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A recent study published in Chemistry - A European Journal examines the use of alizarin, a natural dye, as a photocatalyst for converting methane. The researchers discovered that when alizarin is combined with trifluoroacetic acid and chloride, it can selectively convert methane into methyl trifluoroacetate and methylene ditrifluoroacetate using visible light. This finding has the potential to offer a cost-effective and scalable method for methane conversion, which could have significant implications for future research. The study also discusses the challenges of methane conversion and the potential of photocatalysis as a solution. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The tumourigenesis of various cancers is influenced by epigenetic deregulation. Among 591 epigenetic regulator factors (ERFs) examined, AF9 showed significant inhibition of malignancy in colorectal cancer (CRC) based on our wound healing assays. However, the precise role of AF9 in CRC remains to be explored. Methods: To investigate the function of AF9 in CRC, we utilised small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to knock down the expression of 591 ERFs. Subsequently, we performed wound healing assays to evaluate cell proliferation and migration. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to elucidate the potential impact of AF9 in CRC. Clinical samples were analysed to assess the association between AF9 expression and CRC prognosis. Additionally, an Azoxymethane‐Dextran Sodium Sulfate (AOM/DSS) induced CRC AF9IEC‐/‐ mouse model was employed to confirm the role of AF9 in CRC. To identify the target gene of AF9, RNA‐seq and coimmunoprecipitation analyses were performed. Furthermore, bioinformatics prediction was applied to identify potential miRNAs that target AF9. Results: Among the 591 ERFs examined, AF9 exhibited downregulation in CRC and showed a positive correlation with prolonged survival in CRC patients. In vitro and in vivo assays proved that depletion of AF9 could promote cell proliferation, migration as well as glycolysis. Specifically, knockout of MLLT3 (AF9) in intestinal epithelial cells significantly increased tumour formation induced by AOM/DSS. We also identified miR‐145 could target 3′untranslated region of AF9 to suppress AF9 expression. Loss of AF9 led to decreased expression of gluconeogenic genes, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PCK2) and fructose 1,6‐bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1), subsequently promoting glucose consumption and tumourigenesis. Conclusions: AF9 is essential for the upregulation of PCK2 and FBP1, and the disruption of the miR‐145/AF9 axis may serve as a potential target for the development of CRC therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerobic glycolysis is a common metabolic phenotype in tumors that helps cancer cells adjust to severe living conditions and can aid metastasis in several types of carcinomas, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can influence tumor biology and have been previously used to assess patients' outcomes and to identify potential therapeutic targets. However, despite the importance of glycolysis‐related lncRNAs (GRLs) in the development of CRC, studies on their use as prognostic markers are still limited. Herein, we applied a series of bioinformatic analyses to screen potential prognostic lncRNAs for colorectal cancer. Out of all lncRNAs screened, nine GRLs were selected to constitute a prognostic signature. Based on the signature, two molecular subtypes were classified with distinct prognostic outcomes and excellent diagnostic accuracy (The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year AUC are 0.756, 0.716, and 0.721, respectively). The prognostic value of this signature was further validated using another cohort. The enriched molecular pathways, immune infiltration, and mutation landscape were also significantly different between the two groups. The different drug sensitivity results between the two groups suggest a potential strategy for precise treatment. Furthermore, we confirmed that AFAP1‐AS1 could regulate aerobic glycolysis and metastasis of CRC cells. Overall, we developed a glycolysis‐related lncRNA (GRL) signature and suggested that this signature could offer a predictive value and identify potential therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Countless CRC patients undergo disease progression. As a hallmark of cancer, Warburg effect promotes cancer metastasis and remodels the tumor microenvironment, including promoting angiogenesis, immune suppression, cancer-associated fibroblasts formation and drug resistance. Targeting Warburg metabolism would be a promising method for the treatment of CRC. In this review, we summarize information about the roles of Warburg effect in tumor microenvironment to elucidate the mechanisms governing Warburg effect in CRC and to identify novel targets for therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Aetiology variated upon the infected region for necrotising fasciitis (NF). • Gram-negative bacteria emerged as a common pathogen for monomicrobial NF. • High Fournier's gangrene (FG) severity index score (greater than 7) was strongly correlated with poor outcomes for FG. • Sepsis at admission was an alarming indicator of poor outcomes for lower extremity NF. In this study, we aimed to illustrate distinctions between Fournier's gangrene (FG) and lower extremity necrotising fasciitis (NF) and screen out possible risk factors of poor prognosis for each cohort. The medical records of qualified patients with NF admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Yibin from January 2016 to June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. All participants were anatomically categorised into FG and lower extremity NF groups, and their baseline data and microbiological results were compared. Further comparisons of critical parameters were conducted between survivors and nonsurvivors within each group. A total of 49 patients were included in the study with a median age of 58 years, and overall mortality was 20.4%. There were 18 patients with FG and 31 patients with lower extremity NF. A microbiology distinction was found—the predominance of gram-negative infection in FG and gram-positive infection in lower extremity NF. High Fournier's gangrene severity index scores (greater than 7), advanced age, procalcitonin and D-dimer value were identified as risk factors for FG, and the presentation of sepsis was an alarming indicator for lower extremity NF. The distinction of microbiology might provide advice for appropriate antibacterial administrations. In addition, with practical prognostic predicting tools, clinicians might be able to identify patients at increased risk and intervene promptly to avoid unfavourable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platinum group metals (PGMs) are strategic metals. Auto-exhaust catalysts are their main application fields. The recovery of PGMs from spent auto-exhaust catalysts has remarkable economic value and strategic significance. Aiming at the problems of ferrosilicon generation for Fe capturing and subsequent oxygen blowing to remove iron with high energy consumption and heat release, a technology of Fe–Sn synergistic capturing PGMs was proposed. Taking full the advantage of the lower melting point of Fe–Sn alloy (<1200 °C) and its unique affinity for PGMs, the PGMs were captured at approximate 1400 °C with Fe–Sn as the collector. In experiment, 500 g of spent auto-exhaust catalysts were employed to minimize error and approximate industrial production. The mechanism of Fe–Sn synergistic capturing PGMs was elucidated. The generation of Fe–Sn-PGMs alloy lowered the activity of [PGMs] in the system, accelerated the reduction of the PGMs oxides and promoted the alloying of [PGMs]. Therefore, Fe–Sn synergistic capturing PGMs was realized. The inability of Si to enter the alloy phase was confirmed by theoretical calculations, avoiding the generation of ferrosilicon. The effects of basicity, CaF 2 , m (Fe)/ m (Sn) and the amount of collector on capturing PGMs were optimized. Under the optimized conditions (basicity R = 1.1, spent auto-exhaust catalysts 70 wt%, CaO 30 wt%, B 2 O 3 10 wt%, CaF 2 7 wt%, m (Fe)/ m (Sn) = 1/1 and the collector 15 wt%), the content of PGMs in the slag phase was 2.46 g/t. It is feasible to remove Fe and Sn by oxidation to achieve the purpose of PGMs enrichment. This technology offers guidance on the safe, environmentally sound, and efficient disposal of spent auto-exhaust catalysts, promoting the sustainable development of PGMs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypoxic tumor microenvironment and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are pivotal in cancer progression and correlate with the survival outcome of patients. However, the role of hypoxia-related lncRNAs (HRLs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) development remains largely unknown. Herein, we developed a hypoxia-related lncRNA signature to predict patients' survival and immune infiltration. The RNA-sequencing data of 500 CRC patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset, and HRLs were selected using Pearson's analysis. Next, the Cox regression analysis was applied to construct a risk signature consisting of 9 HRLs. This signature could predict the overall survival (OS) of CRC patients with high accuracy in training, validation, and entire cohort. This signature was an independent risk factor and exerted predictive ability in different subgroups. Functional analysis revealed different molecular features between high- and low-risk groups. A series of drugs including cisplatin showed different sensitivities between the two groups. The expression pattern of immune checkpoints was also distinct between the two clusters in this model. Furthermore, the high-risk group had higher immune, stromal, and ESTIMATE score and a more repressive immune microenvironment than the low-risk group. Moreover, MYOSLID, one of the lncRNAs in this signature, could significantly regulate the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variations in the wind direction over time mean that it is essential to improve the directional adaptability of wind energy harvesters (WEHs) based on wind-induced vibration (WIV) to expand their application potential. Several multi-directional WIV WEHs have been reported in the literature but most of them are not omnidirectional. In particular, no mathematical model has been proposed for omnidirectional WIV WEHs to date. In this Letter, an in-plane omnidirectional piezoelectric WEH with a cylindrical shell, acting as a bluff body and supported by internal piezoelectric composite beams, is proposed. It is deduced that the omnidirectionality of wind energy harvesting can be enhanced by improving the isotropies of the aerodynamic force, stiffness, and electromechanical conversion. For a WEH with three semicircular-shaped supporting beams, a mathematical model suitable for arbitrary wind directions in the horizontal plane was derived. Simulations show that the WEH's stiffness and electromechanical conversion are approximately isotropic. Simulations and experiments demonstrate that the wind direction's effect on the total power is small. The ratio of the experimental minimum to maximum total power is 0.88 at 9 m/s, verifying that the device is an in-plane omnidirectional harvester. An omnidirectionality index including contributions from all directions is proposed with the value of 0.86 at 9 m/s for the prototype. The proposed device configuration and design method may serve as a reference for the development of omnidirectional WIV WEHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A microfluidic evaporator with a photothermal porous layer was designed for continuous sample concentration. • Concentration performance of the evaporator were tested under various operation conditions including light intensity, flow rate and different sample type. • By regulating operation parameters the designed evaporator could reach a maximum concentration factor of 2.9 under continuous working condition with minimum flow/thermal disturbance to the bulk solution. On microfluidic platform, sample concentration plays a crucial role in on-chip detection, analysis and synthesis, etc. Evaporation-induced solvent removal is frequently applied to various application scenarios due to its simplicity and compatibility. However, the enclosed microfluidic channels often hinder the solvent vapor discharge during the evaporation process due to the formation of two-phase flow and interfacial instability. Herein, we propose a novel microfluidic evaporator incorporated with a photothermal porous layer for continuous sample concentration. By absorbing the sample fluid into the porous structure, the evaporator is capable of achieving volumetric heating of the sample fluid thus enhancing the solvent evaporation while the porous network ensured efficient vapor venting. Moreover, the thermal resistance of porous layer shields the heat transfer towards the bulk fluid therefore prevented the sample solution from overheating during the operation process. The results demonstrate the designed microfluidic evaporator exhibits good sample concentration capability under continuous flow conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the promising potential in non-contact fluid manipulation, the photothermally induced phase change along with the interfacial behaviors have been frequently applied in various microfluidic devices. The property of the working fluid greatly affects the photothermal conversion and thus phase change behaviors. For this reason, the IR laser induced phase change of the NaCl solution in the microchannel was visually studied and compared with distilled water in this work. Experimental results indicated that the NaCl solution exhibited the distinct phase change behaviors. The existence of dissolved ions could weaken the photothermal conversion, leading to lowered temperature rise and evaporation rate as compared to the distilled water. In particular, different from the distilled water, the condensed droplets were formed at the region relatively far away from the evaporating interface due to lower evaporation rate. No coalescence between the condensed droplets and liquid slug was observed. Besides, the effects of the NaCl concentration, laser power and spot position were also investigated. It was found that higher NaCl concentration resulted in lower temperature rise and evaporation rate. With the increase of the input laser power and the decrease of the distance between the laser spot and the interface, the temperature rise and evaporation rate could be improved. The obtained results can be further applied in the design and operation of the microfluidic devices based on the photothermally induced phase change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) with membrane electrode assembly (MEA) structure was designed for simultaneous organic compounds degradation and electricity generation. For the photoanode, the TiO 2 with the quantum-dot sensitization by CdS-ZnS was used to broaden the absorption spectrum to visible light. For the cathode, an air-breathing mode was utilized to enhance the oxygen transport. The performance of the developed PFC was evaluated under different operation conditions, including the light intensity, liquid flow rate, concentrations of electrolyte and organics. Results indicated that the designed PFC could yield good performance. The increase of the light intensity and electrolyte concentration could improve the PFC performance. It is also found that when the flow rate was increased, the PFC performance dropped down in the testing range. Too high organics concentration led to the decrease of the PFC performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study on cells in vitro usually encounters the signals with oscillatory or periodic temporal profiles, which requires the pulsating flow control. Aiming at this target, a novel approach to generate the pulsating waveform of fluid flow by the photothermally induced phase change in the microchannel with the sawtooth-shaped baffles was developed in this work. It was demonstrated that the periodical immobilization-motion-immobilization flow behavior was formed by the combined photothermally