The combination of chirality and phase transition materials has broad application prospects. Therefore, based on the quasi-spherical theory and the thought strategy of introducing chirality, we have ...successfully synthesized a pair of chiral enantiomeric ligand R/S-triethyl (2-hydroxy-propyl) ammonium iodide, which can be combined with tin hexachloride anion to obtain a pair of new organic-inorganic hybrid enantiomeric high-temperature plastic phase transition materials: R/S-CH3CH(OH)CH2N(CH2CH3)32SnCl6 (1-R/1-S), which has a high temperature phase transition of Tc=384 K, crystallized in P21 chiral space group at room temperature, and has obvious CD signal. In addition, compound 1-R and 1-S also has good low-loss dielectric switch and broadband gap. This work is conducive to the research of chiral high-temperature reversible plastic phase transition materials, and promotes the development of multi-functional phase transition materials.
Maize (Zea mays L.), also known as corn, is the third most cultivated crop in the world. Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) is a globally devastating maize foliar disease caused by Setosphaeria turcica ...(Luttrell) Leonard and Suggs. Early intelligent diagnosis and warning is an effective and economical strategy to control this disease. Today, deep learning is beginning to play an essential role in agriculture. Notably, deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) are amongst the most successful machine learning techniques in plant disease detection and diagnosis. Our study aims to identify NCLB in the maize-producing area in Jilin Province based on several DCNN models. We established a database of 985 leaf images of healthy and infected maize and applied data augmentation techniques including image segmentation, image resizing, image cropping, and image transformation, to expand to 30 655 images. Several proven convolutional neural networks, such as AlexNet, GoogleNet, VGG16, and VGG19, were then used to identify diseases. Based on the best performance of the DCNN pre-trained model GoogleNet, some of the recent loss functions developed for deep facial recognition tasks such as ArcFace, CosFace, and A-Softmax were applied to detect NCLB. We found that a pre-trained GoogleNet architecture with the Softmax loss function can achieve an excellent accuracy of 99.94% on NCLB diagnosis. The analysis was implemented in Python with two deep learning frameworks, Pytorch and Keras. The techniques, training, validation, and test results are presented in this paper. Overall, our study explores intelligent identification technology for NCLB and effectively diagnoses NCLB from images of maize.
Comprehensive Summary
Carbolong compounds as a metal‐heteroaromatic compound with both organometallic properties and π‐conjugated systems exhibit great potential in organic catalysis and ...optoelectronic devices. In this work, for the first time, the “Bucket Effect” is revealed to promote the third‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) performance in metal‐heteroaromatic compounds. We have successfully constructed and investigated a series of novel metallapentalenes with higher third‐order NLO performance benefited from the “Bucket Effect”. Meanwhile, aromaticity and electron−hole analysis further confirm the internal homogeneity of organometallic rings, reduced bandgap, and enhanced low‐energy peak response resulted in the enhanced third‐order NLO effects. The success of this work is discovering an emerging material library of high third‐order NLO effects, and illustrating the feasibility of engineering the high response metal‐heteroaromatic optical devices at the electronic structure level.
“Bucket Effect” is revealed to promote the third‐order nonlinear optical performance in metal‐heteroaromatic compounds due to the internal homogeneity of organometallic rings.
This paper presents the shaking table tests for a 1/5-scale 5-story reinforced concrete (RC) frame subjected to mainshock (MS)-aftershock (AS) sequences for investigating the unfavorable effects of ...ASs on structural performance. The prototype of the test specimen, which was heavily damaged in M
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7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, was a teaching building designed and built according to the old version of Chinese design codes. The ground motion records of one MS and three ASs were selected from the Wenchuan strong ground motion database to compose the seismic sequence. A series of peak ground acceleration (PGA) intensity levels were considered to scale the seismic sequence entirely for the simulation of sequential excitations. During the tests, typical global and local damage phenomena of the specimen were observed. Structural responses and dynamic properties of the specimen were monitored and calculated. An Aftershock Influence Ratio (AIR) defined as the ratio between the structural response due to an AS and that due to the corresponding MS was proposed to quantify the effects of ASs. Results show that AIR values are increased significantly as the growth of the accumulative damage of the specimen. Amongst the investigated structural response parameters, the absolute acceleration is impacted mostly by ASs with the corresponding AIR value as large as 85.2%, while the relative displacement is impacted least since the corresponding maximum AIR is only 27.9%. Moreover, at a given accumulative damage level of the specimen, the second AS (AS-II) has the largest effect on structural performance compared to others. This experimental investigation highlights the complex AS effects on structural performance since they are closely correlated to the accumulative damage of the structure mainly caused by MS, structural response parameters, and AS characteristics. It is thus necessary to well consider the AS effects in seismic performance evaluation and seismic design of the structures especially located in the sites with high seismicity.
