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Spin-Transfer-Torque (STT) MRAM is configured with high access speed, readily hybrid integration and guaranteed endurance/retention, which becomes one of the most promising candidates for next generation memory. However, the major challenge of STT-MRAM is its high switching energy consumption, accompanied with unreliable writing operation. This work exploits two emerging design paradigms entitled approximation and speculation MRAM. A novel design scheme with timing speculation and approximate storage is proposed to improve energy efficiency in MRAM write operation by reducing write time. Simulation results show that latency and energy loss in entire write operation can be significantly reduced. The proposed technique obtains 84%/57.4% in the symmetric and unidirectional writing operations. Meanwhile, timing speculative method improves the failure/reliability in writing by re-write strategy. Related MRAM macro specification is applied to image processing, which obtains 10% (58.8%-67.2%) of the improvement of precision in image and higher image quality is obtained under the same accuracy rate.

The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella, is the most damaging potato pest in the world and is difficult to control as the larvae are internal feeders in the foliage and tubers. Entomopathogenic fungi that colonize plants as endophytes have lethal and sublethal pathological effects on insect pests. We show that Beauveria bassiana colonizes the aerial parts of potato plants endophytically after inoculation through soil drenching. Endophytic B. bassiana persisted in potato foliage for more than 50 days postinoculation. Bioassays indicated that foliage of B. bassiana-inoculated potato plants were pathogenic against larvae of P. operculella. Sublethal experiments indicated that B. bassiana negatively affected the growth, development, and reproduction of P. operculella. Development experiments showed that the weight of P. operculella pupae reared on B. bassiana-colonized potato plants (4.25 mg) was significantly less than that of those reared on uninoculated control plants (8.89 mg). Compared with newly eclosed larvae fed on control plants, those fed on B. bassiana-inoculated plants had significantly lower survivorship, with only 17.8% developing to the adult stage. Oviposition of P. operculella females reared on B. bassiana endophytically colonized plants was significantly lower (35 eggs/female) than of those reared on uninoculated plants (115 eggs/female). This study demonstrates that endophytic B. bassiana can be a potential biological control agent for the control and management of P. operculella. Comparing pupal weights of P. operculella reared on potato plants inoculated with the B. bassiana strain GZGY-1-3 and on untreated control plants, pupae from the control plants were significantly heavier than those from treated plants.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and orange-colored bacterium, designated as strain C305T, was isolated from marine sediment of the coast area of Weihai, China. Strain C305T growth occurs at 4–40 °C (optimally at 30–33 °C), pH 6.0–9.0 (optimally at pH 8.0) and with 0.5–10.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1.5–3.0 %). No growth is observed without NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids of strain C305T were identified as iso-C15:0 ，iso-C15:1G and iso-C17:0 3-OH. The major respiratory quinone was found to be MK-6, and the DNA G+C content was determined to be 35.5mol %. The predominant polar lipids were mainly Phosphatidylethanolamines (PE), unidentified aminophospholipids (APL), and a kind of unidentified lipid (L2). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that C305T was a member of the genus Brumimicrobium and had a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.9–98.0 % with recognized Brumimicrobium species. On the basis of the phylogentic and phenotypic evidences, strain C305T represents a novel species of the genus Brumimicrobium, for which the name Brumimicrobium oceani sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C305T (= KCTC 62371T =MCCC 1H00297T).

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, glide, non-flagellated, and facultatively aerobic bacterial strain, designated as Z654T, was isolated from the gut of abalone Haliotis discus hannai from Rongcheng, Shandong province, China. Cells are 0.2–0.8 µm in width and 0.7–3.4 µm in length. Cells grew best at 30°C (range, 15–37°C), pH 7 (range, 6.0–8.5) and NaCl concentration of 2.0% (w/v) (range, 1–10%). According to the phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain belongs to the genus Halocynthiibacter and the most close strain is Halocynthiibacter arcticus KCTC 42129T (97.12%). The genome size of strain Z654T was 3296250 bp and the DNA G + C content was 54.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) scores and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) scores with H. arcticus KCTC 42129T was 70% and 14.6–18.2% respectively. The predominant quinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids were C18:0, C18:1 ω7c 11-methyl and summed future 8. The polar lipids were consisted of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified aminolipid and unidentifed lipids. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data, strain Z654T was considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halocynthiibacter, for which the name Halocynthiibacte halioticoli sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is Z654T (= MCCC 1H00503T = KCTC 92003T).

