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Permanent-magnet materials are essential for modern technologies, such as robotics, electric vehicles, and wind power generators. Over the last 100 years, the pursuit for stronger magnets mainly lies in enhancing their coercivity by alloying different elements with Fe and Co. Despite the continued endeavor, the coercivity of state-of-the-art NdFeB and SmCo magnets can only reach 20%–25% of their anisotropy field (Ha, the theoretical limit of the coercivity), known as the famous Brown's paradox. On the other hand, abnormally high coercivity was observed in the materials consisting of nanograins that reaches ∼60% of Ha at room temperature and goes beyond 100 kOe (7957 kA/m) at low temperatures. Moreover, the coercivity of nanostructured TbFe2 increases to ∼3500 Oe (278 kA/m), although it is a soft-magnetic material with a low value of only ∼30 Oe (2.4 kA/m) at room temperature for coarse-grained counterparts. However, high-energy-product bulk nanostructured magnets still remain elusive so far. In this short Perspective paper, we briefly discuss the prospects and challenges in fabricating high-performance bulk nanostructured magnets. The perspective for coercivity increase in emerging permanent magnets such as nanocomposite magnets and SmFe12-type magnets is also discussed.

Inorganic molten salts are reported as a new electrolyte category for electrochemical capacitors with ultrahigh energy densities of over 50 W h kg−1.

The rotating source identifier (ROSI) beamforming method is a method designed for localizing rotating noise sources in a uniform flow based on out-of-flow acoustic pressure field measurement data. It has been developed for sources moving along a circular trajectory, such as turbomachinery blades. The original ROSI method processes the measured acoustic signals over a long time segment to reconstruct the noise sources, providing time-averaged results for each noise source. By doing so, it does not take into consideration certain features of the noise sources, such as the directivity of the trailing edge and leading-edge noise sources. A further development of the ROSI method is presented herein, which separates the sound-pressure signal of one revolution into multiple segments. In this way, the beamforming maps can provide one with a better understanding of the differences between the noise sources as a function of angular position. This method will be referred to herein as the segmented ROSI method. The goal of this further development is to improve the capability of the method in identifying the position-dependent modulations of the various noise sources as they are moving along their trajectories, rotating around the axis. The investigation presents the theory behind the new segmented ROSI method along with simulation and measurement-based test cases which help in comparing the new method to the original ROSI method. The results show that the novel method provides a strong tool for investigating turbomachinery noise sources that vary along segments of their trajectories. It is therefore expected that the tool will be useful in cases that look at turbomachinery from an angle and cases where the loading of the blades changes as a function of angular position.

In this work, carbon nanotubes pillared grew on exfoliated graphite by the microwave-assisted method is utilized as thermally conductive fillers (CPEG) in polyimide (PI) to fabricate CPEG/PI thermally conductive composites with the combining ways of “in-situ polymerization, electrospinning, lay-up, and hot-pressing”. The prepared CPEG/PI composites realized the maximum thermal conductivity (λ, 1.92 W m−1 K−1) at low CPEG amount (10 wt%), much higher than that of pure PI (0.28 W m−1 K−1). The λ of CPEG/PI composites show almost no change after 1000 cycles of heating and cooling at the temperature of 25−100 °C. The finite element analysis simulates the nano-/microscale heat transfer in CPEG/PI composites to reveal the internal reason of the λ enhancement. The improved thermal conductivity model and empirical equation could better reflect the actual λ change trend of CPEG/PI composites. The actual application test shows the CPEG/PI composites could significantly reduce the operating temperature of the CPU in mobile phone.

Chemoimmunotherapy has shown great potential to activate an immune response, but the immunosuppressive microenvironment associated with T cell exhaustion remains a challenge in cancer therapy. The proper immune-modulatory strategy to provoke a robust immune response is to simultaneously regulate T-cell exhaustion and infiltration. Here, a new kind of carrier-free nanoparticle is developed to simultaneously deliver chemotherapeutic drug (doxorubicin, DOX), cytolytic peptide (melittin, MPI), and anti-TOX small interfering RNA (thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box protein, TOX) using a fluorinated prodrug strategy. In this way, the enhanced immunogenic cell death (ICD) induced by the combination of DOX and MPI can act as "offense" signaling to increase CD8

Three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (3D-COFs) are emerging as designable porous materials because of their unique structural characteristics and porous features. However, because of the lack of 3D organic building units and the less reversible covalent bonds, the topologies of 3D-COFs to date have been limited to dia, ctn, ffc, bor, rra, srs, pts, lon, stp, acs, tbo, bcu, and fjh. Here we report a 3D-COF with the ceq topology utilizing a D3h-symmetric triangular prism vertex with a planar triangular linker. The as-synthesized COF displays a twofold-interpenetrated structure with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 1148.6 m2 g-1. Gas sorption measurements revealed that 3D-ceq-COF could efficiently absorb CO2, CH4, and H2 under a moderate surface area. This work provides new building units and approaches for structural and application exploration of 3D-COFs.

