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Nitrogen (N) doping is an efficient modification route to improve the catalytic performance of biochar in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. However, conventional synthetic methods for high-performance N-doped biochar catalysts often require high temperatures (>700 °C), which are energy intensive. To address this issue, a molten salt-assisted method was employed to synthesize a N-doped biochar catalyst from alkaline lignin at a relatively low temperature of 500 °C (named AL@NX). This catalyst was subsequently utilized for the catalytic oxidation of acetaminophen (APAP) through PMS activation. Results demonstrated that the molten salt treatment improved the carbonization of lignin, specific surface area and pyridine N-doping level in the biochar. Notably, pyridine N was identified as the primary active site in AL@NX for PMS activation. Accordingly, AL@NX exhibited a reaction rate constant (Kobs) for APAP oxidation that was 8 times higher than that observed for N-doped biochar synthesized without the use of molten salt. The results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, quenching experiments and electrochemical measurements revealed that the AL@NX/PMS system operates through an O2˙−-dominated dual activation pathway (radical-based and nonradical). The unique oxidative properties of O2˙− in the AL@NX/PMS system impart broad pH adaptability, high selectivity for APAP, and high degradation performance in real water bodies. These findings highlight the promising application prospects of the AL@NX/PMS system for water remediation applications. Furthermore, this work proposes a green, energy-efficient approach to the resource utilization of biomass waste, contributing to the achievement of carbon neutrality goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wannan black pig is a superior local breed in Anhui province, renowned for its exceptional meat quality and remarkable adaptability to various environmental conditions. Semen, being a crucial indicator of male sexual maturity and fertility, significantly influences the performance of breeding boars. The molecular basis for comprehending the fecundity of boars in practical production lies in understanding the disparities in sperm proteins among boars of varying ages. In this investigation, spermatozoa from three one-year-old and three seven-year-old Wannan black pigs were individually chosen. Employing a tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics approach, a total of 4050 proteins were identified, out of which 130 proteins exhibited significant differences between the two groups. GO enrichment analysis revealed that these proteins primarily participated in energy metabolism, spermatogenesis, fertilization, and reproduction. KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated that the differential proteins predominantly resided within the ribosome pathway. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify core proteins such as Small ribosomal subunit protein uS7 (RPS5). Ultimately, parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) was conducted on the selected differential proteins to validate result accuracy. The findings of this study establish a foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying variations in spermatozoa protein levels among Wannan Black Pig with different age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of circular non-coding RNAs that play essential roles in the intricate and dynamic networks governing cell growth, development, and apoptosis. Resveratrol (RSV), a non-flavonoid polyphenol, is known to participate in follicular development and ovulation. In our previous research, we established a model using porcine ovarian granulosa cells (POGCs) treated with resveratrol, which confirmed its regulatory effects on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) within these cells. However, the influence of resveratrol on circRNA expression has not been thoroughly investigated. To explore how resveratrol affects circRNA levels in POGCs, we designed an experiment with three groups: a control group (CON, n = 3, 0 μM RSV), a low-dose RSV group (LOW, n = 3, 50 μM RSV), and a high-dose RSV group (HIGH, n = 3, 100 μM RSV) for circRNA sequencing. We identified a total of 10,045 candidate circRNAs from POGCs treated with different concentrations of resveratrol (0, 50, and 100 μM). Differential expression analysis indicated that 96 circRNAs were significantly altered in the LOW vs. CON group, while 109 circRNAs showed significant changes in the HIGH vs. CON group. These circRNAs were notably enriched in biological processes associated with cell metabolism, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Functional enrichment analysis of the host genes revealed their involvement in critical signaling pathways, including mTOR, AMPK, and apoptosis pathways. Additionally, we identified potential miRNA sponge candidates among the differentially expressed circRNAs, particularly novel_circ_0012954 and novel_circ_0004762, which exhibited strong connectivity within miRNA-target networks. Our findings provide valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in the context of resveratrol-induced apoptosis in POGCs, highlighting their potential as innovative therapeutic targets in reproductive biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the association between diarrhea or constipation and urinary incontinence (UI) in adults. Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2009–2010 was used to include 4686 adults aged 20 and over in the analysis. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) were used as outcome variables, with diarrhea and constipation as exposure factors. We first compared the baseline characteristics of those with and without SUI, as well as those with and without UUI. The impact of diarrhea or constipation on SUI and UUI was assessed using multivariate logistic regression models. To ensure the stability of the results, subgroup and stratified analyses were conducted. Results: The prevalence rates of UUI and SUI were 22.49% and 23.39%, respectively. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk of UUI was increased by either diarrhea (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.36–2.04) or constipation (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.11–1.83). The risk of SUI was also elevated by either diarrhea (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.11–1.67) or constipation (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.06–1.63). Subgroup analysis revealed no significant differences in the interaction tests between constipation or diarrhea and UI. Conclusions: This study found that both constipation and diarrhea increase the risk of UUI and SUI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic replay can effectively improve the fidelity of network emulation and support emerging network verification and network security evaluation. A distributed traffic replay system based on cloud platform is designed for large-scale, high-speed and highly concurrent network traffic emulation, named DTRS. Aiming at the diverse network traffic, a scalable multi-stream replay method is proposed to realize the flexible reproduction of multiple protocol traffic. A traffic replay strategy based on DPDK is proposed to achieve accurate control of the replay process and improve the timing fidelity of replay. To solve the problem of insufficient traffic replay speed, a vector packet processing strategy based on VPP is proposed to improve the throughput. The experimental results show that DTRS can realize the scalable loading of diverse network traffic, and support the flexible, realistic and controllable reproduction of massive heterogeneous network scenarios. In high- speed traffic emulation, DTRS can ensure the timing fidelity of replay. Compared with traditional methods, the traffic replay throughput of DTRS has increased by 3.71 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mimicking the human visual memory system has attractive prospects in the field of artificial vision. However, the prominent challenge of realizing human visual memory is how to detect and store image information at the same time, which demands a multifunctional electronic device that can sense and memorize image information like the brain. In this work, simple two‐terminal optoelectronic resistive random access memory (ORRAM) devices are demonstrated based on lead‐free Cs2AgBiBr6 perovskite, exhibiting a unique optoelectronic resistive characteristic that can be reset by UV light illumination. A proof‐of‐concept artificial self‐storage visual system based on the ORRAM is constructed, which shows similar reinforcement learning and memory forgetting functions to the human visual memory system, and realizes the integrated functions of image sensing and memory for a long‐term retention time (>6000 s). Theoretical calculations indicate that UV light illumination will induce the annihilation of Br defects and cause the fracture of conductive filaments, resulting in the optical RESET phenomenon. Furthermore, by integrating with perovskite solar cells, an all‐optically controlled universal implication logic gate is constructed. This work provides an important step toward the mimicry of human visual memory and the multifunctional artificial visual integration of perception and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA) is essential in maintaining cell permeability, reserving potential energy, and preventing cellular edema. Nevertheless, how NKA expression is altered and regulated in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs) remain uncertain. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the expression and regulation of NKA in CRSwNP. Methods: NKA immunolabeling was assessed by the immunohistochemistry method, NKA protein levels were detected with the Western blotting method, and mRNA levels of NKA and aquaporin-5 (AQP5) were assayed by real-time PCR in nasal tissues from CRSwNP and control subjects. The co-localization of NKA with inflammatory cells was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. In addition, human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) were cultured and stimulated using various stimulators to evaluate the regulation of NKA. Results: We found significantly decreased NKA positive cells, NKA protein levels, and mRNA levels of NKA and AQP5 in nasal tissues from CRSwNP patients compared to control subjects, especially in eosinophilic CRSwNP. Furthermore, NKA mRNA levels in HNECs were downregulated by staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), inflammatory cytokine (IFN)-γ, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-1β. Conclusion: NKA and AQP5 expressions were decreased in CRSwNP. NKA in HNECs could be suppressed by