Herein, an effective tandem catalysis strategy is developed to improve the selectivity of the CO2 RR towards C2 H4 by multiple distinct catalytic sites in local vicinity. An earth-abundant elements-based tandem electrocatalyst PTF(Ni)/Cu is constructed by uniformly dispersing Cu nanoparticles (NPs) on the porphyrinic triazine framework anchored with atomically isolated nickel-nitrogen sites (PTF(Ni)) for the enhanced CO2 RR to produce C2 H4 . The Faradaic efficiency of C2 H4 reaches 57.3 % at -1.1 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which is about 6 times higher than the non-tandem catalyst PTF/Cu, which produces CH4 as the major carbon product. The operando infrared spectroscopy and theoretic density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the local high concentration of CO generated by PTF(Ni) sites can facilitate the C-C coupling to form C2 H4 on the nearby Cu NP sites. The work offers an effective avenue to design electrocatalysts for the highly selective CO2 RR to produce multicarbon products via a tandem route.

Background Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide, and the occurrence of venous thrombosis in combination with lung cancer seriously affects the survival prognosis of patients with lung cancer. This study aimed to delineate the publication status and trends in the literature related to thrombosis in lung cancer and to explore hotspots in research by conducting a bibliometric analysis. Methods Using the Web of Science database as the data source for bibliometric analysis, we searched the published research literature related to thrombosis in lung cancer from 1942 to 2022. Bibliometrix and VOSviewer were used to analyze key bibliometric indicators, including trends in the number of annual publications, countries, journals, author contributions, and research hotspots. Results A total of 378 papers related to thrombosis in lung cancer were screened, including 349 original articles and 29 reviews. The number of publications has increased rapidly in the last 20 years, and China and the United States have the largest number of publications. In the analysis of authors and journals, we found that the distribution of Chinese authors is relatively high in terms of the number of publications and their influence, while the journal sources are mainly dominated by oncology and thrombosis research journals. The analysis of the top 10 highly cited papers revealed that several studies involved the relationship between cancer and venous thrombosis and the exploration of cancer-related thrombotic risk factors. The keyword analysis showed that the papers mainly focused on the exploration of risk factors, in which related genes represented by ROS1 and immunotherapy gradually appeared in research on predicting thrombosis in lung cancer. Conclusions Research on thrombosis in lung cancer has developed rapidly in the past 20 years, with the largest number of studies coming from China. The main research hotspots are the exploration of risk factors, among which the association between related genes represented by ROS1, immunotherapy, and thrombosis in lung cancer-related events has brought us new thinking in the prevention of thrombosis in lung cancer.

Purpose Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV) and structure–conduct–performance (SCP) paradigm perspectives, this study aims to investigate the influence of the innovation and technical capabilities of exporting organisations on their export performance moderate by competitive intensity. Design/methodology/approach Primary data were collected from 162 Chinese manufacturer–exporter companies operating across China. The conceptual framework of this study, which incorporated the impact of RBV and SCP paradigm determinants on export performance through the interaction effect of competitive intensity, was tested using structural equation modelling (Smart-PLS). Findings Results show that the technical and innovation capabilities can increase its export success in international markets. Furthermore, this research finds that competitive intensity moderates the positive relationship between technical capability and export performance but not the relationship between innovation capability and export performance. Originality/value This study presents a holistic assessment of the export performance of manufacturer–exporter enterprises by accounting for the overlooked effect of organisational capabilities through the moderating function of competitive intensity. This study has far-reaching consequences for export academics and practitioners, including the fundamental concept of an internationalizing small- and medium-sized enterprises, especially the manufacturers.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, glide, non-flagellated, and facultatively aerobic bacterial strain, designated as Z654T, was isolated from the gut of abalone Haliotis discus hannai from Rongcheng, Shandong province, China. Cells are 0.2–0.8 µm in width and 0.7–3.4 µm in length. Cells grew best at 30°C (range, 15–37°C), pH 7 (range, 6.0–8.5) and NaCl concentration of 2.0% (w/v) (range, 1–10%). According to the phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain belongs to the genus Halocynthiibacter and the most close strain is Halocynthiibacter arcticus KCTC 42129T (97.12%). The genome size of strain Z654T was 3296250 bp and the DNA G + C content was 54.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) scores and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) scores with H. arcticus KCTC 42129T was 70% and 14.6–18.2% respectively. The predominant quinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids were C18:0, C18:1 ω7c 11-methyl and summed future 8. The polar lipids were consisted of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified aminolipid and unidentifed lipids. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data, strain Z654T was considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halocynthiibacter, for which the name Halocynthiibacte halioticoli sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is Z654T (= MCCC 1H00503T = KCTC 92003T).

