Tunable Transfer-Hydrodeoxygenated Upgrading of Lignin-Derived Propylphenols to Versatile Value-Added Alkane-Based Chemicals.

Catalytic refining of lignin holds promise for producing sustainable platform chemicals. In this work, a gaseous hydrogen-free catalytic hydrodeoxygenation system is developed for upgrading lignin-derived phenols to alkane chemicals. Commercially available Raney Ni and HZSM-5 are used as a combinational catalyst, with isopropanol serving as the hydrogen-donating solvent.

Integrating high-Z elements and multilayer structures into composite films with interlayer scattering effects for high-energy X-ray shielding.

High-energy ionizing radiation brings serious challenges to medical professionals, and it demands efficient and lightweight shielding materials depending on high-Z elements and structural supporting matrices. Herein, we have integrated multiple high-Z elements and multilayer structures into composite films with interlayer scattering effects for constructing high-energy X-ray shielding clothes. A series of composite films containing different combinations of X-ray shielding particles (SnO, BaSO, and BiO) were prepared in tightly connected two layers with each layer consisting of corresponding hybrid polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers-reinforced hybrid thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating.

Multiple stimuli-responsive circularly polarized luminescent bio-composite films by coassembling cellulose nanocrystals and curcumin.

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) -based circularly polarized luminescent (CPL) materials, which are responsive to external stimuli, have attracted increasing attention in developing smart chiral photonic materials. In this study, chiral nematic bio-composite CNC films with right-handed (R-) CPL emission and tunable dissymmetry factors (g) were prepared by encapsulating curcumin in chiral nematic CNC films via an evaporation-induced self-assembly strategy. The CPL active bio-composite CNC films exhibit multiple responsiveness to relative humidity (RH) and pH.

Recent Advances in Transcriptome Analysis Within the Realm of Low Arsenic Rice Breeding.

Arsenic (As), a toxic element, is widely distributed in soil and irrigation water. Rice ( L.), the staple food in Southern China, exhibits a greater propensity for As uptake compared to other crops.

Nanocellulose-Derived Hierarchical Carbon Framework-Supported P-Doped MoO Nanoparticles for Optimizing Redox Kinetics in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The integration of nanocatalysts into the separators of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) boosts the polysulfide conversion efficiency. However, the aggregation of catalyst nanoparticles diminishes the active surface area. Moreover, densely packed catalyst-modified layers often hinder ion transport rates and impede access to the catalytic sites.

Balancing Competitive Adsorption on CoO@P, N-Doped Porous Carbon to Enhance the Electrocatalytic Upgrading of Biomass Derivatives.

The electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) represents an environmentally friendly approach to generate high-value-added chemicals from biomass. The successful electrochemical transformation of HMF during the oxidation reaction (HMFOR) necessitates an ideal adsorption interaction between HMF and OH on the electrode surface. Yet, catalysts with a singular active site offer limited flexibility in managing the competitive adsorption of HMF and OH.

Temporal Association Cortex Gates Sound-Evoked Arousal from NREM Sleep.

Sound-evoked wakefulness from sleep is crucial in daily life, yet its neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. It is found that CaMKIIα+ neurons in the temporal association cortex (TeA) of mice are not essential for natural awakening from sleep. However, optogenetic activation of these neurons reliably induces wakefulness from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep but not from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

Does a not-for-profit minority institutional shareholder promote corporate green innovation? A quasi-Natural experiment.

In 2016, the China Securities Regulatory Commission authorized the China Securities Investor Services Center (CSISC), a not-for-profit institution, to buy and hold 100 shares of listed firms in pilot regions. Exploiting CSISC shareholding as an exogenous shock, we employ a difference-in-differences analysis of a sample of listed firms from to 2013-2017 to investigate whether CSISC shareholding can promote corporate green innovation. Our results show that CSISC shareholding play a significant role in promoting corporate green innovation.

The 2023 report of the synergetic roadmap on carbon neutrality and clean air for China: Carbon reduction, pollution mitigation, greening, and growth.

The response to climate change and air pollution control demonstrates strong synergy across scientific mechanisms, targets, strategies, and governance systems. This report, based on a monitoring indicator system for coordinated governance of air pollution and climate change, employs an interdisciplinary approach combining natural and social sciences. It establishes 20 indicators across five key areas: air pollution and climate change, governance systems and practices, structural transformation and technologies, atmospheric components and emission reduction pathways, and health impacts and co-benefits.

A Cellulose Ionogel with Rubber-Like Stretchability for Low-Grade Heat Harvesting.

Achieving rubber-like stretchability in cellulose ionogels presents a substantial challenge due to the intrinsically extended chain configuration of cellulose. Inspired by the molecular configuration of natural rubber, we address this challenge by using cyanoethyl as a substitute for 1.5 hydroxyl on the D-glucose unit of cellulose.

High-Yield Production of Solution-Processed Highly Robust Organic Artificial Synapses by Thermal Treatments.

