g., the hotel has free Wi-Fi or free breakfast), and geographic information. During model training, a joint embedding is learned from all of the above information. We show that including structured attributes about hotels enables us to make better predictions in a downstream task than when we rely exclusively on click data. We train our embedding model on more than 40 million user click sessions from a leading online travel platform and learn embeddings for more than one million hotels. Our final learned embeddings integrate distinct sub-embeddings for user clicks, hotel attributes, and geographic information, providing an interpretable representation that can be used flexibly depending on the application. We show empirically that our model generates high-quality representations that boost the performance of a hotel recommendation system in addition to other applications. An important advantage of the proposed neural model is that it addresses the cold-start problem for hotels with insufficient historical click information by incorporating additional hotel attributes which are available for all hotels.

SO2 sensor is highly demanded in the application fields such as environmental protection and food manufactory. Herein, an integrated microsensor is developed for SO2 gas detection. For the fabrication of microsensor, ZnO nanosheets sensing material is firstly loaded onto the sensing area of the microsensor by using inkjet printing technology. Then, Al2O3 loaded with Ru nanoparticles (Ru/Al2O3) as catalyst are locally deposited onto the surface of ZnO nanosheets layer. Gas sensing performance measurements indicate that the fabricated microsensor exhibits a selective response to SO2, and a good linear relationship in the range of 5-115 ppm SO2 gases. Besides, this integrated microsensor has short response and recovery time. On-line mass spectrometry (on-line MS) experiment further reveals the formation of sulfur monoxide (SO') radical as an intermediate product for SO2 sensing. During the sensing process, Ru/Al2O3 as catalyst layer brings SO2 molecules to be broken down into easily detectable species (i.e. SO.), and then ZnO nanosheets with abundant gas transport channels capture the produced SO generating output signals. Therefore, this kind of sensing material configuration exploits the advantage of each element, and makes it possible for trace and selective detection of SO2 gas. 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recent progress in ultrafast spectroscopy and semiconductor technology is enabling unique applications in screening, detection, and diagnostics in the Terahertz (T-ray) regime. The promise of efficaciously operation in this spectral region is tempered by the lack of devices that can spectrally analyze samples at sufficient temporal and spatial resolution. Real-time, multispectral T-ray (Mul-T) imaging is reported by designing and demonstrating hyperspectral metamaterial focal plane array (MM-FPA) interfaces allowing multiband (and individually tunable) responses without compromising on the pixel size. These MM-FPAs are fully compatible with existing microfabrication technologies and have low noise when operating in the ambient environment. When tested with a set of frequency switchable quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) for multicolor illumination, both MM-FPAs and QCLs can be tuned to operate at multiple discrete THz frequencies to match analyte "fingerprints." Versatile imaging capabilities are presented, including unambiguous identification of concealed substances with intrinsic and/or human-engineered THz characteristics as well as effective diagnosis of cancerous tissues without notable spectral signatures in the THz range, underscoring the utility of applying multispectral approaches in this compelling wavelength range for sensing/identification and medical imaging.

The reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) system represents a considerable challenge for both manufacturers and surgeons because the patients requiring this type of devices have a very diverse set of anatomical challenges that can lead to complications and subsequent early device failures. We conducted an indepth investigation of a porcine-valve conduit explanted from a patient following an adverse event. A control device was analyzed as a reference. The rapid aging of the porcine valve in the right side of the heart together with major thrombus formation raises several questions. The difficulties encountered with materials used and also the design features of the conduits are once again highlighted. This group of patients continues to increase in number due to success in the surgical outcomes in early childhood. Therefore, there is a greater demand for an appropriate device. However, much work is still needed to achieve this goal, and the best approach to achieving success remains unanswered.

