Pure and fine high-entropy metal diboride-silicon carbide composite powders, namely (V,Ti,Ta,Nb)B
2
-SiC (HEB-S), were successfully synthesized via a facile high-energy ball milling-assisted ...boro/carbothermal reduction method at 1600 °C. The as-prepared HEB-S powders exhibited low‐oxygen impurity content of 0.36 wt%; (V,Ti,Ta,Nb)B
2
powders had a single-crystalline hexagonal structure of metal diborides and simultaneously possessed high compositional uniformity. Short rod-like SiC particles were well distributed in the (V,Ti,Ta,Nb)B
2
matrix. The formation mechanisms were well interpreted by analyzing the thermodynamics of the possible chemical reactions. The electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption of the HEB-S powders was studied by a vector network analyzer. The HEB-S powders displayed a minimum reflection loss of − 44.9 dB at the thickness of 4.4 mm and the effective absorption bandwidth of 1.28 GHz at 4.0 mm thickness (Minimum
R
L
was − 29.4 dB). This work will open up a new way to synthesize high-entropy metal diboride composite powders, and the obtained powders are expected to play an important role in the EMW absorption applications.
Kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP) is a highly heterogeneous type of kidney cancer, resulting in limited effective prognostic targets for KIRP patients. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have ...emerged as crucial regulators in the regulation of ferroptosis and iron metabolism, making them potential targets for the treatment and prognosis of KIRP. In this study, we constructed a ferroptosis-related lncRNA risk score model (FRM) based on the TCGA-KIRP dataset, which represents a novel subtype of KIRP not previously reported. The model demonstrated promising diagnostic accuracy and holds potential for clinical translation. We observed significant differences in metabolic activities, immune microenvironment, mutation landscape, ferroptosis sensitivity, and drug sensitivity between different risk groups. The high-risk groups exhibit significantly higher fractions of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), and pericytes. Drugs (IC50) analysis provided a range of medication options based on different FRM typing. Additionally, we employed single-cell transcriptomics to further analyze the impact of immune invasion on the occurrence and development of KIRP. Overall, we have developed an accurate prognostic model based on the expression patterns of ferroptosis-related lncRNAs for KIRP. This model has the potential to contribute to the evaluation of patient prognosis, molecular characteristics, and treatment modalities, and can be further translated into clinical applications.
Single-phase high-entropy metal carbonitride (HECN) powders, namely (HfZrTaNbTi)(C,N), were successfully synthesized via a facile high-energy ball milling assisted carbothermal reduction nitridation ...at the temperature above 1400 °C in a flowing N2 atmosphere for the first time. The as-prepared HECN powders had a single-crystalline structure of metal carbonitride and simultaneously possessed high compositional uniformity. The increasing temperature from 1400 °C to 1600 °C promoted the grain growth of HECN powders from 0.31 μm to 1.26 μm. The low oxygen content of 0.494 wt% was obtained for as-prepared HECN powders at 1600 °C. This work is the first report of preparing a high-entropy metal carbonitride powders using metal oxides and carbon as raw materials.
•Single-phase high-entropy metal carbonitride (HECN) powders were successfully synthesized.•The as-prepared HECN powders had a single-crystalline structure of metal carbonitride and simultaneously possessed high compositional uniformity.•The increasing temperature promoted the grain growth of HECN powders.
It was confirmed that simulated microgravity (SMG) led to ultrastructural alterations and apoptosis in many types of microvascular endothelial cells. However, whether SMG would also affect choroidal ...vascular endothelial cells (CVECs) remains unknown. This study was designed to investigate the effects of SMG on ultrastructure and apoptosis of CVECs.
The rotary cell culture system (RCCS) was utilized to simulate microgravity condition. Human CVECs were cultured under normal gravity (NG) or SMG condition for 3 days. The ultrastructure was viewed under transmission electron microscopy, and the organization of F-actin was observed by immunofluorescence staining. Additionally, the apoptosis percentage was calculated using flow cytometry. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression of BAX, Bcl-2, Caspase3, Cytochrome C, p-AKT, and p-PI3K were detected with quantitative PCR and Western blot at different exposure time.