SEB, LPS, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-1β. Impairment of NKA may contribute to the genesis and development of CRSwNP via inducing AQP5 downregulation and edema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oxidative stress plays crucial roles in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is essential in the process of triggering oxidative stress. However, its role and mechanism in CRSwNP remain unclear. The present study sought to explore the role and mechanism of TXNIP in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. Methods: Western blotting, real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were employed to assess TXNIP, thioredoxin (TRX) expression in nasal tissue samples from patients with CRSwNP and control subjects. MDA level and SOD activity in nasal tissue homogenates were measured using MDA and SOD Assay Kit. To evaluate the role and mechanism of TXNIP in CRSwNP, human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) were cultured and stimulated using TXNIP siRNA, with or without N-acetylcysteine (NAC, an ROS scavenger). Western blotting, real-time PCR, ROS detecting dye DCFH-DA, MDA and SOD Assay Kit were performed to assess the effects and mechanisms of stimulators on the cells. Results: We found significantly increased levels of TXNIP and decreased levels of TRX protein, mRNA, positive cells, increased MDA level and decreased SOD activity in CRSwNP patients compared with control subjects. In vitro study, significantly altered levels of TXNIP, TRX, MDA, SOD and ROS in HNECs were found following treatment of TXNIP siRNA with or without NAC on HNECs. Conclusion: TXNIP expression was increased and TRX expression was decreased in CRSwNP at both protein and mRNA levels. MDA levels were increased and SOD activities were decreased in CRSwNP. TXNIP may have negative association with TRX, and then decrease SOD activities and increase MDA levels, resulting in the upregulation of ROS and oxidative stress in HNECs, which may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. Future studies are expected to further explore the role and mechanism of TXNIP in CRSwNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic–inorganic halide perovskite materials exhibit excellent memristive properties, such as high ON/OFF ratio and low switching voltage. However, the toxicity of lead and poor stability strictly limit their further commercial applications. Herein, a high-quality nontoxic and stable AgBiI4 perovskite film is successfully synthesized via a low-temperature dynamic hot casting method, and resistive switching (RS) memory devices based on AgBiI4 are reported for the first time. The RS memory devices with the ITO substrate exhibit typical bipolar nonvolatile memory behaviors with an ultralow operating voltage (≈0.16 V), high ON/OFF ratio (≈104), reversible RS by pulse voltage operation (>700) and long data retention (>104 s), superior to those of most of the other perovskite-based memory devices. Furthermore, a high performance flexible nonvolatile resistive switching (RS) memory device based on a AgBiI4 perovskite with a PEN substrate is fabricated. The flexible device also displays good stability under repeated bending tests (>1000 cycles). By analyzing the current–voltage responses, and the transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results, we propose a mechanism involving conducting filaments formed by Ag cations to describe the RS behavior of the Ag/PMMA/AgBiI4/ITO device. Our work demonstrates that AgBiI4 is promising for nonvolatile memory devices and paves the way for realizing low-power consumption flexible nonvolatile memory devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The sensitivity of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) to the glycerol test varies in patients with Menière's disease (MD).Purpose: To explore the features of EH and its glycerol-induced dynamics in MD.Study Type: Case-control study.Population: Twenty patients with MD (24 affected ears) were included.Field Strength/sequence: 3.0T 3D-FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) MRI and late gadolinium enhancement.Assessment: Intratympanic gadolinium-enhanced MRI was performed in the MD-affected ears before and after the glycerol test. The borders of the endolymphatic and total lymphatic space were contoured on the axial MRI slices to evaluate the volume of hydrops in both the cochlear and vestibular regions.Statistical Tests: Paired and unpaired t-tests, the Mann-Whitney U-test, linear discriminant analysis, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression.Results: After glycerol ingestion, vestibular EH decreased in all patients, whereas cochlear EH significantly decreased only in patients with positive glycerol test results (all P < 0.01). At baseline, cochlear EH in the positive result group was greater than in the negative result group (P = 0.007). Unexpectedly, in the positive result group a drastic glycerol-induced dehydrating effect was observed in patients whose pretest cochlear EH ratio was >16% (P = 0.011). Moreover, the dehydrating role of glycerol was positively correlated with the baseline cochlear hydrops level (r = 0.7691, P < 0.001).Data Conclusion: MRI provides evidence that glycerol administration improves the hearing threshold via dehydrating the EH. In the cochlear region, the baseline level of cochlear EH is a closely related factor for the validity of the glycerol test, whereas EH is consistently dehydrated in the vestibular component.Level Of Evidence: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:1066-1073. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodetectors are essential parts of wireless optical communication system for obtaining high fidelity signal transmission, which mainly relies on expensive and energy‐consuming Si, GaN, and InGaAs based photodiodes. The emerging organic–inorganic metal halide perovskite materials, with the merits of low‐cost, strong optical absorption, superior charge transport, and so on, are widely investigated in photodetection applications. Herein, a Cu ion induced p‐type doping strategy for perovskite film is proposed to facilitate hole transport, passivate trap states, avoid charge accumulation, and suppress recombination of photogenerated carriers, contributing to an enhanced photoelectric performance for self‐powered hole‐conductor‐free devices. The optimal device shows a highest responsivity of 0.37 A W−1, detectivity of 1.06 × 1012 Jones, linear dynamic range of over 101 dB, and an ultimate photoresponse rate approaching 5 µs. Moreover, an optical communication system integrated with the perovskite photodetector as light signal receiver for transmitting digital signals is demonstrated, in which characters can be transmitted accurately, and audio signal is recovered with high fidelity. The results suggest that with proper chemical modification, perovskite materials are promising alternative to inorganic semiconductors for efficient photodetection in advanced integrated optical communication system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We describe our early experiences with resecting skull base tumors using a radiofrequency ablation-assisted endoscopic endonasal approach. Ninety-seven patients with skull base tumors who were admitted to the Otorhinolaryngology department at Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital between January 2014 and December 2016 were operated on using a radiofrequency ablation-assisted endoscopic endonasal approach. Complete resection was achieved in all patients. This paper describes the operative technique and presents the degree of resection, complications, and early clinical outcomes.Methods: We investigated the safety and feasibility of the technique and assessed preliminary treatment outcomes.Results: No patients experienced a new neurological deficit, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or meningitis after surgery. No deaths related to skull base tumors were observed during the follow-up period (14-50 months). The volume of intraoperative blood loss was 100-1,200 mL (median 350 mL), the duration of operation was 40-510 min (median 180 min), and the hospital stay was 6-65 days (median 18).Conclusions: Our limited experience indicates that this technique is feasible and safe for complete resection of some skull base tumors in selected cases and in the future will have an increasing role to play in endoscopic sinonasal and skull base tumor dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Object: Expanded endonasal approaches have dramatically changed how skull base surgery is performed, and nasoseptal flap (NSF) has significantly improved skull base reconstruction. However, challenges remain when the pterygopalatine artery is invaded by tumors; when it must be sacrificed to approach the lateral sphenoidal recess; when late-occurrence leak occurs in the sella after transsphenoidal surgery; and also when the leak is on the posterior wall of the frontal sinus, which is too distant for NSF to reach. This article describes a septal floor rotational flap pedicled on ethmoidal arteries for endoscopic skull base reconstruction in certain cases.Study Design: Case series.Method: In this article, we retrospectively review a series of 19 patients who underwent skull base reconstruction with a septal floor rotational flap pedicled on the ethmoidal arteries.Result: All 19 flaps, including the anterior and posterior artery pedicled flaps, survived without significant complications, and no postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred during follow-up.Conclusion: Ethmoidal arteries pedicled septal floor rotational flap, with their strong blood supply and large coverage area, are ideal replacements for NSF. These flaps are qualified in locations ranging from the posterior wall of the frontal sinus to the lateral sphenoidal recess and in cases ranging from tumor invading the pterygopalatine fossa to sellar late-occurred leak after transsphenoidal surgery.Level Of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 129:2696-2701, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