Single Image Super Resolution (SISR) is a well-researched problem with broad commercial relevance. However, most of the SISR literature focuses on small-size images under 500px, whereas business needs can mandate the generation of very high resolution images. At Expedia Group, we were tasked with generating images of at least 2000px for display on the website, four times greater than the sizes typically reported in the literature. This requirement poses a challenge that state-of-the-art models, validated on small images, have not been proven to handle. In this paper, we investigate solutions to the problem of generating high-quality images for large-scale super resolution in a commercial setting. We find that training a generative adversarial network (GAN) with attention from scratch using a large-scale lodging image data set generates images with high PSNR and SSIM scores. We describe a novel attentional SISR model for large-scale images, A-SRGAN, that uses a Flexible Self Attention layer to enable processing of large-scale images. We also describe a distributed algorithm which speeds up training by around a factor of five., Comment: Accepted by IEEE International Conference on Big Data, 2018

This paper reports the application of electret materials on triboelectric generator for enhanced performance comparing to the traditional nanogenerator simply based on contact electrification. Various electrets like PTFE film, TOPAS, CYTOP and COC were prepared and charged under different conditions to explore the optimal output. It is proved that the performance of the triboelectric generator can be improved by negatively charged electrets, while with positively charged electrets, the performance is weakened. We have also demonstrated the application of the generator in a self-powered wireless temperature sensor network scavenging energy from wind in the central air-conditioning system.

The exploitation of AuxRh1−x alloy nanocrystals for specifically and directly identifying carbamate pesticides is reported for the first time and could be easily further developed to meet the specific needs of emergency intoxication cases. In this study, AuxRh1−x alloy nanocrystals with a tunable composition were synthesized and then employed for the electrocatalytic oxidation of carbamate pesticides. Compared with other AuxRh1−x samples and monometallic analogues, the Au42Rh58 sample with an optimized composition showed advances in terms of its electrocatalytic activity. According to electrochemical assessments, we discovered that the Au42Rh58 sample had specific responses to carbaryl. Typical common existing substances including glucide, amino acids, metal ions, and OP pesticides showed no interference in carbaryl determination. Moreover, Au42Rh58 nanocrystals displayed a considerable response towards 1 nM carbaryl without the assistance of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), cholinesterase (ChE) or other biochemical recognition elements. The observed high-efficiency detection was driven by electrocatalyzing the hydrolysis product of carbaryl in a strong alkaline solution. Au42Rh58 alloy nanocrystals with high catalytic activity and good selectivity are promising sensing materials for the detection of trace levels of carbaryl. Furthermore, Au42Rh58 alloy nanocrystals with uniform shape and narrow size distribution could be used in micro/nanoelectrode fabrication technology such as in screen-printing or ink-jetting or in the further design and implementation of real-time identification systems. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Precise patterning of biomaterials has widespread applications, including drug release, degradable implants, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Patterning of protein-based microstructures using UV-photolithography has been demonstrated using protein as the resist material. The Achilles heel of existing protein-based biophotoresists is the inevitable wide molecular weight distribution during the protein extraction/regeneration process, hindering their practical uses in the semiconductor industry where reliability and repeatability are paramount. A wafer-scale high resolution patterning of bio-microstructures using well-defined silk fibroin light chain as the resist material is presented showing unprecedent performances. The lithographic and etching performance of silk fibroin light chain resists are evaluated systematically and the underlying mechanisms are thoroughly discussed. The micropatterned silk structures are tested as cellular substrates for the successful spatial guidance of fetal neural stems cells seeded on the patterned substrates. The enhanced patterning resolution, the improved etch resistance, and the inherent biocompatibility of such protein-based photoresist provide new opportunities in fabricating large scale biocompatible functional microstructures.

Diversity scholars have highlighted that the climate for inclusion is imperative for diversity management. However, we know little about how climate for inclusion affects individual performance. Based on a study of 497 employees from 102 teams with disability diversity, we show that perceived climate for inclusion mitigates felt social anxiety and in turn enhances individual performance for members with a low level of disability severity, but accelerates felt social anxiety and thus hinders individual performance for members with a high level of disability severity. Our results add to the diversity management literature by showing that the top-down diversity management practices may not work universally across individuals.

The reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) system represents a considerable challenge for both manufacturers and surgeons because the patients requiring this type of devices have a very diverse set of anatomical challenges that can lead to complications and subsequent early device failures. We conducted an indepth investigation of a porcine-valve conduit explanted from a patient following an adverse event. A control device was analyzed as a reference. The rapid aging of the porcine valve in the right side of the heart together with major thrombus formation raises several questions. The difficulties encountered with materials used and also the design features of the conduits are once again highlighted. This group of patients continues to increase in number due to success in the surgical outcomes in early childhood. Therefore, there is a greater demand for an appropriate device. However, much work is still needed to achieve this goal, and the best approach to achieving success remains unanswered.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an important reactive oxygen species (ROS) is reactive and potentially harmful to cells, causing oxidation of lipids, proteins and DNA. Herein, we report a PtW/MoS2 hybrid nanocomposite with ultrasensitive and highly specific response for the detection of H2O2 released from breast cancer 4T1 cells. Upon exposure to 5 nM of H2O2, the electrochemical response is still visible. This PtW/MoS2 hybrid nanocomposite could be facilely synthesized through in-situ growth of PtW nano crystals on the surface of MoS2 nanosheets. The incorporation of PtW nanocrystals and MoS2 nanosheets in conjunction with each other to form hybrid nanocomposite improves the selective interaction of H2O2 with sensing material surface, and further increases the sensitivity and selectivity of sensor. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This study aims to explore effective marketing communication strategies for the nursing program of University of Gävle to develop in China. Qualitative method is used in this research. The data is collected from 24 semi-structured interviews with managers in University of Gävle, managers and students in Zhuhai College of Jilin University and Kede College of Capital Normal University. The study finds out that traditional media advertising, online advertising, and public relations and publicity are effective for both students and managers. However, direct communication is particularly effective for managers, while place advertising is especially useful for students. Content about education and country-of -origin are useful for both students and managers. The study provides suggestions about each marketing communication channel and content, and the integrated marketing communication strategy for higher education institution to do marketing communication in China. Therefore, it can serve as a useful reference when making marketing communication strategy for the future higher education institutions cooperation between Sweden or other countries and China.

This study intends to conclude the theoretical explanation and obtain empirical support for the relationship between M&A and corporate hedge. It applies Logit and Tobit Model to test two null hypotheses about M&A, along with six other proxies that are seen as determinants of corporate hedging activity. The result proves that corporate hedge is affected by mergers and acquisitions. First, M&A will increase the likelihood of doing hedging. Then, M&A have positive impact on hedging activity, the increase in M&A would cause firm to do more hedge.

This paper reports on a bi-resonant structure of piezoelectric PVDF films energy harvester (PPEH), which consists of two cantilevers with resonant frequencies of 15 Hz and 22 Hz. With increased acceleration, the vibration amplitudes of the two cantilever-mass structures are increased and collision occurs which causes strong mechanical coupling between the two subsystems. The experimental results show that the operating bandwidth is widened to 14 Hz (14–28 Hz) at an acceleration of 9.81 m/s2, and the peak output power can be 0.35 W at a relatively low operation frequency of 16 Hz. Simulation and experiments with piezoelectric elements show that the energy harvesting device with the bi-resonant structure can generate higher power output than that of the sum of the two separate devices from random vibration sources at low frequency, and hence significantly improves the vibration-to- electricity conversion efficiency by 40–81%.

