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A high-speed encoder is proposed for quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check codes. By merging some sub-matrices of a parity-check matrix H in an approximately lower triangular form, a compact encoding process is obtained, reducing pipeline stages from six to three. Moreover, well-designed circuits are used to implement back-substitution and sparse-matrix-vector multiplication. The low-density parity-check (672, 336) code in IEEE 802.15.3c shows that the proposed encoder is easy to implement, runs fast, and requires no memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vivo pharmacokinetic simulations and virtual bioequivalence (BE) evaluation of cilostazol have not yet been described for humans. Here, we successfully developed a physiologically based absorption model to simulate plasma concentrations of cilostazol. In addition, virtual population simulations integrating dissolution of 0.3% sodium dodecyl sulfate water media were executed to evaluate the BE of test and reference formulations. Simulation results show that test and reference formulations were bioequivalent among 28 subjects, but not nine subjects, consistent with clinical studies. The model proved to be an important tool to show potential BE for cilostazol. This finding may facilitate understanding of the potential risks during the development of generic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limertinib (ASK120067) is a newly developed third‐generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This phase I, open‐label, 2‐period crossover study was conducted to evaluate the effect of food on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of limertinib and its active metabolite CCB4580030 in Chinese healthy volunteers (HVs). HVs were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a single dose of limertinib (160 mg) under the fasted state in period 1 and fed condition in period 2, or vice versa. Twenty‐four HVs were enrolled, and 20 HVs completed both study periods. PK were assessed before dosing and ≤72 hours after dosing. PK parameters were analyzed by a noncompartmental method. Limertinib was absorbed faster in the fasted state compared with the fed state. The geometric mean ratios (fed/fast) of maximum concentration, area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to the last quantifiable concentration, and area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to infinity for ASK120067 were 145.5%, 145.4%, and 141.9%, respectively. Geometric mean ratios of the PK parameters of CCB4580030 were >125.00% and 90% confidence intervals were outside the preset bioequivalent range. Safety profiles were similar in both prandial states, and limertinib was well tolerated. Food reduced the rate and increased the extent of limertinib absorption following oral administration. Whether limertinib can be administered regardless of prandial state in patients warrants further investigation of efficacy and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : SPRY4‐IT1 (SPRY4 intronic transcript 1) is a long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) that has been identified as a novel oncogene in various cancers, including glioma. However, its function and underlying mechanism in glioma remain largely unclear. Here, we investigated the role of SPRY4‐IT1 in the development of glioma and its underlying mechanism. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis and RT‐qPCR assay were used to examine the expression of SPRY4‐IT1 in glioma tissues. The CCK‐8, EdU, and Xenograft tumor assays wereperformed to assess the proliferation effect of glioma cells. The tube forming assay and Chick Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay were conducted to detect the angiogenesis effect of HUVECs. RNA‐sequencing, western blotting, RT‐qPCR, ELISA, and IHC assays were employed to verify the regulatory mechanism of the SPRY4‐IT1/ miR‐101‐3p/EZH2/VEGFA axis. Results: Analysis of the TCGA dataset and data from our own cohort demonstrated that SPRY4‐IT1 was overexpressed in patients with glioma, and high SPRY4‐IT1 expression correlated with poor prognosis. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that SPRY4‐IT1 promoted the proliferation of glioma cells. RNA sequencing and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis indicated significant enrichment of angiogenesis. HUVEC tube forming assay and CAM assay confirmed that SPRY4‐IT1 could induce angiogenesis of glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SPRY4‐IT1 upregulated EZH2 expression by sponging miR‐101‐3p to induce VEGFA expression in glioma cells. Moreover, SPRY4‐IT1 activated the VEGFR2/AKT/ERK1/2 pathway in HUVECs mediated by glioma cells. Rescue experiments further confirmed that SPRY4‐IT1 promoted glioma cell proliferation and angiogenesis via the miR‐101‐3p/EZH2/VEGFA signaling axis. Conclusions: Our findings provide compelling evidence showing that SPRY4‐IT1 upregulated EZH2 to induce VEGFA by sponging miR‐101‐3p, thereby achieving cell proliferation and angiogenesis in glioma. Therefore, targeting SPRY4‐IT1/miR‐101‐3p/EZH2/VEGFA axis may improve the