In the SMG group, CVECs presented with a shrunk cell body, chromatin condensation and margination, mitochondria vacuolization, and apoptotic bodies. The amount of F-actin decreased, and the filaments of F-actin were sparse or even partly discontinuous after cultivation under SMG for 72 h. The proportions of apoptotic CVECs in SMG groups at 24 and 72 h were significantly higher than those in the NG group (
< 0.001). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Caspase3, and Cytochrome C of CVECs in SMG groups at 24 and 72 h significantly increased than those of the NG group, respectively (
< 0.001). The alterations of p-AKT and p-PI3K protein expression possessed similar trends. On the contrary, the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 in CVECs under SMG at 24 and 72 h were significantly less than that of the NG group, respectively (
< 0.001).
Simulated microgravity conditions can lead the alterations of the F-actin structure and apoptosis of CVECs. The Bcl-2 apoptosis pathway and PI3K/AKT pathway may participate in the damage of CVECs caused by SMG.
‘Ruixue’ apples were used as the test material to study the effect of 10 μM methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on the quality and cell wall metabolism of apples after 18 d of storage. The results showed that ...MeJA significantly decreased the respiratory rate, reduced the titratable acid content and maintained a high soluble solids content. MeJA has been shown to suppress the activities and gene expressions of WSP, CSP, ISP, and cellulose in contrast to the control group, thereby maintaining a lower cell permeability and higher exocarp firmness. MeJA significantly decreased the expression of MdACS, MdACO, MdPL, Mdgal, and MdPG genes in the apple exocarp when compared to the control group. In addition, the overexpression of MdPL18 increased the content of cell wall polysaccharides such as WSP and CSP, enhanced cell wall-degrading enzyme activities, and accelerated fruit ripening and softening, whereas silencing MdPL18 did the opposite. Together, these results demonstrate that exogenous MeJA maintains the Ruixue apple fruit quality by regulating the metabolism of cell wall substances.
In this paper, high-purity and fine (W
0.2
V
0.2
Ta
0.2
Nb
0.2
Ti
0.2
)B
2
(HEB) powders were obtained via a simple high-energy ball milling-assisted boro/carbothermal reduction method at 1600°C. ...Results showed that the heating temperature and B source contents played a key role in the synthesis of purity of single-phase HEB powders. When excess 10 wt.% B
4
C was introduced, the single-phase HEB powders were synthesized at 1600°C, and its grain size was ~150 nm and it showed the hexagonal crystal structure of metal diborides. EDS results showed the high compositional uniformity of W, V, Ta, Nb, Ti and B elements in HEB powders. Through discussing the thermodynamics process related to these possible chemical reactions and combining the XRD results at different temperatures, it was obtained that higher temperature and enough B source were required to stimulate the formation of high-entropy phase. This work will be a vital step for the commercialization of high-entropy boride powders.
Three kinds of high-entropy metal diboride composites were successfully prepared by pressureless sintering. The as-synthesized (Hf0.2V0.2Ta0.2Ti0.2Nb0.2)B2 (HEB-Hf), (Zr0.2V0.2Ta0.2Ti0.2Nb0.2)B2 ...(HEB-Zr) and (Cr0.2V0.2Ta0.2Ti0.2Nb0.2)B2 (HEB-Cr) powders were used as the matrix, and Ni metal was used as the binder phase. The results demonstrated that three kinds of single-phase high-entropy metal diboride powders (HEB-Hf, HEB-Zr, and HEB-Cr) were successfully synthesized by a facile high-energy ball milling-assisted boro/carbothermal reduction method, at 1600 °C for 2 h. Each HEB powder had a hexagonal structure, and the five main elements were evenly distributed. Further, Ni as the binders effectively improved the density and fracture toughness of the sintered HEB composites. In the case of maintaining high hardness, the fracture toughness of the HEB composites was greatly improved. Meanwhile, The composites exhibited excellent properties when the heat-treating temperature was increased to 1600 °C. The hardness of the HEB-Hf, HEB-Zr, and HEB-Cr composites were 24.2 ± 0.6, 23.8 ± 1.2 and 21.8 ± 0.8 GPa, and their fracture toughness were 9.2 ± 0.3, 7.1 ± 0.7 and 7.3 ± 0.5 MPa∙m1/2, respectively. This manuscript reports a novel method for future commercial production of high-entropy diboride. Further, there will be more applications for high-entropy diborides because of their increased toughness when prepared by this method.
