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Three new 3D TMeQ[6]-based coordination polymers of alkali-earth metal ions (Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+) were characterized, and one can highly selectively detect NFX (norfloxacin) molecules via a fluorescence quenching effect.

This work proposes two kinds of fault tolerant quantum blind dual-signature (QBDS) protocols with photon quartets, which are robust against the collective-dephasing noise and collective-rotation noise, respectively. In the protocols, the initial information needs to be signed by the message owner in addition to the signer, which will be well suitable for application in some E-payment and E-government systems that require the message owner to provide authentication information. Both QBDS protocols are constructed with logical qubits which are immune to the collective noise, thereby the protocols can provide higher communication fidelity with respect to the existing quantum signature protocols. Furthermore, the protocols had been proved to be secure against some individual eavesdropping attacks. Meanwhile, the protocols satisfy the characteristics of quantum blind signature (QBS) protocols such as unforgeability, undeniability and blindness.

Solid state fermentation with different lignocellulolytic materials as inducers was used for lignocellulolytic enzyme production in this study. Pleurotus ostreatus strains were assessed by measuring laccase, CMCase, and xylanase activities. The secretion potential of the lignocellulolytic enzymes by wild and cultivated strains was analyzed for the first time. The wild and cultivated strain showed their unique capacities for secreting lignocellulolytic enzymes on solid-state fermentation with different lignocellulosic materials. The wild P. ostreatus strain preferred corncob for the secretion of laccase and xylanase activity, but the cultivated strain preferred poplar sawdust. The wild strain and cultivated strain showed a consistent preference for poplar sawdust for the secretion of CMCase activity. The wild strain was advantageous because it achieved the maximum hydrolytic enzyme activities within a short time period. Poplar sawdust and corncob were conducive to laccase secretion by the wild or cultivated strains and the rapid accumulation of laccase on solid-state fermentation. Additionally, continuous, stable laccase production was an extremely important advantage by solid-state fermentation of poplar sawdust, particularly in the wild strain. These findings are helpful in selecting the appropriate strain that corresponds to suitable lignocellulosic materials. The optimization of integrated industrial lignocellulolytic enzyme production can also be achieved.

Background: Obesity is associated with excessive airway collapse and reduced lung volume; it is unknown whether it affects airway-lung interactions. We sought to compare the airway tree to lung volume ratio, assessed by CT, in obese individuals with and without ventilation disorders.Methods: Participants underwent inspiratory chest CT and pulmonary function. The percentage ratio of the whole airway tree to lung volume, automatically segmented via deep learning, was defined as CT airway volume percent (AWV%). Total airway count (TAC), airway wall area percent (WA%), and other CT indexes were also measured. Results: We evaluated 88 participants including adolescents(age: 14-18, n= 12) and adults (age: 19-25, n= 17; age: 26-35, n= 39; age> 35, n= 20). Obese adolescents had higher forced vital capacity (FVC) (P = 0.001) and lower AWV% (P = 0.008) than obese adults (age >35). Among obese adults, participants with restrictive disorders had larger AWV% (P < 0.001) and those with obstructive disorders showed smaller AWV% (P < 0.001) compared to participants with normal ventilation. AWV% was positively correlated with age and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/FVC and adversely related to FVC (P< 0.05 for all), and in multivariate models, AWV% independently predicted FEV1/FVC (R2 = 0.49, P < 0.001) and FVC (R2 = 0.60, P < 0.001).Conclusion: Transitions in lung function patterns between obese adolescents and adults are associated with airway to lung ratios. The obesity-induced disproportion between the airway tree and lung volume may adversely affect and complicate lung ventilation.

Sex cord tumor with annular tubules (SCTATs) is a rare sex cord stromal tumor in the ovary. SCTAT combined with adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) is even rarer. Here, we report a unique case of ovarian tumors with mixed AGCT and SCTAT components. Due to the unusual coexistence, molecular testing was separately performed on each ovary. Both SCTAT and AGCT components were found to have STK11 germline mutation. Furthermore, the AGCT component had an additional FOXL2 somatic mutation. Based on medical history and molecular testing we conclude that the ovarian tumors were associated with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS). Thus, we present the first report of bilateral PJS-associated SCTAT combined with unilateral AGCT.

