Rolled‐up crystals: Photoinduced bending of large single crystals has been realized based on a simple organic small molecule (see picture). The bending process is accompanied with high visual ...fluorescence contrast, which is essential for remote detection of photomechanical work.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The brittle–ductile transition temperature (BDTT) and fracture toughness are useful indicators of the brittleness of reactor pressure vessel materials. However, current methods to analyze these ...parameters are expensive and time-consuming; moreover, the relevant mechanism is not very clear. Thus, in this study, a body-centered cubic crystal plasticity finite element model (CPFEM) based on the densities of dislocation and irradiation defects, which are full- and partial-absorption dislocation loops, was numerically implemented on A508-3 steel. Irradiation embrittlement was investigated in the CPFEM framework. The cleavage failure model for a representative volume element was proposed to calculate the BDTT, the results of which agreed well with experimental results in the literature for both unirradiated and irradiated samples. The risk for brittle failure is higher for irradiated samples at constant temperature. Furthermore, the proposed model combined with the Beremin cleavage fracture local approach, could estimate the fracture toughness of A508-3 steel at different temperatures before and after irradiation. The results obtained were consistent with reported experimental data, indicating that irradiation exacerbates the embrittlement. This work is beneficial to the calculation and evaluation of irradiation effect of RPV steel, providing reference for the research of reactor life extension.
Full text
Available for:
EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Most plant viruses are vectored by insects and the interactions of virus-plant-vector have important ecological and evolutionary implications. Insect vectors often perform better on virus-infected ...plants. This indirect mutualism between plant viruses and insect vectors promotes the spread of virus and has significant agronomical effects. However, few studies have investigated how plant viruses manipulate plant defenses and promote vector performance. Begomoviruses are a prominent group of plant viruses in tropical and sub-tropical agro-ecosystems and are transmitted by whiteflies. Working with the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, begomoviruses and tobacco, we revealed that C2 protein of begomoviruses lacking DNA satellites was responsible for the suppression of plant defenses against whitefly vectors. We found that infection of plants by tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), one of the most devastating begomoviruses worldwide, promoted the survival and reproduction of whitefly vectors. TYLCV C2 protein suppressed plant defenses by interacting with plant ubiquitin. This interaction compromised the degradation of JAZ1 protein, thus inhibiting jasmonic acid defense and the expression of MYC2-regulated terpene synthase genes. We further demonstrated that function of C2 protein among begomoviruses not associated with satellites is well conserved and ubiquitination is an evolutionarily conserved target of begomoviruses for the suppression of plant resistance to whitefly vectors. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ubiquitination inhibition by begomovirus C2 protein might be a general mechanism in begomovirus, whitefly and plant interactions.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Intelligent and coordinated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarm combat will be the main mode of warfare in the future, and mechanistic design of autonomous cooperation within swarms is the ...key to enhancing combat effectiveness. Exploration of the essential features and patterns of autonomous collaboration in unmanned swarms has become the focus of scientific research and technological applications, in keeping with the evolving conceptions of the military theatre. However, given the unique attributes of the military and the novelty of the warfare mode of unmanned swarms, few achievements have been reported in the existing research. In this study, we analysed the military requirements of unmanned swarm operations and proposed an analytic framework for autonomous collaboration. Then, a literature review addressing swarm evolution dynamics, game-based swarm collaboration, and collaborative evolution on complex networks was conducted. Next, on the basis of the above work, we designed a community network for unmanned swarm cooperation and constructed a collaborative evolution model based on the multiplayer public goods game (PGG). Furthermore, according to the “network” and “model”, the dynamic evolution process of swarm collaboration was formally deduced. Finally, a simulation was conducted to analyse the influence of relevant parameters (i.e., swarm size, degree distribution, cost, multiplication factor) on the collaborative behaviour of unmanned swarms. According to the simulation results, some reasonable suggestions for collaborative management and control in swarm operation are given, which can provide theoretical reference and decision-making support for the design of coordination mechanisms and improved combat effectiveness in unmanned swarm operation.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
RIPK4 has been implicated in multiple cancer types, but its role in ovarian cancer (OC) has not been clearly elucidated. Our data from Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, RT-PCR, and ...immunohistochemical analysis showed that RIPK4 was expressed at higher levels in OC tissues and cells than in normal ovarian tissues and cells. Increased RIPK4 expression in OC markedly correlated with a worse overall survival than lower RIPK4 expression levels (hazard rate (HR) 1.5 (1.45–1.87); P=0.001). In functional experiments, RIPK4 downregulation significantly inhibited metastatic behaviours in OC cells. Subsequently, based on data from 593 OC patients in the TCGA database, gene set enrichment analysis revealed that RIPK4 was involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OC. At the molecular level, silencing RIPK4 significantly downregulated vimentin, N-cadherin, and Twist expression but induced an increase in the protein level of E-cadherin and inhibited the IL-6 and STAT3 levels. Moreover, IL-6 levels were significantly decreased in RIPK4-silenced OC cells (P<0.05). The addition of IL-6 to OC cells rescued the suppressive effect of RIPK4 knockdown on EMT. Thus, our data illustrate that downregulation of RIPK4 expression can restrain EMT in OC by inhibiting IL-6. This finding may provide a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for improving the poor prognoses of OC patients.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose
CD8
+
T cells are primarily cytotoxic cells that provide immunological protection against malignant cells. Considerable evidence suggests that the T-cell repertoire is closely associated with ...the host immune response and the development of cancer. In this study, we explored the characteristics of the circulating CD8
+
T-cell repertoire and their potential value in predicting the clinical response of breast cancer patients to chemotherapy.
