Search

Motivated by the recent experimental synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) NbOI2 which possesses a moderate bandgap and outstanding absorption of sunlight, using the first-principles calculations, we conduct a thorough study of the geometric configuration, electronic structures, and photocatalytic properties for NbOX2 (X = Cl, Br, I) monolayers. These NbOX2 monolayers have been demonstrated to be dynamically, thermally, and mechanically stable. The significant anisotropic mechanical properties of NbOX2 monolayers are reflected by the calculated Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. Our results indicate that these NbOX2 materials unfold semiconductor characters with indirect bandgaps of 1.886, 1.909, and 1.813 eV, respectively. Among these monolayers, it is found that the NbOBr2 system exhibits a favorable photocatalytic activity in an acidic condition (pH = 0), and the NbOI2 monolayer can act as a potential photocatalyst for spontaneous photocatalytic water splitting under a neutral environment (pH = 7). Furthermore, the response of bandgap and band edge positions of NbOX2 monolayers to the exerting in-plane strain (–6% to 6%) are investigated. These NbOX2 monolayers also show strong light absorption from the visible to ultraviolet region and anisotropic high carrier transport. Particularly, the high solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of the NbOCl2 (1% tensile strain), NbOBr2, and NbOI2 monolayers are predicted to be 14.11% (pH = 0), 16.34% (pH = 0), and 17.05% (pH = 7), respectively. Therefore, we expect the NbOX2 monolayers to be promising candidates for highly efficient photocatalytic water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By a two-step method, we successfully synthesized a WS 2 /WO 3-x heterostructured catalysts with abundant oxygen vacancies. The WS 2 /WO 3-x -2 heterostructured catalyst demonstrates outstanding HER activity and stability in acidic and alkaline electrolytes. [Display omitted] H 2 produced through hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a shining star in the field of clean energy. Significant efforts have been dedicated to develop efficient and stable electrocatalysts to reduce the energy barrier and accelerate the kinetics of Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under various environments. Herein, we propose a strategy to accelerate the kinetics of HER under acid and alkaline environments by combining heterostructure engineering with defect engineering. We have successfully synthesized a series of WS 2 /WO 3-x heterostructured catalysts, accompanied with substantial oxygen vacancies using a two-step synthesis method. With the partially sulfurization of WO 3-x , the heterojunction interface of WS 2 and WO 3-x was formed along with the appearance of oxygen vacancies, which can facilitate the migration of electrons. The heterostructured catalyst enriched with oxygen vacancies (defined as WS 2 /WO 3-x -2) demonstrates superior HER performance in acidic and alkaline electrolytes. At a current density of 10 mA cm−2, the WS 2 /WO 3-x -2 heterostructured catalyst manifests an overpotential of 120 mV in the acidic electrolytes and a slightly higher overpotential of 150 mV in an alkaline environment. The overpotentials offer an improvement compared to reported W-based catalysts in terms of HER performance. This work provides guiding significance on the design of heterostructured catalysts with promising performance for HER in acidic and alkaline environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining 3D coordinates of fire by binocular vision is beneficial for intelligent fire extinguishing. However, binocular vision technology has a small field of view (FOV) for long-distance targets, which results in the fire not appearing in the FOV of binocular cameras. To solve this problem, an automatic fire alignment system with monocular and binocular cameras is constructed, and an alignment control method, including a one-time alignment method and visual servo is proposed. First, the one-time alignment method based on the monocular camera is designed to solve the problem of time. The alignment angle independent of depth information ensures that the binocular camera can reach the vicinity of the fire in a short time with only a single camera. Then, image-based visual servo (IBVS) methods based on a monobinocular vision system are designed to improve the alignment precision of the binocular camera, and a logic controller is designed for automatically switching the vision servo control method based on different cameras. Finally, experiments are designed to compare the proposed method with other methods. Results demonstrate that the method in this paper is better than other methods in terms of both time and accuracy and contributes to improving the efficiency of fire extinguishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the sparse β model with 1 penalty in the field of network data models, which is a hot topic in both statistical and social network research. We present a refined algorithm designed for parameter estimation in the proposed model. Its effectiveness is highlighted through its alignment with the proximal gradient descent method, stemming from the convexity of the loss function. We study the estimation consistency and establish an optimal bound for the proposed estimator. Empirical validations facilitated through meticulously designed simulation studies corroborate the efficacy of our methodology. These assessments highlight the prospective contributions of our methodology to the advanced field of network data analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In bipartite networks, nodes are divided into two different sets (namely, a set of actors and a set of events), and edges exist only between actors and events. The degree sequence of bipartite graph models may contain sensitive information. Thus, it is desirable to release noisy degree sequence, not the original degree sequence, in order to decrease the risk of privacy leakage. In this article, we propose to release the degree sequence in general bipartite graphs by adding discrete Laplace noises, which satisfies differential privacy. We use the moment method to estimate the unknown model parameter. The resulted estimator satisfies differential privacy. We establish the consistency and asymptotic normality of the differentially private estimator when the number of nodes goes to infinity. Finally, we apply our theoretical results to the logistic model and the   log   -linear model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a form of posttranscriptional modification that plays important roles in cancer including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Most studies to date have focused on a limited number of regulators and oncogenic pathways, thus failing to provide comprehensive insight into the dynamic effects of m6A modification. In addition, the role of m6A modification in shaping immune cell infiltration in OSCC has yet to be clarified. This study was designed to assess m6A modification dynamics in OSCC and to understand how such modifications influence clinical immunotherapeutic treatment outcomes. m6A modification patterns linked with 23 m6A regulators were analyzed in 437 OSCC patients from TCGA and GEO cohorts. These patterns were then quantified through m6A score based on algorithms derived from a principal component analysis (PCA) approach. The m6A modification patterns of OSCC samples were grouped into two clusters based on the m6A regulators expression, and immune cell infiltration was linked with the 5-year survival outcomes of patients in these clusters. 1575 genes associated with OSCC patient prognosis were identified and used to re-cluster these samples into two groups. Patients in clusters exhibiting higher levels of m6A regulator expression exhibited poorer overall survival (OS), whereas patients with high m6A scores survived for longer (p < 0.001). The overall mortality rates in the groups of patients with low and high m6A scores were 55% and 40%, respectively, and the m6A score distributions in clusters of patients grouped by m6A modification patterns and gene expression further supported the link between a high m6A score and better prognostic outcomes. Immunophenoscore (IPS) values for patients in different m6A score groups suggested that the use of PD-1-specific antibodies or CTLA-4 inhibitors alone or in combination would yield superior treatment outcomes in patients in the high-m6A score group relative to the low-m6A score group. m6A modification patterns are relevant to heterogeneity in OSCC. Detailed analyses of m6A modification patterns may thus offer novel insight regarding immune cell infiltration within the OSCC tumor microenvironment, guiding novel efforts to provide patients with more effective immunotherapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

