Demonstration of bound states in the continuum in substrate integrated waveguides.

Substrate integrated waveguides (SIWs) components play a crucial role in microwave devices fabricated by printed circuit board (PCB) technology. Bound states in the continuum (BICs) have high-quality factors that approach infinity. So far, there is little research on BICs in SIWs. Therefore, we studied a symmetry-protected BIC generated by the coupling between SIW and SIW resonators to fill this gap. Using the revised coupled mode theory (CMT), we explored the mechanism of resonance generation in this system. In addition, the effect of the geometrical parameters on the resonance is also investigated and higher Q3dB factors are obtained. The findings offer new insights into the design of BIC devices by traditional PCB technology, thus contributing to future applications in the integrated circuits field.

Hypoxia Inhibitor Combined with Chemotherapeutic Agents for Antitumor and Antimetastatic Efficacy against Osteosarcoma.

Chemotherapy is the main treatment method for osteosarcoma in the clinic. However, drug resistance and its poor antimetastatic effects greatly limit its clinical application. In this work, dual-drug nanoparticles (NPs) containing albendazole (ABZ) and doxorubicin (DOX), named AD@PLGA-PEG NPs, were prepared to solve the problems of chemotherapeutic drug resistance and poor antimetastasis effects. Compared with free DOX, ABZ combined with DOX can increase intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce more tumor cell apoptosis; therefore, AD@PLGA-PEG NPs produced more mitochondria-mediated oxidative stress and better apoptosis efficiency. Importantly, ABZ can also effectively inhibit the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and then reduce the expression of its downstream vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); thus, the AD@PLGA-PEG NPs effectively inhibited tumor metastasis in vivo. Collectively, the dual-drug AD@PLGA-PEG NPs delivery system provided prominent antitumor and antimetastatic efficacy and might be a promising treatment for osteosarcoma.

Effects of aromatherapy and music therapy on patients' anxiety during MRI examinations: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Many patients experience anxiety during MRI examinations. However, little attention has been focused on decreasing patient anxiety and minimizing on-site cancellations. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of aromatherapy and music therapy on alleviating anxiety during MRI examinations. METHODS: This single-center, double-blinded, randomized control trial was conducted between November 1, 2021, and January 10, 2022. Patients undergoing MRI examinations were assigned randomly into either the aromatherapy group (AG), music therapy group (MG), aromatherapy plus music therapy group (AMTG), or routine care group (RG) at a ratio of 1:1:1:1. Aromatherapy was conducted through inhalation of lavender oil. Music therapy was performed using Pachelbel's Canon in D major. The primary outcome was the change in anxiety before and after the MRI scan, assessed using both the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form 1 (STAI-1) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The second outcome was the participant's comfort, measured using Kolcaba's General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ). RESULTS: A total of 200 participants (mean age: 48.3 ± 14.9 years; 126 [63.0%] females) were enrolled, with 50 per group. The mean anxiety scores of the AMTG showed greater reduction compared with the AG, MG, and RG (ΔSTAI-1: 6.5 vs 2.6 vs 2.7 vs 1.9, p < 0.001; ΔSAS: 4.0 vs 1.4 vs 1.7 vs 0.6, p < 0.001). The mean GCQ score of the AMTG was higher compared with the AG, MG, and RG (98.0 vs 92.6 vs 91.2 vs 89.2, respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Aromatherapy combined with music therapy is effective for reducing patients' anxiety and improving their comfort level during MRI scans. KEY POINTS: • In this randomized control trial of 200 participants undergoing MRI scans, aromatherapy plus music therapy is effective in reducing STAI-1 and SAS, as well as improving GCQ scores. • Although there was a significant difference between the aromatherapy plus music therapy and the single-intervention modalities, no significant differences were observed between the aromatherapy and music therapy themselves for state anxiety and comfort score. • Aromatherapy plus music therapy is a safe, non-invasive, nonpharmacological, and inexpensive patient-centered intervention for reducing anxiety and improving comfort in adults undergoing MRI examinations.

A scoping review of the self-reported compassion measurement tools.

