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Radioactive nuclides such as 129I are produced during the operation of nuclear facilities. 129I is volatile and can induce radiation sickness. Capture of radioactive iodine can protect public health and facilitate the sustainable development of the nuclear industry. Preliminary studies on the synthesis and iodine adsorption properties of thorium based MOFs have shown that thorium-based MOFs usually have different structures and iodine adsorption performance when they contain different ligands. Quinoline derivatives containing both hydroxyl and carboxyl groups are a class of rigid ligands with strong coordination ability. Although these ligands have been used to synthesize transition metal complexes, their application in the preparation of thorium MOFs remains unexplored. To further investigate the effect of ligands on the structure and iodine adsorption performance of thorium-based MOFs, in this paper thorium-quinoline MOF (Th-HQCA) was synthesized using 2-hydroxyquinoline-4-carboxylic acid (HQCA) as the ligand via solvothermal method, and its structure, composition, thermal stability, spectral properties, and iodine adsorption performance were investigated through various characterization techniques, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and fluorescence spectroscopy. Crystallographic analysis reveals that the coordination modes of thorium ions in the structure of Th-HQCA are the same, and each ion is coordinated with four carboxylate oxygen atoms from four HQCA and four hydroxyl oxygen atoms from another four HQCA. It is worth mentioning that thorium ions usually coordinate with carboxylate oxygen atoms in ligands, and rarely coordinate with hydroxyl group. The connections between thorium ions and HQCA ligands result in the formation of a novel 2,8-connected framework structure of Th-HQCA. The channels of the framework are filled with water molecules. Based on the crystallographic analysis, the ratio of thorium ions, HQCA, and water molecules is determined to be 1∶4∶1. However, further thermogravimetric analyses indicate that there may be twelve cocrystallized water molecules in the compound. Consequently, the chemical formula for Th-HQCA can be expressed as [Th(C9H5NOCOO)4]·12H2O. The solid-state fluorescence spectrum shows that Th-HQCA crystals emit blue light when they are excited by ultraviolet light. The adsorption experiments of Th-HQCA on gaseous iodine and iodine in cyclohexane solution show that their adsorption kinetic curves fit the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, and the adsorption isotherm of the latter fits the Langmuir model. Through further calculations, the maximum adsorption capacity of Th-HQCA for iodine vapor is 535 mg/g, and the maximum adsorption capacity for iodine in cyclohexane solution is 295.63 mg/g. In summary, Th-HQCA is a thorium-quinoline MOF with a novel 2,8-connected topological structure, and it shows remarkable fluorescence properties and can effectively capture iodine in the gas phase and solution.

In Drosophila melanogaster, processing of gustatory information and controlling feeding behavior are executed by neural circuits located in the subesophageal zone (SEZ) of the brain.1 Gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) project their axons in the primary gustatory center (PGC), which is located in the SEZ.1,2,3,4 To address the function of the PGC, we need detailed information about the different classes of gustatory interneurons that frame the PGC. In this work, we screened large collections of driver lines for SEZ interneuron-specific labeling and subsequently used candidate lines to access the SEZ neuroblast lineages. We converted 130 Gal4 lines to LexA drivers and carried out functional screening using calcium imaging. We found one neuroblast lineage, TRdm, whose neurons responded to both sweet and bitter tastants, and formed green fluorescent protein (GFP) reconstitution across synaptic partners (GRASP)-positive synapses with sweet sensory neurons. TRdm neurons express the inhibitory transmitter GABA, and silencing these neurons increases appetitive feeding behavior. These results demonstrate that TRdm generates a class of inhibitory local neurons that control taste sensitivity in Drosophila.

The alkaline process of spent nuclear fuel(SNF) reprocessing refers to reprocessing methods that use the alkaline solution of carbonates or hydroxides as the media to conduct the dissolution of SNF and subsequent separations of uranium, plutonium and other elements. Most of the fission products and minor actinides are either insoluble or changed to insoluble carbonates or hydroxides during the alkaline dissolution of SNF, indicating that the resulted dissolver solution contains less amount of fission and minor actinide elements. Thus, the solution is less radioactive and less corrosive in contrast to the acidic dissolver solution of commercial PUREX(plutonium uranium redox extraction) process. Due to advantages of the alkaline process and its important potential application in SNF reprocessing, researchers from Japan, Russia, the United States, South Korea, etc. have carried out some research work around this reprocessing method. This paper will review technical routes of the alkaline process proposed by these researchers and research progress related to the main processes such as oxidation dissolution of SNF, separation technologies and recovery of used reagents. The challenges and prospects in this field are also discussed.

