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We find the scaling limits of a general class of boundary-to-boundary connection probabilities and multiple interfaces in the critical planar FK-Ising model, thus verifying predictions from the physics literature. We also discuss conjectural formulas using Coulomb gas integrals for the corresponding quantities in general critical planar random-cluster models with cluster-weight q ∈ [ 1 , 4) . Thus far, proofs for convergence, including ours, rely on discrete complex analysis techniques and are beyond reach for other values of q than the FK-Ising model ( q = 2 ). Given the convergence of interfaces, the conjectural formulas for other values of q could be verified similarly with relatively minor technical work. The limit interfaces are variants of SLE κ curves (with κ = 16 / 3 for q = 2 ). Their partition functions, that give the connection probabilities, also satisfy properties predicted for correlation functions in conformal field theory (CFT), expected to describe scaling limits of critical random-cluster models. We verify these properties for all q ∈ [ 1 , 4) , thus providing further evidence of the expected CFT description of these models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidermal electronics has garnered significant research attention due to its promising applications in wearable human‐machine interfaces and intelligent healthcare sensing. However, their widespread use faces challenges due to complex manufacturing processes, high material costs, inadaptability to different skin surfaces, and inadequate reusability. Herein, inspired by the biological reshapability and environmental adaptability of amoeba, an ultra‐deformable (≈2600% strain), bioadhesive (adhesive strength ≈3 kPa), strong self‐healing (fastest recovery time ≈1s, maximum wound distance ≈5 mm), and electromechanical‐durable wearable electronic slime (E‐slime) is proposed, which can instantaneously form on‐skin electronics in situ to detect body motion and physiological signals. E‐slime demonstrates desired sensing performance with high sensitivity (gauge factor 2.95), wide sensing range (up to 400% strain), and low detection limit (≈1% strain), which can seamlessly adhere to the skin and can be easily reused multiple times (≈100 cycles usage). E‐slime also enables on‐the‐fly deployment of motion monitoring tasks at various body locations, showcasing its versatility and reliability for body motion recognition and personal health monitoring. This study holds potential for next‐generation green electronics, motion sensing devices, and wearable human‐machine interfaces, ultimately helping to ensure healthy lives and promote well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-tow carbon fiber (LCF) meets the low-cost requirements of modern industry. However, due to the large and dense number of monofilaments, there are problems with uneven and insufficient infiltration during material preparation. The permeability of large-tow carbon fibers can be used as a two-scale expression of resin flow during infiltration, making it an important factor to consider. This paper provides support for the study of pore formation. A two-dimensional model of randomly bundled large-filament carbon fibers is generated based on scanning electron microscope (SEM) maps. Microstructure size parameters are obtained, and a semi-analytical model of the transverse permeability of large-filament-bundled carbon fibers is established. Permeability values are then obtained. The analysis shows that the monofilaments in the tow are arranged randomly, and their periodic arrangement cannot be used to calculate permeability. Additionally, the number of monofilaments in a carbon fiber tow of the same volume fraction affects the permeability of the tow. Therefore, the permeability model of large-tow carbon fibers is reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to study the effect of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) on the proliferation, invasion, and clone formation of lung cancer cells. It also aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of melittin on PAR2 and the anti-lung cancer effect of melittin combined with gefitinib. Methods: The correlation between the co-expression of PAR2 and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers was analyzed. PAR2 in A549 and NCI-H1299 cells was knocked down using siRNA. MTT assay, Transwell assay, and colony formation assay were used to detect the effects of PAR2 on cell proliferation, invasion, and clone formation. The anti-cancer effect of PAR2 knockdown on gefitinib treatment was analyzed. The synergistic effect of melittin on gefitinib treatment by inhibiting PAR2 and the underlying molecular mechanism were further analyzed and tested. Results: The expression of PAR2 was upregulated in lung cancer, which was associated with the poor prognosis of lung cancer. PAR2 knockdown inhibited the stemness and EMT of lung cancer cells. It also inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and colony formation of A549 and NCI-H1299 cells. Moreover, PAR2 knockdown increased the chemotherapeutic sensitivity of gefitinib in lung cancer. Melittin inhibited PAR2 and the malignant progression of lung cancer cells. Melittin increased the chemotherapeutic sensitivity of gefitinib in lung cancer by inhibiting PAR2. Conclusion: PAR2 may promote the proliferation, invasion, and colony formation of lung cancer cells by promoting EMT. Patients with a high expression of PAR2 have a poor prognosis. Inhibition of PAR2 increased the chemotherapeutic sensitivity of gefitinib. PAR2 may be a potential therapeutic target and diagnostic marker for lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to investigate the preoperative prediction value of computed tomography (CT) radiomics combined with traditional imaging features in the grading of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) by extracting and analyzing the CT radiomics information of patients with CCRCC. One hundred thirty four patients with CCRCC who were admitted to our Hospital, Sun Yat‐sen University (Futian, Shenzhen), between June 2019 and June 2023 were enrolled in this study. According to the WHO/ISUP classification standard, the patients were divided into the high differentiation group (III + IV) and the low differentiation group (I + II); they were divided into the study group and the validation group, with a ratio of 7:3 and the best features of the validation group were screened to construct the radiomics model. There were significant differences in the radiomics scores between the high differentiation group and the low differentiation group of CCRCC (p < 0.05). Computed tomography radiomics combined with traditional imaging features has favourable effects on predicting the differentiation degree of CCRCC before surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent organic frameworks are a novel class of crystalline porous polymers that enable molecular design of extended polygonal skeletons to attain well‐defined porous structures. However, construction of a framework that allows remote control of pores remains a challenge. Here we report a strategy that merges covalent, noncovalent, and photo chemistries to design photoresponsive frameworks with reversibly and remotely controllable pores. We developed a topology‐guided multicomponent polycondensation system that integrates protruded tetrafluoroazobenzene units as photoresponsive sites on pore walls at predesigned densities, so that a series of crystalline porous frameworks with the same backbone can be constructed to develop a broad spectrum of pores ranging from mesopores to micropores. Distinct from conventional azobenzene‐based systems, the tetrafluoroazobenzene frameworks are highly sensitive to visible lights to undergo high‐rate isomerization. The photoisomerization exerts profound effects on pore size, shape, number, and environment, as well as molecular uptake and release, rendering the system able to convert and switch pores reversibly and remotely with visible lights. Our results open a way to a novel class of smart porous materials with pore structures and functions that are convertible and manageable with visible lights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent organic frameworks are a novel class of crystalline porous polymers that enable molecular design of extended polygonal skeletons to attain well‐defined porous structures. However, construction of a framework that allows remote control of pores remains a challenge. Here we report a strategy that merges covalent, noncovalent, and photo chemistries to design photoresponsive frameworks with reversibly and remotely controllable pores. We developed a topology‐guided multicomponent polycondensation system that integrates protruded tetrafluoroazobenzene units as photoresponsive sites on pore walls at predesigned densities, so that a series