Search

Autophagy plays an important role in determining stem‐cell differentiation. During the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), autophagosome formation is upregulated but the reason is unknown. A long‐standing quest in the autophagy field is to find the membrane origin of autophagosomes. In this study, cytoplasmic coat protein complex II (COPII) vesicles, endoplasmic reticulum‐derived vesicles responsible for the transport of storage proteins to the Golgi, are demonstrated to be a critical source of osteoblastic autophagosomal membrane. A significant correlation between the number of COPII vesicle and the autophagy level is identified in the rat bone tissues. Disruption of COPII vesicles restrained osteogenesis and decreased the number and size of autophagosomes. SEC31a (an outer coat protein of COPII vesicle) is found to be vital to regulate COPII vesicle‐dependent autophagosome formation via interacting with ATG9a of autophagosomal seed vesicles. The interference of Sec31a inhibited autophagosome formation and osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo. These results identified a novel mechanism of autophagosome formation in osteogenic differentiation of stem cells and identified SEC31a as a critical protein that mediates the interplay between COPII and ATG9a vesicles. These findings broaden the understanding of the regulatory mechanism in the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilizes ionospheric total electron contents (TECs) data from China and its surrounding areas to compute the regional ionospheric semi‐variance using the Gaussian variogram. The regional ionospheric model is then constructed by introducing an additional stochastic term, named adjusted Spherical Harmonics Adding KrigING method (SHAKING), in which the stochastic Vertical Total Electron Content estimated using Kriging interpolation based on Ionospheric Variogram Model Parameters (IVMP) predict model. In the IVMP prediction model, two notable periodic patterns, that is, diurnal and annual signals with periods of 365.25/i days and 24/j hours, are recognized as Fourier series decompositions. These patterns capture the regular daily and yearly periodic variations in variogram parameters, and the IVMP prediction model is established using harmonic estimation methods. IVMP‐SHAKING is employed to generate the regional ionospheric map in China using multi‐GNSS data from 27 reference stations during days of the year 150–250 in 2022, with 14 rover stations used for evaluation. Results indicate that the proposed model exhibits a standard deviation of 4.85 TECu compared to the difference of slant TEC extracted from rover stations. Compared to existing models, including BDS‐3 broadcast ionospheric model (BDGIM), GPS broadcast model (Klobuchar), Galileo broadcast model (NeQuickG) and post‐processing Global Ionospheric Map released by IGS (IGSG), the accuracy of IVMP‐SHAKING improves by 6%–52%. Additionally, the Standard Point Positioning performance with different ionospheric corrections is analyzed on test stations. Results demonstrate that the horizontal and vertical positioning accuracy of the IVMP‐SHAKING model improves by 31%–55% and 16%–33%, respectively, compared to other three solutions. Plain Language Summary: This study looks at data on the total amount of electrons in the ionosphere (called Total Electron Content (TEC)) in China and nearby regions. We use this data to understand how TEC varies across the region using a statistical method called Gaussian variogram. Then, we create a model of the ionosphere called the Adjusted Spherical Harmonics Adding Kriging method (or SHAKING). This new model considers regular patterns in TEC variations throughout the day and year. We tested this model using data from 27 fixed stations and 14 mobile stations during a specific time period in 2022. The contribution of this paper is twofold. Firstly, we analyzed the spatial correlation of the ionosphere in China and developed a predictive model for this spatial correlation. Subsequently, based on this predictive model, we established a model for ionospheric delay and applied it to Global Navigation Satellite System positioning. Key Points: The study introduces a novel ionospheric approach, IVMP‐SHAKING, which based on Gaussian variogram model and Kriging interpolationIVMP‐SHAKING incorporates Fourier series decomposition to capture diurnal and annual periodic patterns in ionospheric variogram parametersEvaluation against existing models like BDGIM, Klobuchar, and IGSG demonstrates that IVMP‐SHAKING outperforms them by a significant margin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P‐type NiOx is employed for the fabrication of NiO/Ga2O3p–n diode. Addressing the challenge of low hole mobility in NiOx, an extensive investigation into the impact of oxygen stoichiometry engineering in NiOx is conducted. The meticulous optimization of the O2/Ar ratio to 30% during the sputtering process results in significant improvements, notably achieving enhanced hole mobility of 1.61 cm2 V−1 s. It leads to a low specific on‐resistance of 2.79 mΩ cm2 and a high rectification ratio of ≈1011, underscoring the efficacy of recombination transport mechanism driven by enhanced hole mobility. Detailed band alignment analysis between NiOx and Ga2O3 reveals a small band offset, with a valence band offset of 2.47 eV and a conduction band offset of 1.70 eV. It suggests a tailored modification of band alignment through the engineering the oxygen stoichiometry in NiOx, facilitating enhanced recombination conduction. The device exhibits a superior breakdown voltage (Vb) of 2780 V and a notable Baliga's figure of merit (BFOM) of 2.77 GW cm−2, surpassing the SiC unipolar figure of merit. The insights gained from this work are expected to inform future designs and optimizations of high‐performance Ga2O3 electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread adoption of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) as compliant artificial muscle is on the horizon after a wide range of prototype demonstrations. The next step is to accelerate the material optimization for specific design requirements. This work proposes a data‐driven framework to predict long‐term DEA energy consumption and efficiency using measurements of initial electrical properties. DEA datasets are generated from 242 pre‐stretched single‐layer actuators and 53 multi‐layer bending actuators actuated for 30–180min. Devices are made with different elastomer and electrode materials, and tested