Anti-parity-time topologically undefined state

We constructed an anti-parity-time-symmetric photonic lattice by using perturbations. The results show the topological state will appear when the waveguide coupling constants $\kappa_1<\kappa_2$; Interestingly, a state with undefined winding numbers occurs when $\kappa_1=\kappa_2$, in which the light distributes only in the wide waveguides with equal magnitude distribution. Further studies show that the edge state will be strengthened by introducing defect for the topologically non-trivial case, while it will not affect the equal intensity transmission for the topologically undefined state. Our work provides a new way to realize the topological state and equally divided light transmission and might be applicable in optical circuits and optical interconnect

Non-linearities in Cross-Country Growth Regressions: A Semiparametric Approach.

In this paper we employ an additive semiparametric partially linear model to uncover the way that initial output and schooling levels affect growth rates. Our results based on marginal integration allow for graphical representation of the non-linearities that characterize the effects that these variables have on growth rates and suggest the presence of multiple regimes (equilibria). Our findings seem to be in agreement with those of Durlauf and Johnson (1995) and Hansen (1996) who used a different data set.

Post-traumatic growth among emergency nurses after COVID-19 in Shanghai, China: a qualitative study

Objectives This study aims to investigate the post-traumatic growth of emergency nurses (ENs) in Shanghai, China, in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic.Design A phenomenological qualitative research approach was employed, with 17 ENs being interviewed between July and August 2022. Data collection was conducted through semistructured, in-depth interviews, and data analysis was carried out using the Colaizzi’s seven-step analysis method.Setting A third-level hospital in Shanghai.Participants A total of 17 ENs were interviewed through face-to-face, semistructured, in-depth interviews.Results Three main themes and eight subthemes were extracted from the data: (a) stress, (b) restructuring and (c) growth.Conclusion Significant stress was imposed on ENs by the Shanghai COVID-19 pandemic, but cognitive restructuring was successfully undergone by them, leading to the experience of growth. It is recommended that post-traumatic growth levels be enhanced through professional psychological counselling and tailored support measures for different stages

A Combination of a Genome-Wide Association Study and a Transcriptome Analysis Reveals circRNAs as New Regulators Involved in the Response to Salt Stress in Maize

Salinization seriously threatens the normal growth of maize, especially at the seedling stage. Recent studies have demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play vital roles in the regulation of plant stress resistance. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on the survival rate of 300 maize accessions under a salt stress treatment. A total of 5 trait-associated SNPs and 86 candidate genes were obtained by the GWAS. We performed RNA sequencing for 28 transcriptome libraries derived from 2 maize lines with contrasting salt tolerance under normal and salt treatment conditions. A total of 1217 highly expressed circRNAs were identified, of which 371 were responsive to a salt treatment. Using PCR and Sanger sequencing, we verified the reliability of these differentially expressed circRNAs. An integration of the GWAS and RNA-Seq analyses uncovered two differentially expressed hub genes (Zm00001eb013650 and Zm00001eb198930), which were regulated by four circRNAs. Based on these results, we constructed a regulation model of circRNA/miRNA/mRNA that mediated salt stress tolerance in maize. By conducting hub gene-based association analyses, we detected a favorable haplotype in Zm00001eb198930, which was responsible for high salt tolerance. These results help to clarify the regulatory relationship between circRNAs and their target genes as well as to develop salt-tolerant lines for maize breeding

Effect of Guanylate Cyclase-22-like on Ovarian Development of <i>Orius nagaii</i> (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

This study identified and characterized the gene encoding recep tor-type guanylate cyclase-22-like (GCY-22; OnGCY) from the pirate bug Orius nagaii, an important biological control agent. The full-length cDNA of the GCY of O. nagaii was obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE); it had a total length of 4888 base pairs (bp), of which the open reading frame (ORF) was 3750 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 1249 amino acid residues. The physicochemical properties of OnGCY were predicted and analyzed by using relevant ExPASy software, revealing a molecular formula of C6502H10122N1698O1869S57, molecular weight of ~143,811.57 kDa, isoelectric point of 6.55, and fat index of 90.04. The resulting protein was also shown to have a signal peptide, two transmembrane regions, and a conserved tyrosine kinase (tyrkc). Silencing OnGCY by RNA interference significantly inhibited ovarian development and decreased fertility in female O. nagaii in the treated versus the control group. Additionally, OnGCY silencing significantly decreased the expression levels of other GCY and Vg genes. Thus, these results clarify the structure and biological function of OnGCY, which has an important role in insect fecundity. The results also provide a reference for agricultural pest control and future large-scale breeding of biological control agents

Nanoluminophores Composed of 1,1′-Ferrocenedicarboxylic Acid and Tetrakis-(4-carboxyphenyl) Porphyrin for Electrochemiluminescence Sensing

Development of nanoluminophores with high efficiency, good stability, and excellent electronic transfer ability is one of the key challenges in electrochemiluminescence (ECL). Here, a porphyrin-based nanomaterial named Fc-TCPP was synthesized by self-assembly of 1,1′-ferrocenedicarboxylic acid (Fc(COOH)2) and tetrakis-(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) under infrared heating light. By tuning the ratio of the precursors, the morphology of Fc-TCPP can be regulated from primitive nanospheres to thorn-ball flowers decorated with branches and particles, and the possible formation mechanism was proposed. Nano-boron carbide (B4C) with carbon defect sites further boosts the ECL performance of Fc-TCPP, and thereby, an ECL biosensor for AFP was constructed innovatively. This study provides a simple and effective strategy for the preparation of ECL nanoluminophores taking the advantages of ferrocene and TCPP, opening a new horizon to design porphyrin-based nanomaterials with various structures and expanding their application in biosensing and disease diagnosis