In this study, lycopene microcapsules (LMs) were prepared using chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl CS (CMCS) as the wall materials. Sodium alginate (SA) and konjac glucomannan (KGM) were used as substrates to fabricate LM/SA/KGM composite films. Results showed that when 2.0 % CMCS was employed, the resulting LMs had the maximum embedding rate of 83.17 %, smallest particle sizes, and stable zeta potentials. The LMs still had a high retention rate after 10 days of storage at 4 and 25 °C. When 2.0 % LMs were used, the corresponding composite film exhibited the best antibacterial properties, oxidation resistance, a high transparency (82.3 %), and a strong water vapor barrier (2.39 × 10

Mounting evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs serve as specific biomarkers and potent modulators of multiple cancers. Long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 324 (LINC00324) is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, including breast cancer. The biological function of LINC00324 in the development and progression of breast cancer remains unknown. Here, we fully elucidate the relation between LINC00324 expression and breast cancer, and suggest a potential mechanism of action. We found that decreased expression of LINC00324 was dramatically correlated with malignancy of breast cancer, both in breast cancer tissues and in cell lines. Overexpression of LINC00324 in MDA-MB-231 cells resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, while increasing cells apoptosis. On the other hand, loss-of-function experiments indicated that deficiency of LINC00324 promoted malignant phenotypes in breast cancer cells. Mechanically, we found that LINC00324 is mainly distributed in the cytoplasm, fostering the expression of E-cadherin by sponging miR-10b-5p. Taken together, these findings suggest that LINC00324 plays a critical role in breast cancer progression by directly interacting with miR-10b-5p. LINC00324 can thus potentially act as an early diagnostic marker and a novel therapeutic agent for breast cancer.

Rationale: Inflammation plays a crucial role in the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O truncated isoform (PTPROt) is an integral membrane protein that has been identified in osteoclasts, macrophages, and B lymphocytes. However, its relationship between inflammation and NASH is largely unknown. Herein, we aimed to study the function of PTPROt in NASH progression. Methods: We established a NASH mouse model in wild-type (WT), PTPRO knockout mice by western diet (WD) and methionine-choline-deficient diet (MCD). In addition, MCD-induced NASH model was established in BMT mice. Moreover, we determined the expression of PTPROt in liver macrophages in human subjects without steatosis, with simple steatosis, and with NASH to confirm the relationship between PTPROt and NASH. In vitro assays were also performed to study the molecular role of PTPROt in NASH progression. Results: Human samples and animal model results illustrated that PTPROt is increased in liver macrophages during NASH progression and is positively correlated with the degree of NASH. Our animal model also showed that PTPROt in liver macrophages can enhance the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which induces the transcription of genes involved in the inflammatory response. Moreover, PTPROt promotes the transcription of pro-oxidant genes and inhibits antioxidant and protective genes via increased activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby causing an increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and damaged mitochondria. This triggers the NLRP3-IL1β axis and causes a heightened inflammatory response. Notably, PTPROt partially limits inflammation and ROS production by promoting mitophagy, which participates in a negative feedback loop in this model. Conclusions: Our data strongly indicate that PTPROt plays a dual role in inflammation via the NF-κB signaling pathway in liver macrophages during NASH. Further studies are required to explore therapeutic strategies and prevention of this common liver disease through PTPROt.