with a novel instrument that can measure multiple aspects of DEA actuation. First, experiments are conducted to develop an empirical understanding of the electro‐mechanical energy conversion mechanism and the impact of material choices during DEA actuation. Second, data‐driven models are applied to the datasets to predict energy consumption and efficiency. Third, the potential generalization of this approach is investigated by using transfer learning strategies to predict energy efficiency at 100 min with as little as 1 min of input data. Moreover, it is found that linear regression can extend the prediction up to 180 min. Additionally, transfer learning is applied to predict energy‐related properties of multi‐layer DEAs using a small dataset. The proposed data‐driven framework can evolve into an intelligent system for accelerating new material discovery by predicting performance and providing device optimization strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: It is unclear whether activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) or anti‐Xa is more accurate for monitoring heparin anticoagulation in mechanical circulatory support (MCS) patients. This study investigates the relationship between aPTT and anti‐Xa in MCS patients and identifies predictors of discordance. Methods and results: aPTT and anti‐Xa were simultaneously measured in a prospective cohort of MCS patients receiving unfractionated heparin at a tertiary academic medical centre. Therapeutic aPTT and anti‐Xa levels were 60–100 s and 0.3–0.7 IU/mL, respectively, and concordance was defined as both levels being subtherapeutic, therapeutic, or supratherapeutic. To identify predictors of discordance, both a machine learning random forest model and a multivariate regression model were applied to patient demographics, device type, and 14 laboratory variables; 23 001 pairs of simultaneously measured aPTT/anti‐Xa were collected from 699 MCS patients. aPTT and anti‐Xa were concordant in 35.5% of paired observations and discordant in 64.5% (aPTT > antiXa 61.5%; aPTT < antiXa 3.0%). Discordance with a high aPTT relative to anti‐Xa (aPTT > antiXa) was associated with high INR, eGFR, and total bilirubin, as well as low platelets, haemoglobin, pre‐albumin, white blood cell count, and haptoglobin. Total artificial heart and durable ventricular assist devices were more likely to be associated with aPTT > anti‐Xa than temporary MCS devices. Conclusions: aPTT and anti‐Xa were frequently discordant in MCS patients receiving heparin anticoagulation. Clinical conditions common in MCS patients such as concurrent warfarin use, malnutrition, haemolysis, and thrombocytopenia, as well as durable type of MCS devices were associated with a high aPTT relative to anti‐Xa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging‐related metabolic disorders seriously affect the lifespan of middle‐aged and older people, potentially due to disruptions in the adaptive immune and gut microbial profiles. Dietary intervention offers a promising strategy for maintaining metabolic health. This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of 2′‐fucosyllactose (2'‐FL) on aging‐induced metabolic dysfunction and the underlying mechanisms. The results revealed that 2'‐FL significantly relieved aging‐related metabolic disorders, including weight gain, lipid deposition, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, systemic inflammation, and abnormal hepatic metabolism. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a significant reduction in T cytotoxic (Tc), T helper (Th), and regulatory T (Treg) cells and a significant increase in Th17 cells in aged mice, while 2'‐FL relieved the aging‐induced proportional changes in Th and Th17 subtypes. The aging intestinal microecology was characterized by higher Th17/Treg ratios, impaired gut barrier function, lower gut bacterial diversity, decreased abundance of beneficial genera including Ligilactobacillus, Colidextribacter, Mucispirillum, and Lachnoclostridium, and increased abundance of harmful bacteria including Turicibacter and Desulfovibrio, which was ameliorated by 2'‐FL treatment. These findings highlight that 2'‐FL is an ideal dietary prebiotic for improving aging‐related metabolic disorders by modulating both the adaptive immune system and the gut microbial profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic scintillators play a pivotal role in diverse fields like medical imaging, nondestructive detection, homeland security, and high‐energy physics. However, traditional inorganic scintillators encounter challenges such as high fabrication costs and low light yield. Recently, low‐dimensional metal halide scintillators (LDMHS) have witnessed rapid progress, owing to their distinctive crystal structure and superior radioluminescence performance. Herein, an overview of recent advancements and proposed instructive pathways for achieving high‐performance LDMHS is provided. First, the scintillation physical mechanism and emphasis on the essential requirements of scintillators for diverse applications are elucidated. Furthermore, LDMHS are classified according to B‐site cations, and their respective characteristics and recent advancements are introduced. This encompasses the understanding of structure‐property relationships and the routes and rules for optimizing scintillation performance. Finally, the persisting challenges in this burgeoning field and proposed potential research directions for future exploration are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to intermittent renewable energy and fluctuating load demand, distribution networks with renewable distributed generation (DG) installations are more likely to suffer voltage issues and significant power losses. The performance of conservation voltage regulation (CVR) schemes may be adversely affected by the undesirable voltage profile at specific nodes. This paper aims to reduce power losses in CVR‐implemented networks by optimally planning new renewable DGs without changing the existing ones. A scenario‐based optimal renewable DG planning model is proposed with a novel scenario formation method. The uncertainties of load demand and renewables are captured jointly and formed into a finite number of scenarios based on a multivariate Gaussian mixture model (MultiGMM). The locations and capacities of different types of new renewable DGs are optimally planned for CVR performance improvements on power loss saving by aggregating the operation status and probabilities of the scenarios