A promising approach for implementing biomimetic systems relies on organic electronic devices designed to emulate neural synapses. However, organic artificial synapses face challenges in achieving high yield and robustness, rendering them difficult to use in practical applications. In this work, a high-yield and highly stable bulk heterojunction (BHJ) synaptic device composed of Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) was fabricated via a simple solution process followed by thermal treatments.

Use of the linear regression method to evaluate population accuracy of predictions from non-linear models.

Background: To address the limitations of commonly used cross-validation methods, the linear regression method (LR) was proposed to estimate population accuracy of predictions based on the implicit assumption that the fitted model is correct. This method also provides two statistics to determine the adequacy of the fitted model. The validity and behavior of the LR method have been provided and studied for linear predictions but not for nonlinear predictions.

Sensitive Dual-Signal ELISA Based on Specific Phage-Displayed Double Peptide Probes with Internal Filtering Effect to Assay Monkeypox Virus Antigen.

The global spread of monkeypox has become a worldwide public healthcare issue. Therefore, there is an urgent need for accurate and sensitive detection methods to effectively control its spreading. Herein, we screened by phage display two peptides M4 (sequence: DPCGERICSIAL) and M6 (sequence: SCSSFLCSLKVG) with good affinity and specificity to monkeypox virus (MPXV) B21R protein.

Prognostic significance of peripheral and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in newly diagnosed stage III/IV non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background And Aim: Lymphocytes are effector cells that fight cancer by killing tumor cells. Here, we aim to explore the prognostic significance of both peripheral and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in newly diagnosed stage III/IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials And Methods: In total, 105 cases of newly diagnosed stage III/IV NSCLC from July 2017 to October 2022 at the Tianjin Beichen Hospital were retrospectively investigated.

Lattice Strain Engineering on Metal-Organic Frameworks by Ligand Doping to Boost the Electrocatalytic Biomass Valorization.

As an efficient and environmental-friendly strategy, electrocatalytic oxidation can realize biomass lignin valorization by cleaving its aryl ether bonds to produce value-added chemicals. However, the complex and polymerized structure of lignin presents challenges in terms of reactant adsorption on the catalyst surface, which hinders further refinement. Herein, NiCo-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are employed as the electrocatalyst to enhance the adsorption of reactant molecules through π-π interaction.

Efficacy and Safety of CT-guided Percutaneous Cryoablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma at High-risk Sites.

Objective: This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) located explicitly in high-risk sites.

Materials And Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from 685 HCC patients undergoing percutaneous cryoablation at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital between January 2018 and December 2021. Of these, 106 patients had lesions in high-risk sites, defined as a minimum distance of less than 10 mm from the heart/great vessels, diaphragm, gastrointestinal tract, and gallbladder, as determined by preoperative CT or MRI imaging.

Unveiling the Hidden Impact: Hematoma Volumes Unravel Circuit Disruptions in Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) imposes a significant burden on patients, and the volume of hematoma plays a crucial role in determining the severity and prognosis of ICH. Although significant recent progress has been made in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of surrounding brain tissue in ICH, our current knowledge regarding the precise impact of hematoma volumes on neural circuit damage remains limited. Here, using a viral tracing technique in a mouse model of striatum ICH, two distinct patterns of injury response were observed in upstream connectivity, characterized by both linear and nonlinear trends in specific brain areas.

A preliminary study of optimal treatment response rates in patients undergoing hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with molecular targeting and immunotherapy.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the best response rate (BRR) as a surrogate for overall survival (OS), using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) combined with molecular targeting and immunotherapy.

Methods: This study enrolled 111 consecutive patients who had complete imaging data. The median age of patients was 58 years (IQR 50.

Hydrogen-transfer strategy in lignin refinery: Towards sustainable and versatile value-added biochemicals.

Lignin, the most prevalent natural source of polyphenols on Earth, offers substantial possibilities for the conversion into aromatic compounds, which is critical for attaining sustainability and carbon neutrality. The hydrogen-transfer method has garnered significant interest owing to its environmental compatibility and economic viability. The efficacy of this approach is contingent upon the careful selection of catalytic and hydrogen-donating systems that decisively affect the yield and selectivity of the monomeric products resulting from lignin degradation.

Novel Triazolopyridine-Based BRD4 Inhibitors as Potent HIV-1 Latency Reversing Agents.

Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitors have been proven to be a promising option for anti-HIV-1 latency therapeutics. We herein describe the design, synthesis, and anti-HIV-1 latency bioevaluation of triazolopyridine derivatives as BRD4 inhibitors. Among them, compound displayed favorable HIV-1 reactivation and prominent safety profile without triggering abnormal immune activation.

Glycosidic bond protection of cellulose during solvent dissolution by coordination interaction competition strategy.

Exploiting new solvents on efficiently dissolving cellulose is imperative to promote the utilization of cellulosic resources. The process of cellulose dissolution typically necessitates extreme conditions, such as high-temperature treatment, utilization of potent acidic or basic solvents, or the catalytic action of Lewis acids. As a result, the structure of the cellulose is invariably compromised, subsequently obstructing the creation of high-performance materials.