BACKGROUND: Compassion is closely linked to psychological well-being, and several assessment tools have been developed and studied to assess the level of compassion in different populations and for more precise measurement. There is currently a scarcity of comprehensive knowledge about compassion-related assessment tools, and our research provides an overview of these tools. AIMS: To identify scales used to measure compassion from different flows, and to assess their measurement properties and quality. METHODS: Focusing on compassion assessment tools, the authors conducted a thorough search of 10 Chinese and English databases from their establishment until August 14, 2022. Data extracted included the author, year, country, objectives, target population, as well as the primary evaluation content. Using the COSMIN checklist, the methodological quality and measurement properties of the included studies were appraised. This scoping review was registered with the Open Science Framework and followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist. RESULTS: There were 15,965 papers searched, and 36 compassion-related measurement tools were identified in this study. None of the 36 studies provided possessed all nine psychometric properties, as outlined by the COSMIN criteria. On the basis of a systematic evaluation of quality, measurement qualities were ranked. The results for internal consistency and content validity were relatively favorable, whereas the results for structural validity were variable and the results for the remaining attributes were either uncertain or negative. A Venn diagram was used to illustrate the overlapping groups of compassion measurement tools based on the three-way flow of compassion. An overview of the reference instrument and theoretical basis for the included studies was provided, and half of them did not contain any theoretical or scale-based evidence. CONCLUSION: In this study, 36 compassion-related measuring instruments were identified, and the methodological quality and measurement properties of the included studies were acceptable. The included measurements were consistent with flows of compassion. A further focus of further research should be on developing theories in the compassion domain and developing instruments for measuring compassion that are multidimensional, multi-populations, and culturally relevant.

Professional calling among nursing students: a latent profile analysis.

BACKGROUND: One factor that influences nursing students' decision to pursue a nursing career is professional calling. It is important to comprehend nursing students' professional calling, which may have an impact on their career choice and career development. OBJECTIVES: To investigate possible calling types and contributing variables among nursing students. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 10,583 nursing students were enrolled in this survey. METHODS: From November 16th, 2022, to January 17th, 2023, a cross-sectional study was carried out among nursing students using a convenient sampling. The subjects were given the Chinese Calling Scale and the General Demographic Information Questionnaire. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to separate nursing students' professional calling into a variety of subgroups. To find the variables connected to the prospective calling categories, we used ordinal and multinomial Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Respondents were divided into three calling groups, low (N = 3204), moderate (N = 4492), and high calling group (N = 2887), which accounted for 30.3%, 42.4%, and 27.3% of the total respondents, respectively, in accordance with the findings of the latent profile analysis. Across scale scores and dimensions for the three separate categories, three groups demonstrated statistically significant differences (both p < 0.001). Profile membership was predicted by 8 factors such as age, gender, location of origin, first volunteer experience, highest degree earned, marital status, student leadership experience, and political appearance. CONCLUSION: Three latent calling patterns were found, and there was calling variability across nursing students. Special care should be given to students with low calling. Nursing students must use professional education tools to help them develop their career calling and stabilize the nursing team.

Meaning in life among nursing students: a latent profile analysis.

BACKGROUND: Meaning in life, defined by an individual's understanding and appreciation of life, is a vital aspect of a positive psychological state, that has a significant influence on physical and mental health. Therefore, improving the sense of meaning in life among nursing students has emerged as a crucial concern in nursing education. This study aimed to clarify the profiles and influencing factors of meaning in life among nursing students. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional online survey was conducted among nursing students in China from November 16, 2022, to January 17, 2023. The demographic information questionnaire and the meaning in life questionnaire (MLQ) were used to collect data. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify groups exhibiting distinct levels of meaning in life. Additionally, univariate analysis and multinominal logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the factors influencing each group. The reporting of this study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist. RESULTS: A total of 10,583 valid responses were received, and the analysis revealed four distinct profiles. The profiles identified were the medium meaning group (C1, 41.4%), medium fluctuation meaning-no motivation group (C2, 8.7%), lower meaning group (C3, 9.7%), and higher meaning group (C4, 40.2%). The univariate analysis revealed that age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, educational level, grade, university classification, student leadership experience, and political affiliation were factors that influenced the four latent profiles (P < 0.05). The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that age, gender, ethnicity, education level, and student leadership experience were significant predictors of the various profiles (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is heterogeneous in meaning in life among nursing students in China. Nursing educators need to provide tailored guidance based on the latent classification characteristics of meaning in life among nursing students, aiming at improving their meaning in life and promoting the development of the nursing workforce.

