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Urban transformation is an inevitable choice for resource-exhausted cities to achieve sustainable development in the world today. Green space is one of the basic elements of cities and plays an irreplaceable role in promoting sustainable urban development. Taking Jiaozuo City, a typical resource-exhausted city in China, as the research object, this study analyzed the spatial-temporal evolution and driving mechanism of green space in Jiaozuo by using land use transfer matrix, landscape pattern index, and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) model. The research found that: First, from 2000 to 2020, the green space area in Jiaozuo decreased by 220.21 km². Second, from 2000 to 2020, the ecological level of each landscape type in Jiaozuo showed a downward trend, and the patch connectivity decreased. Third, the PLSR model analysis showed that the urbanization rate, per capita GDP, urban disposable income per capita and population density were important driving forces for the evolution of green space in Jiaozuo (the VIP values were greater than 1). The findings of this study can provide scientific reference and theoretical support for formulating reasonable and scientific policies on green space development and protection in Jiaozuo and other resource-exhausted cities in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignant tumor in the male genitourinary system. Once PCa has metastasized, it is very difficult to cure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic risk factor analysis of patients with different prostate- specific antigen (PSA) levels in distant metastatic PCa. At the same time, we construct effective models for predicting the survival rate of prostate cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on prostate cancer patients with the presence of distant metastases were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. PCa patients with distant metastases were categorized into two groups based on PSA levels, one with PSA <20 ng/mL and the other with PSA ≥20 ng/mL. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were used to identify independent factors affecting the prognosis of the patients. A nomogram was constructed using the independent prognostic factors, and the results were evaluated using calibration curves, timeROC curves, and Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: In the PSA <20 ng/mL group, there were a total of 1,832 patients. COX regression analysis showed that age, marital status, N stage, grade, Gleason score, and medical household income inflation were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in patients. In addition, we found that age, marital status, N stage, bone metastasis, grade, and Gleason score were independent prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients. In the PSA ≥20 ng/mL group, there were a total of 5,314 patients. It was found that age, ethnicity, marital status, bone metastasis, first malignant primary indicator, grade, Gleason score, and medical household income inflation were patients' independent prognostic factors for OS. For CSS, we found that age, ethnicity, marital status, T stage, radiotherapy, bone metastasis, Gleason score, and Median household income inflation were independent prognostic factors. Constructing a nomogram can accurately predict the prognosis of this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: We found different independent prognostic factors for different PSA levels in patients with distant metastatic PCa. A new nomogram was constructed to predict OS and CSS in patients, which helps in clinical-assisted decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type of cancer, and its molecular pathogenesis is unclear. In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of essential meiotic endonuclease 1 (EME1) in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We downloaded the RNA-Seq expression of 526 KIRC tissues and 72 normal tissues from the TCGA database and the corresponding clinical data. The gene expression profiles associated with four clear cell renal cell carcinomas were downloaded from the GEO database for analysis. The expression of EME1 in clear renal cell carcinoma and its correlation with the clinical baseline data were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis was performed to assess the relationship between EME1 and patient survival. Enrichment analysis was performed to elucidate the possible functions of EME1. We also analyzed the relationship between the EME1 expression and immune infiltration through TIMER2.0 and TISIDB online databases as well as the relationship between EME1 and common immune checkpoints. RESULTS: EME1 was identified as a risk factor for overall survival in clear cell renal cell carcinoma with a hazard ratio of 3.201 (95% con- fidence interval: 2.430-4.215; p < 0.001). EME1 was highly expressed in KIRC compared to that in normal tissues (p < 0.001) and in the worse TNM stages and late stages (stage 3/4) (p < 0.001). High EME1 expression was strongly associated with the advanced T stage (p = 0.003), advanced N stage (p = 0 .002), a nd a dvanced M stage (p = 0 .006). R esearch d ata on K IRC were simultaneously collected and analyzed from the GEO database, including GSE40435, GSE53000, GSE68417, and GSE53757. EME1 predicted the survival status in KIRC patients (AUC = 0.62). We further established a nomogram including the correlation between the high and low EME1 expression, and EME1 was found to contribute to the prediction of the probability of patient survival with a c-index = 0.796. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a lower likelihood of survival with a high EME1 expression (p < 0.001). In addition, further bioinformatics analysis suggested that EME1 may be associated with the extent of immune infiltration in KIRC. CONCLUSIONS: An increased expression of EME1 in KIRC is thus associated with advanced clinicopathological features, possibly acting as a potential biomarker of poor prognosis in KIRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote sustainable urban development, it is essential to assess the impacts of urban expansion on land-use change and habitat quality. Based on data from four periods of land use in Jiaozuo City (1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020), China, this study used the CA-Markov and InVEST models to create multi-scenario projections of land use in 2030, 2040 and 2050 and assess habitat quality status, respectively. The results showed that, from 1990 to 2020, construction land in Jiaozuo showed a trend of continuous expansion, with an increase of 57.75%, and areas of cultivated land, forested land, grassland, and water area showed a decreasing trend, with decreases of 5.34%, 9.75%, 10.37% and 33.42%, respectively. In the simulation of the three scenarios, Jiaozuo did not experience any major changes in land use in the next thirty years, and the habitat quality indices were, in descending order, the ecological priority scenario, the natural development scenario and the economic priority scenario. Predicting land-use changes and habitat quality is of great importance for the efficient utilization of land resources and habitat quality in Jiaozuo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface characteristics such as wettability and surface tension have significant influence on the thick film screen printing process. A decrease in surface energy reduces wettability of surface which improves the screen printing resolution. The use of high thixotropic inks for high surface energy substrates such as ceramics enhances line resolution. For low surface energy substrates, increasing the surface energies enhances the line resolution. The advantages of low viscosity inks are discussed.

