The current role of dendritic cells in the progression and treatment of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.Dendritic cells(DCs)constitute a heterogeneous group of antigen-presenting cells that are important for initiating and regulating both innate and adaptive immune responses.As a crucial component of the immune system,DCs have a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and clinical treatment of CRC.DCs cross-present tumor-related antigens to activate T cells and trigger an antitumor immune response.However,the antitumor immune function of DCs is impaired and immune tolerance is promoted due to the presence of the tumor microenvironment.This review systematically elucidates the specific characteristics and functions of different DC subsets,as well as the role that DCs play in the immune response and tolerance within the CRC microenvironment.Moreover,how DCs contribute to the progression of CRC and potential therapies to enhance antitumor immunity on the basis of existing data are also discussed,which will provide new perspectives and approaches for immunotherapy in patients with CRC.

植物雄激素在治疗良性前列腺增生中的作用

良性前列腺增生(Benign prostatic hyperplasia,BPH)是老年男性常见的泌尿系统疾病。体内包括睾酮(testosterone,T)和双氢睾酮(dihydrotestosterone,DHT)在内的雄激素水平升高,与BPH的发生和发展密切相关。目前,临床上治疗BPH的药物主要包括5α-还原酶抑制剂和α-受体阻滞剂两种类型,在降低异常雄激素信号通路水平的同时,也会带来一些不可忽视的副作用。最近,多种天然草药,如补阳类的中药(traditional Chinese medicine,TCM),被证实具有雄激素样的活性能有效治疗BPH。本文综述了植物雄激素的雄激素活性及其在BPH中的治疗作用,进一步总结其作用机制,为植物雄激素作为选择性雄激素受体调节剂的研究提供了证据。

Engineering Fe‑N_(4)Electronic Structure with Adjacent Co‑N_(2)C_(2)and Co Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient Oxygen Electrocatalysis

Regulating the local configuration of atomically dispersed transition-metal atom catalysts is the key to oxygen electrocatalysis performance enhancement.Unlike the previously reported singleatom or dual-atom configurations,we designed a new type of binary-atom catalyst,through engineering Fe-N_(4)electronic structure with adjacent Co-N_(2)C_(2)and nitrogen-coordinated Co nanoclusters,as oxygen electrocatalysts.The resultant optimized electronic structure of the Fe-N_(4)active center favors the binding capability of intermediates and enhances oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)activity in both alkaline and acid conditions.In addition,anchoring M-N-C atomic sites on highly graphitized carbon supports guarantees of efficient charge-and mass-transports,and escorts the high bifunctional catalytic activity of the entire catalyst.Further,through the combination of electrochemical studies and in-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy analyses,the ORR degradation mechanisms under highly oxidative conditions during oxygen evolution reaction processes were revealed.This work developed a new binary-atom catalyst and systematically investigates the effect of highly oxidative environments on ORR electrochemical behavior.It demonstrates the strategy for facilitating oxygen electrocatalytic activity and stability of the atomically dispersed M-N-C catalysts.

Insight into Hydrolytic Stability and Tribological Properties of B-N Coordination Tung Oil-Based Lubricant Additive in Water

A tung oil-based boron-nitrogen coordination polymer(TWE-BN)was specially designed and synthesized as a highly efficient water-based lubricant additive,which has been beneficial to both energy conservation and conducive to environmental protection.Its hydrolysis stability and tribological properties in water were investigated.To better research the lubricating properties,and thus to understand the interaction between the surface and the lubricating additives.Herein,both experimental and theoretical computations based on density functional theory(DFT)were performed.The addition of TWE-BN reduces the water friction coefficient and wear scar diameter,and the maximum non-seizure load increased from 93 to 726 N.Moreover,the anti-corrosion ability on copper was classified as 1b level.The stainless-steel surface was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).In hydrolytic stability testing,TWE-BN was better than nitrogen-free tung oil-based lubricant additive(TWE-B)and remained non-hydrolyzed for at least 15 days,implying the feasibility of tung oil-based boron-nitrogen coordination as highly effective and hydrolytic stability lubricant additives.

