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This study investigates the impact and mechanisms of carbon emission reduction associated with digital economy development, utilizing data from 265 prefecture-level cities in China during the period of 2003 to 2019. The comprehensive index of digital economy development at the prefecture level is evaluated using the entropy method, followed by empirical analysis employing the dual fixed effect model. The findings confirm a significant improvement in urban carbon emission reduction resulting from the digital economy. Mechanism analysis reveals that the digital economy enhances the carbon emission reduction effect in cities by promoting urban green innovation and reducing energy consumption intensity. Additionally, heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the carbon reduction effect of digital economy development is influenced by factors such as city location, population size, and development type. By shedding light on the relationship between the digital economy and carbon emission reduction, this study offers valuable insights into the mechanisms through which the digital economy contributes to sustainable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Xinjiang University (Natural Science Edition) is the property of Xinjiang University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) and atopic dermatitis (AD) are currently thought to be tightly related, yet studies of the mechanisms of co‐morbidities are lacking. Methods: We obtained GWAS data for BP (N = 376,274) and AD (N = 796,661) from the Finnish Genetic Research Program dataset and the UK Biobank, separately. Then, the following four analyses were performed: (1) cross‐trait linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) to assess the genetic correlation between BP and AD, (2) cross‐phenotype association analysis (CPASSOC) to identify multiple effector loci shared by BP and AD, (3) transcriptome‐wide association study (TWAS) to determine whether their cross‐organizational expression patterns share genes with a common biological mechanism of relevance, and (4) bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to assess bidirectional causal effects of BP and AD. Results: We found a positive genetic association between BP and AD (rg = 0.5476, p = 0.0495) as well as identified four pleiotropic loci and 59 common genes affecting BP and AD. Bidirectional MR analysis suggested that BP promotes the risk of AD. Conclusions: We revealed a genetic link between BP and AD, which is associated with biological pleiotropy and causality. Awareness of the association between BP and AD helps dermatologists manage patients with these illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality in industrialized countries, with over 500 million people affected worldwide. In this work, the roles of low-molecular-weight metabolites originating from the gut microbiome, such as short-chain fatty acids, hydrogen sulfide, trimethylamine, phenylacetic acid, secondary bile acids, indoles, different gases, neurotransmitters, vitamins, and complex lipids, are discussed in relation to their CVD-promoting or preventing activities. Molecules of mixed microbial and human hepatic origin, such as trimethylamine N-oxide and phenylacetylglutamine, are also presented. Finally, dietary agents with cardioprotective effects, such as probiotics, prebiotics, mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, and polyphenols, are also discussed. A special emphasis is given to their gut microbiota-modulating properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shape memory or stimuli responsive polymers have established a unique grouping of smart materials. The technical merit of these polymers has been evaluated in aerospace sector, since last few decades. Particularly, the stimuli responsive polymers render inherent competences to recuperate the structural damages in exterior/interior space architectures. In this context, both the thermoplastics as well as thermosetting polymers depicted essential stimuli responsive behaviour. As interpreted in this state-of the-art review, the carbonaceous reinforcement like carbon fibers and nano-reinforcements including nanocarbons (graphene, carbon nanotube) have been employed in the shape recovering matrices. The performance of ensuing shape retrieving aerospace materials was seemed to be reliant on the polymer chain crosslinking effects, filler/nanofiller dispersal/alignment, microstructural specs, interfacial contour and interactions, and processing techniques used. Consequently, the shape actuations of polymer/carbon fiber composites were found to be instigated and upgraded through the inclusion of nanocarbon nano-additives. The ensuing high-tech shape memory composites/nanocomposites have anomalous significance for various aero-structural units (fuselage, wings, antennas, engines, etc.) due to prevention of possible thermal/shock/impact damages. Future implications of carbonaceous shape memory composites/nanocomposites in aerospace demands minimizing the structure-property-performance challenges and large scale fabrication for industrial scale utilizations. In this way, deployment of carbonaceous nanofiller/filler based composites revealed enormous worth due to low density, anti-fatigue/wear, anti-corrosion, non-flammability, self-healing, and extended durability and long life operations. However, there are certain challenges associated with the use of nanocarbons and ensuing nanocomposites in this field markedly the adoption of appropriate carbon fiber coating technique, aggregation aptitude of nanocarbons, additional processing steps/cost, nanoparticle initiated invisible defects/voids, difficulty in machinability operations due to presence of nanoparticles, and corrosion risk of composite structures in contact with metal surfaces. By overcoming these hinderances, nanoparticles modified carbon fiber based composites can be promising towards a new look of upcoming modernized aerospace industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black shale of the Mesoproterozoic Cuizhuang Formation in the Changcheng System in Yongji city, North China Craton, is a potential source rock. Understanding the organic matter enrichment mechanism is crucial for evaluating source rock resources and understanding oil and gas accumulation mechanisms. In this study, we evaluated the sedimentary paleoenvironment and organic matter enrichment mechanisms of shale using thin section observations, mineral composition analysis, organic geochemistry, and elemental geochemistry. We found significant differences in the sedimentary paleoenvironment and organic matter enrichment mechanisms