H2 in a CO2 atmosphere may serve as a potential solution to the early Mars climate paradox, but its unknown sources cast doubts on the proposed mechanism. Impact cratering is an energetic process that may modify the surface redox budget. Here, we investigate the potential influence of impact‐related melt oxidation and serpentinization on global climate conditions. We show that impact melt and the projectile's significant oxidizing potential during basin‐forming impacts (Basin size ≥1,250 km) result in sufficient H2 to raise the global mean temperature to above 273K, which lasts for up to 105 − 106 yr considering rate‐limited regime. Impact‐induced serpentinization has limited consequences on the global climate in comparison. Episodic warming after large impacts may have enabled the presence of liquid water for up to several million years in the Noachian, resulting in the chemical evolution of the planet's surface co‐evolving with the planetary atmosphere in an episodic manner. Plain Language Summary: It remains debated how early Mars maintained a climate allowing for the presence of widespread ancient rivers, lakes, and water‐bearing minerals. Recent work proposed that hydrogen mixed with a CO2 atmosphere has a greenhouse warming effect, but such a model requires a significant amount of these gases. The known sources, for example, volcanic degassing, are insufficient to sustain the required abundance. Alternatively, impact cratering provides enormous energy that mixes the wet sedimentary rock on the surface with a reduced crust and mantle. In this study, we calculate the potential influence of impact‐induced oxidation on changing global climate on early Mars. We show that impact melt oxidation can immediately increase hydrogen abundances in the martian atmosphere and contribute to warming early Mars for several million years. Thus episodic warming may have occurred due to impact oxidation during the formation of large impact basins on early Mars. The impact‐related processes suggest that the warming of early Mars due to reduced gasses remains a valid hypothesis. Our study also indicates that the red planet's oxidized surface may be a by‐product of its early bombardment history. Key Points: Oxidation of melt sheets in large impact basins has a significant effect on the warm early MarsRate‐limiting processes could have extended the timescale of melt oxidationH2–CO2 atmosphere remains a working hypothesis to resolve the early Mars conundrum [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As important pollinators, honey bees play a crucial role in both maintaining the ecological balance and providing products for humans. Although several versions of the western honey bee genome have already been published, its transcriptome information still needs to be refined. In this study, PacBio single-molecule sequencing technology was used to sequence the full-length transcriptome of mixed samples from many developmental time points and tissues of A. mellifera queens, workers and drones. A total of 116,535 transcripts corresponding to 30,045 genes were obtained. Of these, 92,477 transcripts were annotated. Compared to the annotated genes and transcripts on the reference genome, 18,915 gene loci and 96,176 transcripts were newly identified. From these transcripts, 136,554 alternative splicing (AS) events, 23,376 alternative polyadenylation (APA) sites and 21,813 lncRNAs were detected. In addition, based on the full-length transcripts, we identified many differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) between queen, worker and drone. Our results provide a complete set of reference transcripts for A. mellifera that dramatically expand our understanding of the complexity and diversity of the honey bee transcriptome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As rising star materials, single‐atom and dual‐atom catalysts have been widely reported in the electro‐catalysis area. To answer the key question: single‐atom and dual‐atom catalysts, which is better for electrocatalytic urea synthesis? we design two types of catalysts via a vacancy‐anchorage strategy: single‐atom Pd1−TiO2 and dual‐atom Pd1Cu1−TiO2 nanosheets. An ultrahigh urea activity of 166.67 molurea molPd−1 h1 with the corresponding 22.54 % Faradaic efficiency at −0.5 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) is achieved over Pd1Cu1−TiO2, which is much higher than that of Pd1−TiO2. Various characterization including an in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and theoretical calculations demonstrate that dual‐atom Pd1Cu1 site in Pd1Cu1−TiO2 is more favorable for producing urea, which experiences a C−N coupling pathway with a lower energy barrier compared with Pd1 in Pd1−TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As rising star materials, single‐atom and dual‐atom catalysts have been widely reported in the electro‐catalysis area. To answer the key question: single‐atom and dual‐atom catalysts, which is better for electrocatalytic urea synthesis? we design two types of catalysts via a vacancy‐anchorage strategy: single‐atom Pd1−TiO2 and dual‐atom Pd1Cu1−TiO2 nanosheets. An ultrahigh urea activity of 166.67 molurea molPd−1 h1 with the corresponding 22.54 % Faradaic efficiency at −0.5 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) is achieved over Pd1Cu1−TiO2, which is much higher than that of Pd1−TiO2. Various characterization including an in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and theoretical calculations demonstrate that dual‐atom Pd1Cu1 site in Pd1Cu1−TiO2 is more favorable for producing urea, which experiences a C−N coupling pathway with a lower energy barrier compared with Pd1 in Pd1−TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simvastatin (SIM) particles are liposoluble drugs with large particle sizes, resulting in poor compatibility with electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanofibers, so that part of them will be exposed to the electrospun nanofiber surface, which is easy to cause the burst release of drugs. Therefore, in this paper, stearic acid (SA) with good biocompatibility was innovatively added to increase the dispersion uniformity of SIM in the spinning solution, thus improving the performances of SIM-loaded PCL/PEG nanofiber membranes (NFMs). Accordingly, the effects of SA addition on the morphologies, mechanical properties, wettability, and drug release properties of the SIM-loaded NFMs were studied. The results showed that after SIM was dissolved in SA solution, the particle size of SIM was significantly reduced and could be evenly dispersed in the polymer spinning solution, thus obtaining the SIM-loaded composite NFMs with the best morphology and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking the radical youth magazine The 70's Biweekly (hereafter The 70s) as the main thread, this article investigates how the content of the magazine in tandem with its activism created an "in-between" subjectivity and a "dissent space" by and in which were broken down the binaries in the grand narratives of the Cold War and Left–Right politics in Hong Kong. The article first offers an overview of the magazine's content. Next, it elaborates on the two most historically important protest campaigns that The 70s was involved in: the "Chinese as an Official Language Movement" (1970–1971) and the "Defend Diaoyutai Movement" (1971). Both campaigns illustrate The 70s 's significant role in the history of Hong Kong's social activism. In the generally politically apathetic social atmosphere of the 1970s, The 70s illustrates an alternative "New Left" approach of social thought and activism that complicated relations between Hong Kong and its colonizer and understandings