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•Three single-phase high entropy diboride powders were successfully prepared by boro/carbothermic reduction reaction.•High-dense high-entropy boride composites were successfully prepared using Ni metal as the additive by pressureless sintering at 1600 °C.•The Vickers hardness of HEB-Hf composites, HEB-Zr composites and HEB-Cr composites are 24.2 ± 0.6, 23.8 ± 1.2 and 21.8 ± 0.8 GPa, respectively and the fracture toughness values are 9.2 ± 0.3, 6.1 ± 0.7 and 7.3 ± 0.5 MPa∙m1/2, respectively.
To provide evidence, this review evaluated the methodological quality, risk of bias, and reporting quality of SRs/MAs in the treatment of Facial Spasm with acupuncture.
Systematic reviews and Meta ...analyses (SRs/MAs) of acupuncture for Facial Spasm were retrieved from 8 databases from inception to October 1, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the literature and extracted the data, then used Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2), Bias Risk in Systematic Review (ROBIS), and Preferred Report Item for Systematic review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA), Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) to assess methodological quality, risk of bias, quality of reporting, and quality of evidence.
A total of 8 SRs/meta-analyses were included. All the SRs were published between 2012-2022. Based on AMSTAR-2, 8 SRs were rated critically low quality. By using the ROBIS tool, 6 SRs were rated low-risk bias. With the PRISMA-A checklist, we found 2 out of 8 SRs were found adequately reported over 70%. With the GRADE system, no high-quality evidence was found, and only two outcomes provided moderate-quality evidence. Among the downgraded factors, the risk of bias within the original trials was ranked first, followed by publication bias, inconsistency, and imprecision.
Acupuncture is a promising complementary treatment for HFS. However, due to the low quality of the SRs/MAs supporting these results, high-quality studies with rigorous study designs and larger samples are needed before widespread recommendations can be made.
The objective of this study was to identify the response of grain yield to plant density and nitrogen rate in spring maize hybrids released from 1970 to 2010 and grown extensively in Northeast China. ...Twenty-one hybrids were grown for 2years in Northeast China at densities of 30,000, 52,500, 75,000, and 97,500plantsha−1 and N application levels of 0, 150, 300, and 450kgNha−1. Irrespective of density or nitrogen application rate, grain yields both per plant and per unit area were significantly higher for newer than older hybrids. As plant density increased from 30,000 to 97,500plantha−1, yield per plant of 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s hybrids decreased by 50%, 45%, 46%, and 52%, respectively. The response of grain yield per unit area to plant density was curvilinear. The estimated optimum plant densities were about 58,000, 49,000, 65,000, and 65,000plantsha−1 for hybrids released in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, respectively. The theoretical optimum densities for the hybrids released from the 1970s to the 2000s increased by 1750plantsha−1 decade−1. Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased grain yields per plant and per unit area for all hybrids. The theoretical optimum N application rates for high yield for hybrids released in the 1970s and 1980s were about 280 and 360kgha−1, and the hybrids from the 1990s and 2000s showed highest yield at 330kgha−1N. No significant difference in the grain yields of 2000s hybrids between the N levels of 150 to 450kgha−1 was found. Significant yield gains per plant and per unit area were found, with average increases of 17.9g plant−1 decade−1 and 936kgha−1 decade−1 over the period 1970–2010, respectively. Yield gains were attributed mainly to increased yield per plant, contributed by increases in kernel number per ear and 1000-kernel weight. The rates of lodging and barren plants of newer hybrids were significantly lower than those of older ones, especially at high plant density.
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