outcomes of patients with glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the strong liquid intermolecular force, feasible sensing‐detection methods in liquid environments are absent. Inspired by fish swim bladder, herein, a hollow‐structured microfiber is designed to realize high‐performance sensing in liquid environments. It composes of 2D polypyrrole (2DPPy) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and its wall has a porous skeleton of 2DPPy/rGO/2DPPy (2DPrG2DP). The internal cavities of porous skeleton will be filled by the liquid, while leaving a bubble inside the hollow micropipe due to the liquid surface tension, thus forming a solid/liquid/gas triple‐phase interface. This hollow microfiber transforms the unmanageable liquid‐phase sensing into gas‐phase sensing. During this process, the good mechanical strength of 2DPPy enables the high sensing operability, and the reversible gas extrusion‐withdraw process enables the high sensitivity. The hollow 2DPrG2DP microfiber‐based sensor can be potentially used to machine trouble shooting, water level monitoring, ocean current monitoring, tsunami warning, body fluid and blood monitoring, and oil transportation monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure sensors have attracted worldwide attention due to their extensive application requirements in wearable devices, flexible touch display, soft robotics, and health monitoring. Although many pressure sensors have been developed, it still remains a grand challenge to achieve ultrahigh sensitivity with good stability in low‐pressure regions. Herein, the polypyrrole (PPy) is introduced to reduced graphene oxide foam (rGOF) via in situ solventless polymerization to manufacture rGO/PPyF, which significantly enhances the sensitivity and stability of the derived sensors. The as‐fabricated sensor demonstrates an ultrahigh sensitivity of 32.32 kPa−1 in the pressure region of 0–21 Pa, high resolution, and excellent cycling stability. Furthermore, the pressure sensor can transform different hand gestures to distinguishable electrical signals in sign language translation, which indicates that the pressure sensor has a bright application prospect in wearable devices and human–computer interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuel cells, as one of the most promising technologies in sustainable energy conversion systems, hold great expectations for commercial applications. Cathode oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics of fuel cells are very slow and require a large overpotential to make the reaction occur, which greatly limits the energy output of fuel cells. Therefore, designing and preparing a highly active and stable ORR catalyst has become a great challenge. Herein, recent advances in platinum‐based and platinum‐free materials in metal‐based catalysts are focused on, including structural properties, synthesis methods, performance characterization, and catalytic mechanisms. Although platinum‐based precious metal catalysts have excellent performance, high prices limit the scale of commercial fuel cells. Nonprecious metal catalysts (e.g., transition metal nitrogen‐doped carbon‐based catalysts (M‐N/C), transition metal compounds (transition metal oxides—TMOs, transition metal carbides—TMCs, transition metal nitrides/transition metal oxynitrides—TMNs/TMNOs), layered double hydroxides—LDHs) completely eliminate dependence on precious metals and exhibit excellent ORR catalytic activity and stability. Finally, the ideas for future design and preparation of new ORR catalysts and challenges in the future of research work are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: MoS2 quantum dots (QDs)‐modified covalent triazine‐based framework (MoS2/CTF) composites are synthesized through an in situ photodeposition method. MoS2 QDs are well distributed and stabilized on the layers of CTFs by coordination of the frameworks to MoS2. The QDs–sheet interactions between MoS2 and CTFs facilitate interfacial charge transfer and separation. As a consequence, the composites exhibit outstanding photocatalytic activity and stability for hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation (λ≥420 nm), that exceed those over pristine CTFs and MoS2‐modified g‐C3N4 (MoS2/g‐C3N4) composite, making them promising materials for solar energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop the potential applications of Plantago plants, seed oils were extracted from 14 cultivars of Plantago around China. Their fatty acid profiles, tocopherols, carotenoid compositions, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were also investigated. The Plantago seed oils (PSO) were abundant in linolenic acid from 11.12 to 29.36 g/100 g oil and had low fatty acid ratio of n-6/n-3 ratio matched with the dietary recommendations. The tocopherol contents of PSO ranged from 693.25 to 3708.80 μg/g and the lutein contents ranged from 2.29 to 26.68 μg/g. The PSO showed significant inhibitory effects on TNF-α, IL-1β, and COX-2 mRNA expression in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells induced by LPS. In addition, the properties on scavenging DPPH, oxygen and hydroxyl radicals