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As the prevalence of viral infection in body, human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) is receiving increasing attention. Research on the corresponding virus models is of great significance to tackle the challenges of understanding HTLV‐1 development and treatment. This paper focuses on the dynamic analysis for a stochastic model with nonlinear cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, which is driven by Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) process to model the progression of HTLV‐1 in vivo. Rich dynamic behaviors such as the extinction of infected CD4+ T cells (ITCs), stationary distribution (SD), probability density, and finite‐time stability (FTS) of the model are established to reveal the interaction of cell populations. The optimal therapeutic strategy based on the cost‐benefit viewpoint is further obtained. Finally, illustrative numerical simulations are represented to corroborate the effectiveness of treatment and the ambient perturbation's impact that strengthening the noise strength can lead to rapid virus clearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of a disease can lead to behavioral changes in the healthy to avert infection. We first establish a nonlinear SEIR epidemic model that incorporates the impact of individuals' behavioral response owe to information of the disease prevalence. Both the existence of equilibria and sharp sufficient conditions on stable equilibria are verified. Whereafter, the local and global sensitivity analyses are carried out to assess the relative effects of parameters on the basic reproduction number. Therewith the optimal control problem is considered to provide a theoretical basis for disease prevention and control, and the existence and uniqueness consequences for optimal control paths are demonstrated. Some numerical examples and discussions are given to support and visualize our analytical results, which can be derived that the combined use of three control measures is more effective than any single adopted control strategy to curb the spread of diseases. We also find that the information plays a crucial role in controlling infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the performance of solid oxide fuel cells is improved by physically mixing Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (GDC) in La0.6Sr0.4CoO3–δ (LSC) cathode. The grain size and chemical compatibility of the powder were analyzed using X‐ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the microstructure of powder and cells. The thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) of LSC–GDC powder with different mass ratios were tested (LSC:GDC = 10:0, 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, and 5:5) and LSC–GDC (5:5) showed the minimal TEC (1.34 × 10−5 K−1 at 650°C). The cathodes with different mass ratios are prepared by screen printing. The symmetrical cell with LSC–GDC (5:5) had the smallest cathode polarization resistance (0.0801 Ω cm2 at 650°C) and the lowest activation energy (1.12 eV). The button cell with LSC–GDC (5:5) exhibited the maximum power density (513 mW cm−2 at 650°C) and could be discharged for 550 h without significant degradation. The LSC–GDC (5:5) cathode was applied to a flat‐tube solid oxide fuel cell and achieved a high power density of 552 mW cm−2 at 0.8 V. The results show that the LSC–GDC (5:5) has a bright future in commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening those individuals who are latent but at higher risk of rapidly developing active tuberculosis (TB) is one of the intervention measures to control the spread of TB. This work proposes a TB SVELIT (S‐Susceptible, V‐Vaccinated, E‐Early latent, L‐Late latent, I‐Infected, T‐Treated) transmission model with relapse. In particular, a complete threshold dynamical analysis for the model is performed and the existence of optimal control is obtained. Meanwhile, the validity of the model is shown by comparing the real data with the fitted curve and the future trend in the incidence of TB in China is predicted. More importantly, the effects of four strategies, including vaccination, media propaganda, screening latent individuals, and receiving treatment, are evaluated numerically. The results suggest that the above four strategies can effectively control TB and shorten the duration of the epidemic. Interestingly, treatment is more effective than vaccination in controlling TB, but media propaganda and latent screening are cheaper and easier to implement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel deterministic and stochastic nonlinear hepatitis C virus (HCV) models with nonlinear incidence rates as βSpE,βSpI$$ \beta {S}^pE,\beta {S}^pI $$, and βSpCq$$ \beta {S}^p{C}^q $$, containing acute and chronic infections, are developed, and an endeavor to understand their dynamics has been accomplished. For the former model, both the existence of unique equilibria and the sharp sufficient conditions of globally stable equilibria under different cases are established. Whereafter, the efforts taken to detect the asymptotic behaviors around equilibria, the existence of ergodic stationary distribution, and stochastic extinction of the latter model have been supplemented with meticulous theoretical proofs. At last, several numerical examples and discussions are illustrated to sustain and visualize our theoretical results. Compared and analyzed the numerical and theoretical results, we can find that the noise can influence the dynamics of disease and turn the disease from persistence to extinction. Moreover, several control measures are suggested based on our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of