using mixed‐integer non‐linear programming (MINLP). A time‐series simulation is formulated for accuracy verification. The results of case studies show that the proposed model can significantly reduce power losses, active load demand, and reactive load demand. The accuracy of the planning results can be guaranteed with fewer scenarios compared to a widely used classical scenario‐based planning method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from wave 20 of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, we provide a descriptive examination of the relationship between housing affordability stress (HAS) and a multi‐item measure of financial wellbeing across tenure types and test whether good financial wellbeing is protective of the negative mental health effects of HAS. We find that HAS is associated with lower financial wellbeing and that this is differentially distributed by tenure, with renters who experience HAS reporting, on average, lower financial wellbeing than owners. This suggests that HAS, which focuses on income to define housing stress, is different to financial wellbeing. Being in control of finances and feeling financially secure are important components of the way in which financial hardship impacts mental health. Renters may be more likely to experience these issues than owners; hence, they fare worse in terms of their mental health when in HAS than owners do. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the brain‐wide information interactions that vary and contribute to individual differences in schizophrenia (SCZ), an information‐resolved method is employed to construct individual synergistic and redundant interaction matrices based on regional pairwise BOLD time‐series from 538 SCZ and 540 normal controls (NC). This analysis reveals a stable pattern of regionally‐specific synergy dysfunction in SCZ. Furthermore, a hierarchical Bayesian model is applied to deconstruct the patterns of whole‐brain synergy dysfunction into three latent factors that explain symptom heterogeneity in SCZ. Factor 1 exhibits a significant positive correlation with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive scores, while factor 3 demonstrates significant negative correlations with PANSS negative and general scores. By integrating the neuroimaging data with normative gene expression information, this study identifies that each of these three factors corresponded to a subset of the SCZ risk gene set. Finally, by combining data from NeuroSynth and open molecular imaging sources, along with a spatially heterogeneous mean‐field model, this study delineates three SCZ synergy factors corresponding to distinct symptom profiles and implicating unique cognitive, neurodynamic, and neurobiological mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co‐based catalysts have been widely used in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) because of their low price and excellent catalytic performance. Herein, strategies of ion leaching and surface reconstruction to form more catalytic active sites are proposed, and accordingly improving the intrinsic activity of OER catalyst. First, the Co‐metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)/Ni precursors are synthesized on Ni foam by hydrothermal method. Then, the second hydrothermal reaction is carried out in sodium metavanadate solution, and a highly active V‐doped Co‐MOFs/Ni OER catalyst with particle coating is obtained. The results show that V‐doped Co‐MOFs/Ni in 1 m KOH solution shows excellent performance, that is, low overpotential of 253 mV at 10 mA cm−2, Tafel slope of 56 mV dec−1, small charge transfer impedance, large electrochemically active area of 1.71 mF cm−2, and good stability. Inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry measurements confirm that the V ions play a dominant role in leaching, while the Co ions negligibly contribute to the leaching. This work paves an alternative approach for advancing the synthesis of high‐efficiency nonprecious OER catalysts by such a facile green method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon (Si) anodes hold great promise for enhancing the energy density of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, issues such as slow intrinsic kinetics and unstable interfaces caused by significant volume changes hinder the practical deployment of Si anodes. Fast charging is desired by Si‐related issues that worsen Li plating and dead Li, making it essential to overcome these for safe, reversible charging. Herein, a novel approach is proposed by combining structural design and solid electrolyte interface (SEI) modulation to enable efficient and safe fast charging of LIBs. 3D porous micro‐particles consisting of Si nanosheets coated with a pitch‐based carbon layer are successfully prepared. This design provides enhanced ion transport pathways while maintaining the material's intrinsic rate performance and tap density. Furthermore, the designed localized high‐concentration electrolyte (LHCE) exhibits a lower Li+ desolvation energy barrier and leads to the formation of a LiF‐rich SEI, mitigating the Li plating "tip effect" during fast charging, maintaining interface stability, and demonstrating high Coulombic efficiency. Overall, this study highlights the synergistic importance of structure design and SEI regulation in enhancing LIB anodes for fast charging, aiding in developing superior, safe energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centromere protein A (CENP‐A), a centromere‐specific histone H3 variant, is crucial for kinetochore positioning and chromosome segregation. However, its regulatory mechanism in human cells remains incompletely understood. A structure‐activity relationship (SAR) study of the cell‐cycle‐arresting indole terpenoid mimic JP18 leads to the discovery of two more potent analogs, (+)‐6‐Br‐JP18 and (+)‐6‐Cl‐JP18. Tubulin is identified as a potential cellular target of these halogenated analogs by using the drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) based method. X‐ray crystallography analysis reveals that both molecules bind to the colchicine‐binding site of β‐tubulin. Treatment of human cells with microtubule‐targeting agents (MTAs), including these two compounds, results in CENP‐A accumulation by destabilizing Cdh1, a co‐activator of the anaphase‐promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) E3 ubiquitin ligase. This study establishes a link between microtubule dynamics and CENP‐A accumulation using small‐molecule tools and highlights