of the nation, imperialism, and the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are an important social pollinator, crucial in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. The haploid-diploid sex determination system determines their sexes where males are haploids formed from unfertilized eggs while females are diploids formed from fertilized eggs. To better understand the gonad differentiation mechanism in honey bees, here the transcriptome difference between the honey bee ovary and testis were analyzed using the Illumina sequencing technology. A total of 4380 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, with 2255 up-regulated and 2125 down-regulated in the ovary compared to the testis. Among these, many candidate DEGs related to sex determination, spermatogenesis, and oogenesis were identified, such as csd, fem, and dsx. Moreover, 3092 differentially expressed alternative splicing events (ASEs) related to 1497 genes, such as tra2, ovo, and squid, were identified between the ovary and testis. The findings of this study provide valuable information on gene expression for understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of gonad differentiation and gametogenesis in A. mellifera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation RNA expression at isoform level is biologically more informative than at gene level and can potentially reveal cellular subsets and corresponding biomarkers that are not visible at gene level. However, due to the strong 3ʹ bias sequencing protocol, mRNA quantification for high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing such as Chromium Single Cell 3ʹ 10× Genomics is currently performed at the gene level. Results We have developed an isoform-level quantification method for high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing by exploiting the concepts of transcription clusters and isoform paralogs. The method, called Scasa, compares well in simulations against competing approaches including Alevin, Cellranger, Kallisto, Salmon, Terminus and STARsolo at both isoform- and gene-level expression. The reanalysis of a CITE-Seq dataset with isoform-based Scasa reveals a subgroup of CD14 monocytes missed by gene-based methods. Availability and implementation Implementation of Scasa including source code, documentation, tutorials and test data supporting this study is available at Github: https://github.com/eudoraleer/scasa and Zenodo: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5712503. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling the fire monitor through visual sensors is crucial for achieving automatic fire extinguishing. Since it takes a certain time for the water jet drop point (JDP) to respond the action of fire monitor, the controller with the image of the JDP will lead to jet oscillation and long adjustment time, which will reduce the effectiveness of fire extinguishing. To solve these problems, first of all, a kinematic model of the JDP with delay is constructed by scrutinizing the movement of particles in the water jet. This model quantifies the delay mechanism of the JDP and lessens its detrimental effects. Then, the visual predictive controller with visibility and structural restrictions is used to achieve the desired angles of the fire monitor in various degrees of freedom. Finally, the dynamic model of the fire monitor is derived to achieve accurate tracking control for the desired angles, and a controller with the linear extended state observer is proposed to account for unknown terms resulting from factors such as jet reaction forces. Comparative experiments are conducted on a real fire-extinguishing robot to verify the effectiveness of the proposed kinematic model and controller. [Display omitted] • A kinematic model of the water jet drop point (JDP) is developed. • A vision prediction controller with the kinematic model is proposed to control the JDP. • A dynamic model considering unknown disturbances and a controller with the disturbance observer are proposed to achieve accurate tracking control of the fire monitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare liver tumour that occurs mainly in children. Herein, we aimed to identify any differences in clinical characteristics and survival between adult and paediatric patients with UESL. Methods: From 1975 to 2015 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, patients diagnosed with UESL were identified and divided into paediatric (<18 years) and adult (≥18 years) groups. We then compared the clinical characteristics, management, and overall survival (OS) of adults and children diagnosed with UESL. Results: We analysed 113 patients with UESL (81 children and 32 adults). UESL was significantly more common in adult male than paediatric male patients (71.9% vs. 48.2%; P = 0.022). When compared to adult patients, paediatric patients were more likely to receive chemotherapy (93.8% vs. 65.6%; P < 0.001). Adults had a significantly worse OS than paediatric patients (5‐year OS, 30.0% vs. 81.2%; P < 0.001). Univariate analysis found that adult age, surgical therapy and chemotherapy were associated with OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that adult age, SEER summary stage and surgical therapy were independent prognostic factors for OS. Conclusions: UESL had a male predominance among adult patients. Moreover, the prognosis of adult patients with UESL was significantly worse than that of paediatric patients. Surgery and chemotherapy should be considered in the treatment of patients with UESL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomistic exploration of Li+ diffusion behaviors in electrodes of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has been documented to be an effective strategy to uncover Li+ storage mechanisms and to guide the design of promising electrode materials. In this work, we prepared two different types of SnO 2 nanorods-graphene hybrids with anchored (A-SnG) and sandwiched (S-SnG) structures, investigated their electrochemical performances and unveiled the Li+ diffusion behaviors at atomic level. The Li+ diffusion behaviors of two SnO 2 -G hybrids during lithification were analyzed by in situ transmission electron microscopy. It is noted that Li+ orientation-dependently intercalated into crystal planes of SnO 2 and induce anisotropic volume expansion upon the lithiation process. We assume that dislocations inside SnO 2 nanorods provide effective channels for Li+ diffusion. In addition, graphene matrix accelerates the electron transfer, which can promote the electrochemical reaction kinetics. These merits in the SnO 2 nanorods-graphene hybrids during lithiation process give clues to thoroughly regulate the Li+ diffusion behaviors and thus to get clear insight into advanced electrode material design. The Li+ diffusion behaviors in sandwiched and anchored structured SnO 2 nanorod-graphene hybrids are uncovered by a atomistic level and real-time in situ TEM technique, which paves the way for advanced material design. [Display omitted] • The Li+ diffusion behaviors of two types of SnO 2 nanorod-graphene hybrids are uncovered by in situ TEM technique. • The S-SnO 2 exhibit superior electrochemical performance, which provides a promising strategy to design electrode. • Li+ are preferentially inserted into specific facets of SnO 2 in A-SnG, while isotropically in S-SnG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deteriorated track infrastructure can lead to significant consequences, such as derailment incidents, loss of revenue-service hours, reduced train operation speed, and even failure of the business. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requires thorough and timely rail track inspections to keep trains operating safely. Approaches using advanced and emerging technologies have become more accessible and broadened their applications. Unfortunately, for Class II (regional) and III (short line) railroads (referred to as local railroads hereafter), there are many obstacles for deployment of these advanced technologies, such as budget constraints and lack of workforce skills. Local railroads are actively seeking cost-effective and efficient approaches to replace conventional methods of manual inspection. This paper, for the first time, aims at identifying the key challenges for local railroads regarding the demand for reliable and timely rail track inspection, lack of advancement of emerging technologies, and unique constraints faced by the local railroads. Through a comprehensive review of the common rail and track geometry defects and state-of-the-art track inspection techniques, this paper critically analyzes the knowledge gaps from four key perspectives from the perspective of local railroad operation: finance, technology, standards, and operation. It is found that automated nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques and inexpensive alternatives to the Automated Track Inspection Program (ATIP) may still be cost-feasible and effective for local railroads with future technological and operational upgrades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Type 1 regulatory T (Tr1) cells are involved in the pathogenesis of numerous immune-mediated diseases. However, little is known about whether and how Tr1 cells affect the development of IgA vasculitis (IgAV). We aimed to investigate this question in IgAV patients. Methods. Tr1 cells in peripheral blood and kidney tissue of IgAV patients were analysed by multi-parametric flow cytometry and immunofluorescence techniques. An in vitro assay of suppression of T cell proliferation and cytokine release was performed to evaluate the function of Tr1 cells. Real-time PCR and cell stimulation in vitro were used to explore the roles of IL-27 and early growth response gene 2 (EGR2). Results The frequency of Tr1 cells was decreased in peripheral blood but increased in kidney tissue from IgAV patients. A defective suppressive function of Tr1 cells in IgAV was observed. The frequency of Tr1 cells and the cytokines secreted by them were up-regulated in the presence of recombinant IL-27 in vitro. Moreover, IL-27 also increased the expression of EGR2. Furthermore, lower frequency of Tr1 cells during remission had a higher recurrence rate. Conclusion Tr1 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of IgAV. The low IL-27 in IgAV is responsible for impaired frequency and function of Tr1 cells, and EGR2 may be the specific transcription factor involved in the progression. Tr1 may be a risk factor for IgAV recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two synthetic projects were designed to prepare AgxAuy/Fe3O4 composite microspheres and nanoparticles via one-step hydrothermal method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by using XRD, XPS, TEM and SEM techniques, respectively. The AgxAuy/Fe3O4 composite microspheres had the uniform size with 110 nm or so. The size of AgxAuy/Fe3O4 composite nanoparticles was not uniform and Ag and Au nanoparticles were dispersed in Fe3O4. The AgxAuy/Fe3O4 composite microspheres and nanoparticles were modified on glassy carbon electrodes and their electrocatalytic performances for p-nitrophenol reduction in a base medium were investigated. The results show that Fe3O4 microspheres and nanoparticles mingled with Au showed higher electrocatalytic activity than the pure Fe3O4. As Fe3O4 was loaded with Ag and Au, the electrocatalytic activity of AgxAuy/Fe3O4 composite microspheres increased first then decreased with increasing Ag content, but the activity of AgxAuy/Fe3O4 composite nanoparticles increased with increasing Ag content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to broaden the analysis of the social-ecological impact of land grab. It does so by examining a hidden form of dispossession – expulsion by pollution within the context of industrial transfer inside China. Expulsion by pollution is different from the land dispossession described in most land grab studies as it involves expelling people from their land by reducing its use value through pollution, rather than taking the land away. Based on a case study in China, this paper explores the dynamics, mechanisms and impacts of expulsion by pollution. It finds that the alliance of developmentalist government and private capital has not only provided political space for pollution to occur but also limited the space for local villagers to resist its environmental impacts. The poor bear the heaviest brunt of the negative impact of pollution and in the most vulnerable situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, nanofibers with core-shell structure as potential drug carriers have been widely explored in biomedical applications, contributing to the controlled release of drug particles. However, smooth core-shell nanofibers may expose large and insoluble drug particles to the fiber surface, causing their sudden release. Therefore, in this paper, in order to fully encapsulate simvastatin (SIM) particles with large size and poor solubility as well as alleviate their sudden release, SIM-loaded bead-on-string nanofibers with core-shell structures (SBNFs) were fabricated using a coaxial electrospinning, in which SIM was encapsulated into the core layer of core-shell beads to enhance its embedding depth. The optimal spinning parameters were determined by studying the morphology, structure, wettability, drug release performance and biocompatibility of SBNFs prepared under different spinning parameters. The results showed that the SBNFs obtained at the optimal parameters had the advantages of both the core-shell structure and beaded structure of drug-loaded nanofibers, which could increase the embedding depth of drugs, thus alleviating the initial sudden release of drugs, achieving the long-term persistent drug release, and ensuring the best biocompatibility with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs). Moreover, the beaded structure of SBNFs could also make ECs have more growth space. This provides a basis for the potential application of bead-on-string nanofibers with core-shell structure in biomedical field. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type-II heterostructures have gained popularity in photocatalysis due to their ability to suppress carrier recombination. One distinctive approach towards achieving superior photocatalytic efficiency is by constructing heterostructures using 2D polarized materials. In this work, we constructed a GeS/Zr 2 CO 2 heterostructure and investigated its built-in electric field and photocatalytic properties using first-principles calculations, with a focus on the effects of biaxial strain engineering. Our results indicated that under biaxial tension, the band alignment of GeS/Zr 2 CO 2 heterostructure changed from a type-I to a type-II, while maintaining an indirect band gap. The GeS/Zr 2 CO 2 heterostructure possessed a built-in electric field induced by dipoles and interfacial effects from the GeS monolayer and the interface between two monolayers, respectively, which increased with biaxial tension. Additionally, the GeS/Zr 2 CO 2 heterostructure exhibited superior light absorption compared to individual monolayers, which was further enhanced by biaxial tension. The stretched 3% (4%) GeS/Zr 2 CO 2 heterostructure has a remarkable STH efficiency of 21.2% (20.6%). Moreover, their anisotropic m e * and lower m h * can enhance the efficiency of photocatalytic reactions by suppressing carrier recombination. These results suggest that the GeS/Zr 2 CO 2 heterostructure hold great potential as water-splitting photocatalysts, and biaxial strain is a promising approach for developing high-performance photocatalysts in the foreseeable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have conducted a study on the electronic and thermoelectric characteristics of Janus AsSeX (X = Cl, Br, I) monolayers. To accomplish this, we employed a combination of density functional theory (DFT) and Boltzmann transport theory. Through our study, we observed that the Janus AsSeX monolayers possess excellent dynamic, thermal, and mechanical stabilities. Our results reveal that AsSeCl, AsSeBr, and AsSeI are indirect band gap semiconductors with bandgaps of 2.10 eV, 1.87 eV, and 1.85 eV, respectively. Following the value of the B/G and v , we observe that Janus AsSeCl displays brittle property, whereas Janus AsSeBr and AsSeI exhibit ductile characteristics. We have also calculated the lattice thermal conductivity of these materials at room temperature, which are 1.87 Wm−1K−1, 3.80 Wm−1K−1, and 2.63 Wm−1K−1 for AsSeCl, AsSeBr and AsSeI, respectively. Furthermore, we have