nanomedicine has provided a promising strategy to greatly enhance the therapeutic efficacy of O2‐dependent photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, plasma‐derived protein corona and/or discontinuous O2 supply substantially limit their tumor delivery efficiency and therapeutic outcomes. Herein, protein corona cloaking‐based cascade nanozymes are developed using genetically engineered human ferritin heavy chain nanocages (FTn) as unique pre‐coated protein corona and cascade nanozymes as steady O2 suppliers. Specifically, FTn is coated onto mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to form FTn‐based protein corona, providing active targeting of tumor cells by binding with its receptor. In situ synthesis of ultra‐small Au nanoparticles in MSNs, and biomimetic incorporation of Ru nanoclusters into FTn inner cavity showed glucose oxidase‐like activity and catalase‐like activity, respectively. The two nanozymes are incorporated into MSNs nanoplatform to induce cascade and circular catalytic reactions by consuming glucose and H2O2 within the tumor microenvironment. Compared to MSNs alone, the FTn‐based protein corona is capable of efficiently diminishing plasma‐derived protein corona formation to prolong blood circulation time and improving in vitro tumor cell uptake and in vivo tumor accumulation, thereby providing significantly enhanced therapeutic benefits of PDT by combining with the continuously produced O2 of cascade nanozymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) using BaZr0.8−xCexY0.2O3−δ (BZCY) as electrolyte materials have attracted widespread attention because of their high performance at reduced temperature. However, there are few systematic studies on both the performance and stability of BZCY materials. In this paper, we report our work on the electrochemical performance and chemical stability of BaZr0.8−xCexY0.2O3−δ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7) series. The results show that electronic hole conductivity decreases with increasing Ce4+ content, especially at high temperature. In addition, H2 atmosphere reduces the conductive activation energy of BZCY. On the contrary, air atmosphere causes serious electronic leakage. These effects are also reflected in the operation of PCFCs, that is, the higher the Ce4+ content, the higher the open‐circuit voltage and output power density. However, low Ce4+ content may stabilize the materials in CO2 atmosphere. At 700°C, an anode‐supported PCFC based on BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3−δ electrolyte, using humid H2 fuel, gives a peak power density of 1.0 W cm−2. At 600°C, BaZr0.8Y0.2O3−δ and BaZr0.7Ce0.1Y0.2O3−δ show a good stability in CO2‐containing atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has resulted in a significantly large number of psychological consequences, including sleep health. The present study evaluated sleep patterns, sleep disturbances, and associated factors in Chinese preschoolers confined at home during the COVID‐19 outbreak. Caregivers of 1619 preschoolers (aged 4–6 years) recruited from 11 preschools in Zunyi, Guizhou province completed the Children's Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ) between 17th and 19th February 2020. Data were compared to a sociodemographically similar sample of preschoolers (included in the 11 preschools) in 2018. Compared to the 2018 sample, the confined preschoolers demonstrated changes in sleep patterns characterized by later bedtimes and wake times, longer nocturnal and shorter nap sleep durations, comparable 24‐hr sleep duration, and fewer caregiver‐reported sleep disturbances. Moreover, behavioural practices (sleeping arrangement, reduced electronic device use, regular diet) and parenting practices (harmonious family atmosphere and increased parent‐child communication) were associated with less sleep disturbances in the confined sample. The present study provides the first description of the impact of prolonged home confinement during the COVID‐19 outbreak on sleep patterns and sleep disturbances in preschoolers, as well as highlighting the importance of the link between sleep health and family factors. Given that disrupted and insufficient sleep has been linked to immune system dysfunction, our findings also have potential implications for resilience to infection in young children during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Future studies should further explore deficient sleep as a risk factor for coronavirus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) superfamily genes encode enzymes that play a role in metabolizing endogenous compounds and in detoxifying exogenous chemicals. The CYP2D subfamily is a member of the CYP2 family, and its gene expansion in herbivores is presumably linked with the need to detoxify abundant plant toxins in the diet, which indicates that CYP2D gene expansion is associated with dietary preferences. To test this hypothesis, the dietary information and CYP2D gene number for 73 vertebrates from different taxonomic groups including 22 mammals, 49 birds, 1 reptile, and 1 amphibian were collected, and correlation analysis and ANOVA were conducted. The results showed that most species (45/73) had only one CYP2D gene, despite their different diets, and dietary preferences were not correlated with CYP2D gene numbers. Specifically, the majority of birds and 7 mammals had only 1 CYP2D gene, and the CYP2D gene number of mammals ranged from 1 to 11, irrespective of their feeding habits. Species with a CYP2D gene number ≥5 included carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores. Furthermore, statistical analyses revealed that no significant