γ-Al2O3 was incorporated with SiO2 and used as carrier to support Ni and Cu oxides for catalytic ozonation of heavy oil produced water. The change of catalytic activity was in accordance with that of surface hydroxyl density after incorporation or reuse of catalysts. Nitrogen adsorption and X-ray power diffraction analysis indicated that the specific surface area decreased and the mineral phase and crystal structure of metal oxides unchanged after incorporation. The results confirmed that the neutral surface hydroxyl groups of the carrier were the active sites during catalytic ozonation. Increasing of surface hydroxyl could be another way of improving the catalytic efficiency of catalytic ozonation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bilirubin (BR) is metabolized mainly by uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) through glucuronidation in the liver. Some studies have shown that several subtypes of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, including CYP1A2, are upregulated by inducers and proposed to be alternative BR degradation enzymes. However, no information is available on the BR degradation ability of CYP in normal rats without manipulation by CYP inducers. Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR), western blot, immunofluorescence, and confocal microscopy were used to find expression of CYP1A2 in the brain and the liver. BR metabolites in microsomal fractions during development were examined by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: In the present study, we observed that CYP1A2 mRNA levels increased at postnatal days (P)14 and P30 with respect to the level at P7 both in liver and brain, this increment was especially pronounced in the brain at P14. The expression of CYP1A2 in the brainstem (BS) was higher than that in the cerebellum (CLL) and cortex (COR). Meanwhile, the CYP1A2 protein level was significantly higher in the COR than in the brainstem and CLL at P14. The levels of BR and its metabolites (m/z values 301, 315, 333 and biliverdin) were statistically unaltered by incubation with liver and brain microsomal fractions. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the region-specific expression of CYP1A2 increased during development, but CYP family enzymes were physiologically incapable of metabolizing BR. The ability of CYPs to oxidize BR may be triggered by CYP inducers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are one of the most promising lab-scale technologies to deliver inexpensive solar electricity. Low-temperature printable carbon counter electrode based planar-heterojunction PSCs are particularly suitable for future large-scale manufacturing, but suffer from an inferior efficiency. Here, we demonstrate a TiO2/SnO2 bilayer as the electron transport layer (ETL) for carbon counter electrode based planar-heterojunction PSCs together with micromolecule Cu-phthalocyanine (CuPc) as the hole transport layer (HTL), yielding a high power conversion efficiency of 15.39% and an excellent stability over 1200 h. The improved performances are attributed to a better energy level transition, a suppressed electron–hole recombination, and a wider depletion region of the TiO2/SnO2 bilayer. Our work represents a great advancement in the fabrication and popularization of carbon counter electrode based PSCs. More importantly, the whole devices are processed at a temperature below 200 °C, providing potential application of PSCs in monolithic tandem devices and paving the way for the development of carbon based flexible PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effectiveness of thalidomide for epistaxis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), 7 HHT patients with recurrent epistaxis were treated with thalidomide at an initial dose of 50 mg/d, gradually increasing to 100 mg/d if needed. The Epistaxis Severity Score (ESS) was used to evaluate the treatment effects. Patients reported that epistaxis improved 1 to 3 weeks after starting thalidomide. The mean ESS before treatment, at the end of treatment, and 3 months after stopping treatment was 5.03 ± 2.05, 0.90 ± 0.84 ( P = .003), and 1.98 ± 1.33 ( P = .006), respectively. Four patients reported mild to moderate side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, nausea, and peripheral neuropathy. Two patients stopped the treatment because of adverse effects. Those results showed that thalidomide may be a treatment choice for recurrent epistaxis in HHT patients, although the side effects should be considered. Further study should focus on guidelines for dosing and course and investigate how to reduce the adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using magnetic field data as fingerprints for smartphone indoor positioning has become popular in recent years. Particle filter is often used to improve accuracy. However, most of existing particle filter based approaches either are heavily affected by motion estimation errors, which result in unreliable systems, or impose strong restrictions on smartphone such as fixed phone orientation, which are not practical for real-life use. In this paper, we present a novel indoor positioning system for smartphones, which is built on our proposed reliability-augmented particle filter. We create several innovations on the motion model, the measurement model, and the resampling model to enhance the basic particle filter. To minimize errors in motion estimation and improve the robustness of the basic particle filter, we propose a dynamic step length estimation algorithm and a heuristic particle resampling algorithm. We use a hybrid measurement model, combining a new magnetic fingerprinting model and the existing magnitude fingerprinting model, to improve system performance, and importantly avoid calibrating magnetometers for different smartphones. In addition, we propose an adaptive sampling algorithm to reduce computation overhead, which in turn improves overall usability tremendously. Finally, we also analyze the “Kidnapped Robot Problem” and present a practical solution. We conduct comprehensive experimental studies, and the results show that our system achieves an accuracy of 1$\sim$ 2 m on average in a large building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]