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Fluorotellurite glasses heavily doped with Er3+ are prepared in less demanding conditions as compared with fluoride glasses. Specifically, the effects of PbF 2 added in the system of AlF 3 –MgF 2 –CaF 2 –SrF 2 –BaF 2 –TeO 2 (AMCSBYT) are systematically studied on the correlation between glass structure and mid-infrared (MIR) luminescent properties of Er3+. These PbF 2 -modified glasses with an improved thermal stability and a noticeably reduced phonon energy as compared with telluride glasses exhibit an intense MIR emission at 2.72 μm and a long radiative decay lifetime. Calculation and analysis based on the Judd-Ofelt theory provide deeper insights into the interdependence of luminescent properties and glass structure. Numerical simulation is conducted for a MIR fiber laser based on the experimental data derived from the proposed glass. The 2.72 μm lasing output of 0.68 W is predicted with a slope efficiency of 3.38 %. It is expected that the performance of the fiber laser can be further optimized such that the output power can be increased over 1.0 W. The results emphasize the potential of the PbF 2 -modified fluorotellurite glass as a promising gain material for 2.72 μm fiber lasers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure of the articular surface is the key to successful open reduction and internal fixation treatment for coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus. The olecranon osteotomy approach has previously been described as one of the most effective exposure approaches. Nevertheless, this approach cannot expose the anterior trochlea, and it is impossible to reduce and fix the capitellum under direct vision. The purpose of this study was to compare the exposure of the articular surface of the distal humerus between the lateral epicondyle osteotomy approach (group L) and the olecranon osteotomy approach (group O). Each approach was performed on 8 freshly frozen upper limbs of adult cadavers. After each approach was completed, a 0.5-mm Kirschner wire is inserted along the edge to mark the visible part of the articular surface. Then, the soft tissue of each elbow is removed, and a surface-scanning system is used to create a digital 3-dimensional model. The visible part of the articular surface obtained by each surgical approach was mapped and quantified using markers created by Kirschner wires. The lateral epicondyle osteotomy approach and the olecranon osteotomy approach exposed 0.8 ± 0.0 and 0.6 ± 0.0 of the distal humeral articular surface (P <.001), 1.0 ± 0.0 and 0.3 ± 0.1 of the capitellum (P <.001), 0.6 ± 0.0 and 0.7 ± 0.0 of the trochlea (P <.001), 0.7 ± 0.0 and 0.5 ± 0.1 of the anterior trochlea (P <.001), and 0.5 ± 0.0 and 1.0 ± 0.0 of the posterior trochlea, respectively (P <.001). Compared with the olecranon osteotomy approach, the lateral epicondyle osteotomy approach could more fully expose the total articular surface of the distal humerus, capitellum, and anterior trochlea, but the olecranon osteotomy approach could more fully expose the trochlea and posterior trochlea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Berberine is the main bioactive constituent of Coptis chinensis , a quaternary ammonium alkaloid. While berberine's cardiovascular benefits are well-documented, its impact on thrombosis remains not fully understood. This study investigates the potential of intestinal microbiota as a novel target for preventing thrombosis, with a focus on berberine, a natural compound known for its effectiveness in managing cardiovascular conditions. Intraperitoneal injection of carrageenan induces the secretion of chemical mediators such as histamine and serotonin from mast cells to promote thrombosis. This model can directly and visually observe the progression of thrombosis in a time-dependent manner. Thrombosis was induced by intravenous injection of 1 % carrageenan solution (20 mg/kg) to all mice except the vehicle control group. Quantitative analysis of gut microbiota metabolites through LC/MS. Then, the gut microbiota of mice was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing to assess the changes. Finally, the effects of gut microbiota on thrombosis were explored by fecal microbiota transplantation. Our research shows that berberine inhibits thrombosis by altering intestinal microbiota composition and related metabolites. Notably, berberine curtails the biosynthesis of phenylacetylglycine, a thrombosis-promoting coproduct of the host-intestinal microbiota, by promoting phenylacetic acid degradation. This research underscores the significance of phenylacetylglycine as a thrombosis-promoting risk factor, as evidenced by the ability of intraperitoneal phenylacetylglycine injection to reverse berberine's efficacy. Fecal microbiota transplantation experiment confirms the crucial role of intestinal microbiota in thrombus formation. Initiating our investigation from the perspective of the gut microbiota, we have, for the first time, unveiled that berberine inhibits thrombus formation by promoting the degradation of phenylacetic acid, consequently suppressing the biosynthesis of PAG. This discovery further substantiates the intricate interplay between the gut microbiota and thrombosis. Our study advances the understanding that intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in thrombosis development and highlights berberine-mediated intestinal microbiota modulation as a promising therapeutic approach for thrombosis prevention. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a simple and effective method for eyelid reconstruction after resection of a minor nevus on the eyelid margin. With a vertical advancement flap to repair the defect, all patients were satisfied with the cosmetic and functional results of the eyelids, and no significant complications occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EBV-encoded circular RNA LMP2A (ebv-circLMP2A) was found to be expressed in EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) and associated with distant metastasis and poor prognosis. Angiogenesis is a key step in tumor invasion and metastasis and plays a crucial role in tumor progression. However, it is unclear whether and how ebv-circLMP2A is involved in angiogenesis. In this study, we showed that MVD, HIF1α, and VEGFA expression was increased in EBVaGC mouse xenografts with high expression of ebv-circLMP2A. The expression of ebv-circLMP2A was positively correlated with MVD, HIF1α, and VEGFA expression in clinical samples of EBVaGC. Knockdown of ebv-circLMP2A repressed tube formation and migration of HUVECs and decreased VEGFA and HIF1α expression in cancer cells under hypoxia, while ectopic expression of ebv-circLMP2A reversed these effects. Additionally, knockdown of HIF1α blocked the upregulation of ebv-circLMP2A by hypoxia, and ebv-circLMP2A interacted with KHSRP to enhance KHSRP-mediated decay of VHL mRNA, leading to the accumulation of HIF1α under hypoxia. There was a positive feedback loop between HIF1α and ebv-circLMP2A that promotes angiogenesis under hypoxia. ebv-circLMP2A was essential in regulating tumor angiogenesis in EBVaGC and might provide a valuable therapeutic target for EBVaGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Investigating the impact and underlying mechanisms of CSR on stock liquidity. • CSR activities boost stock liquidity, mediated significantly by media coverage, corporate operations, and agency costs. • Examining how economic policy uncertainty moderates the relationship between CSR and stock liquidity. • Under rising economic policy uncertainty, the positive effect of CSR on stock liquidity is amplified. This study investigates the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on stock liquidity, utilizing a sample of Chinese listed enterprises from 2010 to 2021. The findings reveal that CSR endeavors facilitate an uplift in stock liquidity. Crucial intermediaries through which CSR exerts influence on stock liquidity are identified, including media coverage, corporate operations, and agency cost, with media coverage having a predominant impact. Notably, this liquidity-boosting effect of CSR is more pronounced during periods characterized by heightened economic policy uncertainty. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis suggests that the CSR effect is more pronounced within non-state-owned enterprises. When examining CSR's components, shareholder and employee-focused CSR practices emerge as the most influential on stock liquidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The truncated octahedral LiNi 0.05 Mn 1.95 O 4 (LNMO) electrode materials was prepared. • After 50 cycles, the LNMO capacity retention rate is increased from 38% to 80%. • The LNMO capture efficiency was improved, the 0.5 h recovery capacity reaches 25 mg/g. • 10 times Li extraction in Salt Lake brine, the Li-Mg separation factor is 202. • The energy consumption of the LNMO system for lithium extraction is 13.42 Wh/mol. Lithium extraction from salt lakes has become a hot research issue in recent years, and LiMn 2 O 4 -based electrochemical lithium extraction is considered to be one of the most promising technologies for application. However, LiMn 2 O 4 limits its further application due to the dissolution of Mn and the Jahn-Teller effect. In this study, a LiNi 0.05 Mn 1.95 O 4 (LNMO-0.05) lithium-extraction electrode material with truncated octahedral characteristics was prepared. The special crystal surface structure enhanced the diffusion and adsorption rates of Li+, whereas Ni doping effectively suppressed the Jahn-Teller effect, and the two mechanisms synergistically enhanced the lithium extraction performance of LMO. In lithium extraction from East Taijiner brine with an Mg/Li ratio of 46, LNMO-0.05 showed excellent ion selectivity (α Mg-Li = 214.08), high lithium extraction capacity (20.99 