Asymmetric Radical Oxyboration of ß-Substituted Styrenes via Late-Stage Stereomutation.

Herein, we report an unprecedented copper-catalyzed highly enantio- and diastereoselective radical oxyboration of ß-substituted styrenes. The lynchpin of success is ascribed to the development of a late-stage stereomutation strategy, which enables enantioenriched cis-isomers among a couple of early-generated diastereomers to be converted into trans-isomer counterparts, thus fulfilling high diastereocontrol; while the degree of enantio-differentiation is determined by the borocupration process of the C=C bond. This reaction provides an efficient protocol to access enantioenriched trans-1,2- dioxygenation products. The value of this method has further been highlighted in a diversity of follow-up stereospecific transformations and further modifying complex molecules.

Development and Experiment of an Innovative Row-Controlled Device for Residual Film Collector to Drive Autonomously along the Ridge.

The field harvesting process of harvesting machinery is often affected by high workload and environmental factors that can impede/delay manual rowing, thereby leading to lower efficiency and quality in the residual film collector. To address this challenge, an automatic rowing control system using the 4mz-220d self-propelled residual film collector as the experimental carrier was proposed in this study. Cotton stalks in the ridges were chosen as the research object, and a comprehensive application of key technologies, machinery, and electronic control was used, thereby incorporating a pure tracking model as the path-tracking control method. To achieve the automatic rowing function during the field traveling process, the fuzzy control principle was implemented to adjust the forward distance within the pure tracking model dynamically, and the expected steering angle of the steering wheel was determined based on the kinematic model of the recovery machine. The MATLAB/Simulink software was utilized to simulate and analyze the proposed model, thus achieving significant improvements in the automation level of the residual film collector. The field harvesting tests showed that the average deviation of the manual rowing was 0.144 m, while the average deviation of the automatic rowing was 0.066 m. Moreover, the average lateral deviation of the automatic rowing was reduced by 0.078 m with a probability of deviation within 0.1 m of 95.71%. The research study demonstrated that the designed automatic rowing system exhibited high stability and robustness, thereby meeting the requirements of the autonomous rowing operations of residual film collectors. The results of this study can serve as a reference for future research on autonomous navigation technology in agriculture.

Efficacy of multi-slice spiral computed tomography in evaluating gastric cancer recurrence after endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence is the major challenge facing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)-based treatment therapies for early gastric cancer (EGC). Urgent development of simple and easy surveillance approaches will enhance clinical treatment of the disease. AIM: To explore the role of computed tomography (CT) recurrence in evaluating EGC after ESD treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively recruited patients from our endoscopy department, between January 2002 and December 2015, and analyzed their basic characteristics, including symptoms, CT results, and results of endoscopy with biopsy, among others. RESULTS: Among a total of 2150 patients EGC patients surveyed, 1362 met our inclusion and exclusion criteria and were therefore enrolled in our study. The cohort's sensitivity of CT for recurrent GC and specificity were 44.22% and 43.86%, respectively, with negative and positive predictive values of 40.15% (275/685) and 48.01% (325/677), respectively. The area under the curve of arterial and venous CT values for recurrent EGC were 0.545, and 0.604, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve revealed no statistically significant differences between arterial and venous CT values for recurrent EGC. CONCLUSION: Enhanced CT has superior diagnostic efficacy, but less accuracy, compared to gold standard techniques in patients with recurrent EGC.

Copper-Catalyzed Defluorinative Boroarylation of Alkenes with Polyfluoroarenes.

A catalytic defluorinative boroarylation of alkenes with polyfluoroarenes and B2pin2 with the assistance of a PCy3-ligated copper catalyst was developed. Taking advantage of bench-stable alkenes as latent nucleophiles and avoiding traditional reliance on stoichiometric quantities of organometallics, this method showcased good functional group compatibility and proceeded under very mild reaction conditions. A series of valuable boronate-containing polyfluoroarenes including all-carbon quaternary carboncenter-containing triaryl alkylboronates that are otherwise difficult to access were efficiently prepared.

Design and Experiments of a Real-Time Bale Density Monitoring System Based on Dynamic Weighing.

