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Herein, we firstly utilized H2@C60 to monitor the supramolecular interaction between a pH-driven resorcin[4]arene molecular tweezer and C60 with a notable 1H NMR chemical shift change (ca. 0.34 ppm). This work provides a new strategy for detecting weak or complex supramolecular interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we firstly utilized H2@C60 to monitor the supramolecular interaction between a pH-driven resorcin[4]arene molecular tweezer and C60 with a notable 1H NMR chemical shift change (ca. 0.34 ppm). This work provides a new strategy for detecting weak or complex supramolecular interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have attracted significant attention across various fields due to their compact size, light weight, high output voltage, versatile shapes, and strong compatibility. However, substantial wear at solid–solid contact interfaces presents a major obstacle to the electrical output stability of TENGs. The objective of this study is to investigate the output performances of TENGs lubricated with TiO2-doped oleic acid. The results suggest that the triboelectrical performances of the polyimide (PI) film sliding against a steel ball under 0.1 wt% TiO2-doped oleic acid are significantly improved compared to those under dry conditions; the growth rates are 35.2%, 103.6, and 85.6%, respectively. Moreover, the coefficient of friction dropped from 0.31 to 0.066. The wear and performance enhancement mechanism are also analyzed. This study provides an effective approach to improve both the electrical performances and tribological behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the background of systematic and full-field promotion of sponge city construction, the allocation of Low Impact Development (LID) facilities holds significant implications for urban stormwater management. In this study, we established a stormwater model for he Yixing City area in Jiangsu Province, utilizing the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) . A comprehensive objective function was ormulated, taking into account the reduction rates of runoff volume, Suspended Solids (SS) load, Life Cycle Cost (LCC), and the area occupied by LID facilities. Through the assignment of weights to objective parameters in different scenarios, the multi-objective optimization problem was transformed into a single objective optimization problem, where each weight represented the priority of the corresponding objecive parameter. The Genetic Algorithm (GA) was then applied to derive the optimal LID layout under diverse scenarios, to analyze and compare the impact of different priorities and recurrence periods of target parameters on optimization results. The results indicate that: (1) Under he same weight conditions, LCC exhibits a more pronounced impact on GA optimization calculations compared to LID area. (2) The spatial alocative optimization of LID facilities in small subcatchments located upstream is particularly susceptible to the rainfall return period. The research findings offer valuable insights for the spatial allocative optimization of LID facility and urban flood control in sponge city construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a major contributor to global cancer‐related mortality. While the inhibitory effect of metformin (Met) on PC has been reported, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Methods: We established BxPC‐3 cell models with miR‐378a‐3p and VEGFA knockdown. The expression of miR‐378a‐3p, VEGFA, and RGC‐32 in PC and normal tissues was analyzed using GEPIA, TCGA databases. Cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis were assessed through CCK8, Transwell, wound healing, and flow cytometry. Results: Significantly lower expression of miR‐378a‐3p was observed in PC tissues and cells. Knockdown of miR‐378a‐3p reversed the impact of Met on cell viability in PANC‐1 and BxPC3. VEGFA emerged as a potential regulator in PC and a downstream target of miR‐378a‐3p. The interaction between VEGFA and RGC‐32 played a crucial role in PC regulation. Knockdown of VEGFA substantially reversed the impact of miR‐378a‐3p inhibitor on tumor growth and the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Moreover, knockdown of VEGFA effectively countered the influence of miR‐378a‐3p inhibitor on cell viability and the EMT process in BxPC3 cells. Conclusions: Met exerted inhibitory effects on PC through the miR‐378a‐3p/VEGFA/RGC‐32 pathway. Strategies targeting the miR‐378a‐3p/VEGFA/RGC‐32 axis represent a novel avenue for the prevention and treatment of PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: The rise of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in recent years has coincided with unusual clinical response patterns. Modification of the sum of longest diameters (SLD)-based threshold that reflecting dynamic change of the tumor burden and predicting response to ICIs, may markedly improve current treatment regimens. Methods: The baseline and post-treatment SLD of target lesion was recorded and the maximum percent change of the SLD from baseline was designated as SLD-change score. The optimal cut-off value was obtained using the X-tile program. The relationship between SLD-change score and survival outcome (PFS, OS) was evaluated. Results: 10% cut-off value of SLD-change score was found to be most distinctive for PFS. Responders defined according to this cut-off value showed a significant improvement for PFS and OS. Bone metastasis and brain metastasis were also two independent prognostic factors of PFS and OS, respectively. Conclusions: 10% SLD change score could discriminate for ICIs treatment response, which holds great promise in promoting the development of precise immunotherapeutic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood logs need to be measured for size when passing through customs to verify their quantity and volume. Due to the large number of wood logs needs through customs, a fast and accurate measurement method is required. The traditional log measurement methods are inefficient, have significant errors in determining the long and short diameters of the wood, and are difficult to achieve fast measurements in complex wood stacking environments. We use a Mask R-CNN instance segmentation model to detect the contour of the wood log and employ a binocular stereo camera to measure the log diameter. A rotation search algorithm centered on the wood contour is proposed to find long and short diameters and to optimal log size according to the Chinese standard. The experiments show that the Mask R-CNN we trained obtains 0.796 average precision and 0.943 I O U m a s k , and the recognition rate of wood log ends reaches 98.2%. The average error of the short diameter of the measurement results is 5.7 mm, the average error of the long diameter is 7.19 mm, and the average error of the diameter of the wood is 5.3 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Non-high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) is a secondary therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases and is used for residual risk assessment in patients with coronary artery syndrome (ACS). This study was designed to determine the association between non-HDL-C in patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with ACS and clinical outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 468 patients with prior CABG with ACS and categorized them into two groups based on the median non-HDL-C level. The primary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including cardiovascular death and recurrent myocardial infarction. Kaplan–Meier curves, Cox proportional-hazard regressions, and restricted cubic splines were used to determine the association between non-HDL-C and MACEs. The discrimination and reclassification of the nomogram based on non-HDL-C were assessed using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and net reclassification improvement (NRI). Results: During the average follow-up time of 744.5 days, non-HDL-C was independently associated with the occurrence of MACEs (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.65– 15.24; p = 0.005) after adjusting for other lipid parameters. The spline curves indicated a linear relationship between non-HDL-C and MACEs (p-nonlinear: 0.863). The time-dependent areas under the ROC curves of prior-CABG-ACS nomograms containing non-HDL regarding MACEs in two consecutive years were 91.7 (95% CI: 85.5– 97.9) and 91.5 (95% CI: 87.3– 95.7), respectively. The NRI analysis indicated that the prior-CABG-ACS model improved the reclassification ability for 1- and 2-year MACEs (22.4% and 7%, p < 0.05, respectively). Discussion: Non-HDL is independently associated with the risk of MACEs in patients with prior CABG with ACS. The prior-CABG-ACS nomogram based on non-HDL-C and five convenient variables generates valid and stable predictions of MACE occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compound, is a carcinogen that causes head and neck cancers. Despite intensive research, the molecular mechanism of BaP in the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains largely unknown. In the present study, the SCC‐9 human OSCC cell line was cultured in vitro, separated into treatment groups, and treated with dimethyl sulfoxide or BaP at various concentrations. The malignant behavior ascribed to the BaP treatment was investigated by cell proliferation, clony formation assay, and Transwell assays. Furthermore, transcriptome sequencing was performed to detect the differentially expressed genes, followed by quantitative real‐time PCR to measure the expression levels of nine of these genes. Moreover, the Gene Ontology (GO) term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses showed the biological processes and signaling pathways in which the target genes were involved. Significant effects on SCC‐9 cell proliferation, tumorigenicity, cell migration, and invasion were observed after exposure to 8 μM BaP. Additional results revealed that BaP inhibited apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. The transcriptome sequencing results showed 137 upregulated genes and 135 downregulated genes induced by BaP, associated with tumor‐related biological processes and signaling pathways, mainly including transcriptional dysregulation in cancer, the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway, and so forth. Our study demonstrates that BaP may regulate the expression of certain genes involved in tumor‐associated signaling pathways, thereby promoting the proliferative, tumorigenic, and metastatic behaviors of OSCC cells while suppressing their apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ras‐association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) is one of the most methylated genes in lung cancer (LC). We investigate whether the high DNA methylation level of RASSF1A can relieve the resistance of RASSF1A to LC by inhibiting RASSF1A's transcription factor binding to RASSF1A. RASSF1A expression in tissues and cells was tested utilizing quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), and Western blot. RASSF1A expression and RASSF1A methylation level in LC cells exposed to 5‐Aza‐dc were assessed by qRT‐PCR and quantitative methylation‐specific PCR. The association between CTCF and RASSF1A was assessed using hTFtarget, ChIP, and luciferase reporter gene analysis. The effects of 5‐Aza‐dc, CTCF, and RASSF1A on cell biological behaviors and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related markers were assessed by cell function experiments and Western blot. Moreover, we constructed the xenograft tumor and pulmonary nodule metastasis models, and assessed tumor volume and weight. RASSF1A expression and pulmonary nodule metastasis were tested utilizing qRT‐PCR, Western blot, and H&E staining. RASSF1A was under‐expressed in LC tissues and cells. 