extracted thermal transport parameters, including the phase volume space group velocity, scattering rate, Grüneisen parameter, and group velocity, and carried out an in-depth analysis of their underlying mechanisms. Finally, we predict ZT values of 1.55, 0.95, and 1.11 for the p-type doping of Janus AsSeCl, AsSeBr, and AsSeI monolayers at 700 K, indicating that Janus AsSeCl and AsSeI monolayers are potential thermoelectric materials with high ZT values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On April 22, 1965, Hong Kong's signature airline, Cathay Pacific Airways, launched the multicity tour of an art exhibition— Contemporary Art in Asia —in Singapore. Consisting of about 130 pieces of artwork, the exhibition toured Kuala Lumpur, Bang-kok, Jesselton, Manila, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Taipei before returning to Hong Kong. The exhibition was mounted as a commercial promotion for Cathay Pacific's flight network in Asia, but it represents an instance of an Asia-wide art exhibition, something that was rare at that time. This paper situates the exhibition in a broad historical context. By examining city networks, Asian art, and representations of air hostesses from the perspective of Hong Kong, I argue that this corporate-sponsored "tour of the Orient" exhibition reveals diverse imaginations of Asia and its modernity beyond the Orient–Occident binaries of the 1960s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The β-model is a natural model for characterizing the degree heterogeneity that widely exists in the network data. The estimators of the model parameters in the differentially private β-model with the denoised process have been shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal. In this paper, we show that the moment estimators of the parameters based on the differentially private degree sequence without the denoised process is consistent and asymptotically normal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an independent risk factor for the increased risk of death in patients with sepsis. In the current study, we first investigated the expression of circMTO1 in sepsis-induced AKI, and the underlying mechanism was further elucidated. The results showed that circMTO1 expression level was significantly decreased in serums and kidney tissues of US rats and RMCs treated with LPS. Besides, circMTO1 overexpression promoted cell viability, suppressed cell apoptosis and cytokines production of LPS-treated RMCs. Bioinformatics analysis showed that circMTO1 served as a sponge for miR-337. Furthermore, circMTO1 could inhibit the expression of KLF6. Altogether, our study first reported that circMTO1 expression was decreased in sepsis-induced AKI rat models and RMCs treated with LPS. CircMTO1 overexpression could attenuate AKI development by sponging miR-337 and regulating KLF6 expression, which may provide new ideas for evaluation the pathogenesis and the treatment of sepsis-induced AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Participants were injected with a single booster doses 2–32 years after the primary immunization. • Participants were randomly divided into two groups receiving a booster dose of HepB (SC) or CHO. • Both linear and logistic regression models were used to detect the factors which were associated with immune response to a booster vaccination. To assess the immune effect of different types of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) booster doses 2–32 years after primary immunization, explore the influencing factors, and offer guidance regarding the necessity and timing of boosters. In total, 1163 participants who were born from 1986 to 2015, received the HepB full-course primary vaccination, were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) negative, and had hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) <10 mIU/mL were enrolled. Individuals were randomly divided into two groups and received a booster dose of HepB. Venous blood samples were collected 30 days later and tested for anti-HBs. In total, 595 and 568 individuals received a single dose of HepB (CHO) and HepB (SC), respectively. Venous blood samples were obtained from 1079 vaccinees (CHO: 554, SC: 525). The seroconversion rates were 93.68% (519/554) and 86.67% (455/525) (p < 0.05), with geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of 426.58 mIU/ml and 223.8 mIU/ml, respectively. This result indicated that BMI, smoking status, vaccine types of booster and prebooster anti-HBs concentration significantly influenced anti-HBs levels. Only BMI, prebooster anti-HBs concentrations and booster types were different between the anti-HBs positive and negative groups. Participants boostered with HepB (CHO) had a relatively higher seroconversion rate than those boostered with HepB (SC). The high seroconversion rates in the two groups suggested that the subjects remained protected despite low circulating antibodies, so there is currently no urgent need for booster immunization. Factors including BMI ≥ 25 and prebooster anti-HBs concentration <2.5 mIU/mL, which contributed to lower responses to a booster dose, might indicate a greater risk of breakthrough infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a growing body of evidences indicating iNOS has involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. However, the role of iNOS in SLE is inconsistency. This systematic review was designed to evaluate the association between iNOS and SLE. Results: Six studies were included, reporting on a total of 277 patients with SLE. The meta-analysis showed that SLE patients had higher expression of iNOS at mRNA level than control subjects (SMD = 2.671, 95%CI = 0.446–4.897, z = 2.35, p = 0.019), and a similar trend was noted at the protein level (SMD = 3.602, 95%CI = 1.144–6.059, z = 2.87, p = 0.004) and positive rate of iNOS (OR = 9.515, 95%CI = 1.915–47.281, z = 2.76, p = 0.006) were significantly higher in SLE group compared with control group. No significant difference was observed on serum nitrite level between SLE patients and control subjects (SMD = 2.203, 95%CI = -0.386–4.793, z = 1.64, p = 0.095). The results did not modify from different sensitivity analysis, representing the robustness of this study. No significant publication bias was detected from Egger's test. Conclusions: There was a positive correlation between increasing iNOS and SLE. However, the source of iNOS is unknown. Besides NO pathway, other pathways also should be considered. More prospective random studies are needed in order to certify our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precursors of NiCo2O4 and Ag/NiCo2O4 composite nanosheets with different Ag contents were prepared via a hydrothermal procedure. The final NiCo2O4 and Ag/NiCo2O4 quasi-hexagonal nanosheets with different Ag contents were prepared by calcining each precursor. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The photocatalytic performance of the resultant samples was investigated with assistance of H2O2 under irradiation of visible light by using p-nitrophenol and methyl blue as pollutant target, respectively. The results revealed that the photocatalytic activity of Ag/NiCo2O4 nanosheets increased with increasing Ag content from 0 to 5%, and the Ag/NiCo2O4 composite with 4 and 5% all exhibited higher catalytic activity for degrading p-nitrophenol and methyl blue, respectively. The antibacterial activity of NiCo2O4 and composite Ag/NiCo2O4 nanosheets to several common gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was examined. The results demonstrated that the Ag/NiCo2O4 composites displayed excellent activity even with a low Ag content, but NiCo2O4 exhibited weak antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) may be a potential strategy for traumatic brain injury treatment (TBI) due to their intrinsic advantages, such as cell replacement, secretion of neurotrophins and formation of functional synapses with host. However the underlying effects of transplanted NSCs on host micro-environment still need to be further elucidated. In this manuscript the effects of NSCs on release of neurotransmitter, survival of hippocampal neurons, reactivity of astrocytes and recovery of cognitive function after TBI were observed. The NSCs were isolated from cortex of neonatal Sprague–Dawley rat and