Psoriasis is a type of chronic autoimmune-mediated inflammatory skin condition in which clinical manifestations are characterized by erythema and scaly changes, with complex pathogenesis and ease of relapse, and it is difficult to cure. Lenalidomide (Len) is a structural analog of thalidomide, which belongs to the second generation of immunomodulators and has the functions of tumor killing, immune regulation, anti-angiogenesis and regulation of the myeloma microenvironment. In the current experiment, we investigated the therapeutic effect of transdermal application of Len on the pathological changes of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced skin irritations and inflammation in psoriatic-like mice. The in vivo results revealed that Len nanoemulsion-based gels markedly reduced the IMQ-induced Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score, spleen-to-body weight index and CD4 protein expression in the derma of mice and improved IMQ-induced skin inflammatory cell infiltration. Transcriptome sequencing was intended to obtain the differentially expressed genes among the skin of Con mice and the skin of IMQ mice, and then, the GO enrichment classification and KEGG pathway analysis of the significant genes was executed to obtain major signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of the psoriasis mouse model. It was found that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was a major pathway in the pathogenesis of psoriasis in a mouse model induced by IMQ. The immunohistochemical results confirmed that Len could modulate the protein expression of AKT and NF-κB in skin. In conclusion, the protective effect of transdermal administration of Len may be related to the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and its downstream NF-κB pathway against IMQ-induced psoriasis in mice.

Porous crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are one class of promising electrode materials for CO2 electroreduction reaction (CO2RR) by virtue of their large CO2 adsorption capacities and abundant tunable active sites, but their insulating nature usually leads to low current density. Herein, a two-dimensional (2D) Ni-phthalocyanine-based MOF (NiPc-Ni(NH)4) constructed by 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octaaminophthalocyaninato nickel(II) (NiPc-(NH2)8) and nickel(II) ions attained high electrical conductivity due to the high overlap of d-π conjugation orbitals between the nickel node and the Ni-phthalocyanine-substituted o-phenylenediamine. During CO2RR, the NiPc-Ni(NH)4 nanosheets achieved a high CO Faradaic efficiency of 96.4% at −0.7 V and a large CO partial current density of 24.8 mA cm−2 at −1.1 V, which surpassed all the reported two-dimensional MOF electrocatalysts evaluated in an H-cell. The control experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that the Ni-N4 units of the phthalocyanine ring are the catalytic active sites. This work provides a new route to the design of highly efficient porous framework materials for the enhanced electrocatalysis via improving electrical conductivity.

The electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals is a promising approach to realize a carbon-energy balance. However, low current density still limits the application of the CO2 electroreduction reaction (CO2 RR). Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are one class of promising alternatives for the CO2 RR due to their periodically arranged isolated metal active sites. However, the poor conductivity of traditional MOFs usually results in a low current density in CO2 RR. We have prepared conductive two-dimensional (2D) phthalocyanine-based MOF (NiPc-NiO4 ) nanosheets linked by nickel-catecholate, which can be employed as highly efficient electrocatalysts for the CO2 RR to CO. The obtained NiPc-NiO4 has a good conductivity and exhibited a very high selectivity of 98.4 % toward CO production and a large CO partial current density of 34.5 mA cm-2 , outperforming the reported MOF catalysts. This work highlights the potential of conductive crystalline frameworks in electrocatalysis.