of crystalline porous frameworks with the same backbone can be constructed to develop a broad spectrum of pores ranging from mesopores to micropores. Distinct from conventional azobenzene‐based systems, the tetrafluoroazobenzene frameworks are highly sensitive to visible lights to undergo high‐rate isomerization. The photoisomerization exerts profound effects on pore size, shape, number, and environment, as well as molecular uptake and release, rendering the system able to convert and switch pores reversibly and remotely with visible lights. Our results open a way to a novel class of smart porous materials with pore structures and functions that are convertible and manageable with visible lights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Super-resolution imaging has rapidly emerged as an optical microscopy technique, offering advantages of high optical resolution over the past two decades; achieving improved imaging resolution requires significant efforts in developing super-resolution imaging agents characterized by high brightness, high contrast and high sensitivity to fluorescence switching. Apart from technical requirements in optical systems and algorithms, super-resolution imaging relies on fluorescent dyes with special photophysical or photochemical properties. The concept of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) was proposed in 2001, coinciding with unprecedented advancements and innovations in super-resolution imaging technology. AIE probes offer many advantages, including high brightness in the aggregated state, low background signal, a larger Stokes shift, ultra-high photostability, and excellent biocompatibility, making them highly promising for applications in super-resolution imaging. In this review, we summarize the progress in implementation methods and provide insights into the mechanism of AIE-based super-resolution imaging, including fluorescence switching resulting from photochemically-converted aggregationinduced emission, electrostatically controlled aggregation-induced emission and specific bindingregulated aggregation-induced emission. Particularly, the aggregation-induced emission principle has been proposed to achieve spontaneous fluorescence switching, expanding the selection and application scenarios of super-resolution imaging probes. By combining the aggregation-induced emission principle and specific molecular design, we offer some comprehensive insights to facilitate the applications of AIEgens (AIE-active molecules) in super-resolution imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High spin-injection-efficiency (SIE) and thermal spin-filter-effect (SFE) from a magnetic material to a barrier material are crucial to the high performance of a spintronic device and a spin caloritronic device, respectively. By performing a nonequilibrium Green's function combined with first-principles calculations, we study the voltage-driven and temperature-driven spin transport properties of a half Heusler alloy RuCrAs based spin valve with different atom-terminated interfaces. The spin valve with a CrAs-top (or Ru-top) interface structure has an ultrahigh equilibrium magnetoresistance (MR) ratio of ∼1.56 × 109% (or ∼5.14 × 108%), ∼100% SIE, a large MR ratio, and high spin current intensity under bias voltage, suggesting that it has a great potential application in spintronic devices. The spin valve with the CrAs-top (or CrAs-bri) interface structure has a perfect SFE due to its very high spin polarization of temperature-driven currents, and it is useful in spin caloritronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the miniaturization and integration of modern high-power electronic devices, heat accumulation has become a key issue affecting their performance and reliability, which puts forward higher requirements for the thermal conductivity of polymer materials. In this study, boron nitride (h-BN) was dispersed into silica sol, and high aspect ratio core-shell fillers (h-BN@SiO 2) were prepared by electrospinning. Then h-BN@SiO 2 /epoxy resin (EP) composites were prepared by hot pressing. Owing to the macroscopic and microscopic "double network" conduction paths constructed by h-BN@SiO 2 fillers, the in-plane thermal conductivity (λ ||) of h-BN@SiO 2 -Ⅲ/EP composites is 6.719 Wm−1K−1, which is 27 times that of EP, and the out-of-plane thermal conductivity (λ ⊥) is 0.698 Wm−1K−1, which is 4 times that of EP. The simulation and the classical thermal conductivity model verify that the new designed filler in this paper has advantages over the traditional filler in terms of heat transfer. More importantly, the prepared composites also maintain excellent electrical insulation and dielectric properties, which provides a new idea for the preparation of high thermal conductivity electrical insulation composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider critical planar Ising model in annulus with alternating boundary conditions on the outer boundary and free boundary conditions in the inner boundary. As the size of the inner hole goes to zero, the event that all interfaces get close to the inner hole before they meet each other is a rare event. We prove that the law of the collection of the interfaces conditional on this rare event converges in total variation distance to the so-called |$2N$| -sided radial SLE |$_{3}$|⁠ , introduced by [ 16 ]. The proof relies crucially on an estimate for multiple chordal SLE. Suppose |$(\gamma _{1}, \ldots , \gamma _{N})$| is chordal |$N$| -SLE |$_{\kappa }$| with |$\kappa \in (0,4]$| in the unit disc, and we consider the probability that all |$N$| curves get close to the origin. We prove that the limit |$\lim _{r\to 0+}r^{-A_{2N}}\mathbb{P}[\textrm{dist}(0,\gamma _{j})

In this paper, we use the Bayesian inversion approach to study the data assimilation problem for a family of tumor growth models described by porous-medium type equations. The models contain uncertain parameters and are indexed by a physical parameter m, which characterizes the constitutive relation between density and pressure. Based on these models, we employ the Bayesian inversion framework to infer parametric and nonparametric unknowns that affect tumor growth from noisy observations of tumor cell density. We establish the well-posedness and the stability theories for the Bayesian inversion problem and further prove the convergence of the posterior distribution in the so-called incompressible limit, m → ∞. Since the posterior distribution across the index regime m ∈ [2, ∞) can thus be treated in a unified manner, such theoretical results also guide the design of the numerical inference for the unknown. We propose a generic computational framework for such inverse problems, which consists of a typical sampling algorithm and an asymptotic preserving solver for the forward problem. With extensive numerical tests, we demonstrate that the proposed method achieves satisfactory accuracy in the Bayesian inference of the tumor growth models, which is uniform with respect to the constitutive relation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated computer software system for macromolecular crystallography (MX) data collection at the BL02U1 and BL10U2 beamlines of the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility is described. The system, Finback, implements a set of features designed for the automated MX beamlines, and is marked with a user-friendly web-based graphical user interface (GUI) for interactive data collection. The Finback client GUI can run on modern browsers and has been developed using several modern web technologies including WebSocket, WebGL, WebWorker and WebAssembly. Finback supports multiple concurrent sessions, so on-site and remote users can access the beamline simultaneously. Finback also cooperates with the deployed experimental data and information management system, the relevant experimental parameters and results are automatically deposited to a database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely believed that memory storage depends on activity-dependent synaptic modifications. Classical studies of learning and memory in neural networks describe synaptic efficacy either as continuous or discrete. However, recent results suggest an intermediate scenario in which synaptic efficacy can be described by a continuous variable, but whose distribution is peaked around a small set of discrete values. Motivated by these results, we explored a model in which each synapse is described by a continuous variable that evolves in a potential with multiple minima. External inputs to the network can switch synapses from one potential well to another. Our analytical and numerical results show that this model can interpolate between models with discrete synapses which correspond to the deep potential limit, and models in which synapses evolve in a single quadratic potential. We find that the storage capacity of the network