Bridging Role Research Articles

Exploration on the mechanism of enhancing flotation of long-flame coal by diesel modification via oxidation

Low-rank coal is naturally hydrophilic, and the traditional hydrocarbon collectors often have poor performance in its flotation. In this study, the modification of diesel was conducted using an instantaneous gasification-oxidation-condensation device for the expected improvement of collector’s performance. Experimental analyses and interfacial interaction calculation were performed to explore the mechanism of enhancing flotation of long-flame coal by diesel modification. It indicated that the flotation of coal sample can be greatly enhanced by the modified diesel, and a combustible matter recovery of 90.52 % could be attained only consuming 6 kg/t of modified diesel which was far better than the flotation effect consuming 100 kg/t of common diesel. The improved flotation effect of the coal sample could be attributed to the increased polarity of collector from 0.48 % to 9.76 % resulted from the newly added oxygenated functional groups after the oxidation of diesel, which significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity of the collector on the long-flame coal surface reflected by the FTIR and XPS analyses. Furthermore, the calculated results of interfacial interaction between the coal sample and the common/modified diesel suggested that the efficient adsorption of modified diesel on the coal sample was achieved through the bridging role acted by water molecules. This research may give some insight into enhancing flotation of low-rank coal.

The role of myocardial bridging in athletes with ST-segment depression or T-wave inversion on exercise testing

Abstract Background Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital anomaly in which a myocardial band partially or completely covers a coronary artery. It is a common finding in the general population, but it is more frequent in athletes. MB can cause ST-segment depression on exercise testing, which can be misinterpreted as coronary artery disease and generate the prohibition of sports. Aim To evaluate the presence of Myocardial Bridging (MB) through Multi-Slice Tomography Angiography in Moderate to High Intensity Athletes with Electrocardiographic changes and normal parietal motility in Stress Ultrasound with Exercise Methods This study included 159 athletes who had ST-segment depression or T-wave inversion on exercise testing. All participants underwent coronary angiography and/or multislice computed tomography coronary angiography. In addition, follow-up was 36 months (+/- 18 months) to assess the presence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Results A total of 3790 stress tests were requested from the Cardiology and Sports Clinic: 3631 (95.8%) were completely normal (no ST changes and normal parietal motility) and 159 (4.2%) showed ST segment depression. Of the 159 athletes, 42 (1.11%) had ST depression in the inferior and/or lateral segments and abnormal parietal motility at maximal exercise and were referred for invasive coronary angiography. The remaining 117 (3.09%) had the following ECG changes: 88 (72.21%) inferior and/or lateral ST segment depression and 29 (24.78%) T wave inversion without ST segment depression. Ninety-two (78.64%) of the above 117 athletes were diagnosed with 1 or more MBs in the coronary arteries. One hundred and forty-three MBs were found. The most common location was the anterior descending coronary artery (n=61; 42.6%) in its middle and distal third, followed by findings in the diagonal (n=30; 20.9%), circumflex (n=28; 19.5%) and marginal (n=24; 16.7%) branches. No MACE was recorded during the follow-up period and no further complex diagnostic studies were required. Conclusions Our study suggests that MB is a common cause of ST-segment depression and/or T-wave inversion on exercise testing in athletes. MB is usually benign and does not increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Therefore, athletes with MB should be allowed to continue participating in sports.ECG during maximal exercise stress echocTMSC of athlete

Locoregional Therapies and Interventional Radiology in Managing Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Approach to Bridging, Downstaging, and Liver Transplantation

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant global health challenge, particularly for patients awaiting liver transplants (LTs) due to the scarcity of donor organs. During the waiting period, a multidisciplinary approach becomes crucial to optimize tumor treatment and preserve liver function. In recent years, interventional radiology has emerged as an integral part of treatment strategies. It has played a pivotal role in bridging and downstaging patients on the path to transplantation. Interventional radiologists administer minimally invasive locoregional therapies to HCC patients on LT waiting lists. Additionally, they address complications such as portal hypertension and portal vein thrombosis, which can lead to clinical deterioration and jeopardize transplant candidacy. This article examines the pivotal role of interventional radiology in the management of HCC, highlighting recent studies and advancements within the field. Additionally, it provides a concise review of the eligibility criteria for LT in patients with HCC, alongside a discussion of the surgical techniques employed in LT for these patients.

