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

Summary The mitochondrial matrix is the supplier of cellular ATP. The short Ca 2+ -binding mitochondrial carrier (SCaMC) is one of the two mitochondrial carriers responsible for transporting ATP across the mitochondrial inner membrane. While the ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) accounts for the bulk ADP/ATP recycling in the matrix, the function of SCaMC is important for mitochondrial activities that depend on adenine nucleotides, such as gluconeogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis. A key difference between SCaMC and AAC is that SCaMC selectively transports MgATP whereas AAC only transports free nucleotides. Here, we use a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance experiments and functional mutagenesis to investigate the structural basis of the MgATP selectivity in SCaMC. Our data revealed an MgATP binding site inside the transporter cavity, while identifying an aspartic acid residue that plays an important role in the higher selectivity for MgATP over free ATP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Five pairs of novel merosesquiterpenoid enantiomers were isolated and identified. • Dauresorcinol A (1) possesses an unprecedented methyl-shifted merosesquiterpenoid carbon skeleton. • Dauresorcinol B (2) bears a novel caged merosesquiterpenoid carbon skeleton. • (+)/(−)- 1 and 3 − 5 showed more potent α -glucosidase inhibitory activity than acarbose. • The structure−activity relationships of isolates were discussed. Five pairs of new merosesquiterpenoid enantiomers, named dauresorcinols A−E (1 − 5), were isolated from the leaves of Rhododendron dauricum. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis, quantum chemical calculations, Rh 2 (OCOCF 3) 4 -induced ECD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Dauresorcinols A (1) and B (2) possess two new merosesquiterpene skeletons bearing an unprecedented 2,6,7,10,14-pentamethyl-11-oxatetracyclo[8.8.0.02,7.012,17]octadecane and a caged 15-isohexyl-1,5,15-trimethyl-2,10-dioxatetracyclo[7.4.1.111,14.03,8]pentadecane motif, respectively. Plausible biosynthetic pathways of 1 − 5 are proposed involving key oxa-electrocyclization and Wagner−Meerwein rearrangement reactions. (+)/(−)- 1 and 3 − 5 showed potent α -glucosidase inhibitory activity, 3 to 22 times stronger than acarbose, an antidiabetic drug targeting α -glucosidase. Docking results provide a basis to design and develop merosesquiterpenoids as potent α -glycosidase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fc-fused receptor binding domain (RBD-Fc) vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 has garnered significant attention for its capacity to provide effective and specific immune protection. However, its immunogenicity is limited, highlighting the need for improvement in clinical application. Nanoparticle delivery has been shown to be an effective method for enhancing antigen immunogenicity. In this study, we developed bivalent nanoparticle recombinant protein vaccines by assembling the RBD-Fc of SARS-CoV-2 and Fc-binding homo-oligomers o42.1 and i52.3 into octahedral and icosahedral nanoparticles. The formation of RBD-Fc nanoparticles was confirmed through structural characterization and cell binding experiments. Compared to RBD-Fc dimers, the nanoparticle vaccines induced more potent neutralizing antibodies (nAb) and stronger cellular immune responses. Therefore, using bivalent nanoparticle vaccines based on RBD-Fc presents a promising vaccination strategy against SARS-CoV-2 and offers a universal approach for enhancing the immunogenicity of Fc fusion protein vaccines. • RBD-Fc based nanoparticle vaccines are assembled using designed Fc-binding homo-oligomers. • RBD-Fc nanoparticle vaccines enhance the humoral and cellular immune response induced by RBD-Fc. • This study provides a feasible method for enhancing the immunogenicity of Fc fusion antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Elucidating the various factors that impact the longevity of concrete structures. • Revealing that the construction of a hydrophobic barrier to safeguard concrete materials against environmental factors is crucial for ensuring their protection and durability. • Suggesting that silane-based protective materials have emerged as a promising solution that reduces the surface energy of substrates, limits the penetration of harmful substances, and provides multidimensional protection for concrete substrates. Concrete is the most commonly used construction material in infrastructure worldwide. However, due to its porous nature, it is highly susceptible to the surrounding environment which can lead to corrosion and deterioration, thereby reducing its service life and increasing maintenance costs. Inspired by the "lotus leaf effect" effective waterproofing measures can improve the durability of concrete structures. Silane-based protective materials have emerged as a promising solution that reduces the surface energy of substrates, limits the penetration of harmful substances, and provides multidimensional protection for concrete substrates. The versatility of silanes makes them valuable materials for improving the durability of concrete structures under harsh environmental conditions. This paper initiates with an exploration into the formidable challenges confronting concrete infrastructure. Subsequently, it provides an exhaustive analysis of the utilization of silane-based protective materials in augmenting the longevity of concrete structures, accompanied by a thorough assessment of their applicability in diverse aspects of concrete infrastructure. Furthermore, this study introduces pioneering strategies designed to elevate the protective efficacy of these materials, particularly within forthcoming corrosive environments. As we look ahead, safeguarding infrastructure through the implementation of silane-based materials presents a novel perspective on resource efficiency, assuming escalating significance within the realm of concrete construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A calibration-free WMS-TDLAS method for short path and low temperature is proposed. • The principle of spectroscopy pairs selection is proposed. • A WMS-TDLAS system is developed and validated by thermocouple and simulation. • Low temperature induced by expansion waves in oscillation channel is successfully measured. • The refrigeration efficiency of GWR is more accurately evaluated by true gas temperature. The refrigeration efficiency is mainly dependent on the low temperature generated by gas wave dynamics in oscillation channel. In this paper, a temperature rapid monitoring method for short light path based on the calibration-free wavelength modulation spectroscopy-tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (WMS-TDLAS) method is proposed. The selection of absorption wavelength, measurement procedure and data processing are specifically introduced. The wave dynamics and medium temperature under different pressure ratios and rotary speeds are studied, and the energy transfer efficiency of the gas wave refrigerator is evaluated. As the pressure ratio increases, the temperature in the cold zone behind the expansion wave gradually decreases to 257.6 K and the relative humidity of the cold zone inside the channel increases, which is caused by local condensation. At the same time, the expansion refrigeration efficiency is increasing from 27.3 % to 64.9 %. The increasing rotary speed of rotor also benefit to refrigeration efficiency from 45.8 % to 75.6 % as low temperature decreases to 252.1 K, which illustrates that rotary speed has more improvement effect on refrigeration efficiency than just higher-pressure ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest fires have become more frequent in many regions throughout the world over recent decades, principally as a result of global warming. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have become recognized as a byproduct of wildfires and an important indicator of ancient wildfires. However, the factors controlling wildfires remain elusive. This study presents analyses of PAH compounds found in 22 surface soil samples from the snow-capped Mount Yulong (Mt. Yulong), on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau (TP; 1906 ∼ 4132 m above sea level (asl)), as well as the total organic carbon (TOC) and n -alkanes values for these soils. This area is climatically influenced by alternating Westerlies as well as the Southwest Asian Monsoon and the Southeast Asian Monsoon. PAH ratios, including the indeno[1,2,3- cd ]pyrene/(indeno[1,2,3- cd ]pyrene + benzo[ g , h , i ]perylene) and fluoranthene/ (fluoranthene + pyrene) ratios, as well as the ratios of low molecular weight (LMW) PAH to high molecular weight (HMW) PAH (LMW/HMW) and the LMW/∑PAH ratio, can reliably confirm that these PAH were primarily produced by biomass combustion. Further principal component analysis (PCA) also supported this conclusion. The highest ∑PAH concentration (Conc PAH 89.9 ng/g) from sites >3800 m asl that exhibit significant wildfire remains further confirming that PAH can be taken as a reliable indicator of the occurrence of ancient wildfires. Analysis of variance confirmed that the composition of local vegetation type has a minimal contribution to Conc PAH across the study area, but soil type played an obvious effect on Conc PAH as the result of change in absorb ability of PAH. When analyzing samples that had no wildfire remains, there was no correlation between Conc PAH and mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation (MAP). The relatively lower prevalence of wildfire activity (indicated by a low mean Conc PAH value of 21.29 ± 9.80 ng/g) along the Mt. Yulong transect between 2200 and 3500 m asl may be due to a wetter climate (with MAP between 800 and 1800 mm in the rainy season), a climate which would in turn have reduced the combustibility of vegetation fuel and thus limited wildfire activity. Indeed, the highest standardized dimethylphenanthrene ratio (0.76 ± 1.16), Retene/3-ring (0.81 ± 0.66) and Retene (0.63 ± 1.03 ng/g) values all presented between 2200 and 3500 m asl, confirming their reliability as indicators of conifer combustion. • PAH, TOC and n -alkanes in 22 surface soil samples were quantified along the altitudinal transect in Mt. Yulong. • Ratios analysis and PCA confirm that these parent PAH were primarily produced by biomass combustion. • Conc PAH values were affected by wildfire occurrence, preservation environment, and soil types. • DMPy, Ret/3-ring and Ret (ng/g) can be used as indicators of conifer combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biobased carboxymethyl chitosan-modified black phosphorene (BP-CMC) was prepared through an amidation reaction between amino group functionalized black phosphorene (NH 2 -BP) and CMC. Density functional theory (DTF) express that the adsorption energy between urea and phosphene is −6.28 eV, indicating a strong interaction. The resulting BP-CMC was further applied to reinforce the mechanical, flame-retardant and thermal conductivity performance of honeycomb cellulose nanofiber (CNF) film via vacuum filtration. Cone calorimetry test (CCT) result exhibits that the introduction of 30 wt% BP-CMC significantly promoted the fire safety of CNF. For instance, a 98.41% reduction in smoke production rate (SPR), 92.00 % decline in CO release and a 61.31% decrease in heat release rate (HRR) were observed compared to neat CNF. Furthermore, Thermogravimetric infrared (TG-IR) indicates a significant decrease in the release of flammable gases. Raman spectra verify that the incorporation of 30 wt% BP-CMC improves the graphitization degree of residual chars, thus limiting the transfer of heat and oxygen. The improvement in fire safety is attributed to the formation of an intumescent flame-retardant system, which is rich in carbon source (CMC), acid source (BP) and gas source (amino). Simultaneously, the introduction of 30 wt% BP-CMC into CNF leads to considerable enhancement in thermal conductivity (up to 17.49 %), thermal diffusion (utmost to 43.45 %) and heat capacity (increased by 19.23 %). Moreover, the 30 wt % addition of BP-CMC into CNF possesses excellent mechanical properties with the improvement of toughness (increased by 143.50 %) and tensile strength (increased by 140.90 %). This strategy not only provides a new strategy for functionalizing BP but also upgrades the application potential of BP nanosheets in the fire safety of polymer composite films. [Display omitted] • tremendously enhanced in flame retardancy, thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of CNF film. • Amidation of NH 2 -black phosphorus (NH 2 -BP) with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC). • A facile, environmental and economic strategy of vacuum filtration to fabricate honeycomb PCF composite film. • The synergistic effect of gas phase and condensed phase flame retardant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the evolution characteristics of cracks and shear bands is important for understanding the damage mechanisms of geotechnical materials. However, there are few experimental studies on the mesoscopic evolution characteristics of cracks in shear bands. In this study, micro-chromatography (micro-CT) is used to evaluate the triaxial test processes of granite residual soil samples under confining pressures of 50 kPa, 100 kPa, 200 kPa and 300 kPa. Then, advanced digital volume correlation (DVC) is used to obtain three-dimensional strain fields and shear bands at different test loading stages, the evolution characteristics of cracks inside and outside the shear band are further measured basis on this. The results indicate that, if the maximum gradient region of the crack distribution in the initial state of the sample can form a trend surface similar to the "interface", then the shear band may be generated in this region. After the formation of the shear band, the penetration degrees of the shear bands are similar to an S curve with the increasing axial strain. The crack volume densities of the shear bands are obviously smaller than those of whole specimens. The crack volume densities on the shear bands first decrease rapidly and then increase gradually with increasing axial strain, and the increasing rate decreases with increasing confining pressure. Among the various crack types on the shear bands, the volume contents of brand-new cracks increase the fastest and exceed half, indirectly reflecting the severe deformation characteristics on the shear bands. • Measurement of crack evolution law in shear bands by micro-CT. • Quantitative calculation of spatial connectivity of shear bands. • The relationship between initiation of shear bands and the distribution of cracks. • The crack density in the shear band is smaller than that of the whole sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, bamboo leaf extract concentrate was used as a curing liquid to delay the oxidation of bacon while having the unique fragrance combined with different proportions of bamboo poles and cypress [1⁚0 (A), 2⁚1 (B), 1⁚1 (C), and 0⁚1 (D)] for smoking. The results indicated that the oxidation degree and residual nitrite content of the four groups remained lower during the whole storage. As for flavor compounds before and after storage, the differences in group A were mainly in aldehydes, esters, and alcohols, in groups B and C were mainly in ketones, alcohols, and acids. While the differences in group D were mainly in hydrocarbons and phenolics, accompanied by heavier resin and smoky odor, as well as onefold main flavor compounds after storage. Based on the oxidation degree and the overall changes in flavor compounds, group A was considered as the best among the four groups. Practical applications: In this study, bamboo leaf extract concentrate was used as a curing liquid to delay the oxidation of bacon while having the unique fragrance combined with different proportions of bamboo poles and cypress for smoking. We aimed to study the flavor compounds and oxidation changes in different treatments. Our study clearly presented and compared the changes in oxidation and overall flavor compounds in each group before and after storage under four different treatments, and finally obtained the optimal group. This study is likely to lead to an improvement to smoked bacon and comprehensive utilization of bamboo leaves and bamboo poles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escherichia coli suspension, as a paradigmatic model system of active fluids, shows different rheological responses from passive suspensions under shear. To investigate the effect of suspension volume fraction, bacterial motility, and suspension temperature on the rheological properties of bacterial suspensions, the rheological response under steady shear is systematically measured using a rheometer with a double-gap cylinder measuring system. It is found that the unusual rheological responses (shear viscosity reduction and rheopexy) of E. coli suspension at low volume fraction are not prominent while the shear viscosity reduction and rheopexy are observed in E. coli suspension at high volume fraction. Characteristic shear rates are introduced to characterize the transition of rheological behavior of E. coli suspension at different shear rates. The comparison of rheological responses between motile and non-motile bacterial suspensions highlights the effect of bacterial mobility on shear viscosity and rheopexy. The non-Newtonian properties become prominent with increase in suspension temperature due to the enhancement of the motility of bacteria. It has been proved that the coupling effect of bacterial motility and the applied shear rate on rheology properties of E. coli systems can well be described by the steady shear model. Anisotropy of the swimming stress results in a normal stress difference, which leads to the viscosity hysteresis in the active fluids. The characteristic shear rates derived from the theoretical analysis agree well with the experimental results and values of characteristic shear rates augment accordingly with the enhancement of bacterial motility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