then transplanted into injured brain regions caused by free-weight drop. The proliferation of astrocytes around injured sites were examined by GFAP immunofluorescent staining on 3, 7, 14 days after injury. The survival of neurons at CA1 regions of hippocampus toward contused regions was observed by HE staining on 3 and 14 days post-injury. The content of glutamic acid (Glu) and GABA in hippocampal tissues was examined on 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 days after injury by ELISA. On third day post-injury, hippocampal-dependent spatial memory was measured for 5 days without intermittent. NSCs in culture have the ability to proliferate and differentiate into different phenotypes of neural cells. After transplantation of NSCs, the proliferation of astrocytes around injured site was significantly inhibited compared to the injured group. At the same time the survival of neurons in hippocampal CA1 region were much more than those in injured group on 14 days post-injury. Meanwhile, the cognitive functions in NSC transplanted group was remarkably improved compared with injured group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, NSCs transplantation dramatically inhibited the release of Glu and maintained the content of GABA in injured hippocampal tissues on 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 days post-injury, which was of difference in statistics (p < 0.05). NSCs transplantation can effectively alleviate the formation of glial scar, enhance the survival of hippocampal neurons and improve cognitive function defects in rats with TBI. The underlying mechanism may be related to their effects on inhibiting the release of Glu and maintaining the content of GABA, so as to down-regulate excitotoxicity of neurotransmitter and improve the micro-environment in injured sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A ratiometric aptasensor with no need for real-time excitation and sample separation was developed for accurate detection of OTA. • The developed aptasensor combines the features of non-autofluorescence, exogenous interference-free as well as high specificity. • The developed aptasensor has a lower detection limit and a wider detection range than some recently reported methods. • The developed ratiometric aptasensor has good universality by replacing aptamer and corresponding complementary chain. Accurate and sensitive detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) is highly necessary due to its high carcinogenicity, teratogenicity and mutagenicity. Herein, we reported an exogenous interference and autofluorescence-free ratiometric aptasensor based on dual-colored persistent luminescent nanoparticles for precise detection of OTA. Green-emitting ZnGeO:Mn bonded with OTA aptamer and BHQ1-modified complementary base was acted as detection and specific recognition probe (ZGM@BHQ1). Quaternary ammonium modified ZnGaGeO:Cr with red emission was employed as reference probe and further bonded to ZGM@BHQ1 through electrostatic interaction to construct the ratiometric aptasensor. The developed ratiometric aptasensor was free from real-time excitation, external interference and autofluorescence and gave low detection limit of 3.4 pg mL−1, wide linearity in the range of 0.01–50 ng mL−1 and high precision of 3.1 % (11 replicate determinations, at 1 ng mL−1 level). The applicability of the aptasensor was successfully demonstrated by analyzing OTA in in grain samples with recoveries of 97.6 %-105.2 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a novel sacrificial solvent method and synthesized Co 9 S 8 /Ni 3 S 2 @NF heterostructure catalyst, which exhibited excellent oxygen evolution reaction activity in alkaline environment. [Display omitted] Synthesizing catalysts for efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with lower cost and simpler design is of significant importance to achieve sustainable hydrogen production. In this work, we propose a novel "sacrificial solvent method" for the first time. Dicobalt octacarbonyl (Co 2 (CO) 8), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and Ni foam (NF) were used as the raw materials in the solvothermal process. DMSO played the role of both the sacrificial solvent and the sulfur source. Through the self-consumption of DMSO, we finally obtained the Co 9 S 8 /Ni 3 S 2 heterostructure supported on the NF (Co 9 S 8 /Ni 3 S 2 @NF) in one step. The Co 9 S 8 /Ni 3 S 2 @NF catalyst exhibited excellent OER activity in alkaline environment, with an overpotential of only 264 mV at a current density of 20 mA cm−2, a low Tafel slope of 68.28 mV dec-1 and maintained its current density after 20 h of constant potential testing. This work introduces a new method for synthesizing metal sulfide catalysts using DMSO as a sacrificial solvent. It provides broader opportunities for the development of more efficient and sustainable catalysts for energy conversion and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon composite products with different structures have been developed and used as anode for lithium-ion batteries due to the superior elasticity of carbon, which can keep the morphology integrity of the electrode materials in the process of the multiple cycles. Herein, a novel structure of nanosheets-in-nanotube Co 3 O 4 /carbon arrays is fabricated by the method of modified chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The carbon nanotube (CNT) layer acting as an outside coater can efficiently prevent the electrode from fragmentation and consequently ensure its shape integrity. The specific structure shows the ultra-stable cycle life (850 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.5C) and high rate capability (694 mAh g−1 at 2C). The favorable electrochemical properties are contributed to the combination of the wrapped elastic carbon and the enclosed Co 3 O 4 nanosheets in the lithiation process, which is confirmed by an in situ transmission electron microscope. A novel structure of nanosheets-in-nanotube Co 3 O 4 /carbon array is fabricated by the method of modified chemical vapor deposition, which shows the stable cycle life and high rate capability as tested as anode materials for Lithium-ion batteries. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An asymmetric total synthesis of vincadifformine is described. The limited tactics with chiral cation‐directed catalysis in total synthesis inspired the development of our strategy for accessing this alkaloid in enantionrich form. The route features a thiourea–phosphonium salt catalyzed Mannich‐type reaction, a phosphine‐promoted aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction and a trifluoroacetic acid promoted deprotection/amidation cascade process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempts to provide an original perspective to deciphering the mechanism of cultural production, the change in value hierarchies and the making of public space through the lens of art and visual archives in contemporary Hong Kong. The three cases of visual archives in question, intentionally or not, have three different Chinese translations of the English term 'archive': Asia Art Archive (wenxian 文獻), 'Archive of the People' (dang'an 檔案), and Umbrella Movement Visual Archive (kucun 庫存). The use of each translation literally and symbolically indicates the difference, tension, and diversity of the archive discourses in their specific context. In this vein, this study rethinks the art archive in relation to the idea of 'the new'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study will take two cases from East Asia to illustrate how visual archive/archiving has become or potentially becomes new space where image, heterogeneous temporalities and ideas of the common may lead to a redefinition or at least reconsideration of the binaries between public and private, between image and visual, between past and future. In contrast to historical archives, such visual archives not only aim for documentation and conservation but also become the sites of creating agencies and provoking critical reflections on the idea of the public. The first case is “Center for Remembering 3.11”1 initiated by Sendai Mediatheque (SMT), where civic participation and the archiving of the post-311 Tohoku Earthquake images of the disaster-ridden region were solicited and made into an online archive. The second case is Multitude.asia, a digital archive initiated by Taiwanese activist and scholar Huang Sun-quan, who works in collaboration with students, artists, and researchers from Mainland China and Taiwan in sorting, interviewing, and editing videos and texts about alternative cultural activities and space in Asia. While discussions on the archive and the public discourse are predominated by theories from Europe and the US, the current study intends to contextualize the concepts of “the public” (gōng/ōyake), “the private” (sī/watakushi), and “the common” (gòng/ kyō) in Chinese and Japanese languages in the discourse of archive in cultural specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editors discuss the contents within the issue including articles on topics such as everyday life of young actors in cities of Asia; old areas and co-housing space in Seoul, South Korea; and alternative activism in Singapore.