correlation existed between dietary preferences and CYP2D gene number, and there was no significant CYP2D gene number variation among species with different dietary preferences, regardless of whether all vertebrates or specific lineages were considered. Furthermore, gene dynamics which indicated by gene duplication events and loss events showed that CYP2D gene number variation had no relationship with diet, suggesting that diet was not a driving force of CYP2D gene expansion and that CYP2D gene expansion was more complex than previously recognized. We tested the hypothesis that CYP2D gene expansion was associated with the dietary preferences and found that diet wasn't a driving force of CYP2D gene expansion, and CYP2D gene expansion was more complex than previously recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite Scaffolds have received much attention in the tissue engineering, and how to choose the materials has become the research focus in this field. Supercritical CO2 (ScCO2)-induced phase separation process was employed to prepare porous poly- L-lactide (PLLA) composite scaffolds. An experiment system was set up for the purpose of investigating the effects of such parameters as the mass ratios of PLLA to polyethylene glycol (PEG) and PLLA to β-TCP on porosity and compressive strength of composite scaffolds. The obtained composite scaffolds were characterized in many ways. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the morphology and pore size; porosity was analyzed by pycnometer; and the compressive strength was recorded by texture analyzer. The results indicated that the porosity was increased with the addition of PEG, and the highest porosity of PLLA/PEG composite scaffolds was 92% with the mass ratio of PLLA to PEG of 1:0.05; the compressive strength was increased with the addition of β-TCP, and the highest compressive strength of PLLA/β-TCP composite scaffolds was 1.76 MPa with the mass ratio of PLLA to β-TCP of 1:0.1. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transverse testicular ectopia is a rare anomaly characterized by both testes descending through a single inguinal canal. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of transverse testicular ectopia (TTE) with persistent Mullerian duct syndrome (PMDS), and to deepen the understanding of the disease in clinical. A retrospective analysis of the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment of two children suffering from TTE with PMDS was conducted. Previous studies on the characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease were reviewed. The two patients were treated with laparoscopy‐assisted transseptal orchidopexy‐inguinal evaluation. After the surgery, the two patients recovered well. The follow‐up visits were done 3 months after the operation. An ultrasound examination confirmed that the two patients had testes in the orthotopic position and normal size. TTE with PMDS is an exceedingly rare disease. The patients manifested cryptorchidism on one side; contralateral inguinal hernia was suspected. Detailed physical and ultrasound examinations before the operation are the key to the early diagnosis of TTE. Laparoscopic evaluation is helpful for the diagnosis and finding of other abnormalities. Surgical treatment is the only method to cure the disease; long‐term follow‐up is needed after TTE operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2.45‐GHz self‐adaptive rectifier based on a two‐way Gysel power divider (PD) with switch networks (SN), an impedance transform network (ITN), a feedback network (FN) and two rectifiers is developed in this paper. The SNs and ITN are controlled by FN according to output voltages. The rectifier is in single‐path mode at a low power level and switches to two‐path mode at a high power level. It has been simulated, fabricated and tested. The original input power range when efficiency is above 50% is from −3 to 11 dBm. After being connected to the PD, the input power range is expanded to −6 to 15 dBm, with a maximum efficiency of 71.1% at 1400 Ω. The proposed design only leverages one type of rectifier. The outputs are symmetric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary offset carrier (BOC) signals are applied in modernised global navigation satellite system. High‐order BOC signals provide good performance in spectrum separation and signal tracking. However, for high‐order BOC signals, the sampling frequency is much higher than that of binary phase‐shift keying signals, which increases computational complexity. Meanwhile, the zero crossings in the correlation function degrade the detection performance. In this Letter, band‐pass sampling is introduced for BOC signals to reduce the computational complexity and remove the zero crossings. A delayed replica of the received signal is used to construct a complex signal which is sampled with a much lower sampling frequency than the Nyquist frequency. The correlation function of the sampled signal has no secondary peaks. Thus, the detection probability is higher and the computational complexity is lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A four‐step synthetic process has been developed to prepare 1,3,5,8‐tetrahydroxyxanthone (2a) and its isomer 1,3,7,8‐tetrahydroxyxanthone (2b). 25 more xanthones were also synthesized by a modified scheme. Xanthone 2a was identified as the most active inhibitor against both α‐glucosidase and aldose reductase (ALR2), with IC50 values of 7.8 ± 0.5 μM and 63.2 ± 0.6 nM, respectively, which was far active than acarbose (35.0 ± 0.1 μM), and a little more active than epalrestat (67.0 ± 3.0 nM). 