indicated that PSO had potential antioxidant properties. The results could develop PSO as novel functional foods to improve human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black phosphorus (BP) as a new 2D material has attracted extensive attention because of its unique electronic, optical, and structural properties. However, the difficulties associated with BP synthesis severely hinder the further development of BP for any potential applications. On the other hand, searching for other potential applications of BP is also a big challenge. A facile strategy was developed for preparation of BP supported on Ti foil (BP-Ti) in a thin-film form. Surprisingly, the as-prepared BP shows advanced electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). To improve the OER activity of the electrocatalyst, BP was grown on a carbon nanotube network (BP-CNT), showing even better activity. The results demonstrate that BP can be prepared by a facile method and may be applied as an electrocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four methods were applied to dry yam slices, and then, starches were isolated from dried yam slices. Starch isolated from fresh yam was as the study control, and physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of starches were studied. The results showed that the amylose content ranged from 12.62% to 28.25%, water-binding capacity (WBC) from 111.67% to 262.88%, paste clarity from 2.1% to 6.23%, resistant starch (RS) from 66.60% to 88.49% and crystallinity from 11.27% to 25.52%. Compared with the control starch, hot air-drying at 60 °C significantly decreased amylose content, paste clarity, RS and crystallinity, while increasing the WBC. Low levels of rapidly digestible starch and glucose and high RS levels were found in the starch from freeze-drying yam. Digestibility of the starches was significantly correlated with amylose content, WBC, paste clarity and swelling power. The starch samples were divided into three groups by principal component analysis (PCA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co3O4, which is of mixed valences Co2+ and Co3+, has been extensively investigated as an efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The proper control of Co2+/Co3+ ratio in Co3O4 could lead to modifications on its electronic and thus catalytic properties. Herein, we designed an efficient Co3O4-based OER electrocatalyst by a plasma-engraving strategy, which not only produced higher surface area, but also generated oxygen vacancies on Co3O4 surface with more Co2+ formed. The increased surface area ensures the Co3O4 has more sites for OER, and generated oxygen vacancies on Co3O4 surface improve the electronic conductivity and create more active defects for OER. Compared to pristine Co3O4, the engraved Co3O4 exhibits a much higher current density and a lower onset potential. The specific activity of the plasma-engraved Co3O4 nanosheets (0.055 mA cm−2BET at 1.6 V) is 10 times higher than that of pristine Co3O4, which is contributed by the surface oxygen vacancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The crab processing industry has generated a considerable quantity of by-products, and these untapped residues resulted in environmental problem and waste of natural resources. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the further usage potential of Ovalipes punctatus extract. The proximate composition, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, tasty components (free amino acid, flavour 5′-nucleotides, glycine betaine and inorganic ions) and volatile flavour components were studied. RESULTS O. punctatus extract was found to have a high protein (31.2 g kg−1), but a low fat content (0.13 g kg−1). The protein contained high amounts of arginine (110.2 g kg−1 protein) and glutamic acid (108.9 g kg−1). The fatty acid profiles were dominated by saturated fatty acids, while C20 n-3 and n-6 fatty acids accounted for 85% of its polyunsaturated fatty acids. Arginine, alanine, glycine, glycine betaine, glutamic acid and chloridion (taste active value greater than 1) were primary taste-active components. A total of 77 volatiles were identified, and benzaldehyde and pyrazines were the major flavour contributors to the aroma of O. punctatus extract. Furthermore, sensory evaluation with a five-point hedonic scale showed that the overall flavour of O. punctatus extract had high acceptance. CONCLUSION Results presented in this study indicated that O. punctatus extract could be utilised to produce nutritious food or value-added products. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high‐speed encoder is proposed for quasi‐cyclic low‐density parity‐check codes. By merging some sub‐matrices of a parity‐check matrix H in an approximately lower triangular form, a compact encoding process is obtained, reducing pipeline stages from six to three. Moreover, well‐designed circuits are used to implement back‐substitution and sparse‐matrix–vector multiplication. The low‐density parity‐check (672, 336) code in IEEE 802.15.3c shows that the proposed encoder is easy to implement, runs fast, and requires no memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]