with double well synapses exhibits a power law dependence on the network size, rather than the logarithmic dependence observed in models with single well synapses. In addition, synapses with deeper potential wells lead to more robust information storage in the presence of noise. When memories are sparsely encoded, the scaling of the capacity with network size is similar to previously studied network models in the sparse coding limit. Author summary: A long-lasting question in neuroscience is whether synaptic efficacies should be described as continuous variable or discrete variables. Recent experiments indicate that it is a combination of both: synaptic efficacy changes continuously, but its distribution peaks at several discrete values. In this study, we introduce a synapse model described by a double well potential, and investigate the memory properties of networks of neurons connected with such synapses. Our results show in networks with a bimodal weight distribution, the storage capacity depends on network size as a power law. In addition, we demonstrate that networks with such synapses store information more robustly in the presence of noise, compared to networks with synapses with a single well potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Numerous epidemiological studies have reported a link between low testosterone levels and an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease in men. However, there is ongoing controversy surrounding testosterone replacement therapy due to potential side effects. PBMT has been demonstrated to improve cerebrovascular function and promote testosterone synthesis in peripheral tissues. Despite this, the molecular mechanisms that could connect PBMT with testosterone and vascular function in the brain of photothrombosis (PT)‐induced stroke rats remain largely unknown. Methods: We measured behavioral performance, cerebral blood flow (CBF), vascular permeability, and the expression of vascular‐associated and apoptotic proteins in PT‐induced stroke rats treated with flutamide and seven consecutive days of PBM treatment (350 mW, 808 nM, 2 min/day). To gain further insights into the mechanism of PBM on testosterone synthesis, we used testosterone synthesis inhibitors to study their effects on bEND.3 cells. Results: We showed that PT stroke caused a decrease in cerebrovascular testosterone concentration, which was significantly increased by 7‐day PBMT (808 nm, 350 mW/cm2, 42 J/cm2). Furthermore, PBMT significantly increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the expression of vascular‐associated proteins, while inhibiting vascular permeability and reducing endothelial cell apoptosis. This ultimately mitigated behavioral deficits in PT stroke rats. Notably, treatment with the androgen receptor antagonist flutamide reversed the beneficial effects of PBMT. Cellular experiments confirmed that PBMT inhibited cell apoptosis and increased vascular‐associated protein expression in brain endothelial cell line (bEnd.3) subjected to oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD). However, these effects were inhibited by flutamide. Moreover, mechanistic studies revealed that PBMT‐induced testosterone synthesis in bEnd.3 cells was partly mediated by 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 5 (17β‐HSD5). Conclusions: Our study provides evidence that PBMT attenuates cerebrovascular injury and behavioral deficits associated with testosterone/AR following ischemic stroke. Our findings suggest that PBMT may be a promising alternative approach for managing cerebrovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxy resin, as an adhesive for the main insulation system of large generators, has excellent insulation properties. But its poor thermal conductivity limits the capacity enhancement of large generators. Forming thermally conductive pathways by using electric field to induce high thermal conductivity fillers in the polymer can effectively improve the thermal conductivity of the composite at low loading condition. In this article, a DC electric field is used in epoxy resin (EP) to induce two‐dimensional inorganic fillers h‐BN deflection and head‐to‐tail lap, which can make the heat flow transfer along the in‐plane of the particles and contribute to the more efficient thermal conductivity network. A high thermal conductivity of 0.544 W/(m K) was achieved at a low load of 10 wt%, which has an improvement of 289% compared to pure EP (0.14 W/[m K]) and 130% compared to the randomly dispersed composite with the same load. The composites have excellent thermal conductivity as well as insulating properties, among which volume resistivity is 1.46 × 1012 Ω/cm, increasing by 61.4% compared to pure EP. This method is easy to be carried out in engineering and has great possibilities for the main insulation of large generators and even for other applications with high thermal conductivity electrical insulation. Highlights: The structure of composites was adjusted by direct current electric field.The high in‐plane thermal conductivity of h‐BN is fully exploited.The relationship between deflection angle of BN and thermal conductivity of composites was built. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a widely occurring vaginal inflammation in women of childbearing age caused by dysbiosis of the vaginal flora. Few studies have investigated the effect of serum carotenoids on the development and pathogenesis of BV. This study thus aimed to explore the correlation between serum carotenoids and BV in American women. Method: The analysis included 1252 participants with BV from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2001 and 2004. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to explore the correlation between BV and serum carotenoids, while smooth curve fitting was utilized to examine potential nonlinear correlations. Furthermore, stratified subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted. ORs reflected the correlation between BV and serum carotenoids. Result: Results of multiple logistic regression indicated that total serum carotenoids and BV had an inverse correlation. In the fully adjusted model II, the quartile with the highest levels of α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin had a substantially lower incidence of BV. Smooth curve fitting revealed a significant negative linear correlation between serum carotenoids and the incidence of BV. The negative correlation between serum carotenoids and BV was relatively stable in stratified analyses. Moreover, in sensitivity analyses, the association between serum carotenoids and BV persisted, and β-carotene became significantly negatively correlated with BV. Conclusion: This study found an inverse correlation between serum carotenoids and the prevalence of BV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Isoleucinyl‐tRNA synthetase (IARS) is encoded by the IARS1 gene and catalyzes the binding of isoleucine to specific tRNA. Objective: This study aims to investigate the pathogenicity of novel IARS1 variants and the genotype–phenotype association, in order to expand the spectrum of pathogenic variants and phenotypes of IARS1‐related disease and provide new evidence for the phenotypic spectrum of IARS1 variants. Methods: Clinical data of the proband were collected, and trio whole‐exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the proband and the parents. Candidate variants were validated using Sanger sequencing. Bioinformatics software was utilized to analyze the functional consequences of identified variants and predict their potential deleteriousness. Results: A 17‐month‐old female patient presented with microcephaly, left external ear malformation, decreased muscle strength and tone in all limbs, epileptic seizures, global developmental delay, and developmental regression. Trio WES identified compound heterozygous variants in the IARS1 gene, c.120‐1G>A and c.2164C>A, which were novel pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants, respectively. The phenotype of developmental regression has not been reported before. Only one patient with IARS1 compound heterozygous variants has been reported in the world to have an epileptic phenotype, and this is the second patient with an epileptic phenotype. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the splicing variant disrupted the canonical splice donor site, while the missense variant altered the local electrostatics of the IARS1 protein surface, potentially leading to functional abnormalities. Conclusion: This study identified novel IARS1 variants and the phenotype of developmental regression, expanding the spectrum of pathogenic variants and phenotypes of IARS1‐related diseases and providing new evidence for the rare phenotype of epileptic seizures caused by IARS1 variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A periodically corrugated metal metasurface can support spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) at lower frequencies (e.g., terahertz (THz) and microwave ranges). In this paper, we explore a multi-bands SSPPs waveguide composed of a composite periodic metal groove (CPMG) and derive the theoretical dispersion formulas by the modal expansion method (MEM) under the deep subwavelength condition. The numerical experiments and analytical calculations are used to give a general analysis about the properties of the SSPPs on the composite periodic waveguides. It is demonstrated that the SSPPs waveguides of CPMG with multi-grooves in one period give better near-field confinement benefiting from the more electromagnetic (EM) hotspots at the surface of their periodic structure. Numerical simulations are employed to verify the theoretical analysis and demonstrate good agreement with the analytical results. The calculation methodology presented in this paper can be applied to address the miniaturization, compact design aspects of THz devices and highly sensitive trace sensing fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: 'Living fossils', that is, ancient lineages of low taxonomic diversity, represent an exceptional evolutionary heritage, yet we know little about how demographic history and deleterious mutation load have affected their long‐term survival and extinction risk. We performed whole‐genome sequencing and population genomic analyses on Dipteronia sinensis and D. dyeriana, two East Asian Tertiary relict trees. We found large‐scale genome reorganizations and identified species‐specific genes under positive selection that are likely involved in adaptation. Our demographic analyses suggest that the wider‐ranged D. sinensis repeatedly recovered from population bottlenecks over late Tertiary/Quaternary periods of adverse climate conditions, while the population size of the narrow‐ranged D. dyeriana steadily decreased since the late Miocene, especially after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). We conclude that the efficient purging of deleterious mutations in D. sinensis facilitated its survival and repeated demographic recovery. By contrast, in D. dyeriana, increased genetic drift and reduced selection efficacy, due to recent severe population bottlenecks and a likely preponderance of vegetative propagation, resulted in fixation of strongly deleterious mutations, reduced fitness, and continuous population decline, with likely detrimental consequences for the species' future viability and adaptive potential. Overall, our findings highlight the significant impact of demographic history on levels of accumulation and purging of putatively deleterious mutations that likely determine the long‐term survival and extinction risk of Tertiary relict trees. Significance Statement: The evolution of mutation load is a key genetic factor affecting species survival. Here we showed contrast patterns of mutation load of two 'living fossil' tree species. Our results highlight the significant impact of demographic history on levels of accumulation and purging of putatively deleterious mutations that likely determine the long‐term survival and extinction risk of Tertiary relict trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly lattice-matched all-Heusler-alloy magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is proposed by associating half metallic CoFeTiSi electrode and non-magnetic semiconductor Fe2TiSi barrier. Based on the non-equilibrium Green's function combined with first-principles calculations, spin transport mechanism is studied by analyzing the transmission coefficient, local density of states, and scattering states. The calculated equilibrium tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio in CoFeTiSi/Fe2TiSi/CoFeTiSi reaches up to about 3.30 × 108%, which is much higher than in CoFeTiSi/MgO/CoFeTiSi. The calculated scattering states reveal that CoFeTiSi/Fe2TiSi/CoFeTiSi MTJ possesses two transport channels, and the contribution of channel I to the total transport is about 80%, which plays a dominate role. The analyses on non-equilibrium spin transport properties reveal that CoFeTiSi/MgO/CoFeTiSi MTJ can output a high intensity transport current with complete spin polarization, and it can output a stable and highly efficient signal. The TMR ratio possesses an extremely large value of about 2.4 × 108% and even the bias voltage increases to 0.2 V, exhibiting a robust current-driven stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The output power of hydrogen engines is restricted due to the low volume energy density of hydrogen and lean burn, thus a turbocharger is necessary to boost the power intensity, especially for large-displacement hydrogen engines. However, turbine selection for hydrogen engines is complex comparing gasoline engines because of the different exhaust components and low exhaust temperature. In this research, the turbocharger-matching of a 5.13 L hydrogen engine is studied, and the results show the original turbine, whose maximum reduced mass flow is 0.00966 (kg/s)·Kˆ0.5/kPa, cannot achieve the desired power performance at high speeds. The reduced mass flow rate can be calculated, taking into account the effect that exhausts composition and temperature. The accuracy of the method is validated using data from a 2.3 L turbocharged H2ICE at various engine speeds and throttle openings, and the error between the measured and calculated expansion ratio is less than 5% mostly. At last, a well-matching turbine for high engine speeds of the 5.13 L hydrogen engine to meet the desired power of 120 kW, whose maximum reduced mass flow is extended to 0.0156 (kg/s)·Kˆ0.5/kPa, is selected according to the method, and the maximum power reaches 128.9 kW with a maximum torque of 662.6 N m, improving by 38.7% and 7.7% respectively comparing with the original turbine. However, the output torque reduces by 15.6% at 1200 rpm. The reduced mass flow rate varies significantly in comparison to the turbines that are well suited for low and high engine speeds respectively, thus the Variable Geometry Turbine may be the solution for both low and high speeds simultaneously for hydrogen engines. • The CNG engine turbine is not suited to H2ICE due to the low reduced mass flow rate. • The method considers exhaust components and temperature to reach desired power. • The max power is improved from 93.0 kW to 128.9 kW with the optimized turbine. • The output torque is reduced by 15.6% at 1200 rpm due to poor intake pressure. • The feature of turbocharging of H2ICE is discussed with some potential solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron-containing metal–organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) are promising photocatalysts for the activation of peroxysulphate. In this work, a new robust MOF (Fe2In-TCA) was successfully prepared through single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SC–SC) transformation using an indium-MOF template (In3-TCA) (TCA = 4,4′,4′′-nitrilotribenzoic acid). The SC–SC transformation led to the obtention of large-sized Fe2In-TCA crystals suitable for single-crystal X-ray diffraction. More fascinatingly, compared to the sample (Fe2In-TCA-D) synthesized by the one-pot in situ method, Fe2In-TCA not only showed a higher specific surface area but also showed better charge separation and migration efficiency, indicating that postsynthetic metal metathesis is an advanced strategy for preparing Fe-MOFs. With these advantages, Fe2In-TCA exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity for activating peroxydisulfate (PDS). Under optimum conditions, Fe2In-TCA removed about 98% of ofloxacin (OFL) in 30 minutes and could be reused over five cycles. Further mechanism studies showed that free radicals (˙SO4−, ˙OH, O2˙−), singlet oxygen (1O2), and photogenerated holes (h+) were the main active species for OFL degradation. These results show that Fe2In-TCA can be used as a potential photocatalyst to activate PDS to degrade OFL. This work provides a new perspective for the construction of robust Fe-MOFs for photocatalytic OFL degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioma treatment in traditional Chinese medicine has a lengthy history. Astragalus membranaceus, a traditional Chinese herb that is frequently utilized in therapeutic practice, is a component of many Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas that have been documented to have anti-glioma properties. Uncertainty persists regarding the molecular mechanism behind the therapeutic effects. Based on results from network pharmacology and molecular docking, we thoroughly identified the molecular pathways of Astragalus membranaceus' anti-glioma activities in this study. According to the findings of the enrichment analysis, 14 active compounds and 343 targets were eliminated from the screening process. These targets were mainly found in the pathways in cancer, neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction, protein