Institution Publication Feature Analysis Based on Time-Series Clustering

Based on the time series of articles obtained from the literature, we propose three analysis methods to deeply examine the characteristics of these articles. This method can be used to analyze the construction and development of various disciplines in institutions, and to explore the features of the publications in important periodicals in the disciplines. By defining the concepts and methods relevant to research and discipline innovation, we propose three methods for analyzing the characteristics of agency publications: numerical distribution, trend, and correlation network analyses. The time series of the issuance of articles in 30 important journals in the field of management sciences were taken, and the new analysis methods were used to discover some valuable results. The results showed that by using the proposed methods to analyze the characteristics of institution publications, not only did we find similar levels of discipline development or similar trends in institutions, achieving a more reasonable division of the academic levels, but we also determined the preferences of the journals selected by the institutions, which provides a reference for subject construction and development

Cytoprotective mechanism of ferulic acid against high glucose-induced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes

Background: Ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic acid, is a potential therapy for diabetes mellitus. FA has been shown to protect against hepatic and myocardial injury and oxidative stress in obese rats with late-stage diabetes, but the mechanism of the antioxidative activity of FA is still unclear. Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate whether FA can prevent damage to cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes caused by high glucose (HG)-induced oxidative stress and whether the protection effects of FA on these cells are related to the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathways. Design: Cells were divided into four groups: a control group (cultured with normal medium), an HG group (medium containing 80 mmol/L glucose), an FA+HG group (medium containing 80 mmol/L glucose and 1, 5, or 10 µg/mL FA), and a dimethylbiguanide (DMBG)+HG group (medium containing 80 mmol/L glucose and 50 µg/mL DMBG). Results: FA treatment significantly increased cell viability and significantly decreased cell apoptosis compared with the HG-treated group. Moreover, FA down-regulated the expression of Keap1 protein and up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 protein and gene transcription of HO-1 and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: FA alleviated the HG-induced oxidative stress and decreased cell apoptosis in hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes. These effects were associated with the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway

Achieving rapid response and high sensitivity in ethanol gas sensing using a Pt/W18O49 ohmic contact via modulating the adsorption and activation properties: Theoretical and experimental insights

In this work, Pt nanoparticles-decorated urchin-like W18O49 microspheres are synthesized by a simple hydrothermal-photodeposition method, and the effect of a contact created between Pt nanoparticles and W18O49 nanorods on response, sensitivity, detection limit, and recovery time in ethanol gas sensing is explored. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirm the successful deposition of Pt nanoparticles with a size of 5-10 nm on the W18O49 nanorods. The deposition of Pt nanoparticles on the surface of W18O49 nanorods significantly enhances a gas-sensing performance for 10 ppm ethanol at 300 degrees C (with a response value of 22). Compared to the W18O49 sensor, the Pt/W18O49 sensor exhibits faster response-recovery time, lower detection limit, higher response value, and excellent selectivity for detection of ethanol gas. Furthermore, the Pt/W18O49 sensor also shows a fast response-recovery time of 28.5 s and 14.3 s toward 200 ppb ethanol. The results from gas chromatography demonstrate a significant difference between Pt/W18O49 and W18O49 sensors in the efficiency of ethanol conversion to CO2. The interface electron-transfer mechanism between the Pt and W18O49 is further studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, providing theoretical insights into the adsorption energy and activation ability of Pt/W18O49 and W18O49 for oxygen and ethanol molecules. The DFT results reveal that an Ohmic contact is formed at the Pt/W18O49 interfaces, indicating the enhanced ability of electron transfer and increased activation of gas molecules. Moreover, the influence of the Ohmic contact on the enhancement of the ethanol gas sensing performance is discussed via electron depletion theory. This study demonstrates a superior performance of Pt-modified W18O49 in ethanol gas detection with theoretical and experimental insights into the mechanism for enhanced ethanol gas sensing

Coral-Shaped TiO2-delta Decorated with Carbon Quantum Dots and Carbon Nanotubes for NO Removal

Coral-like TiO2-delta] microstructures with high surface area were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method, followed by thermal treatment in a N-2 atmosphere. The introduction of oxygen vacancies (OVs) to TiO2 significantly improved light absorption and inhibited the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. Then, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and N-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) were decorated on the surface of coral-like TiO2-delta microstructures. The CNTs could greatly improve the separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers, while the N-CQDs could further extend light absorption to longer wavelengths, including the IR region. According to the results of electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, the introduction of OVs to TiO2-delta and surface modification with CNTs and N-CQDs promoted the generation of O-center dot(2)- and (OH)-O-center dot active species. The formation of O-center dot(2)- and (OH)-O-center dot active species on the surface of TiO2-delta/CNTs/N-CQDs played an important role in the deep oxidation and selective conversion of NO into nitrate. Density functional theory calculations revealed the adsorption and reaction sites for H2O and O-2 separately in space over the surface of TiO2-delta CNTs/N-CQDs. Namely, the reaction sites of H2O and O-2 are on the surface of TiO2- delta and CNTs, respectively. The electron transfer from TiO2-delta to CNTs was further verified through the differential charge density. This study demonstrates a straightforward approach for designing full-spectrum-responsive photocatalysts with high efficiency, stability, and selectivity for NO removal