between the lower Cuizhuang Formation and the Beidajian Formation shale. The Cuizhuang Formation was deposited in a late-stage, restricted basin environment during the rift phase, and elemental and geochemical indicators showed that the Cuizhuang Formation was in a suboxiceanoxic water environment, that was influenced by a warm and humid paleoclimate and submarine hydrothermal activities, which promoted the accumulation of organic matter. However, the enrichment of organic matter in the Cuizhuang Formation was mainly controlled by redox conditions. The formation of suboxic-anoxic water environments may be closely related to the warm and humid paleoclimate and submarine hydrothermal activities. Warm conditions promote continental weathering and increase marine productivity, thereby consuming oxygen in the bottom water. Moreover, acidic hydrothermal activity also helps to establish an anoxic environment. Our results reveal the effects controlling various coupled mechanisms dominated by redox conditions, which may explain the development of source rocks in the Cuizhuang Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we have prepared SiO2 particles uploaded MXene nanosheets via in-situ hydrolysis of tetraetholothosilicate. Due to the large number of groups at the edges of MXene, SiO2 grows at the edges first, forming MXene@SiO2 composites with a unique core-rim structure. The tribological properties of MXene@SiO2 as lubricating additive in 500 SN are evaluated by SRV-5. The results show that MXene@SiO2 can reduce the friction coefficient of 500 SN from 0.572 to 0.108, the wear volume is reduced by 73.7%, and the load capacity is increased to 800 N. The superior lubricity of MXene@SiO2 is attributed to the synergistic effect of MXene and SiO2. The rolling friction caused by SiO2 not only improves the bearing capacity but also increases the interlayer distance of MXene, avoiding accumulation and making it more prone to interlayer slip. MXene@SiO2 is adsorbed on the friction interface to form a physical adsorption film and isolate the friction pair. In addition, the high temperature and high load induce the tribochemical reaction and form a chemical protection film during in the friction process. Ultimately, the presence of these protective films results in MXene@SiO2 having good lubricating properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital economy is gradually emerging as a new driving force and engine for high-quality economic development. In the context of reaching carbon peak and carbon neutrality, can the digital economy empower the development of urban green technology innovation? Based on the panel data of 274 cities in China from 2011 to 2019, this paper measures the development level of digital economy at the city level and employs the two-way fixed effect model to empirically analyze the impact of digital economy on urban green technology innovation. The results indicate that: (1) Digital economy development exert a significant positive impact on urban green technology innovation. This conclusion still holds after a series of robustness tests. (2) Digital economy enhances urban green technology innovation by optimizing human capital structure, enhancing the level of financial and credit investment, and strengthening public environmental concern. (3) Heterogeneity analyses show that the digital economy has a greater positive effect on green technology innovation in the eastern region and non-resource cities. The higher the level of intellectual property protection and the better the development of the factor market, and the lower the intensity of environmental regulation, the greater the positive effect of the digital economy on urban green technology innovation. These findings are not only of great practical significance for accelerating the development of green technology innovation in China, but also serve as a reference for other developing countries to utilize the digital economy to empower the development of green technology innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual stresses have a significant influence on the load carrying capacity of gears. High near-surface compressive residual stresses can increase pitting strength and tooth root bending strength up to 50%. Tooth flank fracture (TFF) is a gear fatigue failure mode, which is in contrast to pitting or tooth root breakage not initiated at the surface or close to the surface but in larger material depths beneath the active gear flank. Therefore, the residual stresses in larger material depths are decisive for TFF. In these larger material depths, the residual stress conditions are almost unknown up to now. It is assumed that tensile residual stresses are present in these areas, which can negatively influence the TFF load carrying capacity. So far, no validated methods are known to estimate or predict these tensile residual stresses. As a result, the tensile residual stresses could not be considered in the calculation methods for the risk of TFF at all until recently. This paper presents a method to predict the residual stresses in case-carburized gears based on comprehensive numerical simulations of case-carburizing processes of different-sized gears. The calculated residual stress profiles also consider the tensile residual stresses in larger material depths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Foundry Technology (1000-8365) is the property of Foundry Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Neuroinflammation caused by microglia in the central nervous system (CNS) is observed after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the inflammatory response mechanism remains unclear. BuChang Naoxintong capsule (NXT) is a Chinese medicine for treating ischemic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, requiring more studies to understand the pharmacodynamic mechanism. Permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was performed in rats. Additionally, histopathological staining in the left ventricular (LV) and immunofluorescence within the brain cortex after 1 d and 7 d of MI were performed to determine the NXT pharmacodynamic action and best administration dosage. Proteomics helped obtain the essential proteins related to neuroinflammation and MI in the heart and brain tissue after 7 d of MI. Based on TTC, HE, Masson, and immunofluorescence staining results of CD206 and IBA-1, NXT demonstrated a better pharmacodynamic action towards myocardial injury and neuroinflammation after 7 d of MI. Moreover, the human equivalent dosage of NXT (220 mg/kg) became the best administration dose. The proteome bioinformatics analysis in the LV and brain cortex was performed. Thus, the elongation