OBJECTIVE: Infiltration of the inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and myocardial necrosis, are involved in myocarditis. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) exerts a variety of biological effects. However, the role of IGF-1 in myocarditis remains unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: LDL-R knockout mice were randomly divided into the control group, myocarditis group, and IGF-1 siRNA group. Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Western blot were used to measure IGF-1 expression in myocardial tissue. The myocardial tissue changes were analyzed by HE staining. The total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) in each group were detected. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the number of macrophages. The secretion of TNF-α and INF-γ and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Compared with the control group, IGF-1 expression, TC, and LDL in myocarditis group was significantly increased, along with decreased heart rate (HR), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVEDs), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). In addition, inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis, and macrophages number in the peritoneum were increased. Moreover, the secretion of TNF-α, INF-γ, and MIF was also significantly increased (p<0.05). However, IGF-1 siRNA treatment inhibited IGF-1 expression and reversed the changes in the myocarditis group with statistically significant differences compared with the myocarditis group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IGF-1 expression is increased in myocarditis. The downregulation of IGF-1 expression inhibits macrophages infiltration, reduces the expression of MIF and inflammatory factors, and improves myocarditis injury [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growths of Co epifilms on GaN(0001)-'1 × 1' and (1 × 1) surfaces were studied, where the structural properties of the crystals and the interfaces are compared. Stacking faults are seen to be abundant in epitaxial Co films grown on excess Ga covered GaN(0001)-'1 × 1' surface. Such stacking defects are effectively suppressed in Co films grown on less excess Ga covered GaN(0001)-(1 × 1) surfaces. The hetero-interface between Co and GaN(0001) is characterized by a disordered or amorphous region, and diffusion of Ga and N from the substrate into Co is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on a Raman study of nanocrystalline GaN with the wurtzite structure synthesized by arc plasma method. Resonant Raman scattering is observed using 514.5 nm (2.41 eV) laser excitation, which is near the band gap of the "yellow band" (2.2-2.3 eV). Under such near-resonant excitation, new Raman bands unexpected in an ideal wurtzite GaN crystal were found. The transverse optical modes of A[sub 1] (531 cm[sup -1]) and E[sub 1] (560 cm[sup -1]), and the nonpolar modes of E[sub 2] [567 cm[sup-1] (high) and 143 cm[sup -1] (low)] normally observed in bulk crystals, were recorded and were observed to be resonantly enhanced. Two new bands (680 and 344 cm[sup -1]) were assigned to the inactive optical phonon modes B[sub 1] (high) and B[sub 1] (low), respectively. A broadband centered at 710 cm[sup -1] was attributed to surface modes of the nanocrystals, providing good agreement with the calculated result based on Fröhlich theory. As a result of this study, Raman scattering of GaN nanocrystals has been characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes a study which examined the factors that contributed to the reverse sequence of formation of titanium nitrides by nitrogen implantation. Benefits of ion implantation into titanium; Influence of aging on nitride formation under implantation condition; Transformation of titanium.

Investigates the effects of deposition parameters on film structural and magnetic properties and the preparation of iron nitrogen films. Use of Auger electron spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction; Overview of the magnetic properties of the films; Saturation of the magnetization of the iron films.

The epitaxial growth of CaO films on mechanical-damage-free MgO(001) surface using low-temperature buffer technique has been carefully investigated. The strain is effectively relaxed in the CaO/MgO interfacial layers by lattice distortion and misfit dislocations as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, which facilitates the subsequent growth of smooth CaO film at high temperature. The strain relaxation mechanism of the heterointerface is discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonequilibrium epitaxial growth process of MgxCa1-xO solid-solution films at 600°C is carefully investigated. No obvious phase separation is observed until annealing at 800°C despite a large miscibility gap. The solid-solution film is featured with disorder alloy as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Spinodal decomposition caused by uprising diffusion happens after short-time annealing which explicitly indicates the structure stability of the metastable solid-solution films does result from diffusion quenching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]