the role of Cdh1 in CENP‐A proteolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multicolor electrochromics have emerged as a promising solution for achieving active color modulation akin to chameleon‐like adaptive camouflage. However, the development of electrochromics with full‐color tunability still remains challenging, given the weak molecular polarity of inherent active materials and the difficulty in forming polarizer orbitals under varying applied voltages. Employing molecular polarity adjustments, a novel electrochromic polymer is successfully developed with a donor‐gradient design of molecular architecture, enabling comprehensive full‐color tunability. The polymer demonstrates outstanding overall electrochromic performance, including fast switching (around 1.4 s), high coloration efficiency (395.1 cm2 C−1@550 nm) and excellent reversibility (over 92% retention after 5000 cycles). Leveraging the full‐color tunability and rapid response, the electrochromic polymer is further integrated with sensing and control modules to create an environmental adaptive camouflage prototype system capable of seamlessly blending colors with dynamic background environments. This work is expected to provide a straightforward approach for developing full‐color electrochromics for electrochromic camouflage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a high‐quality In0.1Al0.5Ga0.4N/GaN three‐channel (TC) heterostructure and the high‐electron‐mobility transistor (HEMT) based on it are proposed and investigated. The quaternary nitrides offer additional flexibility in adjusting the lattice constant and bandgap, enabling the achievement of a nearly strain‐free high‐Al‐content barrier. By stacking three In0.1Al0.5Ga0.4N/GaN heterostructures, a high 2D electron gas density of 2.59 × 1013 cm−2 and a high electron mobility of 1707 cm2 V−1 s−1 are achieved. As compared with the AlGaN/GaN TC heterostructure, the In0.1Al0.5Ga0.4N/GaN TC heterostructure reduces the sheet resistance by 39%, resulting in a 40 % reduction in the on‐resistance of the TC HEMT. Additionally, the inverse piezoelectric effect of the In0.1Al0.5Ga0.4N/GaN TC‐HEMT is investigated by negative‐gate voltage bias step‐stress experiments. During the stress experiments, no irreversible degradation is observed in the In0.1Al0.5Ga0.4N/GaN TC‐HEMT, while the AlGaN/GaN TC‐HEMT exhibits a significant deterioration beyond the critical voltage. The reliability related to the inverse piezoelectric effect of the devices can be further improved due to the lower stress in the lattice‐matched quaternary barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acremolactone B is a pyridine‐containing azaphilone‐type polyketide. The first total synthesis of this molecule was achieved on a gram scale, based on an aza‐6π electrocyclization–aromatization strategy for construction of the tetra‐substituted pyridine ring. A bicyclic intermediate was expeditiously prepared by using [2+2] photocycloaddition and chemoselective Baeyer–Villiger oxidation, which was further elaborated to a densely substituted aza‐triene. An electrocyclization–aromatization cascade was utilized to forge the tetracyclic core of this natural product, and the side chain was introduced through diastereoselective acylation and reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The CRC‐VTE trial conducted in China revealed a significant occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients following colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery, raising concerns about implementing thromboprophylaxis measures. The present study aimed to identify and analyze inappropriate aspects of current thromboprophylaxis practices. Methods: This study performed an analysis of the CRC‐VTE trial, a prospective multicenter study that enrolled 1836 patients who underwent CRC surgery. The primary objective was to identify independent risk factors for VTE after CRC surgery using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, among the cases in which VTE occurred, the appropriateness of thromboprophylaxis was assessed based on several factors, including pharmacologic prophylaxis, time to initiate prophylaxis, drug selection, drug dosage, and duration of pharmacologic prophylaxis. Based on the analysis of the current state of thromboprophylaxis and relevant clinical guidelines, a modified Delphi method was used to develop a clinical pathway for VTE prophylaxis after CRC surgery. Results: In this analysis of 1836 patients, 205 (11.2%) were diagnosed with VTE during follow‐up. The multifactorial analysis identified several independent risk factors for VTE, including age (≥70 years), female sex, varicose veins in the lower extremities, intraoperative blood transfusion, and the duration of immobilization exceeding 24 h. None of the patients diagnosed with VTE in the CRC trial received adequate thromboprophylaxis. The main reasons for this inappropriate practice were the omission of thromboprophylaxis, delayed initiation, and insufficient duration of thromboprophylaxis. We developed a specialized clinical pathway for thromboprophylaxis after CRC surgery to address these issues. Conclusions: This study offers a comprehensive nationwide evaluation of existing thromboprophylaxis practices in patients after CRC surgery in China. A specialized clinical pathway was developed to address the identified gaps and improve the quality of care. This clinical pathway incorporates explicit, tailored, detailed recommendations for thromboprophylaxis after CRC surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a metal/insulator/p‐GaN gate HEMT (MIP‐HEMT) with Si3N4 gate dielectric layer is fabricated. Compared to the conventional p‐GaN HEMT, the MIP‐HEMT has a higher threshold voltage (Vth) of 4.8 V and better gate leakage suppression. The mechanism of threshold voltage increase in MIP‐HEMT is elucidated through an analysis of the electric field distribution in the gate region and the proposed gate capacitance model. Furthermore, MIP‐HEMTs with gate dielectric layers of varying dielectric constants and thicknesses are designed and simulated. The obtained results lead to the derivation of an empirical formula for the threshold voltage of the MIP‐HEMT under ideal dielectric/p‐GaN interface conditions, in relation to the dielectric constant and thickness of the gate dielectric layer. Additionally, simulations are conducted on the MIP‐HEMT incorporating fixed charges at the dielectric/p‐GaN interface, and the impact of interface charges is investigated. This