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Abstract Recently emerging lithium ternary chlorides have attracted increasing attention for solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) due to their favorable combination between ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability. However, a noticeable discrepancy in Li‐ion conductivity persists between chloride SSEs and organic liquid electrolytes, underscoring the need for designing novel chloride SSEs with enhanced Li‐ion conductivity. Herein, an intriguing trigonal structure (i.e., Li3SmCl6 with space group P3112) is identified using the global structure searching method in conjunction with first‐principles calculations, and its potential for SSEs is systematically evaluated. Importantly, the structure of Li3SmCl6 exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 15.46 mS cm−1 at room temperature due to the 3D lithium percolation framework distinct from previous proposals, associated with the unique in‐plane cation ordering and stacking sequences. Furthermore, it is unveiled that Li3SmCl6 possesses a wide electrochemical window of 0.73−4.30 V vs Li+/Li and excellent chemical interface stability with high‐voltage cathodes. Several other Li3MCl6 (M = Er, and In) materials with isomorphic structures to Li3SmCl6 are also found to be potential chloride SSEs, suggesting the broader applicability of this structure. This work reveals a new class of ternary chloride SSEs and sheds light on strategy for structure searching in the design of high‐performance SSEs.

Experimental results showed that for the diamond film prepared by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) using Ta filament, TaC existed between diamond and the silicon substrate, and diamond grew directly on TaC, while the inherent mechanism was not clear. Here, a special coherent interface Diamond(111)//TaC(111) is observed using high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and then we explore the effects of the TaC with different lattice planes on the diamond formation by first-principle calculations. The results show that C tends to adsorb on the TaC(111) C-terminated surface. The strong covalent bond between C from diamond and Ta from TaC is formed in the Diamond(111)//TaC(111) interface, while only C–C covalent bonds are formed at the Graphite(002)/TaC(111). This makes diamond thermodynamically more stable than graphite on the TaC surfaces. Our investigations provide critical information to understand the complex diamond formation mechanism, especially with the presence of TaC.

Abstract The development of high-throughput omics technology has greatly promoted the development of biomedicine. However, the poor reproducibility of omics techniques limits their application. It is necessary to use standard reference materials of complex RNAs or proteins to test and calibrate the accuracy and reproducibility of omics workflows. The transcriptome and proteome of most cell lines shift during culturing, which limits their applicability as standard samples. In this study, we demonstrated that the human hepatocellular cell line MHCC97H has a very stable transcriptome (r = 0.983~0.997) and proteome (r = 0.966~0.988 for data-dependent acquisition, r = 0.970~0.994 for data-independent acquisition) after 9 subculturing generations, which allows this steady standard sample to be consistently produced on an industrial scale in long term. Moreover, this stability was maintained across labs and platforms. In sum, our study provides omics standard reference material and reference datasets for transcriptomic and proteomics research. This helps to further standardize the workflow and data quality of omics techniques and thus promotes the application of omics technology in precision medicine.

Abstract Background Patients who possess various histological subtypes of early‐stage lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have considerably diverse prognoses. The simultaneous existence of several histological subtypes reduces the clinical accuracy of the diagnosis and prognosis of early‐stage LUAD due to intratumour intricacy. Methods We included 11 postoperative LUAD patients pathologically confirmed to be stage IA. Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) was carried out on matched tumour and normal tissue. Three formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded cases were randomly selected for 10× Genomics Visium analysis, one of which was analysed by digital spatial profiler (DSP). Results Using DSP and 10× Genomics Visium analysis, signature gene profiles for lepidic and acinar histological subtypes were acquired. The percentage of histological subtypes predicted for the patients from samples of 11 LUAD fresh tissues by scRNA‐seq showed a degree of concordance with the clinicopathologic findings assessed by visual examination. DSP proteomics and 10× Genomics Visium transcriptomics analyses revealed that a negative correlation (Spearman correlation analysis: r = –.886; p = .033) between the expression levels of CD8 and the expression trend of programmed cell death 1(PD‐L1) on tumour endothelial cells. The percentage of CD8+ T cells in the acinar region was lower than in the lepidic region. Conclusions These findings illustrate that assessing patient histological subtypes at the single‐cell level is feasible. Additionally, tumour endothelial cells that express PD‐L1 in stage IA LUAD suppress immune‐responsive CD8+ T cells.