2a was also confirmed as the most active antioxidant in vitro with EC50 value of 8.9 ± 0.1 μM. Any structural modification including methylation, deletion, and position change of hydroxyl group in 2a will cause an activity loss in inhibitory and antioxidation. By applying a H2O2‐induced oxidative stress nematode model, it was confirmed that xanthone 2a can be absorbed by Caenorhabditis elegans and is bioavailable to attenuate in vivo oxidative stress, including the effects on lifespan, superoxide dismutase, Catalase, and malondialdehyde. 2a was verified with in vivo hypoglycemic effect and mitigation of embryo malformations in high glucose. All our data support that xanthone 2a behaves triple roles and is a potential agent to treat diabetic mellitus, gestational diabetes mellitus, and diabetic complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Leukodystrophies are a diverse group of rare inherited disorders that affect the white matter of the central nervous system with a wide phenotypic spectrum. We aimed to characterize the clinical and genetic features of leukodystrophies in a central‐southern Chinese cohort. Methods: A cohort of 16 Chinese probands with leukodystrophy was recruited and performed genetic analysis by targeted panels or whole‐exome sequencing. Further functional analysis of identified mutations in the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) gene was explored. Results: A total of eight pathogenic variants (3 novel, 5 documented) were identified in genes including AARS2, ABCD1, CSF1R, and GALC. Common symptoms of leukodystrophy such as cognitive decline, behavioral symptoms, bradykinesia, and spasticity were observed in mutation carriers as well as other rare features (e.g., seizure, dysarthric, and vision impairment). Overexpressing CSF1R mutants p.M875I and p.F971Sfs*7 in vitro showed pronounced cleavage CSF1R and suppressed protein expression, respectively, and reduced transcripts of both mutants were observed. CSF1 treatment revealed deficient and suppressed CSF1R phospho‐activation with the mutants. In contrast to the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localized wild‐type CSF1R, M875I mutant showed much less membrane association and greater detainment in the ER, whereas F971Sfs*7 mutation led to aberrant non‐ER localization. Both mutations caused suppressed cell viability, which was partially resulted from deficient/suppressed CSF1R‐ERK signaling. Interpretation: In summary, our findings expand the mutation spectrum of these genes in leukodystrophies. Supported by in vitro validation of the pathogenicity of heterozygous CSF1R mutations, our data also provide insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of CSF1R‐related leukodystrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ocean's immense ability to store and release heat on centennial to millennial time scales modulates the impacts of climate perturbations. To gain a better understanding of past variations in mean ocean temperature (MOT), a noble gas‐based proxy measured from ancient air in ice cores has been developed. Here we assess non‐temperature effects that may influence the atmospheric noble gas ratios reconstructed from polar ice and how they impact the temperature signal with an intermediate complexity Earth system model. We find that changes in wind speed, sea‐ice extent, and ocean circulation have partially compensating effects on mean‐ocean noble gas saturation, leading to a slight reduction of noble gas undersaturation at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Taking these effects and ice core measurements into account, our model suggests a revised MOT difference between the LGM and pre‐industrial of −2.1 ± 0.7°C that is also in improved agreement with other independent temperature reconstructions. Plain Language Summary: Most of the heat added to the climate system by anthropogenic climate change is taken up by the oceans. To better understand how the ocean responds to climate change over hundreds to thousands of years, an indirect measure for the mean ocean temperature (MOT) based on the temperature‐dependent solubility of noble gases has been developed. Noble gas concentrations of the past atmosphere are archived in air bubbles in polar ice cores, which have been used to reconstruct the MOT of the past 20,000 years when Earth's climate was propelled out of the last ice age. However, uncertainties remain regarding critical parameters that are required to derive the correct MOT of the past. Here we make use of an Earth system model that explicitly simulates the noble gases and allows us to assess these parameters in detail under modern and past climate conditions. We find that changes in wind, sea‐ice, and ocean circulation all play important roles in the partitioning of noble gases between the atmosphere and ocean. By taking these effects into account our model suggests a revised best‐estimate MOT cooling of the last ice age to −2.1 ± 0.7°C, which is about 0.5°C warmer than previous estimates. Key Points: Revised implementation of noble gases in Bern3D model tuned to observations of saturation anomaliesComplex interplay between air‐sea gas exchange, overturning circulation, and noble gas saturationIncluding saturation effects noble gas‐based mean ocean temperature of the last glacial maximum is 2°C colder than the Holocene [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the interplay between magnetic and optoelectronic properties and developing spin‐optoelectronic devices are promising research strategies to further study 2D materials and advance their applications. Here, the broadband photoresponse in the newly synthesized magnetic Fe0.75Ta0.5S2 single crystals is reported. Because the uncompensated magnetic moment of the spin glass state is pinned by the