Bale density is one of the main performance indicators to measure the quality of baler operation. In this study, a real-time baler bale density monitoring system was designed for the problem of difficult real-time measurement of bale density on round balers. Firstly, a weighing calculation model for the rolling and sliding stage of the bale was established, and the dynamic characteristics during the contact between the bale and the inclined surface were analyzed based on ADAMS dynamics simulation. Then, a real-time monitoring system for the bale density based on the contact pressure of the inclined surface, attitude angle measurement and hydraulic monitoring of the cylinder was constructed, and the accuracy of the weighing model was confirmed. The system was used to observe and analyze the changes in the pitch angle of the carrier table and the oil pressure in the rod chamber of the backpack cylinder during the operation of the round baler. Finally, the monitoring system was calibrated and the dynamic calibration equations were obtained. The results show that the maximum error between the calculated value of the original weighing model and the actual weight was 3.63%, the maximum error of the calculated value of the weighing model corrected by the calibration equations was 3.40% and the measurement accuracy could be satisfied. The results show that the system was highly accurate and met the practical needs of bale weighing in the field.

A Structural Design Method of 3D Electromagnetic Wave-Absorbing Woven Fabrics.

Based on the wave absorption model of 3D woven fabric and the zero-reflection equations, a new structural design method of 3D electromagnetic (EM) wave-absorbing woven fabrics was obtained. The 3D woven fabrics fabricated by the proposed method had the structure of a bidirectional angle interlock. Continuous S-2 glass fibers were used as the matching layer of this 3D woven fabric, and continuous carbon fibers were used as the absorbing layer. The absorbing layer satisfied the equivalent EM parameters under the condition of zero reflection. The results of the simulation and experiment showed that the performance trends of the 3D wave-absorbing fabric obtained by this method were consistent with the theory, which verified the correctness of the structure design method. The 3D fabrics obtained by this method have the advantages of wide absorbing frequencies and good absorbing performance (-20 dB). This structural design method also has theoretical guiding significance for the development of 3D wave-absorbing fabrics.

Remote Site-Selective Asymmetric Protoboration of Unactivated Alkenes Enabled by Bimetallic Relay Catalysis.

A remote C(sp3 )-H bond asymmetric borylation of unactivated alkenes was achieved by bimetallic relay catalysis. The reaction proceeded through reversible and consecutive ß-H elimination/olefin insertion promoted by CoH species generated in situ, followed by copper-catalyzed asymmetric protoboration. The use of this synergistic Co/Cu catalysis protocol allowed the enantioselective protoboration of various unactivated terminal alkenes and internal alkenes, as well as an unrefined mixture of olefin isomers, at the distal less-reactive ß-position to a functional group, leading to chiral organoboronates.

A Review of Electromagnetic Shielding Fabric, Wave-Absorbing Fabric and Wave-Transparent Fabric.

As the basic materials with specific properties, fabrics have been widely applied in electromagnetic (EM) wave protection and control due to their characteristics of low density, excellent mechanical properties as well as designability. According to the different mechanisms and application scenarios on EM waves, fabrics can be divided into three types: EM shielding fabric, wave-absorbing fabric and wave-transparent fabric, which have been summarized and prospected from the aspects of mechanisms and research status, and it is believed that the current research on EM wave fabrics are imperfect in theory. Therefore, in order to meet the needs of different EM properties and application conditions, the structure of fabrics will be diversified, and more and more attentions should be paid to the research on structure of fabrics that meets EM properties, which will be conductive to guiding the development and optimization of fabrics. Furthermore, the application of fabrics in EM waves will change from 2D to 3D, from single structure to multiple structures, from large to small, as well as from heavy to light.

Association between eating behaviors and depressive symptoms in Chinese adults: a population-based cross-sectional study.

Eating behaviors are associated with health outcomes. However, data regarding the association between eating behaviors and depressive symptoms in Chinese adults are limited. We hypothesized that Chinese adults with problematic eating behaviors would likely have depressive symptoms compared to those with good eating behaviors. We included 1,998 participants (aged 25-68). Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association between eating behaviors and depressive symptoms. Eating behaviors were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Self-Rating Depression Scale. In the final adjusted model, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for depressive symptoms were 1.23 (0.99-1.53) and 1.30 (0.97-1.74) when a slow eating rate was compared to medium and fast eating rates, respectively and were 1.35 (1.08-1.68) and 1.40 (1.07-1.83) when breakfast consumers were compared to occasional consumers and skippers, respectively. Eating quickly and skipping breakfast were associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms. These results suggest that eating behaviors may affect mental health in adults.

Association Analyses of Physical Fitness Parameters and Anxiety Symptoms in Chinese College Students.