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside protects against 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol-induced reduction of progesterone by up-regulation of steroidogenic enzymes and cAMP level in Leydig cells

1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) is a food processing contaminant and has been shown to perturb male reproductive function. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), an anthocyanin antioxidant, is reported to have protective effects on many organs. However, it remains unclear whether C3G protects against chemical-induced reproductive toxicity. The present study was therefore to investigate the intervention of C3G on 1,3-DCP-induced reproductive toxicity in R2C Leydig cells. Results demonstrated that C3G inhibited the 1,3-DCP-induced cytotoxicity and cell shape damage with the effective doses being ranging from 10-40 μmol/L. In addition, 1,3-DCP (2 mmol/L) exposure significantly increased the ROS level and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) damage ratio, leading to a decrease in progesterone production, while C3G intervention reduced the ROS level, and increased the progesterone production after 24 h treatment. Most importantly, C3G intervention could up-regulate the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level and protein expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD). It was concluded that C3G is effective in reducing 1,3-DCP-induced reproductive toxicity via activating steroidogenic enzymes and cAMP level

Fano resonance and Rabi splitting in MDM side-coupled cavities systems

We theoretically investigate the Fano resonance and Rabi splitting in the metal–dielectric–metal plasmonic waveguides with stub resonators. The proposed nanostructure waveguide consists of bulb-like resonators and a thin Metamaterial (MM) baffle. The bulb-like resonator with low Q factor can work as a continuum state, and the plasmonic waveguide inserted with a MM baffle can work as a discrete state. Fano resonances are obtained because of the interaction between the two states in the structure and the Fano resonance can be tuned by changing the separation between the resonator and the MM baffle. In the plasmonic waveguide system with two resonators and a MM baffle, Rabi splitting occurs because of the strong coupling between the narrow spectral response of MM baffle and the Fabry–Perot resonance caused by the two bulb-like resonators The pronounced anticrossing behavior of the splitting peaks can be modified by varying the resonant frequency of MM baffle, the bulb-like resonator's radius and the stub height. Furthermore, it is also found that the Rabi splitting can also be tuned by the separation between resonator and the MM baffle. Such plasmonic waveguide system may have potential applications in providing a stimulating insight to explore new fundamental physics in analogous atomic systems.</p

Achieving molecular-level selective detection of volatile organic compounds through a strong coupling effect of ultrathin nanosheets and Au nanoparticles

The high density of surface active sites, high efficiency of interfacial carrier transport, and molecular diffusion path determine the efficiency of the electrochemical sensors. The ultrathin structures have atomic-level thickness, carrier migration and heat diffusion are limited in the two-dimensional plane, resulting in excellent conductivity and high carrier concentration. A one-step chemical method is applied to synthesize defect-rich Au-SnO2 in an ultrathin nanosheet form (thickness of 2–3 nm). The strong interaction between Au and SnO2 via the Au–O–Sn bonding and the catalytic effect of Au can prolong the service life via decreasing the optimal operating temperature (55 °C) and promote the Au-SnO2 sensor to exclusively detect formaldehyde at the ppb level (300 ppb). The experimental findings along with theoretical study reveal that Au nanoparticles have a different effect on the competitive adsorption and chemical reaction over the surface of the Au–SnO2 with formaldehyde and other interfering VOC gases, such as methanol, ethanol, and acetone. This study provides mechanistic insights into the correlation between operating temperature and the performance of the Au–SnO2 chemiresistive sensor. This work allows the development of highly efficient and stable electrochemical sensors to detect VOC gases at room temperature in the future

Strong Electron-Phonon Coupling Mediates Carrier Transport in BiFeO3.

The electron-phonon interaction is known as one of the major mechanisms determining electrical and thermal properties. In particular, it alters the carrier transport behaviors and sets fundamental limits to carrier mobility. Establishing how electrons interact with phonons and the resulting impact on the carrier transport property is significant for the development of high-efficiency electronic devices. Here, carrier transport behavior mediated by the electron-phonon coupling in BiFeO3 epitaxial thin films is directly observed. Acoustic phonons are generated by the inverse piezoelectric effect and coupled with photocarriers. Via the electron-phonon coupling, doughnut shape carrier distribution has been observed due to the coupling between hot carriers and phonons. The hot carrier quasi-ballistic transport length can reach 340&nbsp;nm within 1&nbsp;ps. The results suggest an effective approach to investigating the effects of electron-phonon interactions with temporal and spatial resolutions, which is of great importance for designing and improving electronic devices