Preparation and Properties of Vegetable-Oil-Based Thioether Polyol and Ethyl Cellulose Supramolecular Composite Films

Ethyl cellulose(EC),an important biomass-based material,has excellent film-forming properties.Nevertheless,the high interchain hydrogen bond interaction leads to a high glass transition temperature of EC,which makes it too brittle to be used widely.The hydroxyl group on EC can form a supramolecular system in the form of a non-covalent bond with an effective plasticizer.In this study,an important vegetable-oil-based derivative named dimer fatty acid was used to prepare a novel special plasticizer for EC.Dimer-fatty-acid-based thioether polyol(DATP)was synthesized and used to modify ethyl cellulose films.The supramolecular composite films of DATP and ethyl cellulose were designed using the newly-formed van der Waals force.The thermal stability,morphology,hydrophilicity,and mechanical properties of the composite films were all tested.Pure EC is fragile,and the addition of DATP makes the ethyl cellulose films more flexible.The elongation at the break of EC supramolecular films increased and the tensile strength decreased with the increasing DATP content.The elongation at the break of EC/DATP(60/40)and EC/DATP(50/50)was up to 40.3%and 43.4%,respectively.Noticeably,the thermal initial degradation temperature of the film with 10%DATP is higher than that of pure EC,which may be attributed to the formation of a better supramolecular system in this composite film.The application of bio-based material(EC)is environmentally friendly,and the novel DATP can be used as a special and effective plasticizer to prepare flexible EC films,making it more widely used in energy,chemical industry,materials,agriculture,medicine,and other fields.

Multifunctional Lubricant Additive Improves Lubrication and Antioxidation Properties of Tung Oil

It is of considerable significance to develop efficient and environmentally friendly machinery lubricant additives because of the increasing depletion of petrochemical resources and severe environmental problems.Herein,we proposed a facile strategy to synthesize a multifunctional vegetable oil-based lubricant via the lignin derivative vanillin coupled to amine and diethyl phosphite to produce a lubricating additive with both extreme pressure and antioxidant properties.Compared with pure tung oil,the lubricating and antioxidant performance of tung oil is significantly improved after adding additives.Adding the 1.0 wt%additive to the tung oil reduced the friction wear coefficient and the volume,and the oxidation induction time was much longer than pure tung oil.

Thermodynamics and kinetics of hydriding and dehydriding reactions in Mg-based hydrogen storage materials

Mg-based materials are one of the most promising hydrogen storage candidates due to their high hydrogen storage capacity,environmental benignity,and high Clarke number characteristics.However,the limited thermodynamics and kinetic properties pose major challenges for their engineering applications.Herein,we review the recent progress in improving their thermodynamics and kinetics,with an emphasis on the models and the influence of various parameters in the calculated models.Subsequently,the impact of alloying,composite,and nanocrystallization on both thermodynamics and dynamics are discussed in detail.In particular,the correlation between various modification strategies and the hydrogen capacity,dehydrogenation enthalpy and temperature,hydriding/dehydriding rates are summarized.In addition,the mechanism of hydrogen storage processes of Mg-based materials is discussed from the aspect of classical kinetic theories and microscope hydrogen transferring behavior.This review concludes with an outlook on the remaining challenge issues and prospects.

Hierarchically mesoporous carbon spheres coated with a single atomic Fe-N-C layer for balancing activity and mass transfer in fuel cells

Novel cost-effective fuel cells have become more attractive due to the demands for rare and expensive platinum-group metal(PGM)catalysts for mitigating the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR).The high-cost PGM catalyst in fuel cells can be replaced by earth-abundant transition-metalbased catalysts,that is,an Fe-N-C catalyst,which is considered one of the most promising alternatives.However,the performance of the Fe-N-C catalyst is hindered by the low catalytic activity and poor stability,which is caused by insufficient active sites and the lack of optimization of the triple-phase interface for mass transportation.Herein,a novel Fe–N–C catalyst consisting of mono-dispersed hierarchically mesoporous carbon sphere cores and single Fe atom-dispersed functional shells are presented.The synergistic effect between highly dispersed Fe-active sites and well-organized porous structures yields the combination of high ORR activity and high mass transfer performance.The half-wave potential of the catalyst in 0.1M H_(2)SO_(4) is 0.82 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode,and the peak power density is 812 mW·cm^(−2) in H_(2)–O_(2) fuel cells.Furthermore,it shows superior methanol tolerance,which is almost immune to methanol poisoning and generates up to 162 mW·cm^(−2) power density in direct methanol fuel cells.

The Belt and Road Initiative and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:seeking linkages for global environmental governance

Global environmental cooperation serves as an important part in the Chinese ideal of building a Community with a Shared Future for all Human Beings. The report of 19 th CPC National Congress indicates that China is committed to proactive mitigation under the Paris Agreement and further participating in global environmental governance under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and both of which are largely integrated to the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI). BRI are also closely linked with South-South environmental and climate cooperation proposed by China from previous UN summits. Based on shared ideas, intersected agendas, and compatible governance approaches, BRI and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development grow increasingly relevant and they might form synergies based on increasingly interactive relations. In sum,seeking and intensifying the linkages between BRI and 2030 sustainable development goals(SDGs) could address global environmental governance deficits and enhance cooperation among nations.

