Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)—an emerging class of hybrid porous materials built from metal ions or clusters bridged by organic linkers—have attracted increasing attention in recent years. The ...superior properties of MOFs, such as well‐defined pore aperture, tailorable composition and structure, tunable size, versatile functionality, high agent loading, and improved biocompatibility, make them promising candidates as drug delivery hosts. Furthermore, scientists have made remarkable achievements in the field of nanomedical applications of MOFs, owing to their facile synthesis on the nanoscale and alternative functionalization via inclusion and surface chemistry. A brief introduction to the applications of MOFs in controlled drug/cargo delivery and cancer therapy that have been reported in recent years is provided here.
Important research progress of metal–organic framework (MOF)‐based drug/cargo delivery systems and their applications in the field of materials science and biomedicine are introduced, especially in terms of cancer theranostics. This is illustrated by individual MOFs, stimuli‐responsive MOFs, and multifunctional MOFs. Additionally, the challenges and development directions of such nanoplatforms are discussed.
As one of the most important constructs of individual differences in second language learning, motivation has garnered a lot of attention in the area of Second Language Acquisition (SLA). ...Nevertheless, little bibliometric research has been conducted to provide a systematic overview of this line of research, which will help researchers to better understand how motivation-related research in SLA has evolved over the past 22 years and where it might push the boundaries of SLA research into in the future. In this study, three types of bibliometric analyses (i.e., co-citation analysis, citation analysis, and keyword analysis) were performed to identify the prominent scholarly documents, authors, venues of publications, and research topics that have been highly influential in the research of motivation in SLA between 2000 and 2021. Results from scientific network maps and keyword analysis suggest significant changes in the topic over the past 22 years. The results in this study also indicate an evident continuity of theoretic development in L2 language learning motivation research. Moreover, an air of active use of qualitative approaches has been detected in L2 language learning motivation research in the last 22 years.
Exploration of low‐cost and earth‐abundant photocatalysts for highly efficient solar photocatalytic water splitting is of great importance. Although transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) showed ...outstanding performance as co‐catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), designing TMD‐hybridized photocatalysts with abundant active sites for the HER still remains challenge. Here, a facile one‐pot wet‐chemical method is developed to prepare MS2–CdS (M=W or Mo) nanohybrids. Surprisedly, in the obtained nanohybrids, single‐layer MS2 nanosheets with lateral size of 4–10 nm selectively grow on the Cd‐rich (0001) surface of wurtzite CdS nanocrystals. These MS2–CdS nanohybrids possess a large number of edge sites in the MS2 layers, which are active sites for the HER. The photocatalytic performances of WS2–CdS and MoS2–CdS nanohybrids towards the HER under visible light irradiation (>420 nm) are about 16 and 12 times that of pure CdS, respectively. Importantly, the MS2–CdS nanohybrids showed enhanced stability after a long‐time test (16 h), and 70 % of catalytic activity still remained.
A single layer makes the difference: MS2–CdS (M=W or Mo) nanohybrids with single‐layer MS2 nanosheets selectively grown on the Cd‐rich (0001) surface of wurtzite CdS nanocrystals (see picture) are synthesized by a facile one‐pot wet‐chemical method. The MS2–CdS nanohybrids showed excellent photocatalytic activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction and good stability.
The exploration of efficient electrocatalysts is the central issue for boosting the overall efficiency of water splitting. Herein, pertinently creating active sites and improving conductivity for ...metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is proposed to tailor electrocatalytic properties for overall water splitting. An Ni(II)‐MOF nanosheet array is presented as an ideal material model and a facile alkali‐etched strategy is developed to break its NiO bonds accompanied with the introduction of extra‐framework K cations, which contribute to creating highly active open metal sites and largely improving the electrical conductivity. As a result, the assembled defect‐Ni‐MOF||defect‐Ni‐MOF electrolyte cell delivers a lower and stable voltage of 1.50 V at 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline medium for overall water splitting, comparable to the combination of iridium and platinum as benchmark catalysts.