Ribosome assembly factors guide the complex process by which ribosomal proteins and the ribosomal RNAs form a functional ribosome. However, the assembly of plant plastid ribosomes is poorly understood. In the present study, we discovered a maize (Zea mays) plastid ribosome assembly factor based on our characterization of the embryo defective 15 (emb15) mutant. Loss of function of Emb15 retards embryo development at an early stage, but does not substantially affect the endosperm, and causes an albino phenotype in other genetic backgrounds. EMB15 localizes to plastids and possesses a ribosome maturation factor M (RimM) domain in the N-terminus and a predicted UDP-GlcNAc pyrophosphorylase domain in the C-terminus. The EMB15 RimM domain originated in bacteria and the UDP-GlcNAc pyrophosphorylase domain originated in fungi; these two domains came together in the ancestor of land plants during evolution. The N-terminus of EMB15 complemented the growth defect of an Escherichia coli strain with a RimM deletion and rescued the albino phenotype of emb15 homozygous mutants. The RimM domain mediates the interaction between EMB15 and the plastid ribosomal protein PRPS19. Plastid 16S rRNA maturation is also significantly impaired in emb15. These observations suggest that EMB15 functions in maize seed development as a plastid ribosome assembly factor, and the C-terminal domain is not important under normal conditions.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which is closely related to various cardiovascular disorders, lowers blood pressure (BP), but whether this action is mediated via the modification of baroreflex afferent function has not been elucidated. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the role of the baroreflex afferent pathway in H2S-mediated autonomic control of BP regulation. The results showed that baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was increased by acute intravenous NaHS (a H2S donor) administration to renovascular hypertensive (RVH) and control rats. Molecular expression data also showed that the expression levels of critical enzymes related to H2S were aberrantly downregulated in the nodose ganglion (NG) and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) in RVH rats. A clear reduction in BP by the microinjection of NaHS or L-cysteine into the NG was confirmed in both RVH and control rats, and a less dramatic effect was observed in model rats. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of NaHS administered by chronic intraperitoneal infusion on dysregulated systolic blood pressure (SBP), cardiac parameters, and BRS were verified in RVH rats. Moreover, the increase in BRS was attributed to activation and upregulation of the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels Kir6.2 and SUR1, which are functionally expressed in the NG and NTS. In summary, H2S plays a crucial role in the autonomic control of BP regulation by improving baroreflex afferent function due at least in part to increased KATP channel expression in the baroreflex afferent pathway under physiological and hypertensive conditions.

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a major polyphagous pest with the potential to seriously damage various crops. A better understanding of FAW's performance on different hosts may help to predict which plants will be attacked when the preferred host is absent, and facilitate the development of effective pest management practices. We compared the larval performance of FAW fed on maize with that of FAW fed on potato and tobacco, which are important crops in China, using an age-stage two-sex life table and adult female oviposition preference experiments. In cage experiments with potato, tobacco, or maize as the host, FAW reared on maize exhibited the strongest performance with shorter developmental time in the larval stage, longer longevity, and a higher reproductive rate in adults. Females oviposited on maize in preference to potato or tobacco. Compared with larvae fed on maize, those fed on potato and tobacco exhibited significantly lower survival, with only 31.61% and 8.13% developing to the adult stage, respectively. Several life table parameters, including the mean generation time (T), net reproductive rate (R0 ), finite rate of increase (λ), and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) were negatively affected in FAW fed on potato and tobacco. Our results support the preference-performance hypothesis, that is, that herbivore females maximize fitness by choosing host plants associated with strong larval performance. Although larvae and adults performed poorly on potato and tobacco, their offspring will be capable of establishing populations on them, posing a potential threat to these crops in China.