Outcomes of hospital-acquired pressure injuries and present-on-admission pressure injuries: A propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pressure injuries (PIs) continue to present significant challenges. In recent years, the number of patients with present-on-admission pressure injury (POA-PI) has increased, but researchers have devoted little attention to it, and little is known about its clinical outcome. AIMS: To compare the clinical outcomes of POA-PI and hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) patients. METHODS: In this study, hospitalized patients with pressure injuries were divided into two groups based on whether they acquired the injury in the hospital or already present at the time of their admission. The disease prognosis, duration of stay, and healthcare costs of patients with HAPI and POA-PI were evaluated using propensity score matching analysis (PSM), t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: The information on 1871 patients was retrieved from the electronic case system retroactively. A total of 305 pairs of patients were effectively matched between the two groups using propensity score matching (HAPI group = 305, POA-PI group = 305). There was no statistically significant difference at characteristics between the two groups (P > 0.05). The percentage of POA-PI group patients who were discharged from the hospital was greater than that of the HAPI group (P < 0.05). Conversely, the percentage of POA-PI group patients who died, ceased receiving treatment, or transferred to the hospital was lower than that of the HAPI group. Patients in the POA-PI group had shorter hospital stays than those in the HAPI group (P < 0.05). Patients in the POA-PI group had lower healthcare costs than those in the HAPI group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with POA-PI have superior clinical outcomes than patients with HAPI, but make up the overwhelming majority of hospitalized patients. It is imperative that future research focuses on the reduction of POA-PI and HAPI incidence and the identification of therapies that will enhance patient prevention for these conditions.

A lysosome-targeting fluorescent probe to visualize endogenous and exogenous methylglyoxal in live cells and zebrafish.

The development of a lysosome-targeting fluorescent probe to visualize endogenous and exogenous methylglyoxal (MGO) in live cells has important implications for associated diseases. Herein, a lysosome-targeting fluorescent probe MGO-Naph-A was designed and synthesized to detect MGO with high selectivity. The probe contained naphthalimide as the fluorescent group, o-phenylenediamine as the MGO recognition group, and morpholine as the lysosome targeting group. This fluorescent probe could detect endogenous and exogenous MGO in living cells by precisely targeting and staining lysosomes. It could also detect MGO in living zebrafish. The results showed that the probe MGO-Naph-A has the potential to visualize MGO in lysosomes.

Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a recombinant adenovirus type-5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine: a dose-escalation, open-label, non-randomised, first-in-human trial.

BACKGROUND: A vaccine to protect against COVID-19 is urgently needed. We aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a recombinant adenovirus type-5 (Ad5) vectored COVID-19 vaccine expressing the spike glycoprotein of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strain. METHODS: We did a dose-escalation, single-centre, open-label, non-randomised, phase 1 trial of an Ad5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine in Wuhan, China. Healthy adults aged between 18 and 60 years were sequentially enrolled and allocated to one of three dose groups (5 × 1010, 1 × 1011, and 1·5 × 1011 viral particles) to receive an intramuscular injection of vaccine. The primary outcome was adverse events in the 7 days post-vaccination. Safety was assessed over 28 days post-vaccination. Specific antibodies were measured with ELISA, and the neutralising antibody responses induced by vaccination were detected with SARS-CoV-2 virus neutralisation and pseudovirus neutralisation tests. T-cell responses were assessed by enzyme-linked immunospot and flow-cytometry assays. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04313127. FINDINGS: Between March 16 and March 27, 2020, we screened 195 individuals for eligibility. Of them, 108 participants (51% male, 49% female; mean age 36·3 years) were recruited and received the low dose (n=36), middle dose (n=36), or high dose (n=36) of the vaccine. All enrolled participants were included in the analysis. At least one adverse reaction within the first 7 days after the vaccination was reported in 30 (83%) participants in the low dose group, 30 (83%) participants in the middle dose group, and 27 (75%) participants in the high dose group. The most common injection site adverse reaction was pain, which was reported in 58 (54%) vaccine recipients, and the most commonly reported systematic adverse reactions were fever (50 [46%]), fatigue (47 [44%]), headache (42 [39%]), and muscle pain (18 [17%]. Most adverse reactions that were reported in all dose groups were mild or moderate in severity. No serious adverse event was noted within 28 days post-vaccination. ELISA antibodies and neutralising antibodies increased significantly at day 14, and peaked 28 days post-vaccination. Specific T-cell response peaked at day 14 post-vaccination. INTERPRETATION: The Ad5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine is tolerable and immunogenic at 28 days post-vaccination. Humoral responses against SARS-CoV-2 peaked at day 28 post-vaccination in healthy adults, and rapid specific T-cell responses were noted from day 14 post-vaccination. Our findings suggest that the Ad5 vectored COVID-19 vaccine warrants further investigation. FUNDING: National Key R&D Program of China, National Science and Technology Major Project, and CanSino Biologics.