In this contribution, the dynamic behaviors of a turbidostat model with discrete delay are investigated. With the delay of digestion chosen to be a bifurcation parameter, we find that Hopf bifurcations occur when the delay crosses some critical values. Also, by employing the normal form theory and the center manifold theorem, we determine the type and stability of the bifurcating periodic solutions. Finally, numerical simulations are offered to support our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-texturing represents an effective way for improving efficiency in silicon devices, such as light absorbers, photodetectors, and solar cells. In this paper, we examine the angular property of photocurrent response in surface-textured silicon. We characterize photocurrent spectra of both pyramid-textured silicon and un-etched flat silicon at different incident angles for comparison. Our spectral measurements indicate that pyramid-textured silicon exhibits an overall dramatic decrease in the photocurrent response within the wavelength range of 1–1.18 µm at larger incident angles for both s and p polarizations. This angular property is different for un-etched flat silicon, whose photocurrent decreases in a less angle-sensitive manner for s polarization and increases first and then decreases with the incident angle for p polarization as correlated with light reflectance with a characteristic Brewster's angle. The absence of Brewster's angle effect in the photocurrent response of pyramid-textured silicon is in agreement with our reflectance simulations. These results help understand the fundamental optical properties induced by surface-texturing in silicon devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate the effects of periodic application of effective microorganism (EM) bacteria and calcium peroxide on water environment restoration of a trench wetland ecosystem and its impact on microbiota in water and sediment. Methods and Results: The EM bacteria and calcium peroxide were alternately sprayed into the trench water, and changes in the physicochemical indices of water and sediment, and in microbiota structure were subsequently investigated. Alternately spraying of calcium peroxide and EM bacteria improved the water quality, especially in terms of the dissolved oxygen and transparency of water body, and could further reduce the levels of total nitrogen, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen. At the same time, the microbiota structure of the water body was significantly changed by spraying with calcium peroxide and EM bacteria, and the relative abundances of Pseudanabaena, Legionellaceae, Planktothrix, Planctomyces, Phenylobacterium, Rhodobacter, Rhodoferax and Aquirestis were significantly increased. However, there was no significant effect on the physicochemical indexes and microbiota composition of the sediment. Conclusions: The water quality of the Baiyangdian trench could be significantly restored by regular sprinkling of calcium peroxide and EM bacteria. Significance and Impact of Study: The results provide an effective technical method for the restoration of trench wetland water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MFAP2 has been reported to play an oncogenic role in several types of human cancers. However, the expression profile of MFAP2 in various cancers and its impact on prognosis and immune infiltration remain unclear. In this study, the mRNA expression and protein expression of MFAP2 in normal tissues, tumor cell lines, and 33 malignant tumor tissues were analyzed comprehensively using Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Oncomine and UALCAN databases, and the expression of MFAP2 in different grades and stages of cancers was assessed using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2) and Tumor and Immune System Interaction Database (TISIDB). In general, MFAP2 showed distinct expression in most tumor and normal tissues, closely associated with higher tumor grade, higher tumor stage, and poor survival in multiple cancers. A search of the UALCAN database and the cBioPortal database revealed that this difference in mRNA level expression could be partly attributed to abnormal DNA methylation and mutations at the genomic level. In addition, MFAP2 expression was also associated with tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability, and neoantigens in different cancer types. More importantly, the TIMER and TISIDB databases also showed that MFAP2 levels were significantly correlated with immune infiltration abundance and immune-related gene markers, as well as ESTIMATE scores. By qPCR, MFAP2 expression was validated in four kinds of tumor tissue samples. The present study combined several databases and performed a pan-cancer analysis of the expression profile, methylation, and mutation for MFAP2 and its implications for prognosis and immune infiltration, suggesting that MFAP2 could contribute to malignant properties of many tumors. MFAP2 may be an important biomarker with prognostic value and has the potential to be a target for tumor immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the long term effects of laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV) and microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MV) on ipsilateral testicular microcirculation using Color Doppler Flow Imaging (CDFI).Materials and Methods: A total of 29 patients with left varicocele who underwent LV and 30 patients who underwent MV were examined with CDFI for intratesticular flow parameters before and at 3- and 6-month after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative semen parameters were also evaluated.Results: The mean values of peak systolic velocity, pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) of capsular artery (CA) and intratesticular artery (ITA) decreased significantly after LV and MV, whereas no significant change was observed in end-diastolic velocity. Comparing between two groups, the PI and RI values of left CA and ITA on 3rd month and of ITA on 6th month postoperatively in MV group were significantly lower than those in LV group. LV and MV resulted in a statistically increase in the sperm density, morphology and total motile sperm count. Moreover, the PI and RI values of ipsilateral CA and ITA seemed negatively correlated with sperm quality.Conclusion: A significant improvement occurs in testicular blood supply and sperm parameters after either LV or MV, among MV advances an early and a more obvious hemodynamics promotion than LV. The values of RI and PI of ipsilateral CA and ITA are two important indexes for the prognosis after varicocelectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crustacean hepatopancreas has different functions including absorption, storage of nutrients and vitellogenesis during growth, and ovarian development. However, genetic information on the biological functions of the crustacean hepatopancreas during such processes is limited. The swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus, is a commercially important species for both aquaculture and fisheries in the Asia-Pacific region. This study compared the transcriptome in the hepatopancreas of female P. trituberculatus during the growth and ovarian maturation stages by 454 high-throughput pyrosequencing and bioinformatics. The goal was to discover genes in the hepatopancreas involved in food digestion, nutrition metabolism and ovarian development, and to identify patterns of gene expression during growth and ovarian maturation. Our transcriptome produced 303,450 reads with an average length of 351 bp, and the high quality reads were assembled into 21,635 contigs and 31,844 singlets. Based on BLASTP searches of the deduced protein sequences, there were 7,762 contigs and 4,098 singlets with functional annotation. Further analysis revealed 33,427 unigenes with ORFs, including 17,388 contigs and 16,039 singlets in the hepatopancreas, while only 7,954 unigenes (5,691 contigs and 2,263 singlets) with the predicted protein sequences were annotated with biological functions. The deduced protein sequences were assigned to 3,734 GO terms, 25 COG categories and 294 specific pathways. Furthermore, there were 14, 534, and 22 identified unigenes involved in food digestion, nutrition metabolism and ovarian development, respectively. 