The self-splicing of group II introns during RNA processing depends on their catalytic structure and is influenced by numerous factors that promote the formation of that structure through direct binding. Here we report that C-to-U editing at a specific position in two nad7 introns is essential to splicing, which also implies that the catalytic activity of non-functional group II introns could be restored by editing. We characterized a maize (Zea mays) mutant, dek46, with a defective kernel phenotype; Dek46 encodes a pentatricopeptide repeat DYW protein exclusively localized in mitochondria. Analyses of the coding regions of mitochondrial transcripts did not uncover differences in RNA editing between dek46 mutant and wild-type maize, but showed that splicing of nad7 introns 3 and 4 is severely reduced in the mutant. Furthermore, editing at nucleotide 22 of domain 5 (D5-C22) of both introns is abolished in dek46. We constructed chimeric introns by swapping D5 of P.li.LSUI2 with D5 of nad7 intron 3. In vitro splicing assays indicated that the chimeric intron containing D5-U22 can be self-spliced, but the one containing D5-C22 cannot. These results indicate that DEK46 functions in the C-to-U editing of D5-C22 of both introns, and the U base at this position is critical to intron splicing.

Six Cd(II)/Mn(II)/Co(II)/Ni(II)/Zn(II) coordination complexes are formulated as [Cd2(X2−)2(μ3-O)2/3]n (1), [Mn2(X2−)2(μ3-O)2/3]n (2), {[Co1.5(Y4−)0.5(4,4′-bpy)1.5(OH−)]·2H2O}n (3), {[Ni(X2−)(4,4′-bpy)(H2O)2]·4H2O}n (4), [Zn(m-bdc2−)(bebiyh)]n (5), and [Cd(5-tbia2−)(bebiyh)]n (6) (H2X = 3,3′-(2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylene) dipropionic acid. H4Y = 2,2′-(2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylene)bis(methylene) dimalonic acid, bebiyh = 1,6-bis(2-ethyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)hexane, m-H2bdc = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, and 5-H2tbia = 5-(tert-butyl)isophthalic acid) were obtained by hydrothermal reactions and structurally characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 have a 6-connected 3D architecture and with several point symbols of (36·46·53). Complex 3 features a 5-connected 3D net structure with a point symbol of (5·69). Complex 4 possesses a 4-connected 2D net with a vertex symbol of (44·62). Complex 5 is a 3-connected 2D network with a point symbol of (63). Complex 6 is a (3,3)-connected 2D network with a point symbol of (63)2. In addition, complexes 1 and 4 present good photoluminescence behaviors. The electronic structures of 1 and 4 were investigated with the density functional theory (DFT) method to understand the photoluminescence behaviors.

The rising US-China tension in the global trade war increased the trade cooperation between China and the ASEAN. Consequently, China’s total import and export volume with ASEAN increased tremendously to 684.60 billion USD in 2020, up by 6.7% year on year. This trend is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which promotes China’s infrastructure building program in the neighboring ASEAN countries and exports China’s technical know-how and engineering standards. However, the recent coronavirus outbreak that stormed China and the rest of the world caused delays to many BRI projects. Subsequently, this outbreak also hit the ASEAN countries and halted many of their mega-projects under the BRI framework. Thus, this study attempts to highlight the trade cooperation and project developments of BRI in the ASEAN countries. In addition, the study features the landscape of BRI projects that were affected by the coronavirus amongst the ASEAN countries.

l -Tryptophan (Trp) metabolites and related neurotransmitters play crucial roles in physiological functions, and their imbalances are implicated in the pathology of depression, Alzheimer's disease and other diseases. Measurement of Trp metabolites and related neurotransmitters possesses a great potential to elucidate the disease mechanisms and evaluate the outcomes of therapeutic interventions. A simple, rapid, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of Trp, l -kynurenine (Kyn), kynurenic acid (Kyna), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), norepinephrine (NE), l -glutamic acid (Glu), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and acetylcholine (ACh) in mice serum and the brain tissues in a single chromatographic run. Samples were spiked with the internal standard, mixed with trifluoroacetic acid to precipitate protein and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Restek Ultra Aqueous C18 column in combination with a gradient elution within 8 min. Mass spectrometric detection was performed using multiple reaction monitoring with electrospray ionization source in positive mode. The method exhibited good selectivity and correlation coefficient values for the calibration curves of each analyte were >0.99. The limit of detection and quantification ranged from 0.96 to 24.48 nmol/L and 3.42 to 244.82 nmol/L, respectively. The intra- and inter-day precision were ≤13.92%. All analytes were stable in prepared samples at room temperature in the autosampler for 24 h. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of biological samples from control and chronic mild stress (CMS) induced depression mice. It was found that Kyn and 3-HK pathways were enhanced by CMS, while the levels of Trp, Kyna, 5-HIAA, Glu, GABA and ACh were significantly reduced. The changes in 5-HT and NE levels were not uniform in the periphery and the brain. This method can therefore be applied to analyze Trp metabolites and related neurotransmitters levels to monitor disease states, study the mechanisms and outcomes of therapeutic interventions.