Dynamic clustering-based consensus model for large-scale group decision-making considering overlapping communities

Consensus-reaching strategy is crucial in large-scale group decision-making (LSGDM) as it serves as an effective approach to reducing group conflicts. Meanwhile, the common social network relationships in large groups can affect information exchange, thereby influencing the consensus-reaching process (CRP) and decision results. Therefore, how to leverage social network information in LSGDM to obtain an agreed solution has received widespread attention. However, most existing research assumes relative independence between communities in the dimension reduction process of LSGDM and neglects the possibility of different overlaps between them. Moreover, the impact of overlapping communities on CRP has not been adequately explored. Besides, the dynamic variations in clusters and their weights caused by evaluation updates need to be further studied. To address these issues, this paper proposes a dynamic clustering-based consensus-reaching method for LSGDM considering the impact of overlapping communities. First, the LINE-based label propagation algorithm is designed to cluster decision makers (DMs) and detect overlapping communities with social network information. An overlapping community-driven feedback mechanism is then developed to enhance group consensus by utilizing the bridging role of overlapping DMs. During CRP, clusters and their weights are dynamically updated with trust evolution due to the evaluation iteration. Finally, a case study using the Film Trust dataset is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Simulation experiments and comparative analysis demonstrate the capability of our method in modeling practical scenarios and addressing LSGDM problems under social network contexts.

Pyrazine Dicarboxylic Acid and Phosphite-Bridging Lanthanide-Incorporated Tellurotungstates and Their Fluorescence Performances.

Two pyrazine dicarboxylic acid and phosphite-bridging lanthanide-incorporated tellurotungstates [H2N(CH3)2]12 Na4[Ln4(H2O)2(H2PDBA)2(HPO3)2W6O10][B-α-TeW8O31]4 · 70H2O [Ln = Eu3+ (1), Tb3+ (2); H2PDBA = 2,5-pyrazine dicarboxylic acid) were prepared, which contain four [B-α-TeW8O31]10- subunits and a deca-nuclear heterometallic [Ln(H2O)2(HPO3)2 (H2PDBA)2(W3O5)2]24+ cluster. Strikingly, two H2PDBA ligands connect two equivalent {W3Eu2O5(H2O)(B-α-TeW8O31)2(HPIIIO3)}8- moieties to form the polyanion skeleton, while the phosphite plays a bridging role in joining two lanthanide centers in the {W3Eu2O5(H2O)(B-α-TeW8O31)2(HPIIIO3)}8- moiety. In addition to the fluorescence (FL) properties of 1 and 2 at room temperature, their temperature-dependent FL properties were also investigated. In 80-298 K, FL intensities of 1 and 2 decrease as temperature increases, and their maximum relative sensitivities (Sr) are 3.70 and 1.99% K-1, whereas the minimum temperature uncertainties (δT) are 1.25 and 1.18 K for 1 and 2. In 298-973 K, upon increasing temperature, FL intensities of 1 and 2 initially rise to their maxima at 373 K and subsequently decrease. This is because samples of 1 and 2 undergo dehydration together with amorphization below 473 K and decomposition above this temperature. This work lays a foundation for the development for luminescent thermometers based on lanthanide-incorporated polyoxometalates.