The Sitophilus zeamais (maize weevil) and Sitophilus oryzae (rice weevil) are two insect pests that have caused huge economic losses to stored grains worldwide. It is urgent to develop an environmentally friendly strategy for the control of these destructive pests. Here, the olfactory-mediated selection preference of the two weevil species to three stored grains was analyzed, which should help establish a pull–push system in managing them. Bioassays showed that maize weevil adults prefer to select maize, followed by paddy and wheat, while rice weevil adults mainly migrate towards wheat. Volatile analyses revealed that 2-ethylhexanol, piperitone, and (+)-Δ-cadiene are the major components in volatiles from both maize and wheat, but the abundance of these chemicals is much lower in maize than that in wheat. The volatile limonene was only detected in paddy. Y-tube bioassays suggest that 2-ethylhexanol, piperitone, and (+)-Δ-cadiene were all attractive to both weevils, whereas limonene was attractive only to rice weevils. Overall, maize weevil appeared more sensitive to the tested volatiles based on having much lower effective concentrations of these volatiles needed to attract them. The differences in volatile profiles among the grains and the sensitivity of the two species towards these volatiles may explain the behavioral differences between maize and rice weevils in selecting host grains. The differences in sensitivity of maize and rice weevils towards host volatile components with abundance differences are likely determinants driving the two insect species to migrate towards different host grains.

Abstract Local scour is the major cause of bridge water damage. The sediment in the riverbed around the pier is eroded and transported by water flow, leading to a loss of bridge foundation stability. In this study, a horn-shaped collar was proposed to mitigate local scour around bridge piers. The three design parameters (bottom diameter, vertical height, and curvature shape index) of the horn-shaped collar were studied under clear water condition, and the number of experimental tests was reduced to 25 by using Taguchi’s method. Main effect analysis was used to determine the optimum design parameters for the horn-shaped collar. The results show that the three design parameters have a significant effect on the scour reduction capacity of the horn-shaped collar, with the bottom diameter of the collar making the greatest contribution. The optimum values for the bottom diameter, vertical height, and curvature shape index are 5D, 0.25D, and 4, respectively (D represents the diameter of the pier), and the optimized shape of the horn-shaped collar reduces the maximum scour depth around the pier by 100% compared to the unprotected case. Based on the experimental data, prediction equations are developed for the maximum scour depth protected by a horn-shaped collar.

Trazodone hydrochloride sustained -release, as a multi-receptor binding drug, can exert different pharmacological effects at different doses and can improve a variety of psychiatric disorders. To further standardize the clinical application of trazodone hydrochloride sustained release, the expert writing group integrated domestic and international clinical trials, clinical practice guidelines, prescribing guidelines and clinical medication experience to prepare this expert recommendation for clinical application. This article mentions that trazodone hydrochloride sustained release is clinically applicable to depression, insomnia caused by various reasons, and also applied to generalized anxiety disorder, sexual dysfunction, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance dependence and withdrawal reactions and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and describes drug dosage, interactions, and precautions for use in special populations, with a view to providing clinicians with scientific and comprehensive medication guidance.