moment of the antiferromagnetic state, a large exchange bias field of ≈1.98 T is found at 2 K when cooled down at a field of 7 T. The as‐prepared samples show a large negative magnetoresistance (nMR). The field dependence of nMRs displays a similar trend up to 50 K, which is likely to originate from the significant dependence of the localization length on magnetic field. In addition, a photodetector prepared using Fe0.75Ta0.5S2 flakes exhibits a fast response time (121.7 ms), good stability, high responsivity of 26.1 A W−1, and broadband photodetection, showing application potentials in spin‐optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that can operate on hydrocarbon fuels offer an efficient and cost‐effective solution for electricity generation. However, broader commercialization of SOFCs is hindered by inadequate performance and limited durability due to the sluggish hydrocarbon reforming/oxidation kinetics and coking on the SOFC anode. Here it has been reported that these findings in design, synthesis, and characterization of a novel anode catalyst Ba(Zr0.8Y0.2)0.9(Ni0.5Ru0.5)0.1O3‐δ (BZYNR) that overcomes the problems, enabling direct utilization of nearly dry hydrocarbon fuels (e.g., methane, ethanol, and iso‐octane with only 3 vol% H2O) with exceptional power output for over 1000 h on both button cells and tubular cells. The outstanding performance of BZYNR is attributed to the high activity of hydrocarbon reforming and the accelerated water‐mediated carbon cleaning process on Ni‐based SOFC anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vast tunable optical components are realized based on dynamic reconfigurations of the incident wavefronts, such as beam steering and tunable lens. However, the dominant paradigm of current wavefront reconfiguration technologies relies on complex control systems with degrees of freedom much larger than output wavefronts, e.g., beam steering based on spatial light modulator or phased array antennas. Here, a new paradigm for dynamic reconfiguration of arbitrary output wavefronts using control systems with the same degrees of freedom is proposed. As an example, a wavefront transformer is demonstrated using an in‐plane two‐degree‐of‐freedom (2DOF) mechanical actuation system of metasurface doublet for semi‐omnidirectional beam steering, which measures a 6‐kHz modulation speed and a 131.2° × 131.2° field of view. This paradigm can be applied to metasurface transformers for dynamic wavefront reconfiguration with any control system for vast applications, such as tunable lens, beam steering, and dynamic beam profiler, just to name a few. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, L1 (2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)quinoxaline) and L2 ((1‐((1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)ethylidene)benzene‐1,2‐diamine) ⋅ (1‐(1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)ethanone)) were synthesized and reacted with CoCl2 ⋅ 6H2O and NiCl2 ⋅ 6H2O to produce complexes 1–4. We found several interesting pieces of crystal structure information. Firstly, ligands L1 and L2 with completely different molecular structures were obtained by reacting the precursors containing similar N‐heterocycles with 1,2‐diaminobenzene. Secondly, in methanol and DMF solvents, 1 showed two structures, the binuclear and mononuclear cobalt complexes 1 a and 1 b. Finally, the structure of 4 showed the formation of a new 2 : 1 type ligand at eutectic L2 in the presence of a Ni2+ template. Upon treatment with AIBN, 1–4 showed moderate to high activities for MMA polymerization, producing PMMA with low to high molecular weights (2.02∼73.03×104 g⋅mol‐1) and moderate dispersity indices (PDI: 1.72∼3.32). Moreover, 1 b displayed higher catalytic activities (up to 1.138×105 g mol−1 ⋅ h−1), which was 20 times higher than that of 3 and more than 7 times higher than that of 1 a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Deficient sleep is linked to detrimental outcomes in health and school performance for adolescents. This study characterized sleep patterns in Chinese adolescents preparing for the College Entrance Exam ( CEE) and evaluated the association between sleep patterns, self-rated academic performance, and the CEE scores. METHODS A sample of 481 Chinese adolescents in 12th grade (ages 16-19 years) completed questionnaires about sleep patterns, academic performance, academic stress, and sociodemographic factors 4-6 weeks before the CEE in June 2013. The CEE scores for each student also were obtained. RESULTS A total of 21% of the students had bedtimes after 12:00 am, 78.3% had sleep latency longer than 30 minutes, 14.6% had wake time earlier than 6:00 am, and the vast majority (94.4%) had sleep duration less than 8 hours. After adjusting for selected confounders such as academic stress, prolonged sleep latency was associated with poorer self-reported academic performance, and late bedtime was associated with higher CEE score. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the complex association between sleep and academic performance. Assessing and monitoring sleep patterns in adolescents during periods of high academic demand and stress may yield important recommendations for their health and safety as well as establishing optimal sleep and study habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geometrical complexities such as bends and branches are ubiquitous along strike‐slip faults. Understanding strain partitioning between the different fault strands along such sections is key to assessing kinematics and evolution through time of a fault system and related seismic hazards. The Haiyuan fault, one of the longest strike‐slip faults of the Tibetan Plateau, has developed a multi‐stranded complex fault geometry along the Hasi Shan restraining bend. In this study, we quantified the slip rate of the ∼50‐km‐long Zihong Shan fault, which is the poorly‐known southernmost fault strand of the Hasi Shan restraining bend. We computed high‐resolution DEMs and orthophotos to document the offset landforms along this fault using drone surveys. At selected sites with well‐preserved offset geomorphic markers, we quantified displaced terraces and channels using microtopography analysis. We dated the abandonment age of these terraces using 10Be cosmogenic depth profiles and OSL dating techniques. It yields a left‐lateral slip rate of 1.9 ± 0.6 mm/yr since ∼13 ka, which is similar to the rate of the main Hasi Shan branch that ruptured during the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake. The minimum total horizontal slip rate system summed over the multiple strands of the Haiyuan fault at the Hasi Shan restraining bend is 4.1 ± 0.6 mm/yr, without considering the vertical deformation rate of these fault strands. The rate is thus slightly smaller than, but comparable to, slip‐rates determined along the rest of the Haiyuan fault, east and west of the Hasi Shan restraining bend. Plain Language Summary: Quantifying the slip rate of each fault strand in an area with complex fault geometry is key to understanding how deformation is accommodated along different sections of a large strike‐slip fault. Here, studying the poorly‐documented left‐lateral strike‐slip Zihong Shan fault strand provides critical insight into strain partitioning between fault strands along the complex Haiyuan strike‐slip fault system. Combining our displacement measurements and geochronology data yields a geological slip rate of 1.9 ± 0.6 mm/yr since ∼13 ka along the Zihong Shan fault. The minimum total horizontal slip rate across the entire Hasi Shan restraining bend is thus 4.1 ± 0.6 mm/yr. This value is slightly less, although consistent than rates obtained farther east and west along the Haiyuan fault. However, the vertical deformation of different strands at the Hasi Shan restraining bend should not be overlooked and could make a difference. The seismic hazard along the Zihong Shan branch might be greatly underestimated. Key Points: The slip rate of the Zihong Shan fault is determined to be 1.9 ± 0.6 mm/yr over the last ∼13 kaThe minimum total horizontal slip rate across the Hasi Shan section is 4.1 ± 0.6 mm/yr, similar to other sections of the Haiyuan faultThe Zihong Shan fault itself could be the source of an earthquake of magnitude MW ∼7, or larger [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hippo pathway effector TAZ promotes cellular growth, survival, and stemness through regulating gene transcription. Recent studies suggest that TAZ liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) compartmentalizes key cofactors to activate transcription. However, how TAZ LLPS is achieved remains unknown. Here, it is shown that the paraspeckle protein NONO is required for TAZ LLPS and activation in the nucleus. NONO is a TAZ‐binding protein. Their interaction shows temporal regulation parallel to the interaction between TAZ and TEAD as well as to the expression of TAZ target genes. NONO depletion reduces nuclear TAZ LLPS, while ectopic NONO expression promotes the LLPS. Accordingly, NONO depletion reduces TAZ interactions with TEAD, Rpb1, and enhancers. In glioblastoma, expressions of NONO and TAZ are both upregulated and predict poor prognosis. Silencing NONO expression in an orthotopic glioblastoma mouse model inhibits TAZ‐driven tumorigenesis. Together, this study suggests that NONO is a nuclear factor that promotes TAZ LLPS and TAZ‐driven oncogenic transcriptional program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bax proteins form pores in the mitochondrial outer membrane to initiate apoptosis. This might involve their embedding in the cytosolic leaflet of the lipid bilayer, thus generating tension to induce a lipid pore with radially arranged lipids forming the wall. Alternatively, Bax proteins might comprise part of the pore wall. However, there is no unambiguous structural evidence for either hypothesis. Using NMR, we determined a high‐resolution structure of the Bax core region, revealing a dimer with the nonpolar surface covering the lipid bilayer edge and the polar surface exposed to water. The dimer tilts from the bilayer normal, not only maximizing nonpolar interactions with lipid tails but also creating polar interactions between charged residues and lipid heads. Structure‐guided mutations demonstrate the importance of both types of protein–lipid interactions in Bax pore assembly and core dimer configuration. Therefore, the Bax core dimer forms part of the proteolipid pore wall to permeabilize mitochondria. Synopsis: Bax proteins form giant pores in mitochondrial membranes to initiate cell death. Structural determination and activity analyses of membrane‐bound amphipathic Bax core dimers disambiguate their function as building blocks of the apoptotic pore wall. High‐resolution NMR analyses reveal the structure of the α2–α5 helices of Bax bound to a lipid bilayer.This Bax core region forms a symmetric dimer interacting with lipid bilayer with a 60° tilt angle, to cover both the nonpolar acyl tails and the polar phosphate heads.Both nonpolar and polar lipid contacts of the Bax core dimer dictate its configuration and pore forming activity in model bilayers as well as native mitochondrial membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot deformation behavior of V–Ti microalloyed steel is carried out using Gleeble1500. The results show that the flow stress curve is mainly characterized