Service capability evaluation of electric vehicle charging and battery swapping stations: A game theory‐based combination weighting method

The rapid development of electric vehicles (EVs) has made the construction and service capability evaluation of EV charging and battery swapping stations (CBSSs) more important. A comprehensive evaluation indicator system for the service capability evaluation of EV‐CBSSs is established, meticulously outlining the critical aspects of operational efficiency, economy, convenience, and reliability, each with multiple indicators for thorough assessment. To address the shortcomings of individual evaluation methods in evaluating the service capability of EV‐CBSSs, the game theory‐based combination weighting (GTCW) method is adopted, which integrates the advantages of the analytic hierarchy process method, entropy weight method, and grey relation analysis method. Specifically, the weights for each indicator are obtained separately using these three evaluation methods, and then combined using the GTCW method to calculate the final weights. In case studies, the service capability for each EV‐CBSS is calculated and compared between these three individual methods and the proposed GTCW method. Simulation results validate that the proposed evaluation indicator system and GTCW method can offer a more comprehensive evaluation of the service capability for EV‐CBSSs, providing guiding suggestions for future construction plans

Amorphous quaternary alloy nanoplates for efficient catalysis of hydrogen evolution reaction

Developing a highly efficient non-precious transition metal-based electrocatalyst via a facile approach toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is critical for large-scale hydrogen production but still remains challenging. Herein, a cost-effective electrochemical deposition strategy is rationally proposed to construct amorphous quaternary FeCoNiCu alloy nanosheets supported on nickel foam (NF) towards this challenge. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of multi-metal atoms interaction and the high exposure of active sites caused by abundant open voids, the as-synthesized FeCoNiCu/NF electrode exhibits high catalytic activity and robustness toward HER in alkaline solution, requiring an overpotential of only 35 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm–2. This study may pave a new avenue to design advanced electrocatalyst for energy conversion

Oxygen Vacancy-Enriched Amorphous Transition Metal Ternary Oxides toward Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Developing highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts based on earth-abundant elements is critical to improve the efficiency of water electrolysis, but it remains a challenge. Herein, an amorphous ternary oxides composites FeNiCoOx/CoOx with rich oxygen vacancies are developed through a low-cost wet chemical deposition strategy toward this challenge. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of multimetal atom interaction and high exposure of active sites caused by oxygen vacancies and amorphous structure, the as-developed FeNiCoOx/CoOx electrocatalyst exhibits an exceptional catalytic performance with a low overpotential of only 221 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm-2 and negligible performance degradation over 240 h. Furthermore, the FeNiCoOx/CoOx-assembled anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) can achieve a high current density of 1 A cm-2 at a low voltage of 1.765 V, demonstrating its great potential for practical application

Prognostic values of ALDOB expression and 18F-FDG PET/CT in hepatocellular carcinoma

PurposeThe glycolytic enzyme fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase B (ALDOB) is aberrantly expressed and impacts the prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatic ALDOB loss leads to paradoxical upregulation of glucose metabolism, favoring hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Nevertheless, the relationship between ALDOB expression and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake, and their effects on HCC prognosis remain unclear. We evaluated whether ALDOB expression is associated with 18F-FDG uptake and their impacts on HCC prognosis prediction.MethodsChanges in ALDOB expression levels and the prognostic values in HCC were analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Ultimately, 34 patients with HCC who underwent 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) preoperatively were enrolled in this retrospective study. ALDOB expression was determined using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of HCC was calculated from the 18F-FDG PET/CT scans. The relationship between ALDOB expression and SUVmax was examined, and their impacts on overall survival were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. ALDOB overexpression in HUH7 and 7721 cells was used to analyze its role in tumor metabolism.ResultsAccording to TCGA database, the ALDOB mRNA level was downregulated in HCC compared to normal tissue, and significantly shortened overall survival in HCC patients. ALDOB protein expression was similarly decreased in IHC findings in HCC than that in adjacent normal tissues (P<0.05) and was significantly associated with tumor size (P<0.001), high tumor-node-metastasis stage (P=0.022), and elevated SUVmax (P=0.009). ALDOB expression in HCC was inversely correlated with SUVmax (r=-0.454; P=0.012), and the optimal SUVmax cutoff value for predicting its expression was 4.15. Prognostically, low ALDOB expression or SUVmax ≥3.9 indicated shorter overall survival time in HCC. Moreover, COX regression analysis suggested high SUVmax as an independent prognostic risk factor for HCC (P=0.036). HCC patients with negative ALDOB expression and positive SUVmax (≥3.9) were correlated with worse prognosis. ALDOB overexpression in HCC cells significantly decreases 18F-FDG uptake and lactate production.ConclusionSUVmax in HCC patients is inversely correlated with ALDOB expression, and 18F-FDG PET/CT may be useful for ALDOB status prediction. The combined use of ALDOB expression and 18F-FDG PET/CT data can provide additional information on disease prognosis in HCC patients