The COVID-19 pandemic is dangerous to people’s lives and livelihoods, creating immediate obstacles for organizations that support impacted populations. This research concentrates on the consequences for local microfinance institutions in Pakistan, which is a well-developed sector that has pulled many households out of the poverty trap. Microfinance programs in Pakistan provide financial resources to vulnerable and deprived people to engage in income-generating practices on more favorable terms. As a result, this study addressed and assessed the financial dimensions of managing poverty reduction in rural Pakistan through the microfinance segment and its effectiveness on poverty-reduction programs in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary data were collected through a questionnaire survey to determine the views of the households, beneficiaries, and non-beneficiaries on the outcome and efficacy of poverty-reduction programs during the pandemic to meet the study objectives. The Mann-Whitney U test of the non-parametric method and Cronbach’s alpha of the data reliability test have been applied for the empirical analysis. According to the non-parametric findings, programs, marital status, working women members, and resources such as land, livestock, business assets, shares, and loans have all been affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Education, wages, gender, size, child dependency, and district variables are significant factors related to poverty, but they fell into second position during COVID-19. These findings suggests that the small loan system must be improved and made efficient during the pandemic. This could be a practical tool to maintain poor people’s current economic and poverty position.

Alternative splicing (AS) isoforms create numerous proteoforms, expanding the complexity of the genome. Highly similar sequences, incomplete reference databases and the insufficient sequence coverage of mass spectrometry limit the identification of AS proteoforms. Here, we demonstrated full-length translating mRNAs (ribosome nascent-chain complex-bound mRNAs, RNC-mRNAs) sequencing (RNC-seq) strategy to sequence the entire translating mRNA using next-generation sequencing, including short-read and long-read technologies, to construct a protein database containing all translating AS isoforms. Taking the advantage of read length, short-read RNC-seq identified up to 15,289 genes and 15,906 AS isoforms in a single human cell line, much more than the Ribo-seq. The single-molecule long-read RNC-seq supplemented 4,429 annotated AS isoforms that were not identified by short-read datasets, and 4,525 novel AS isoforms that were not included in the public databases. Using such RNC-seq-guided database, we identified 6,766 annotated protein isoforms and 50 novel protein isoforms in mass spectrometry datasets. These results demonstrated the potential of full-length RNC-seq in investigating the proteome of AS isoforms.

BackgroundEosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is characterized by asthma-like attacks in its early stage, which is easily misdiagnosed as severe asthma. Therefore, new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of EGPA are needed, especially for differentiating the diagnosis of asthma.ObjectivesTo identify serum biomarkers that can be used for early diagnosis of EGPA and to distinguish EGPA from severe asthma.MethodData-independent acquisition (DIA) analysis was performed to identify 45 healthy controls (HC), severe asthma (S-A), and EGPA patients in a cohort to screen biomarkers for early diagnosis of EGPA and to differentiate asthma diagnosis. Subsequently, parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) analysis was applied to a validation cohort of 71 HC, S-A, and EGPA patients.ResultFour candidate biomarkers were identified from DIA and PRM analysis—i.e., serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), fibrinogen-α (FGA), and serum amyloid P component (SAP)—and were upregulated in the EGPA group, while cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) was downregulated in the EGPA group compared with the S-A group. Receiver operating characteristics analysis shows that, as biomarkers for early diagnosis of EGPA, the combination of SAA1, FGA, and SAP has an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.947, a sensitivity of 82.35%, and a specificity of 100%. The combination of SAA1, FGA, SAP, and CETP as biomarkers for differential diagnosis of asthma had an AUC of 0.921, a sensitivity of 78.13%, and a specificity of 100%, which were all larger than single markers. Moreover, SAA1, FGA, and SAP were positively and CETP was negatively correlated with eosinophil count.ConclusionDIA-PRM combined analysis screened and validated four previously unexplored but potentially useful biomarkers for early diagnosis of EGPA and differential diagnosis of asthma.