refinement enables a more accurate prediction of the MIP‐HEMT's threshold voltage. Conclusively, MIP‐HEMTs can effectively modulate the threshold voltage by manipulating the parameters of the gate dielectric layer, thereby extending the threshold voltage range of conventional enhancement‐mode devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructive spectrometers, which leverage the compressive sensing technique and computational algorithm, are promising solutions for high‐performance integrated spectrometers. Among the various options for realizing reconstructive spectrometers, stratified waveguide filters (SWFs) have emerged as a particularly attractive choice due to their ultra‐compact size and high performance. However, previous demonstrations of SWFs on silicon substrates have suffered from suboptimal and non‐reproducible spectrometer performance due to the brute‐force random design approach. In this paper, applying a bio‐inspired inverse design algorithm to the system level of multiple correlated SWFs is proposed. The algorithm allows for the precise and optimized design of the SWFs in order for higher spectral resolution of each SWF and lower spectral cross‐correlations between any two SWFs, overcoming the limitations of previous methods. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated by implementing a reconstructive spectrometer on a silicon nitride (SiN) platform, which is more thermally stable and can support a wider optical range than silicon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is widely recognized as the primary culprit of chronic low back pain. Restoring deteriorated intervertebral disc (IVD) and alleviating IDD‐induced low back pain are remaining enormous challenges. There is a genetic susceptibility to IDD, and gene therapy has some therapeutic potential. However, traditional gene therapy still has certain drawbacks, including host immunity, temporary release, and suppression of gene medication function. Although regenerative materials can effectively improve the local microenvironment, they cannot treat IDD from the root. Gene‐functionalized regenerative material (GRM) is constructed based on physical embedding or forming chemical bonds by introducing particular genes, such as pDNA, siRNA, mRNA, and miRNA, into the regenerated materials. The findings demonstrate that GRM not only enhances the safety and controllability of gene therapy, but also effectively repairs IDD by overcoming the constraint that simple regenerative materials cannot reverse the disease's progression from the root. This article provided a brief overview of the physiological and pathological features of the IVD, genetic susceptibility to IDD, available treatment options, and their limitations. Then, the significance of GRM‐based treatment of IDD is proposed, and the future challenges and development in this field are finally prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes and investigates a novel 4H‐SiC trench MOSFET (TMOS) with integrated high‐K deep trench and gate dielectric (INHK‐TMOS). The integrated high‐K (INHK) consists of a high‐K gate dielectric and an extended high‐K deep trench dielectric in the drift region. Firstly, the high‐K gate dielectric together with the metal‐forming high‐K metal gate structure, which increases the gate oxide capacitance (COX), reduces the threshold voltage (VTH) and the specific on‐resistance (Ron,sp). Secondly, the extended high‐K deep trench dielectric not only modulates the electric field in the drift region by introducing a new electric field peak at the bottom of the high‐K deep trench dielectric, thereby enhancing the breakdown voltage (BV), but also improves the doping concentration (ND) of the drift region by the assist depletion effect of the high‐K dielectric, further optimizing the forward conduction characteristics. Simulation results demonstrate that when compared to the conventional TMOS, the INHK‐TMOS using HfO2 exhibits a 52.6% reduction in VTH, a 52.1% reduction in Ron,sp, a 20.3% increasement in BV and a 202.3% improvement in figure of merit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft‐hard tissue interfaces are widespread in the human body, where matrix stiffness gradient at the cellular scale is a typical biophysical cue that cells experience. However, most studies have focused on the large‐scale matrix stiffness gradient that affected cell fate. It is still necessary to elucidate the impact of cellular‐scale matrix stiffness gradient on cell behavior and function, such as mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) immunoregulation. In this study, it is observed that stiffness gradient strength (SGS) at a typical soft‐hard tissue interface (e.g., periodontal ligament (PDL)‐alveolar bone (AB) enthesis) in periodontitis is lower than that in health, due to low mineral content gradient there. Meanwhile, MSCs residing at PDL‐AB enthesis in periodontitis show an anti‐inflammatory phenotype (i.e., MSC2). To investigate how the stiffness gradient affects the MSC immunoregulation, both high and low SGS in vitro is recapitulated. Combined with mathematical modeling, low SGS minimizes the ability of cell polarization in guiding the MSC2, which is probably driven by the reduced polarization of integrin β1 clusters and myosin IIB, leading to H4K16ac localization‐dependent chromatin opening that facilitates TLR3 gene expression. This study establishes the molecular mechanisms by which MSCs respond to cellular‐scale stiffness gradient at PDL‐AB enthesis for regulating the immunophenotype development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The biogenesis and differentiation (B&D) of amyloplasts contributes to fruit flavor and color. Here, remodeling of starch granules, thylakoids and plastoglobules was observed during development and ripening in two kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) cultivars – yellow‐fleshed 'Hort16A' and green‐fleshed 'Hayward'. A protocol was developed to purify starch‐containing plastids with a high degree of intactness, and amyloplast B&D was studied using label‐free‐based quantitative proteomic analyses in both cultivars. Over 3000 amyloplast‐localized proteins were identified, of which >98% were quantified and defined as the kfALP (kiwifruit amyloplast proteome). The kfALP data were validated by Tandem‐Mass‐Tag (TMT) labeled proteomics in 'Hort16A'. Analysis of the proteomic data across development and ripening revealed: 1) a conserved increase in the abundance of proteins participating in starch