of very long-chain fatty acids protein 5 (ELOVL5) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 4 (ABCG4) became critical proteins related to MI and neuroinflammation. The western blotting results indicated that ABCG4 expression possessed the same trend as the proteomics results. The auto-dock results revealed that ABCG4 had a good binding ability with Ferulic acid, Paeoniflorin, and Tanshinone II A, the key ingredients of NXT. The cellular thermal shift assay results demonstrated that ABCG4 showed better thermal stability post-NXT treatment. NXT can improve myocardial injury, such as heart infarct size, pathological injury, myocardial fibrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Additionally, brain neuroinflammation induced by microglia after MI affects the expression and structure of ABCG4. Thus, ABCG4 could be the key protein associated with MI and neuroinflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic depigmentation and milk-white patches on the skin. Skin infiltration by autoreactive CD8 + T cells causes melanocyte destruction in vitiligo. Multiple risk factors, particularly immune-related inflammatory factors, are involved in the disappearance of melanocytes. LL37 is a classic damage-associated molecular pattern molecule that is involved in the development of various autoimmune diseases. An enhanced expression of LL37 in vitiligo is known; however, the exact role of LL37 in melanocyte loss has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we detected increased LL37 expression in vitiligo serum and lesions. Furthermore, we confirmed that cultured keratinocytes released LL37 after treatment with H 2 O 2 . Moreover, the LL37-DNA complex enhanced the secretion of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL16 from keratinocytes via the TLR9-MyD88 signaling pathway and facilitated the migration of CD8 + T cells. Altogether, our study demonstrates that LL37 released from keratinocytes binds to DNA and contributes to melanocyte destruction under oxidative stress-induced autoimmunity in vitiligo., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Indole-3-carboxaldehyde (3-IAld), a tryptophan metabolite derived from gut microbiota, has been reported to protect the intestine against radiation injury. This study aimed to clarify the role of Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) and its metabolite indole-3-carboxaldehyde (3-IAld) in the pathophysiology of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (II/R) injury. Superior mesenteric artery occlusion and reperfusion were performed to establish II/R mice, and pathological injury in II/R mice was evaluated. II/R mice showed impaired gut microbiota diversity and reduced abundance of B. longum in the intestines. Transplantation of B. longum mitigated II/R injury by protecting the integrity of the intestinal barrier and reducing inflammatory response. The 3-IAld level increased after transplantation of B. longum, and 3-IAld treatment inhibited the inflammatory response of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) was a target of 3-IAld, and HDAC3 was translocated to mitochondria to promote mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) during macrophage inflammasome formation. HDAC3 overexpression promoted the formation of macrophage inflammasomes in intestinal tissues. Overall, this study confirmed the beneficial effects of B. longum in combating II/R injury through HDAC3-mediated control of mitochondrial FAO and macrophage inflammasome formation via 3-IAld., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: All animal experiments were approved by All of the experiments were approved by the Review Committee of the Animal Experiment Administration Committee of the Air Force Medical University (approval no. IACUC-20230133) and following the National Institutes of Health Guide concerning the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

This study analyzed the impact of land-based contaminants and tertiary industrial structure on economic development in the selected Bohai Bay area, China. Based on panel data spanning 2011–2020, a vector autoregressive (VAR) model is used to analyze and forecast the short-run and long-run relationships between three industrial structures, pollutant discharge, and economic development. The results showed that the environmental index had a long-term cointegration relationship with the industrial structure economic index. Per capital chemical oxygen demand (PCOD) and per capita ammonia nitrogen (PNH3N) had a positive impact on delta per capita GDP (dPGDP), while per capita solid waste (PSW), the secondary industry rate (SIR) and delta tertiary industry (dTIR) had a negative impact on dPGDP. The VAR model under this coupling system had stability and credibility. The impulse response results showed that the short-term effect of the coupling system on dPGDP was basically consistent with the Granger causality test results. In addition, variance decomposition was used in this study to predict the long-term impact of the coupling system in the next ten periods (i.e., ten years). It was found that dTIR had a great impact on dPGDP, with a contribution rate as high as 74.35% in the tenth period, followed by the contribution rate of PCOD up to 3.94%, while the long-term contribution rates of PSW, SIR and PNH3N were all less than 1%. The results show that the government should support the development of the tertiary industry to maintain the vitality of economic development and prevent environmental deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica is the property of Acta Materiea Compositae Sinica Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Green manure application presents a valuable strategy for enhancing soil fertility and promoting ecological sustainability. By leveraging green manures for effective nitrogen management in agricultural fields can significantly reduce the dependency of primary crops on chemical nitrogen fertilizers, thereby fostering resource efficiency. This review examines the current advancements in the green manure industry, focusing on the modulation of nitrogen transformation in soil and how crops absorb and utilize nitrogen after green manure application. Initially, the influence of green manure on soil nitrogen transformation is delineated, covering processes such as soil nitrogen immobilization, and mineralization, and losses including NH3, N2O, and NO3−-N leaching. The review then delves into the effects of green manure on the composition and function of soil microbial communities, highlighting their role in nitrogen transformation. It emphasizes the available nitrogen content in the soil, this article discussing nitrogen