During the investigation of natural enemy insects in grain depots, we've found an Anthocoridae insect accounted for a high proportion of natural enemy insects. We identify the enemy insects from morphology and molecular biology, so as to realize more accurate and effective control of storage pests by using the enemy insect. The images of the insects under the ultra-depth microscope (VHX-5000) showed that the insect adults were black brown in colour; the antennas of both the female and male had four segments, which increase in length sequentially from the base to the end, and had a length of 756.2 μm for the female and 741.1 μm for the male. The rostrums of both the female and the male insects were composed of three segments, the male's rostrum (596.8 μm) were shorter than the female's (734.6 μm), and the former two segments of the female's rostrum were significantly longer than the male's. The abdomen of the insect was bilaterally symmetrical, the female's abdomen was wider than the male, and the male insect had a dent between its eighth and ninth segments of the left abdomen, in which its male genitalia was located. In addition, the nymphs as a whole were tangerine in colour, and the eggs were elliptic with creamy white gloss and gridding patterns on the surface. The cytochrome C oxidase I (COI) gene sequences of the insects were identified by DNA barcoding technique, and the determined COI sequences were then submitted to the Genbank database for Blast alignment, and the results showed that the COI gene sequences had a high degree of similarity (99%) with X. flavipes records in the Genbank database. Therefore, we could determine that the insect was X. flavipes. In addition, the neighbor joining (NJ) was used to construct the evolutionary tree, and 1,000 repeated tests were conducted on the confidence levels of each branch. Based on the phylogenetic tree, we've found that X. flavipes belongs to Xylocoris genus. Based on morphology and COI sequence identification, we confidentiy determined that the collected natural enemy insect was X. flavipes. This is the first time that the identification of X. flavipes is being investigated from morphology and molecular biology. The research results are helpful to identify and distinguish the species of flower bugs, and beneficial for the better application of X. flavipes in biological control.

Potassium ion batteries (KIBs) have received increasing popularity owing to their distinct advantages. We discover a hitherto unknown C4S nanosheet, a novel carbon-based material with carbon and sulfur consisting of pentagons and hexagons rings. The proposed C4S nanosheet is highly stable dynamically, thermodynamically, mechanically, and chemically, according to first-principles calculations. Moreover, the graphene-like C4S nanosheet is a prospective KIBs anode material, which has a metallic band structure, a relatively low diffusion barrier (0.07 eV), a large capacity (1340 mA h g−1), and an acceptable average voltage (0.44 V). Finally, we demonstrate good cycling stability of the C4S nanosheet. Our findings indicate that the proposed C4S nanosheet is a potentially favorable KIBs anode material.

Abstract Well‐preserved molecular cargo in circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) offers an ideal material for detecting oncogenic gene alterations in cancer patients, providing a noninvasive diagnostic solution for detection of disease status and monitoring treatment response. Therefore, technologies that conveniently isolate EVs with sufficient efficiency are desperately needed. Here, a lipid labeling and click chemistry‐based EV capture platform (“Click Beads”), which is ideal for EV message ribonucleic acid (mRNA) assays due to its efficient, convenient, and rapid purification of EVs, enabling downstream molecular quantification using reverse transcription digital polymerase chain reaction (RT‐dPCR) is described and demonstrated. Ewing sarcoma protein (EWS) gene rearrangements and kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) gene mutation status are detected and quantified using EVs isolated by Click Beads and matched with those identified in biopsy specimens from Ewing sarcoma or pancreatic cancer patients. Moreover, the quantification of gene alterations can be used for monitoring treatment responses and disease progression.

Abstract Background Plant viruses can affect vector’s behaviors in order to enhance viral transmission. Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) (genus Crinivirus) is an emergent RNA plant virus and is transmitted specifically by biotypes B and Q of tobacco whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), in a semipersistent manner. Methods We used the electrical penetration graph (EPG) to investigate the effect of CCYV on the feeding behaviors of B. tabaci biotypes B and Q. Results CCYV could affect, both directly and indirectly, the feeding behaviors of B. tabaci to various degrees, depending on biotypes and sexes of the insect. CCYV showed stronger direct effects on biotype Q than on biotype B in terms of increased non-phloem probing and phloem salivation. CCYV increased non-phloem probing and phloem salivation more on females than on males of biotype Q, and increased phloem salivation more on females than on males of biotype B. CCYV had stronger indirect effects, via virus-infested plants, on biotype B than on biotype Q by enhancing phloem sap ingestion and feeding bouts. CCYV increased non-phloem probing and feeding bouts more on males than on females of biotype B, and decreased phloem sap ingestion more on males than on females on biotype Q indirectly. Conclusions The results clearly indicated that CCYV affects the feeding behaviors of B. tabaci, which may lead to increased ability of the B. tabaci for CCYV transmission.

