Unusual pressure-induced electronic structure evolution in organometal halide perovskite predicted from first-principles

Pressure has been demonstrated to be an effective parameter to alter the atomic and electronic structures of materials. By using the first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT), we systematically investigated the changes in the atomic and electronic structures of the cubic MAPbI(3) phase under pressures. It is found that the band gap of the compressed cubic MAPbI(3) structure exhibits a remarkable redshift to 1.114/1.380 eV in DFT/HSE-SOC calculation under a mild pressure of 2.772 GPa, and subsequently shows a widening at higher pressures until similar to 20 GPa. As the pressure further increases, the band gap closes at similar to 80 GPa. Detailed structural and electronic characteristic analyses indicate that the band gap of the cubic MAPbI(3) structure is determined by two competing effects: the lattice contraction decreases its band gap while the PbI6 octahedral filling increases it. Given that, pressure can be a powerful tool to help understanding the optoelectronic properties of perovskite materials

Exploring the pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma complicated with hepatocellular carcinoma via microarray data analysis

Background: Despite the increasing number of research endeavors dedicated to investigating the relationship between colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the underlying pathogenic mechanism remains largely elusive. The aim of this study is to shed light on the molecular mechanism involved in the development of this comorbidity.Methods: The gene expression profiles of CRC (GSE90627) and HCC (GSE45267) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. After identifying the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of psoriasis and atherosclerosis, three kinds of analyses were performed, namely, functional annotation, protein‐protein interaction (PPI) network and module construction, and hub gene identification, survival analysis and co-expression analysis.Results: A total of 150 common downregulated differentially expressed genes and 148 upregulated differentially expressed genes were selected for subsequent analyses. The significance of chemokines and cytokines in the pathogenesis of these two ailments is underscored by functional analysis. Seven gene modules that were closely connected were identified. Moreover, the lipopolysaccharide-mediated signaling pathway is intricately linked to the development of both diseases. Finally, 10 important hub genes were identified using cytoHubba, including CDK1, KIF11, CDC20, CCNA2, TOP2A, CCNB1, NUSAP1, BUB1B, ASPM, and MAD2L1.Conclusion: Our study reveals the common pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. These common pathways and hub genes may provide new ideas for further mechanism research

Mining Magnaporthe oryzae sRNAs With Potential Transboundary Regulation of Rice Genes Associated With Growth and Defense Through Expression Profile Analysis of the Pathogen-Infected Rice

In recent years, studies have shown that phytopathogenic fungi possess the ability of cross-kingdom regulation of host plants through small RNAs (sRNAs). Magnaporthe oryzae, a causative agent of rice blast, introduces disease by penetrating the rice tissues through appressoria. However, little is known about the transboundary regulation of M. oryzae sRNAs during the interaction of the pathogen with its host rice. Therefore, investigation of the regulation of M. oryzae through sRNAs in the infected rice plants has important theoretical and practical significance for disease control and production improvement. Based on the high-throughput data of M. oryzae sRNAs and the mixed sRNAs during infection, the differential expressions of sRNAs in M. oryzae before and during infection were compared, it was found that expression levels of 366 M. oryzae sRNAs were upregulated significantly during infection. We trained a SVM model which can be used to predict differentially expressed sRNAs, which has reference significance for the prediction of differentially expressed sRNAs of M. oryzae homologous species, and can facilitate the research of M. oryzae in the future. Furthermore, fifty core targets were selected from the predicted target genes on rice for functional enrichment analysis, the analysis reveals that there are nine biological processes and one KEGG pathway associated with rice growth and disease defense. These functions correspond to thirteen rice genes. A total of fourteen M. oryzae sRNAs targeting the rice genes were identified by data analysis, and their authenticity was verified in the database of M. oryzae sRNAs. The 14 M. oryzae sRNAs may participate in the transboundary regulation process and act as sRNA effectors to manipulate the rice blast process

Identification of candidate gene for the defective kernel phenotype using bulked segregant RNA and exome capture sequencing methods in wheat