Symptom Network and Clusters of the Multidimensional Symptom Experience in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Background The symptom network can provide a visual insight into the symptom mechanisms. However, few study authors have explored the multidimensional symptom network of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Objectives We aimed to identify the core symptom and symptom clusters of patients with AF by generating a symptom network. Furthermore, we wanted to identify multiple characteristics related to symptom clusters. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 384 patients with AF at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital were enrolled. The University of Toronto Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale was used to assess AF symptoms. Network analysis was used to explore the core symptom and symptom cluster. Results Shortness of breath at rest (r s = 1.189, r c = 0.024), exercise intolerance (r s = 1.116), shortness of breath during physical activity (r s = 1.055, r c = 0.022), and fatigue at rest (r c = 0.020) have the top centrality for strength and closeness. The top 3 symptoms of bridge strength were shortness of breath at rest (r s = 0.264), dizziness (r s = 0.208), and palpitations (r s = 0.207). Atrial fibrillation symptoms could be clustered into the breathless cluster and the cardiac cluster. We have identified multiple factors such as mental health status, left ventricular ejection fraction, heart failure, sex, B-type natriuretic peptide, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as significant contributors within the breathless cluster, whereas sex, mental health status, and history of radiofrequency ablation were strongly associated with the cardiac cluster, holding promise in elucidating the underlying mechanisms of these symptoms. Conclusion Special attention should be given to shortness of breath at rest as its core and bridging role in patients' symptoms. Furthermore, both the breathless and cardiac clusters are common among patients. Network analysis reveals direct connections between symptoms, symptom clusters, and their influencing factors, providing a foundation for clinicians to effectively manage patients' symptoms.

A Simple Analysis of the Second (Extra) Disulfide Bridge of VHHs.

Camelids produce a special type of antibody, known as VHHs, that has lost the VL domain, providing a more optimised VH domain. This particular highly stable antibody domain has interesting properties for biotechnological development. Ordinarily, those molecules possess only one disulphide bridge, but surprisingly, at least a quarter of these VHHs have a second one. Curiously, this does not seem to be essential for the stability and the function of this domain. In an attempt to characterise precisely the role and impact of this disulphide bridge at the molecular level, several in silico mutants of a VHH were created to disrupt this second disulphide bridge and those systems were submitted to molecular dynamics simulation. The loss of the second disulphide bridge leads to an increase in the flexibility of CDR1 and CDR3 and an unexpected rigidification of CDR2. Local conformational analysis shows local differences in the observed protein conformations. However, in fact, there is no exploration of new conformations but a change in the equilibrium between the different observed conformations. This explains why the interaction of VHHs is not really affected by the presence or absence of this second bridge, but their rigidity is slightly reduced. Therefore, the additional disulphide bridge does not seem to be an essential part of VHHs function.

Evaluation of Boundary Layer Characteristics at Mount Si’e Based on UAV and Lidar Data

The atmospheric boundary layer is a crucial transitional region connecting the surface with the free atmosphere, playing a bridging role in land-sea-air interactions and the interactions between different atmospheric layers. This study utilizes rotary-wing UAVs, high-resolution lidar, and WRF simulation data to analyze the vertical distribution characteristics of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction boundary layer over the Mount Si’e region in 4–6 April 2024. The results indicate that the boundary layer temperature decreases with increasing altitude, reaching up to 18°C, while humidity decreases with height, dropping to as low as 35%. Daytime wind speeds range from 4 to 8 m/s, decreasing to 2 to 4 m/s at night. The boundary layer height can reach up to 900 m during the day and drops to 100–200 m at night, showing distinct diurnal variation characteristics. UAV observations are in good agreement with lidar and WRF simulation results, highlighting the application value of UAVs in high temporal and spatial resolution boundary layer studies. The study also reveals the significant impact of complex terrain on boundary layer characteristics, providing scientific insights into the dynamic and thermal processes of the boundary layer and offering reference value for improving regional weather forecasting and numerical simulations.

SMURF1 mediates damaged lysosomal homeostasis by ubiquitinating PPP3CB to promote the activation of TFEB