induced interfacial behaviors and the in-channel baffle structures, which successfully generated stable oscillating flow with good response. To further explore the pulsating flow behaviors, effects of the baffle design and input laser power were also investigated. It was shown that increasing the baffle width and interval distance between them could yield large pulse peak flow rate but low frequency, while both the pulse peak flow rate and frequency increased with the input laser power. These results indicate that via the change of the baffle design parameters and laser power, the pulse flow waveform can be well controlled for the in vitro cellular studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most wind energy harvesters (WEHs) that have been reported in the literature collect wind energy using only one type of wind-induced vibration, such as vortex-induced vibration (VIV), galloping, and flutter or wake galloping. In this letter, the interaction between VIV and galloping is used to improve the performance of WEHs. For a WEH constructed by attaching a bluff body with a rectangular cross-section to the free end of a piezoelectric cantilever, the measures to realize the interaction are theoretically discussed. Experiments verified the theoretical prediction that the WEHs with the same piezoelectric beam may demonstrate either separate or interactive VIV and galloping, depending on the geometries of the bluff bodies. For the WEHs with the interaction, the wind speed region of the VIV merges with that of the galloping to form a single region with high electrical outputs, which greatly increases the electrical outputs at low wind speeds. The interaction can be realized even when the predicted galloping critical speed is much higher than the predicted VIV critical speed. The proposed interaction is thus an effective approach to improve the scavenging efficiencies of WEHs operating at low wind speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the biological functions and mechanism of Opa interacting protein 5 (OIP5) in bladder cancer (BC). Methods: We investigated the expression of OIP5 in BC through immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and its correlation with clinicopathologic features of BC patients. Moreover, knockdown of OIP5 was performed in BC cell lines and colony formation capacity, cell growth curve, cell cycle phase and cell apoptosis assay was applied for investigating the roles of OIP5 in BC. Moreover, the expression of OIP5 was validated through the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The diagnosis value of OIP5 was accessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis in TCGA database. Results: The expression of OIP5 in BC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent non-tumor tissues and bladder mucosa tissues with chronic cystitis. Higher protein expression level of OIP5 predicted shorter survival time in patients with BC, which was significantly correlated with larger tumor size, high-grade tumor and advanced T classification. The expression of OIP5 was considerably decreased after lentivirus infection both at mRNA and protein levels. Functional assay displayed that silencing of OIP5 inhibited colony formation capacity and cell growth in BC cell lines. Cell cycle assays indicated that suppressed OIP5 disturbed the balance of the cell cycle in BC cell lines, which increased the cell population of the G1 phase and decreased the cell population of the S phase. Furthermore, knockdown of OIP5 expression enhanced cell apoptosis process. The expression of OIP5 was significantly up-regulated in BC compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues based on TCGA database. OIP5 had the potential diagnostic value for BC. Conclusions: Our work demonstrated that OIP5 might function as an oncogene to promote colony formation capacity and cell growth, arrest cell cycle and suppress cell apoptosis in bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives In our previous study, we displayed that knockdown of Opa interacting protein 5 (OIP5 ) inhibited cell growth, disturbed cell cycle and increased cell apoptosis in bladder cancer (BC) cell line. Our present study aimed to explore the underlying pathways and interaction network involved in the roles of OIP5 in BC. Methods Microarray analysis was conducted to obtain mRNA expression profiling of OIP5 knockdown (shOIP5) and control (shCtrl) BC cell lines. Bioinformatics analyses were performed including differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) identification, protein-protein interaction network construction, biological functions of prediction and ingenuity pathways analysis (IPA). Western Blotting (WB) was subjected to validate the protein expression levels of candidate DEGs in shOIP5 BC cell line. Results Respective 255 up- and 184 down-regulated DEGs were identified in shOIP5 group compared with shCtrl group. In the PPI network, CAND1 and MYC had the highest connectivity with DEGs. 439 DEGs were significantly enriched in inflammatory response, regulation of cell proliferation, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and bladder cancer. In the disease and function enrichment, DEGs were obviously involved in cellular movement, cellular growth and proliferation, cancer, inflammatory response, cell death and survival. In the OIP5 regulatory network, CDH2, IRS1, IRAK3, ID1, TNF, IL6, ITGA6, MYC and SOD2 interacted with OIP5. The WB validation results were compatible with our bioinformatics analyses. Conclusions OIP5 interaction network might function as an oncogene in BC progression based on aberrant inflammatory responses. Our study might provide valuable information for investigation of tumorigenesis mechanism in BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical constituent investigation on the n -BuOH extract of the rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis Baker leads to the isolation of ten compounds including eight undescribed furostanol saponins, tupischinosides A − H, and two known ones. The structures of isolated compounds were determined by extensive spectral analysis and chemical evidences. Interestingly, tupischinosides A and B, C and D, E and F, G and H were identified as four pairs of epimers. The cytotoxicity of tupischinosides A − H against human cancer cell lines U87, SHG44, U251, LN229 and HepG-2 was evaluated by CCK-8 method. As a result, tupischinosides A and C exhibited significant proliferation inhibitory effect on the tested cancer cells. On the contrary, the corresponding epimers, tupischinosides B and D, which only differ in the configuration of C-23 didn't exhibit any cytotoxicity to cancer cells. These results indicated that the stereochemistry of C-23 was crucial to the activity of the compounds. Eight undescribed furostanol saponins along with two known ones were isolated from the rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis Baker. The cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines U87, SHG44, U251, LN229 and HepG-2 was evaluated. [Display omitted] • Eight undescribed furostanol saponins were isolated from the rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis. • Tupischinosides A – H were identified as four pairs of epimers. • The configuration of the substituent at C-23 of the side chain was determined. • The cytotoxicity between the epimers tupischinosides A and B, C and D was totally different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact-based vibration energy harvesters (VEHs) with a rolling proof mass are promising candidates for scavenging ambient low-level, broadband, and low-frequency vibration energy. This paper derives the mathematical model of a VEH with two piezoelectric cantilevers symmetrically located at two open ends of a guiding channel with a rolling steel ball inside as the proof mass. The model includes the equation of motion and coupled electrical circuit equation of the bimorphs under base excitation, the equations of motion of the rolling proof mass under base excitation, and the collision equations between the bimorphs and the proof mass. Simulation results show that the scavenging efficiency of low-level vibration can be improved by