212 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found between the growth and endogenous stage of the hepatopancreas, while there were 382 DEGs between the endogenous and exogenous stage hepatopancreas. Our results not only enhance the understanding of crustacean hepatopancreatic functions during growth and ovarian development, but also represent a basis for further research on new genes and functional genomics of P. trituberculatus or closely related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitroxyl (HNO), a kind of active nitrogen species, plays a vital role in particular physiological and pathological process. Urgent detection of HNO and understanding its biological roles in living systems is indispensable. Herein, we presented a novel dansyl-naphthalimide fluorescent sensor, NA-PA , for the selective response for HNO with remarkable fluorescence enhancement (Φ F = 32.5%) due to the hydrolysis of boronic pinacol ester. The proposed probe exhibited the desirable prominent features of high sensitivity, fast response, excellent selectivity and low cytotoxicity. Importantly, the probe works well in visualizing HNO in HepG-2 cells and live mice, illuminating that NA-PA would be a powerful tool to evaluate the physiological and pathological functions of HNO in life. A novel dansyl-naphthalimide fluorescent probe NA-PA with benzeneboronic acid pinacol ester as the recognition group was designed for detecting HNO in vitro and vivo. [Display omitted] • A novel probe NA-PA based on dansyl-naphthalimide fluorophores was designed and synthesized. • As far as we know, there are few reports of benzeneboronic acid pinacol ester as the recognition group of HNO. • NA-PA showed excellent sensing toward HNO with high selectivity, good sensitivity, rapid response and low cytotoxicity. • The bioimaging assays illustrated NA-PA would be a powerful tool for tracking and imaging HNO in physiological environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gradual degradation of the electrical properties of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) when operating on C-containing fuels poses a significant obstacle to their widespread implementation in industry. This paper investigates the distribution of carbon deposition and its structural evolution in the traditional SOFC electrode (Ni/YSZ). The carbon deposition weight in direct methane SOFC increases linearly with exposure times without electrochemical reactions. The carbon initially deposits at the triple-phase boundary (TPB) of the anode, subsequently covering the surface of Ni particles and eventually accumulating to form a carbon deposit layer. Three methods for alleviating carbon deposition are compared. The polarization current could inhibit the carbon deposition but the high stress within the cell had resulted in the brittleness of the electrode, as well as significant coking in the central region of the anode after 26 h. Alternating changes in methane and hydrogen can significantly reduce the degradation rate of the cell. The reasonable gas switching frequency is from 60 min to 120 min. After high electrolytic current, the gap between the anode and the electrolyte can be achieved at 68.2 μm. • Modulation and degradation evaluation for direct methane SOFCs. • The disordered amorphous carbon would be transferred into the graphite structure. • The polarization current could inhibit the carbon deposition. • Switching between hydrogen and methane at 0.5 A/cm2 current density could improve cell lifetime. • The high electrolytic current could dislodge the electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the composite cathode material of LiCoPO 4 /C and graphene is synthesized using solvothermal method assisted by oleylamine. The effect of graphene addition on the material properties is fully investigated, and the synergistic effect of amorphous carbon and graphene is also studied. Graphene serves as a conductive skeleton and provides abundant diffusion paths for electrons. The nanoscale LiCoPO 4 material synthesized by solvothermal method is evenly distributed around the few-layer graphene with the assistance of oleylamine, and the amorphous carbon formed after the pyrolysis of oleylamine at high temperature tightly connects LiCoPO 4 to the graphene, which improves the conductivity and electrochemical performance of the sample. The results of characterization reveal that adding graphene can prepare LiCoPO 4 materials with good crystallization and improve the specific surface area and pore size of the material. At the same time, the amorphous carbon and graphene inside the material also show a good degree of graphitization. Electrochemical test results show that doping graphene with a mass ratio of 6% can enhance the electrochemical performance and cycle stability of LCPC-6%G sample. The initial discharge capacity of LCPC-6%G sample reaches 157.2 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C. In this study, nanoscale LiCoPO 4 samples are successfully synthesized on the surface of graphene, which provides a new idea for the preparation of nanoelectrode materials and conductive skeleton composite samples. • The composite materials of graphene and LiCoPO 4 is synthesized. • LiCoPO 4 nanoparticles are evenly distributed around few-layer graphene. • Amorphous carbon strengthens the connection between LiCoPO 4 and graphene. • Adding 6% mass ratio of graphene improves the cycle stability of LiCoPO 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Composite polymer microcapsules are obtained by a SFEPE strategy. • The Pickering emulsion formulas can be optimized upon emulsification kinetics. • The phase behaviors during extraction can reveal the diffusion process. • The operation conditions slightly above MCP are conducive to extraction. Polyphenylene oxide (PPO)/cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)/carbon black (CB) microcapsules were fabricated by the supercritical extraction of Pickering emulsion (SFEPE) method. The effects of Pickering emulsion formulations on the emulsion properties, emulsification kinetics, and CPM properties were investigated. The phase behaviors in the supercritical extraction process were studied, and the mass transfer between the emulsion droplet and supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO 2) was also interpreted. The results indicate that CNC concentration, CB concentration, and NaCl concentration can decrease the droplet size and creaming index of emulsions, while the water–oil ratio can decrease the droplet size but enhance the creaming index. The emulsion formulations of water–oil > 3, CNC concentration > 0.25 mg/mL, CB concentration < 2.5 mg/mL, and NaCl concentration > 2.5 mg/mL are conducive to the emulsion formation and emulsification kinetics. For the supercritical extraction on Pickering emulsions, the operation conditions slightly above the mixture critical point (9 MPa at 313 K, for example) are proved to be conducive to the extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel agglomeration poses a noteworthy impediment to the commercialization of SOFCs. A comprehensive coupled degradation model is established, encompassing a Ni-particle coarsening model, microstructural parameters, effective mesoscopic parameters, and various transport processes (mass/momentum/heat/charge/multi-species transports), and chemical/electrochemical reactions. The initial anode microstructural parameters are optimized by the comprehensive model and response surface method (RSM). Single-factor analysis shows that within the initial