ABSTRACT The calcium-activated phosphatase PPP3/calcineurin dephosphorylates TFEB (transcription factor EB) to trigger its nuclear translocation and the activation of macroautophagic/autophagic targets. However, the detailed molecular mechanism regulating TFEB activation remains poorly understood. Here, we highlighted the importance of SMURF1 (SMAD specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1) in the activation of TFEB for lysosomal homeostasis. SMURF1 deficiency prevents the calcium-triggered ubiquitination of the catalytic subunit of PPP3/calcineurin in a manner consistent with defective autophagic degradation of damaged lysosomes. Mechanically, PPP3CB/CNA2 plays a bridging role in the recruitment of SMURF1 by LGALS3 (galectin 3) upon lysosome damage. Importantly, PPP3CB increases the dissociation of the N-terminal tail (NT) and C-terminal carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) of LGALS3, which may promote the formation of open conformers in a PPP3CB dephosphorylation activity-dependent manner. In addition, PPP3CB is ubiquitinated at lysine 146 by the recruited SMURF1 in response to intracellular calcium stimulation. The K63-linked ubiquitination of PPP3CB enhances the recruitment of TFEB. Moreover, TFEB directly interacts with both PPP3CB and the regulatory subunit PPP3R1 which facilitate the conformational correction of TFEB for its activation for the transcription of TFEB-targeted genes. Altogether, our results highlighted a critical mechanism for the regulation of PPP3/calcineurin activity via its ubiquitin ligase SMURF1 in response to lysosomal membrane damage, which may account for a potential target for the treatment of stress-related diseases.Abbreviation AID: autoinhibitory domain; ATG: autophagy related; CD: catalytic domain; CRD: carbohydrate-recognition domain; CsA: cyclosporin A; DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; ESCRT: endosomal sorting complexes required for transport; GSK3B: glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta; LAMP1: lysosomal associated membrane protein 1; LGALS3: galectin 3; LLOMe: L-leucyl-L-leucine methyl ester; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; ML-SA1: mucolipin synthetic agonist 1; MTORC1: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase complex 1; NT: N-terminal tail; PPP3CB: protein phosphatase 3 catalytic subunit beta; PPP3R1: protein phosphatase 3 regulatory subunit B, alpha; SMURF1: SMAD specific E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TFEB: transcription factor EB; VCP/p97: valosin containing protein; YWHA/14-3-3: tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein.

A nanoscale natural drug delivery system for targeted drug delivery against ovarian cancer: action mechanism, application enlightenment and future potential.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the deadliest gynecological malignancies in the world and is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. The complexity and difficult-to-treat nature of OC pose a huge challenge to the treatment of the disease, Therefore, it is critical to find green and sustainable drug treatment options. Natural drugs have wide sources, many targets, and high safety, and are currently recognized as ideal drugs for tumor treatment, has previously been found to have a good effect on controlling tumor progression and reducing the burden of metastasis. However, its clinical transformation is often hindered by structural stability, bioavailability, and bioactivity. Emerging technologies for the treatment of OC, such as photodynamic therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, gene therapy, molecular therapy, and nanotherapy, are developing rapidly, particularly, nanotechnology can play a bridging role between different therapies, synergistically drive the complementary role of differentiated treatment schemes, and has a wide range of clinical application prospects. In this review, nanoscale natural drug delivery systems (NNDDS) for targeted drug delivery against OC were extensively explored. We reviewed the mechanism of action of natural drugs against OC, reviewed the morphological composition and delivery potential of drug nanocarriers based on the application of nanotechnology in the treatment of OC, and discussed the limitations of current NNDDS research. After elucidating these problems, it will provide a theoretical basis for future exploration of novel NNDDS for anti-OC therapy.

Filling the gaps: grassroots prevention of domestic and family violence within the Korean-Australian community

This study focuses on the bridging roles of grassroots community groups from migrant communities in Australia, specifically in the context of domestic and family violence (DFV). Through in-depth interviews with 15 victim-survivors and 16 practitioners and community volunteers of Korean heritage, the study examines how members of the Korean community are attempting to fill the gaps in social support for victim-survivors of DFV and what issues, barriers and limitations they face. The results indicate that community members face multiple barriers in their efforts to fill gaps in service, which in turn affects the quality of their response to victim-survivors. This study argues that the emergence of a peer-support network is a response and even a partial solution to those barriers and limitations, challenging the traditional community groups (for example, ethnic churches) that used to serve as a main platform for the Korean diasporic community in Australia. A deeper understanding and engagement with these emerging networks are needed to fill the gap in the work investigating DFV response and prevention within Australian-Asian communities.