The electrocatalytic conversion of CO

Considering the insatiable demand for emerging embedded non-volatile memory (NVM), spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) can be configured with high access speed, readily hybrid integration and guaranteed endurance/retention, which becomes one of the most promising candidates among different types of NVM. However, the major drawback of STT-MRAM is that high switching energy is required, accompanied with unreliable writing operation. In this work, we propose a speculative MRAM writing scheme using self-timing implementation, including speculative/ deterministic write operation and a judgment mechanism. Simulation results show that the speculative scheme can achieve 40% less writing power consumption and 50% less latency during write operation compared to standard writing method. The bit-error rate (BER) is maintained at 10−9 without inevitable cost.

${\mathrm{TaAs}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{NbAs}}_{2}$ are members of the ${MPn}_{2}$ family with weak topological invariants of ${Z}_{2}$ = [0;111]. Here, we report the tip-induced superconductivity achieved on both materials using the point-contact technique. Although the weak ${Z}_{2}$ number leads to strongly crystal-orientation-dependent surface states, we observed a universal relationship between the zero-temperature upper critical field ${H}_{c2}(0)$ and the critical temperature ${T}_{c}$ for different crystal orientations. Combined with first-principles calculations, the findings here could identify a bulk band, instead of the much speculated surface bands, playing the dominant role in the induced superconductivity. These results predict a great possibility to realize superconductivity in other members of the ${MPn}_{2}$ family possessing similar band structures and provide clues to understand the mechanism of tip-induced superconductivity.

Tip-induced superconductivity at point contacts on the nonsuperconducting Weyl semimetal TaAs has been reported recently. Meanwhile, both the main tetragonal phase and the intergrown hexagonal phase of TaAs were identified to be topologically nontrivial according to theoretical calculations. Here, we report the observation of two independent local superconducting states induced at the point contacts formed on TaAs, which exhibit distinct temperature dependencies of the critical magnetic field ${H}_{c2}(T)$. A universal relationship between ${H}_{c2}(0)$, ${T}_{c}$, and the Fermi velocities of bulk bands near Weyl points of the two TaAs phases was uncovered, demonstrating the dominant role of the bulk bands in the emergence of superconductivity, rather than the surface states. These results provide a direction to study the mechanism of the tip-induced superconductivity in topological semimetals.

We report a detailed study of tunneling spectra measured on 2H-Ta_{x}Nb_{1-x}Se_{2} (x=0∼0.1) single crystals using a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope. The prominent gaplike feature, which has not been understood for a long time, was found to be accompanied by some "in-gap" fine structures. By investigating the second-derivative spectra and their temperature and magnetic field dependencies, we were able to prove that inelastic electron tunneling is the origin of these features and obtain the Eliashberg function of 2H-Ta_{x}Nb_{1-x}Se_{2} at an atomic scale, providing a potential way to study the local Eliashberg function and the phonon spectra of the related transition-metal dichalcogenides.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising alternative precursors for the fabrication of heteroatom-doped carbon materials for energy storage and conversion. However, the direct pyrolysis of bulk MOFs usually gives microporous carbonaceous materials, which significantly hinder the mass transportation and the accessibility of active sites. Herein, N-doped carbon aerogels with hierarchical micro-, meso-, and macropores were fabricated through one-step pyrolysis of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8/carboxymethylcellulose composite gel. Owing to the hierarchical porosity, high specific surface area, favorable conductivity, excellent thermal and chemical stability, the as-prepared N-doped carbon aerogel exhibits excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity, long-term durability, and good methanol tolerance in alkaline medium. This work thus provides a new way to fabricate new types of MOF-derived carbon aerogels for various applications.