mg/g) and no significant capacity decay occurred after 10 cycles. These excellent properties make the LNMO-0.05 electrode suitable for industrial electrochemical lithium extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Exergoeconomic off-design model is built and the maximum deviation is less than 9% • Design of system in low-rise building relies on working condition strongly. • Component with large size is attractive for system in high-rise building. • Design for different decision variables is usually different for low-rise building. • Design for different decision variables is usually similar for high-rise building. Abstract The solar absorption-subcooled compression hybrid cooling system (SASCHCS) is subjected to the off-design operation due to the variation of solar irradiance and cooling load. Therefore, the recent design based on the specific condition is difficult to make the system cost-effective in the entire working range. This paper mainly deals with the exergoeconomic design criterion of hybrid system based on the variable working conditions to access the trade-off of investment cost and performance in the whole working condition. The SASCHCS employed in the low-rise building and the high-rise building is considered. Besides, twenty-four cases with different important parameters, i.e., the size of absorption subsystem, condenser and evaporator of compression subsystem as well as isentropic efficiency of compressor, are analyzed in detail. The product cost flow rate and relative cost difference are taken as the decision variables. The exergoeconomic off-design model is developed at first. Subsequently, the decision variables for different temperatures of hot water and cooling water as well as load level is obtained and analyzed. It is found that the difference of the design guideline for the system used in the low-rise building and high-rise building lies in the size of absorption subsystem and condenser, i.e., the lowest scale of absorption chiller is appropriate when the temperature of hot water is less than 75 °C for the facility applied in the low-rise building, but the largest size of absorption subsystem is attractive in the entire range of hot water temperature as the hybrid system is used in the high-rise building. This paper is positive for the development of design theory and helpful to design the cost-effective SASCHCS under the entire working range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optimized design for a solar absorption-subcooled compression hybrid cooling system used in low-rise buildings is complicated because of the overall considerations involving increases in investment costs and energy savings, which are associated with an increase in the size of the absorption subsystem. To this end, this paper’s main contribution lies in its exergoeconomic-optimized design of a solar absorption-subcooled compression hybrid cooling system employed in low-rise buildings for different design cases. In this paper, not only the minimum product-cost flow rate but also the lowest relative cost difference is taken as the objective function owing to the notable changes in fuel cost flow rates. The results of the exergoeconomic optimization shows that the actual cooling capacity of the absorption subsystem should not be designed based only on the maximum collector area. Instead, the actual installed collector area should be determined by the optimal cooling capacity of the absorption subsystem. It was also found that the optimal cooling capacity of the absorption subsystem strongly depends on solar irradiance and cooling demands. In addition, optimal sizes for the absorption subsystem should be designed according to the different minimum product cost flow rates or the lowest relative cost difference, and this difference is sensitive to the local mean solar irradiance but weakly relies on the cooling demand. The paper is helpful in its cost-effective design for a solar absorption-subcooled compression hybrid cooling system used in low-rise buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing CO 2 emissions has become a major and urgent environmental goal worldwide. In this paper, we sample the data of 41 regions (including 165 countries) from 2000 to 2014 and adopt a gravity model to obtain an overview of the global flows of CO 2 emissions, energy consumption, the global economy and capital stock since the beginning of the 21st century. We then investigate global technical efficiency, reduction potential, shadow prices and factors influencing the marginal abatement costs of CO 2 emissions based on a quadratic directional output distance function. The empirical results show the following: (1) the global centres of gravity for CO 2 emissions, energy consumption and capital stock have accelerated their shift to the Asian inland in the 21st century, but the global centre of gravity for the economy did not show the same trend. (2) Global technical