introducing the rolling proof mass. The numerical results agree well with the experiments when the harvester prototype is horizontally fixed on the base. Under the base excitation of 1 g(=9.8 m/s 2 ), the maximum output power of one bimorph is about 511 μW at 18.4 Hz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) is one of the leading causes of death among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Although immunotherapy has demonstrated encouraging outcomes in CRC, its benefits are minimal in CRLM. The complex immune landscape of the hepatic tumour microenvironment is essential for the development of a premetastatic niche and for the colonisation and metastasis of CRC cells; thus, an in-depth understanding of these mechanisms can provide effective immunotherapeutic targets for CRLM. This review summarises recent studies on the immune landscape of the tumour microenvironment of CRLM and highlights therapeutic prospects for targeting the suppressive immune microenvironment of CRLM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the condensation behaviors of distilled water actuated by photothermal effect of the infrared laser with the wavelength of 1550 nm in a microchannel were investigated through the visualization method and image processing technique. The impacts of the laser power and the laser spot position on the interface movement and slug formation were also explored. It is found that the interface tended to be advanced as a result of the photothermally induced evaporation–condensation–coalescence process at lower laser powers while the interface was firstly advanced at the beginning and then moved backward after the liquid slug formation in front of the interface at high laser powers. Experimental results also showed that higher laser power and smaller distance between the initial gas–liquid interface and fixed laser spot yielded faster advancing of the gas–liquid interface. For cases with the liquid slug formation, the growth rate of the liquid slug increased with increasing the laser power and decreasing the distance of the laser spot position away from the initial interface position as a result of a high evaporation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To efficiently scavenge ambient vibration energy and wind energy at the same time, a low-frequency piezoelectric harvester was designed, fabricated and tested. A lumped-parameter model of the cantilevered piezoelectric energy harvester with a proof mass was established and the closed-form expressions of voltage and power on a resistance load under base acceleration excitation were derived. After effects of the lengths of the proof mass and electrodes on output power were analyzed, a MEMS harvester was optimally designed. By using aluminum nitride as piezoelectric layer, a MEMS energy harvester was fabricated with bulk micromachining process. Experimental results show that the open-circuit frequency of the MEMS harvester is about 134.8 Hz and the matched resistance is about 410 kΩ. Under the harmonic acceleration excitation of ±0.1 g, the maximum output power is about 1.85 µW, with the normalized power density of about 6.3 mW cm−3 g−2. The critical wind speed of the device is between 12.7 and 13.2 m s−1 when the wind direction is from the proof mass to the fixed end of the cantilever. The maximum output power under 16.3 m s−1 wind is about 2.27 µW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a reaction to the article of Ying Xing entitled "Critique of a New Trend in Villager Self- Government Studies" which focused on the book "Electoral Event and Village Politics," by Tong Zhihui. This reaction is designed to further sort out and think through the orientation regarding rural governance studies particularly in China. The author contends that it is necessary to clarify the history of academic development and in the process, to unfold the response to Ying Xing's critique.

The article discusses the regional variation of rural governance and the logics of peasant action in China. Accordingly, the academic explanations for the regional variation of rural governance throughout China emphasize either the unevenness of economic development or differences in how local governments implement central policy. The article also examines what factors make up the characteristics of rural society and how does variation form the endogenous foundation of the regional variation of rural governance.

Abstract: The Bayesian Ying–Yang (BYY) harmony learning theory has brought about a new mechanism that model selection on Gaussian mixture can be made automatically during parameter learning via maximization of a harmony function on finite mixture defined through a specific bidirectional architecture (BI-architecture) of the BYY learning system. In this paper, we propose a fast fixed-point learning algorithm for efficiently implementing maximization of the harmony function on Gaussian mixture with automated model selection. Several simulation experiments are performed to compare its effectiveness in automated model selection as well as its efficiency in parameter learning with other existing learning algorithms. The experimental results reveal that the performance of the proposed algorithm is superior to its counterparts in these aspects. Moreover, the proposed algorithm is further tested with three typical real-world data sets and successfully applied to unsupervised color image segmentation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) pasture crop rotations (PCR) have been promoted in the semiarid region of northern China for many years, with seemingly limited success. Using a logistic regression model, this paper evaluated the determinants of adoption of PCR among small-holder farmers in rain-fed farming systems, based on a survey of 238 farmers in the hilly area of the Loess Plateau in 2004 and 2005. Results indicated that farmers' socio-economic background, farm-related conditions, and institutional factors significantly affect their decision of whether or not to adopt PCR. First, the age of farmers, the size of their family, the number of ruminants owned, and farmers' attitude toward PCR have significant positive effects on the adoption of PCR, where the level of the family income is low. Second, the slope of the field and fallow practice variables also play a critical role in the adoption of PCR, suggesting the importance of targeting the promotion of PCR among farmers in areas affected by soil erosion. The analysis also showed that farmers' perception of the problem of soil erosion is positively correlated with adoption of PCR, having the most significant impact with the highest estimated elasticity. The likelihood a farmer who perceived soil erosion as a problem would adopt PCR was 225 greater than that of a farmer who did not have such perceptions. Third, the institutional variables, which are represented by contacts with extension workshops, a participatory approach, the credit and training facilities obtained, and participation in the Grain-for-Green project (PGFG), all had significant positive effects on the adoption of PCR. On the other hand, participation in the rainwater-harvesting project and in the supplementary irrigation project did not show any correlation with the adoption of PCR by farmers. Variables such as education level, the size of farms, farm tenure, off-farm employment, and distance between the farm and the farmers' residence did not significantly influence the adoption of PCR. This information will help prioritize factors that affect decision-making in the adoption of PCR and will provide insights into ways of increasing the adoption of PCR by farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the concept of rural construction strategy based on the realization of the difficulties of urbanization in China. It is stated that the new rural construction strategy aims to make use of state investment to alleviate the severe problems caused by rural deterioration. This study is intended to enable the rural population to also enjoy the benefits of modernization in the country. It is indicated that the conceptualization of new rural construction reveals an association with social and cultural construction.

