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Abstract In the realm of multiferroicity in 2D magnets, whether magnetic and polar skyrmions can coexist within a single topological entity has emerged as an important question. Here, we study Janus 2D magnets CrInX 3 (X=Se, Te) for a comprehensive investigation of the magnetic ground state, magnetic excited state, and corresponding ferroelectric polarization by first-principles electronic structure calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. Specifically, we have thoroughly elucidated the magnetic exchange mechanisms, and have fully exemplified the magnetic field dependence of the magnon spectrum. More importantly, our study reveals a previously unrecognized, remarkably large spin-spiral-induced ferroelectric polarization (up to 194.9 μC/m2) in both compounds. We propose an approach to identify polar skyrmions within magnetic skyrmions, based on the observed direct correlation between spin texture and polarization density. Elucidating this correlation not only deepens our understanding of magnetic skyrmions but also paves the way for innovative research in the realm of multiferroic skyrmions.

Model-predictive control (MPC) offers significant advantages in addressing constraint-related challenges and plays a pivotal role in self-driving car technology. Its primary goal is to achieve precise trajectory tracking while prioritizing vehicle stability and safety. However, real-time operations often face challenges related to computational demands and low computational efficiency. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a novel lateral control algorithm for self-driving vehicles, which utilizes the linear complementarity problem (LCP) instead of the conventional quadratic programming (QP) method as the MPC optimization solution. This innovative approach incorporates the electric steering system into the vehicle dynamics model, allowing for precise torque regulation of the steering motor and enhancing control accuracy. The MPC algorithm adopts the LCP solution method to calculate control signals based on the vehicle’s state, ensuring both rapid and stable vehicle control. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed MPC algorithm, utilizing the LCP solution method, effectively addresses efficiency issues in the lateral motion of self-driving cars. This leads to improvements in both driving stability and real-time performance. Overall, this innovative approach lays a solid foundation for the practical implementation of self-driving cars.

Neutrophil energy metabolism during phagocytosis has been previously reported, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) plays a crucial role in endocytosis. Neutrophils are prepared by intraperitoneal injection of thioglycolate for 4 h. We previously reported a system established for measuring particulate matter endocytosis by neutrophils using flow cytometry. In this study, we utilized this system to investigate the relationship between endocytosis and energy consumption in neutrophils. A dynamin inhibitor suppressed ATP consumption triggered by neutrophil endocytosis. In the presence of exogenous ATP, neutrophils behave differently during endocytosis depending on ATP concentration. The inhibition of ATP synthase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase but not phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase suppresses neutrophil endocytosis. The nuclear factor kappa B was activated during endocytosis and inhibited by I kappa B kinase (IKK) inhibitors. Notably, IKK inhibitors restored endocytosis-triggered ATP consumption. Furthermore, data from the NLR family pyrin domain containing three knockout mice suggest that inflammasome activation is not involved in neutrophil endocytosis or concomitant ATP consumption. To summarize, these molecular events occur via endocytosis, which is closely related to ATP-centered energy metabolism.

Sonodynamics has emerged as a new potential therapy for breast cancer in recent years. However, GSH-mediated redox systems in cancer cells make them tolerable to oxidative stress-related therapy. Herein, in this study, with G6PD, the gatekeeper enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway, as the regulative target, a self-assembled thermosensitive chitosan-pluronic hydrogel coloaded with ICG (sono-sensitive agent) and RRx-001 (IR@CPGel) was successfully prepared to enhance SDT through interference with redox homeostasis. Both in vitro and in vivo antitumor investigations verified that when integrated with sonodynamic therapy applied in breast cancer treatment, local administration of IR@CPgel could enhance ROS generation under LIFU irradiation and trigger the intrinsic apoptotic pathway of cancer cells, thus effectively inhibiting tumor growth in a safe manner. Moreover, RRx-001 may interfere with redox homeostasis in cancer cells by downregulating G6PD expression. Due to this redox imbalance, proapoptotic signals, such as P21 and P53, were enhanced, and metastasis-related signals, including MMP-2, ZEB1 and HIF-1α, were effectively reduced. Taken together, this work aimed to enhance the efficacy of sonodynamic therapy through local administration of self-assembled IR@CPGel to interfere with redox homeostasis and thus amplify the oxidative stress microenvironment in tumor tissues. In a word, this work provides a new strategy for the SDT enhancement in breast cancer therapy.

For the first time, toxic bio-tars collected from the gasification of pine sawdust are used as the precursor for activated carbons. Various types of activation agents including KOH, K2CO3, H3PO4 and ZnCl2 were screened for obtaining superior activated carbons. When KOH was used as an activation agent, the obtained activated carbons exhibited high specific surface area and large mesopore volume. The activated carbons were further employed to be the electrode material of supercapacitors, and its specific capacitance reached up to 260 F g−1 at 0.25 A g−1 current density. Also, it showed an excellent rate performance from preserving a relatively high specific capacitance of 151 F g−1 at 50 A g−1. The assembled device also exhibited the good electrochemical stability with the capacity retention of 90% after 5000 cycles. Furthermore, the maximum energy density of the activated carbons in organic electrolyte reached 17.8 Wh kg−1. Keywords: Tars, Activated carbon, Potassium hydroxide, Supercapacitors, Gasification