Poor physical fitness is related to many negative health outcomes, including mental disorders. However, the relationship between physical fitness and anxiety symptoms among college students remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated whether physical fitness is related to anxiety symptoms in Chinese college students. Cross-sectional data were collected from 6635 men and 4482 women. Physical fitness was measured via a 50-m sprint, a sit-and-reach test, vital capacity, and a standing long jump for both sexes; 1000-m run and pull-up tests for males; and 800-m run and sit-up tests for females. The seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used to evaluate anxiety symptoms. Multivariate linear regression showed that better physical fitness was related to lower GAD-7 scores. In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that better ability in the 50-m sprint, sit-and-reach test, pull-up test, and vital capacity was related with a lower risk of anxiety symptoms in males, and better ability in the 800-m run and standing long jump was related with a lower risk of anxiety symptoms in females. In conclusion, physical fitness was inversely associated with anxiety symptoms in male and female college students. This association was also independent of confounding factors.

P53 suppresses the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via miR-15a by decreasing OGT expression and EZH2 stabilization.

Existing literature has highlighted the tumour suppressive capacity of microRNA-15a (miR-15a); however, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains relatively unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-15a in HCC and the associated underlying mechanism. Initially, RT-qPCR was performed to detect the expression of miR-15a in HCC tissues and cells. Bioinformatics analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and molecular approaches were all conducted to ascertain the interaction between miR-15a and O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) transferase (OGT). PUGNAc treatment and cycloheximide (CHX) assay were performed to evaluate O-GlcNAc and the stabilization of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). Finally, gain- and loss-of-function studies were employed to elucidate the role of P53 and the miR-15a/OGT/EZH2 axis in the progression of HCC, followed by in vivo experiments based on tumour-bearing nude mice. Our results demonstrated that the miR-15a expression was decreased in the HCC tissues and cells. P53 upregulated miR-15a expression, which inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells, while inducing apoptosis and triggering a G0/G1 cell cycle phase arrest. OGT stabilized EZH2 via catalysing O-GlcNAc, which reversed the effect of P53 and miR-15a. The results of our in vivo study provided evidence demonstrating that P53 could suppress the development of HCC via the miR-15a/OGT/EZH2 axis. P53 was found to inhibit the OGT expression by promoting the expression of miR-15a, which destabilized EZH2 and suppressed the development of HCC. The key findings of our study highlight a promising novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HCC.

MoOx-Decorated Co-Based Catalysts toward the Hydrodeoxygenation Reaction of Biomass-Derived Platform Molecules.

Catalytic conversion of a biomass derivative (levulinic acid, LA) to a high value-added product (γ-valerolactone, GVL) has attracted much attention, in which the control of catalytic selectivity plays an important role. Herein, a stepwise method was developed to prepare Co-MoOx catalysts via topological transformation (calcination reduction) from layered double hydroxide (Mo/CoAl-LDH) precursors. X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction demonstrate the formation of MoOx-decorated Co structures of Co-MoOx samples. Remarkably, the sample that is reduced at 500 °C is featured with the most abundant interfacial Coδ+ (denoted as Co-MoOx-500), which exhibits an excellent catalytic performance toward the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reaction of several biomass-derived platform molecules (furfural, FAL; succinic acid, SA; 5-hydroxymethyl-furfural, HMF; and levulinic acid, LA). Especially, this optimal catalyst displays a high yield (99%) toward the HDO reaction of LA to GVL, which stands at the highest level among non-noble metal catalysts. The combination of in situ FT-IR characterization and theoretical calculation further confirms that interfacial Coδ+ sites in Co-MoOx-500 act as adsorption active sites for the polarization of a C═O bond in an LA molecule, which simultaneously promotes C═O hydrogenation and C-O cleavage. Moreover, the MoOx overlayer suppresses the formation of byproducts by covering the Co0 sites. This work offers a cost-effective and efficient catalyst, which can be potentially applied in catalytic conversion of biomass-derived platform molecules.

Associations of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio with intracranial artery stenosis and ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as an inflammatory marker. However, the associations of NLR with intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) and ischemic stroke remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations of NLR with ICAS and ischemic stroke among a large and high-risk population. METHODS: Participants with records of clinical characteristics were prospectively recruited from the Neurology Department and Health & Physical Examination Center of Qingdao Municipal Hospital. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations of NLR with ICAS and ischemic stroke. Moreover, we also conducted parametric mediation analysis to estimate the effect of NLR on the risk of ischemic stroke mediated through ICAS. RESULTS: A total of 2989 participants were enrolled in this study. After adjusting for covariates, NLR (OR = 1.125, 95%CI 1.070-1.183) and ICAS (OR = 1.638, 95%CI 1.364-1.967) were significantly associated with ischemic stroke. Compared with the first quartile NLR, the second, third and fourth quartiles NLR were independent risk predictors for ischemic stroke (P for trend < 0.001); the third and fourth quartiles were independent predictors for ICAS (P for trend < 0.001). The mediation analysis showed that ICAS partially mediated the association between NLR and ischemic stroke, accounting for 14.4% of the total effect (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NLR was significantly associated with ICAS and ischemic stroke. Besides, ICAS partially mediated the association between NLR and ischemic stroke.