Ni-particle diameter (d Ni (t = 0) ) range of 0.6–0.9 μm, a particle size ratio (R) of 1.0–1.5 between YSZ-particle and Ni-particle, and a solid-phase volume fraction of Ni-particle (ψ Ni) ranging from 0.35 to 0.55, SOFC demonstrates high power density and a reduced degradation rate. Using the single-factor results, RSM is employed for -anode microstructure optimization, specifying: d Ni (t = 0) = 0.7 μm, R = 1.0, and ψ Ni = 0.49. Correspondingly, the average power density at 0.6 V ( P D ‾ 0.6 V ) reaches 2828.5 W/m2, with a degradation rate (V de) off 0.441 %/1000 h. In comparison to original microstructure parameters (d Ni (t = 0) = 0.6 μm, R = 1.0, ψ Ni = 0.4), the optimal SOFC exhibits a remarkable enhancement in electrical performance and durability, with an 11.9 % increase in P D ‾ 0.6 V and a 69 % reduction in V de. The integration of the comprehensive model and RSM presents a promising strategy for predicting performance, refining operation condition, and optimizing electrode microstructure for long-term operating SOFC. [Display omitted] • A comprehensive multiscale-multifield fully coupled degradation model is developed. • Particle size and composition evolution of Ni-YSZ anode are quantitatively studied. • Effective mesoscopic parameters of anode are studied. • Initial anode microstructure is optimized by the model and response surface method. • Power density is increases by 11.9 % and degradation rate is decreases by 69 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Better understanding of the cell receptors and ligands involved in HSV infection. • Illustrating the process of HSV infection. • The value of drugs targeting HSV entry process is highlighted. • An attempt to curb the elevating risk of HSV for its high prevalence. Human herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) belong to the Herpesviridae family. At present, no vaccine or curative treatment is available for the prevention of HSV infections. Here, we review the cell surface receptors that are recognized by HSV's glycoprotein B, glycoprotein C, glycoprotein D, and the glycoprotein H – glycoprotein L complex to facilitate entry into host cells. These receptors include heparan sulfate (HS), herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), and nectin-1/-2, 3- O -sulfated heparan sulfate (3- O S HS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Neonatal rat primary myocardial cells were subjected to heat stress in vitro, as a model for investigating the distribution and expression of Hsp27 and αB-crystallin. After exposure to heat stress at 42°C for different durations, the activities of enzymes expressed during cell damage increased in the supernatant of the heat-stressed myocardial cells from 10 min, and the pathological lesions were characterized by karyopyknosis and acute degeneration. Thus, cell damage was induced at the onset of heat stress. Immunofluorescence analysis showed stronger positive signals for both Hsp27 and αB-crystallin from 10 min to 240 min of exposure compared to the control cells. According to the Western blotting results, during the 480 min of heat stress, no significant variation was found in Hsp27 and αB-crystallin expression; however, significant differences were found in the induction of their corresponding mRNAs. The expression of these small heat shock proteins (sHsps) was probably delayed or overtaxed due to the rapid consumption of sHsps in myocardial cells at the onset of heat stress. Our findings indicate that Hsp27 and αB-crystallin do play a role in the response of cardiac cells to heat stress, but the details of their function remain to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The study aimed to (1) characterize sleep patterns and sleep disturbances among Chinese school-aged children, (2) determine the prevalence of their short sleep duration and sleep disturbances based on clinical cutoffs, and (3) examine possible factors (socio-demographic factors and emotional/behavioral problems) that are associated with sleep disturbances. Methods: A large representative sample of 912 children aged 6–14years was recruited from Shenzhen, China. Their parents completed the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results: The mean bedtime was 9:45pm (SD =1h 11min), mean wake-up time was 7:03am (SD =31min), mean sleep duration was 9h 14min (SD =46min), and 23.8% of the children had sleep duration <9h. Overall, 69.3% of the children suffered from global sleep disturbances (CSHQ total score >41). Bedtime resistance (22.9%), sleep anxiety (22.1%), sleep duration (21%) and daytime sleepiness (20%) were the most prevalent sleep disturbances; followed by sleep disordered breathing (12.1%), parasomnias (9.4%), sleep onset delay (6.9%), and night waking (5.2%). The prevalence of specific sleep disturbances ranged from 3.2% (falling asleep while watching television) to 81.9% (awakening by others in the morning). Correlations between most domains of sleep disturbances and emotional/behavioral problems were statistically significant (p <0.05 or p <0.01). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that gender (β =0.10, p <0.01), school grade (β=−0.09, p <0.05), co-sleeping (β= 0.25, p <0.01), emotional symptoms (β= 0.24, p <0.01), conduct problems (β= 0.09, p <0.05), and hyperactivity (β= 0.17, p <0.01) accounted for significant variance in CSHQ total score. Conclusions: Short sleep duration and sleep disturbances are prevalent among Chinese school-aged children. Sleep disturbances are associated with gender, school grade, co-sleeping, emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and hyperactivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a chemostat model with variable yield and impulsive state feedback control is considered. We obtain sufficient conditions of the globally asymptotical stability of the system without impulsive state feedback control. We also obtain that the system with impulsive state feedback control has periodic solution of order one. Sufficient conditions for existence and stability of periodic solution of order one are given. In some cases, it is possible that the system exists periodic solution of order two. Our results show that the control measure is effective and reliable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this study was to improve the biological water-gas shift reaction for producing hydrogen (H) by conversion of carbon monoxide (CO) using an anaerobic thermophilic pure strain, Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans. Specific hydrogen production rates and yields were investigated at initial biomass densities varying from 5 to 20 mg volatile suspended solid (VSS) L. Results showed that the gas-liquid mass transfer limits the CO conversion rate at high biomass concentrations. At 100-rpm agitation and at CO partial pressure of 1 atm, the optimal substrate/biomass ratio must exceed 5 mol CO g biomass VSS in order to avoid gas-liquid substrate transfer limitation. An average H yield of 94 ± 3% and a specific hydrogen production rate of ca. 3 mol g VSS day were obtained at initial biomass densities between 5 and 8 mg VSS. In addition, CO bioconversion kinetics was assessed at CO partial pressure from 0.16 to 2 atm, corresponding to a dissolved CO concentration at 70°C from 0.09 to 1.1 mM. Specific bioactivity was maximal at 3.5 mol CO g VSS day for a dissolved CO concentration of 0.55 mM in the culture. This optimal concentration is higher than with most other hydrogenogenic carboxydotrophic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of the present study was to investigate the optimal nutritional requirements for hydrogen production from carbon monoxide by biological water-gas shift (WGS) reaction with Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans using orthogonal layout methods. Cultures of C. hydrogenoformans on the medium as formulated by the strain supplier (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH) unexpectedly showed a large content in inorganic material. This was confirmed by the rather elevated levels of calcium and phosphorus contained in the grown biomass. As an excessive production of those minerals may interfere with the growth and catabolism rates as well as clog up biofilm-based reactors, it was desirable to minimize the mineral accumulation during growth, while keeping at maximal levels both the H2 yield and the specific H2 production rate (SHPR). , , Ca2+ and Mg2+ were considered as potentially the major factors of the mineral accumulation. The experiments were designed