Immunogenicity and safety of a recombinant adenovirus type-5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine in healthy adults aged 18 years or older: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: This is the first randomised controlled trial for assessment of the immunogenicity and safety of a candidate non-replicating adenovirus type-5 (Ad5)-vectored COVID-19 vaccine, aiming to determine an appropriate dose of the candidate vaccine for an efficacy study. METHODS: This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial of the Ad5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine was done in a single centre in Wuhan, China. Healthy adults aged 18 years or older, who were HIV-negative and previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection-free, were eligible to participate and were randomly assigned to receive the vaccine at a dose of 1 × 1011 viral particles per mL or 5 × 1010 viral particles per mL, or placebo. Investigators allocated participants at a ratio of 2:1:1 to receive a single injection intramuscularly in the arm. The randomisation list (block size 4) was generated by an independent statistician. Participants, investigators, and staff undertaking laboratory analyses were masked to group allocation. The primary endpoints for immunogenicity were the geometric mean titres (GMTs) of specific ELISA antibody responses to the receptor binding domain (RBD) and neutralising antibody responses at day 28. The primary endpoint for safety evaluation was the incidence of adverse reactions within 14 days. All recruited participants who received at least one dose were included in the primary and safety analyses. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04341389. FINDINGS: 603 volunteers were recruited and screened for eligibility between April 11 and 16, 2020. 508 eligible participants (50% male; mean age 39·7 years, SD 12·5) consented to participate in the trial and were randomly assigned to receive the vaccine (1 × 1011 viral particles n=253; 5 × 1010 viral particles n=129) or placebo (n=126). In the 1 × 1011 and 5 × 1010 viral particles dose groups, the RBD-specific ELISA antibodies peaked at 656·5 (95% CI 575·2-749·2) and 571·0 (467·6-697·3), with seroconversion rates at 96% (95% CI 93-98) and 97% (92-99), respectively, at day 28. Both doses of the vaccine induced significant neutralising antibody responses to live SARS-CoV-2, with GMTs of 19·5 (95% CI 16·8-22·7) and 18·3 (14·4-23·3) in participants receiving 1 × 1011 and 5 × 1010 viral particles, respectively. Specific interferon γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay responses post vaccination were observed in 227 (90%, 95% CI 85-93) of 253 and 113 (88%, 81-92) of 129 participants in the 1 × 1011 and 5 × 1010 viral particles dose groups, respectively. Solicited adverse reactions were reported by 183 (72%) of 253 and 96 (74%) of 129 participants in the 1 × 1011 and 5 × 1010 viral particles dose groups, respectively. Severe adverse reactions were reported by 24 (9%) participants in the 1 × 1011 viral particles dose group and one (1%) participant in the 5 × 1010 viral particles dose group. No serious adverse reactions were documented. INTERPRETATION: The Ad5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine at 5 × 1010 viral particles is safe, and induced significant immune responses in the majority of recipients after a single immunisation. FUNDING: National Key R&D Programme of China, National Science and Technology Major Project, and CanSino Biologics.