The use of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) as a precursor phase affords organisms with outstanding control over the formation of calcite and aragonite biominerals. Essential to this strategy is that the ACC is maintained within confined volumes in the absence of bulk water. This ensures that the ACC undergoes a pseudomorphic transformation and that the organism can independently control nucleation and growth. However, comparable control has proven hard to achieve in synthetic systems. Here, a straightforward method is demonstrated for controlling the crystallization of ACC thin films in which nucleation is first triggered using a heated probe, and then growth is sustained by incubating the film at a lower temperature. By independently controlling nucleation and growth, sub‐millimeter calcite single crystals can be generated when and where it is desired, morphologies ranging from discs to squares to serpentine strips can be created, and arrays of crystals formed. The mechanism and energetics of crystallization of the ACC are studied using in situ transmission electron microscopy and continuity between the ACC and calcite at the growth front is demonstrated. It is envisaged that this method can be applied to the formation of large single crystals of alternative functional materials that form via amorphous precursor phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel geometrical nonlinear model for piezoelectric energy harvesters is proposed. • The high order terms of the derivative of deflection are consistently handled. • The effects of geometrical nonlinearity on the boundary conditions are considered. • The proposed model shows better agreement with experiments on the output voltage in comparison with the common geometrical nonlinear model.. Image, graphical abstract Current theories inconsistently handled the geometrical nonlinearity of cantilevered piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs) in two aspects: first, some of the high order terms of the first derivative of deflection were unintentionally omitted in deriving the governing equations; second, the effect of the geometrical nonlinearity on the motion of the tip mass was neglected. In this paper, a consistent geometrically nonlinear model (CGNM) was derived by neglecting the fourth and higher order terms of the first derivative of deflection in the governing equations, and by considering the effect of geometrical nonlinearity on the motion of the tip mass. For a flexible unimorph cantilever, the errors caused by either of the inconsistent treatments of the geometrical nonlinearity were numerically analyzed, respectively, and the theoretical and experimental results showed that both of them have remarkable effects on the simulation accuracy under harmonic base excitations with the amplitudes of 1.5 g and 2.0 g (g = 9.81 m s−2). Under excitations of different levels, the voltage across a 500 kΩ resistor worked out from a published geometrically nonlinear model (GNM) and the proposed CGNM were compared with experiments. The CGNM is more accurate than the GNM in the prediction of the root mean square (RMS) voltage at the resonant frequency, especially under high-level excitations. Numerical simulations show that the optimum load resistance increases and the resonant frequency decreases when the excitation level increases due to the geometrical nonlinearity. The model may be used to predict the responses of cantilevered PEHs experiencing large amplitude vibrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A microfluidic membrane evaporator for crystallization separation is designed. • Combination of PTFE membrane and laser heating promotes the separation efficiency. • Performance of the microfluidic evaporator is evaluated under various conditions. • Experimental results indicate the feasibility of the designed microfluidic evaporator. Microfluidic devices for sample crystallization separation plays crucially important role in various on-chip analytical and testing scenes. Evaporation-based microfluidic crystallization technology is one of the most important methods for on-chip sample enrichment and crystallization separation. However, the solvent evaporation process in closed chip device is severely limited by poor vapor transportation, unstable interfacial behaviors and low evaporation rate. Aiming to address these issues, here we designed a microfluidic membrane evaporator for fast continuous flow sample crystallization separation. In this design, laser induced heating effect was employed to trigger the evaporation of the solvent, gas-permeable hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene membrane was used to stabilize the gas-liquid interface and provide vapor pathways during the evaporation process. Effects of laser power, solution flow rate and sample concentration on the crystallization separation performance was investigated. Results indicates the designed microfluidic membrane evaporator has good crystallization separation performance under different operation conditions, which can be further applied to different types of microfluidic systems and platforms for on-chip analysis and testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol is one of the options for the chemical utilization of glycerol. In this work, we synthesized sulfate-functionalized metal–organic frameworks loading palladium nanoparticles, MOF-808-SO4-Pd, as effective glycerol hydrogenolysis catalysts. The sulfate groups are responsible for the dehydration of glycerol. Subsequently, palladium nanoparticles hydrogenate the intermediates to 1,2-propanediol. The synergistic reaction between acid sites and Pd gave 93.9% selectivity of 1,2-propanediol with a reaction rate of 22.4 mmol gPd−1 h−1. Our work highlights new opportunities in using acid-functionalized MOFs as novel supports for metal nanoparticle catalysts for dual site catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray scattering techniques provide a powerful means of characterizing the formation of nanoparticles in solution. Coupling these techniques to segmented-flow microfluidic devices that offer well-defined environments gives access to in situ time-resolved analysis, excellent reproducibility, and eliminates potential radiation damage. However, analysis of the resulting datasets can be extremely time-consuming, where these comprise frames corresponding to the droplets alone, the continuous phase alone, and to both at their interface. We here describe a robust, low-cost, and versatile droplet microfluidics device and use it to study the formation of magnetite nanoparticles with simultaneous synchrotron SAXS and WAXS. Lateral outlet capillaries facilitate the X-ray analysis and reaction times of between a few seconds and minutes can be accommodated. A two-step data processing method is then described that exploits the unique WAXS signatures of the droplets, continuous phase, and interfacial region to identify the frames corresponding to the droplets. These are then sorted, and the background scattering is subtracted using an automated frame-by-frame approach, allowing the signal from the nanoparticles to be isolated from the raw data. Modeling these data gives quantitative information about the evolution of the sizes and structures of the nanoparticles, in agreement with TEM observations. This versatile platform can be readily employed to study a wide range of dynamic processes in heterogeneous systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a retrospective study on myelodysplastic syndrome-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (MDS-HLH), a rare condition characterized by blood disorders and immune system abnormalities. The study found that MDS-HLH is underexplored in previous literature and provided insights into its clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes. Patients in the study exhibited bone marrow dysplasia and karyotypic abnormalities, and the timing of HLH onset correlated with the risk of MDS. Treatment should prioritize controlling HLH, although the prognosis for MDS-HLH remains poor. The study was conducted ethically and the raw data will be available for non-commercial use. [Extracted from the article]