Experimental design
We applied a high-throughput TCR β-chain sequencing method to characterize the CD8
+
T-cell repertoire of the peripheral blood from 26 breast cancer patients. In addition, changes in the circulating CD8
+
T-cell repertoire during chemotherapy were analyzed.
Results
We found that the HEC ratios of the CD8
+
T-cell repertoires from HER2
+
breast cancer patients were significantly higher than those of HER2
−
patients, suggesting that the HER2 protein is released into circulation where it is targeted by CD8
+
T cells. Several Vβ and CDR3 motifs preferentially used in HER2
+
patients were identified. Besides, we found that the circulating CD8
+
T-cell repertoires evolved during chemotherapy and correlated with patient clinical responses to chemotherapy. Increased CD8
+
T-cell repertoire heterogeneity during chemotherapy was associated with a better clinical response.
Conclusions
Although functional studies of clonally expanded CD8
+
T-cell populations are clearly required, our results suggest that the circulating CD8
+
T-cell repertoire reflects the characteristics of the tumor-associated biomolecules released into the blood and correlates with the clinical responses of the patients to chemotherapy which might assist in making treatment decisions.
Full text
Available for:
EMUNI, FZAB, GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Lonimacranaldes A and B (1 and 2), along with one biogenetically related intermediate, lonimacranalde C (3), were isolated from the flower buds of
. Characterized by an iridoid structure and an ...additional C-6 unit with an aldehyde group, compounds 1 and 2 are the first examples of hybrid iridoids possessing an unexpected 6/5/6 fused tricyclic ring system, while compound 3 serves as an important precursor for their generation. The structures of lonimacranaldes A-C (1-3) were revealed by extensive spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analyses. A plausible biogenetic pathway for them was proposed. Compound 3 showed anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the production of IL-6 on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells with an IC
value of 6.33 μM.
Full text
Available for:
IJS, KILJ, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK
ObjectiveTo evaluate pharmacists’ knowledge, perceptions and practices towards generic substitution in the 11 pilot locations in China.DesignAn online cross-sectional survey using questionnaires was ...conducted. A convenience sampling technique was implemented to recruit pharmacists.Setting and participantsThe study took place in medical institutions of 11 pilot locations that participated in the pilot national centralised procurement programme in 2019. Two thousand two hundred and ninety-one pharmacists including hospital pharmacists or community pharmacists based on health-systems or clinics participated in the study.ResultsMost of the participants had the good knowledge of requirements for evaluating the quality and efficacy of generic drugs (n=2118; 92.4%), and the definition of generic drugs (n=2078; 90.7%). In terms of perceptions, 67.3% of respondents were of the opinion that generic drugs are equally as effective as the brand-name drugs, and 69.0% of respondents were of the opinion that generic drugs are as safe as brand equivalents. A high percentage of participants supported the policy of generic substitution (n=1634; 71.4%). A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between total knowledge score and total perception score (ρ=0.267; p<0.001). Efficacy, safety and the direction of national policies and hospital regulations were the main factors affecting pharmacists’ willingness to dispense generic drugs.ConclusionsThe study identified gaps in respondents’ knowledge and perceptions of generic substitution. Pharmacists who are more knowledgeable in generic drugs tend to hold a more supportive attitude towards generic substitution. Although it appeared that pharmacists in China have largely accepted generic substitution, they still have concerns regarding the reliability and quality of generic drugs. The current issues need to be addressed for the realisation of the true value of generic drugs as part of the country’s healthcare cost-containment strategy as well as the implementation of generic substitution policy in China.
Abstract
Background
Generic medicines substitution is an important means to control rapid growth of pharmaceutical expenditures for the healthcare system in China. Acceptance and utilization of ...generic medicines is highly influenced by healthcare providers’ perceptions. This study aimed to compare the knowledge, awareness and perceptions of generic medicines between physicians and pharmacists in China.
Methods
We used an online, cross-sectional survey across China. The questionnaire explored four sections: demographic characteristics, assessment of the participants’ knowledge and awareness of generic medicines, perceptions of generic medicines and generic substitution practices. Chi-square or Mann–Whitney-U tests were applied to compare differences between physicians and pharmacists.
P
-values < 0.05 were considered significant.
Results
A total of 1644 physicians and 4187 pharmacists participated. Most physicians (82.8%,
n
= 1362) and pharmacists (89.8%,
n
= 3760) correctly identified the definition of generic medicines. A similar percentage of physicians and pharmacists agreed that approved generic medicines are as effective (64.1% vs 68.2%) or safe (63.8% vs 69.1%) as brand-name medicines. Most physicians and pharmacists (67.6% vs 71.0%) supported the policy of generic substitution. In practice, 79.4% (
n
= 1305) of physicians reported that they had prescribed generic medicines. More than 78% of respondents reported an obvious increase in the number of generic medicines prescribed in their medical institutions. The majority of physicians and pharmacists identified lack of trust regarding efficacy and safety of generic medicines and the difficulty of changing patients’ preference as top challenges in generic substitution.
Conclusions
Both physicians and pharmacists surveyed had adequate knowledge of generic medicines, and hold positive attitude towards generics and generic substitution. Efficacy and safety are key factors related to prescribing or dispensing generic medicines. Various policies and regulations should be taken to encourage successful generic substitution.
Full text
Available for:
CEKLJ, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
PDF