synthesis/degradation during both amyloplast B&D; 2) up‐regulation of proteins for chlorophyll degradation and of plastoglobule‐localized proteins associated with chloroplast breakdown and plastoglobule formation during amyloplast differentiation; 3) constitutive expression of proteins involved in ATP supply and protein import during amyloplast B&D. Interestingly, two different pathways of amyloplast B&D were observed in the two cultivars. In 'Hayward', significant increases in abundance of photosynthetic‐ and tetrapyrrole metabolism‐related proteins were observed, but the opposite trend was observed in 'Hort16A'. In conclusion, analysis of the kfALP provides new insights into the potential mechanisms underlying amyloplast B&D with relevance to key fruit quality traits in contrasting kiwifruit cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and destructive autoimmune disease that has created a global burden. However, the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of IBD remain difficult problems to overcome. The anti‐inflammatory action of anion‐dependent layered double hydroxide (LDH) is evaluated in IBD. Raw264.7 macrophages induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced low levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines after LDH treatment. The results from dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced murine colitis models show that LDHs significantly reduce pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the colon tissue and inhibit colon atrophy. Most importantly, LDH with NO3− as the interlayer anion (LDH‐NO3−) demonstrates superior anti‐inflammatory ability compared to LDH with Cl− as the interlayer anion (LDH‐Cl−), both in vitro and in vivo. LDH‐NO3− promotes the differentiation of CD206+CX3CR1+ lamina propria macrophages, reduces the abundance of T helper 17 (Th17) cells, and inhibits the activation of the IL‐17 signaling pathway. LDH‐NO3− also limits the pro‐inflammatory effects of IL‐17A on macrophages, and the anti‐inflammatory effects of LDH‐NO3− are reversed by IL‐17RA‐siRNA. Suggesting that LDH effectively inhibits the inflammatory reaction induced by the interaction between macrophages and Th17 cells. This study demonstrates that LDH‐NO3− is a drug‐free nanomedicine that acts against IBD, providing application prospects for LDH‐NO3− in IBD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drive circuit is a critical part of instrumentation and control systems in nuclear reactors, and its performance directly influences the operation of nuclear reactors. However, comparing with the open circuit IGBT faults, soft faults caused by the degradation of electronic components present much slighter fluctuations to the performance of drive circuits. If the two fault modes co‐exist, traditional fault diagnosis models are prone to misclassify soft faults as the normal condition. To improve the accuracy of fault diagnosis of drive circuits, it necessitates to accurately locate the faults of drive circuits, while effectively extracting the distinguishable fault features is one of the critical factors for fault location. In this article, a fault location method combining the empirical modal decomposition (EMD) algorithm and sparse convolutional autoencoder (SCAE) is proposed. The EMD algorithm is applied to decompose the three‐phase current signals of drive circuits. An SCAE‐based feature extractor is constructed to capture high‐dimensional and sparse fault feature data with the aid of the powerful feature autonomic extraction capability of deep learning. A deep classifier is designed to locate faults in the driver circuit. A fault simulation model of the drive circuit is developed and the monitor data is collected. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated via a real case of drive circuit in nuclear reactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer‐aided diagnosis is pivotal in augmenting the diagnostic efficiency of ultrasound images. Nonetheless, the substantial presence of noise and artifacts in ultrasound images presents a challenge to the precise segmentation of the target region. To highlight and analyze the diagnostic information such as tissues, organs, and lesions in ultrasound medical images more accurately, a target region extraction method combining the improved PRIDNet and UCTransNet for ultrasound medical images is proposed. The method sequentially enhances and segments the target region of the image, thereby solving the problem of inconspicuous target region caused by noise and artifacts in ultrasound images. There are three key characteristics: (i) The feature extraction part of the enhancement network (improved PRIDNet) is redesigned for speckle noise to improve the network's ability to extract information and highlight the feature information of the target region in ultrasound images. (ii) The segmentation network with the addition of the underlying information on UCTransNet would effectively improves Channel‐wise Cross fusion Transformer (CCT) and decoder feature fusion capability. (iii) By combining the enhancement network with the segmentation network, we can further improve the segmentation accuracy of the target region in the presence of noise interference. The experiments conducted on both UFSU that we prepared and on some public datasets including BUSI, FHC, and CT2US have demonstrated that The proposed method attains MIoU, DSC, Acc, and HD of 96.34%, 98.12%, 99.35%, and 8.64 in CT2US, respectively. The method significantly surpasses those certain state‐of‐the‐art methods, demonstrating its potential to offer valuable guidance for clinical treatment. The code will be publicly released at https://github.com/425877/Target-Region-Extraction-Method-for-Ultrasound-Medical-Images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid p‐GaN Ohmic drain reverse blocking high electron mobility transistors (RB‐HEMTs) and conventional p‐GaN Enhancement‐mode (E‐mode) HEMTs are designed and fabricated on the Si substrates. Compared with the conventional p‐GaN HEMT, the RB‐HEMT can achieve great reverse blocking capability. The forward and reverse blocking voltages of the RB‐HEMT are 1116 V and 1056 V and the turn‐on voltage of the device is 1.07 V. When the temperature rises from 25 °C to 150 °C, the turn‐on voltage of the RB‐HEMT increases from 1.07V to 1.10 V, and the Vth increases from 1.97V to 2.07 V. The difference in turn‐on voltage and threshold voltage is mainly due to the different metals in contact between the gate and drain electrodes and