microRNA-188 (miR-188) acts as a tumor suppressor in various types of human cancer, including glioma, oral squamous cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the function and mechanism of miR-188 in pediatric osteosarcoma (OS) have yet to be investigated. In the present study reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that miR-188 expression was significantly downregulated in pediatric OS tissues and cell lines. miR-188 overexpression markedly suppressed OS cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced cellular apoptosis. An in vivo assay demonstrated that miR-188 overexpression inhibited tumor growth. miR-188 targeted SOX4 to regulate its expression. miR-188 expression was inversely correlated with SOX4 in pediatric OS tissues. SOX4 restoration abrogated the inhibitory effects of miR-188 on OS cells. The results of the present study indicated that miR-188 suppressed pediatric OS progression by targeting SOX4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An La–BiOCl/layered double hydroxide (LDH) composite photocatalyst was prepared with a hydrothermal method by using Bi(NO 3) 3 ·5H 2 O and La(NO 3) 3 ·6H 2 O as precursors and LDHs as a support. The photocatalytic performance of the materials was evaluated by taking tetracycline (TC) hydrochloride as the target pollutant. The results show that La3+ enters the BiOCl lattice and replaces Bi3+ to form an La–O–Bi bond after loading La–BiOCl onto the hydrotalcite. The surface area of the material is 42.5733 ​m2/g, the average particle size is 13.5371 ​nm, the optical absorption threshold is increased from 374.6 ​nm to 472.9 ​nm, and the bandgap width is 2.62 ​eV. Under irradiation by a visible light source, the rate of removal of TC hydrochloride is increased from 49.6% to 79.8% within 2 ​h. The photocatalytic degradation process is governed by a first-order kinetic model. [Display omitted] • La-BiOCl /LDHs photocatalyst was prepared by hydrothermal method, and its photocatalytic effect on TC was further evaluated. • The width of the band gap is reduced from 3.31 ​eV to 2.62 ​eV. • Under the optimal conditions, the removal rate of TC is 79.8%, and the reuse performance is good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing in number in the last two decades, rural migrant workers in China have completed intergenerational replacement, and young migrants have become a principal part of the migrant population. However, the process of such intergenerational reproduction has not been thoroughly examined. Based on field studies in the Chinese countryside, this paper analyzes the mechanisms of intergenerational reproduction of rural migrants from the perspective of rural communities, families, and school education. "Left-behind" rural communities, their migration-oriented social culture, and the cognition of rural-urban differences as constructed through migrant parents facilitated a subjective willingness for migration among left-behind children. Exclusion from urban-biased rural education is often the final external thrust for their migration. Having finished the transition, the households of a new young generation of rural migrants are experiencing a different crisis of reproduction. This paper argues that there is a systematic rupture between labor, households, and rural society and that this presents a critical development trap for China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Previous studies have reported adverse health effects of indoor air pollutants especially particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC). Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been shown to be more likely with cardiovascular comorbidities in which cardiac autonomic dysfunction plays an important role. However, there is little evidence for the effect of indoor PM and BC exposures on cardiac autonomic function in COPD patients. Objectives To evaluate the association between exposure to indoor size-fractioned PM and BC and changes in HRV and HR in COPD patients. Methods Forty-three doctor diagnosed, stable COPD patients were recruited and measured for 24-h HRV and HR. Real-time indoor size-fractioned PM and BC were monitored on the day before and the day of performing health measurements. Mixed-effects models were used to estimate the associations between indoor PM and BC and HRV indices and HR after controlling for potential confounders. Results Increasing levels of size-fractioned PM and BC were associated with decreased HRV indices and increased HR. An IQR (3.14 μg/m 3 ) increase in 8-h BC moving average and an IQR (20.72 μg/m 3 ) increase in 5-min PM 0.5 moving average concentrations were associated with declines of 7.45% (95% CI: − 10.89%, − 3.88%) and 16.40% (95% CI: − 21.06%, − 11.41%) in LF, respectively. The smaller the particles size, the greater effects on HRV indices and HR. Patients' BMI modified the associations between size-fractioned PM and BC and their HRV and HR. For an IQR increase in PM 0.5 , there was decline in HF of 34.85% (95% CI: − 39.08%, − 30.33%) in overweight patients, compared to a 2.01% (95% CI: − 6.44%, 11.19%) increase in normal-weight patients. Conclusions Exposures to indoor PM and BC were associated with altered cardiac autonomic function in COPD patients, and the associations for HRV measures of parasympathetic activity (e.g., HF) were more apparent in overweight patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of new red-orange emission phosphors Na2BaMg(PO4)2:Pr3+ were synthesised by a high-temperature solid-state reaction. The crystal structure and photoluminescence properties of these samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic measurements. This compound holds P3̅m1 space group of the trigonal system with the lattice parameters of hexagonal cell a=0.5304(3) nm and c=0.6989(3) nm. The phosphor emits the strongest peak at 606 nm when excited by 449 nm. The average Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage chromaticity coordinates calculated for the phosphors are (0.52, 0.46). The results demonstrate the potential application of these phosphors in solid-state lighting and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex of copper perchlorate coordinated with imidazole Cu(CNH)(ClO) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The complex is centrosymmetric in the monoclinic P2(1)/ c space group. The low-temperature molar heat capacities and thermodynamic properties of the complex were studied with adiabatic calorimetry (AC). The thermodynamic functions [ H - H ] and [ S - S ] were derived in the temperature range from 80 to 370 K with temperature interval of 5 K. Thermal decomposition behavior of the complex in nitrogen atmosphere was studied by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The mechanism of the decomposition was deduced to be the breaking up the two Cl-O bonds of the Cl-O-Cu and the Cu-N bonds of the imidazole rings in succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 30 years in China, the development ideology—a model of economic development that is characterized by urbanization, industrialization, and modernization—has brought about many changes and consequences, including increased migration by the rural population, sharp adjustments in urban-rural education policy, the decline of rural society, and a deteriorating educational context facing rural