Wheat is a significant source of protein and starch worldwide. The defective kernel (Dek) mutant AK-3537, displaying a large hollow area in the endosperm and shrunken grain, was obtained through ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) treatment of the wheat cultivar Aikang 58 (AK58). The mode of inheritance of the AK-3537 grain Dek phenotype was determined to be recessive with a specific statistical significance level. We used bulked segregant RNA-seq (BSR-seq), BSA-based exome capture sequencing (BSE-seq), and the ΔSNP-index algorithm to identify candidate regions for the grain Dek phenotype. Two major candidate regions, DCR1 (Dek candidate region 1) and DCR2, were identified on chromosome 7A between 279.98 and 287.93 Mb and 565.34 and 568.59 Mb, respectively. Based on transcriptome analysis and previous reports, we designed KASP genotyping assays based on SNP variations in the candidate regions and speculated that the candidate gene is TraesCS7A03G0625900 (HMGS-7A), which encodes a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase. One SNP variation located at position 1,049 in the coding sequence (G>A) causes an amino acid change from Gly to Asp. The research suggests that functional changes in HMGS-7A may affect the expression of key enzyme genes involved in wheat starch syntheses, such as GBSSII and SSIIIa

Functioning styles of personality disorders and five-factor normal personality traits: a correlation study in Chinese students

BACKGROUND: Previous studies show that both the categorical and dimensional descriptors of personality disorders are correlated with normal personality traits. Recently, a 92-item inventory, the Parker Personality Measure (PERM) was designed as a more efficient and precise first-level assessment of personality disorders. Whether the PERM constructs are correlated with those of the five-factor models of personality needs to be clarified. METHODS: We therefore invited 913 students from poly-technical schools and colleges in China to answer the PERM, the Five-Factor Nonverbal Personality Questionnaire (FFNPQ), and the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ). RESULTS: Most personality constructs had satisfactory internal alphas. PERM constructs were loaded with FFNPQ and ZKPQ traits clearly on four factors, which can be labelled as Dissocial, Emotional Dysregulation, Inhibition and Compulsivity, as reported previously. FFNPQ Openness to Experience, Conscientiousness and Extraversion formed another Factor, named Experience Hunting, which was not clearly covered by PERM or ZKPQ. CONCLUSION: The PERM constructs were loaded in a predictable way on the disordered super-traits, suggesting the PERM might offer assistance measuring personality function in clinical practice

Enhancing the Performance of Supercapacitors by Hybrid Materials, Novel Electrolytes and Advanced Separators

Supercapacitors are widely used in our everyday life. They can supply power for portable electronic devices and electric vehicles as well as be utilized for energy recovery systems to improve energy efficiency. It is reported that the global supercapacitor market will be $2.12 billion by 2020 with an annual growth rate of 20.7%. The popularity of supercapacitors is due to their high power density, long cycle life and ability to work at low temperatures. However, state-of-art supercapacitors suffer from relatively low energy density, which has prevented them from being used in more applications. Besides, commercial cells are assembled with organic electrolytes to enlarge their potential window, which are expensive and flammable, far away from meeting the standards of ideal energy storage devices. In order to enhance the performance of current devices, advanced electrode materials, electrolytes as well as novel separators are needed. In this thesis, a hybrid material composed of carbon and nanostructured metal oxides as electrode materials is investigated. With the synergetic effects between the two compositions, the charge storage capability of the hybrid material is enhanced. To further boost the energy density of devices, the performance of commercial activated carbon supercapacitors was enhanced by a combination of a laser scribing process and a redox electrolyte. In this way, the energy density obtained was nine times higher than the commercial device, while using a safer and less expensive aqueous electrolyte. Additionally, supercapacitors were integrated with energy harvesting devices to build self-powered systems. A self-charging power pack was fabricated based on a combination of a solar cell and a supercapacitor which is able to harvest 2.92% of the solar energy. Moreover, a self-charging supercapacitor was fabricated by using a piezoelectric separator. The device can harvest energy from the ambient environment and be charged to 0.2 V simply by pressing with one’s palm

Enhancing the Performance of Supercapacitors by Hybrid Materials, Novel Electrolytes and Advanced Separators