by work hardening and high‐temperature deformation softening mechanisms. Herein, the combination of strain hardening rate–stress curve and stress–strain–temperature dynamic recrystallization 3D model can be used to determine the temperature and strain corresponding to the beginning and end of dynamic recrystallization. The recrystallization activation energy and hot deformation constitutive equation are calculated by austenite recrystallization kinetic regression. Comparing three constitutive equation models with different fitting accuracies, the hyperbolic sine equation with fitting accuracy of 0.99178 is obtained, and the thermal deformation activation energy is determined to be 286.897 kJ mol−1. It is close to the self‐diffusion activation energy of austenite 281 kJ mol−1, so the rate control mechanism under this deformation condition is the dislocation climbing of diffusion control. The combination of the 3D model of dynamic recrystallization and the constitutive equation can not only obtain the flow stress curve under a certain deformation condition, but also obtain the structure evolution information. The mutual verification of the two makes it possible to study the hot deformation behavior under different deformation conditions more comprehensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating data indicate that strigolactones ( SLs) are implicated in the response to environmental stress, implying a potential effect of SLs on stomatal response and thus stress acclimatization. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of SLs on stomatal response and their interrelation with abscisic acid ( ABA) signaling., The impact of SLs on the stomatal response was investigated by conducting SL-feeding experiments and by analyzing SL-related mutants. The involvement of endogenous ABA and ABA-signaling components in SL-mediated stomatal closure was physiologically evaluated using genetic mutants. Pharmacological and genetic approaches were employed to examine hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide ( NO) production., SL-related mutants exhibited larger stomatal apertures, while exogenous SLs were able to induce stomatal closure and rescue the more widely opening stomata of SL-deficient mutants. The SL-biosynthetic genes were induced by abiotic stress in shoot tissues. Disruption of ABA-biosynthetic genes, as well as genes that function in guard cell ABA signaling, resulted in no impairment in SL-mediated stomatal response. However, disruption of MORE AXILLARY GROWTH2 ( MAX2), DWARF14 ( D14), and the anion channel gene SLOW ANION CHANNEL-ASSOCIATED 1 (SLAC1) impaired SL-triggered stomatal closure. SLs stimulated a marked increase in H2O2 and NO contents, which is required for stomatal closure., Our results suggest that SLs play a prominent role, together with H2O2/ NO production and SLAC1 activation, in inducing stomatal closure in an ABA-independent mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Gene discovery has provided remarkable biological insights into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS). One challenge for clinical application of genetic testing is critical evaluation of the significance of reported variants. Methods We use whole exome sequencing ( WES) to develop a clinically relevant approach to identify a subset of ALS patients harboring likely pathogenic mutations. In parallel, we assess if DNA methylation can be used to screen for pathogenicity of novel variants since a methylation signature has been shown to associate with the pathogenic C9orf72 expansion, but has not been explored for other ALS mutations. Australian patients identified with ALS-relevant variants were cross-checked with population databases and case reports to critically assess whether they were 'likely causal,' 'uncertain significance,' or 'unlikely causal.' Results Published ALS variants were identified in >10% of patients; however, in only 3% of patients (4/120) could these be confidently considered pathogenic (in SOD1 and TARDBP). We found no evidence for a differential DNA methylation signature in these mutation carriers. Conclusions The use of WES in a typical ALS clinic demonstrates a critical approach to variant assessment with the capability to combine cohorts to enhance the largely unknown genetic basis of ALS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt bridges are very common in proteins. But what drives the formation of protein salt bridges is not clear. In this work, we determined the strength of four salt bridges in the protein GB3 by measuring the Δp Ka values of the basic residues that constitute the salt bridges with a highly accurate NMR titration method at different temperatures. The results show that the Δp Ka values increase with temperature, thus indicating that the salt bridges are stronger at higher temperatures. Fitting of Δp Ka values to the van't Hoff equation yields positive Δ H and Δ S values, thus indicating that entropy drives salt-bridge formation. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the protein and solvent make opposite contributions to Δ H and Δ S. Specifically, the enthalpic gain contributed from the protein is more than offset by the enthalpic loss contributed from the solvent, whereas the entropic gain originates from the desolvation effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt bridges are very common in proteins. But what drives the formation of protein salt bridges is not clear. In this work, we determined the strength of four salt bridges in the protein GB3 by measuring the Δp Ka values of the basic residues that constitute the salt bridges with a highly accurate NMR titration method at different temperatures. The results show that the Δp Ka values increase with temperature, thus indicating that the salt bridges are stronger at higher temperatures. Fitting of Δp Ka values to the van't Hoff equation yields positive Δ H and Δ S values, thus indicating that entropy drives salt-bridge formation. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the protein and solvent make opposite contributions to Δ H and Δ S. Specifically, the enthalpic gain contributed from the protein is more than offset by the enthalpic loss contributed from the solvent, whereas the entropic gain originates from the desolvation effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the dependence of NIR absorption of hyper-doped silicon on different sulfur and nitrogen doping ratio. With different molecular proportion of N2 and SF6 background gas, femtosecond laser irradiation was used to implant co-doping of sulfur and nitrogen into silicon. The hyper-doped silicon presents high absorption properties in NIR and visible range. The results of first-principles calculations demonstrate the high absorption in NIR is ascribed to the induced impurity energy levels in hyper-doped silicon. The nitrogen doping process improves the crystallinity in the doped layer because the doped nitrogen repairs defects in silicon lattices. Given the thermal stability of nitrogen, the co-doping dopants limit the diffusion of sulfur during the annealing process. The co-doping process proposed in this paper provides a method to fabricate high performance NIR silicon optoelectronic device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glutamine binding protein (GlnBP) binds l-glutamine and cooperates with its cognate transporters during glutamine uptake. Crystal structure analysis has revealed an open and a closed conformation for apo- and holo-GlnBP, respectively. However, the detailed conformational dynamics have remained unclear. Herein, we combined NMR spectroscopy, MD simulations, and single-molecule FRET techniques to decipher the conformational dynamics of apo-GlnBP. The NMR residual dipolar couplings of apo-GlnBP were in good agreement with a MD-derived structure ensemble consisting of four metastable states. The open and closed conformations are the two major states. This four-state model was further validated by smFRET experiments and suggests the conformational selection mechanism in ligand recognition of GlnBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glutamine binding protein (GlnBP) binds l-glutamine and cooperates with its cognate transporters during glutamine uptake. Crystal structure analysis has revealed an open and a closed conformation for apo- and holo-GlnBP, respectively. However, the detailed conformational dynamics have remained unclear. Herein, we combined NMR spectroscopy, MD simulations, and single-molecule FRET techniques to decipher the conformational dynamics of apo-GlnBP. The NMR residual dipolar couplings of apo-GlnBP were in good agreement with a MD-derived structure ensemble consisting of four metastable states. The open and closed conformations are the two major states. This four-state model was further validated by smFRET experiments and suggests the conformational selection mechanism in ligand recognition of GlnBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatiles were distilled from leaves of three Bergenia species collected from Yunnan, Xinjiang and Tibet in western China and analyzed using GC/MS instrumentation. The contents of extractable volatiles varied substantially among the three species with B. crassifolia having approximately 0.05% dry wt (v/w), B. purpurscens 0.01% (v/w) and B. stracheyi 0.13% (v/w), respectively. In B. crassifolia, the main components were present as 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol (26.56%), hexadecanoic acid (16.06%), dodecanoic acid (9.99%), linalool (5.63%) and octadecadienoic acid (4.10%). In B. purpurascens, the main components were β-eudesmol (18.63%), phytol (14.50%), hexadecanoic acid (13.05%), n-nonacosane (9.19%) and 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol (7.52%). In B. stracheyi, 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol was the dominant sort of volatile (52.71%), whereas detected major constituents included β-eudesmol (7.44%), damascenone (3.22%), caryophyllene (2.75%) and phytol (2.57%). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase transformation and precipitation mechanism of Nb microalloyed offshore platform steel during continuous cooling are studied by the thermal expansion method and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that a large amount of NbC is precipitated in the investigated steel during phase transformation and is classified into three types according to its size: Type I (>100 nm) is randomly generated in the austenitization stage; type II (20–100 nm) is precipitated by stress induction during thermal deformation; and type III (≈10 nm) is formed by the combination of segregated C and Nb during the cooling process after the formation of bainitic ferrite matrix. In addition, herein, a model of phase transition and precipitation behavior at different cooling rates is designed. At a low cooling rate (0.5 °C s−1), the microstructure consists of a granular structure formed by diffusion and granular bainite formed by shearing, which is a diffusion phase transformation. At a medium cooling rate (3 °C s−1), the orientation relationship of ferrite and austenite is [001]α//[011]γ and (110)α//(−1−11)γ, which is semidiffusion and a half‐shear mechanism. At a high cooling rate (15 °C s−1), there are a large number of intertwined dislocations in martensite, which is a shear mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]