Background: Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is estimated to affect 20% of the adult population. Current United States and Canadian Chronic non-cancer pain guidelines recommend careful reassessment of the risk-benefit ratio for doses greater than 90 mg morphine equivalent dose (MED), due to low evidence for improved pain efficacy at higher morphine equivalent dose and a significant increase in morbidity and mortality. There are a number of human studies demonstrating cannabis opioid synergy. This preliminary evidence suggests a potential role of cannabis as an adjunctive therapy with or without opioids to optimize pain control.Methods: In 2017, the Canadian Opioid Guidelines Clinical Tool was created to encourage judicious opioid prescribing for CNCP patients and to reevaluate those who have been chronically using high MED. Mirroring this approach, we draw on our clinical experiences and available evidence to create a clinical tool to serve as a foundational clinical guideline for the initiation of medical cannabis in the management of CNCP patients using chronic opioid therapy.Findings: Following principles of harm reduction and risk minimization, we suggest cannabis be introduced in appropriately selected CNCP patients, using a stepwise approach, with the intent of pain management optimization. We use a structured approach to focus on low dose cannabis (namely, THC) initiation, slow titration, dose optimization and frequent monitoring.Conclusion: When low dose THC is introduced as an adjunctive therapy, we observe better pain control clinically with lower doses of opioids, improved pain related outcomes and reduced opioid related harm.

To evaluate the clinical features and radiomics nomograms of tumors and peritumoral regions for the preoperative prediction of the presence of spread through air spaces (STAS) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. A total of 107 STAS-positive lung adenocarcinomas were selected and matched to 105 STAS-negative lung adenocarcinomas. Thin-slice CT imaging annotation and region of interest (ROI) segmentation were performed with semi-automatic in-house software. Radiomics features were extracted from all nodules and incremental distances of 5, 10, and 15 mm outside the lesion segmentation. A radiomics nomogram was established with multivariable logistic regression based on clinical and radiomics features. The maximum diameter of the solid component and mediastinal lymphadenectasis were selected as independent predictors of STAS. The radiomics nomogram of lung nodules showed especially good prediction in the training set [area under the curve (AUC), 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.97–1.00] and test set (AUC, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97–1.00). The radiomics nomogram of peritumoral regions also showed good prediction, but the fitting degrees of the calibration curves were not good. Our study may provide guidance for surgical methods in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Double perovskite La2NiMnO6 is an attractive spintronic material with magnetocapacitance and magnetoresistance effects. These outstanding properties are associated with the biphasic characteristic and anti-site defects. To study the biphasic nature of La2NiMnO6, the spontaneous shear strains, crystal structures, microstructures, element distribution, and magnetic properties were investigated. The first principles density functional theory calculations within the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof functional were first used to calculate the static formation enthalpies and crystal structures of La2NiMnO6 at different hydrostatic pressures. The coexistence is most likely related to static formation enthalpies and/or spontaneous strains and partly due to the inhomogeneous characteristics of the sample.

This paper presents a high-efficiency inductorless self-controlled rectifier for piezoelectric energy harvesting. High efficiency is achieved by discharging the piezoelectric device (PD) capacitance each time the current produced by the PD changes polarity. This is achieved automatically without the use of delay lines, thereby making the proposed circuit compatible with any type of PD. In addition, the proposed rectifier alleviates the need for an inductor, making it suitable for on-chip integration. Reported experimental results show that the proposed rectifier can harvest up to 3.9 times more energy than a full wave bridge rectifier.