CuCl2 -Catalyzed α-Chloroketonation of Aromatic Alkenes via Visible-Light-Induced LMCT.

Here we report a copper-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of α-chloroketones from aromatic alkenes including electron-deficient olefins under visible-light irradiation. Preliminary mechanistic studies show that the peroxo Cu(II) species is the key intermediate and hydroperoxyl (HOO⋅) and chlorine (Cl⋅) radicals can be generated by ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT).

Retailer-driven carbon emission reduction: contract design in the presence of information asymmetry and cap-and-trade.

This study considers a supply chain consisting of a dominant brand-name retailer and a manufacturer in the presence of a cap-and-trade mechanism and consumers' low-carbon preference. The retailer exerts advertising efforts, while lacks of the manufacturer's private carbon emission reduction effort cost information. We construct the benchmark model with information symmetry and asymmetry respectively. We obtain all members' equilibrium solutions and analytically examine the impact of the manufacturer's carbon emission reduction effort cost, the retailer's advertising effort cost, and consumers' low-carbon preference on the supply chain members' decisions. And then, we systematically compare two scenarios to obtain the condition in which the manufacturer would be willing to share the private information. With the aim of improving the manufacturer's carbon emission reduction effort level and all members' economic performance, we further propose a two-part tariff contract for information symmetry and asymmetry, respectively.

Crosstalk of pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2-related mechanisms in sepsis-induced lung injury in a mouse model.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common complication of sepsis. Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), an enzyme involved in aldehyde metabolism, exerts a protective effect against sepsis. This study investigated the possible mechanisms underlying the roles of ALDH2, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis in sepsis-induced lung injury. A mouse model of sepsis-induced lung injury was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); lung morphology was evaluated by calculation of lung coefficient, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and electron microscopy. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) protein expression levels were used to detect the level of lipid oxidative stress. In addition, total iron was detected using an iron detection kit, and the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins (PTGS2, GPX4), pyroptosis-related proteins, and ALDH2 was examined using western blotting. To further examine the likely mechanisms, the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1), NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor MCC950, and ALDH2 activator Alda-1 were added. CLP-treated mice exhibited destruction of lung tissue morphology, lipid peroxidation injury, iron content, and increased lung PTGS2 protein expression, accompanied by a decrease in GPX4 protein expression. CLP also downregulated ALDH2 expression and increased the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis-related proteins. These adverse effects of CLP were relieved by Alda-1, Fer-1, and MCC950 treatment. In conclusion, both pyroptosis and ferroptosis participate in CLP-induced ALI, and ALDH2 plays a protective role by reducing pyroptosis and ferroptosis. This study provides a scientific basis for the treatment of lung injury in sepsis.

Research on Multi-Terminal's AC Offloading Scheme and Multi-Server's AC Selection Scheme in IoT.

Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) technology and Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer (SWIPT) technology are important ones to improve the computing rate and the sustainability of devices in the Internet of things (IoT). However, the system models of most relevant papers only considered multi-terminal, excluding multi-server. Therefore, this paper aims at the scenario of IoT with multi-terminal, multi-server and multi-relay, in which can optimize the computing rate and computing cost by using deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithm. Firstly, the formulas of computing rate and computing cost in proposed scenario are derived. Secondly, by introducing the modified Actor-Critic (AC) algorithm and convex optimization algorithm, we get the offloading scheme and time allocation that maximize the computing rate. Finally, the selection scheme of minimizing the computing cost is obtained by AC algorithm. The simulation results verify the theoretical analysis. The algorithm proposed in this paper not only achieves a near-optimal computing rate and computing cost while significantly reducing the program execution delay, but also makes full use of the energy collected by the SWIPT technology to improve energy utilization.