To survey the difference of frailty prevalence in elderly inpatients amongdifferent wards; to compare the diagnostic performance of five frailty measurements (Clinical Frailty Scale CFS, FRAIL, ...Fried, Edmonton, Frailty Index FI) in identifying frailty; and to explore the risk factors of frailty in elderly inpatients.
This was a cross-sectional study including 1000 inpatients (mean age 75.2±6.7 years, 51.5% male; 542, 229, and 229 patients from cardiology, non-surgical, and surgical wards, respectively) in a tertiary hospital from September 2018 to February 2019. We applied the combined index to integrate the five frailty measurements mentioned above as the gold standard of frailty diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the independent risk factors of frailty.
Frailty prevalence was 32.3% (Fried), 36.2% (CFS), 19.2% (FRAIL), 25.2% (Edmonton), 35.1% (FI) in all patients. The frailty was more common in non-surgical wards, regardless of the frailty assessment tools used (non-surgical wards: 27.5% to 51.5%; cardiology ward: 14.9% to 29.3%; surgical wards: 18.8% to 41.9%). CFS≥5 showed a sensitivity of 94.1% and a specificity of 85.2% for all patients. FI≥0.25 showed a sensitivity of 94.8% and a specificity of 87.0% for all patients. Age odds ratio (OR) = 1.089, P<0.001, education level (OR = 0.782, P=0.001), heart rate (OR = 1.025, P<0.001), albumin (OR = 0.911, P=0.002), log D-dimer (OR = 2.940, P<0.001), ≥5 comorbidities (OR = 2.164, P=0.002), and ≥5 medications (OR = 2.819, P<0.001) were independently associated with frailty in all participants.
Frailty is common among elderly inpatients, especially in non-surgical wards. CFS is a preferred screening tool and FI may be an optimal assessment tool. Old age, low educational level, fast heart rate, low albumin, high D-dimer, ≥5 comorbidities, and polypharmacy are independent risk factors of frailty in elderly hospitalized patients.
Biomarkers are needed to risk stratify after chemoradiotherapy for localized esophageal cancer. These could improve identification of patients at risk for cancer progression and selection of ...additional therapy.
We performed deep sequencing (CAncer Personalized Profiling by deep Sequencing, CAPP-Seq) analyses of plasma cell-free DNA collected from 45 patients before and after chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer, as well as DNA from leukocytes and fixed esophageal tumor biopsy samples collected during esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Patients were treated from May 2010 through October 2015; 23 patients subsequently underwent esophagectomy, and 22 did not undergo surgery. We also sequenced DNA from blood samples from 40 healthy control individuals. We analyzed 802 regions of 607 genes for single-nucleotide variants previously associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Patients underwent imaging analyses 6–8 weeks after chemoradiotherapy and were followed for 5 years. Our primary aim was to determine whether detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after chemoradiotherapy is associated with risk of tumor progression (growth of local, regional, or distant tumors, detected by imaging or biopsy).
The median proportion of tumor-derived DNA in total cell-free DNA before treatment was 0.07%, indicating that ultrasensitive assays are needed for quantification and analysis of ctDNA from localized esophageal tumors. Detection of ctDNA after chemoradiotherapy was associated with tumor progression (hazard ratio, 18.7; P < .0001), formation of distant metastases (hazard ratio, 32.1; P < .0001), and shorter disease-specific survival times (hazard ratio, 23.1; P < .0001). A higher proportion of patients with tumor progression had new mutations detected in plasma samples collected after chemoradiotherapy than patients without progression (P = .03). Detection of ctDNA after chemoradiotherapy preceded radiographic evidence of tumor progression by an average of 2.8 months. Among patients who received chemoradiotherapy without surgery, combined ctDNA and metabolic imaging analysis predicted progression in 100% of patients with tumor progression, compared with 71% for only ctDNA detection and 57% for only metabolic imaging analysis (P < .001 for comparison of either technique to combined analysis).
In an analysis of cell-free DNA in blood samples from patients who underwent chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer, detection of ctDNA was associated with tumor progression, metastasis, and disease-specific survival. Analysis of ctDNA might be used to identify patients at highest risk for tumor progression.