5‐Aza‐dc enhanced RASSF1A level and weakened RASSF1A methylation level in LC cells. RASSF1A silencing neutralized 5‐Aza‐dc‐mediated repressing effects on LC cell biological function and EMT. The loss of CTCF binding to RASSF1A in LC cells was associated with DNA methylation. The effect of 5‐Aza‐dc on RASSF1A level, LC cell malignant behaviors, and EMT‐related factors were strengthened by CTCF upregulation. RASSF1A overexpression suppressed LC tumor growth and pulmonary nodule metastasis in vivo. DNA methylation blocked the modulation of RASSF1A expression by CTCF and relieved the resistance of RASSF1A to LC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seawater electrolysis is an attractive technique for mass production of high‐purity hydrogen considering the abundance of seawater. Nevertheless, due to the complexity of seawater environment, efficient anode catalyst, that should be, cost effective, highly active for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) but negligible for Cl2/ClO– formation, and robust toward chlorine corrosion, is urgently demanded for large‐scale application. Although catalysis typically appears at surface, while the bulk properties and morphology structure also have a significant impact on the performance, thus requiring a systematic optimization. Herein, a multiscale engineering approach toward the development of cost‐effective and robust OER electrocatalyst for operation in seawater is reported. Specifically, the engineering of hollow‐sphere structure can facilitate the removal of gas product, while atom‐level synergy between Co and Fe can promote Co sites transforming to active phase, and in situ transformation of sulfate ions layer protects catalysts from corrosion. As a result, the as‐developed hollow‐sphere structured CoFeSx electrocatalyst can stably operate at a high current density of 100 mA cm–2 in the alkaline simulated seawater (pH = 13) for 700 h and in a neutral seawater for 20 h without attenuation. It provides a new strategy for the development of electrocatalysts with a broader application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial prototype building models were developed by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to analyze the energy savings of the ASHRAE 90.1 standard. However, in the DOE models, occupant behavior inputs were deterministic and the stochasticity of occupant behavior was not fully characterized. This study evaluated the impacts of stochastic occupant behavior on building energy consumption and energy savings analysis from upgrading the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 to 2019 in sixteen climate zones in the United States (U.S.). Three occupant behavior styles (austerity, normal, and wasteful) were defined to represent the different levels of energy consciousness. The DOE medium office prototype models were used as the baseline (normal behavior style). The occupant behavior functional mock-up unit (obFMU) was used to model the stochastic occupant behavior models (austerity and wasteful). The EnergyPlus medium office prototype models were modified to co-simulate with the obFMU models. The results of 16 climate zones were aggregated by the relative construction volume of each climate zone. The results showed that the weighted national annual source energy use intensity (EUI) of the austerity, normal, and wasteful behavior styles were 203.81 kWh/m2, 287.15 kWh/m2, and 388.33 kWh/m2 for ASHRAE 90.1-2016, and 192.43 kWh/m2, 273.48 kWh/m2, and 371.28 kWh/m2 for ASHRAE 90.1-2019, respectively. Compared to the normal behavior style, the austerity behavior style consumed 29% less source energy, while the wasteful behavior style consumed 36% more source energy. From upgrading the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 to 2019, the energy saving percentages based on the austerity, normal, and wasteful behavior styles were 5.59%, 4.78%, and 4.42%, respectively. The stochastic occupant behavior significantly impacted the building energy consumption, and their impacts on the energy savings analysis of upgrading ASHRAE 90.1 were also not negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gas sensor based on pristine graphene with conductance type was studied theoretically and experimentally. The time response of conductance measurements showed a quickly and largely increased conductivity when the sensor was exposed to ammonia gas produced by a bubble system of ammonia water. However, the desorption process in vacuum took more than 1 h which indicated that there was a larger number of transferred carriers and a strong adsorption force between ammonia and graphene. The desorption time could be greatly shortened down to about 2 min by adding the flow of water-vapor-enriched air at the beginning of the recovery stage which had been confirmed as a rapid and high-efficiency desorption process. Moreover, the optimum geometries, adsorption energies, and the charge transfer number of the composite systems were studied with first-principle calculations. However, the theoretical results showed that the adsorption energy between NH and graphene was too small to fit for the experimental phenomenon, and there were few charges transferred between graphene and NH molecules, which was completely different from the experiment measurement. The adsorption energy between NH and graphene increased stage by stage which showed NH was a strong donor. The calculation suggested that HO molecule could help a quick desorption of NH from graphene by converting NH to NH or (NH)n(HO)m groups, which was consistent with the experimental results. This study demonstrates that the ammonia gas produced by a bubble system of ammonia water is mainly ammonium groups of NH and NH, and the NH moleculars are ideal candidates for the molecular doping of graphene while the interaction between graphene and the NH moleculars is weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The garnet (Grt) and biotite (Bt) from gneisses of the Ji’an Group are characterized by diffusion zoning at the rim, but equilibrium composition of metamorphic peak is usually remained in extensive interior area. Garnet with growth zoning is also found in the kyanite zone. In the light of microarea compositional variation of Grt and Bt, the temperature and pressure at the progressive, peak and post-peak metamorphic stages are determined by correctly using Grt-Bt thermometer and GASP barometer. On this basis, a counterclockwise P-T-t path can be constructed, which reflects the closing process of an ensialic rift belt in this region during the Early Proterozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native ruthenium and platinum-bearing hedleyite were recognized in two gold deposits contained in Archaean metamorphic rocks in northern China. They are coexistent with native gold, quartz and pyrite. The high W content of native ruthenium may reflect the precipitation of ores in a W-rich hydrothermal system at moderate to high temperatures. The presence of platinum-group minerals (PGM) in the two deposits suggests that Au and PGE were both derived from mantle-source rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]