Sleep Characteristics and Cerebrospinal Fluid Progranulin in Older Adults: The CABLE Study.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) progranulin (PGRN) is related to various neurodegeneration diseases. And sleep problems can cause abnormality in protein metabolism in vivo. We aim to explore the potential associations between the self-reported sleep characteristics and CSF PGRN in cognitively intact older adults. Our study recruited 747 participants (mean (standard deviation (SD)) age, 61.99 (10.52) years, 329 (42.89%) females) who had normal cognition from the Chinese Alzheimer's Biomarker and LifestylE (CABLE) study with CSF PGRN and sleep characteristics measured. The multiple linear regression and nonlinear regression adjusted for age, gender, education, and apolipoprotein E-epsilon 4 gene (APOE4) status were used to assess the associations between sleep characteristics and PGRN. Interaction effects were explored between APOE4 status and sleep characteristics on CSF PGRN level. Sleep disturbances indicated lower CSF PGRN (ß = - 0.0186, p = 0.0160). For detailed items in sleep disturbances, lower CSF PGRN was found in males who woke up during sleep (ß = - 0.0121, p = 0.0062) and in females who had breathing difficulties (ß = - 0.0258, p = 0.0271). Meanwhile, sleep efficiency was associated with CSF PGRN (ß = - 0.0512, p = 0.0497). No significant interaction effects between sleep characteristics and APOE4 status were found. Meanwhile, we did not find a nonlinear relationship between nocturnal sleep duration and CSF PGRN. Sleep problems may influence the metabolism of PGRN, thus attenuating the protective effects of PGRN on neurodegeneration diseases.

Upregulated lncRNA DLX6-AS1 underpins hepatocellular carcinoma progression via the miR-513c/Cul4A/ANXA10 axis.

Recent studies have illustrated the role of aberrant regulatory interactions in the mediation of malignant phenotypes of cancer cells, which could potentially provide novel therapeutic targets to limit the destructive recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we clarify the oncogenic role of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) distal-less homeobox 6 antisense 1 (DLX6-AS1) in HCC in vivo and in vitro. To this end, we knocked down lncRNA DLX6-AS1 and manipulated the expression of miR-513c to characterize their effects in HCC cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Furthermore, we probed the interactions with miR-513c's target gene Cullin4A (Cul4A) and the degradation of Annexin A10 (ANXA10) protein. Our data show that lncRNA DLX6-AS1 and Cul4A were highly expressed, while miR-513c and ANXA10 were poorly expressed in HCC tissues and cells. Moreover, the silencing of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 impeded the viability, invasion, and migration of HCC cells, while stimulating cell apoptosis. Further data indicated that lncRNA DLX6-AS1 targeted and repressed miR-513c expression, where the tumor-inhibiting effects of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 silencing was achieved by elevating miR-513c expression. Importantly, the lncRNA DLX6-AS1 upregulated the expression of Cul4A through sponging of miR-513c. The silencing of Cul4A restricted the malignant phenotypes of HCC cells by repressing the ubiquitination-mediated degradation of ANXA10. In vivo experiments verified that lncRNA DLX6-AS1 promoted the progression of HCC through the miR-513c/Cul4A/ANXA10 axis. Thus, the silencing of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 impaired miR-513c-dependent Cul4A inhibition and subsequently elevated ubiquitination-mediated degradation of ANXA10, thereby preventing the occurrence and development of HCC.

Effect of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation on hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of precipitation in Guilin, SW China.

This study monitored the isotopic compositions of precipitation in Guilin as well as the influence of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the isotope ratios and water vapour sources from 2015 to 2016. The results indicate that the lower isotope values of precipitation from ocean water vapour source are affected by long transport distance and fractionation during summer and autumn. In contrast, the isotope values of winter and spring precipitation are affected by continental air masses and their evaporation sources yielding higher values. The intercepts of the local meteoric water line in Guilin are larger than those of the global meteoric water line, which is typical for subtropical monsoon climate. During the El Niño event, development of anomalous anticyclonic circulation enhances the northbound transport over the western Pacific and brings abundant water vapour to the southern part of China. During El Niño event prevailing period, precipitations exhibit a lower δ 18O value and low d (deuterium excess) value, indicating that the 2015/2016 ENSO event had a significant effect on the precipitation distribution, precipitation amount, and isotope ratios in regional precipitation.