The introduction of defects into metal–organic framework (MOF) by alkali‐etching treatment to create rich active sites and tailor electrical conductivity is proposed. The resultant defect‐rich Ni(II)‐MOF nanosheet array exhibits excellent electrocatalytic overall water splitting performance, comparable to the noble metal‐based benchmark catalysts.
Recently, we reported that some dairy cows could produce high amounts of milk with high amounts of protein (defined as milk protein yield MPY) when a population was raised under the same nutritional ...and management condition, a potential new trait that can be used to increase high-quality milk production. It is unknown to what extent the rumen microbiome and its metabolites, as well as the host metabolism, contribute to MPY. Here, analysis of rumen metagenomics and metabolomics, together with serum metabolomics was performed to identify potential regulatory mechanisms of MPY at both the rumen microbiome and host levels.
Metagenomics analysis revealed that several Prevotella species were significantly more abundant in the rumen of high-MPY cows, contributing to improved functions related to branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis. In addition, the rumen microbiome of high-MPY cows had lower relative abundances of organisms with methanogen and methanogenesis functions, suggesting that these cows may produce less methane. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the relative concentrations of rumen microbial metabolites (mainly amino acids, carboxylic acids, and fatty acids) and the absolute concentrations of volatile fatty acids were higher in the high-MPY cows. By associating the rumen microbiome with the rumen metabolome, we found that specific microbial taxa (mainly Prevotella species) were positively correlated with ruminal microbial metabolites, including the amino acids and carbohydrates involved in glutathione, phenylalanine, starch, sucrose, and galactose metabolism. To detect the interactions between the rumen microbiome and host metabolism, we associated the rumen microbiome with the host serum metabolome and found that Prevotella species may affect the host's metabolism of amino acids (including glycine, serine, threonine, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, cysteine, and methionine). Further analysis using the linear mixed effect model estimated contributions to the variation in MPY based on different omics and revealed that the rumen microbial composition, functions, and metabolites, and the serum metabolites contributed 17.81, 21.56, 29.76, and 26.78%, respectively, to the host MPY.
These findings provide a fundamental understanding of how the microbiome-dependent and host-dependent mechanisms contribute to varied individualized performance in the milk production quality of dairy cows under the same management condition. This fundamental information is vital for the development of potential manipulation strategies to improve milk quality and production through precision feeding. Video Abstract.
In this paper, we propose an improved model-independent method to constrain the cosmic curvature by combining the most recent Hubble parameter H(z) and supernovae Ia (SNe Ia) data. Based on the H(z) ...data, we first use the model-independent smoothing technique, Gaussian processes, to construct a distance modulus H(z), which is susceptible to the cosmic curvature parameter k. In contrary to previous studies, the light-curve-fitting parameters, which account for the distance estimation of SN ( SN(z)), are set free to investigate whether k has a dependence on them. By comparing H(z) to SN(z), we put limits on k. Our results confirm that k is independent of the SN light-curve parameters. Moreover, we show that the measured k is in good agreement with zero cosmic curvature, implying that there is no significant deviation from a flat universe at the current observational data level. We also test the influence of different H(z) samples and different Hubble constant H0 values, finding that different H(z) samples do not have a significant impact on the constraints. However, different H0 priors can affect the constraints of k to some degree. The prior of H0 = 73.24 1.74 km s−1 Mpc−1 gives a value of k, a little bit above the 1 confidence level away from 0, but H0 = 69.6 0.7 km s−1 Mpc−1 gives it below 1 .
Yolk/shell particles possess a unique structure that is composed of hollow shells that encapsulate other particles but with an interstitial space between them. These structures are different from ...core/shell particles in that the core particles are freely movable in the shell. Yolk/shell particles combine the properties of each component, and can find potential applications in catalysis, lithium ion batteries, and biosensors. In this Research News article, a soft‐template‐assisted method for the preparation of yolk/silica shell particles is presented. The demonstrated method is simple and general, and can produce hollow silica spheres incorporated with different particles independent of their diameters, geometry, and composition. Furthermore, yolk/mesoporous silica shell particles and multishelled particles are also prepared through optimization of the experimental conditions. Finally, potential applications of these particles are discussed.