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a functional marker of fetal Sertoli cells. The germ cell number in adults depends on the number of Sertoli cells produced during perinatal development. Recently, AMH ...has received increasing attention in research of disorders related to male fertility. This paper reviews and summarizes the articles on the regulation of AMH in males and the serum levels of AMH in male fertility-related disorders. We have determined that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promotes AMH transcription in the absence of androgen signaling. Testosterone inhibits the transcriptional activation of AMH. The undetectable levels of serum AMH and testosterone levels indicate a lack of functional testicular tissue, for example, that in patients with anorchia or severe Klinefelter syndrome suffering from impaired spermatogenesis. The normal serum testosterone level and undetectable AMH are highly suggestive of persistent Müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS), combined with clinical manifestations. The levels of both AMH and testosterone are always subnormal in patients with mixed disorders of sex development (DSD). Mixed DSD is an early-onset complete type of disorder with fetal hypogonadism resulting from the dysfunction of both Leydig and Sertoli cells. Serum AMH levels are varying in patients with male fertility-related disorders, including pubertal delay, severe congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, nonobstructive azoospermia, Klinefelter syndrome, varicocele, McCune-Albright syndrome, and male senescence.
Selenium (Se) has been recognized as an essential dietary nutrient for decades, and organic Se sources rather than inorganic ones are increasingly advocated as Se supplements. Earthworms have been ...studied as a feed additive and animal protein source for many yr. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Se-enriched earthworm powder (SEP) on the antioxidative ability and immunity of laying hens. A total of 120 27-wk-old laying hens were randomly divided into 4 groups (30 hens per group). Laying hens were fed diets supplemented with SEP having 0, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg of Se or with earthworm powder alone. After 5 wk of supplementation, serum from the hens was tested for nutritional components (protein, globulin, albumin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and glucose), antioxidative properties (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and nitric oxide), and immune responses (lysozymes, immunoglobulin G, IL-2, and interferon gamma). We found that SEP with 1.0 mg/kg of Se upregulated the hens' total protein, albumin, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, IgG, and IL-2 and downregulated triglycerides, total cholesterol, glucose, and nitric oxide. These results indicate that SEP improves antioxidative levels and immune function of laying hens, indicating potential benefit from use of SEP as a feed additive in the poultry industry.
Proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species and imbalance of neurotransmitters are involved in the pathophysiology of angiotensin II-induced hypertension. The hypothalamic paraventricular ...nucleus (PVN) plays a vital role in hypertension. Evidences show that microglia are activated and release proinflammatory cytokines in angiocardiopathy. We hypothesized that angiotensin II induces PVN microglial activation, and the activated PVN microglia release proinflammatory cytokines and cause oxidative stress through nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, which contributes to sympathetic overactivity and hypertension. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (weight 275-300 g) were infused with angiotensin II to induce hypertension. Then, rats were treated with bilateral PVN infusion of microglial activation inhibitor minocycline, NF-κB activation inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate or vehicle for 4 weeks. When compared to control groups, angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats had higher mean arterial pressure, PVN proinflammatory cytokines, and imbalance of neurotransmitters, accompanied with PVN activated microglia. These rats also had more PVN gp91phox (source of reactive oxygen species production), and NF-κB p65. Bilateral PVN infusion of minocycline or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate partly or completely ameliorated these changes. This study indicates that angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats have more activated microglia in PVN, and activated PVN microglia release proinflammatory cytokines and result in oxidative stress, which contributes to sympathoexcitation and hypertensive response. Suppression of activated PVN microglia by minocycline or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate attenuates inflammation and oxidative stress, and improves angiotensin II-induced hypertension, which indicates that activated microglia promote hypertension through activated NF-κB. The findings may offer hypertension new strategies.
Anion transporters have attracted substantial interest due to their ability to induce cell apoptosis by disrupting cellular anion homeostasis. In this paper we describe the synthesis, anion ...recognition, transmembrane anion transport and cell apoptosis-inducing activity of a series of fluorinated 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)benzene derivatives. These compounds were synthesized from the condensation of 1,3-benzenedialdehyde or 5-fluoro-1,3-benzenedialdehyde with the corresponding 1,2-benzenediamines and fully characterized. They are able to form stable complexes with chloride anions, and exhibit potent liposomal and in vitro anionophoric activity. Their anion transport efficiency may be ameliorated by the total number of fluorine atoms, and the enhanced anionophoric activity was a likely consequence of the increased lipophilicity induced by fluorination. Most of these fluorinated bisbenzimidazoles exhibit potent cytotoxicity toward the selected cancer cells. Mechanistic investigations suggest that these compounds are able to trigger cell apoptosis probably by disrupting the homeostasis of chloride anions.
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