We report the tip-induced superconductivity on the topological semimetal NbSb2, similar to the observation on TaAs2 and NbAs2. Belonging to the same family of MPn 2, all these materials possess similar band structures, indicating that the tip-induced superconductivity may be closely related to their topological nature and share a common mechanism. Further analysis suggests that a bulk band should play the dominant role in such local superconductivity most likely through interface coupling. In addition, the compatibility between the induced superconductivity and tips’ ferromagnetism gives an evidence for its unconventional nature. These results provide further clues to elucidate the mechanism of the tip-induced superconductivity observed in topological materials.

The electroreduction of CO2 to value-added chemicals such as CO is a promising approach to realize carbon-neutral energy cycle, but still remains big challenge including low current density. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with abundant accessible active single-sites can offer a bridge between homogeneous and heterogeneous electrocatalysis, but the low electrical conductivity limits their application for CO2 electroreduction reaction (CO2 RR). Here, a 2D conductive Ni-phthalocyanine-based COF, named NiPc-COF, is synthesized by condensation of 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octa-aminophthalocyaninato Ni(II) and tert-butylpyrene-tetraone for highly efficient CO2 RR. Due to its highly intrinsic conductivity and accessible active sites, the robust conductive 2D NiPc-COF nanosheets exhibit very high CO selectivity (>93%) in a wide range of the applied potentials of -0.6 to -1.1 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and large partial current density of 35 mA cm-2 at -1.1 V versus RHE in aqueous solution that surpasses all the conventional COF electrocatalysts. The robust NiPc-COF that is bridged by covalent pyrazine linkage can maintain its CO2 RR activity for 10 h. This work presents the implementation of the conductive COF nanosheets for CO2 RR and provides a strategy to enhance energy conversion efficiency in electrocatalysis.

Cajaninstilbene acid (CSA), a bioactive constituent isolated from pigeon pea leaves, exhibited neuroprotective activities in previous studies. The present study aims to evaluate the antidepressant effects of CSA by using behavioral despair models of tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST), and a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model. CSA (30 or 60 mg/kg), intragastrically administrated for 7 days, could significantly reduce the immobility time of mice in TST and FST. CSA treatment (15 or 30 mg/kg) significantly reversed the depressive-like behavioral changes of mice induced by 3 or 6 weeks CUMS that caused the decrease of sucrose preference, the increase of latency to feed in the novelty-suppressed feeding test, and the increase of immobility time in TST of mice. Furthermore, the related mechanisms of the effect were explored by accessing the metabolite levels of kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism and the expression of some related proteins in cerebral cortex of CUMS mice. Our results showed that the kynurenine pathway was upregulated after CUMS, while the alteration could be significantly reversed by CSA. CSA also reversed the CUMS-induced decrease in the levels of BDNF, PSD-95, p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR. Therefore, the antidepressant-like effects of CSA might be achieved through regulating tryptophan metabolism, promoting BDNF and PSD-95 expression, and activating Akt/mTOR pathway in the cerebral cortex.

We report the observation of local superconductivity induced at the point contact formed between a normal metal tip and WC -- a triple point topological semimetal with super hardness. Remarkably, the maximum critical temperature is up to near 12 K but insensitive to the tip's magnetism. The lateral dimensions of the superconducting puddles were evaluated and the temperature dependencies of superconducting gap and upper critical field were also obtained. These results put constraints on the explanation of the induced superconductivity and pave a pathway for exploring topological superconductivity., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures

The leaf of the lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a natural plant resource used as both food and herbal medicine (He-Ye) in China. Alkaloids are considered the major bioactive compound of the herb and exhibit various biological activities, including anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperuricemic effects. Nuciferine (NF) and N-nuciferine (N-NF) are two major alkaloids found in the herb. In the present work, the plasma and brain pharmacokinetics of the two compounds were investigated after oral and intravenous (i.v.) administration of a lotus leaf alkaloid fraction to SD rats via ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection and brain microdialysis. After oral administration (50 mg/kg), the two compounds NF and N-NF were rapidly absorbed into the blood and reached a mean maximum concentration (Cmax) of 1.71 μg/mL at 0.9 h and 0.57 μg/mL at 1.65 h, respectively. After i.v. administration (10 mg/kg), NF and N-NF were found to have a relatively wide volume of distribution (Vd, λz, 9.48 and 15.17 L/kg, respectively) and slow elimination half-life (t1/2, λz, 2.09 and 3.84 h, respectively). The oral bioavailability of NF and N-NF was estimated as 58.13% and 79.91%, respectively. After i.v. dosing (20 mg/kg), the two compounds rapidly crossed the blood–brain barrier and reached their Cmax (in unbound form): 0.32 and 0.16 μg/mL at 0.89 and 1.22 h, respectively. Both alkaloids had widespread distribution in the brain, with Vd, λz/F-values of 19.78 L/kg and 16.17 L/kg, respectively. The mean t1/2, λz values of NF and N-NF in the brain were 1.24 and 1.39 h, respectively. These results can help us to better understand the characteristics and neuro-pharmacological effects of the lotus alkaloid fraction.

The research progress of puerarin and its derivatives in anti-inflammatory and anti-gout activities was reviewed in this paper. Puerarin possesses anti-inflammatory activity by affecting immunocyte, inflammation cytokines and signaling pathway. Puerarin also has anti-gout activity through inhibition of xanthine oxidase, promoting the excretion of uric acid to reduce serum uric acid level. Although its ability in reducing uric acid level was lower than that of allopurinol in clinical application, puerarin can also enhance the total antioxidant and free radical scavenging with stronger anti-inflammatory effect, so it will be a promising research direction to find new drugs with better anti-gout activity and less side effects by modifying the chemical structure of puerarin.

Interfaces between materials with different electronic ground states have become powerful platforms for creating and controlling novel quantum states of matter, in which inversion symmetry breaking and other effects at the interface may introduce additional electronic states. Among the emergent phenomena, superconductivity is of particular interest. Here, by depositing metal films on a newly identified topological semimetal tungsten carbide (WC) single crystal, interfacial superconductivity is obtained, evidenced from soft point-contact spectroscopy. This very robust phenomenon is demonstrated for a wide range of metal/WC interfaces, involving both nonmagnetic and ferromagnetic films, and the superconducting transition temperatures are surprisingly insensitive to the magnetism of thin films. This method offers an opportunity to explore the long-sought topological superconductivity and has potential applications in topological-state-based spin devices.

Aims The present study aims to investigate the impacts of olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) on urinary metabolic profile and tryptophan metabolites in prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rats, and to explore the regulation effects of fluoxetine. Main methods OBX model was developed by aspiration of olfactory bulbs. After fluoxetine treatment (10 mg/kg) for 14 days, urine samples were collected and behavior tests were applied. Tryptophan (TRP) metabolites and neurotransmitters in PFC were determined by prominence ultrafast liquid chromatography-QTRAP-mass spectrometry, and tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) were evaluated by western blot. Urinary metabolites were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based metabonomics strategy. Key finding OBX rats showed hyperlocomotion in open field, hyperactivity in open arm and despair status, and fluoxetine reserved these behavioral abnormalities. The levels of TRP, 5-HIAA, 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio and DA increased, while kynurenine and 5-HT decreased in PFC of OBX rats. The activities of TPH2 and IDO1were inhibited after OBX. Twenty-six altered metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers in OBX rats involved in tryptophan metabolism, gut microbiota metabolism, energy metabolism, purine metabolism, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism. Among them, 15 abnormal metabolites were corrected by fluoxetine to some extent. Significance Our results revealed that urinary metabolic profile changed greatly in OBX rats, and identified biomarkers might be helpful for the diagnosis of agitated depression. The regulation effects of fluoxetine on urinary metabolic profile and tryptophan metabolites in PFC might contribute to its antidepressant action in OBX rats.

C27H26FN3O5, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 10.8141(6) Å, b = 11.0261(6) Å, c = 11.9967(7) Å, α = 83.398(4)°, β = 65.586(3)°, γ = 81.088(4)°, V = 1284.7 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0490, wRref(F2) = 0.1519, T = 296 K.