High-entropy oxides (HEOs) with an ultrathin geometric structure are especially expected to exhibit extraordinary performance in different fields. The phase structure is deemed as a key factor in determining the properties of HEOs, rendering their phase control synthesis tempting. However, the disparity in intrinsic phase structures and physicochemical properties of multiple components makes it challenging to form single-phase HEOs with the target phase. Herein, we proposed a self-lattice framework-guided strategy to realize the synthesis of ultrathin HEOs with desired phase structures, including rock-salt, spinel, perovskite, and fluorite phases. The participation of the Ga assistor was conducive to the formation of the high-entropy mixing state by decreasing the formation energy. The as-prepared ultrathin spinel HEOs were demonstrated to be an excellent catalyst with high activity and stability for the oxygen evolution reaction in water electrolysis. Our work injects new vitality into the synthesis of HEOs for advanced applications and undoubtedly expedites their phase engineering.

Aqueous Zn metal-based batteries have considerable potential as energy storage system; however, their application is extremely limited by dendrite development and poor reversibility. In this study, to overcome both challenges, F-doped carbon nanoparticles (FCNPs) are uniformly constructed on substrates (Ti, Zn, Cu, and steel) by a plasma-assisted surface modification, which endows reversible and uniform deposition of Zn metal. FCNPs with high surface charge density act as nucleation assistors and form numerous homogenous Zn nucleation sites toward Zn 3D growth, which improves Zn plating kinetic and results in uniform Zn deposition. Furthermore, the ZnF2 solid electrolyte interface generated during cycling contributes to rapid mass transfer and enhances Zn reversibility, but also suppresses the side reaction. Accordingly, the half-cell of P-Ti coupled with Zn exhibits an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.47% with 500 cycles. The symmetric cell of the P-Zn anode presents a lifespan of over 1500 h at the current density of 5 mA cm[-2] . Notably, the cell works for 100 h at 50 mA cm[-2] . It is believed that this ingenious surface modification broadens revolutionary methods for uniform metallic deposition, as well as the dendrite-free rechargeable batteries system.

The complete genome sequences for two variant isolates of groundnut rosette assistor virus (GRAV) have been determined from symptomatic groundnut plants in western Kenya. The sequences of the two GRAV isolates (sc7.1 and sc7.2) are 84.2% identical at the nucleotide level and 98.5% identical at the coat protein level. The variants sc7.1 and sc7.2 comprise 5850 and 5879 nucleotides respectively, and show similar genome organizations with 7 predicted ORFs (P0, P1, P2, P3a, P3 (coat protein, CP), P4 (movement protein, MP) and P5 (coat protein-readthrough protein, CP-RT). Currently, GRAV is an unassigned virus in the Luteoviridae family, due to the fact that only the sequence of the coat protein was previously obtained. The presence of both ORF0 and ORF 4 within the genome sequence determined in the current work suggest that GRAV should be classified as a member of the genus Polerovirus.

A new class of intracellular signal amplification approach, integrating biodegradable manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanosheet with target-triggered DNAzyme recycling amplification in one nanosystem, was developed for highly specific and sensitive monitoring of microRNAs (miRNAs) in living cells. Briefly, the MnO2 nanosheets were employed as carrier and quencher for the hairpin-locked-DNAzyme strands (H1). Upon entering cells, the surface-adsorbed strands (H1) can be released due to the degradation of the MnO2 nanosheets by cellular glutathione. Subsequently, the hybridization reaction between target miRNAs and H1 probe induced the conformation alteration of the hairpin probes H1, formed an "active" DNAzyme. With the assistor of Mg2+, the DNAzyme was activated and induced the release of the fluorophores labeled DNA fragment, which achieved the restoration of fluorescence signal. Meanwhile, the target molecules was released and hybridized with the other H1 strand to initiate another cycle of activation, cleavage, and turnovers, which producing enhanced fluorescence signal for sensitive analysis of intracellular miRNAs. Furthermore, fluorescence imaging experiments demonstrated that the MnO2-DNAzyme nanosystem could visually detect microRNA-21 in cancer cells. The proposed strategy provides a good platform for highly sensitive detection and imaging analysis of various intracellular miRNAs in situ.

Current models of SIRT1 enzymatic regulation primarily consider the effects of fluctuating levels of its co-substrate NAD[+], which binds to the stably folded catalytic domain. By contrast, the roles of the sizeable disordered N- and C-terminal regions of SIRT1 are largely unexplored. Here we identify an insulin-responsive sensor in the SIRT1 N-terminal region (NTR), comprising an acidic cluster (AC) and a 3-helix bundle (3HB), controlling deacetylase activity. The allosteric assistor DBC1 removes a distal N-terminal shield from the 3-helix bundle, permitting PACS-2 to engage the acidic cluster and the transiently exposed helix 3 of the 3-helix bundle, disrupting its structure and inhibiting catalysis. The SIRT1 activator (STAC) SRT1720 binds and stabilizes the 3-helix bundle, protecting SIRT1 from inhibition by PACS-2. Identification of the SIRT1 insulin-responsive sensor and its engagement by the DBC1 and PACS-2 regulatory hub provides important insight into the roles of disordered regions in enzyme regulation and the mode by which STACs promote metabolic fitness.