Supercapacitors are widely used in our everyday life. They can supply power for portable electronic devices and electric vehicles as well as be utilized for energy recovery systems to improve energy efficiency. It is reported that the global supercapacitor market will be $2.12 billion by 2020 with an annual growth rate of 20.7%. The popularity of supercapacitors is due to their high power density, long cycle life and ability to work at low temperatures. However, state-of-art supercapacitors suffer from relatively low energy density, which has prevented them from being used in more applications. Besides, commercial cells are assembled with organic electrolytes to enlarge their potential window, which are expensive and flammable, far away from meeting the standards of ideal energy storage devices. In order to enhance the performance of current devices, advanced electrode materials, electrolytes as well as novel separators are needed. In this thesis, a hybrid material composed of carbon and nanostructured metal oxides as electrode materials is investigated. With the synergetic effects between the two compositions, the charge storage capability of the hybrid material is enhanced. To further boost the energy density of devices, the performance of commercial activated carbon supercapacitors was enhanced by a combination of a laser scribing process and a redox electrolyte. In this way, the energy density obtained was nine times higher than the commercial device, while using a safer and less expensive aqueous electrolyte. Additionally, supercapacitors were integrated with energy harvesting devices to build self-powered systems. A self-charging power pack was fabricated based on a combination of a solar cell and a supercapacitor which is able to harvest 2.92% of the solar energy. Moreover, a self-charging supercapacitor was fabricated by using a piezoelectric separator. The device can harvest energy from the ambient environment and be charged to 0.2 V simply by pressing with one’s palm

Recent Progress in Hepatic Involvement in Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome is a multisystem autosomal recessive disorder characterized by pancreatic and bone marrow abnormalities with frequent liver involvement.Patients with SDS display aminotransaminase elevation and hepatomegaly in their early childhood. For most of the patients, the syptoms tend to improve as they grow. However, a number of the children with progress into cirrhosis even liver failure, and the prognosis is poor.This paper summarizes advances in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis and treatment of hepatopathy in Shwachman-Diamond syndrome

Pd(CH3CN)2Cl2/Pipecolinic Acid as a Highly Efficient Catalytic System for Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-coupling Reaction of Bromoaryl Carboxylic Acids in Water

In this study, a convenient and highly efficient catalytic system for the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction was investigated under mild conditions. A combination of Pd(CH3CN)2Cl2 and pipecolinic acid showed excellent catalytic performance and afforded high turnover numbers; turnover numbers were up to 4.9 × 105 for the coupling reaction of 4-bromobenzoic acid and tetraphenylboron sodium. The catalytic system was also effective for the indexes of 4-bromobenzoic acid, and high turnover numbers were obtained

Association between Primary Healthcare and Medical Expenditures in a Context of Hospital-Oriented Healthcare System in China: A National Panel Dataset, 2012–2016

Total health expenditure in China has grown considerably since a new round of health system reform was enacted in 2009. Researchers have shown that strengthening primary healthcare may be an option for countries to solve the rapid expansion of their medical expenditures. This study was designed to explore the association between the strength of primary healthcare and medical expenditures, in the context of the hospital-oriented healthcare system in China. A longitudinal ecological study was conducted using a 5-year panel dataset of 27 provinces in mainland China. The linear mixed effects regression model was used to assess the effects of primary healthcare-related metrics on medical expenditures, controlling for the provincial level specialty care physician supply and socio-economic parameters. All of the three primary healthcare-related metrics showed negative associations with the two medical expenditure parameters. Primary care physicians per 10,000 population was significantly associated with the per capita hospital medical expenditures (p < 0.05), and the percentage of public health expenditure in total health expenditure was significantly associated with both per capita total medical expenditure and per capita hospital medical expenditures (p < 0.01 for both). Our study found negative associations between the primary healthcare capacity and medical expenditure in the context of hospital-oriented healthcare systems in China, adding to the previous evidence that primary healthcare may play a positive role in reducing medical expenditure. Policies on increasing the primary care physician supply and the public share of total health expenditure should be conducted to strengthen the primary healthcare system. With the gradual advance of medical reform and the policy inclination to primary healthcare, this will play a more important role in controlling the rapid growth of medical expenditure