Distinct detection and discrimination sensitivities in visual processing of real versus unreal optic flow.

We examined the intricate mechanisms underlying visual processing of complex motion stimuli by measuring the detection sensitivity to contraction and expansion patterns and the discrimination sensitivity to the location of the center of motion (CoM) in various real and unreal optic flow stimuli. We conducted two experiments (N = 20 each) and compared responses to both "real" optic flow stimuli containing information about self-movement in a three-dimensional scene and "unreal" optic flow stimuli lacking such information. We found that detection sensitivity to contraction surpassed that to expansion patterns for unreal optic flow stimuli, whereas this trend was reversed for real optic flow stimuli.

Recent changes in ENSO's impacts on the summertime circumglobal teleconnection and mid-latitude extremes.

The boreal summer circumglobal teleconnection (CGT) provides a primary predictability source for mid-latitude Northern Hemisphere climate anomalies and extreme events. Here, we show that the CGT's circulation structure has been displaced westward by half a wavelength since the late 1970s, more severely impacting heatwaves and droughts over East Europe, East Asia, and southwestern North America. We present empirical and modelling evidence of the essential role of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in shaping this change.

Proximal Oblique-Packing of Heptamethine Cyanines through Spiro-Connection Boosts Triplet State Generation in Near-Infrared.

Near-infrared (NIR) triplet dyes are the cornerstones of cutting-edge biomedical and material applications. The difficulty in rational development of triplet dyes increases exponentially as the absorption wavelength shifts deeper into the NIR range. Although classical H-/J-typed packing of NIR dyes has the potential to enhance intersystem crossing (ISC) compared with that in single-chromophore dyes, the triplet state quantum yields remain limited in such strategy.

In-Plane Polarization-Triggered WS-Ferroelectric Heterostructured Synaptic Devices.

To date, various kinds of memristors have been proposed as artificial neurons and synapses for neuromorphic computing to overcome the so-called von Neumann bottleneck in conventional computing architectures. However, related working principles are mostly ascribed to randomly distributed conductive filaments or traps, which usually lead to high stochasticity and poor uniformity. In this work, a heterostructure with a two-dimensional WS monolayer and a ferroelectric PZT film were demonstrated for memristors and artificial synapses, triggered by in-plane ferroelectric polarization.

A self-aggregated thermally activated delayed fluorescence nanoprobe for HClO imaging and activatable photodynamic therapy.

Hypochlorous acid (HClO/ClO) is a common ROS that exhibits elevated activity levels in cancer cells. In this study, an ClO-triggered TADF probe, PTZ-MNI, was designed based on a naphthalimide core. PTZ-MNI self-assemble in aqueous environments, exhibiting significantly enhanced fluorescence that demonstrated typical aggregation-induced delayed fluorescence (AIDF) characteristics.

Multi-Scale Pyramid Squeeze Attention Similarity Optimization Classification Neural Network for ERP Detection.

Event-related potentials (ERPs) can reveal brain activity elicited by external stimuli. Innovative methods to decode ERPs could enhance the accuracy of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology and promote the understanding of cognitive processes. This paper proposes a novel Multi-Scale Pyramid Squeeze Attention Similarity Optimization Classification Neural Network (MS-PSA-SOC) for ERP Detection.

Kinetic Control of Self-Assembly Pathway in Dual Dynamic Covalent Polymeric Systems.

Kinetically controlled self-assembly is garnering increasing interest in the field of supramolecular polymers and materials, yet examples involving dynamic covalent exchange remain relatively unexplored. Here we report an unexpected dynamic covalent polymeric system whose aqueous self-assembly pathway is strongly influenced by the kinetics of evaporation of water. The key design is to integrate dual dynamic covalent bonds-including disulfide bonds and boroxine/borate-into a dynamic equilibrium system of monomers, polymers, and materials.

Variations in wheat water requirement and climatic causes in arid regions of northwest China.

Analysis of crop water requirement and its influencing factors are important for optimal allocation of water resources. However, research on variations of climatic factors and their contribution to wheat water requirement in Xinjiang is insufficient. In our study, daily meteorological data during 1961‒2017 in Xinjiang was collected.