Thermally Reversible,Self-Healing Polyurethane Based on Propyl Gallate and Polyurethane Prepolymers with Varied Isocyanate Content

Thermosetting polyurethanes are widely used in various fields owing to their excellent elasticity,strength and solvent resistance.Three environmental friendly propyl gallate-based self-healing polyurethanes were prepared from polyurethane prepolymers with varying isocyanate content.The thermal stabilities of the polyurethanes were tested using thermogravimetric analysis.Their self-healing and mechanical properties were analyzed using a universal testing machine and dynamic thermomechanical analysis.The polyurethanes were found with high self-healing ability and excellent mechanical properties due to the absence of phenolic carbamate.These qualities improved with increased isocyanate content and the prolonged selfhealing time.We found,therefore,that the propyl gallate-based polyurethane has potential for use in industrial applications as self-healing materials.

Correlation Analysis between Cracking and Mineral Element Content of Apricot Fruit

This study aimed to clarify the effectsof mineral nutrient contents on fruit cracking so as to provide certain reference for further study on fruit cracking in apricot and basis for reasonable fertilization in the production. The 39-year-old apricot trees, with plant and row spacing of 3.0 m×4.0 m, were selected as the test materials, and the effects of contents of 7 kinds of mineral elements on the fruit cracking in apricot were analyzed. The results of variance analysis showed the intensity of correlation between mineral element content and apricot fruit cracking ranked as Ca＇s 〉 Zn＇s 〉 Mn＇s 〉 Fe＇s 〉 K＇s 〉 Mg＇s 〉 Cu＇s, The content of Ca was negatively correlated with cracking index, and the correlation ,coefficient was larger; the correlations between the contents of Zn and Mn and cracking index were weaker; and the correlations between the contents of Fe, K, Mg and Cu and cracking index were extremely weak. In conclusion, Ca deficiency is the main factor affecting fruit cracking in apricot.

Tribological Behavior of Plant Oil-Based Extreme Pressure Lubricant Additive in Water-Ethylene Glycol Liquid

A water-soluble lubricant additive(RSOPE)was prepared by esterification reaction using fatty acid from rubber seed oil.The RSOPE was added into water-ethylene glycol(W-EG)solution as lubricant additive.Dispersion stability and rheological properties were investigated.We used a four-ball tribotester to assess the lubrication performance of W-EG based fluid with the RSOPE additive.The stainless-steel surface was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).Good dispersion stability was observed in the RSOPE/W-EG solutions.Furthermore,non-Newtonian fluid behavior at low shear rates and Newtonian fluid behavior at high shear rates was exhibited.The addition of RSOPE into water-glycol reduced the friction coefficients(COF)and wear scar diameters(WSD).The maximum non-seizure loads(PB)increased from 98 N to 752 N and the W-EG solution with RSOPE had good corrosion resistance properties.Good tribological performances for W-EG solution with RSOPE were attributed to the boundary tribofilm composed of iron oxide,iron phosphide and so on.

First-principle calculation of distorted T-carbon as a promising anode for Li-ion batteries with enhanced capacity, reversibility, and ion migration properties

Carbon group element-based materials are the most widely used anode materials for Li-ion batteries(LIBs).However,their performance is limited by the low capacity(eg,graphite)or high-volume changes(eg,Si and Sn).Therefore,exploring high-performance anode materials is quite appealing and promising.By first-principle calculations in this study,we found that distorted T-carbon(DTC)as a desired LIB anode shows properties of the enhanced capacity,decreased volume change,and the increased ion migration.The origin of such improved properties is attributed to the interconnected tunnels and large cavities of the carbon skeleton.The theoretical specific capacity of DTC is found to be 558 mAh/g,which is 1.5 times higher than that of commercial graphite anodes.Interestingly,the volume change of the DTC anode is only 3%at the full-lithiation state(one-fifth of that of the commercial graphite anode),which can overcome the pulverization problem in most high-capacity anode materials and attain a longer cycling lifetime.Both transition state calculations and molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that the Li-ion migration barrier is less than 0.1 eV and the Li-ion vacancy is only 0.2 eV,enabling its promising rate performance.This study provides a new and effective strategy to improve the anode properties of LIBs.