Detection dogs serve a plethora of roles within modern society, and are relied upon to identify threats such as explosives and narcotics. Despite their importance, research and training regarding detection dogs has involved ambiguity. This is partially due to the fact that the assessment of effectiveness regarding detection dogs continues to be entrenched within a traditional, non-scientific understanding. Furthermore, the capabilities of detection dogs are also based on their olfactory physiology and training methodologies, both of which are hampered by knowledge gaps. Additionally, the future of detection dogs is strongly influenced by welfare and social implications. Most importantly however, is the emergence of progressively inexpensive and efficacious analytical methodologies including gas chromatography related techniques, "e-noses", and capillary electrophoresis. These analytical methodologies provide both an alternative and assistor for the detection dog industry, however the interrelationship between these two detection paradigms requires clarification. These factors, when considering their relative contributions, illustrate a need to address research gaps, formalise the detection dog industry and research process, as well as take into consideration analytical methodologies and their influence on the future status of detection dogs. This review offers an integrated assessment of the factors involved in order to determine the current and future status of detection dogs.

The United States currently faces the large, logistical undertaking of enrolling millions of Americans into a complex Affordable Care Act (ACA) system within a short period of time. One way states have addressed this implementation challenge is through the development of consumer assistance programs. In these programs, health care professionals-known as "Assistors"-are trained in insurance enrollment services to help consumers navigate the complex application and plan selection process, with the ultimate goal of optimizing enrollment rates.

Twelve cultivars of groundnut were screened in field trials for resistance to groundnut rosette disease (GRD), caused by coinfection with Groundnut rosette assistor virus (GRAV), Groundnut rosette virus (GRV), and its satellite RNA in the coastal savannah of Ghana. 'Oboshie' groundnut was rated as highly resistant; 'Bremaowuo', 'Nkatefufuo', and 'Behenase' as resistant; and 'Nkosuor', 'Kumawu', and 'Otuhia' as moderately resistant. GRAV infection rates of 11.8 to 61.8% (dry season) and 13.9 to 100% (wet season) were found, which included symptomless plants, suggesting that some lacked coinfection with GRV and its satellite. Chlorotic ringspot and line-pattern symptoms were observed, suggesting infection with Groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV). Virus identity was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and amplicon sequencing. This is the first report of GRSV in Ghana. GRSV infection rates were 0.0 to 69.5% (dry season) and 26.1 to 69.5% (wet season). Mixed infections of GRAV and GRSV were common in all cultivars except Nkosuor and Bremaowuo in the dry season. Most cultivars graft inoculated with GRD showed significantly reduced height, leaf area, chlorophyll content, dry haulm weight, and seed yield compared with healthy plants. The sources of resistance to GRD and possibly GRAV and GRSV identified in this study could be exploited in groundnut breeding programs.

Groundnut rosette disease (GRD) is the most devastating disease of groundnuts in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is caused by synergistic interactions between viruses and virus-like pathogens: groundnut rosette assistor virus (GRAV), groundnut rosette virus (GRV) and a satellite RNA (satRNA). The multi-pathogenic nature of GRD requires efficient diagnostic systems for plant breeding and pathology work. Currently, TAS-ELISA and RT-PCR are used to detect all three pathogens. This approach is time-consuming, expensive and not easily amenable to high throughput. A multiplex PCR-based approach was developed to detect all three pathogens at once, reducing diagnostics costs and time by two thirds. The technique is highly robust and amenable to high throughput, with sensitivity and specificity values of 88 % and 100 %, respectively. The positive predictive value for the technique is 100 %, and the negative predictive value is 90.6 %.

Some form of assisted dying (voluntary euthanasia and/or assisted suicide) is lawful in the Netherlands, Belgium, Oregon, and Switzerland. In order to be lawful in these jurisdictions, a valid request must precede the provision of assistance to die. Non-adherence to the criteria for valid requests for assisted dying may be a trigger for civil and/or criminal liability, as well as disciplinary sanctions where the assistor is a medical professional. In this article, we review the criteria and evidence in respect of requests for assisted dying in the Netherlands, Belgium, Oregon, and Switzerland, with the aim of establishing whether individuals who receive assisted dying do so on the basis of valid requests. We conclude that the evidence suggests that individuals who receive assisted dying in the four jurisdictions examined do so on the basis of valid requests and third parties who assist death do not act unlawfully. However, further research on the elements that may undermine the validity of requests for assisted dying is warranted. More research on the reasons why requests for assisted dying are refused is also desirable.

Ischemic stroke is a major composition of cerebrovascular disease, seriously threatening to human health in the world. Activin A (ActA), belonging to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) super family, plays an important role in the hypoxic-ischemic brain injury through ActA/Smads pathway. While as an essential phosphorylation assistor in TGF-β signaling, the functions and mechanisms of smad anchor for receptor activation (SARA) in ischemic brain injury remain poorly understood. To solve this problem and explore the pathological processes of ischemic stroke, we used an Oxygen-Glucose deprivation (OGD) model in nerve growth factor-induced differentiated rattus PC12 pheochromocytoma cells and down regulated the expressions of SARA by RNA interference technology. Our results showed that the repression of SARA before OGD exposure reduced the expressions of Smad2, 3, 4 mRNA and the phosphorylation rate of Smad2 protein, but it did not affect the mRNA expressions of Smad7. After OGD treatment, ActA/Smads pathway was activated and the expression of SARA in the SARA pre-repression group was significantly up-regulated. The pre-repression of SARA increased the sensitivities of nerve-like cells to OGD damage. Moreover, the mRNA expression of Smad7 which was supposed to participate in the negative feedback of ActA/Smads pathway was also elevated due to OGD injury. Taken together, these results suggest a positive role of SARA in assisting the phosphorylation of Smad2 and maintaining the neuron protective effect of ActA/Smads pathway.