Cationic polymer-mediated interbacterial aggregation: A novel approach for rapid aerobic granules development

This study introduces a novel approach to aerobic granular sludge technology that minimizes the start-up time and guarantees the formation of stable granules. This is achieved by seeding the reactor with a cationic polymer without using inoculated sludge. Three cationic polymers (Hydrofloc C4400SA, C8896, and polyelectrolyte emulsion) were tested to determine the most appropriate polymer for aerobic granular sludge (AGS) startup based on the optimal dose and formation of aerobic granules. Hydrofloc cationic polymer C4400SA has excellent granule-forming properties in the AGS reactor compared to their counterparts. The formation of granules was boosted by adding 15 ppm of polymer, resulting in densely packed aerobic granules after 10 days. This improvement can be due to the more cationic properties of hydrofloc, which play a key role in bridging between cells and particles because the cationic charges of hydrofloc attract negatively charged bacteria in wastewater, thereby promoting aggregation and the formation of initial flocs. These flocs serve as the foundation for the development of granules. After 80 days of operation, 40–50% of particles with an average size range from 0.6 to 0.9 mm were observed. The AGS SBR operation was closely monitored and showed consistent efficiency in removing solids, where TP, TN, NH+4 –N, and the total soluble COD were removed at average efficiencies of 62%, 73%, 97%, 93%, and 79% respectively, during steady-state cycles conducted at room temperature. Overall, this study highlights the potential of hydrofloc cationic polymer C4400SA to enhance the performance and resilience of AGS in wastewater treatment applications.

Laying the foundations for negative emissions technologies: insights from a workshop

Abstract Pre-empting the worst consequences of climate change requires both mitigation of emissions from the global energy system and carbon dioxide removal through negative emissions technologies. Despite their nascence, negative emissions technologies are being incorporated into nationally determined contributions to achieve ambitious targets. It is therefore urgent to build a scaffolding that enables their expansion. Here, we report results from a workshop that brought together 34 prominent stakeholders, including scientists, engineers, energy system analysts, economists, experts in public policy, and policy makers. Participants discussed the likely cost and performance of these technologies; elucidated the opportunities and risks facing deployment; and envisioned how nations might build the necessary scaffolding for expansion. The majority narrative is that negative emissions technologies will have a bridging role in decarbonizing existing assets. Different models of deployment were proposed. Reaching the scale of deployment necessary to meet emissions targets is lengthy and expensive. Financial and regulatory risks are seen as greater barriers to deployment at scale than technological risk. Greater certainty regarding carbon pricing, production tax credits, and support for geological characterization and trunkline construction could reduce the former. Critical to expansion is a large-scale increase in low-carbon power production; the implementation of regulatory frameworks that remove uncertainty surrounding investment decisions; and prudent societal engagement.

Molecular dynamics simulation of nanocellulose and cement matrix composites

The interfacial properties of nanocellulose and cement matrix are the key factors affecting the mechanical properties of composite materials. However, it is challenging to study the interface combination through conventional experiments and microscopic characterization techniques. Molecular dynamics simulation (MD), as a nanoscale analytical method, can be used to calculate and analyze the strength, deformation, destruction and interfacial interaction of materials on the atomic scale. Since the existing methods of C-S-H modeling and fiber pull-out from the matrix in molecular dynamics simulations were not suitable for cellulose/C-S-H composite models. In this paper, a molecular dynamics simulation method for nanocellulose cement matrix composites was proposed. Based on the embedded composite model, the tensile stress-strain, interfacial interaction energy, hydrogen bond, and interface failure mode were studied when cellulose was pulled out of the matrix. The results showed that adding cellulose could improve the local ductility and tensile strength of cement matrix materials. The interfacial interaction energy between cellulose and C-S-H was approximately −1.09 J/m2, which was much higher than that between carbon nanotubes and C-S-H. Cellulose would adsorb hydrogen and oxygen atoms on H2O, OH− and silica tetrahedron in C-S-H. In the pull-out simulation of cellulose in C-S-H, C-S-H on the surface of cellulose would be destroyed and attached to the cellulose surface and moved along with it, indicating that cellulose could play a good bridging role in the matrix. The simulation results revealed the action mechanism of cellulose in cement matrix materials.