according to the Taguchi’s orthogonal method, using the above factors at three levels, and considering the culture mineral content, the H2 yield and the SHPR as optimization criteria. Optimal concentrations of , , Ca2+ and Mg2+ were determined as (mM): 1.0, 5.0, 0.1 and 0.5, respectively. Under those culture conditions, Ca + P content decreased from 55.6 ± 1.8 to 9.5 ± 3% while the highest H2 yield at 90.9 ± 1.2% and SHPR at 0.85 ± 0.06 mol H2 g−1 VSS d−1 were achieved in bottle batch tests at 100% CO headspace atmosphere, neutral pH, a temperature of 70 °C, and an agitation of 100 rpm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The optical reflectivity of polished silicon covered by a forest of vertically standing gold nanowires (grown inside the pores of an anodic alumina matrix) is found to be considerably smaller than that of bare polished silicon and strongly influenced by scattering of light by the nanowires. We propose a phenomenological modification to the Maxwell–Garnett effective medium theory formula to account for this effect. We also find that the gold nanowire/alumina film has interesting optical properties, such as transparency in the mid-infrared and high absorbance in the visible, and may be used as a low reflectivity coating and a low-pass filter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The mesocellular silica foam (MCF) surface has been functionalized with –OH, –C3H6H, –C3H6NH2, –C3H6NHCONH2, and –C3H6COOH biomimetic groups. Thereby the non-covalent interaction between protein and support surface is generated and tailored in virtue of the surface modification and varied pH of adsorption medium. The adsorption kinetics, adsorption thermodynamics, protein distribution and adsorption reversibility have been discussed in relation to the surface–protein interfacial interactions and protein–protein lateral interactions. It is found that between lysozyme and MCF surfaces, the electrostatic force, hydrophobic interaction, π–π overlapping, and some hydrogen bonding are similarly effective driving forces for protein adsorption. But depending on the nature of interfacial interactions, the effects of protein–protein repulsion on the lysozyme adsorption are diversified. The biomimetic modification of inorganic support surface counteracts in part the inhibition effects of protein–protein repulsion on protein adsorption, thus favoring the adsorption capacity. The adsorption of lysozyme on MCF supports causes no visible loss of enzymatic activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Curcumin isolated from turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingaberaceae) root was found to be anti-angiogenic in a human tissue-based angiogenesis assay. As a liposoluble compound, curcumin can be extracted from turmeric root with organic solvents such as ethanol or acetone. Curcumin in its pure form has poor solubility in water, potentially limiting its medicinal use for humans when it is taken orally or injected. This study attempted to investigate the possibility of improving curcumin's low solubility using an extract as a carrier. This would maintain anti-angiogenic properties with improved water-solubility. Experiments were undertaken to determine the extraction efficiency of different solvents for curcumin. Anti-angiogenic activities of curcumin in its pure form and in extracts were compared as a general trend ethanol or acetone was more efficient in extracting curcumin than their aqueous counterparts. Using 50 and 70% aqueous ethanol as well as 70% aqueous acetone yielded significantly more turmeric extracts by weight than absolute acetone, which was the lowest. Conversely, turmeric extracts extracted with 95% ethanol and absolute acetone contained significantly higher curcumin concentrations than water extract, which was the lowest. Combining the higher extract yield and highest curcumin concentrations in the extract, 95% ethanol gave the highest yield of single entity curcumin. In the angiogenesis assay, pure curcumin at the concentration of 85 μ M (in 1% ethanol v/v) in the culture medium totally suppressed angiogenic responses. In contrast, a curcumin concentration of 18.5 μ M (in the form of 100 μ g/ml turmeric extract) achieved the same total inhibition of angiogenesis in culture. This nearly 5 fold gap reflected the unaccounted involvement of other antiangiogenic compounds including curcumin derivatives, and/or enhancement of curcumin by non-antiangiogenic compounds in the extract. This finding suggests that curcumin in the form of extracts be potentially more pharmacologically active than pure curcumin. Further investigations of this hypothesis and possible interactions are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the semi-active vibration control of structural systems, best control performance and low energy consumption both play important roles. This paper presents a new topology optimization method for the multi-electrode layout design of sandwich electrorheological (ER) plates considering limited energy consumption under different vibration conditions. In the proposed topology optimization model, the dynamic compliance under specified harmonic excitation is taken as the objective function, and a constraint of the maximum allowable energy consumption is considered. The frequency response analysis is implemented with finite element discretization, and the sensitivity analysis scheme of the control energy consumption for the design variables is derived with the adjoint-variable method. Numerical examples showed that optimal layouts of multi-electrodes could be obtained with different energy consumption requirements and loading conditions by using the proposed method. The excellent performance of vibration control could be achieved by only varying the voltage distribution of ERs. • A new topology optimization method for multi-electrode layout design of ER plates is proposed. • Energy consumption constraint is considered in the vibration optimization model. • Best vibration control performance can achieved by only switching the optimal electrode layouts. • Frequency response sensitivity analysis for ER plate is derived with adjoint variable method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The PPPF is proposed for radiative cooling of commercial silicon solar cells. • The PPPF has an average transmittance of >0.9 in the wavelength range of 0.3-1.1 µm. • The PPPF has an average emissivity of approximately 1 in the mid-infrared region. • The PPPF is suitable for passive cooling of curved surfaces, such as lasers and detectors. Radiative cooling is an electricity-free method for solar cells to dissipate waste heat, which has drawn much attention in recent years. In this paper, a periodic pyramid-textured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film is proposed for radiative cooling of encapsulated commercial silicon solar cells. Spectral tests show that the proposed pyramid-textured PDMS film emits like a blackbody and simultaneously has an average transmittance of >0.9 in the silicon absorption spectrum from 0.3 µm to 1.1 µm. Outdoor cooling tests demonstrate that the encapsulated commercial silicon solar cells with the proposed textured PDMS film can be cooled by over 2 °C. Due to its good optical and flexible properties, the textured PDMS film has great potential for applications in the photovoltaic industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic analyses of human type 1 diabetes (T1D) have yet to reveal a complete pathophysiologic mechanism. Inbred rats with a high-risk class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype (RT1B/Du) can illuminate such mechanisms. Using T1D-susceptible LEW.1WR1 rats that express RT1B/Du and a susceptible allele of the Ubd promoter, we demonstrate that germline knockout of Tcrb-V13S1A1, which encodes the Vβ13a T cell receptor β chain, completely prevents diabetes. Using the RT1B/Du-identical LEW.1W rat, which does not develop T1D despite also having the same Tcrb-V13S1A1 β chain gene but a different allele at the Ubd locus, we show that knockout of the Ubash3a regulatory gene renders these resistant rats relatively susceptible to diabetes. In silico structural modeling of the susceptible allele of the Vβ13a TCR and its class II RT1u ligand suggests a mechanism by which a germline TCR β chain gene could promote susceptibility to T1D in the absence of downstream immunoregulation like that provided by UBASH3A. Together these data demonstrate the critical contribution of the Vβ13a TCR to the autoimmune synapse in T1D and the regulation of the response by UBASH3A. These experiments dissect the mechanisms by which MHC class II heterodimers, TCR and regulatory element interact to induce autoimmunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