The specification of the αβ/γδ lineage and the maturation of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) coordinate central tolerance to self-antigens. However, the mechanisms underlying this biological process remain poorly clarified. Here, we report that dual-stage loss of TOX in thymocytes hierarchically impaired mTEC maturation, promoted thymic IL-17A-producing γδ T-cell (Tγδ17) lineage commitment, and led to the development of fatal autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) via different mechanisms. Transfer of γδ T cells from TOX-deficient mice reproduced AIH. TOX interacted with and stabilized the TCF1 protein to maintain the balance of γδ T-cell development in thymic progenitors, and overexpression of TCF1 normalized αβ/γδ lineage specification and activation. In addition, TOX expression was downregulated in γδ T cells from AIH patients and was inversely correlated with the AIH diagnostic score. Our findings suggest multifaceted roles of TOX in autoimmune control involving mTEC and Tγδ17 development and provide a potential diagnostic marker for AIH.

Human brain is the ultimate computing machine in nature. Creating brain-like devices that emulate how the brain works and can communicate with the brain is crucial for fabricating highly efficient computing circuits, monitoring the onset of diseases at early stages, and transferring information across brain-machine interfaces. Simultaneous transduction of ionic-electronic signals would be of particular interest in this context since ionic transmitters are the means of information transfer in human brain while traditional electronics utilize electrons or holes. In this perspective, we propose strongly correlated oxides (mainly focused on perovskite nickelates) as potential candidates for this purpose. The capability of reversibly accepting small ions and converting ionic signal to electrical signals renders perovskite nickelates strong candidates for neuromorphic computing and bioelectrical applications. We will discuss the mechanism behind the interplay between ionic doping and the resistivity modulation in perovskite nickelates. We will also present case studies of using the perovskite nickelates in neuromorphic computing and brain-machine interface applications. We then conclude by pointing out the challenges in this field and provide our perspectives. We hope the utilization of strong electron correlation in the perovskite nickelates will provide exciting new opportunities for future computation devices and brain-machine interfaces.

The integration of intrinsic thermal conductivity and intrinsic flame retardancy of epoxy resins shows wider application prospects in electricals and electronics. Discotic liquid crystal epoxy (D-LCE) is synthesized from pyrocatechol, 2-allyloxyethanol, and 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. P/Si synergistic flame-retardant co-curing agent (DOPO-POSS, DP) is synthesized from p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 9, 10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide (DOPO), and amino terminated polysilsesquioxane (POSS). Finally, D-LCE is cured within liquid crystal range with 4, 4'-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM) and DP, to obtain intrinsic highly thermal conductive/flame-retardant epoxy resins (D-LCERDP ). D-LCERDP-10.0 (10.0 wt% DP) synchronously possesses excellent intrinsic thermal conductivity and intrinsic flame retardancy, with thermal conductivity coefficient in vertical and parallel direction (λ⊥ and λ∥ ) of 0.34 and 1.30 W m-1 K-1 , much higher than that of general bisphenol A epoxy resin (E-51, λ⊥ of 0.19 W m-1 K-1 , λ∥ of 0.65 W m-1 K-1 ). The limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of D-LCERDP-10.0 reaches 31.1, also better than those of E-51 (19.8) and D-LCER (21.3).

The purpose of this study was to prepare sodium alginate (SA)/pectin (PE) hydrogel microspheres using the extrusion method to encapsulate Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Microscopic observation showed that the beads were spherical with a smooth and uniform surface. For microspheres with a diameter range of 140–156 μm, the encapsulation efficiency reached 85.67%. After simulating saliva, gastric juice, and intestinal juice, the activity of the microcapsules was estimated to be 5.78 × 104 log colony forming unit (CFU)/mL. These data show that the use of SA and PE encapsulated probiotics exhibit enhanced viability. In addition, double-layer beads containing probiotic microspheres and yogurt were prepared, and physical and chemical analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Texture and sensory property analysis revealed that the beads had good elasticity, chewiness, and high commercial value. Collectively, these findings indicate that SA and PE can be used for the encapsulation, protection, and gastrointestinal delivery of probiotics. Moreover, these microcapsules exhibit good stability in vitro and improve yogurt characteristics by increasing the survival rate of encapsulated probiotics, thus demonstrating their commercial application potential.