p‐GaN. The reverse leakage current of the RB‐HEMT is 1.16 × 10−1 mA mm−1 when the temperature is 150 °C, which still keep good reverse blocking ability at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The order Tetraodontiformes are one of the most unique groups of teleostean fish, exhibiting highly derived and greatly diversified phenotypes. It is a difficult task for both professionals and nonprofessionals to accurately identify these species only according to morphological characteristics. DNA barcoding can identify species at the molecular level to overcome the limitations of morphological classification. In this study, we collected 616 specimens of pufferfish from the coastal waters of China. According to the morphological characteristics, they were preliminarily identified as 50 species. Further analysis using DNA barcodes identified these specimens as 46 species, belonging to 23 genera, 6 families. According to the species classification results of DNA barcoding, the three species identified by morphology as Takifugu pseudommus, Takifugu chinensis, and Takifugu rubripes should be the same species. Similarly, Lagocephalus wheeleri is the synonym of Lagocephalus spadiceus. Another important discovery of DNA barcoding analysis is that there are closer interspecific genetic distances within the genus Takifugu. If T. rubripes, T. pseudommus, and T. chinensis are taken as one species, the average interspecific to intraspecific genetic distance ratio of Takifugu is only 6.21 times, which does not reach the DNA barcoding threshold of more than 10 times proposed previously. Although the interspecific genetic distance in the genus Takifugu is relatively small, each species can be clustered into independent clades in the NJ tree. In conclusion, this study not only found that there are synonymous phenomena in the order Tetraodontiformes but also provided molecular evidence for the valid species names of Takifugu rubripes and Lagocephalus Spadiceus. The results can provide reliable DNA barcoding information for the identification of pufferfish species, help solve the problem of classification confusion in this order, and provide technical support for the identification of the original components of related commodities on the aquatic product market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the plastic behavior of crack tips is crucial for improving the fracture toughness of nanometals. Although many studies are carried out, most previous studies focus on pure metals, and how the crack tip accommodates the plastic deformation of highly concentrated solid‐solution alloys is unclear owing to a lack of direct atomic‐scale evidence. In this study, the atomic‐scale plastic behavior of the crack tip in face‐centered cubic (FCC) AuCu alloy nanocrystals is observed in situ, which provides direct evidence that plastic deformation is governed by the generation of deformation twins and hexagonal close‐packed (HCP) 2H and 4H phases, recurrence of reversible FCC‐HCP phase transitions, and detwinning, which are rarely observed in pure metals. This unusual behavior originates from the inherent chemical inhomogeneity of the AuCu alloy, which inhibits twin thickening via partial dislocations on the adjacent plane, instead of random generation of deformation twins, phase transitions, and reversible processes. This naturally implies a similar behavior at the crack tip in other highly concentrated solid‐solution alloys, including high‐medium‐entropy alloys, providing important insights that greatly improve the understanding of the fracture toughness of metallic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baicalin (BA) is a natural product extract with anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. Given that the exact underlying mechanisms responsible for the impact of BA on liver cirrhosis remain ambiguous, a detailed investigation is sorely needed. Accordingly, a rat liver cirrhosis model was established via the intraperitoneal injection of diethyl nitrosamine (DEN, 100 mg/kg). Following the modeling, these rats were given BA (100 mg/kg) or N‐acetylcysteine (NAC, 150 mg/kg) alone or in combination. The pathological morphology of rat liver tissues in each group was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's trichrome staining. The expression of fibrosis‐related proteins was evaluated by Western blot, and the levels of liver function‐related biochemical indexes, oxidative stress‐related indexes, and inflammatory factors in the serum by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The level of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species was measured by flow cytometry. The results depicted that in the rat model of DEN‐induced liver cirrhosis, BA reduced the expression of fibrosis‐related proteins (collagen type I alpha 1, α‐smooth muscle actin, and transforming growth factor‐β1), thereby alleviating the structural fibrosis of liver tissue. Furthermore, BA could diminish the level of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, and the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1), while promoting albumin, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) levels. Notably, all these effects of BA above were strengthened following the combined treatment of BA and NAC. On the whole, BA suppresses liver fibrosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby exerting a hepatoprotective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: Hydrogen bonding is a vital driving force for organizing the hierarchy of molecular structure, especially in biologic field. Due to its directionality, selectivity and moderate strength, hydrogen bonding has been extensively introduced into the molecular recognition, sensing and electronic devices. Electric measurements at single‐molecule level facilitate the investigation of hydrogen bonds and provide a comprehensive understanding of the electron transport properties governed by the hydrogen bonding, which is essential for the development of self‐assembled electronic systems. This review provides a detailed overview of recent advancements in constructing single‐molecule junctions utilizing intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonding. We first introduce the methods utilized for characterizing the electric and dynamic properties of non‐covalent interactions. Next, we discuss the mechanisms of electron transport, relevant influencing factors, and typical applications utilizing electrical signals based on single‐molecule junctions. Finally, we