The effect of parental opportunism, IJV's autonomy and tacit knowledge on IJV instability: A comparison of multi-variate regression and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

This study uses an agency theory perspective to examine how the factors that influence principal (IJV parents) and agent (IJV) relationship may affect IJV instability in China. The study proposes a framework that bridges knowledge-based theory (of tacit knowledge) and agency theory (of parental opportunism) by incorporating reactance theory (of autonomy). By comparing the empirical results of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and multiple regression analysis, using a sample of 203 Chinese-foreign IJVs, the study add further evidence to growing methodological consideration regarding complexity theory. The results from multiple regressions show that parental opportunism and IJV’s autonomy has a positive effect on IJV’s instability, and that the interaction of autonomy and tacit knowledge moderates the effect of parental opportunism on IJV instability. However, fsQCA uncovers more causal paths than findings from multiple regression analysis

Recombinant proteins A29L, M1R, A35R, and B6R vaccination protects mice from mpox virus challenge

Since May 2022, mutant strains of mpox (formerly monkeypox) virus (MPXV) have been rapidly spreading among individuals who have not traveled to endemic areas in multiple locations, including Europe and the United States. Both intracellular and extracellular forms of mpox virus have multiple outer membrane proteins that can stimulate immune response. Here, we investigated the immunogenicity of MPXV structural proteins such as A29L, M1R, A35R, and B6R as a combination vaccine, and the protective effect against the 2022 mpox mutant strain was also evaluated in BALB/c mice. After mixed 15 μg QS-21 adjuvant, all four virus structural proteins were administered subcutaneously to mice. Antibody titers in mouse sera rose sharply after the initial boost, along with an increased capacity of immune cells to produce IFN-γ alongside an elevated level of cellular immunity mediated by Th1 cells. The vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies significantly inhibited the replication of MPXV in mice and reduced the pathological damage of organs. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a multiple recombinant vaccine for MPXV variant strains

Collaborative environment for energy-efficient buildings at an early design stage

This paper provides an approach for creating a collaborative environment for energy efficient buildings highlighting the issues required to be addressed at an early design phase. The paper will discuss a design scenario for a new built and suggest system architecture for implementing such scenario through the use of advanced simulation tools and modelling techniques to improve current practice in an early design phase. The suggested system architecture will allow multi-disciplinary teams to collectively and individually explore various energy solutions in a 3D interactive workspace to achieve optimum energy efficiency at building level

Preparation of Silicon Carbide Powder from Amorphous Silica and Investigation of Synthesis Mechanism

An innovative process for preparing silicon carbide (SiC) from acid leaching residue of ferronickel slag through a carbon–thermal reduction process was proposed in this study. The results indicate that the acid leaching residue is an ideal silicon source for SiC preparation according to its high amorphous silica content of 84.20% and fine particle size of d50 = 29.16 μm. Compared with carbon black, activated carbon, and graphite, coke is the more appropriate carbon source for SiC preparation. A micron-size SiC powder with grade of 88.90% and an average particle size (d50) of 44.68 μm can be obtained under the following conditions: the mass ratio of coke to leaching residue as 1.2:1, in an air atmosphere, reducing at 1600 °C for 3 h, following by decarbonizing at 700 °C for 4 h. The XRD, SEM and FTIR analyses show that the prepared powder is 3C-SiC and belongs to the β-SiC crystal type. Based on thermodynamic analysis and micromorphology observation, it can be concluded that with amorphous silica as the silicon source, the carbon–thermal synthesis of SiC powder follows both the solid–solid reaction mechanism and the gas–solid mechanism. The SiC created through solid–solid reaction is primarily nucleated in situ on amorphous SiO2, with a size close to that of the original acid-leaching slag, while the SiC generated according to the gas–solid mechanism mainly nucleates heterogeneously on the surface of carbon particles, resulting in a smaller particle size and mostly adhering to the surface of solid–solid nucleated SiC particles. This study provides a feasible method for the effective utilization of amorphous silica, which is also significant for the efficient consumption of the vast acid leaching residue

Rodlike YMn2O5 Powders Derived from Hydrothermal Process Using Oxygen as Oxidant

A facile approach is proposed herein to fabricate YMn2O5 powders with the hydrothermal method with oxygen as an oxidant. The structure and morphology of the as-synthesized YMn2O5 powders were characterized by XRD, SEM, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The results manifested that the main factors that affected the formation of the rod-like YMn2O5 structures were the stirring time, hydrothermal temperature, and hydrothermal time. The oxidation time in the air had a remarkable effect on the final product by oxidizing Mn2+ ions to Mn3+ ions and Mn4+ ions. The obtained YMn2O5 powder was single crystalline and possessed a nanorod morphology, where the growth direction was along the c axis. The possible formation mechanism involved a dissolution–crystallization mechanism. Under the 397 nm excitation, the Mn4+ ions exhibited an intense orange emission at 596 nm. The energy bandgap of YMn2O5 powders was 1.18 eV

miR-518b Enhances Human Trophoblast Cell Proliferation Through Targeting Rap1b and Activating Ras-MAPK Signal

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific complication defined as newly onset gestational hypertension and proteinuria. Deficiency in placental development is considered as the predominant cause of preeclampsia. Our previous study found that the expression of miR-518b increased significantly in the preeclamptic placentas, indicating the potential participation of this small RNA in the occurrence of preeclampsia. In this study, data analysis using multiple databases predicted Rap1b as a candidate target of miR-518b. An evident decrease in Rap1b expression was observed in preeclamptic placentas when compared with the control placentas, which was negatively correlated with the level of miR-518b. Based on the data of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showing that Rap1b exhibited similar localization with miR-518b in villous cytotrophoblast cells and column trophoblasts, we further explored their function in regulating trophoblast cell proliferation. In HTR8/SVneo cells, exogenous transfection of miR-518b reduced the expression of Rap1b, and dual-luciferase reporter assay validated Rap1b as the direct target of miR-518b. The small RNA could increase the BrdU incorporation and the ratio of cells at S phase, and enhance the phosphorylation of Raf-1 and ERK1/2. Such growth-promoting effect could be efficiently reversed by Rap1b overexpression. The data indicate that miR-518b can promote trophoblast cell proliferation via Rap1b–Ras–MAPK pathway, and the aberrant upregulation of miR-518b in preeclamptic placenta may contribute to the excessive trophoblast proliferation. The study provides new evidence to further understand the etiology of preeclampsia

Rectal metastasis of gastric cancer: a case report

The most common metastatic sites of gastric cancer include the liver, peritoneum, lung, and bone. However, there is a lack of relevant clinical reports regarding rectal metastasis. Herein, we report the rare case of a patient with gastric cancer who developed rectal metastasis. A 57-year-old male patient was diagnosed with gastric cancer and underwent a radical gastrectomy in January 2016, followed by eight cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient subsequently developed a rectal mass in March 2021. He was diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma and underwent surgical resection of the rectal tumor. A mass was then found in the abdominal wall in September 2021 and was resected. Specimens obtained from the three surgeries were reviewed, and the rectal tumor and the mass in the abdominal wall were both found to be metastatic tumors from the gastric cancer. Metastasis of gastric cancer to the rectum is rare, but it is important to differentiate between rectal metastasis and primary rectal cancer to help avoid unnecessary treatment

Improvement of stability of insecticidal proteins from against UV-irradiation by adsorption on sepiolite

The adsorption characteristics of protoxin and toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis by sepiolite were studied. The kinetic results showed that the protoxin and toxin could be adsorbed by sepiolite rapidly, and the equilibrium was reached within 1 h. The adsorption isotherms of both proteins followed Langmuir equation (R 2 >0.98) and the curves belonged to L type. The adsorption capacity, adsorption rate and the insecticidal activity of toxin were higher than those of protoxin. The results of ultraviolet irradiation showed that sepiolite could protect the toxin from ultraviolet irradiation damage, but it accelerated the damage of protoxin. Therefore, the toxin is suitable for preparing long-term formulations of B. thuringiensis using the carrier of sepiolite. The results of Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy indicated that toxin did not influence the structure of sepiolite and the adsorption of toxin only on the surface of sepiolite. The adsorption of toxin by sepiolite was enhanced by metal ions in the range of concentration from 0 to 4.0 mmol L −1 , and the enhancement extent of metal ions on the adsorption of toxin was in the order: Ca 2+ >Mg 2+ >K + >Na + . The higher the loading of toxin per mass sepiolite, the lower the 50% of the larvae of sepiolite–toxin complex. The zeta potential of sepiolite suspension increased with the addition of metal ions, indicating that the driving forces of the adsorption of toxin to negatively charged sepiolite was electrostatic interaction