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In this paper, we report a novel and simple method for synthesizing the microspheres self-assembled from ultrathin anatase TiO2 nanosheets with a high percentage of (001) facets via the hydrolysis process of the single-reagent (potassium fluorotitanate). We then used optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution confocal laser Raman spectroscopy to characterize the microspheres generated under different conditions. The study found that the size of the anatase TiO2 microspheres synthesized was 0.5–3 μm. As the synthesis time increased, the corroded surface of the microspheres gradually increased, resulting in the gradual disappearance of the edges and corners of the anatase nanosheets. The exposure percentage of the (001) facets of ultrathin anatase nanosheets synthesized for 2 h at 180–200 °C are close to 100%. The microsphere whose surface is completely covered by these anatase nanosheets also has nearly 100% exposed (001) facets. This new anatase nanosheet-based self-assembled microsphere will have great application potential in pollution prevention, environmental protection, and energy fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a newly identified checkpoint, T cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) domain (TIGIT) is highly expressed on CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). TIGIT has been associated with NK cell exhaustion in vivo and in individuals with various cancers. It not only modulates NK cell survival but also mediates T cell exhaustion. As the primary ligand of TIGIT in humans, CD155 may be the main target for immunotherapy due to its interaction with TIGIT. It has been found that the anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) treatment response in cancer immunotherapy is correlated with CD155 but not TIGIT. Anti-TIGIT alone and in combination with anti-PD-1 agents have been tested for cancer immunotherapy. Although two clinical studies on advanced lung cancer had positive results, the TIGIT-targeted antibody, tiragolumab, recently failed in two new trials. In this review, we highlight the current developments on TIGIT for cancer immunotherapy and discuss the characteristics and functions of TIGIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep neural networks have achieved tremendous success in various fields, and the structure of these networks is a key factor in their success. In this paper, we focus on the research of ensemble learning based on deep network structure and propose a new deep network ensemble framework (DNEF).Unlike other ensemble learningmodels, DNEF is an ensemble learning architecture of network structures, with serial iteration between the hidden layers, while base classifiers are trained in parallel within these hidden layers. Specifically, DNEF uses randomly sampled data as input and implements serial iteration based on the weighting strategy between hidden layers. In the hidden layers, each node represents a base classifier, and multiple nodes generate training data for the next hidden layer according to the transfer strategy. TheDNEF operates based on two strategies: (1) The weighting strategy calculates the training instance weights of the nodes according to their weaknesses in the previous layer. (2) The transfer strategy adaptively selects each node’s instances with weights as transfer instances and transfer weights, which are combined with the training data of nodes as input for the next hidden layer. These two strategies improve the accuracy and generalization of DNEF. This research integrates the ensemble of all nodes as the final output of DNEF. The experimental results reveal that the DNEF framework surpasses the traditional ensemble models and functions with high accuracy and innovative deep ensemble methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxisomes are single-membrane-bound organelles that play critical roles in eukaryotic cellular functions. Peroxisome quantity is a key factor influencing the homeostasis and pathogenic processes of pathogenic fungi. The aim of the present study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the reduction in number of peroxisomes in Fusarium graminearum consequent to FgPex4 and FgPex22-like deletion. The number of peroxisomes decreased by 40.55% and 39.70% when FgPex4 and FgPex22-like, respectively, were absent. Peroxisome biogenesis-related proteins, as well as inheritance- and division-related dynamin-like proteins were reduced at the transcriptional level in the mutant strains. In addition, the degree of pexophagy was intensified and the accumulation of ubiquitinated FgPex5 was also increased in F. graminearum when FgPex4 or FgPex22-like was absent. The findings suggest that FgPex4 and FgPex22-like influence the number of peroxisomes by influencing peroxisome biogenesis and pexophagy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Li3VO4, as a promising intercalation-type anode material for lithium-ion batteries, features a desired discharge potential (ca. 0.5-1.0 V vs. Li/Li+) and a good theoretical storage capacity (590 mAh g−1 with three Li+ inserted). However, the poor electrical conductivity of Li3VO4 hinders its practical application. In the present work, various amounts of oxygen vacancies were introduced in Li3VO4 through annealing in hydrogen to improve its conductivity. To elucidate the influence of oxygen vacancies on the electrochemical performances of Li3VO4, the surface energy of the resulting material was measured with an inverse gas chromatography method. It was found that Li3VO4 annealed in pure hydrogen at 400 °C for 15 min exhibited a much higher surface energy (60.7 mJ m−2) than pristine Li3VO4 (50.6 mJ m−2). The increased surface energy would lower the activation energy of phase transformation during the charge-discharge process, leading to improved electrochemical properties. As a result, the oxygen-deficient Li3VO4 achieved a significantly improved specific capacity of 495 mAh g−1 at 0.1 Ag−1 (381 mAh g−1 for pristine Li3VO4) and retains 165 mAh g−1 when the current density increases to 8 Ag−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, an organic memory cell based on tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum doped with gold nanoparticles is reported. The device can achieve good resistive switching properties, such as a high on/off current ratio of about \10^4, and good retention (4 h at 0.1 V). The device remains in either state even after the power has been turned off and shows a good stability under stress test. The current–voltage characteristics are comprehensively investigated, and a possible mechanism is proposed and well fitted with the experiment data. The results show that the organic memory devices have promising potentials for future flexible electronic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]