The pore structure and the petrophysical properties are essential parameters during the marine and continental shale reservoir evaluation. In order to the reveal the mechanism of the pore parameters differences and discuss whether the controlling factors of pore structure have extensive influence in different lithologies. Based on the analysis of N2/CO2 isotherm adsorption, FE-SEM, and geomechanical test for the marine shale samples of Longmaxi Formation and continental shale samples of Yanchang Formation are undertaken. The results indicate that (1) Continental shale is a typical transversely isotropic, while marine shale can be considered a homogeneous rock on a centimeter scale. The lithological stratification is the main reason for the difference in petrophysical properties. (2) The thermal evolution degree has significant influence on the pore structure in shale samples except for TOC content, particularly for the micropores structure. (3) Since the matrix strength of shale is much greater than the strength of bedding planes, the continental shale tends to crack and fail along the weak surface of the bedding during the axial compression, showing a lower peak strength, while the marine shale presents main crack along the principal stress direction without activating the bedding crack.

Common dispersive-type spectroscopic instruments include prism-type and grating-type, usually using a single dispersive element. The continuous imaging band is always limited by the dispersion angle. When it is necessary to image two wavebands with an ultra-spectral resolution that are far apart, the imaging is difficult due to the large diffraction angle. To broaden the spectral coverage of the imaging spectrometer, in this paper, we propose a dual-gratings imaging spectrometer with two independently rotating gratings. In this proposed system, two very far apart wavelength bands can be imaged in the adjacent areas by adjusting the angle of the dual gratings. This greatly expands the spectral coverage of the imaging spectrometer. Currently, the only application area considered for this instrument is solar applications. In this article, we present the optical system of the dual-gratings imaging spectrometer, illustrate several advantages of the new structure, and discuss new problems caused by the dual-gratings, which are referred to as overlap between two spectra and double image offset. We deduced the calculation process of the dual grating rotation angle, the relationship between the final acquired image and the slit, the relationship between the angle change between the dual gratings and the double image offset, and the relationship between the MTF upper limit reduction and the spatial frequency. This article also summarizes the shortcomings of this structure and studies the applicable fields under these shortcomings. At last, we simulate a dual-gratings imaging spectrometer system, compare this scheme with two traditional schemes, and conclude that this instrument has certain practical significance.

Understanding miRNAs regulatory roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) would help establish new avenues for further uncovering the mechanisms underlying radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) and identifying preventative and therapeutic targets. Here, we demonstrated that miR-541-5p repression by Myeloid Zinc Finger 1 (MZF1) promotes radiation-induced EMT and RIPF. Irradiation could decrease miR-541-5p expression in vitro and in vivo and inversely correlated to RIPF development. Ectopic miR-541-5p expression suppressed radiation-induced-EMT in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of Slug, the functional target of miR-541-5p, inhibited EMT induction by irradiation. The upregulation of transcription factor MZF1 upon irradiation inhibited the expression of endogenous miR-541-5p and its primary precursor (pri-miR-541-5p), which regulated the effect of the Slug on the EMT process. Our finding showed that ectopic miR-541-5p expression mitigated RIPF in mice by targeting Slug. Thus, irradiation activates MZF1 to downregulate miR-541-5p in alveolar epithelial cells, promoting EMT and contributing to RIPF by targeting Slug. Our observation provides further understanding of the development of RIPF and determines potential preventative and therapeutic targets.

The effect of airflow rate, biomass moisture content, particle size, and compactness on the surface properties of biochar produced in a top-lit updraft gasifier was investigated. Pine woodchips were studied as the feedstock. The carbonization airflow rates from 8 to 20 L/min were found to produce basic biochars (pH > 7.0) that contained basic functional groups. No acid functional groups were presented when the airflow increased. The surface charge of biochar at varying airflow rates showed that the cation exchange capacity increased with airflow. The increase in biomass moisture content from 10 to 14% caused decrease in the pH from 12 to 7.43, but the smallest or largest particle sizes resulted in low pH; therefore, the carboxylic functional groups increased. Similarly, the biomass compactness exhibited a negative correlation with the pH that reduced with increasing compactness level. Thus, the carboxylic acid functional groups of biochar increased from 0 to 0.016 mmol g−1, and the basic functional group decreased from 0.115 to 0.073 mmol g−1 when biomass compactness force increased from 0 to 3 kg. BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) surface area of biochar was greater at higher airflow and smaller particle size, lower moisture content, and less compactness of the biomass.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as key players in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, which is associated with significant risks of heart failure. However, many microRNAs are still not recognized for their functions in pathophysiological processes. In this study, we evaluated effects of miR-218 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy using both in vitro and in vivo models. We found that miR-218 was evidently downregulated in a transverse aortic constriction (TAC) mouse model. Overexpression of miR-218 is sufficient to reduce hypertrophy, whereas the suppression of miR-218 aggravates hypertrophy in primary cardiomyocytes induced by isoprenaline (ISO). In addition, we identified RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) as a novel target of miR-218; it negatively regulated the expression of REST in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes and the TAC model. These results showed that miR-218 plays a crucial role in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, likely via targeting REST, suggesting a potential candidate target for interfering hypertrophy.