Laser-assisted Stark deceleration of CaF in its rovibronic ground (high-field-seeking) state

A near-resonant, red-detuning laser-assisted Stark deceleration scheme is proposed to slow CaF in its high-fieldseeking rovibronic ground state. The assisting Gaussian laser beam can confine CaF molecules transversely owing to the optical Stark effect. Simulations suggest that the present scheme is superior to previous Stark decelerators. Under typical experimental conditions, when the assisting laser frequency is red-detuned to the molecular transition(λ～606.3 nm) by5.0 GHz and the laser power is about 5.6 W, the proposed decelerator can achieve a total number at the order of 10~4 CaF molecules with a number density at the order of 10~8 cm^(-3). The equivalent temperature of the obtained cold CaF molecules is 2.3 mK. Additionally, the desired assisting laser power can be as low as about 1.2 W if keeping the red-detuning value to be 1.0 GHz, which further suggests its experimental feasibility.

Collision of cold CaF molecules: Towards evaporative cooling

Long range intermolecular interaction potential surface of CaF(~2∑^+) was simulated by employing the MOLPRO program and using the RCCSD(T)/def2-TZVP theory. The predicted data were further fitted to obtain the collision crosssection. The elastic collision cross-section of CaF at the temperature around 2 mK is as high as 6.5 × 10^(-9) cm^2 and the collision rate is over 4.1 × 10~6 Hz. Additionally, we found that an orientation electric field will simplify the intermolecular interaction potential function from quaternary into ternary and the collision cross-section will be raised by about three orders. All-optical evaporative cooling of cold CaF is discussed in the conclusion.

Oxygen vacancy-rich amorphous FeNi hydroxide nanoclusters as an efficient electrocatalyst for water oxidation

In this work,a one-pot strategy is presented to directly synthesize amorphous Fe_(x)Ni_(y) hydroxide nanoclusters(denoted as ANC-Fe_(x)Ni_(y),<2 nm)with oxygen vacancies induced by ionic liquids.The ANC-Fe_(x)Ni_(y) catalyst presents abundant catalytic sites and high intrinsic conductivity.As such,the optimized ANC-Fe_(1)Ni_(2) exhibits high activity in oxygen evolution reaction(OER)with a Tafel slope of 39 m V dec^(–1) and an overpotential of 266 m V at 10 m A cm^(-2).Notably,the optimized ANC-Fe_(1)Ni_(2) shows an extraordinarily large mass activity of 3028 Ag_(FeNi)^(–1) at the overpotential of 300 m V,which is~24-fold of commercial RuO_(2) catalyst.The superior activity of these Fe_(x)Ni_(y) hydroxide nanoclusters is ascribed to(i)the amorphous and distorted structure with abundant oxygen vacancies,and(ii)enhanced active site density by downsizing the ANC-FexNiyclusters.This strategy provides a novel route for enhancing OER electrocatalytic performance and highly encouraging for the future application of amorphous metal hydroxides in catalysis.

A snapshot of the Chinese SOL Project

In 2003, the International Solanaceae Project （SOL） was initiated by an international consortium of ten countries including Korea, China, the United Kingdom, India, the Netherlands, France, Japan, Spain, Italy and the United States. The first major effort of the SOL aimed to produce a DNA sequence map for euchromatin regions of 12 chromosomes of tomato （Solanum lycopersicum） before 2010. Here we present an update on Chinese effort for sequencing the euchromatin region of chromosome 3.

Hyperfine structures and the field effects of IBr molecule in its rovibronic ground state

Hyperfine structures and the field effects of IBr molecule in its rovibronic ground state are theoretically studied by diagonalizing the effective Hamiltonian matrix.Perturbations of high-J levels up to 4 are taken into account when studying the hyperfine sub-levels of the J=0 level,and thus,an 80×80 matrix is constructed and solved.Some of the experimentally absent molecular constants are computed using Dalton program.Our results will be helpful in the experimental investigation of manipulation and further cooling of cold IBr molecules.

A Model for Conducting Strategy Training

Effective learning is not merely a matter of an individual having a high IQ. What appears to be important is the learners＇ ability to respond to the particular learning situation and to manage their learning in an appropriate way. Studies of successful and unsuccessful learners show that people who succeed in learning have developed a range of strategies from which they are able to select those that are most appropriate for a particular problem, to adapt them flexibly for the needs of the specific situation, and to monitor their level of success. Based on the assumption that integrating strategies into foreign language teaching is both valuable and achievable and that their accomplishment can enhance independent foreign language learning, this paper offered a model of strategy-based instruction, which includes both explicit and implicit integration of strategies into classroom instruction.