uptake and utilization by plants, including aspects such as nitrogen translocation, distribution, the root system, and the rhizosphere environment of primary crops. This provides insights into the mechanisms that enhance nitrogen uptake and utilization when green manures are reintroduced into fields. Finally, the review anticipates future research directions in modulating soil nitrogen dynamics and crop nitrogen uptake through green manure application, aiming to advance research and the development of the green manure sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfluidic chips are valuable tools for studying intricate cellular and cell-microenvironment interactions. Traditional in vitro cancer models lack accuracy in mimicking the complexities of in vivo tumor microenvironment. However, cancer-metastasis-on-a-chip (CMoC) models combine the advantages of 3D cultures and microfluidic technology, serving as powerful platforms for exploring cancer mechanisms and facilitating drug screening. These chips are able to compartmentalize the metastatic cascade, deepening the understanding of its underlying mechanisms. This article provides an overview of current CMoC models, focusing on distinctive models that simulate invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and colonization, and their applications in drug screening. Furthermore, challenges faced by CMoC and microfluidic technologies are discussed, while exploring promising future directions in cancer research. The ongoing development and integration of these models into cancer studies are expected to drive transformative advancements in the field., (© 2024 The Authors. Advanced Healthcare Materials published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Alkali and Co2+ co-modulation has seldom been investigated as a prospective strategy to achieve high-efficient microwave absorbing (MA) materials. In this work, a new alkali and Co ion exchange co-modulation strategy was first reported, leading to broadband MA capacity through simultaneous manipulating multiple factors, such as composition, micromorphology, and heterogeneous interface. And enhancements in impedance matching and magnetic–dielectric loss were synergistically realized. Consequently, the optimized FeCo alloy@porous carbon (FPC) nanocomposite with the alkali regulation delivered an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.72 GHz, making it the merely single FeCo-based metal-organic framework derived FPC absorber with a low filler content of 15 wt.%. Interestingly, the nanocomposites by ion exchange strategy realized the switchable "on/off" states on electromagnetic response. Furthermore, the radar cross-section (RCS) reduction value of the products reached 25.6 dB·m2 under the incident angle of 0°. In brief, this work not only offers the special role of alkali and Co2+ co-modulation in composition regulation, structure design, and MA capacity, but also provides a reliable strategy to develop smart nano-absorbers to cope with electromagnetic pollution issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heart is one of the organs that is sensitive to developing delayed adverse effects of ionizing radiation (IR) exposure. Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) occurs in cancer patients and cancer survivors, as a side effect of radiation therapy of the chest, with manifestation several years post-radiotherapy. Moreover, the continued threat of nuclear bombs or terrorist attacks puts deployed military service members at risk of exposure to total or partial body irradiation. Individuals who survive acute injury from IR will experience delayed adverse effects that include fibrosis and chronic dysfunction of organ systems such as the heart within months to years after radiation exposure. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an innate immune receptor that is implicated in several cardiovascular diseases. Studies in preclinical models have established the role of TLR4 as a driver of inflammation and associated cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction using transgenic models. This review explores the relevance of the TLR4 signaling pathway in radiation-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in acute as well as late effects on the heart tissue and the potential for the development of TLR4 inhibitors as a therapeutic target to treat or alleviate RIHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles which carry specific molecular information from donor cells and act as an intercellular communication vehicle, which have emerged as a novel cell-free strategy for the treatment of many diseases including inflammatory disease. Recently, rising studies have developed exosome-based strategies for novel inflammation therapy due to their biocompatibility and bioactivity. Researchers not only use native exosomes as therapeutic agents for inflammation, but also strive to make up for the natural defects of exosomes through engineering methods to improve and update the property of exosomes for enhanced therapeutic effects. The engineered exosomes can improve cargo-loading efficiency, targeting ability, stability, etc., to achieve combined and diverse treatment strategies in inflammation diseases. Herein, a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in application studies of native and engineered exosomes as well as the engineered methods is provided. Meanwhile, potential application prospects, possible challenges, and the development of clinical researches of exosome treatment strategy are concluded from plentiful examples, which may be able to provide guidance and suggestions for the future research and application of exosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mortality rate among cancer patients is primarily attributed to tumor metastasis. The evaluation of metastasis potential provides a powerful framework for personalized therapies. However, little work has so far been undertaken to precisely model tumor metastasis in vitro, hindering the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions. In this work, a tumor-metastasis-mimicked Transwell-integrated organoids-on-a-chip platform (TOP) for precisely evaluating tumor metastatic potential is developed. Unlike the conventional Transwell device for detecting cell migration, the engineered device facilitates the assessment of metastasis in patient-derived organoids (PDO). Furthermore, a novel Transwell chamber with a hexagon-shaped structure is developed to mimic the migration of tumor cells into surrounding tissues, allowing for the evaluation of tumor metastasis in a horizontal direction. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, tumor organoids and metastatic clusters are further evaluated at the protein, genetic, and phenotypic levels. In addition, preliminary drug screening is undertaken to highlight the potential for using the device to combat cancers. In summary, the tumor-metastasis-mimicked TOP offers unique capabilities for evaluating the metastasis potential of tumor organoids and contributes to the development of personalized cancer therapies., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Due to the almost unlimited resource and acceptable performance, Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been regarded as a promising alternative for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for grid-scale energy storage. As the key material of SIBs, hard carbon (HC) plays a decisive role in determining the batteries' performance. Nevertheless, the micro-structure of HCs is quite complex and the random organization of turbostratically stacked graphene layers, closed pores, and defects make the structure-performance relationship insufficiently revealed. On the other hand, the impending large-scale deployment of SIBs leads to producing HCs with low-cost and abundant precursors actively pursued. In this work, the recent progress of preparing HCs from different precursors including biomass, polymers, and fossil fuels is summarized with close attention to the influences of precursors on the structural evolution of HCs. After a brief introduction of the structural features of HCs, the recent understanding of the structure-performance relationship of HCs for sodium storage is summarized. Then, the main focus is concentrated on the progress of producing HCs from distinct precursors. After that, the pros and cons of HCs derived from different precursors are comprehensively compared to conclude the selection rules of precursors. Finally, the further directions of HCs are deeply discussed to end this review., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

In this study, a well‐designed benzimidazolyl‐substituted cyclotriphosphazene (BICP) was used as a versatile additive to enhance the integrated performances of bisphenol A‐aniline based benzoxazine (BA‐a). Our results showed that the BA‐a/BICP systems possessed lower curing temperature than virgin BA‐a due to the catalytic action of tertiary amines in BICP. Moreover, the thermal resistance of BA‐a/BICP thermosets was better than that of BA‐a thermoset because of the rigid structure and high thermal stability of BICP. The introduction of BICP significantly enhanced the fire safety of BA‐a. For instance, the limiting oxygen index and UL‐94 rating of BA‐a/BICP‐11 sample with 11 wt% of BICP were up to 35.2% and V‐0. Compared with BA‐a, the total smoke production and peak smoke production rate of BA‐a/BICP‐17 sample with 17 wt% of BICP were reduced by 36.5% and 39.3%, respectively. The improved fire safety of BA‐a/BICP sample was mainly due to the condensed‐phase effect of BICP. This work provides a simple strategy for the development of advanced benzoxazine resins with low curing temperature, great thermal properties, and superior fire safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Along with blood glucose levels, diabetic retinopathy (DR) development also involves endogenous risk factors, such as trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a product of intestinal flora metabolic disorder, which exacerbates diabetic microvascular complications. However, the effect of TMAO on retinal cells under high-glucose conditions remains unclear. Therefore, this study examined the effects of TMAO on high-glucose-induced retinal dysfunction in the context of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which is involved in DR. Materials and Methods. TMAO was assessed in the serum and aqueous humor of patients using ELISA. Human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) were treated for 72 h as follows: NG (normal glucose, D-glucose 5.5 mM), NG + TMAO (5 μM), HG (high glucose, D-glucose 30 mM), and HG + TMAO (5 μM). The CCK8 assay was then used to assess cell proliferation; wound healing, cell migration, and tube formation assays were used to verify changes in cell phenotype. ZO-1 expression was determined using immunofluorescence and western blotting. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was assessed using DCFH-DA. NLRP3 inflammasome complex activation was determined using a western blot. Results. The serum and aqueous humor from patients with PDR contained higher levels of TMAO compared to patients with nontype 2 diabetes (Control), non-DR (NDR), and non-PDR (NPDR). TMAO showed significant acceleration of high-glucose-induced cell proliferation, wound healing, cell migration, and tube formation. ZO-1 expression decreased remarkably with the combined action of TMAO and a high glucose compared to either treatment alone. TMAO also promoted high-glucose-activated NLRP3 inflammasome complex. Conclusion. The combination of TMAO and high-glucose results in increased levels of ROS and NLRP3 inflammasome complex activation in HRMECs, leading to exacerbated retinal dysfunction and barrier failure. Thus, TMAO can accelerate PDR occurrence and development, thus indicating the need for early fundus monitoring in diabetic patients with intestinal flora disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental Science & Technology (10036504) is the property of Editorial Board of Environmental Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Neurological diseases remain a major concern due to the high world mortality rate and the absence of appropriate therapies to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Therefore, the major focus is on the development of such strategies that not only enhance the efficacy of drugs but also increase their permeability in the BBB. Currently, nano-scale materials seem to be an appropriate approach to treating neurological diseases based on their drug-loading capacity, reduced toxicity, targeted delivery, and enhanced therapeutic effect. Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient and has been of remarkable interest owing to its essential role in the physiological activity of the nervous system, i.e., signal transmission, memory, coordination, and locomotor activity. A deficiency of Se leads to various neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, owing to the neuroprotective role of Se (selenium) nanoparticles (SeNPs) are of particular interest to treat neurological diseases. To date, many studies investigate the role of altered microbiota with neurological diseases; thus, the current review focused not only on the recent advancement in the field of nanotechnology, considering SeNPs to cure neurological diseases, but also on investigating the potential role of SeNPs in altered microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric discharge machining (EDM) is a type of high-precision machining usually applied to hard-material machining for mold manufacturing and in the aerospace industry. Longer process times typically reduce facility efficiency. The use of electrochemistry machining (ECM) can overcome this challenge to efficiently machine large workpieces. Some industries have adopted and combined these two processes for Inconel 718 material machining. However, the use of coordinate-measuring machine times to determine the machining accuracy of these two processes is difficult. This study matched process features by analyzing the electric driving pulses of ECM and EDM. Fitting intelligent sensing signals that respond to dimensional measurements can be used to analyze electrical pulse signals. For analyzing a cross-process model using extracted key features of the process, our feedback-based system determines lower machining measurement errors and improves geometric size. Finally, the processing time of experiments can be reduced by 80%, and our proposed model has a prediction accuracy of approximately 0.01 mm 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagenetic fluids is one of the most important reservoir modifiers, their differences can result in various petrography, storage capacity, and geochemical characteristics, so clarifying the diagenetic fluids is vital for understanding dolostone origin. Dolomitization is an important genetic type of dolostone reservoir, the fluid properties differ in different dolomitization, which may lead to reservoir storage capacity changes. Therefore, the identification of dolomitization fluid properties is critical for deeply understanding of dolomitization process and predicting storage capacity. Two types of dolostone are developed in submember Ma55 of Majiagou Formation in northwestern Ordos Basin, with obviously different petrological characteristics and reservoir properties. On the basis of petrological studies such as core and casting thin section observation and cathodoluminescence analysis, the diagenetic fluid properties of these two dolostone are characterized by geochemical analytical methods such as major and trace element tests. The results show that Type-1 dolostone is mainly composed of micritic dolomite, showing micritic structure and algae-rich lamina structure, and accompanied by evaporite minerals and moldic pores. This type of dolostone has a various Mn content, weak to medium cathodoluminescence intensity, high contents of TiO2, Al2O3, K2O+Na2O, Li, and U, and lower content of TFe2O3. The type-2 dolostone is composed of fine-grained dolomite with obvious residual texture of primary limestone, clear brim, and cloudy center structure, accompanied by the existence of intergranular pores. Most of this kind of dolostone have medium-strong cathodoluminescence, higher TFe2O3 content and lower TiO2, Al2O3, K2O+Na2O, Li, and U contents. Moreover, both the two types of dolostone have similar Fe/Ca and Mn/Ca ratios, and a low and concentrated CaO content, whose composition is similar to that of stoichiometric dolomite. The comprehensive analysis shows that the diagenetic fluid of Type-1 dolostone is mainly a high salinity fluid existed in plaster and calcareous sediments in a near surface environment with low temperature. The diagenetic fluid of Type-2 dolostone may be a high salinity brine formed by evaporation and concentration of seawater with normal salinity. The research results will provide a significant theoretical basis for the evaluation of dolostone reservoir quality and the prediction of favorable areas of reservoir distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the composite laminated T-beams using the composite beam and laminated composite plate theories. The theoretical formula was derived assuming that the composite T-beam has one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) structures. The 1D analysis was performed according to the Kirchhoff-Love hypothesis, thereby considering only the axial strain to derive a relationship between the strain and displacement. The 2D analysis was performed considering the T-beam as a combination of two composite sheets. The effective stiffness of the beam was derived from the stress-strain and moment-curvature relationships. Furthermore, the deflection of the beam and the stress of each laminate were calculated. A simple support beam, made of AS4/3501-6 carbon/epoxy, was used as a composite laminated T-beam. MSC/NASTRAN finite element software was used for analysis. The accuracy of the theoretical formula and limitations of its use was verified using the finite element analysis. Higher accuracy of the theoretical formula was obtained at a composite beam aspect ratio greater than 15. The formula derived in this study is suitable for thin and long beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations of biologically active substances sourced from xylotrophic macromycetes have shown their fundamental and practical significance. These studies have promoted the development of biotechnologies by obtaining the valuable products from the mycelial biomass and cultivation liquid and using these fungal species in "white chemistry". Research into environmentally safe biological methods of stimulating the growth of medicinal and edible mushrooms can assist the development of scientific foundations of culture technologies. From the viewpoint of their bio-technological potential, selected factors of biological origin that promote the growth of wide-scale cultivated basidiomycetes are of interest. Improving mushroom resistance against negative environmental impacts seems to be feasible when the mushroom grows in combination with growth-promoting bacteria. The soil bacteria from the Azospirillum genus have attracted attention, as microorganisms are capable of actively influencing the growth and development of agricultural crops. Thus, revealing and exploring the growth-promoting properties of different species of Azospirillum with respect to edible and/or medicinal mushrooms, as well as the properties promoting the suppression of contaminants in double culture, are believed to be feasible and to reveal undoubted novelty. Cultivation jointly with the beneficial bacteria is a more effective biotechnological method for obtaining this valuable functional food faster, with a greater and much better and maintained mushroom yield. Future work involves addressing the problems of mushroom growth promoting bacterial interactions with mushrooms and implementing these synthetic microbial associations into agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal gangue is a solid waste produced during the process of coal mining and washing. To effectively utilize coal gangue and reduce the damage to the natural environment, the feasibility of using coal gangue in road base was researched. The physical and chemical experiments of coal gangue in Huaibei area were carried out. The results showed that coal gangue could meet the relevant requirements of specifications and was able to be used in road base. According to the compaction test and unconfined compressive strength test, the mixture ratio design method of cement stabilized macadam-gangue has been determined, which was 25%-30% 1# crushed stone, 16%-18% stone powder, 43%-47% coal gangue, and 2# crushed stone. Based on this mix design method, a series of performance tests of cement stabilized macadam-coal gangue were conducted. The results of compression test, compression rebound modulus test, splitting strength test and splitting rebound modulus test demonstrated that the strength and the modulus is great. Besides, mixtures with Gradation 7 performed better than that with Gradation 5. The cement stabilized macadam-gangue can be used in road base and Gradation 7 is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genesis of dolostone has long been puzzling for more than two centuries. Although much work has been done on investigating the process of dolomitization, little emphasis has been put on examining the diagenetic water redox condition with the wealthy geochemical information preserved in primary dolomite, which is believed to archive the aqueous environment as well as biotic and/or abiotic effects during formation. In situ interpretation with high resolution is a prerequisite in refined research of dolomite. Here, we reported the multielement imaging results of a lacustrine dolomite nodule with the host black shale from the Songliao Basin, northeast of China. Micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) with a spatial resolution down to 10 μm was used for in situ scanning. Two key parameter settings of the μ-XRF, including single-point exposure time and spatial resolution, were optimized to achieve a better result in a reasonable scanning time scale. The final imaging data graphically revealed dynamic variation of elemental distributions, including elements enriched in dolomite (e.g., Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn), clastic quartz (Si), and clay minerals (e.g., Al and K) and redox-sensitive trace elements (e.g., Cr, Mo, V, and U). The well-preserved laminated structures inside the nodule and the features with a magnesium-rich core wrapped with an iron-concentric outer layer and a manganese-concentric shell together indicated its primary form as dolomite and a gradual transformation into ankerite as well as manganese-ankerite. The elemental variation indicates a varied bottom water redox condition, which involved from sulfidic to ferruginous and manganous zones. Here, we propose that the intermittent supplies of sulfate and Fe-/Mn-oxidized minerals interrupting the black shale deposition while favoring dolomitization might be brought by the oxidized and salted seawater. And this lacustrine dolomite is expected to be a potential fingerprint mineral in tracking the seawater intrusions to the Songliao Basin which happened 91 million years ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of oxygen is one of the most important characteristics that distinguish Earth from other planets in the solar system, which is also considered to be the key factor influencing the birth and evolution of complex life forms. The oxygenation process of the Earth surface has long been viewed to be episodic with two critical intervals occurring in the early Paleoproterozoic (2.45–2.10 Ga) and the late Neoproterozoic (0.80–0.54 Ga), with a 1.3-billion-year-long low oxygen period in between. Recently, increasing independent works carried out by different scientific teams in the Yanliao Basin, North China are demonstrating that the atmospheric oxygen concentrations had reached >4% PAL (present atmospheric levels) at least during 1.59–1.56, 1.44–1.43, and 1.40–1.36 Ga. These estimated values are higher than the previously recommended values of <0.1–1% PAL. Such a scenario discovered in the Yanliao Basin is consistent with the synchronously deposited strata in Australia and Siberia, pointing to a Mesoproterozoic oxygenation event (1.59–1.36 Ga) between the two major oxygenation intervals during the Proterozoic. This Mesoproterozoic oxygenation event is coupled with the break-up of the Columbia (Nuna) supercontinent, the formation of organic-rich shales and Fe-Mn deposits, and the early innovation of eukaryotic algae, indicating that the geological and biological co-evolutionary processes control the Earth surface system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible and wearable sensors have shown great potential in tremendous applications such as human health monitoring, smart robots, and human–machine interfaces, yet the lack of suitable flexible power supply devices remains a great challenge hindering their practical applications. To this end, it is essential to develop novel flexible power supply devices that are highly flexible, lightweight, miniaturized, stable, and adaptable for the integration of a self-powered wearable system. Synthesizing intrinsically flexible materials and providing rigid materials good flexibility by a rational architectural design represent the most straightforward approaches to prepare flexible electrode and electrolyte materials, which lay the foundation for the assembly of flexible power devices. Besides, device configuration design and system integration are also essential steps to pave the way for flexible power devices towards real wearable applications. Herein, the main fabrication strategies including material synthesis, architecture design, device configuration design, and system integration for fabricating flexible power devices are overviewed. In addition, the existing challenges and future directions for the development of flexible power supply devices towards self-powered wearable systems will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraordinary electronic, optical, and mechanical characteristics of 2D materials make them promising candidates for optoelectronics, specifically in infrared (IR) detectors owing to their flexible composition and tunable optoelectronic properties. This review presents the recent progress in IR detectors composed of 2D materials and their hybrid structures, including graphene, black phosphorous, transition metal dichalcogenides, halide perovskite as well as other