Early childhood development and parental training interventions in rural China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Inadequate care during early childhood can lead to long-term deficits in skills. Parenting programmes that encourage investment in young children are a promising tool for improving early development outcomes and long-term opportunities in low-income and middle-income regions, such as rural China. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis to investigate the prevalence of early developmental delays and stimulating parenting practices as well as the effect of parental training programmes on child development outcomes in rural China. We obtained data in English from EconPapers, PubMed, PsycARTICLES, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus (Elsevier) and in Chinese from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and VIP Information. We conducted frequentist meta-analyses of aggregate data and estimated random-effects meta-regressions. Certainty of evidence was rated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: We identified 19 observational studies on the prevalence of developmental delays and stimulating parenting practices for children under 5 years of age (n=19 762) and ten studies on the impact of parental training programmes on early child development (n=13 766). Children's risk of cognitive, language and social-emotional delays in the rural study sites (covering 14 provinces mostly in Central and Western China) was 45%, 46%, and 36%, respectively. Parental training programmes had a positive impact on child cognition, language and social-emotional development. CONCLUSION: There is evidence to suggest that early developmental delay and the absence of stimulating parenting practices (ie, reading, storytelling and singing with children) may be prevalent across rural, low-income and middle-income regions in Central and Western China. Results support the effectiveness of parental training programmes to improve early development by encouraging parental engagement. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020218852).

Effect of metabolic uncoupler, 2,4­dinitrophenol (DNP) on sludge properties and fouling potential in ultrafiltration membrane process.

Energy uncoupling technology was applied to the membrane process to control the problem of bio-fouling. Different dosages of uncoupler (2,4­dinitrophenol, DNP) were added to the activated sludge, and a short-term ultrafiltration test was systematically investigated for analyzing membrane fouling potential and underlying mechanisms. Ultrafiltration membrane was used and made of polyether-sulfone with a molecular weight cut off (MWCO) of 150 kDa. Results indicated that low DNP concentration (15-30 mg/g VSS) aggravated membrane fouling because more soluble microbial products were released and then rejected by the membrane, which significantly increased cake layer resistance compared with the control. Conversely, a high dosage of DNP (45 mg/g VSS) retarded membrane fouling owing to the high inhibition of extracellular polymeric substances (proteins and polysaccharides) of the sludge, which effectively prevented the formation of cake layer on the membrane surface. Furthermore, analyses of fouling model revealed that a high dosage of DNP delayed the fouling model from pore blocking transition to cake filtration, whereas this transition process was accelerated in the low dosage scenario.

Direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin immobilized on a functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles nanocomplex-modified glassy carbon electrode.

Direct electron transfer of hemoglobin (Hb) was realized by immobilizing Hb on a carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) nanocomplex-modified glassy carbon electrode. The ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrometry (UV-Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) methods were utilized for additional characterization of the AuNPs and FMWCNTs. The cyclic voltammogram of the modified electrode has a pair of well-defined quasi-reversible redox peaks with a formal potential of -0.270 ± 0.002 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) at a scan rate of 0.05 V/s. The heterogeneous electron transfer constant (ks) was evaluated to be 4.0 ± 0.2 s(-1). The average surface concentration of electro-active Hb on the surface of the modified glassy carbon electrode was calculated to be 6.8 ± 0.3 × 10(-10) mol cm(-2). The cathodic peak current of the modified electrode increased linearly with increasing concentration of hydrogen peroxide (from 0.05 nM to 1 nM) with a detection limit of 0.05 ± 0.01 nM. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)(app)) was calculated to be 0.85 ± 0.1 nM. Thus, the modified electrode could be applied as a third generation biosensor with high sensitivity, long-term stability and low detection limit.

A highly efficient nano-cluster artificial peroxidase and its direct electrochemistry on a nano complex modified glassy carbon electrode.

A nano-cluster with highly efficient peroxide activity was constructed based on nafion (NF) and cytochrome c (Cyt c). UV-Vis spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods were utilized for characterization of the nano-structured enzyme or artificial peroxidase (AP). The nano-cluster was composed of a Chain-Ball structure, with an average ball size of about 40 nm. The Michaelis-Menten (K(m)) and catalytic rate (k(cat)) constants of the AP were determined to be 2.5 ± 0.4 µM and 0.069 ± 0.001 s(-1), respectively, in 50 mM PBS at pH 7.0. The catalytic efficiency of the AP was evaluated to be 0.028 ± 0.005 µM(-1) s(-1), which was 39 ± 5% as efficient as the native horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The AP was also immobilized on a functional multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNCTs)-gold colloid nanoparticles (AuNPs) nano-complex modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The cyclic voltammetry of AP on the nano complex modified GC electrode showed a pair of well-defined redox peaks with a formal potential (E°') of -45 ± 2 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) at a scan rate of 0.05 V/s. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k(s)) was evaluated to be 0.65 s(-1). The surface concentration of electroactive AP on GC electrode (Γ) was 7 × 10(-10) mol cm(-2). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)(app)) was 0.23 nM.