inefficiency demonstrates a U-shape, with a turning point in 2007. Average annual total global CO 2 emissions could be reduced by 4482.28 Mt, and the global marginal abatement costs of CO 2 emissions are approximately 673.74–697.73 USD/t. (3) The relationship between economic development and marginal abatement costs is represented by a U-shaped curve. The world is currently in the climbing phase of this curve, implying that controlling CO 2 emissions is becoming more costly. Moreover, energy structure, industrial structure, and CO 2 emissions are negatively correlated with marginal abatement costs. Finally, the financial crisis has had a significant effect on marginal abatement costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excess commuting reflects a cits overall commuting efficiency by quantifying the proportion of non-optimal commute that would be avoided if resident workers could freely swap houses or jobs in a given urban form. This framework has been widely used to evaluate urban land use and transportation policy decision-makings. One major methodological limitation in the excess commuting literature is that most existing studies establish on an oversimplified assumption of homogeneous resident workers/jobs, which neglects the complexity of residential (and employment) location choices. To fill this gap, this research develops a methodology to measure excess commuting across worker subgroups differentiated by residential neighborhood type, which captures the comprehensive socioeconomic profiles of workers defined based on multiple attributes. Based on a cross-sectional study of Portland, Boston, New Orleans, and Detroit, it is found that the traditional method overestimates the commuting benchmarks and causes biased evaluation of commuting efficiency performance. Moreover, this research reveals significant disparities in excess commuting across different neighborhood types and identifies three representative subgroups of distinct excess commuting patterns, which are the traditional suburban subgroup, new starts subgroup, and socioeconomically disadvantaged subgroup. With this proposed methodology, more effective and heterogeneous policies targeting different population subgroups could be developed. • Measures excess commuting across worker subgroups by residential neighborhood type • Performs a cross-sectional study of Portland, Boston, New Orleans, and Detroit • The traditional method overestimates commuting benchmarks. • Reveals significant disparities in excess commuting across different neighborhood types • Identifies three representative subgroups of distinctive excess commuting patterns [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a tumor virus that is associated with a variety of neoplasms, including EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC). Recently, EBV was reported to generate various circular RNAs (circRNAs). CircRNAs are important regulators of tumorigenesis by modulating the malignant behaviors of tumor cells. However, to date, the functions of ebv-circRNAs in EBVaGC remain poorly understood. In the present study, we observed high ebv-circRPMS1 expression in EBVaGC and showed that ebv-circRPMS1 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibited the apoptosis of EBVaGC cells. In addition, METTL3 was upregulated in GC cells overexpressing ebv-circRPMS1. Mechanistically, ebv-circRPMS1 bound to Sam68 to facilitate its physical interaction with the METTL3 promotor, resulting in the transactivation of METTL3 and cancer progression. In clinical EBVaGC samples, ebv-circRPMS1 was associated with distant metastasis and a poor prognosis. Based on these findings, ebv-circRPMS1 contributed to EBVaGC progression by recruiting Sam68 to the METTL3 promoter to induce METTL3 expression. ebv-circRPMS1, Sam68, and METTL3 might serve as therapeutic targets for EBVaGC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are suspected to be an important part of the innate immune response of dental pulp, which is triggered by microorganisms that progressively invade the human tooth during the formation of caries. This study was performed to elucidate the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in dental pulp of deep caries and to determine whether TLR4 modulates the proliferation and migration of DPSCs. Methods Pulp tissue samples were collected from freshly extracted human wisdom tooth. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were performed to determine the distribution of TLR4 in healthy dental pulp and dental pulp in deep caries. DPSCs were cultured and purified by collecting multiple colonies. The proliferation and migration of DPSCs were examined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide, scratch test, and transwell migration assay after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and extracts from Streptococcus mutans. TLR4 messenger RNA (mRNA) and cytokine mRNA were evaluated with real-time polymerase chain reaction; TLR4 protein was examined with Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Results TLR4 is expressed in the odontoblast layer and areas that colocalize with blood vessels to different levels in healthy teeth and teeth affected by caries. TLR4 mRNA, TLR4 protein, and mRNA of cytokine levels can be elevated with stimulations of LPS and extracts from S. mutans. Lipopolysaccharide and extracts from S. mutans treatment inhibited the proliferation of DPSCs but promoted migration; however, these changes were abolished when TLR4 was blocked by anti-TLR4 antibody. Conclusions These results suggest that TLR4 will be activated and regulate the proliferation and migration of DPSCs in deep caries. TLR4 may play an important role in the immune response by DPSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first study on in-situ co-growth of biphasic CsPbBr 3 and Zn-Cd-S quantum dots (QDs) in borosilicate glass, and provide explicitly evidence of their morphology and nanoscale distribution. Such biphasic QDs co-doped nano-glass composites show unique green and red dual-band emissions. By changing the thermal heating scheme, the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) and thus the apparent color can be widely adjusted. The FIR can be also fine-tuned simply by varying the excitation wavelength. Based on the FIR, a self-calibrated X-rays dosimeter is constructed, which also possesses a good thermal stability. Although the X-rays induced scintillation weakening occurs, it can be readily recovered by post-thermal-annealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The periodic disposed gold nanoparticle arrays (GNPAs) are very useful for wide range applications. Employing the neutralization reaction between chloroauric acid and amino groups, GNPAs were self-assembled inside pore channels of amino-functionalized mesoporous silica thin films (AF-MSTFs) which were produced by using the surface active agent CTAB (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide). The AF-MSTF samples were characterized by FTIR, XRD and TEM. The results show that the average diameter of quantum dots was controlled by the highly ordered pore channels. UV–vis absorption spectra of the GNPAs/AF-MSTF nanocomposites exhibit blue-shift and intensity decrease of absorption peaks as the neutralization reaction time decreases, representing the existence of GNPs and revealing an adjustable optical property. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study describes fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous intratumoral injection therapy (PIIT) with a pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion in the management of recurrent sacrococcygeal chordomas after surgical excision. Seven patients underwent a total of 22 treatment sessions (3–4 sessions per patient); treatment responses were evaluated clinically, and lesion size was determined using computed tomography (CT). Over 10–26 months of follow-up, tumor sizes and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of all patients were decreased. No patients had complications during the follow-up period. Preliminary results showed that PIIT with pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion under fluoroscopic guidance is effective and safe and may be considered as a treatment option. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recently, studies on dendritic cell (DC) vaccine have focused on the development of more effective DC vaccine regimen, such as the application of multiple tumor-associated antigen–targeted DC vaccine. This approach could be used to enhance efficacy of DC-based vaccine against tumors and infectious diseases. In this study, we analyzed whether DC from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma can be infected with the α-fetoprotein (AFP) gene and/or HBsAg gene (hepatocellular carcinoma–related antigen). Further, it was examined whether vaccination using these genetically engineered DC can induce stronger therapeutic antitumor immunity. Results revealed that DC infected with AdAFP (adenovirus AFP)/HBsAg can express AFP and HBsAg by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blot techniques. Compared with those before transfection, the expressions of membrane molecules increased dramatically. Specific T cells generated by DCs infected with AdAFP/HBsAg specifically recognized human leukocyte antigen–matched HepG2.2.15 cell lines. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes against HepG2.2.15 with DCs expressing AFP was significantly augmented by coinfection with the HBsAg gene. Administration with such vaccine also significantly increased the production of interleukin-12p70 and interferon-γ. Most importantly, in vivo results suggested that inhibitors of tumor growth were most significant in severe combined immunodeficiency mice model, which was treated with induced cytotoxic T lymphocyte by the AFP/HBsAg-DC vaccine. These results indicate that a vaccination therapy using DCs coinfected with the two tumor-associated antigen genes is an effective strategy for immunotherapy in the activation of DCs, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells, and may be useful in the clinical application of cancer vaccine therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Mn doped La-Mn oxides show excellent SCR activity and SO 2 /H 2 O resistance. • SCR activity decreases but N 2 selectivity increases in the presence of SO 2 /H 2 O. • Mn doping changes some of Mn3+ at B-site to Mn4+ and some at A-site to Mn2+. • The formation of sulfate increases acidity strength and improves N 2 selectivity. • After SO 2 /H 2 O resistance, decrease of Mn4+ and oxygen species weakens redox. A series of Mn doped perovskite La-Mn oxides were prepared and characterized systematically·NH 3 -SCR activity and the resistance to SO 2 and/or H 2 O were evaluated. The results showed that LM-1.4 catalyst displays excellent LT SCR activity and wide window (80% NO x conversion in 100–300 °C). In the presence of SO 2 and H 2 O, LM-1.4 catalyst can also achieve about 95% NOx conversion and N 2 selectivity in long-term testing and good SCR activity (above 80% NOx conversion in 145–300 °C) in the cycles. The Mn doped La-Mn oxides have S BET of 86 m2/g and V total of 0.27 cm3/g, but some Mn oxides do not enter the perovskite framework and form Mn 3 O 4 and MnO 2. Mn substituted A-site La ions in perovskite La-Mn oxides changes some of Mn3+ at the B-site in LaMnO 3 to Mn4+ and some at the A-site to Mn2+. Doping of Mn can change redox properties of perovskite La-Mn oxides, but after the resistance testing in the presence of SO 2 and H 2 O, the decrease of Mn4+ content and active oxygen species on the catalyst surface can weaken the redox properties of La-Mn oxides. Mn doping increases significantly the adsorption amount of NH 3 , but the formation of sulfate increases the strong acidity of the catalyst. Mn doping can also accelerate the decomposition of ammonium sulfate, resulting in an improvement of SO 2 -resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The T-helper 1 (Th1) immune reaction is most important in dendritic cell (DC)–based immunotherapy. Interleukin (IL)–18, a Th1-biasing cytokine, plays a pivotal role in inducing cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. In this study, we analyzed whether dendritic cells (DCs) from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be transduced with the IL-18 gene and/or α-fetoprotein (AFP) gene, and we examined whether vaccinations using these genetically engineered DC can induce stronger therapeutic antitumor immunity. The results showed that DC transfected with AdIL-18/AFP can expressed IL-18 and AFP by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunoassay. Compared with those before transfection, the expressions of membrane molecules were increased dramatically. Specific T cells generated by DC transfected with AdIL-18/AFP recognized HLA-matched HepG2 cell lines specifically. Most importantly, The cytotoxic activity of CTLs against HepG2 with DC expressing AFP(AFP-DC) was significantly augmented by co-transduction with the IL-18 gene. Administration with such vaccine also significantly increased the production of interleukin-12p70 and interferon-γ. These results indicate that a vaccination therapy using DC co-transduced with the TAA gene and IL-18 genes is effective strategy for immunotherapy in terms of the activation of DCs, CD4+ T, cells and CD8+ T cells, and may be useful in the clinical application of a cancer vaccine therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Databases have been used to record data in forensic science, such as fingerprints, shoeprints, and photos. In traditional databases, we use “text” as the “keyword” for retrieving data (text-keyword retrieval); however, in some applications, “text” is not proper to describe the searching target, and in this case, “image” plays an important role. In this paper, we use “image features” as the “keywords”, and show its potential for building up a prototype of pistol image databases. In current firearm databases of forensic science, the retrieval method is still by text-keyword retrieval. For experienced forensic examiners, this kind of databases may satisfy their requirement. However, for people who have little gun knowledge, how can they find the possible gun candidates or similar guns in the databases, if there are not any available words or marks on the gun? In this paper, we try to retrieve similar pistol images by the pistol shape instead of “text-keyword”. This method can narrow down the searching range while identifying pistols by firearm databases. There are more than 300 pistol images in our pistol image database. From the experimental results, we can retrieve the similar pistol images in top five candidates for each pistol image. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• It evaluates the effect of China's ETS on non-fossil energy development. • It analyzes ETS's effects from energy type, pilot, and pilot-energy type aspects. • The ETS has the most significant promoting effect on hydropower and photovoltaics. • Carbon price plays a positive role in moderating the effect of China's ETS. Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) can internalize the environmental costs of fossil energy consumption and encourage enterprises to consume non-fossil energy, which is crucial for People's Republic of China (PRC) to achieve the contribution target of the Paris Agreement cost-effectively. However, whether the ETS in PRC can promote non-fossil energy development remains to be answered. This paper uses a difference-in-differences model to evaluate the effect of the ETS on non-fossil energy development in PRC. Using provincial monthly panel data from January 2004 to December 2019, we find that (1) the ETS has significantly promoted non-fossil energy development in PRC, increasing the monthly average share of non-fossil energy power generation in total power generation by 2.326 percentage points, which has been verified by a series of robustness tests. (2) The effect of the ETS on non-fossil energy development is heterogeneous by energy type, pilot region, and pilot-energy type. The ETS has significantly increased the share of hydropower and photovoltaic power generation, and has significantly promoted non-fossil energy development in Guangdong; meanwhile, the ETS has significantly increased the share of hydropower and nuclear power in Guangdong, and the share of wind power and photovoltaic power in Hubei. (3) The higher the carbon price, the greater the role of the ETS in promoting non fossil energy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yunvjian (YNJ), a traditional Chinese herbal formula first reported in Jing Yue Quan Shu, is commonly used in the clinical treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the mechanism by which YNJ affects T2DM remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effects of YNJ on T2DM and explore the potential mechanism involved. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify the chemical compounds of YNJ. The anti-T2DM effects of YNJ were observed in a high-fat diet/streptozotocin induced rat model. The type 2 diabetic rats were prepared as follows: rats were fed a high-fat diet for four weeks and then intraperitoneally injected with a low dose (30 mg/kg) of streptozotocin. YNJ and the positive control metformin were used in these experiments. Biochemical assays were implemented to determine the fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, serum lipid levels, and oxidative stress index of the pancreas. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining was used to assess histopathological alterations in the pancreas. The mechanism by which YNJ affects T2DM was evaluated in INS-1 cells treated with glucose and high sodium palmitate. YNJ-supplemented serum was used in these experiments. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, Nile red staining, flow cytometric analysis, and Western blotting were used to assess apoptosis, insulin secretion, lipid accumulation, reactive oxygen species production, and protein levels. Five major compounds were identified in YNJ. In high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, YNJ-M notably decreased fasting blood glucose and lipid levels; ameliorated glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and islet morphology; reduced Malondialdehyde levels; and restored superoxide dismutase activity in the pancreatic islets. Furthermore, the effect of YNJ-M was significantly greater than that of YNJ-L, and YNJ-H had little effect on diabetic rats. In vitro experiments revealed that YNJ-supplemented serum (10%, 15%, and 20%) dramatically suppressed apoptosis, mitigated intracellular lipid accumulation and reduced intracellular oxidative stress levels in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, YNJ-supplemented serum increased the protein expression of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, Heme oxygenase-1, and superoxide dismutase 1 and inhibited the protein expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1. YNJ ameliorates high-fat diet/streptozotocin induced experimental T2DM. The underlying mechanism involves reducing oxidative stress in pancreatic beta cells. The findings of this study provide scientific justification for the application of the traditional medicine YNJ in treating T2DM. [Display omitted] • The anti-diabetes effect of Yunvjian is confirmed in diabetic rat. • A protective mechanism of Yunvjian on pancreatic islet beta cell is proposed. • The mechanism relies on decreasing intracellular oxidative pressure in beta cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expanding gain bandwidth into the L-band for erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) is