The inhibition of microRNA-326 by SP1/HDAC1 contributes to proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma through promoting SMO expression.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant bone cancer lacking of effective treatment target when the metastasis occurred. This study investigated the implication of MicroRNA-326 in OS proliferation and metastasis to provide the clue for the treatment of metastatic OS. This study knocked down SP1 in MG63 and 143B cells and then performed Microarray assay to find the expression of miRNAs that were influenced by SP1. MTT, EdU, wound-healing and cell invasion assays were performed to evaluated cell proliferation and invasion. OS metastasis to lung was detected in a nude mice model. ChIP assay and DAPA were applied to determine the regulatory effect of SP1 and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC) complex on miR-326 expression. Human OS tissues showed lowly expressed miR-326 but highly expressed Sp1 and HDAC. Sp1 recruited HDAC1 to miR-326 gene promoter, which caused the histone deacetylation and subsequent transcriptional inhibition of miR-326 gene. miR-326 deficiency induced the stimulation of SMO/Hedgehog pathway and promoted the proliferation and invasion of 143B and MG63 cells as well as the growth and metastasis in nude mice. SP1/HDAC1 caused the transcriptional inhibition of miR-326 gene by promoting histone deacetylation; miR-326 deficiency conversely stimulated SMO/Hedgehog pathway that was responsible for the proliferation and metastasis of OS.

Radiotherapy plays an important role in improving the survival outcome in patients with T1-2N1M0 breast cancer - a joint analysis of 4262 real world cases from two institutions.

BACKGROUND: To compare the survival outcomes between breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and modified radical mastectomy (MRM), and to investigate the role of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with pT1-2N1M0 breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 4262 women with T1-2N1M0 breast cancer treated at two institutions were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 3858 patients underwent MRM, and 832 (21.6%) of them received postoperative RT (MRM + RT). A total of 404 patients received BCS plus postoperative RT (BCS + RT). All patients received axillary lymph node dissection, while 3.8% of them had upfront sentinel node biopsy. The association of survival outcomes with different surgical modalities (BCS vs. MRM) and the role of RT were evaluated using multivariable proportional hazards regression and confirmed by the propensity score-matching (PSM) method. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 71 months (range of 6-230 months), the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of the BCS and MRM groups were 96.5 and 92.7%, respectively (P = .001), and the corresponding 5-year disease-free-survival (DFS) and locoregional recurrence (LRR) rates were 92.9 and 84.0%, and 2.0 and 7.0% (P = .001), respectively (P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that RT was an independent prognostic factor for improved OS (P = .001) and DFS (P = .009), and decreased LRR (P < .001). However, surgery procedure was not independently associated with either OS (P = .495), DFS (P = .204), or LRR (P = .996), which was confirmed by PSM analysis. CONCLUSION: Postoperative radiotherapy rather than the surgery procedures was associated with superior survival outcomes in patients with T1-2N1M0 breast cancer.

Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Epidural Fat-Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuate NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Improve Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event which caused high mortality and morbidity. Recently, nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been showed to act a critical t role in the secondly injury phase of SCI. In current study, we aimed to investigate the effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of extracellular vesicles derived from epidural fat (EF)- mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment of SCI. Ninety-six Sprague-Dawley rats were used for current study and randomly divided into four groups: sham group, SCI group, SCI + Saline group, SCI + Extracellular vesicles group. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scores was applied to evaluate the neurological functional recovery. Cresyl violet-stained was conducted evaluate the protective effect of EF-MSCs-Extracellular vesicles on lesion volume after SCI. ELISA, immunohistochemistry assay, TUNEL assay and western blotting were conducted to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that the administration of EF-MSCs-Extracellular vesicles via tail vein injection improved neurological functional recovery and reduced the lesion volume after SCI. And systemic administration of EF-MSCs-Extracellular vesicles significantly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, the expression levels of proapoptotic protein Bax was decreased and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 was upregulated with the treatment of EF-MSCs-Extracellular vesicles after SCI. In summary, in current study, we demonstrated for the first time that the EF-MSCs-Extracellular vesicles can improve neurological functional recovery after SCI, and the underlying molecular mechanisms may partly through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Synergistic Platinum(II) Prodrug Nanoparticles for Enhanced Breast Cancer Therapy.