This study presents a novel interconnector design, termed groove and rib-finned interconnector, to improve the performance of the planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). We have conducted a detailed comparative study on the flow characteristics and electrical performance of conventional straight channel interconnectors and novel interconnectors through a three-dimensional model. Compared with the conventional straight channel interconnector, the result shows that the novel interconnector can provide higher fuel utilization, and the output power density at a low fuel flow is still higher than that of the conventional design at a high fuel flow. The novel interconnector increases the velocity and vorticity of the reactant gas, and promotes gas disturbance, and enhances the mass transport in the electrode. The novel interconnector eliminates the oxygen-free zone of the cathode under the rib and provides sufficient oxygen with uniform concentration distribution for the electrochemical reaction. Therefore, the novel interconnector significantly reduces the activation and concentration overpotentials and improves the electrical performance of the SOFC stack. • Novel interconnector improves the gas velocity and vorticity. • Novel interconnector eliminates oxygen-free zone and provides sufficient oxygen. • Novel interconnector reduces the activation and concentration overpotentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) refers to an abnormal channel between the pleural space and the bronchial tree. It is a potentially fatal postoperative complication after pulmonary resection and a complex challenge for thoracic surgeons because many patients with BPF ultimately develop refractory empyema, which is difficult to manage and has a major impact on quality of life and survival. Therefore, an operative intervention combined with conservative and endoscopic therapies may be required to control infection completely, to occlude BPF, and to obliterate the empyema cavity during treatment periods. Case presentation: Two patients who suffered from BPF complicated with chronic empyema after lobectomy were treated in other hospitals for a long time and did not recover. In our department, we performed staged surgery and creatively combined an Amplatzer Septal Occluder (ASO) device (AGA Medical Corp, Golden Valley, MN, USA) with pedicled muscle flap transposition. First, open-window thoracostomy (OWT), or effective drainage, was performed according to the degree of contamination in the empyema cavity after the local infection was controlled. Second, Amplatzer device implantation and pedicled muscle flap transposition was performed at the same time, which achieved the purpose of obliterating the infection, closing the fistula, and tamponading the residual cavity. The patients recovered without complications and were discharged with short hospitalization stays. Conclusions: We believe that the union of the Amplatzer device and pedicle muscle flap transposition seems to be a safe and effective treatment for BPF with chronic empyema and can shorten the length of the related hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with other types of rockburst, fault rockburst releases the most energy and brings the hugest damage to the stope. Reasonable fault protection coal pillar can effectively prevent and control the occurrence of fault rockburst. Reasonable fault protection coal pillar (FPCP) can prevent and control the occurrence of fault rockburst effectively. Based on the engineering background of No. 7 mining area in a coal mine, this paper analyzes the reasonable coal pillar size on both sides of normal fault. Combined with the geological conditions in site, through the mechanical analysis of coal pillar stability, it is calculated that the critical FPCP size is 27.9 m for the working face in the upper wall and 39.0 m for the working face in the footwall. Through numerical simulation analysis, it is found that with the critical size of FPCP, the stress concentration coefficient in front of the upper wall working faces and footwall working faces is about 1.59. When the size of FPCP is smaller than the critical one, the difference of stress concentration coefficient between the two working faces (upper wall working face and footwall working face) is large, and the difference becomes larger and larger with the decrease of coal pillar size. When the size of FPCP is larger than the critical one, the difference of stress concentration coefficient between the two working faces (upper wall working face and footwall working face) is small, and the stress concentration coefficient of the two faces tends to be equal with the increase of coal pillar size. The rationality of coal pillar size is verified by field application, which provides a basis for the selection of FPCP in subsequent mining under similar conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the changes of platelet activity before and after anti-platelet treatment in patients with coronary heart disease, and their responsiveness to clopidogrel through detecting the phosphorylation levels of vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). Methods Twenty-eight cases of healthy people were selected as control group . Patients with chronic stable angina pectoris (CSA, n=95) were randomly divided into A (48 cases) group and B (47 cases) group, and were given clopidogrel 75 mg/d or 150 mg/d respectively; Patients with non ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NST-ACS, n=67) were all given 300 mg loading dose of clopidogrel at the first time, then randomly divided into C (33 cases) group and D (34 cases) group, and given clopidogrel 75 mg/d and 150 mg/d respectively. Blood were taken to examine the phosphorylation levels of serum VASP by ELISA before taking clopidogrel, at time point of loading dose and the fifth day of clopidogrel administration . Results Before treatment, phosphorylation levels of serum VASP were lower in A, B, C, D groups than those in the normal control group(P< 0.05). After treatment of clopidogrel for 5 days: (T) In group A and group B, phosphorylation levels of serum VASP did not change compared to that before treatment (P > 0.05). (2) In group C and group D, phosphorylation levels of serum VASP were significantly increased at loading dose and the fifth day of clopidogrel administration than those before treatment (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in phosphorylation level of VASP was lower group between group C and group D after serum treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusion The phosphorylation level of serum VASP was lower in patients with coronary heart disease than that in normal control group. Clopidogrel can improve the phosphorylation level of serum VASP in NST- ACS patients . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-Driving has great potential in reducing the fuel consumption of road vehicles, especially under the connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) environment. Traditional model-based Eco-Driving methods usually require sophisticated models and cannot deal with complex driving scenarios. This paper proposes a hybrid reinforcement learning (RL) based Eco-Driving algorithm considering both the longitudinal acceleration/deceleration and the lateral lane-changing operations. A deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm is designed to learn the continuous longitudinal acceleration/deceleration to reduce the fuel consumption as well as to maintain acceptable travel time. Collecting the critic's value of each single lane from DDPG and integrating the information of adjacent lanes, a deep Q-learning algorithm is developed to make the discrete lane-changing decision. Together, a hybrid deep Q-learning and policy gradient (HDQPG) method is developed for vehicles driving along multi-lane urban signalized corridors. The method can enable the controlled vehicle to learn well-established longitudinal fuel-saving strategies, and to perform appropriate lane-changing operations at proper times to avoid congested lanes. Numerical experiments show that HDQPG can reduce fuel consumption by up to 46% with marginal or no increase of travel times. • Continuous state space for longitudinal accelerations and discrete state