Trait association and prediction through integrative k-meranalysis.

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has been widely used to explore genetic controls of phenotypic traits. Alternatively, GWAS can use counts of substrings of length k from longer sequencing reads, k-mers, as genotyping data. Using maize cob and kernel color traits, we demonstrated that k-mer GWAS can effectively identify associated k-mers. Co-expression analysis of kernel color k-mers and genes directly found k-mers from known causal genes. Analyzing complex traits of kernel oil and leaf angle resulted in k-mers from both known and candidate genes. A gene encoding a MADS transcription factor was functionally validated by showing that ectopic expression of the gene led to less upright leaves. Evolution analysis revealed most k-mers positively correlated with kernel oil were strongly selected against in maize populations, while most k-mers for upright leaf angle were positively selected. In addition, genomic prediction of kernel oil, leaf angle, and flowering time using k-mer data resulted in a similarly high prediction accuracy to the standard SNP-based method. Collectively, we showed k-mer GWAS is a powerful approach for identifying trait-associated genetic elements. Further, our results demonstrated the bridging role of k-mers for data integration and functional gene discovery.

Effectiveness and mechanism of microbial dust suppressant on coal dust with different metamorphosis degree.

The extraction of coal from open-pit mines significantly contributes to environmental degradation, posing grave risks to human health and the operational stability of machinery. In this milieu, microbial dust suppressants leveraging microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) demonstrate substantial potential for application. This manuscript undertakes an exploration of the dust mitigation efficiency, consolidation attributes, and the fundamental mechanisms of microbial dust suppressants across coal dust samples with varying metamorphic gradations. Empirical observations indicate that, in resistance tests against wind and rain, lignite coal underwent mass losses of 7.43g·m-2·min-1 and 98.62g·m-2·min-1, respectively. The production of consolidating agents within the lignite dust, attributable to the microbial suppressants, was measured at 0.15g per unit mass, a value of 1.25 and 1.07 times greater than that observed in bituminous coal and anthracite, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses illuminated that the consolidating products within the coal dust predominantly constituted calcite and vaterite forms of calcium carbonate. The consolidation mechanism of coal dust via microbial suppressants is articulated as follows: Subsequent to the application on coal dust, the suppressants induce the formation of carbonate precipitates with inherent adhesive properties. These carbonates affix to the surfaces of coal dust particles, progressively encapsulating them. Furthermore, they play a pivotal role in bridging and filling the interstices between adjacent dust particles, thereby culminating in the genesis of a dense, cohesive mass capable of withstanding erosive forces.

Centrality of Information Sources in Agricultural Input Networks: Insights from Social Network Analysis

Input dealers being credible localite sources of information for farmers have huge potential of aiding faster diffusion of innovations. Under this context, understanding how the input dealers’ access and exchange information is essential for enriching them with updated information and improving the agricultural value chain. This study employs Social Network Analysis (SNA) to explore the centrality measures—degree centrality, closeness centrality, and betweenness centrality—of various information sources utilized by input dealers in Nagar Kurnool and Wanaparthy districts of Telangana during 2020. The analysis reveals that traditional sources, such as extension agents and other input dealers, are highly central to the network, with both scoring the highest in degree and closeness centrality (0.733 and 0.698, respectively). These sources are not only frequently accessed but also serve as key bridges within the network, facilitating the flow of information. Digital platforms like smartphones show growing importance, with significant degree centrality (0.667), yet they play a less critical bridging role. In contrast, social media and print media exhibit lower centrality scores, indicating their peripheral influence. The findings suggest that while traditional information sources remain dominant, digital platforms are emerging as valuable tools for information dissemination highlighting the need for strategies that strengthen traditional channels while integrating digital tools to enhance the efficiency and reach of agricultural information networks. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex information ecosystem in agriculture, offering insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to optimize information flows within the sector.

Mapping the Nanotechnology Patent Landscape in the Field of Cancer.