left-behind children. At the family level, labor force migrations have had a far-reaching impact on left-behind children. At the school level, the decline of rural education and urbanization trend have derailed the healthy development of left-behind children. At the community level, the deterioration of rural values amid rapid urban-rural changes has aggravated the developmental risks facing left-behind children. Among rural left-behind children, those who are older (post–compulsory schooling age) and girls, and from poverty-stricken backgrounds face more developmental risks. The authors take into consideration empirical research from regions such as Sichuan and Henan, provide an account of the educational and developmental challenges facing rural left-behind children, and reflect on the developmentalist ideology underlying societal changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PTEN/SOCS3 co-inhibition actives two pathways of AKT/mTOR and JAK/STAT in cortex. • PTEN/SOCS3 co-inhibition promotes axon regeneration after SCI. • Combining rehabilitation with PTEN/SOCS3 co-inhibition further enhance regeneration. • Combining rehabilitation with PTEN/SOCS3 co-inhibition improve skilled function. Previous studies reported that the codeletion of PTEN and SOCS3 can greatly enhance the capacity of axon regeneration after central nervous system (CNS) injury. Moreover, the promotion of functional recovery can be improved by rehabilitative training under a use-dependent plasticity mechanism after CNS injury. However, few studies have reported the interaction between these mechanisms after spinal cord injury (SCI). Therefore, we investigated the combined effects of PTEN/SOCS3 coinhibition and rehabilitative training on axon regeneration and upper extremity motor functional improvement after cervical SCI in mice. In this study, we used RNA interference viruses to coinhibit PTEN and SOCS3 and induced a C5 crush injury on the side of preference. The injured upper extremity was trained by single pellet grasping for 4 weeks. We found that the coinjection of viruses significantly increased the expression of p-S6 and p-STAT in the cortex, reduced the dieback pattern of injured axons and promoted traced axon regeneration. More importantly, combination therapy further enhanced axon regeneration compared with PTEN/SOCS3 coinhibition alone. In behavioral tests, the motor performance of the mice in the PTEN/SOCS3 + Training group was better than that of the mice in the other groups. These results indicate that combining task-based rehabilitative training with PTEN/SOCS3 coinhibition further promotes axon regeneration and significant improvement in forelimb skilled motor function after cervical SCI. Our findings provide new therapeutic insights into SCI treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article juxtaposes two photographic projects to illustrate ways of perceiving everyday space in contemporary China: on the one hand, ‘Silvermine Project’ (2009–2013), by French collector and editor Thomas Sauvin, recycles a vast collection of abandoned film negatives from the 1980s to the early 2000s, and subsequently ‘curates’ these amateur images into the frame of a quasi-ethnographic approach. On the other hand, Hong Kong photographer Dustin Shum’s ‘Themeless Parks’ (2008) presents a series images of public parks in Chinese cities and towns. The two projects propose different readings of the ‘postsocialist’ condition in contemporary China. While the domestic shots curated by Sauvin actively mobilise individual and national identities in private and public spaces, Shum’s compositions of shape, colour and architectural density reveal a highly orchestrated ‘China’ that pre-empts the emergence of an individual identity. This paper analyses the textual articulations of individuality, space, and temporality in the two projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex [Cu( μ -Gly)Im(ClO 4 )] n (Im = imidazole, and Gly = glycine) with μ -glycine-briged copper (II) chain, containing six-coordination distorted elongated octahedron, was synthesized and characterized. The complex belongs to space group P 21/ c measured by X-ray single crystal diffraction. In the cluster, each Cu 2+ ion are six-coordination by one nitrogen atom and two oxygen atoms of glycine, one nitrogen atoms of imidazole, and two of oxygen atoms of two perchlorate. Each Cu 2+ ion has an N 2 O 4 donor set, which forms the distorted elongated octahedron due to the Jahn–Teller (JT) effect. The magnetic and thermodynamic properties were researched. Magnetic susceptibilities of the complex showed that ferromagnetic interactions occurred between the Cu (II) atoms. The Curie–Weiss constant C = 0.565 cm 3 K·mol −1 and the Weiss constant θ = 1.0585 K were given by the Curie-Weiss law The ferromagnetic nature of the interaction could be deduced as the exchange pathway of Cu O C O Cu, which involved an equatorial position at one copper (II) ion and an axial position of the nearest copper (II). The complex decomposed from 511 to 538 K as two steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two eight-coordination containing square antiprism polyhedra, [Ln(Gly) 4 Im·(ClO 4 ) 4 ] n (Ln:Nd, Sm) were synthesized through the self-assembly of Ln 3+ (Ln:Nd, Sm) ions, glycine and imidazole in aqueous solution and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction. Both of the complexes crystallized in the C 2/ c space group. In the cluster, each Ln 3+ ions was eight-coordination by eight oxygen atoms of the glycine. The coordination sphere of each Ln 3+ ions could be described as a distorted square antiprism. Two central Ln 3+ ions were connected by four bridging carboxyl groups from four glycine molecules. The Ln–O bond distances were related to the coordination geometries of the ligands. The complexes had two special solid–solid phase transitions at 224 K and 248 K, which were interpreted as a freezing-in phenomenon of the reorientational motion of perchlorate ions ClO 4 − and the orientational order/disorder process of ClO 4 − ions. The decomposition mechanism of the complexes was deduced to be three stages from 300 to 700 K. The fluorescent excitation and emission spectra showed that the complexes had strong fluorescent property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel type I LaFeO 3 /CeO 2 heterostructures were prepared via a facile ultrasonic synthetic process to induce boosted charge carrier separation and high photocatalytic activity. The formed nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, DRS, XPS, SEM, EDX, HRTEM, PL, and N 2 adsorption-desorption analyses, which indicated that the LaFeO 3 /CeO 2 heterojunction was successfully synthesized. DRS analysis showed that a suitable band gap was crucial for enhancing photocatalytic activity. The high surface area of LFO/Ce = 3:7 (65.292 m2/g) relative to LaFeO 3 (19.934 m2/g) and CeO 2 (47.876 m2/g) provided more active sites, which led to a further enhancement in photocatalytic activity. Moreover, the coupling of LaFeO 3 and CeO 2 improved the lifetime of charge carriers, as confirmed by the photoelectrochemical analysis. The performance of these LaFeO 3 /CeO 2 composites for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants under visible light was examined. Notably, the sample LFO/Ce = 3:7 displayed the highest photocatalytic activity for methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RhB), and tetracycline (TC) degradation. The removal rates of MB, RhB, and TC by LFO/Ce = 3:7 were respectively 2.1 and 2.7, 1.1 and 1.6, and 2.3 and 1.9 times higher than those of pure LaFeO 3 and CeO 2 within the same degradation time. The TOC analysis of the degraded product verified the high mineralization (68%) of MB by LFO/Ce = 3:7. Scavenging experiments and ESR studies indicated that h+ and •OH were the main active species during the photocatalytic degradation. The LaFeO 3 /CeO 2 composites with type I heterostructures facilitated the separation of photogenerated e-h+ pairs and prevented their recombination. Consequently, various active species (h+, •OH, and •O 2 −) were generated. Therefore, these efficient LaFeO 3 /CeO 2 heterostructures show great promise as effective photocatalysts for complex environmental wastewater purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]