As the body's largest organ, the skin is an integrated multisensory system with self‐healing ability and helps stabilize body temperature. It is herein, inspired by natural skin, a wearable patch made from porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) skeleton, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel, and silicon oxide (SiO2) particles, offers a combination of self‐healing properties, along with hybrid radiative and evaporative cooling mechanisms, designed for electromyographic (EMG) signal detection and human‐machine interaction. The patch has both high mid‐infrared (MIR) emittance (96%) and visible to near‐infrared (visNIR) reflectance (80%), coupled with efficient water evaporation from the PVA hydrogel, resulting in a hybrid cooling power of 180 W m−2. It obtains a temperature drop of ≈7.7 °C using this patch under a solar intensity of ≈700 W m−2. Furthermore, the patch demonstrates self‐healing ability with ultrafast recovery of electrical conductivity (1 s) and a self‐healing efficiency (≈71%) of fracture strain. Thus, the wearable patch can detect high‐quality EMG signals and provide cooling effects and self‐healing capabilities that enhance comfortability and durability. These features make the patch an advanced solution for developing next‐generation wearable patches that can meet the rigorous demands of durable body temperature control in various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disseminated adenovirus infection is a complication with a relatively high mortality rate among patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The low efficacy and poor availability of current treatment options are of major concern. Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) blockade has been used to treat several chronic viral infections. Herein, we report a case of disseminated adenovirus infection in the early posttransplant period. The patient was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma at first and underwent 8 cycles of chemotherapy, including rituximab. She was subsequently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and received haploidentical transplantation. She was diagnosed with Epstein‒Barr virus (EBV)-positive posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) 2 months after the transplant, and 3 doses of rituximab were administered. The patient was diagnosed with disseminated adenovirus infection with upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and blood involved at 3 months after transplantation. She was first treated with a reduction in immunosuppression, cidofovir and ribavirin. Then, the patient received salvage treatment with the PD-1 inhibitor sintilimab (200 mg) after achieving no response to conventional therapy. The adenovirus was cleared 3 weeks later, and concomitant EBV was also cleared. Although the patient developed graft-versus-host disease of the liver after the administration of the PD-1 inhibitor, she was cured with steroid-free therapy. Therefore, PD-1 blockade immunotherapy can be considered a promising treatment option for patients with disseminated adenovirus infection after transplantation, with fully weighing the hazards of infection and the side effects of this therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epstein–Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) is a severe hyperinflammatory illness that affects adults and is caused by an EBV infection. Without allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), the overall survival of adult patients with EBV-HLH is unsatisfactory, necessitating the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. The clinical records of twelve EBV-HLH patients who received sintilimab therapy combined with ruxolitinib on a compassionate basis at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively examined in this investigation. All the patients responded without fever, but three patients relapsed within a week. Among the nine patients achieving complete response (CR), 55.6% (5/9) maintained CR for >4.5 months, and 33.3% (3/9) relapsed following CR. Neither patients with no response (NR) nor relapsed patients were fit for allo-HSCT, and all died soon after discharge. Six patients had clinical CR with a median follow-up of 5 (4.4–14.7) months. There were no documented severe negative effects. Additional information on this innovative treatment for adult EBV-HLH is provided in our report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitric oxide (NO), a major atmospheric pollutant and a precursor to haze, can be removed using the denitration catalyst. Mn and Ni are commonly used as denitration catalyst additives owing to their adsorption abilities for NO and ammonia (NH3). In this study, we synthesized Mn- and Ni-loaded Pt-modified sulfated cerium oxide (PtSCe) catalysts using an impregnation method and explored the effects of these elements. The results revealed that the two elements had contrasting effects on the denitration activity of the catalysts. Mn improved the water vapor and sulfur resistance of the PtSCe sample by increasing the concentration of weak acid sites, enhancing the redox ability, and increasing the content of surface-adsorbed oxygen. The elevation in oxygen vacancies, stimulated by the presence of Ce3+ and Mn3+, swiftly replenished the reactive oxygen species, thereby sustaining the high denitration efficiency of the MnPt/SCe sample. Active sites on the catalyst surface included NH3 adsorbed on Lewis acid sites, NH4+, and –NH2, along with bridging, monodentate, and bidentate nitrate groups. Regarding the catalyst reaction mechanism, we determined that the selective catalyst reduction of NH3-SCR over MnPt/SCe followed both the Eley–Rideal and Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanisms. These findings offer crucial insights into the intricate relationship between metals, sulfates, and carrier molecules, thus providing implications for future catalyst design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is the most aggressive skin cancer, accounting for more than 75% mortality rate of skin-related cancers. As a newly identified programmed cell death, pyroptosis has been found to be closely associated with tumor progression. Nevertheless, the prognostic significance of pyroptosis in SKCM remains elusive. Methods: A total of 469 SKCM samples and 812 normal samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. Firstly, differentially expressed pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) between normal samples and SKCM samples were identified. Secondly, we established a prognostic model based on univariate Cox and LASSO Cox regression analyses, which was validated in the test cohort from GSE65904. Thirdly, a nomogram was used to predict the survival probability of SKCM patients. The R package "pRRophetic" was utilized to identify the drug sensitivity between the low- and high-risk groups. Tumor immune infiltration was evaluated using "immuneeconv" R package. Finally, the function of GSDMD and SB525334 was explored in A375 and A2058 cells. Results: Based on univariate Cox and LASSO regression analyses, we established a prognostic model with identified eight PRGs (AIM2, CASP3, GSDMA, GSDMC, GSDMD, IL18, NLRP3, and NOD2), which was validated in the test cohort. SKCM patients were divided into low- and high-risk groups based on the median of risk score. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that high-risk patients had shorter overall survival than low-risk patients. Additionally, time-dependent ROC curves validated the accuracy of the risk model in predicting the prognosis of SKCM. More importantly, 4 small molecular compounds (SB525334, SR8278, Gemcitabine, AT13387) were identified, which might be potential drugs for patients in different risk groups. Finally, overexpression of GSDMD and SB525334 treatment inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SKCM cells. Conclusion: In this study, we constructed a prognostic model based on PRGs and identified GSDMD as a potential therapeutic target, which provide new insights into SKCM treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The first in-plane omnidirectional flutter piezoelectric wind energy harvester. • A design method of omnidirectional flutter wind energy harvesters. • Excellent omnidirectionalities of onset speed and electrical output power. • High output power in arbitrary wind direction and wide working wind speed range. Most wind energy harvesters that are based on wind-induced vibrations can only operate in a specific wind direction, which limits their application in environments with time-varying wind directions. Previously reported in-plane omnidirectional piezoelectric wind energy harvesters (PWEHs) based on vortex-induced vibrations can produce stable electrical output characteristics when the wind direction changes, but their output powers are relatively low and the working wind speed ranges are relatively narrow. To solve this issue, this work presents an in-plane omnidirectional flutter PWEH which is mainly composed of the bluff body of a hollow cylindrical shell and the inside elastic supporting structure of several piezoelectric composite beams. Finite element analysis shows that harvesters with both four and six supporting beams offer good stiffness and electromechanical conversion isotropies. Experiments demonstrate that both prototype devices are flutter PWEHs with rotation axes located on the rear of the geometrical center of the bluff body. The effect of wind speed on their directionality is small, and both prototypes show in-plane omnidirectional operation over a wide wind speed range, over which the electrical outputs remain relatively high. The prototype with six beams is preferred from the viewpoint of the wind direction adaptability. The onset wind speeds in different directions all range between 5.8 and 6.0 m/s, showing the good isotropy. The minimum and maximum powers are approximately 266.4 and 300.1 μW, respectively, at 10 m/s, and it shows in-plane omnidirectional energy harvesting performance in the wind speed range from 6.5 m/s up to more than 10 m/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We consider coherent systems subject to internal failures and external shocks. • The probability of failure of components subject to shocks is derived. • A new third-moment saddlepoint approximation approach is proposed. • Survival signature is applied to calculate the reliability of the system. Abstract In reality, a system and its components, apart from internal failures, are often exposed to external shocks as well. Since external shocks have significant effects on the performance of the system, neglecting their effects during reliability analysis of the system leads to large prediction errors and even misleading conclusions. In this paper, we present a new method for reliability analysis of coherent systems subject to internal failures and random external shocks. The cumulative probability of failure (CPF) is used as an index to quantify the effects of random external shocks on the reliability of the components and a three-moment saddlepoint approximation approach is proposed to predict the CPF. In addition, the theory of survival signature is applied to assess the associations of the components of the system to calculate the reliability of the system efficiently. Finally, two numerical examples are utilized to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Brønsted acid‐catalyzed aza‐Mannich reaction between 3‐hydroxyisoindolin‐1‐ones and N‐tert‐butyl hydrazones was developed. Under the catalysis of the racemic phosphoric acid or trifluoroacetic acid and mild reaction conditions, this domino reaction allows for efficient synthesis of 3‐(hydrazono)isoindolin‐1‐one derivatives in excellent yields with high chemoselectivities. The E‐configuration of the hydrazone products was determined by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction of 5w. 3‐(Hydrazono)isoindolin‐1‐one derivatives were synthesized in excellent yields and high chemoselectivities by a Brønsted acid‐catalyzed domino reaction between 3‐hydroxyisoindolin‐1‐ones and N‐tert‐butyl hydrazones. The E‐configuration of the hydrazone products was determined by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium carbonate biomineralization is remarkable for the ability of organisms to produce calcite or aragonite with perfect fidelity, where this is commonly attributed to specific anionic biomacromolecules. However, it is proven difficult to mimic this behavior using synthetic or biogenic anionic organic molecules. Here, it is shown that cationic polyamines ranging from small molecules to large polyelectrolytes can exert exceptional control over calcium carbonate polymorph, promoting aragonite nucleation at extremely low concentrations but suppressing its growth at high concentrations, such that calcite or vaterite form. The aragonite crystals form via particle assembly, giving nanoparticulate structures analogous to biogenic aragonite, and subsequent growth yields stacked aragonite platelets comparable to structures seen in developing nacre. This mechanism of polymorph selectivity is captured in a theoretical model based on these competing nucleation and growth effects and is completely distinct from the activity of magnesium ions, which generate aragonite by inhibiting calcite. Profiting from these contrasting mechanisms, it is then demonstrated that polyamines and magnesium ions can be combined to give unprecedented control over aragonite formation. These results give insight into calcite/aragonite polymorphism and raise the possibility that organisms may exploit both amine‐rich organic molecules and magnesium ions in controlling calcium carbonate polymorph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupling of multiphysics including electrodynamics, elastodynamics, magnetodynamics, and electromagnetic (EM) radiation is involved in the operating process of bulk acoustic wave (BAW) antenna. There is still no good way to design the structure and evaluate the performance of the antenna in theory. Therefore, the multiphysics dynamic coupling model of the antenna is constructed by uniting Newton’s equation for acoustic wave, Maxwell’s equation for EM wave, and Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert (LLG) equation for spin wave with constitutive relations of multiferroic materials to discuss the dispersion law of permeability and magnetomechanical coupling factor for the magnetostrictive layer. The importance of consistency between ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency and BAW resonant frequency is demonstrated. The analysis shows that both increasing the anisotropic field or the saturation magnetization and decreasing the FMR linewidth are beneficial to improving the internal energy conversion efficiency and the average radiated power for BAW antenna. In addition, a micromagnetic module is introduced into finite element analysis (FEA) software to simulate the precession of unit magnetic moment at different frequencies. Thus, the analytical model is verified from the perspective of power absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There are still controversies about whether or when to change therapy for those chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) patients with BCR-ABL1 transcript level at 3 months higher than 10%. Here we studied the clinical significance of early switching to nilotinib in CML-CP patients with BCR-ABL1 >10% at 3 months. Methods: We investigated 495 first-line imatinib-treated patients with CML-CP and identified 117 (23.6%) patients with BCR-ABL1 >10% at 3 months, including 46 patients with warning response defined according to ELN-2013 recommendations. In 46 patients with warning response, 26 of them continued imatinib therapy and 20 patients early switched to nilotinib therapy. Results: Compared to continued imatinib group, nilotinib group showed significantly higher percentage achieving BCR-ABL1 <1% at 6 months (85.0% vs. 19.2%,P = 0.0004), better cumulative rates of MR3.0 and MR4.0 of 4 years (82.1% vs. 41.2%,P = 0.0091; 61.5% vs. 18.6%,P = 0.035). Conclusion: In summary, early switching to nilotinib enabled more CML-CP patients with warning molecular response at 3 months to achieve early and deeper molecular response vs. remaining on imatinib. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