phosphorylation, inflammatory response, positive regulation of phosphorylation, and inflammatory mediator regulation of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels. The results of molecular docking showed that the active substances isoflavanone and 1,7-Dihydroxy-3,9-dimethoxy pterocarpene have strong binding affinities for the respective targets ESR2 and PTGS2. In accordance with the findings of our investigation, Astragalus membranaceus active compounds exhibit a multicomponent and multitarget synergistic therapeutic impact on glioma by actively targeting several targets in various pathways. Additionally, we propose that 1,7-Dihydroxy-3,9-dimethoxy pterocarpene and isoflavanone may be the main active ingredients in the therapy of glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupled electron/ion transport is a decisive feature of Li plating/stripping, wherein the compatibility of electron/ion transport rates determines the morphology of deposited Li. Local Li+ hotspots form due to inhomogeneous interfacial charge transfer and lead to uncontrolled Li deposition, which decreases the Li utilization rate and safety of Li metal anodes. Herein, we report a method to obtain dendrite‐free Li metal anodes by driving electron pumping and accumulating and boosting Li ion diffusion by tuning the work function of a carbon host using cobalt‐containing catalysts. The results reveal that increasing the work function provides an electron deviation from C to Co, and electron‐rich Co shows favorable binding to Li+. The Co catalysts boost Li+ diffusion on the carbon fiber scaffolds without local aggregation by reducing the Li+ migration barrier. The as‐obtained dendrite‐free Li metal anode exhibits a Coulombic efficiency of 99.0 %, a cycle life of over 2000 h, a Li utilization rate of 50 %, and a capacity retention of 83.4 % after 130 cycles in pouch cells at a negative/positive capacity ratio of 2.5. These findings provide a novel strategy to stabilize Li metal by regulating the work function of materials using electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupled electron/ion transport is a decisive feature of Li plating/stripping, wherein the compatibility of electron/ion transport rates determines the morphology of deposited Li. Local Li+ hotspots form due to inhomogeneous interfacial charge transfer and lead to uncontrolled Li deposition, which decreases the Li utilization rate and safety of Li metal anodes. Herein, we report a method to obtain dendrite‐free Li metal anodes by driving electron pumping and accumulating and boosting Li ion diffusion by tuning the work function of a carbon host using cobalt‐containing catalysts. The results reveal that increasing the work function provides an electron deviation from C to Co, and electron‐rich Co shows favorable binding to Li+. The Co catalysts boost Li+ diffusion on the carbon fiber scaffolds without local aggregation by reducing the Li+ migration barrier. The as‐obtained dendrite‐free Li metal anode exhibits a Coulombic efficiency of 99.0 %, a cycle life of over 2000 h, a Li utilization rate of 50 %, and a capacity retention of 83.4 % after 130 cycles in pouch cells at a negative/positive capacity ratio of 2.5. These findings provide a novel strategy to stabilize Li metal by regulating the work function of materials using electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat transfer correlation describes the relationship between heat transfer and factors such as fluid properties and flow conditions. The establishment of heat transfer correlations is of paramount importance in the design and calculation of heat exchangers and reactors in various chemical engineering fields as well as in certain aerospace applications. In this study, we present a theoretical derivation of a heat transfer correlation model for fully developed flow with gas-phase homogeneous chemical reactions. By means of theoretical derivations, the modeling of complex multi-physics coupling problems can be significantly simplified, and the impact of chemical reactions can be effectively demonstrated. The concept of effective specific heat and effective thermal conductivity are generalized to finite-rate chemically reacting flow. Modifications are proposed for Nusselt number correlation. It is shown by preliminary verification that evaluating error of new correlation has been significantly decreased by the modification. The enhancement factor can be evaluated by specific ratio cpr,x/cp*. To demonstrate the reliability of the derived correlation, we carry out numerical simulations and compare the results with derived formulations. The simulations show good agreement with the theoretical values, demonstrating that the derived correlation is both theoretically grounded and practically usable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piriformospora indica (Serendipita indica), a mycorrhizal fungus, has garnered significant attention in recent decades owing to its distinctive capacity to stimulate plant growth and augment plant resilience against environmental stressors. As an axenically cultivable fungus, P. indica exhibits a remarkable ability to colonize varieties of plants and promote symbiotic processes by directly influencing nutrient acquisition and hormone metabolism. The interaction of plant and P. indica raises hormone production including ethylene (ET), jasmonic acid (JA), gibberellin (GA), salicylic acid (SA), and abscisic acid (ABA), which also promotes root proliferation, facilitating improved nutrient acquisition, and subsequently leading to enhanced plant growth and productivity. Additionally, the plant defense system was employed by P. indica colonization and the defense genes associated with oxidation resistance were activated subsequently. This fungus-mediated defense response elicits an elevation in the enzyme activity of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), and, finally, bolsters plant tolerance. Furthermore, P. indica colonization can initiate local and systemic immune responses against fungal and viral plant diseases through signal transduction mechanisms and RNA interference by regulating defense gene expression and sRNA secretion. Consequently, P. indica can serve diverse roles such as plant promoter, biofertilizer, bioprotectant, bioregulator, and bioactivator. A comprehensive review of recent literature will facilitate the elucidation of the mechanistic foundations underlying P. indica–crop interactions. Such discussions will significantly contribute to an in-depth comprehension of the interaction mechanisms, potential applications, and the consequential effects of P. indica on crop protection, enhancement, and sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels play a vital role in cardioprotection. Cardiac KATP channels are enriched in caveolae and physically interact with the caveolae structural protein caveolin-3 (Cav3). Disrupting caveolae impairs the regulation of KATP channels through several signaling pathways. However, the direct functional effect of Cav3 on KATP channels is still poorly understood. Here, we used the cardiac KATP channel subtype, Kir6.2/SUR2A, and showed that Cav3 greatly reduced KATP channel surface density and current amplitude in a caveolae-independent manner. A screen of Cav3 functional domains revealed that a 25 amino acid region in the membrane attachment domain of Cav3 is the minimal effective segment (MAD1). The peptide corresponding to the MAD1 segment decreased KATP channel current in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of ∼5 μM. The MAD1 segment prevented KATP channel recycling, thus decreasing KATP channel surface density and abolishing the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning. Our research identified the Cav3 MAD1 segment as a novel negative regulator of KATP channel recycling, providing pharmacological potential in the treatment of diseases with KATP channel trafficking defects. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cardiac KATP channels physically interact with caveolin-3 in caveolae. In this study, we investigated the functional effect of caveolin-3 on KATP channel activity and identified a novel segment (MAD1) in the C-terminus domain of Caveolin-3 that negatively regulates KATP channel surface density and current amplitude by impairing KATP channel recycling. The peptide corresponding to the MAD1 segment abolished the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Versatile optical devices with smaller space footprint are crucial for integrated optics. In this work, we design a dual-waveguide power splitter with adjustable splitting ratio depending on the input ports. The modulated gain and loss are imposed on two waveguides to nullify the non-adiabatic coupling using non-Hermitian shortcut to adiabaticity technique. Simulation results reveal that the length of the power splitter can be shortened to about one ninth compared to the one along the adiabatic path, meanwhile, the proposed splitter has good robustness against possible fabrication errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let M be a d-dimensional connected compact Riemannian manifold with boundary ∂M, let V∈C²(M) such that μ(dx):=eV(x)dx is a probability measure, and let Xt be the diffusion process generated by L:=Δ+∇V with τ:=inf{t≥0:Xt∈∂M}. Consider the empirical measure μt:=1/t∫t0δXsds under the condition t<τ for the diffusion process. If d≤3, then for any initial distribution not fully supported on ∂M, ... holds for some constant c∈(0,1] with c=1 when ∂M is convex, where μ0:=ϕ²0μ for the first Dirichet eigenfunction ϕ0 of L, {λm}m≥0 are the Dirichlet eigenvalues of -L listed in the increasing order counting multiplicities, and the upper bound is finite if and only if d≤3. When d=4, supT≥tE[W2(μt,μ0)2∣∣T<τ] decays in the order t-1logt, while for d≥5 it behaves like t-2/(d-2), as t→∞. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to explore the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) rechallenge in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Studies that enrolled NSCLC patients treated with two lines of ICIs were included using four databases. The initial line (1L‐) and subsequent lines (2L‐) of ICIs were defined as 1L‐ICI and 2L‐ICI, respectively. Results: A total of 17 studies involving 2100 patients were included. The pooled objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), median progression‐free survival (mPFS), and median overall survival (mOS) for 2L‐ICIs were 10%, 50%, 3.0 months, and 13.1 months, respectively. The 2L‐ICI discontinuation rates caused by toxicities ranged from 0% to 23.5%. Original data were extracted from six studies, covering 89 patients. Patients in whom 1L‐ICIs were discontinued following clinical decision (the mPFS of 2L‐ICIs was not reach) achieved a more prolonged mPFS of 2L‐ICIs than those due to toxicity (5.2 months) and progressive disease (2.1 months) (p < 0.0001). Patients' 1L‐PFS for more than 2‐years had preferable 2L‐ORR (35.0% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.03), 2L‐DCR (85.0% vs. 49.0%, p = 0.007), and 2L‐mPFS (12.4 vs. 3.0 months, p < 0.0001) than those less than 1‐year. Patients administered the same drugs achieved a significantly prolonged mPFS compared with the remaining patients (5.4 vs. 2.3 months, p = 0.0004), and those who did not accept antitumor treatments during the intervals of two lines of ICIs achieved a prolonged mPFS compared to those patients who did accept treatments (7.6 vs. 1.9 months, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: ICI rechallenge is a useful therapeutic strategy for NSCLC patients, especially suitable for those who achieve long‐term tumor remission for more than 2‐years under 1L‐ICIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theory of electron spin has been proposed for a century, but the study of quantum effects in biological molecules is still in its infancy. Chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) is a very modern theory that can explain many biochemical phenomena. In this paper, we propose a new theoretical model based on CISS theory and quantum chemistry theory, which can well explain the theoretical explanation of the chiral selectivity of chiral proteins. Moreover, this theory can predict the spin state of corresponding chiral molecules. Taking the L-DOPA and AADC enzymes as examples, this theoretical model elucidates the AADC enzyme's chiral catalysis selectivity and successfully predicts the spin state of L-DOPA and D-DOPA's valence electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity-related diseases have been on the rise, making it important to promote physical activity. Smart sports watches are popular among young people and can play a role in this regard. This study aims to evaluate the impact of different watch head design types on the visual image of smart sports watches. Based on sales data, seven sports smartwatches with sales of over 2000 units were selected from a sample of 50 as representative samples. A factor analysis and questionnaire survey were used to identify four groups of adjectives that describe watch heads: Sporty and Smart, precious and exquisite, distinctive and avant-garde, and trendy and technological. College students evaluated the seven watches using these adjectives, and using triangular fuzzy mathematics theory, the watches were divided into three categories. The results show that the seven watches had significant differences in appearing "Sporty and Smart" and "precious and exquisite", while the visual imagery of "distinctive and avant-garde" and "trendy and technological" had no significant difference. Based on the grouping analysis of the seven samples, it is concluded that: the slim and compact shape without excessive decoration has a sense of sportiness and simplicity; the square shape combined with left and right buttons has a sense of sportiness and fashion; the unique connection between the round shape, the watch strap, and the watch head, as well as the strong mechanical feeling, have a sense of value. To substantiate the validity of our research findings, we devised three novel specimens based on the morphological elements of sports watches and conducted surveys accordingly. Statistical analysis revealed a fundamental coherence between the performance of these specimens in four stylistic domains and the expression of style-forming elements, confirming the reference value of these findings in the stylistic design of sports smartwatches. This study provides designers with references for improving the design and development efficiency of smart sports watches, promoting their sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The noble metal Ru based molecular water oxidation catalysts were covalently anchored on melem through "amide bond" as bridges, which leads to the formation of highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts for chemical water oxidation reaction. [Display omitted] • Homogeneous Ru-terpy complex is covalently anchored on melem or g-C 3 N 4 through "amide bond". • The structure of Ru-terpy and coordination environment in Ru-melem hybrid catalyst are confirmed by XAS. • The efficient heterogeneous catalysts for water oxidation are obtained with this strategy. Ru-melem and Ru-C 3 N 4 were synthesized by a simple and facile strategy to construct a novel covalently anchoring by introducing easily synthesized amide bond as a bridge connecting the Ru-terpy and melem or g-C 3 N 4 , respectively. The covalent anchoring of Ru complex on melem or C 3 N 4 not only makes these materials exhibit water oxidation activity under CeIV-driven (CeIV = Ce(NH 4) 2 (NO 3) 6) reaction condition, but also makes the obtained heterogeneous catalysts show higher catalytic activity than the corresponding homogeneous catalysts, which reveals that the covalent anchoring strategy of Ru complex is beneficial to improve the catalytic activity of homogeneous Ru catalysts. The synthetic method of hybrid catalysts offers an insightful strategy for enhancing water oxidation activity of molecular catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-span bridges located in thunderstorm-prone areas can potentially be struck by downburst transient winds. In this study, the downburst time-varying mean wind was simulated by an impinging jet model based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD). To make the simulation results fit well with the measurements, a parameter optimization method was developed. The objective function was established based on the errors between the simulated characteristic points and the target values from the measurement data. To increase the effectiveness, a Kriging surrogate model that was trained using data from numerical simulations was used. The parameter optimization method and the Kriging model were verified using five groups of test samples. The optimization efficiency was significantly increased by replacing the numerical model with a surrogate model during the optimization iteration. The simulation accuracy was clearly improved by the numerical modeling of a downburst based on optimized parameters. Subsequently, the nonstationary turbulent downburst wind was obtained by the combination of the Hilbert-based nonstationary fluctuations and the CFD-based time-varying trend. Finally, the dynamic response of a long-span bridge subjected to the moving downburst was presented. The results based on the simulation validate the optimized downburst wind field and highlight the significant influence on the bridge's aerodynamics and buffeting response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The (strong and weak) well-posedness is proved for singular SDEs depending on the distribution density point-wisely and globally, where the drift satisfies a local integrability condition in time-spatial variables, and