Aggregation Pheromone for an Invasive Mussel Consists of a Precise Combination of Three Common Purines.

Most marine benthic invertebrates have a pelagic larval phase, after which they settle preferentially on or near conspecific adults, forming aggregations. Although settlement pheromones from conspecific adults have been implicated as critical drivers of aggregation for more than 30 years, surprisingly few have been unambiguously identified. Here we show that in the invasive dreissenid mussel Mytilopsis sallei (an ecological and economic pest), three common purines (adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine) released from adults in a synergistic and precise ratio (1:1.125:3.25) serve as an aggregation pheromone by inducing conspecific larval settlement and metamorphosis. Our results demonstrate that simple common metabolites can function as species-specific pheromones when present in precise combinations. This study provides important insights into our understanding of the ecology and communication processes of invasive organisms and indicates that the combination and ratio of purines might be critical for purine-based signaling systems that are fundamental and widespread in nature

Aggregation Pheromone for an Invasive Mussel Consists of a Precise Combination of Three Common Purines

Summary(#br)Most marine benthic invertebrates have a pelagic larval phase, after which they settle preferentially on or near conspecific adults, forming aggregations. Although settlement pheromones from conspecific adults have been implicated as critical drivers of aggregation for more than 30 years, surprisingly few have been unambiguously identified. Here we show that in the invasive dreissenid mussel Mytilopsis sallei (an ecological and economic pest), three common purines (adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine) released from adults in a synergistic and precise ratio (1:1.125:3.25) serve as an aggregation pheromone by inducing conspecific larval settlement and metamorphosis. Our results demonstrate that simple common metabolites can function as species-specific pheromones when present in precise combinations. This study provides important insights into our understanding of the ecology and communication processes of invasive organisms and indicates that the combination and ratio of purines might be critical for purine-based signaling systems that are fundamental and widespread in nature

Effectiveness of sexual health influencers identified by an ensemble machine learning model in promoting secondary distribution of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in China: study protocol for a quasi-experimental trial

Background HIV self-testing (HIVST), especially the secondary distribution of HIVST (SD-HIVST) initiated by sexual health influencers (SHIs), has been recognized as an effective strategy in promoting HIV testing, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate whether SHIs identified through the ensemble machine learning approach can distribute more HIVST than those who identified by the empiricalscale. Methods We will recruit eligible adults (≥18 years old) who were assigned male gender at birth, and willing to participate in potential SD-HIVST online. Participants will be assigned randomly to two groups (scale group or machine learning group), followed by a separate process of SHI identification based on the group assignment. After identification, all index participants (defined as identified SHIs who are verbally consented to participate in SD-HIVST or who directly order HIVST kits) will follow the same procedure for SD-HIVST acquisition and distribution. Index participants can order HIVST online and distribute them to members within their social networks (defined as alters) in-person or virtually through a personalized peer referral link. Once a unique alter uploads a photographed test result to the platform, both the alter and the corresponding index participant will receive a fixed incentive of 3 USD. The index MSM can order up to five HIVST in the first three months and ten HIVST in the following three months. Each index participant will need to complete a baseline survey at the first-time ordering and one to two follow-upbased on the times of ordering,, three months after ordering. This trial will be comparing 1) the mean number of alters motivated by each index participant in each group and 2) the mean number of newly-tested alters motivated by each index participant in each group. Discussion In promoting the efficacy of identifying SHIs for SD-HIVST, our study has the potential to enhance testing coverage, particularly among marginalized individuals and those who are reluctant to for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Trial registration We registered the study on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry website on 4th November 2021, with registration number ChiCTR2000039632