[Display omitted] • The advances in recycling LiFePO 4 have been reviewed. • Direct regeneration technologies of LiFePO 4 are discussed. • Hydrometallurgical leaching methods of LiFePO 4 are outlined. • Challenges and future directions for LiFePO 4 recycling are proposed. LiFePO 4 batteries have become one of the most promising batteries due to their excellent electrochemical performances, long life cycle, safety, and abundant mineral resources. As a result, the demand and scraped LiFePO 4 batteries increased dramatically in recent years. The recycling of waste LiFePO 4 batteries has raised great attention with the consideration of environmental issues and resources conservation. To date, there are massive literatures on the recycling of LiFePO 4 batteries aiming at providing an effective, economic and environmentally sustainable approach. Consequently, this review sorts out and analyzes the current advances in recycling LiFePO 4 from spent lithium batteries with the purpose of promoting the improvement of their recycling. Based on the damage degree of LiFePO 4 materials, direction regeneration and hydrometallurgical leaching are the main recycling processes. The direction regeneration of LiFePO 4 routes including high temperature solid regeneration, hydro/solvent thermal regeneration and electrochemical lithiation are discussed in detail. Inorganic or organic acid leaching, mechanically activated leaching and other leaching methods are reviewed as well. Finally, by comparing the various recycling technologies, the challenges are outlines and future directions for promoting the recycling effectiveness are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The chemoselective Buchwald–Hartwig amination developed here showed that the reactivity of the Ar–Cl bond is higher than that of the Ar–OTf bond. Catalyzed by PdCl 2 /P(t -Bu) 3 , the reaction selectively aminated the Ar–Cl bond in an aryl system containing both Ar–Cl and Ar–OTf with moderate yield and excellent chemoselectivity, and the significant effect of additives was also found. With the aid of this methodology, we also efficiently synthesized a bicarbazole scaffold that can serve as a valuable precursor for alkaloids such as murrastifoline A&B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This work meticulously details strategies for enhancing CO 2 mass transport in eCO 2 RR. • A comprehensive discussion on the effects of electrode are provided. • Effects of electrolyzer designs and electrolysis conditions are also discussed. • Potential solutions for CO 2 mass transfer in eCO 2 RR industrialization are summarized. The imperative to address climate change and CO 2 emissions has elicited substantial interest in the field of electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (eCO 2 RR) as an avenue to both environmental sustainability and the production of value-added fuels. However, the selectivity and efficiency of eCO 2 RR remain below the industrial requirement for its implementation at high current density. One pivotal strategy to ameliorate this deficiency involves augmenting the mass transport of CO 2 to electrode, thereby alleviating the competing hydrogen evolution reaction and consequently enhancing eCO 2 RR performance. Herein, we primarily discuss the CO 2 mass transport enhancement strategies through electrode and electrolyzer designs, as well as electrolysis conditions. The electrode designs are first presented, including wettability regulation, porous substrates construction, catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer designs. Then, we highlight state-of-the-art electrolyzer designs, including the bipolar membrane structure, interdigitated flow field and in-situ exsolution of CO 2 structure. The electrolyzer based gas–liquid Taylor flow is also introduced. Following this, we delve into the impact of various electrolysis conditions, encompassing the electrolyte, electrolysis potentials, CO 2 pressure, CO 2 flow rate and reaction temperature. Finally, we conclude this review by delineating persisting challenges and potential solutions aimed at advancing CO 2 mass transport for the industrial implementation of eCO 2 RR technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conductive magnetic film will produce eddy current loss when it works in a high-frequency band, which will reduce the performance of bulk acoustic wave magnetoelectric (BAW ME) devices. If the eddy current loss is not taken into account in the devices modeling, the models will be seriously distorted. Therefore, combining the Maxwell’s equations with constitutive relations of ME material, we define the eddy current loss angle as a figure of merit to evaluate the eddy current loss. Then the models of eddy current loss rate of the potential energy and average radiated power are constructed, respectively. The finite element analysis is used to further validate the analytic model. In addition, the effect of isolation layers on eddy current suppression is studied by using the analytical model. The results show that the analytical solutions match with the numerical simulation results perfectly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) function as a formidable regulator of inflammation and tissue homeostasis and expanded MSCs are shown to be effective in treating various inflammatory diseases. Their therapeutic effects require the existence of certain inflammatory cytokines. However, in the absence of sufficient proinflammatory stimuli or in the presence of anti‐inflammatory medications, MSCs are animated to promote immune responses and unable to alleviate inflammatory disorders. In this study, it is demonstrated that steroid co‐administration interferes the efficacy of MSCs in treating acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGvHD). Molecular analysis reveals that vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF‐C) is highly induced in MSCs by steroids and TNFα and VEGF‐C in turn promotes CD8+ T cell response. This immune promoting effect is abolished by blockade or specific genetic ablation of VEGFR3 in CD8+ T cells. Additionally, administration of VEGF‐C alone exacerbates aGvHD progression through eliciting more vigorous CD8+ T cell activation and proliferation. Further studies demonstrate that VEGF‐C augments the PI3K/AKT signaling process and the expression of downstream genes, such as Cyclin D1. Thus, the data demonstrate that steroids can reverse the immunosuppressive effect of MSCs via promoting VEGF‐C‐augmented CD8+ T cell response and provide novel information for designing efficacious MSC‐based therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MEK1/ERK signaling pathway plays an important role in most tumor progression, including colorectal cancer (CRC), however, MEK1-targeting therapy has little effective in treating CRC patients, indicating there may be a complex mechanism to activate MEK1/ERK signaling pathway except RAS activated mechanism. Methods: To investigate the clinical significance of IMP3, we analyzed its expression levels in publicly available dataset and samples from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. The effects of IMP3 on proliferation, migration, and invasion were determined by in vitro and in vivo experiments. To investigate the role of IMP3 in colon carcinogenesis, conditional IMP3 knockout C57BL/6 mice was generated. The IMP3/MEKK1/MEK/ERK signaling axis in CRC was screened and validated by RNA-sequencing, RNA immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter and western blot assays. Results: We find RNA binding protein IMP3 directly bind to MEKK1 mRNA 3′-UTR, which regulates its stability, promote MEKK1 expression and sequentially activates MEK1/ERK signaling. Functionally, IMP3 promote the malignant biological process of CRC cells via MEKK1/MEK1/ERK signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo, Moreover, IMP3−/− mice show decreased the expression of MEKK1 as well as colorectal tumors compared with wild-type mice after treatment with azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate. Clinically, the expression of IMP3 and MEKK1 are positive correlated, and concomitant IMP3 and MEKK1 protein levels negatively correlate with metastasis in CRC patients. In addition, MEK1 inhibitor in combination with shRNA-IMP3 have a synergistic effect both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that IMP3 regulates MEKK1 in CRC, thus activating the MEK1/ERK signaling in the progression of colorectal cancer, Furthermore, these results provide new insights into potential applications for combining MEK1 inhibitors with other target therapy such as IMP3 in preclinical trials for CRC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]