Exploring the synergistic effect of NaOH/NaClO absorbent in a novel wet FGD scrubber to control SOx/NOx emissions.

Escalating SOx and NOx emissions from industrial plants necessitates customized scrubbing solutions to improve removal efficiency and tackle cost limitations in existing wet FGD units. This work investigates the real-time intensified removal pathways via an innovative two-stage countercurrent spray tower configuration strategically integrating NaOH (M) and NaOH/NaClO (M/M) to remove SOx and NOx emissions simultaneously from the industrial stack through a comprehensive parametric study of absorbents concentration, reaction temperature, gas flow rate, liquid to gas ratio (F/F), and absorbent showering head. Flue gas stream comprising SO bearing 4500 ppm, SO bearing 300 ppm, 70 ppm NO, and 50 ppm NO brought into contact with two scrubbing solutions as M, and a complex absorbent of M/M at varying respective ratios.

Copper-catalysed radical cascade reaction of -(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl) substituted 2-pyridones with styrene to access 1,6-carboannulated 2-pyridone scaffolds.

Herein, we present that treating -(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl) substituted 2-pyridones with styrenes in DMSO/HO at 120 °C affords 1,6-carboannulated 2-pyridone scaffolds with up to 79% yield. This protocol provides a simple and efficient method for obtaining complicated bicyclic 2-pyridones through a radical cascade reaction. Additionally, we have successfully synthesized 27 target compounds, which confirms the practicality and wide applicability of the proposed reaction.

Comparison of chemical constituents in species and their antimicrobial activity for extending the shelf life of foods.

Food spoilage causes significant economic losses and endangers human health. Developing novel antimicrobial agents and preservatives is urgently needed for anti-foodborne diseases and improving food storage. Zhen Zhu Cai () species are well-known edible plants among the East Asian populace that clear heat and anti-aging.

Ultramicroporous Tröger's Base Framework Membranes With Ionized Sub-nanochannels for Efficient Acid/Alkali Recovery.

Membrane technology holds significant potential for the recovery of acids and alkalis from industrial wastewater systems, with ion exchange membranes (IEMs) playing a crucial role in these applications. However, conventional IEMs are limited to separating only monovalent cations or anions, presenting a significant challenge in achieving concomitant H⁺/OH⁻ permselectivity for simultaneous acid and alkali recovery. To address this issue, the charged microporous polymer framework membranes are developed, featuring rigid Tröger's Base network chains constructed through a facile sol-gel process.

Advanced Solid Lubrication with COK-47: Mechanistic Insights on the Role of Water and Performance Evaluation.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles have attracted widespread attention as lubrication additives due to their tunable structures and surface effects. However, their solid lubrication properties have been rarely explored. This work introduces the positive role of moisture in solid lubrication in the case of a newly described Ti-based MOF (COK-47) powder.

Metallic vanadium activated by an dissolution-deposition process for a superior aqueous zinc ion battery cathode.

Metallic vanadium is innovatively introduced for a superior aqueous zinc-ion battery cathode material, which is activated through dissolution-deposition transition to amorphous VO·3HO and delivers an excellent capacity of 610 mA h g at 0.1 A g and remarkable capacity retention rate of 80.3% after 1000 cycles at 1 A g.

Mapping an evidence-based end-of-life care framework for older adults in Chinese nursing homes: protocol for a scoping review.

Introduction: End-of-life care is essential for older adults aged ≥60, particularly those residing in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, which are known for their home-like environments compared with hospitals. Due to potential limitations in medical resources, collaboration with external healthcare providers is crucial to ensure comprehensive services within these settings. Previous studies have primarily focused on team-based models for end-of-life care in hospitals and home-based settings.

Association between fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio and bone metabolism markers (β-CTX and P1NP) in Chinese individuals with osteoporotic fracture: a cross-sectional investigation.

Objective: Research on the link between inflammatory indicators and markers of bone metabolism is currently lacking, especially the interaction between Procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), the β-C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (β-CTX), and the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR). This study intends to fill that knowledge gap by investigating the possible link between inflammatory indicators and bone metabolism.