a crucial strategy to overcome limitations in prevalent C-band focused commercial silica-based EDFAs, significantly boosting optical network transmission capacity. Herein, we synthesized Er3+-doped broadband near-infrared emission tellurite glasses utilizing the melt quenching process, systematically exploring the impact of ZnCl 2 on the glass structure and optical properties. The 82TeO 2 –3Nb 2 O 5 –15ZnCl 2 –3Er 2 O 3 (TNZ15) glass emerged as a standout candidate for broadband amplifiers around wavelength at 1.55 μm. With escalating ZnCl 2 concentration, a discernible red shift in the emission peak wave lines was observed, accompanied by an expansion of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) from 98 nm to 106 nm. Noteworthy characteristics of all samples included exceptional thermal stability and elevated near-infrared (NIR) transmittance. Application of the Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory facilitated the calculation of J-O parameter intensity, providing deeper insights into the optical behavior of the materials. Finally, the evaluation of TNZ15 planar optical waveguides, employing the vertical top pumping mode of two 980 nm LEDs, encompassed both the C-band (1530–1565 nm) and the L-band (1565–1625 nm). The results underscore the potential of TNZ15 glass as a promising gain material for broadband optical amplifiers and lasers, offering valuable insights into the development of next-generation optical amplification technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel method to examine competition of High-Speed Trains and flights is proposed. • We propose a time window method to examine the competition at a city-pair scale. • We find that HTSs and flights are scheduled differently within one-day circle. • Four markets are identified based on HSTs' and flights' spatiotemporal differences. Scheduling strategies are important to improve network efficiency and optimize time slots for both high-speed train (HST) and air travel. Although many scholars have studied HST and air travel competition from the perspectives of the spatial patterns and travel costs of the two transportation modes, few studies have investigated their potential temporal competition. To fill this research gap, this paper uses a time window method to examine the relationship between HSTs and flights operating between city-pairs. From the perspective of departure time, an analysis was conducted in the overlapping network of HSTs and flights at the city-pair level in China, based on one-day schedules. The results show that (1) HSTs and flights were temporally scheduled differently according to their within-day dynamics, and (2) HSTs and flights experienced fierce competition from 7 am to 9 am on average. Furthermore, the proposed classification method identifies city-pairs in a single-mode dominant market, full competition market, partial competition market, and complementary coordination market. Spatially, 24 city-pairs operating 343 flights with 533 train competitors in one day formed the full competition market with high-frequency schedules, including such city-pairs as Beijing-Shanghai, Guangzhou-Shanghai, and Shanghai-Xi'an. The method to classify city-pairs according to the similarity and diversity of HST and flight schedules may be generalized for allocating time slots for two modes. This work may help to schedule HSTs and flights in future transportation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel anthranilic diamides derivatives ( 7a–s ) containing halogen, trifluoromethyl group and cyano group were designed, synthesized, and characterized by melting point, 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and elemental analyses. The bioactivity revealed that most of them showed moderate to excellent activities against oriental armyworm ( Mythimna separata ) and diamondback moth ( Plutella xylostella ). Above all, the larvicidal activity of 7o against oriental armyworm was 100% and 40% at 0.25 and 0.1 mg L −1 , comparable to that of the standard chlorantraniliprole (100%, 0.25 mg L −1 and 20%, 0.1 mg L −1 ). What is more, 7o against diamondback moth displayed 90% insecticidal activity at 0.01 mg L −1 , superior to chlorantraniliprole (45%, 0.01 mg L −1 ). The experiments 7o on the American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana) heart beating rates (Dorsal vessel) and contractile force were compared with chlorantraniliprole. In addition, 7o could affect the calcium homeostasis in the central neurons of the third larvae of oriental armyworm, which revealed that the ryanodine receptor is the potential target of 7o . The density functional theory (DFT) calculation results revealed the amide bridge, the benzene ring of anthraniloyl moiety and pyrazole ring might play an important role in the insecticidal activity through hydrophobic interactions and π-π conjugations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]