Between now and later: a mixed methods study of HPV vaccination delay among Chinese caregivers in urban Chengdu, China

BACKGROUND: Adolescent girls in China have a low HPV vaccination rate. Although vaccination is recommended by the Chinese health authorities, the cost is not covered by the national immunisation programme. Vaccination delay, among other reasons such as supply shortage and poor affordability, may contribute to low uptake. This sequential mixed methods study aimed to identify potential factors of delayed HPV vaccination among Chinese adolescent girls. METHODS: Quantitative data about the attitudes and perceptions of HPV vaccination were collected from 100 caregivers of 14-18-year-old girls using an online survey in Chengdu, China. The survey data informed a subsequent qualitative study using four focus group discussions. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the survey data and a thematic analysis of the qualitative data. The findings were interpreted using a health behaviour model adapted from the Health Belief Model and the Andersen's Behavioural Model for Health Services Use. RESULTS: A total of 100 caregivers - 85 were mothers and 15 were fathers - participated in the survey; 21 caregivers joined focus group discussions. When asked about their intended course of action if the 9vHPV vaccine was out-of-stock, 74% chose to delay until the 9vHPV vaccine is available while 26% would consider 2vHPV or 4vHPV vaccines or seek alternative ways to procure the vaccine. Qualitative results confirmed that caregivers preferred delaying HPV vaccination for adolescent girls. The intent to delay was influenced by systemic barriers such as supply shortage and individual-level factors such as a preference for the 9vHPV vaccine, safety concerns, inadequate health communication, and the belief that adolescents were unlikely to be sexually active. CONCLUSION: In urban areas, Chinese caregivers' intent to delay vaccination in favour of 9vHPV vaccine over receiving the more accessible options was influenced by a mix of individual and contextual factors. Focussed health communication strategies are needed to accelerate HPV vaccination among adolescents

Production of Transgenic Pigs Mediated by Pseudotyped Lentivirus and Sperm

Sperm-mediated gene transfer can be a very efficient method to produce transgenic pigs, however, the results from different laboratories had not been widely repeated. Genomic integration of transgene by injection of pseudotyped lentivirus to the perivitelline space has been proved to be a reliable route to generate transgenic animals. To test whether transgene in the lentivirus can be delivered by sperm, we studied incubation of pseudotyped lentiviruses and sperm before insemination. After incubation with pig spermatozoa, 62±3 lentiviral particles were detected per 100 sperm cells using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The association of lentivirus with sperm was further confirmed by electron microscopy. The sperm incubated with lentiviral particles were artificially inseminated into pigs. Of the 59 piglets born from inseminated 5 sows, 6 piglets (10.17%) carried the transgene based on the PCR identification. Foreign gene and EGFP was successfully detected in ear tissue biopsies from two PCR-positive pigs, revealed via in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Offspring of one PCR-positive boar with normal sows showed PCR-positive. Two PCR-positive founders and offsprings of PCR-positive boar were further identified by Southern-blot analysis, out of which the two founders and two offsprings were positive in Southern blotting, strongly indicating integration of foreign gene into genome. The results indicate that incubation of sperm with pseudotyped lentiviruses can incorporated with sperm-mediated gene transfer to produce transgenic pigs with improved efficiency

Cancer LncRNA Census reveals evidence for deep functional conservation of long noncoding RNAs in tumorigenesis.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a growing focus of cancer genomics studies, creating the need for a resource of lncRNAs with validated cancer roles. Furthermore, it remains debated whether mutated lncRNAs can drive tumorigenesis, and whether such functions could be conserved during evolution. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, we introduce the Cancer LncRNA Census (CLC), a compilation of 122 GENCODE lncRNAs with causal roles in cancer phenotypes. In contrast to existing databases, CLC requires strong functional or genetic evidence. CLC genes are enriched amongst driver genes predicted from somatic mutations, and display characteristic genomic features. Strikingly, CLC genes are enriched for driver mutations from unbiased, genome-wide transposon-mutagenesis screens in mice. We identified 10 tumour-causing mutations in orthologues of 8 lncRNAs, including LINC-PINT and NEAT1, but not MALAT1. Thus CLC represents a dataset of high-confidence cancer lncRNAs. Mutagenesis maps are a novel means for identifying deeply-conserved roles of lncRNAs in tumorigenesis