Chemotherapy still accounts for a large proportion of the treatments of tumors, but the drug resistance and side effects caused by long-term chemotherapy should not be underestimated. In this work, the drug combination strategy has been widely developed to overcome the side effects brought by the use of single drugs and improve the therapeutic effect. However, in clinical applications, the co-delivery of drugs is very difficult, and different in vivo kinetics due to different drug properties will lead to a decrease in efficacy. Thus, the design of novel antitumor therapeutic agents, including new platinum agents, represents an area in need of urgent attention. Our investigation implies a promising strategy for the design of a platinum prodrug to enhance the treatment of breast cancer. A dual-drug delivery nanoparticle was developed for enhanced treatment of breast cancer based on a two-into-one co-delivery strategy. Through the synergistic effect of released cisplatin hydrate and tolfenamic acid (COX-2 inhibitor) from the coordination prodrug, the tumor growth is significantly suppressed, and the survival time is greatly extended in breast tumor-bearing mice.

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Polar Ionospheric Total Electron Content over Nearly Thirteen Years.

It is of great significance for the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) service to detect the polar ionospheric total electron content (TEC) and its variations, particularly under disturbed ionosphere conditions, including different phases of solar activity, the polar day and night alternation, the Weddell Sea anomaly (WSA) as well as geomagnetic storms. In this paper, four different models are utilized to map the ionospheric TEC over the Arctic and Antarctic for about one solar cycle: the polynomial (POLY) model, the generalized trigonometric series function (GTSF) model, the spherical harmonic (SH) model, and the spherical cap harmonic (SCH) model. Compared to other models, the SCH model has the best performance with ±0.8 TECU of residual mean value and 1.5-3.5 TECU of root mean square error. The spatiotemporal distributions and variations of the polar ionospheric TEC are investigated and compared under different ionosphere conditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. The results show that the solar activity significantly affects the TEC variations. During polar days, the ionospheric TEC is more active than it is during polar nights. In polar days over the Antarctic, the maximum value of TEC always appears at night in the Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea area affected by the WSA. In the same year, the ionospheric TEC of the Antarctic has a larger amplitude of annual variation than that of the TEC in the Arctic. In addition, the evolution of the ionization patch during a geomagnetic storm over the Antarctic can be clearly tracked employing the SCH model, which appears to be adequate for mapping the polar TEC, and provides a sound basis for further automatic identification of ionization patches.

α-Fe2 O3 Nanoparticles Decorated C@MoS2 Nanosheet Arrays with Expanded Spacing of (002) Plane for Ultrafast and High Li/Na-Ion Storage.

MoS2 nanosheets as a promising 2D nanomaterial have extensive applications in energy storage and conversion, but their electrochemical performance is still unsatisfactory as an anode for efficient Li+ /Na+ storage. In this work, the design and synthesis of vertically grown MoS2 nanosheet arrays, decorated with graphite carbon and Fe2 O3 nanoparticles, on flexible carbon fiber cloth (denoted as Fe2 O3 @C@MoS2 /CFC) is reported. When evaluated as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, the Fe2 O3 @C@MoS2 /CFC electrode manifests an outstanding electrochemical performance with a high discharge capacity of 1541.2 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 and a good capacity retention of 80.1% at 1.0 A g-1 after 500 cycles. As for sodium-ion batteries, it retains a high reversible capacity of 889.4 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 over 200 cycles. The superior electrochemical performance mainly results from the unique 3D ordered Fe2 O3 @C@MoS2 array-type nanostructures and the synergistic effect between the C@MoS2 nanosheet arrays and Fe2 O3 nanoparticles. The Fe2 O3 nanoparticles act as spacers to steady the structure, and the graphite carbon could be incorporated into MoS2 nanosheets to improve the conductivity of the whole electrode and strengthen the integration of MoS2 nanosheets and CFC by the adhesive role, together ensuring high conductivity and mechanical stability.

An Auto-Switchable Dual-Mode Seawater Energy Extraction System Enabled by Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Harvesting energy directly in oceans by electrochemical devices is essential for driving underwater appliances such as underwater vehicles or detectors. Owing to the extreme undersea environment, it is important but difficult to use the devices with both a high energy density and power density simultaneously. Inspired by marine organisms that have switchable energy extraction modes (aerobic respiration for long-term living or anaerobic respiration to provide instantaneously high output power for fast movement), an auto-switchable dual-mode seawater energy extraction system is presented to provide high energy density and power density both by initiatively choosing different solutes in seawater as electron acceptors. With assistance from metal-organic frameworks, this device had a theoretical energy density of 3960 Wh kg-1 , and a high practical power density of 100±4 mW cm-2 with exceptional stability and low cost, making practical applications in seawater to be possible.