propose our perspective on the existing challenges and prospective opportunities in utilizing hydrogen bonding for electronic device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dielectric capacitors with excellent energy storage performance (ESP) are in great demand in the power electronics industry due to their high power density. For the dielectric materials, the dielectric breakdown strength (BDS) is the key factor to improve ESP, which is the focus and bottleneck of current research, especially in the relaxor ferroelectric (RFE) materials with already low residual polarization (Pr). Here, we stimulate the ESP of the BaTiO3 (BT)‐based RFE ceramics by band structure engineering. The Ta element is selected to enhance the band gap of doped ceramics, occupying Ti‐site in supercell of BT and optimizing the bonds length of Ti‐O bond to increase the energy band of Ti 3d states. In this way, the band gap of the doped ceramics is efficiently enhanced from 1.8 eV to 2.22 eV resulting in the large BDS. Prospectively, combined with the advantage of fine grain size, the highest recoverable energy storage density (Wrec) of 2.85 J/cm3 is obtained at 350 kV/cm and the ultra‐high energy efficiency (η) of 95.26% is found at 200 kV/cm. Our work reveals the relationship between elements doping in B‐site and band structure, being expected to benefit for designing energy storage materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To reveal whether gut microbiota and their metabolites are correlated with oocyte quality decline caused by circadian rhythm disruption, and to search possible approaches for improving oocyte quality. Design: A mouse model exposed to continuous light was established. The oocyte quality, embryonic development, microbial metabolites and gut microbiota were analyzed. Intragastric administration of microbial metabolites was conducted to confirm the relationship between gut microbiota and oocyte quality and embryonic development. Results: Firstly, we found that oocyte quality and embryonic development decreased in mice exposed to continuous light. Through metabolomics profiling and 16S rDNA‐seq, we found that the intestinal absorption capacity of vitamin D was decreased due to significant decrease of bile acids such as lithocholic acid (LCA), which was significantly associated with increased abundance of Turicibacter. Subsequently, the concentrations of anti‐Mullerian hormone (AMH) hormone in blood and melatonin in follicular fluid were reduced, which is the main reason for the decline of oocyte quality and early embryonic development, and this was rescued by injection of vitamin D3 (VD3). Secondly, melatonin rescued oocyte quality and embryonic development by increasing the concentration of lithocholic acid and reducing the concentration of oxidative stress metabolites in the intestine. Thirdly, we found six metabolites that could rescue oocyte quality and early embryonic development, among which LCA of 30 mg/kg and NorDCA of 15 mg/kg had the best rescue effect. Conclusion: These findings confirm the link between ovarian function and gut microbiota regulation by microbial metabolites and have potential value for improving ovary function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of multi‐bidentate oxamate‐based copper(II) complexes with the [Ni(iPrtacn)Cl2] complex (iPrtacn:1,4,7‐triisopropyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) has been investigated. X‐ray diffraction studies reveal that for all compounds the oxamato κO,κΟ' bidentate coordination site replaces the two chloride ions in [Ni(iPrtacn)Cl2] to form trimetallic {CuNi2} (1–3), hexametallic {Cu2Ni4} (4) and enneametallic {Cu3Ni6} (5) complexes. The investigation of the magnetic properties shows that Cu−Ni interactions through the oxamato bridge are in the expected range (−111 cm−1, −68 cm−1). For 1–3, both the sign and strength of the magnetic couplings are computed independently from DFT calculations, and these estimates broadly agree with the experiments. The magnetization measurements and EPR studies reveal that 1–3 are anisotropic: a significant portion of the large anisotropy of the [Ni(iPrtacn)Cl2] complex is retained, resulting in a D value for the S=3/2 ground state of 5 cm−1 on average. This is no longer the case for 4 and 5 where the anisotropy of the Ni(II) complexes is diluted due to the high nuclearity of the final edifices. These results show that it is possible to obtain trimetallic complexes with a high anisotropy and a high spin value for the ground state by a judicious choice of the interacting metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a monolithic GaN driver with a deadtime generator (DTG) for half‐bridge DC‐DC buck converters. The proposed GaN integrated circuits (ICs) were fabricated in a 3 µm enhancement‐mode GaN MIS‐HEMTs process. The integrated DTG converter can operate at 250°C with a large gate swing of 10 V, and it exhibits a maximum efficiency of 80% at high temperatures, with VIN= 30 V at 100 kHz. The monolithic GaN DTG driver requires one control signal and generates a deadtime of fewer than 0.13 µs at high temperatures up to 250°C. The proposed DTG converter is compared to an integrated GaN converter without DTG (w/o) under various conditions. At high temperatures, the optimized GaN DTG converter shows better performance than the GaN converter w/o at high load currents, in terms of smaller voltage overshoots and better efficiency as well. This work demonstrates a simple GaN deadtime method for high temperature (HT) GaN power converters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (PCRR), which uses solar energy to convert CO2 and H2O into chemical feedstocks or fuels without sacrificial reagents, plays a momentous role in CO2 utilization and solar energy conversion. However, significant challenges remain in achieving efficient conversion. Researchers have explored various strategies to realize the overall PCRR efficiently. In this Review, we first explain the criteria for evaluating the overall PCRR and then summarize the following strategies developed over the past decade to promote it: self‐driving material development, Z‐scheme heterojunction construction, cocatalyst loading, heteroatom doping, surface vacancy creation, and carrier‐material matching. Finally, we discuss essential future research directions in the field. Through this comprehensive Review, we aim to provide strategic guidance for the development of efficient overall PCRR systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]