Fano resonance from photonic crystal nanobeam cavity (PCNC) is important building block for large-scale photonic integrated circuits (PICs) to enable photonic switches and sensors with superior characteristics. Nevertheless, most state-of-the-art demonstrations rely on electron beam lithography (EBL) and operate in dielectric mode. Hence, we theoretically, numerically and experimentally present the characteristics of Fano resonance from optical interference between the discrete state of air-mode PCNC and the continuum mode of side-coupled line-defect waveguide with partially transmitting element (PTE) using deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography for the first time. Experimentally high average Q-factor of ∼1.58 × 104 is achieved for 30 measured devices, which indicates the feasibility of mass manufacture of high-Q Fano resonance from air-mode PTE-PCNC. Additionally, the thermo-optic bi-stability and thermal tuning characterizations of the proposed device are discussed. This work will contribute to building ultra-compact lab-on-chip resonance-based photonic components.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a dominating type of lung cancer with high morbidity and mortality. Midazolam has been reported to promote cell apoptosis in NSCLC, but the molecular mechanism of midazolam remains to be further explored. In the current work, cell viability, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis rates of NSCLC cells treated with midazolam were measured using cell counting kit-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) and colony formation assays, transwell, and flow cytometry assay, respectively, to evaluate the malignant behaviors. Western blot was applied to access EGFR/MEK/ERK pathway-related protein levels. The results demonstrated midazolam significantly declined the viability of NSCLC cells. Furthermore, midazolam restrained cell proliferation and migration and contributed to cell apoptosis in NSCLC. Midazolam exerted suppressive function to EGFR pathway during NSCLC development. Moreover, the activation of EGFR/MEK/ERK pathway abrogated the effects of midazolam on NSCLC cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. Taken together, midazolam exhibited anti-tumor effects hallmarked by EGFR pathway inhibition, providing a novel insight into the treatment of NSCLC.

Single aluminide coating has shortcomings such as insufficient resistance to high-temperature oxidation and high-temperature thermal corrosion.The addition of modifying elements can change the structural composition of the aluminide coating.The addition of modifying elements affected the oxidation resistance and thermal corrosion resistance of the coating by affecting the transformation and detachment of the oxide film，as well as the diffusion of aluminum and oxygen elements，and changed the mechanical properties of the coating.In this paper，the studies on the effects of modifying elements on the microstructure，oxidation resistance，thermal corrosion resistance，and mechanical properties of aluminide coatings in recent years were summarized.And the development direction of modified aluminide coating on nickel-base alloy in the future was prospected.

Background and purposeConducting peer assessment has been associated with positive learning outcomes in higher education. The primary objective was to evaluate pharmacy students' perceptions of using peer assessment as a pedagogical strategy in learning patient presentation skills. Secondary objectives were to determine helpful factors for providing and/or receiving peer assessment and to compare students' perceptions of peer assessment relative to receiving feedback from teaching assistants (TAs).Educational activity and settingPatient presentation skills were taught to third-year pharmacy students in three sessions (session 1: didactic lecture, session 2: faculty-led patient presentation workshops followed by peer assessment, session 3: one-on-one patient presentations to TAs). An anonymous survey instrument consisting of five-point Likert scale, yes/no, and open-ended questions was administered.FindingsA total of 187 students (98%) completed the survey. Peer assessment was perceived as a useful way to obtain feedback on patient presentations (87%). It facilitated higher level thinking and a self-reflection of students' own patient presentations. Most students felt that they received constructive feedback from peers (82%) that helped them improve their patient presentation skills (72%). However, students were more trusting of TAs' skills in assessing patient presentations (76% versus 93%, p

INTRODUCTION:This study aimed to assess the perception of electronic peer review of subjective, objective, assessment, plan (SOAP) notes performed by pharmacy students during their first pharmacotherapeutic course experience. METHODS:In this single-center, cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was administered to students who had undergone an electronic peer review process of a SOAP note. Four areas were assessed: baseline knowledge, development of therapeutic plans, attitudes and perceptions on peer assessment in enhancing SOAP note writing skills, and perceptions of factors that were/would have been helpful toward providing and/or receiving peer assessment. RESULTS:One hundred students completed and returned the survey (response rate 61.3%). Most students (93%) reported no prior exposure to writing SOAP notes prior to their participation. SOAP note writing was a valuable component of the module, with most students (97%) recognizing that SOAP note writing skills are important for their future practice as pharmacists. Students also acknowledged that activities in the module improved their abilities to develop (93%) and communicate (80%) patient-specific therapeutic plans in the form of SOAP notes. CONCLUSIONS:Students were comfortable receiving an assessment of a SOAP note from a classmate, and most students indicated that their classmates could provide an honest assessment of their SOAP notes. The electronic peer review process allowed students to receive feedback on their work, and this learning strategy could be further extended to the education of other functional skills that are essential in pharmacy practice.