A mixture of anionic and zwitterionic surfactants was used as soft templates for the preparation of yolk/silica shell particles. Moreover, it is demonstrated that yolk/mesoporous silica shell particles and multishelled particles can be synthesized by this strategy (see figure).
The risk of amputation is a sequelae of diabetic foot ulceration, which are significantly increased in diabetic patients and caused huge morbidly and mortality. However, whether the risk amputation ...in diabetic patients are differing in male and female remains inconclusive. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the sex difference for the risk of amputation in diabetic patients. We systematically searched PubMed, EmBase, and the Cochrane library to identify eligible study from their inception up to November 2020. The diagnostic value of male patients on subsequent amputation risk were assessed by using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR and NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Twenty-two studies recruited a total of 33,686,171 diabetic patients were selected for quantitative analysis. The risk of amputation in male diabetic patients was greater than female diabetic patients (DOR: 1.38; 95%CI: 1.13-1.70; P<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity for male diabetic patients on the risk of amputation were 0.72 (95%CI: 0.72-0.73), and 0.51 (95%CI: 0.51-0.51), respectively. Moreover, the PLR and NLR of male diabetic patients for predicting amputation were 1.13 (95%CI: 1.05-1.22), and 0.82 (0.72-0.94), respectively. Furthermore, the AUC for male diabetic patients on amputation risk was 0.56 (95%CI: 0.48-0.63). This study found male diabetic patients was associated with an increased risk of amputation than female diabetic patients, and the predictive value of sex difference on amputation risk in diabetic patients was mild.
This paper investigates the strategies for adopting blockchain technology in the fresh product supply chain (FPSC) consisting of a supplier, a third-party logistics service provider (3PL) and an ...e-tailer. We analyse the optimal strategies of FPSC members under the benchmark scenario where the FPSC does not adopt blockchain technology and those under the three scenarios where the supplier, 3PL and e-tailer lead the construction of the blockchain-based traceability system (BTS), respectively. We find that adopting blockchain technology is not always the optimal decision for the FPSC, which is related to the consumers' acceptance degree for the product without blockchain technology, the deterioration rate of the fresh product and the allocation proportion of traceability cost of FPSC members when adopting blockchain technology. Regardless of the power and status of each member in the FPSC, it can lead the construction of the BTS. From the perspective of whole FPSC's profit maximisation, the leader of the FPSC should lead the construction of the BTS under the coordination of a two-part tariff contract. This study provides valuable insights for FPSCs to adopt blockchain technology.
Blockchain technology is an emerging technology developed in recent years. It has powerful information traceability function. The blockchain technology plays an important role in monitoring product ...quality and responding to product safety problems. Under considering the traceability awareness of consumers and the cost of using the blockchain technology, should the supply chain adopt the blockchain technology? The research on this issue deserves great attentions. In this paper, for a three-stage supply chain consisting of a supplier, a manufacturer and a retailer, we study the optimal pricing strategies of the supply chain considering the traceability awareness of consumers in two scenarios. These two scenarios are: scenario N (i.e., the supply chain does not adopt the blockchain technology) and scenario B (i.e., the supply chain adopts the blockchain technology). On this basis, we discuss the conditions that the supply chain adopts the blockchain technology by comparing the optimal profits of the supply chain and its members in two scenarios. Further, we discuss the problem of supply chain coordination when adopting the blockchain technology. The results show that it is conditional for the supply chain to adopt the blockchain technology, and the condition is related to the traceability awareness of consumers, the production costs of the supplier and manufacturer, and the cost of using the blockchain technology. We also find that under a certain condition, the revenue sharing contract can realize a Pareto improvement for the supply chain that adopts the blockchain technology.
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