Maize (Zea mays L.) for the tested plants, meadow brown soil as the soil tested in order to microsomal cytochrome P450 content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase enzyme (POD) activity of indicators, the soil phenanthrene and pyrene in response to exposure to eco-toxicological studies. The results show that phenanthrene, pyrene exposure can cause detoxification of plant metabolism and antioxidant defense system of the stress response, caused varying degrees of detoxification of plant metabolism and changes in antioxidant capacity. P450 enzyme activity and low concentrations of phenanthrene and pyrene in a single - relevant exposure concentration (r = 0.834, P <0.01), and phenanthrene and pyrene exposure concentration was negatively correlated compound, saying that Ming Fei, pyrene compound exposed to lead detoxification metabolism of a reduced ability to detoxify the metabolism of plants have synergistic toxic effects; SOD activity and phenanthrene and pyrene in a single exposure concentration was negatively correlated, CAT activity and phenanthrene and pyrene in a single - exposure concentration was positively correlated, POD activity and water solubility of the Philippines positively correlated with the total concentration of pyrene in a negative correlation. SOD, CAT and POD activity and phenanthrene and pyrene were positively related to the concentration of compound exposure, saying that Ming Fei, pyrene complex degree of exposure to lead to reduced oxidative damage, oxidative damage of plants with antagonistic effects .

In recent years, large-scale consumer networks on the Internet have provided a new communication channel for consumers to share product evaluations online. These networks have dramatically increased the impact of word of mouth, and correspondingly changed the way consumers shop. One form of word of mouth recently emerging on the Internet is product reviews written by consumers. In chapter one, we examine the role of consumer heterogeneity in affecting the accuracy of these product reviews as a mechanism to communicate quality information among consumers. When consumers hold different opinions about quality of the same product, consumers' self-selection behavior in purchase may cause bias in reviews at various stages of the product lifecycle. Using book reviews posted on Amazon, we find a significant declining curve in book ratings over time, which suggests that consumers who self-select into the market early (tend to buy early) may have systematically different preferences compared to the consumers who buy later. In addition, our additional empirical evidence suggests that consumers follow early reviews regardless of the bias. We then construct an analytical model based on the empirical observations to examine how consumer welfare and firm strategies are affected by the presence of consumers' self-selection behavior. In chapter two, we investigate how market competition can be influenced when consumers can acquire quality information for untested products from consumer reviews. Our results show that, contingent on the accuracy of consumer reviews as a mechanism to signal quality, the reduction of uncertainty driven by these reviews does not necessarily force the market to become more competitive.

This thesis aims to evaluate underpinning mechanisms of oral processing of polysaccharide thickeners with a rod-like conformation. Xanthan gum (XG) and scleroglucan (SG) are identified as key research targets, with the view to identify the differences and similarities between XG and SG and to assess the potential of SG utilisation as XG analogue in specialised nutrition applications, such as in oropharyngeal dysphagia. Specifically, hydrodynamic properties of SG have been investigated, including hydrodynamic and thermodynamic non-ideality, as well as molecular weight distribution. Furthermore, rheological and lubrication properties have been studied to elucidate complex rheological behaviour of both polysaccharides, as well as to probe their interactions with human whole saliva and bovine submaxillary mucin, used as a saliva-mimicking model. The rheological behaviour was probed using a combination of the steady shear flow, small amplitude oscillatory shear, first normal stress difference and capillary break-up rheometry techniques, whilst lubrication and friction behaviour was examined using the soft-contact tribology method. Sedimentation velocity in analytical ultracentrifuge (AUC) showed SG preparation was unimodal when concentration is higher than 0.75 mg/ml. However, it was resolved into two main components at lower concentrations with partial reversibility between two components. Sedimentation equilibrium experiments revealed that SG exhibits partially reversible self-association behaviour. The molecular weight ranges from ~3 × 106 g/mol to ~5 × 106 g/mol after thermodynamic non-ideality correction. The results of SEC-MALS showed that the rod-shape structure of SG may transfer into a structure with more flexibility at higher masses. When XG solution or SG solution are mixed with mucin, sedimentation velocity experiment showed no apparent interactions at low concentrations. At higher concentrations, XG and SG solutions of the same concentration have comparable