space for lateral lane changing. • A hybrid deep Q-learning and policy gradient (HDQPG) method is developed for Eco-Driving. • HDQPG can enable vehicles to learn well-established Eco-Driving strategies. • HDQPG can save fuel consumption by 46% compared with the baseline model. • HDQPG outperforms existing RL-based Eco-Driving methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy is attractive for molecular sensing due to its access to chemical bonds with high detection sensitivity. Such a spectroscopic method typically operates on localized resonances in subwavelength structured antennas and metamaterials. In this paper, we demonstrate monolayer octadecanethiol detection by using the leaky guided mode in a metal–insulator–metal waveguide, whose angle-tunable dispersion enables coupling to molecular vibrations with a frequency-variable optical resonance. Our results show that, by changing the incident angle from 15° to 75°, the resonance frequency of the leaky guided mode is scanned around the CH2 vibration modes with frequency detuning from −200 cm−1 to 350 cm−1 in wavenumber. As the frequency detuning increases, the vibration signal of both the CH2 symmetric and asymmetric modes increases first and then decreases. The maximum vibration signal of 1%–1.5% is reached at positive and negative frequency detuning values of ±100 cm−1. These sensing properties are explained with a coupled-oscillator model, which suggests that both enhanced near-field and coupling strength between the optical resonance and molecular vibration play an important role for the optimal sensing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub-micron LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO) with uniform size distribution is synthesized by oleylamine-assisted solid-state method (oley-ss-method). Different from the traditional solid-state method (ss-method), the size distribution of LNMO sample prepared by oley-ss-method is more uniform and the particle size is smaller. Oleylamine inhibits the formation of large particles and refines the particle size of the sample during synthesis. For comparative analysis, the LNMO material without oleylamine is simultaneously synthesized by ss-method and both products are analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and electrochemical tests, respectively. XRD patterns show that the LNMO samples with a good crystalline spinel structure are successfully synthesized using ss-method and the impurities of Li x Ni 1−x O are reduced in the presence of oleylamine. SEM shows that the particle size and size distribution of LNMO sample modified by oleylamine has been significantly reduced, and large-sized particles decreased. The FTIR indicated that the LNMO sample assisted by oleylamine belongs to the Fd3m space group, not P4 3 32. Compared with the unmodified LNMO, the electrochemical performance of the oleylamine-modified LNMO sample is significantly enhanced, and the specific capacity of 97.4 mA h g−1 is still maintained after 700 cycles at a discharge rate of 5 C. [Display omitted] • LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 nanoparticle is prepared by oleylamine-assisted solid-state method. • The presence of oleylamine reduce the particle size of LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4. • The electrochemical performance of Oley-LNMO is enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This review summarizes the ligands and receptors involved in the entry process of human cytomegalovirus. • The progress of antiviral-targeted drugs is discussed. • Trimeric and pentameric complexes play a crucial role in viral infection of cells and can serve as the core of targeted drugs. • The review provides an overview of all relevant receptors of trimeric and pentameric complexes identified in current research. • The article showcases the process of human cytomegalovirus infection in cells. The demand for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vaccines was first raised by a committee convened during the 1990s. A comprehensive investigation into the mechanism of viral infection supports the prioritization of developing drugs or vaccines that specifically target receptors and ligands involved in the infection process. As primary targets for neutralizing antibodies to combat HCMV, viral ligands (trimer, pentamer, and glycoprotein B) have crucial roles and exhibit substantial antiviral potential, which could be exploited for breakthroughs in antiviral research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The 64th amino acid of the naturally prevalent 3D polymerase of CVA6 is a glycine amino group (G), but the mutation to serine (S) and threonine (T) will reduce the viral pathogenicity and is an attenuated site. • The mutation of glycine amino group (G) to serine (S) and threonine (T) at position 64 of 3D polymerase of CVA6 decreased ribavirin susceptibility. • The 64th glycine amino group (G) of the 3D polymerase of CVA6 was mutated to serine (S) and threonine (T) to improve the replication fidelity of the strain. Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by a group of enteroviruses is a global public health problem. In recent years, coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) has emerged as an important HFMD agent. Previous studies have shown that mutations of glycine 64 in RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3D polymerase), which is central to viral replication, cause phenotypic changes such as ribavirin resistance, increased replication fidelity, and virulence attenuation in poliovirus and enterovirus A71. In this study, we constructed CVA6 mutants with G64R, G64S, and G64T substitutions by site-directed mutagenesis in full-length cDNA of an infectious CVA6 strain cloned in pcDNA3.1. Viral RNA was obtained by in vitro transcription, and the rescued virus strains were propagated in RD cells. Sequencing after six passages revealed that G64S and G64T mutations were stably inherited, whereas G64R was genetically unstable and reversed to the wild type. Comparison of the biological characteristics of the wild-type and mutant CVA6 strains in an in vivo model (one-day-old ICR mice) revealed that the pathogenicity of CVA6-G64S and CVA6-G64T was significantly reduced compared to wild-type CVA6. In vitro experiments indicated the mutant CVA6-G64S and CVA6-G64T strains had increased resistance to 0.8 mM ribavirin and a decreased replication rate in the presence of 0.8 mM guanidine hydrochloride. Our results show that mutation of residue 64 reduces CVA6 susceptibility to ribavirin and increases CVA6 susceptibility to guanidine hydrochloride, together with increased replication fidelity and attenuated viral pathogenicity, thus laying a foundation for the development of safe and effective live attenuated CVA6 vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to employ molecular dynamics to investigate how the addition of polyurethane and nano-TiO 2 modifiers affects the strengthening mechanism and anti-aging properties of asphalt binders. In this study, asphalt molecular model, nano-TiO 2 cluster model, PU molecular model, and PU/nano-TiO 2 /asphalt molecular model were constructed. The radius of gyration, free volume, diffusion coefficient, and indicators of structural alterations were used to analyze the impacts of PU and nano-TiO 2 modifiers on the molecular structure of asphalt. The results indicate that the aging process of asphalt introduces oxygen-containing active functional groups. These groups increase the interaction forces among polar molecules, resulting in the aggregation of polar molecules and the disruption of the original colloidal structure. The spatial barrier effect of polyurethane chains hinders the self-aggregation behavior of asphaltene molecules. Asphaltenes are adsorbed onto the nano-TiO 2 clusters, thereby impeding the formation of large-sized polar molecular aggregates. The primary role of polyurethane and nano-TiO 2 is to mitigate the aging-induced aggregation of asphaltene polar molecules, preserving asphalt performance. However, it's important to note that asphalt will inevitably undergo aging over time. [Display omitted] • The enhancement mechanism of PU/nano-TiO 2 composite-modified asphalt was revealed from a molecular perspective. • Polyurethane and polar molecules form a "sandwich" structure that prevents the aggregation of polar molecules. • The molecules in the asphalt adsorbed around the nano-TiO 2 inhibited the production of asphaltene aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]