Association between sleep duration and quality and depressive symptoms among university students: A cross-sectional study.

Sleep duration and quality have several effects on human health. Some previous studies have shown an association between sleep duration and quality and mental health, but the results of those studies were inconsistent. Additionally, studies on sleep duration and its impact on depressive symptoms specifically among young Chinese adults are limited. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between duration and quality of sleep and depressive symptoms among Chinese university students. We designed a cross-sectional study comprising 9,515 Chinese university students. Sleep duration and quality were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed based on the Self-rating Depression Scale score. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between sleep duration and quality and depressive symptoms. The results showed that good sleep quality was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. In the final adjusted model, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the prevalence of depressive symptoms in those with poor sleep quality compared with those with normal and good sleep quality were 0.88 (0.77, 1.01) and 0.82 (0.81, 0.96), respectively (p for trend = 0.014). Moreover, short sleep duration was associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms based on the crude model and final adjusted model (p for trend = 0.048 and 0.042, respectively). Poor sleep quality and short sleep duration were associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in this study population. These results suggest that reduced sleep duration and quality may be risk factors for mental health disorders among university students.

Relationships Between Eating Behaviors and Hand Grip Strength Among Chinese Adults: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Poor eating behaviors are associated with imbalances in energy and food intake, which may directly or indirectly contribute to muscle strength loss. This study aimed to investigate the association between eating behaviors and hand grip strength in Chinese adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed and conducted a cross-sectional study of 2009 Chinese individuals aged 25-65 years in 2017. Eating behaviors, including breakfast consumption, snacking after dinner, and eating rate, were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Hand grip strength was assessed using a digital grip dynamometer. Age, sex, BMI, physical activity, educational level, occupation, living status, sleep duration, smoking and drinking status, hypertension, diabetes, and depressive symptoms were used as confounding factors. RESULTS: After final adjustments for confounding factors, grip strength was measured as 35.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 34.7-35.8), 36.0 (95% CI: 35.6-36.4), and 36.9 (95% CI: 36.6-37.3) for those who skipped, occasionally ate, and regularly ate breakfast, respectively (p for trend <0.001). Those who always, sometimes, and seldom snacked after dinner (p for trend <0.001) reported the following grip strength: 34.7 (95% CI: 34.0-35.3), 36.2 (95% CI: 35.8-36.6), and 36.9 (95% CI: 36.6-37.2), respectively. Significant associations were not found between eating rate and grip strength. CONCLUSION: This study showed that higher frequency of breakfast consumption and lower frequency of snacking after dinner were associated with higher grip strength in Chinese adults. Therefore, eating behaviors may be involved in muscle function.

Integrated understanding of the Critical Zone processes in a subtropical karst watershed (Qingmuguan, Southwestern China): Hydrochemical and isotopic constraints.

Improving the management and protection of karst groundwater resources and addressing karst-related environmental and ecological problems still face challenges raised from the limited knowledge on the entire karstic Critical Zone (K-CZ), including soil, epikarst, the vadose and saturated zones. Particularly, there is still a lack of integrated understanding of K-CZ properties and major CZ processes across space and time. In this study, we measured and analyzed the hydrochemical and multiple stable isotopic compositions of soil water, surface- and groundwaters from various compartments of the K-CZ in a typical subtropical karst watershed - Qingmuguan (QKW), Southwestern China, in order to explore the source and spatiotemporal variations of water and solutes (C, N, S) within the K-CZ; thereby elucidating the hydrological and biogeochemical processes and their affecting factors. The results show that (i) the K-CZ of QKW is characterized by high heterogeneity and permeability, with fast and strong hydrologic variations in response to rainfall variability; (ii) water-CO2­carbonate interactions (i.e. carbonate weathering) are remarkably active in different zones and are significantly modulated by hydrologic dynamics and seasonal change in biological activities; (iii) efficient migration of nitrate and sulfate occurs across the surface toward the saturated aquifer zone, which is affected by the source availability, elemental transformation and flow transport processes; (iv) human activities have clearly influenced groundwater quality and the natural K-CZ processes, for example, exogenic acids of anthropogenic origin (e.g. acid precipitation and nitrogenous fertilizers from crop lands) have been proven to be involved in the carbonate weathering, with a contribution of ~20%-30%. Our study highlights the strong coupling of hydrological and various biogeochemical processes and the interactive connection among various layers of K-CZ. Thus, systematical monitoring along the CZ profile and a process-based dynamic approach to elucidating climatic and anthropogenic forcing are necessary to better understand the K-CZ properties and functions.