is Lipschitz continuous in the distribution density with respect to a local L k -norm. Density dependent reflecting SDEs are also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every enterprise in the supply chain will participate in managing the supply chain. The decisions made by each party will affect the future decisions of other members in the supply chain and themselves. There are trade-offs since the upstream and downstream of the multi-supply chain tackle problems from different perspectives based on their interests. With the increasing competition and cooperation among enterprises in multi-supply chains, game theory is widely used to analyze the competition and collaboration among enterprises. This study combines game theory and auction theory to obtain the relative optimal allocation through double auctions for multi-objective optimization. Nevertheless, there are a few issues, including the number of iterations and the potential for local monopoly in double auctions. To this end, the generalized genetic particle swarm optimization (GGPSO) algorithm is introduced to improve the double auctions mechanism, and finally, the global optimization of the supply chain is achieved. The simulation results show that the proposed method can efficiently complete the distribution and pricing among multi-supply chains and compensate the competing buyers with higher average quotations and the competing sellers with lower average quotes. Additionally, the GGPSO algorithm presented in this paper has a good performance in terms of the time needed to obtain the optimal solution, which is conducive to the global optimization of the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shortage of hospital beds is a common phenomenon and some acute ischemic stroke patients have to be cared for in emergency department with their staffs. However, boarding acute stroke patients in emergency department for hospital ward beds has been associated with worse outcomes. Whether an additional coverage of neurologist for them would benefit was not elucidated. All acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to our hospital between January 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified according to the various emergency department length of stay. A binary Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship of coverage of neurologist for acute ischemic stroke patients admitted but boarded in emergency department to their hospital outcomes by adjusting for age, patient gender, comorbidities, triage urgency, initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, whether underwent thrombosis, admitted to Intensive care unit (ICU) and complications. A total of 1150 acute ischemic stroke patients were evaluated. 24.1% of them were admitted within 4 hours, 10.3% within 4-8 hours while 65.6% patients boarded in emergency department more than 8 hours although they were admitted, due to the shortage ward beds. However, with the neurologist coverage, their prolonged waiting hours in emergency department was not associated with poor patients' outcomes including Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) =4 at discharge, long hospital length of stay and high hospital cost. In summary, with additional neurologist coverage for acute ischemic stroke patients who were admitted but boarded in emergency department, prolonged waiting hours in emergency department was not associated with worse patients' outcomes including mRS =4 at discharge, long hospital length of stay and high hospital cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C24H16N11O3Sm, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 6.745(6) Å, b = 21.943(19) Å, c = 16.132(14) Å, β = 95.362(13)°, V = 2378(4) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0446, wRref(F2) = 0.1162, T = 296 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the advantages of the pulmonary route of administration and inhalable dosage forms, other routes of administration and dosage forms are often considered first to treat lung diseases. This occurs, in part, due to the perceived limitations of inhaled therapies resulting from the improper design and interpretation of their in vitro and in vivo evaluation. The present study outlines the elements that should be considered in the design, performance, and interpretation of the results of the preclinical evaluation of novel inhaled therapies. These elements are illustrated using an optimized model poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microparticle (MP) formulation to optimize the site of MPs deposition. The different expressions of MP size were determined, and their aerosol performance in devices used for animal (Microsprayer® and Insufflator®) and human studies (nebulizer and DPIs) was assessed using inertial impaction. Radiolabeled MPs were delivered to the lungs of rats by spray instillation to determine their site of deposition using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Recommendations to optimize the in vitro determinations are given, as well as suggestions to evaluate and interpret in vivo data in the context of the anatomy and physiology of the animal model and the corresponding in vitro data. Recommendations for the proper selection of in vitro parameters to inform in silico modeling are also given, as well as their integration with in vivo data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a new strategy was developed to prepare magnetoceramics through a bulk pyrolysis of novel Fe-containing polyamide preceramic precursors at low pyrolysis temperature. A series of novel polyamides with different chemical structures were synthesized by bulk Michael addition and polycondensation, and their structures were characterized. Polymer precursors (PPs) were prepared by direct melt blending polyamides and FeCl 3 , and polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) were prepared via the pyrolysis of PPs. The polyamide structure with pendant pyridine groups in repeating units makes the Fe complexes uniformly dispersed in matrix. The relationship between magnetoceramic compositions and PP structures was investigated by TGA, XPS, XRD, FE-SEM, FE-TEM and VSM characterizations. Different chemical structures and Fe catalysis effect lead to different thermal decomposition processes of PPs. Increasing crystal-Fe content in PDCs contributes to higher magnetic properties. The morphology of crystal phases in PDCs relies on the structures of PPs and pyrolysis temperature. Different pyrolysis temperatures and chemical structures of PPs bring about different Fe crystal phases and carbon crystal state of nanosheets or nanofiber bundles. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By refining a recent result of Xie and Zhang (2020), we prove the exponential ergodicity under a weighted variation norm for singular SDEs with drift containing a local integrable term and a coercive term. This result is then extended to singular reflecting SDEs as well as singular McKean–Vlasov SDEs with or without reflection. The exponential ergodicity in the relative entropy and (weighted) Wasserstein distances are also studied for reflecting McKean–Vlasov SDEs. The main results are illustrated by non-symmetric singular granular media equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the tumor boundary instability induced by nutrient consumption and supply based on a Hele-Shaw model. The model describes the geometric evolution of the tumor region and is derived from taking the incompressible limit of a cell density model, which leads to the pressure vanishing on the free boundary. We investigate the boundary behaviors under two different nutrient supply regimes, in vitro and in vivo, where in the former case the supply is adequate and in the latter case the supply is deficient. Our main conclusion is that by investigating typical solutions of the tumor-nutrient model with the asymptotic analysis with respect to the domain perturbation, the tumor boundary in the in vitro regime is shown to be stable regardless of the nutrient consumption rate. However, boundary instability occurs when the nutrient consumption rate exceeds a certain threshold in the in vivo regime, and the bifurcation threshold has a monotonic dependence on the frequency of the domain perturbation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed germination is a complex process that is regulated by various exogenous and endogenous factors, in which abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role. The triphosphate tunnel metalloenzyme (TTM) superfamily exists in all living organisms, but research on its biological role is limited. Here, we reveal that TTM2 functions in ABA-mediated seed germination. Our study indicates that TTM2 expression is enhanced but repressed by ABA during seed germination. Promoted TTM2 expression in 35S::TTM2-FLAG rescues ABA-mediated inhibition of seed germination and early seedling development and ttm2 mutants exhibit lower seed germination rate and reduced cotyledon greening compared with the wild type, revealing that the repression of TTM2 expression is required for ABA-mediated inhibition of seed germination and early seedling development. Further, ABA inhibits TTM2 expression by ABA insensitive 4 (ABI4) binding of TTM2 promoter and the ABA-insensitive phenotype of abi4-1 with higher TTM2 expression can be rescued by mutation of TTM2 in abi4-1 ttm2-1 mutant, indicating that TTM2 acts downstream of ABI4. In addition, TTM1, a homolog of TTM2, is not involved in ABA-mediated regulation of seed germination. In summary, our findings reveal that TTM2 acts as a downstream factor of ABI4 in ABA-mediated seed germination and early seedling growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the available results of immunotherapy predictors for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and to provide evidence-based information for their potential predictive value of efficacy. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials (from January 1, 1975 to November 1, 2021). The hazard ratios (HR) and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and tumor response rate of the included studies were extracted. Results: Eleven studies were eventually included and the pooled results showed that programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) positive: objective response rate (ORR) (relative risk [RR] = 1.39, 95% CI [0.48, 4.03], p = 0.54), with high heterogeneity (p = 0.05, I2 = 56%); disease control rate [DCR] (RR = 1.31, 95% CI [0.04, 38.57], p = 0.88), with high heterogeneity (p = 0.04, I2 = 75%); overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.74, 1.07], p = 0.22); and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.59, 1.16], p = 0.27), with high heterogeneity (p = 0.005, I2 = 73.1%). TMB-High (TMB-H): OS (HR = 0.86, 95% CI [0.74, 1.00], p = 0.05); PFS (HR = 0.71, 95% CI [0.6, 0.85], p < 0.001). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) >upper limit of normal (ULN): OS (HR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.81, 1.11], p = 0.511). Asian patients: OS (HR = 0.87, 95% CI [0.72, 1.04], p = 0.135); White/Non-Asian patients: OS (HR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.76, 0.90], p < 0.001). Liver metastasis patients: OS (HR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.83, 1.05], p = 0.229); PFS (HR = 0.84, 95% CI [0.67, 1.06], p = 0.141). Central nervous system (CNS) metastasis patients: OS (HR = 0.91, 95% CI [0.71, 1.17], p = 0.474); PFS (HR = 1.03, 95% CI [0.66, 1.60], p = 0.903). Conclusion: The available research results do not support the recommendation of PD-L1 positive and TMB-H as predictors for the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in SCLC patients. LDH, baseline liver metastasis and CNS metastasis may be used as markers/influencing factors for predicting the efficacy of ICIs in SCLC patients. Non-Asian SCLC patients had better efficacy with ICIs in our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We found a carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli without known carbapenemase-encoding genes and performed a study to identify the possible new carbapenemase. Methods The production of carbapenemase was examined using the modified carbapenem inactivation method. The strain was subjected to short- and long-read genome sequencing and the complete genome was obtained by hybrid assembly. The gene encoding a potential new OXA-type carbapenemase was cloned. The enzyme was purified and was then subjected to kinetic assays. Molecular docking analysis of the enzyme was performed using the MOE software suite. Mating experiments were attempted to obtain the plasmid carrying the corresponding gene. Results We identified and characterized a novel class D carbapenem-hydrolysing β-lactamase, OXA-1041, in a carbapenem-resistant E. coli clinical strain. OXA-1041 had 89.77% (237/264) amino acid identity with OXA-427, a known carbapenemase. By cloning in an E. coli laboratory strain, bla OXA-1041 was found to reduce susceptibility to ertapenem by 16 times (MIC 0.25 versus 0.016 mg/L) and meropenem by four times (MIC 0.06 versus 0.016 mg/L) but did not significantly reduce susceptibility to imipenem and doripenem. Enzyme kinetic measurement of purified OXA-1041 showed that OXA-1041 could hydrolyse ertapenem and meropenem with a turnover number (k cat)/Michaelis constant (K M) of 8.57 and 3.63 mM−1s−1, respectively. The complete genome contained a single plasmid (223 341 bp, IncF, containing five replicons), which was self-transmissible. bla OXA-1041 was downstream of insertion sequence IS CR1 and there were three tandem copies of IS CR1 - bla OXA-1041- creD Δ (encoding an envelope protein) on this plasmid. Conclusions The above findings suggest OXA-1041 is a new plasmid-encoded carbapenemase with preferential activity against ertapenem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High salinity, an adverse environmental factor affecting about 20% of irrigated arable land worldwide, inhibits plant growth and development by causing oxidative stress, damaging cellular components, and disturbing global metabolism. However, whether and how reactive oxygen species disturb the metabolism of salt-stressed plants remain elusive. Here, we report that salt-induced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) inhibits the activity of plastid triose phosphate isomerase (pdTPI) to promote methylglyoxal (MG) accumulation and stimulates the sulfenylation of pdTPI at cysteine 74. We also show that MG is a key factor limiting the plant growth, as a decrease in MG levels completely rescued the stunted growth and repressed salt stress tolerance of the pdtpi mutant. Furthermore, targeting CATALASE 2 into chloroplasts to prevent salt-induced overaccumulation of H2O2 conferred salt stress tolerance, revealing a role for chloroplastic H2O2 in salt-caused plant damage. In addition, we demonstrate that the H2O2-mediated accumulation of MG in turn induces H2O2 production, thus forming a regulatory loop that further inhibits the pdTPI activity in salt-stressed plants. Our findings, therefore, illustrate how salt stress induces MG production to inhibit the plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are two types of high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas of the lung with poor prognosis. LCNEC has not been thoroughly studied due to its rarity, data are also lacking regarding the survival comparison and prognosis analysis of patients with locally advanced or metastatic LCNEC and SCLC. Methods: Data of patients with LCNEC, SCLC, and other NSCLC who were diagnosed from 1975 to 2019 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database to estimate incidence. Those in stage III-IV and being diagnosed from 2010 to 2015 were utilized further to investigate their clinical characteristics and prognosis. Propensity score matching (PSM) analyses at a ratio of 1:2 was used to compare their survival outcomes. Nomograms of LCNEC and SCLC were established with internal validation, and the nomogram of SCLC was externally validated by 349 patients diagnosed in Cancer hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018. Results: The incidence of LCNEC has been increasing in recent decades, meanwhile that of SCLC and other types of NSCLC were decreasing. A total of 91,635 lung cancer patients, including 785 with LCNEC, 15,776 with SCLC, and 75,074 with other NSCLC were enrolled for further analysis. The survival of stage III-IV LCNEC resembles that of SCLC, and significantly worse than other types of NSCLC before and after PSM analysis. In pretreatment prognostic analysis, age, T stage, N stage, M stage, bone metastasis, liver metastasis, and brain metastasis were found to be associated with the survival of both LCNEC and SCLC, besides sex, bilaterality, and lung metastasis were additional prognostic factors for SCLC. Two nomograms and convenient online tools respectively for LCNEC and SCLC were established accordingly with favorable predicting accuracy of < 1-year, < 2-year, < 3-year survival probabilities. In external validation of the SCLC nomogram with a Chinese cohort, the AUCs of 1-year, 2-year and 3-year ROC were 0.652, 0.669, and 0.750, respectively. All the results of 1-, 2-, 3- year variable-dependent ROC curves verified the superior prognostic value of our nomograms for LCNEC and SCLC over the traditional T/N/M staging system. Conclusions: Based on large sample-based cohort, we compared the epidemiological trends and survival outcomes between locally advanced or metastatic LCNEC, SCLC, and other NSCLC. Furthermore, two prognostic evaluation approaches respectively for LCNEC and SCLC might present as practical tools for clinicians to predict the survival outcome of these patients and facilitate risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]