Currently, cancer is still a significant disease that seriously endangers human health. Therefore, advanced diagnostic technology and treatment protocols are urgently needed. The rapid development of nanotechnology is expected to provide new ideas for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The research aims to comprehensively demonstrate the hotspots of nanotechnology applications in cancer. In this study, an International Patent Classification codes co-occurrence network is constructed to visualize the technology landscape by simultaneously locating and ranking technologies that play an integral role in nanotechnology diffusion and bridging in the field of cancer. In addition, community identification and topic modeling highlight the latent topics in patent documents. The visualization results of the patent network yield five main clusters: Cluster 0 is a nanoparticle composition delivery system with liposomes as the primary carrier. Cluster 1 is mainly represented by nano-immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cluster 2 is nano phototherapy based on photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy. Cluster 3 is diagnostic imaging involving nanotechnology. Cluster 4 is a drug delivery system with nanovesicles and albumin nanoparticles as carriers. It was found that carriers represented by liposomes, vesicles, and albumin nanoparticles are essential nanomaterials in the current anticancer drug delivery systems. Integrating next-generation immunosuppressants and nanotechnology will become an important development direction for future immunotherapy. Organic/inorganic nanomaterials are pivotal in cancer imaging diagnosis and phototherapy.

Exploring boratrane's potential to enhance the thermal stability of phenol-formaldehyde resins by borate bridge as a crosslinker and the mechanistic formation of boron species in carbonaceous materials: A comprehensive study

In advanced material science, we explore the potential of boratrane, a promising agent for enhancing thermal stability. By combining rigorous Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations with groundbreaking experimental analyses, we reveal the intricate interplay of radical intermediates and mechanisms underlying the thermal evolution of boratrane-infused materials. Our innovative approach illuminates dynamic structural transformations and elucidates boratrane's pivotal role in fortifying thermal resilience. The DFT calculations identify radical intermediates and mechanisms of thermal degradation, highlighting the role of borate bridges in delocalizing π-electrons in aromatic rings through Gibbs free energy (∆GRXN), Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO), Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO), and electrostatic potential (ESP) analyses. Fukui function analysis provides insights into the reactivity of these structures towards free radical attacks. Our findings demonstrate that boratrane-modified resins exhibit a stable BO4- structure, which prevents self-condensation of boratrane to B2O3 and enhances the thermal stability of oxygenated resins. This improvement is due to the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds, contributing to helix-like structures that strengthen the resin. The mechanism by which the BO4- structure terminates radical agents and transforms into carbonaceous material is elucidated through thermodynamic values, revealing the plausible reactions and chemical structure of boron in the resulting material.

Preparation and performance control of ultra-low near-infrared reflectivity coatings with super-hydrophobic and outstanding mechanical properties

The development of ultra-low near-infrared reflectivity coatings with outstanding engineering properties remains a challenge in laser stealth materials research. Herein, we reported a laser stealth coating with outstanding mechanical properties, super-hydrophobicity, and an ultra-low near-infrared reflectivity for 1.06 μm wavelength. The effects of the mass ratio of graphene to nano-SiO2, the proportion of total filler, the addition of KH560, the mass ratio of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to acrylic-modified polyurethane (APU), and the addition of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) on the coating properties were thoroughly discussed. The coating can achieve a low reflectivity of 9.3% at 1.06 μm and a high water contact angle of 152° at a mass ratio of 7:3 for PDMS to APU and 6:4 for graphene to nano-SiO2 with a total filler amount of 40 wt%. KH560 can play a bridging role between the blended resin matrix and nano-SiO2, which can significantly improve the impact strength of the coating. The DOP, which contains a polar ester group and a non-polar carbon chain structure, can be inserted between the molecular chains of the resin to weaken the intermolecular force of the resin, so that the flexibility of the coating can be significantly improved. Adding KH560 at 4 wt% and DOP at 1 wt%, resulted in a coating with ultra-low near-infrared reflectivity of 1.06 μm (9.3%), super-hydrophobic properties, outstanding adhesion strength (grade 2), flexibility (2 mm), and impact strength (50 kg cm). The above super-hydrophobic ultra-low near-infrared reflectivity coating has significant potential for use in the field of laser stealth equipment, and it can serve as a useful reference for optimizing the mechanical properties of super-hydrophobic functional coatings.