Methods: This observational study included 718 individuals diagnosed with osteoporotic fractures from Kunshan Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University between January 2017 and July 2022.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts in carcinogenesis.

In contemporary times, cancer poses the most significant threat to human life and safety. Scientists have relentlessly pursued the intricacies of carcinogenesis and explored ways to prevent and treat cancer. Carcinogenesis is a complex, multi-faceted, and multi-stage process, with numerous underlying causes, including inflammation and fibrosis.

Decomposition and comparative analysis of urban-rural disparity in attitude towards advance care planning among Chinese adults: A nationwide study.

Background: Examining urban-rural disparity in Chinese adults' advance care planning (ACP) attitudes is crucial for healthcare decision-making. A comprehensive understanding of contributing factors, especially through decomposition and comparative analysis, remains limited.

Methods: Data were derived from Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Residents (PBICR) including 19,738 participants, representative of Chinese adults.

Chemosensory Cues Modulate Women's Jealousy Responses to Vocal Femininity.

Jealousy responses to potential mating rivals are stronger when those rivals display cues indicating higher mate quality. One such cue is vocal femininity in women's voices, with higher-pitched voices eliciting greater jealousy responses. However, cues to mate quality are not evaluated in isolation.

Preparation of anti-shrinkage branched poly (butylene succinate-co-butylene terephthalate)/cellulose nanocrystal foam with excellent degradability and thermal insulation.

Branched poly (butylene succinate-co-butylene terephthalate) (BPBST) was synthesized by in-situ polycondensation to enhance the foamability of poly (butylene succinate-co-butylene terephthalate) (PBST) and was blended with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) to address foam shrinkage. The introduction of 2 wt% CNC increased the crystallization temperature of BPBST from 66.6 °C to 87.

HPTLC-Bioautography-MS-Guided Strategy for the Detection of Phthalides With Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities From Ligusticum chuanxiong Essential Oil.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance and free radical-mediated oxidative stress and inflammation involved in many pathological processes have become treatment challenges. One strategy is to search for antimicrobial and antioxidant ingredients from natural aromatic plants. This study established a rapid and high-throughput effect-component analysis method to screen active ingredients from Ligusticum chuanxiong essential oil (CXEO).

Scale-Up of Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells Through Regulation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity Under Defined Conditions.

Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) have shown excellent efficacy in clinical research and have prospective applications in the treatment of many diseases. However, the properties of the hAECs and their proliferative mechanisms remain unclear. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is performed on hAECs obtained from amniotic tissues at different gestational ages and passages during in vitro culture.

Insight into photocatalytic CO reduction on TiO-supported Cu nanorods: a DFT study on the reaction mechanism and selectivity.

Photoreduction of CO into hydrocarbons is a potential strategy for reducing atmospheric CO and effectively utilizing carbon resources. Cu-deposited TiO photocatalysts stand out in this area due to their good photocatalytic activity and potential methanol selectivity. However, the underlying mechanism and factors controlling product selectivity remain less understood.

Photoinduced Fröhlich Interaction-Driven Distinct Electron- and Hole-Polaron Behaviors in Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskites by Ultrafast Terahertz Probes.

The formation of large polarons resulting from the Fröhlich coupling of photogenerated carriers with the polarized crystal lattice is considered crucial in shaping the outstanding optoelectronic properties in hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite crystals. Until now, the initial polaron dynamics after photoexcitation have remained elusive in the hybrid perovskite system. Here, based on the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and optical-pump terahertz probe, we access the nature of interplay between photoexcited unbound charge carriers and optical phonons in MAPbBr within the initial 5 ps after excitation and have demonstrated the simultaneous existence of both electron- and hole-polarons, together with the photogenerated carrier dynamic process.

Crystal-Facet Engineering of Mesoporous CuS Cascade Nanoreactors Enhances Photocatalytic C-C Coupling of CO-to-CH.

Crystal-facet heterojunction engineering of mesoporous nanoreactors with highly redox-active represents an efficacious strategy for the transformation of CO into valuable C products (e.g., CH).