The precision molding capability of bio-3D printing is the basis for its application in tissue engineering, and SA-Gel two-component hydrogel has been widely used in bio-3D printing manufacturing of tissue engineering scaffolds. The extrusionability of hydrogel is the key point for the printing precision. In this paper, starting from the concentration, ratio, rheology and cross-linking mode of hydrogel, the research ideas of “single factor independent analysis” and multi-factor comprehensive application are adopted to solve the printing accuracy. Through the research and screening of printing parameters and printing compensation technology, the accurate printing of the 1D line segment and 2D grid structure at 45°C for SA-Gel hydrogel with 2% and 8% mass respectively have been achieved.

Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) materials are often modified or functionalized, and then the crystal size and morphology of MOF materials are changed. In the process of preparing UiO-66 confined phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) composites (PU), the TiF4-modified PU (PMA + UiO-66) composite catalyst (TiF4-PU) was successfully synthesized by adding titanium tetrafluoride, and the catalytic desulfurization activity was excellent. Similarly, the reaction mechanism was investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The results show that the addition of TiF4 not only changes the appearance and color of the catalyst, but also changes the valence distribution of the elements in the catalyst. The number of oxygen vacancies in the MOF increases due to the addition of TiF4, and more electrons are transferred from the Zr-MOF to PMA to form more Mo5+, which improved the performance of oxidative desulfurization in comparison. Thus, a stronger strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) effect is observed for TiF4-modified PU catalysts. In addition, the quenching experiment of free radicals shows that &middot, OH radical is the main active substance in the oxidative desulfurization reaction over TiF4-PU catalyst.

Electronic structure of active sites plays a crucial role in redox catalysts. Herein, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) decorated with metallic MoO2 heterojunction nanocomposites were successfully synthesized through a facile calcination route. XPS, UPS, UV–vis and PL spectra results suggest electron transfer from the conduction band (CB) of g-C3N4 to unfilled π* band of metallic MoO2 in the metal-semiconductor heterojunction. The electron transfer ensures high intrinsic oxidative desulfurization activity for MoO2/g-C3N4 composites. Radical scavenger experiments indicate that the electron transfer facilitates the enrichment of electron density around Mo active sites and control the rate-determining step of oxidative desulfurization. The approach can be extended to other low valent transition metal oxides possessing d electrons for enhanced catalytic activity in redox reactions.

Carbon trading policy, as an important1 approach to energy conservation and emission reduction, is being applied by an increasing number of cities at home and abroad with a certain effect. Meanwhile, traffic is a major source of energy consumption and carbon emission in cities and thus a main field of energy conservation and carbon emission and a carbon emission trading object in cities. Globally, the carbon trading policy is rarely adopted in the traffic sector. Emission monitoring and quota allocation are challenging tasks due to several characteristics, such as the mobility and dispersibility of vehicles and non-profitability of certain sectors. Therefore, the inclusion of the transportation sector in the carbon emission trading policy framework remains an issue. On the basis of the definition of the carbon emission trading policy framework, this study draws certain elements of applicability of carbon emission trading policy and conducts an empirical analysis of the applicability of the participation of the transportation sector in carbon emission trading.

In the present work, a highly efficient artificial light-harvesting system with a two-step sequential energy transfer process based on host-guest interactions between cyano-substituted p-phenylenevinylene derivative (PPTA) and cucurbit [7]uril (CB [7]) has been constructed in an aqueous media, in which the molecular assemblies was employed as energy donors, two dyes including eosin Y (EY) and sulforhodamine (SR101) were used as energy acceptors. The obtained PPTA-CB [7] supramolecular assemblies have aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect and can be used as an ideal donor to transfer energy to EY. Then, inspired by the multi-step energy transfer in nature, the PPTA-CB [7]+EY system was chosen as the energy donor while SR101 was selected as the energy acceptor to construct an efficient light-harvesting system with a two-step sequential energy transfer, which demonstrated high FRET efficiencies of 38% and 33% in the two-step process, respectively. The light-harvesting systems also exhibit high antenna efficiencies of 23.7 and 20.1 with a 100:1 donor/acceptor ratio, respectively. More importantly, the PPTA-CB [7]+EY + SR101 system exhibited high activity for the photocatalytic dehalogenation of 2-bromo-1-phenylethanone with a yield of up to 86% in an aqueous solution.