Versican has been reported to participate in carcinogenesis in several malignant tumors. However, the accurate role of VersicanV1, a predominant isoform of Versican in liver, remains an enigma in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression of VersicanV1 in HCC tissues and adjacent tissues was detected by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), Western Blot (WB) and inmumohistochemistry (IHC). Gain and loss of function assays were performed to examine the role of VersicanV1 in proliferation and metastasis of HCC. Measurement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) in vitro and PET-CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) analysis in vivo were applied to evaluate the effects of VersicanV1 on glycolysis. RNA sequencing, Co-IP (Co-immunoprecipitation) and MS (mass spectrometry) were utilized to investigate the molecular mechanisms. Our current study reveals that VersicanV1, regulated by direct interaction with Linc01225, is significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and correlates with poor prognosis. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments show that knockdown of VersicanV1 in HCC cells attenuates cancer cells malignancy. Further studies identify the positive role of VersicanV1 in aerobic glycolysis. Mechanistic investigation discovers the activation of EGFR-PI3K-AKT pathway in HCC cells expressing high VersicanV1. Moreover, EGF-like motif is indispensable for VersicanV1 to promote Warburg effect of HCC cells and subsequently, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis ability via activation of EGFR-PI3K-AKT axis. In sum, our research highlights a novel role of VersicanV1 in the progression of HCC, suggesting that VersicanV1 is an indicator for prognosis and a potential therapeutic target of HCC.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tumor size is an important prognostic factor in cancers. This study aims at investigating the interaction between gender status and tumor size to evaluate cancer-specific survival (CSS) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: In this study, we searched Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) population-based data and identified 38,368 patients diagnosed with HCC between 1988 and 2012. Patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2007 were distributed into a training set (n = 19279), and the rest were assigned as a SEER validation set (n = 19089). Definition of cut-off value of tumor size stratified by gender was determined by the “X-Tile” program. The five-year CSS data were found. Long-term survival outcomes and risk factors were analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier methods and the multivariable Cox regression models. RESULTS: There were significant differences among these different tumor size subgroups with regards to five-year CSS (p

A cooler network plays an important role in a heat exchanger network (HEN) in aspects of energy and water conservation, and economic performance of the whole process. However, most studies focus on the circulating cooling water system (CWS), paying less attention to the extensive used various air coolers in industrial practice, including the dry type air cooler (DAC) and wet type air cooler (spray type air cooler (SAC) is a typical example). In addition, the usage of auxiliary pumps in CWS can effectively reduce energy consumption. In this paper, the objective system is a cooler network coupled with the main-auxiliary pump network. In the cooler network, cooling types are considered among CWS, DAC and SAC. Superstructure-based mathematical models are proposed with the minimum total annual cost of the whole system as the objective function. A case study is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model, which can obtain the expense reduction with 13% of the cooler network and 32% of the pump network.

The high reactivity of Li metal anodes towards liquid electrolytes leads to an unstable and accumulated solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film, which results in dendrite growth and low Coulombic efficiency (CE). Lithium fluoride (LiF) coating is considered as a reliable and dense SEI film to protect the reactive anode, however, the chemistry to form uniform, conformal and high quality LiF protection layer on Lithium metals remains as a major challenge. Here we develop a simple solution method to obtain LiF coating on Li metal anodes. We have discovered a chemical method to fabricate LiF coating via the in-situ reaction between metallic Li and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-dimethyl formamide (DMF) solution. Owing to the chemically and mechanically stable artificial SEI film, the LiF-coated Li anode delivers a better cycling performance than bare Li anode under various current densities in symmetrical cells. Stable cycling over 300 plating/striping cycles was achieved with LiF-coated Li electrodes under a high current density of 3 mA cm−2. The LiF coating also effectively suppresses dendrite formation and reduces side reactions between the metallic Li and the carbonate-based electrolyte. Therefore, this simple and low-cost method may benefit the future applications of the next generation Li metal batteries.

Background: Serum globulin (GLB), albumin (ALB) and albumin/globulin ratio (AGR) have been reported as prognosis related factors for certain malignancies; however, the prognostic value of globulin (GLB) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has rarely been studied. This study was performed to evaluate whether GLB analysis could be applied for the prediction of the prognosis of patients received liver resection. Methods: A training cohort study involving 210 HCC patients undergoing curative liver resection between January 2007 and December 2012, and a validation cohort involving 100 HCC patients contemporaneously undergoing curative liver resection in another set were recruited. The survival curves were graphed and log-rank test was performed to analyze the differences between the curves. The cutoff value was selected by X-title program. Results: Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that high serum GLB level is a risk factor for poor cancer-specific survival (CSS) (P < 0.05). Conversely, high ALB level is a prediction for favor CSS (P = 0.010). Conclusions: We identified the preoperative high GLB level as a prognostic risk factor for patients after treatment of liver cancer resection. This easily obtained variable may act as an available clinical biomarker to predict the prognosis of such patients.