new layered materials and their heterostructures. The focus is on the short‐wave, mid‐wave, and long‐wave infrared regimes, which pose a grand challenge for rational materials and device designs. The dependence of the device performance on the optical and electronic properties of 2D materials is extensively discussed, aiming to present the general strategies for designing optoelectronic devices with optimal performance. Furthermore, the recent results on 2D material‐based heterostructures are presented with an emphasis on the relationship between band alignment, charge transfer, and IR photodetection. Finally, a summary is given as well as the discussion of existing challenges and future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation aims at analyzing the thin film flow passed over an inclined moving plate. The differential type non-Newtonian fluid of Williamson has been used as a base fluid in its unsteady state. The physical configuration of the oscillatory flow pattern has been demonstrated and especial attention has been paid to the oscillatory phenomena. The shear stresses have been combined with the energy equation. The uniform magnetic field has been applied perpendicularly to the flow field. The principal equations for fluid motion and temperature profiles have been modeled and simplified in the form of non-linear partial differential equations. The non-linear differential equations have been solved with the help of a powerful analytical technique known as Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method (OHAM). This method contains unknown convergence controlling parameters C1, C2, C3, ... which results in more efficient and fast convergence as compared to other analytical techniques. The OHAM results have been verified by using a second method known as Adomian Decomposition Method (ADM). The closed agreement of these two methods and the fast convergence of OHAM has been shown graphically and numerically. The comparison of the present work and published work has also been equated graphically and tabulated with absolute error. Moreover, the effect of important physical parameters like magnetic parameter M, gravitational parameter m, Oscillating parameter ω, Eckert number Ec and Williamson number We have also been derived and discussed in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To gain insight into the natural history of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection following unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) in seropositive patients, we analyzed the data of 349 seropositive patients who received UCBT in Korea between 2000 and 2011. CMV reactivation occurred in 49 % (171/349) of the CMV-seropositive transplant recipients at a median of 31 days post UCBT. One hundred sixty-four out of 171 patients (96 %) received preemptive therapy. The median duration of CMV reactivation was 29 days. In multivariate analysis, weight >22 kg, use of total body irradiation, use of pre-transplant antithymocyte globulin, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis with mycophenolate mofetil, and presence of grade II-IV acute GVHD were independent predictors of CMV reactivation. CMV reactivation did not impact transplantation-related mortality (TRM), leukemia relapse, or survival. CMV disease was diagnosed in 62 patients (17.8 %) at a median 55 days after UCBT. Longer duration of CMV reactivation was the only risk factor for progression to CMV disease ( p = 0.01). CMV disease resulted in higher TRM (56.0 vs. 31.4 %, p < 0.01) and lower survival (36.1 vs. 55.1 %, p = 0.02). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

III–V group nanomaterials with a narrow bandgap have been demonstrated to be promising building blocks in future electronic and optoelectronic devices. Thus, revealing the underlying structural evolutions under various external stimuli is quite necessary. To present a clear view about the structure–property relationship of III–V nanowires (NWs), this review mainly focuses on key procedures involved in the synthesis, fabrication, and application of III–V materials-based devices. We summarized the influence of synthesis methods on the nanostructures (NWs, nanodots and nanosheets) and presented the role of catalyst/droplet on their synthesis process through in situ techniques. To provide valuable guidance for device design, we further summarize the influence of structural parameters (phase, defects and orientation) on their electrical, optical, mechanical and electromechanical properties. Moreover, the dissolution and contact formation processes under heat, electric field and ionic water environments are further demonstrated at the atomic level for the evaluation of structural stability of III–V NWs. Finally, the promising applications of III–V materials in the energy-storage field are introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the solvability of boundary value problems for a parabolic equation with coefficients growing near the boundary. It discusses the estimates for higher derivatives of the solutions characterizing their possible growth near the parabolic boundary of the domain. It was found out the boundedness condition can be weakened so that it is allowed to grow near the parabolic boundary of the domain.

Many microslits are typically manufactured on quartz substrates and are used to improve their industrial performance. The fabrication of microslits on quartz is difficult and expensive to achieve using recent traditional machining processes due to its hardness, electrically insulating nature, and brittleness. The key objective of the current study was to demonstrate the fabrication of microslits on quartz material through a magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)-assisted traveling wire-electrochemical discharge micromachining process. Hydrogen gas bubbles were concentrated around the entire wire surface during electrolysis. This led to a less active dynamic region of the wire electrode, which decreased the adequacy of the electrolysis process and the machining effectiveness. The test results affirmed that the MHD convection approach evacuated the gas bubbles more rapidly and improved the void fraction in the gas bubble scattering layer. Furthermore, the improvements in the material removal rate and length of the cut were 85.28% and 48.86%, respectively, and the surface roughness was reduced by 30.39% using the MHD approach. A crossover methodology with a Taguchi design and ANOVA was utilized to study the machining performance. This exploratory investigation gives an unused strategy that shows a few advantages over the traditional TW-ECDM process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]