The solar radio signal that can be received by the ground-based telescopes covers a wide frequency range, allowing us to monitor the complex physical processes occurred from the solar surface to the vast interplanetary space. MingantU SpEctral Radioheliograph (MUSER), as the latest generation of solar dedicated radio spectral-imaging instrument in the centimeter-decimeter wavelengths, has accumulated a large number of observational data since its commissioning observation in 2014. This paper presents the main observational results identified by MUSER from 2014 to 2019, including the quiet Sun and 94 solar radio burst events. We find that there are 81 events accompanied with Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) soft X-ray (SXR) flares, among which the smallest flare class is B1.0. There are 13 events without accompanying any recorded flares, among which the smallest SXR intensity during the radio burst period is equivalent to level-A. The main characteristics of all radio burst events are presented, which shows the powerful ability of MUSER to capture the valuable information of the solar non-thermal processes and the importance for space weather. This work also provides a database for further in-depth research.

In the present work, TiO2-graphite-phase-carbon-nitride (TiO2/g-C3N4) was prepared through a hydrothermal method to obtain a new photocatalytic material. This material was characterized by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray energy spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Solid-state UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectrometry (UV–Vis-DRS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The synthesized TiO2/g-C3N4 exhibited homogeneous morphology, in which TiO2 nanoparticles were uniformly distributed on the g-C3N4 nanosheets. Regarding its potential use as photocatalytic material in the treatment of mineral processing wastewater, 18% TiO2/g-C3N4 showed superior photodegradation performance than TiO2 and g-C3N4, to give 97.1% degradation rate under 100 min of simulated light irradiation. The experimental results showed that the successful incorporation of TiO2 on g-C3N4 nanosheets enhanced the spectral response range of TiO2/g-C3N4, and the photocatalytic activity was improved. In view of that, it can be considered that this kind of photocatalytic material has a good prospect in the treatment of mineral processing wastewater, which would have clearly environmental relevance.

The updated 2013 American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists guideline recommendations for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) testing have made some major changes in HER2 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) interpretation criteria with additional FISH equivocal cases. Repeat HER2 testing is recommended after initial HER2 FISH equivocal results; however, little is known about its impact on final HER2 status. The aim of this study is to investigate whether reflex test clarifies HER2 status, and to characterize clinicopathological features of the newly defined HER2 equivocal group. A total of 886 consecutive cases of primary invasive breast cancer conducted with dual-probe HER2 FISH testing between November 2013 and December 2015 were reviewed. HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and FISH testing were performed on a different tissue block or a new specimen after initial HER2 FISH equivocal results. Compared to 2007 guideline, 85 (9.6%) cases changed their category by using 2013 guideline. The major change of the 85 cases is that 57 (6.4%) cases in HER2 FISH-negative category changed to equivocal, and the equivocal category cases increased from 36 to 67. HER2 FISH equivocal was significantly associated with HER2 IHC equivocal (2+) and chromosome 17 polysomy (P

Semiquantum key distribution (SQKD) allows two remote users, quantum Alice and classical Bob, to share a secret key via a quantum channel and an authenticated classical channel. In most of the existing SQKD protocols, SQKD is possible only under the assumption of ideal quantum channels. However, the noise in quantum channels is unavoidable. In this paper, we propose two fault-tolerant SQKD protocols, the randomization-based SQKD protocol and the measure-resend SQKD protocol, which are robust against the collective-dephasing noise. Logical qubits have been selected to build travelling blocks for constructing a decoherence-free subspace (DFS). Compared with the previous SQKD protocols, our protocols can provide higher communication fidelity. In addition, a security proof is given in the subsequent section.

The inflammatory response plays an important role in carcinogenesis. However, the functional role and mechanism of the UCHL3-associated inflammatory response in ovarian cancer remain to be characterized. Here, we report that increased expression of UCHL3 facilitates tumourigenesis by targeting TRAF2 protein, thereby enhancing the inflammatory response. The expression of UCHL3 is elevated in ovarian cancer patients and is associated with an unfavourable prognosis. Genetic ablation of UCHL3 was found to markedly block ovarian cancer cell proliferation, viability and migration both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, luciferase pathway screening results show that NF-κB signalling is clearly activated compared with other pathways. UCHL3 was found to activate NF-κB signalling by deubiquitinating and stabilizing TRAF2, leading to tumourigenesis. Our results indicate that highly expressed UCHL3 enhances inflammation by stabilizing TRAF2, which in turn facilitates tumourigenesis in ovarian cancer, and that UCHL3 is a potential target for ovarian cancer patients with increased inflammation.