Transcriptional Activity of Arsenic-Reducing Bacteria and Genes Regulated by Lactate and Biochar during Arsenic Transformation in Flooded Paddy Soil.

Organic substrates and biochar are important in controlling arsenic release from sediments and soils; however, little is known about their impact on arsenic-reducing bacteria and genes during arsenic transformation in flooded paddy soils. In this study, microcosm experiments were established to profile transcriptional activity of As(V)-respiring gene (arrA) and arsenic resistance gene (arsC) as well as the associated bacteria regulated by lactate and/or biochar in anaerobic arsenic-contaminated paddy soils. Chemical analyses revealed that lactate as the organic substrate stimulated microbial reduction of As(V) and Fe(III), which was simultaneously promoted by lactate+biochar, due to biochar's electron shuttle function that facilitates electron transfer from bacteria to As(V)/Fe(III). Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that both arrA closely associated with Geobacter (>60%, number of identical sequences/number of the total sequences) and arsC related to Enterobacteriaceae (>99%) were selected by lactate and lactate+biochar. Compared with the lactate microcosms, transcriptions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, Geobacter spp., and Geobacter arrA and arsC genes were increased in the lactate+biochar microcosms, where transcript abundances of Geobacter and Geobacter arrA closely tracked with dissolved As(V) concentrations. Our findings indicated that lactate and biochar in flooded paddy soils can stimulate the active As(V)-respiring bacteria Geobacter species for arsenic reduction and release, which probably increases arsenic bioavailability to rice plants.

Relationship Between the Incidence of Road Traffic Accidents, Psychological Characteristics, and Genotype in Bus Drivers in a Chinese Population.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the association between the incidence of road traffic accidents, psychological characteristics, and genotype in bus drivers in a Chinese population. MATERIAL AND METHODS Bus drivers who had been involved in road traffic accidents (n=106) (the study group), and bus drivers with no history of road traffic accidents (n=106) (the control group) completed demographic questionnaires, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and the Type-A behavior pattern (TABP) evaluation. Serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (serotonin), and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescent detection (HPLC-FLD). Serotonin transporter promoter-linked polymorphism region (5-HTTLPR) and the 521 C/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the regulatory region of the dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4-521 C/T) were measured using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS After accounting for potential confounders, extroversion, psychopathy, neuroticism and time hurrying (impatience) were significant factors associated with road traffic accidents in bus drivers (adjusted OR: 1.268, 95% CI: 1.133-1.419; adjusted OR: 1.177, 95% CI: 1.028-1.347; adjusted OR: 1.092, 95% CI: 1.005-1.187; adjusted OR: 1.123, 95% CI: 1.025-1.230, respectively). Reduced serum levels of 5-HT and 5-HTP were significantly associated with the incidence of road traffic accidents (adjusted OR: 0.985, 95% CI: 0.973-0.997; adjusted OR: 0.982, 95% CI: 0.969-0.994, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Psychological characteristics associated with the 5-HTTLPR and DRD4-521 C/T genotypes, including extroversion, psychopathy, neuroticism, and time hurrying (impatience), and low serum levels of 5-HT and 5-HTP in bus drivers were associated with an increased risk of road traffic accidents.

Real-Time Monitoring for BDS Signal-In-Space Anomalies Using Ground Observation Data.

Signal-in-space (SIS) User Range Error (URE) is one of the major error sources for BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) applications and can reach tens of meters or even more. Therefore, real-time monitoring of SIS anomalies has a great realistic significance to guarantee the safety of users. According to an analysis of the BDS navigation messages, it showed that the User Range Accuracy (URA) index could not reflect the change of URE when it was abnormal. The conventional models using the relationship between URA and URE to monitor SIS anomalies are not suitable to the present BDS. Therefore, we use a prior information of SIS URE derived from ground observational data instead of URA to monitor BDS SIS anomalies. In order to realize the corresponding functions, we analysed the distribution of SIS UREs and obtained their prior models. Then, the monitoring threshold is determined using the prior models and a confidence interval instead of URA. The scheme was tested by applying to BDS SIS anomalies monitoring based on 13 ground tracking stations. The performance of this method was assessed by comparison with the satellite-health indicators from broadcast ephemeris. The results confirm that the method developed in this paper can rightly and timely detect abnormal SIS.