This work proposes two fault-tolerant quantum blind signature protocols based on the entanglement swapping of logical Bell states, which are robust against two kinds of collective noises: the collective-dephasing noise and the collective-rotation noise, respectively. Both of the quantum blind signature protocols are constructed from four-qubit decoherence-free (DF) states, i.e., logical Bell qubits. The initial message is encoded on the logical Bell qubits with logical unitary operations, which will not destroy the anti-noise trait of the logical Bell qubits. Based on the fundamental property of quantum entanglement swapping, the receiver simply performs two Bell-state measurements (rather than four-qubit joint measurements) on the logical Bell qubits to verify the signature, which makes the protocols more convenient in a practical application. Different from the existing quantum signature protocols, our protocols can offer the high fidelity of quantum communication with the employment of logical qubits. Moreover, we hereinafter prove the security of the protocols against some individual eavesdropping attacks, and we show that our protocols have the characteristics of unforgeability, undeniability and blindness.

Nutrient additions can stimulate petroleum hydrocarbon degradation, but little is known about how these additions affect the microbial community involved in that degradation. A microcosm study was conducted to assess the impact of bioaugmentation with Acinetobacter SZ-1 strain KF453955 and biostimulation with nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus on petroleum hydrocarbon degradation efficiency and microbial community dynamics during bioremediation of an oil-contaminated soil. Soils were incubated without shaking at room temperature for 10 weeks, and petroleum hydrocarbon degradation efficiency, catalase activity, petroleum hydrocarbon degrader population, and bacterial community diversity were determined. Results showed biostimulation and bioaugmentation, respectively, promoted 60% and 34% degradation of the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) after six weeks of incubation. A degradation plateau occurred in the seventh week. Catalase activity and the populations of oil degraders in soil were generally greater for biostimulation than for bioaugmentation. The inoculants survived into the seventh week for the bioaugmentation treatment, and bacterial diversity did not increase by biostimulation. The populations of TPH-degraders in soil were positively related to TPH degradation efficiency during bioremediation of petroleum-polluted soils.

The Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs) are effective catalysts for oxidative desulfurization (ODS) and confining these POMs in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is a promising strategy to improve their performances. Herein, postsynthetic modification of POMs confined in MOFs by adding thiourea creates more unsaturated metal sites as defects, promoting ODS catalytic activity. Additional modification by confining 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium POMs in MOFs is performed to obtain higher ODS activity, owing to the affinity between electron-rich thiophene-based compounds and electrophilic imidazolium compounds. The ODS catalytic activities of four Zr-MOF-based composites (bottle around ship) including phosphomolybdate acid (PMA)/UiO-66, [Bmim]3 PMo12 O40 /UiO-66, PMA/Thiourea/UiO-66, and [Bmim]3 PMo12 O40 /Thiourea/UiO-66 are therefore investigated in detail. In order to explore the catalytic mechanism of these MOF composites, their microstructures and electronic structures are probed by various techniques such as X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, BET, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, EPR, UV-vis, NMR spectra, and H2 -temperature-programmed reduction. The results reveal that phosphomolybdate blues and imidazolium phosphomolybdate blues with different Mo5+ /Mo6+ ratios with the Keggin structure are confined in defected UiO-66 for all four composites. This approach can be applied to design and synthesize other POMs/MOFs composites as efficient catalysts.

This study aimed to explore the feasible effect of ezetimibe for postprandial hyperlipidemia (PPHP). Sixty participants were included in this study. Of these, 30 subjects in the intervention group received ezetimibe, while the remaining 30 participants in the control group did not undergo ezetimibe. All patients in intervention group were treated for a total of 2 weeks. Primary endpoints consisted of serum levels of total cholesterol (Total-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG). Secondary endpoints included apoB-48, remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP-C), blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP). All outcomes were measured before and after 2-week treatment. After 2-week treatment, participants in the intervention group did not show better outcomes in primary endpoints of Total-C, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG; and secondary endpoints of apoB-48, RLP-C, blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, and MCP, compared with subjects in the control group. The results of this study showed that ezetimibe may be not efficacious for participants with PPHP after 2-week treatment.